MXPA97007825A - Multifunctional sensor system and sensor of - Google Patents

Abstract

A multifunctional sensor that provides a plurality of parameter sensors in a desensor mode that can communicate with and control the operation of one or more processor control systems in an occupied space network operating environment such as a commercial building. The multifunctional sensor comprises at least an occupancy sensor, an ambient light sensor and a temperature sensor. A common communication network processor and control processor are coupled with a common communication transceiver and are shared in common by the occupancy sensor, the ambient light sensor and the temperature sensor such that the multifunction sensor can interconnect with and control the operation of one or more of the processor control systems. A plurality of multifunctional sensors are placed in different locations throughout the building. The multifunctional network sensor system further comprises power and safety management control systems, a common data communication network that connects with the multifunctional sensors and control systems to form a local operating network in the building. Each multifunction sensor is assigned a unique location address and can transmit and receive data, including its own unique address through the data communication network.

Description

"MULTIFUNCTIONAL SENSOR SYSTEM AND NETWORK SENSOR"This patent application is a continuation application in part of the patent application serial number 08 / 412,502, filed on March 29, 1995 for Motion Sensing System With Adaptive Timing for Controlling Lighting Fixtures and the patent application Serial number (lawyer's note 10255), submitted on August 30, 1996, for Temperature and Passive Infrared Sensor Module.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionThe present invention relates generally to a multifunction sensor system and network sensor, and more particularly relates to a multifunction sensor system and network sensor as it could be used in an occupied space network operating environment such as a commercial building. or automatic industrial where the detectors are installed to detect and control the different parameters in it. The sensors may include an occupancy sensor, such as a passive infrared (PIR) sensor, or an active infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor, a temperature sensor, an ambient light sensor, a relative humidity sensor, a CO2 sensor , a sensor of the time of day and other parameter sensors. It would be desirable to provide a plurality of these parameter sensors in a sensor module that can be interconnected with one or more of the processor control systems to control the operation of the security systems, power management systems, etc., in the Working space network environment occupied. These processor control systems can be obtained commercially which incorporate networks such as the Echelon system LONWORKS CEBus, BacNet, etc.

Discussion of the Previous TechniqueTraditionally, separate sensors that have been used for * occupancy detection, ambient light detection, temperature detection, etc. in separate lighting control systems, Heating Control, Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems(HVAC), electric charge control systems ofManagement on the Demand Side (DSM) and security systems, even when modules that combine occupancy detection and ambient light detection have been used in systems without network operation.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, a main object of the present invention is to provide a multifunctional sensor system and network sensor. A further object of the present invention is the provision of a network sensor and multifunction sensor system that provides predominant cost benefits in the building and install automatic control systems in the commercial and industrial automatic buildings with additional cost savings in the installation and linkage (software connectivity allowing interoperability) in a node with other control nodes in a control system network. The cost of a multifunctional sensor module compared to the separate sensor nodes for occupancy, ambient light and temperature greatly reduces equipment and installation costs. The cost savings resulting from the shared use of hardware, software and common enclosures such as the common network and communication control processor in a common communication transceiver between the multiple sensors and the elimination of multiple sensor housings as well as the procedures of simplified installation for a single multifunction sensor.

