Room monitor for critical environment rooms

• US 8,068,021 B1
• Filed: 03/04/2010
• Issued: 11/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kieran L. Donohue
• Original Assignee: Kieran L. Donohue
• Inventors: Donohue, Kieran L.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US12/717,355
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 340/500, 340/505, 340/506, 340/517, 340/520, 340/521, 340/525, 340/815.4, 340/815.65, 340/815.5, 454/61, 454/67, 700/83, 165/217, 165/238, 45/61, 45/67
• US Class Current: 340/525
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24167 Encryption, password, user access privileges
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2614 HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control

Abstract

A room monitor having a second display includes a controller, a first display and a second display. The first display is preferably a touch screen monitor, which allows the entry of data into the controller without the need for a keyboard. However, the controller may be programmed through a keyboard. The controller includes a plurality of inputs and outputs for monitoring and/or controlling such room environmental factors as pressure, temperature, humidity and lighting. The inputs are used to read sensors. The outputs are used to actuate control devices. The first display includes a plurality of menus for controlling at least one environmental factor. The second display shows information the condition of a critical environment room. There is at least one message displayed on the second display. A second embodiment of the room monitor includes a controller and the first display. The first display must be a touch screen monitor.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring a room, comprising the steps of:

providing a controller having at least one input and at least one output, said controller having the functions of monitoring and controlling pressure inside a room;

providing information concerning pressure inside the room on a first display, said first display receiving the information from the controller;

providing at least one message concerning at least one of who may enter the room and whether the room is being used for some purpose on at least one second display, said second display receiving information from the controller; and

entering a command into said controller through said first display to change the pressure inside the room, results of said command being reflected on said at least one second display through a message concerning at least one of who may enter the room and whether the room is being used for some purpose, said at least one second display being located adjacent said first display.

2. The method of monitoring a room of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

connecting said at least one output to at least one control device for actuation thereof, said at least one control device changing the pressure inside the room.

3. The method of monitoring a room of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

providing status on a mode of isolation through said first display, said mode being one of positive isolation, negative isolation or no isolation.

4. The method of monitoring a room of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

providing access to said controller through at least one of said first display and said at least one second display.

5. The room monitor of claim 1, further comprising:

providing one of a keyboard and a keypad, one of said keyboard and keypad providing access to said controller.

6. The room monitor of claim 1 wherein:

displaying at least one of said at least one message on said second display for a programmable period of time.

7. The room monitor of claim 1 wherein:

accessing said controller to set limits for pressure, if one of the limits is exceeded, an alarm is activated.

8. A method of monitoring a room, comprising the steps of:

providing a controller having at least one input and at least one output, said controller having the functions of monitoring and controlling pressure inside a room;

providing information concerning pressure inside the room on a first display, said first display receiving the information from the controller;

providing at least one message concerning the condition of the room on at least one second display, said second display receiving information from the controller, the condition of the room being at least one of infectious, being cleared and cleared; and

entering a command into said controller through said first display to change the pressure inside the room, results of said command being reflected on said at least one second display through a message concerning the condition of the room, said at least one second display being located adjacent said first display.

9. The method of monitoring a room of claim 8, further comprising the step of:

connecting said at least one output to at least one control device for actuation thereof, said at least one control device changing the pressure inside the room.

10. The method of monitoring a room of claim 8, further comprising the step of:

providing status on a mode of isolation through said first display, said mode being one of positive isolation, negative isolation or no isolation.

11. The method of monitoring a room of claim 8, further comprising the step of:

providing access to said controller through at least one of said first display and said at least one second display.

12. The room monitor of claim 8, further comprising:

providing one of a keyboard and a keypad, one of said keyboard and keypad providing access to said controller.

13. The room monitor of claim 8 wherein:

displaying at least one of said at least one message on said second display for a programmable period of time.

14. The room monitor of claim 8 wherein:

accessing said controller to set limits for pressure, if one of the limits is exceeded, an alarm is activated.

15. A method of monitoring a room, comprising the steps of:

providing a controller having at least one input and at least one output, said controller having the functions of monitoring and controlling pressure inside a room, connecting said at least one input to at least one sensor;

providing information concerning pressure inside the room on a first display, said first display receiving the information from the controller;

providing at least one message concerning the condition of the room on at least one second display, said second display receiving information from the controller, the condition of the room being at least one of infectious, being cleared and cleared; and

entering a command into said controller through said first display to change the pressure inside the room, results of said command being reflected on said at least one second display through a message concerning the condition of the room, said at least one second display being located adjacent said first display.

16. The method of monitoring a room of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

connecting said at least one output to at least one control device for actuation thereof, said at least one control device changing the pressure inside the room.

17. The method of monitoring a room of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

providing status on a mode of isolation through said first display, said mode being one of positive isolation, negative isolation or no isolation.

18. The method of monitoring a room of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

providing access to said controller through at least one of said first display and said at least one second display.

19. The room monitor of claim 15, further comprising:

providing one of a keyboard and a keypad, one of said keyboard and keypad providing access to said controller.

20. The room monitor of claim 15 wherein:

displaying at least one of said at least one message on said second display for a programmable period of time.