In accordance with the teachings herein, the present invention provides a multifunctional sensor that provides a plurality of parameter sensors in a sensor module that can be interfaced with and control the operation of one or more processor control systems in an operating environment of occupied space network. The multifunctional sensor comprises at least one occupancy sensor, an ambient light sensor, and a temperature sensor. A common network communication and control processor is coupled with a common communication transceiver and shared in common by an occupancy sensor, the ambient light sensor, and the temperature sensor, such that the multifunctional sensor can be connected with and control the operation of one or more of the processor control systems in a busy space network operating environment. In more detail, the multifunction network sensor system further comprises power and safety management control systems, and a common data communication network that connects to the multifunction sensor and control systems to form a locally operating network in a building. A plurality of multifunctional lords are placed in different locations throughout the building. Each multifunction sensor is assigned a unique location address and can transmit and receive data including its own unique address through the data communication network. The local operating network includes one or more lighting controllers that receive data on the occupancy and intrusion and ambient light of one or more of the multifunction sensors. One or more of the security controls that receive data on occupancy from one or more of the multifunction sensors, one or more of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning controllers that receive data on the occupancy and temperature of one or more of the multifunctional sensors, one or more of the demand side management controllers that control and manage the electrical charges depending on the electrical demand and that receive occupancy, temperature and ambient light data from one or more of the multifunction sensors, and one or more of the presence monitors that receive data on occupation from one or more of the multifunction sensors. The data communication network can be connected by any appropriate transmission means, such as a pair of twisted wires and can employ any suitable common bus harvester data communications protocol such as LONWORKS, CEBus or BacNet. The plurality of multifunctional sensors may include a multifunctional wall mounted sensor mounted on a wall or corner, a multi-functional ceiling mount sensor mounted level on a ceiling and a multifunctional wall mounted switch sensor lowered into a wall mounted receptacle enclosure or recessed into a wall. The multifunctional sensor can be mounted in a walkway, rooms or open office cubicles, each provided with a lens designed to optimally carry the visual field and motion detection for that specific application. Each multifunction sensor can include an analog-to-digital converter, installer interconnection network controls and one or more network communication transceivers configurable for any function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe aforementioned objects and advantages of the present invention for multifunction sensor system and network sensor can be more readily understood by a person skilled in the art with reference to the following detailed description of several preferred embodiments thereof, which are taken together with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are designated by identical reference numbers throughout the different views and wherein: Figure 1 is a functional diagram of a multifunction network sensor system according to the present invention that it comprises multifunctional sensors each of which generally includes at least one occupancy sensor, a temperature sensor and an ambient light sensor, all of which share the same network and control communications processor and the same network communication transceiver , and a plurality of energy management control systems and security, all of which are connected to a common data communication network; Figures 2, 3 and 4 illustrate three different types of multifunctional sensors according to the present invention, a multifunctional wall mount sensor, a multifunctional ceiling mount sensor and a multifunctional wall switch sensor, each of the which could be used in the multifunction network sensor system of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a functional diagram of the predominant electronic components of a multifunctional sensor according to the present invention;Figures 6 and 7 together form an electrical schematic diagram of a designed embodiment of a multifunctional sensor according to the present invention; Figures 8 and 9 are respectively front and back views of a mode designed on a printed circuit board for a multifunctional sensor according to the present invention, and illustrate the temperature sensor, the passive infrared sensor mounted on the opposite sides of the board of PC; Figures 10 and 11 together form a logical flow diagram for the operation of a multifunctional sensor according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSReferring in detail to the drawings, Figure 1 is a functional diagram of a multifunction network sensor system 10 according to the present invention comprising multifunctional sensors 12, each of which generally includes at least one sensor 14 of occupancy, an ambient light sensor 16 and a temperature sensor 18, all of which share the same network communication and control processor 20, and the same communication transducer 22. The system 10 of the multifunction network sensor further comprises power management and safety management systems 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32, and a common data communication network 34 that is connected to all the multifunctional sensors and control systems. The different multifunctional sensors 12 (1 to n) can be placed in several places across a building, typically several in each floor level. Multifunctional sensors are typically housed in small plastic enclosures such as those illustrated in FIGS.

Figures 2, 3 and 4. The technology of the occupation sensor 14(or movement), it can be passive infrared technology(PIR), IR, ultrasonic, sonic, RF, microwave, radar or any other effective occupancy detection technology. A preferred version is a Passive Infrared (PIR) design that can be used in hallways, rooms / offices and open office cubicles, each provided with a lens designed to optimally carry the visual field and motion detection for that specific application. . Each multifunctional sensor 12 is assigned from a unique location address, and connected to the common data communication network 34 placed across the building to form a local operating network. Each multifunctional sensor 12 can send or receive data, including its own unique address through the data communication network 34 on a continuous periodic basis, such as every 5 seconds, or it can respond when queried by a power management or security controller. The data communication network 34 also has access through the control systems that require data such as: one or more lighting controllers 24 that require data from one or more of the multifunctional sensors 12 on occupancy and ambient light; one or more security controllers 26 that require data from one or more of the multifunction sensors 12 on occupancy and ambient light; one or more HVAC controllers 28 that require data from one or more of the multifunctional sensors 12 on occupancy and temperature; one or more DSM controllers that require data from one or more of the multifunction sensors 12 on occupancy, temperature and ambient light; one or more presence monitors or monitors 32 that require data from one or more of the multifunctional sensors 12 on occupancy. The lighting, HVAC, DSM and safety controllers may comprise a composite controller or individual controllers connected to the same common data bus collector.

The data communication network 34 may use any appropriate technology or physical transmission media such as a pair of twisted wires, an energy line carrier (PLC), RF, fiber optic, etc., and may employ any protocol of common bus collector data communications appropriate such as LONWORKS, CEBus, BacNet, etc. Each multifunctional sensor 12 will usually include sensors to detect occupancy, ambient light level, and temperature, and can provide optimal cost / function design variations using all three, or any two or any of these three Basic detection functions, depending on the user's requirements / application. Each multifunction sensor can also include additional sensors to detect time of day, relative humidity, CO2 and other parameters. However, it should be noted that the mounting and exposure requirements of the various parameter sensors in a sensor module are often quite different such that it is sometimes difficult to mount the various sensors in a common sensor module. For example, a temperature sensor must be mounted to be open and exposed to a flow of air from an environment of a room being monitored, while an infrared occupancy sensor must be mounted so as not to be exposed to an air flow from the room. environment of the room that is being supervised. The temperature sensor should also be isolated or protected from direct exposure to the heat load of sunlight. The patent application serial number (lawyer's note 10255), filed on August 30, 1996, discloses and teaches about compatible mounting arrangements for a temperature sensor and a passive infrared sensor. The present invention can use a passive infrared (PIR) sensor such as a pyrometer model number RE03HBBEC, manufactured by Nippon Ceramic Co., Ltd. of Japan, which detects electromagnetic radiation within the range of 8 to 14 microns. The pyrosensor can be connected to an amplifier such as a dual circuit op-amp model number TLC27L2CD manufactured by Texas Instruments Inc. of Dallas, Texas. A multifunctional passive infrared occupation sensor is described in detail in the co-pending patent application Serial number (touch of the lawyer Number 10348), for Multifunction Occupancy Sensor, filed on October 25, 1996, the total exposure of which is expressly incorporated in the present by reference to it.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 illustrate three different types of multifunctional sensors according to the present invention, a multifunctional wall mounting sensor 40, a multifunctional ceiling mounting sensor 42, and a multifunctional wall switch sensor 44, each of the ocuales could be used in the multifunction network sensor system of Figure 1. The multifunctional wall mount sensor 40 similar to the multifunctional wall switch sensor 44 with the exception of the multifunctional wall switch sensor 44 it is mounted recessed in a box of the wall commutator receptacle instead of being level on a wall. The multifunctional ceiling mount sensor 42 is similar to the units 40 and 44 electrically, but will usually not include a temperature sensor and a front press switch, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The different multifunction sensors Wall mount and ceiling mount assembly and segmented lens arrays for different multifunctional sensors is described in detail in the copending patent application Serial number (Attorney's Touch Number 10349), for Multiple Optical Designs For A Multifunction Sensor , filed on October 25, 1996, the entire exhibition of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference thereto. Figure 5 is a functional diagram of the main electronic components of the multifunctional sensor according to the present invention. The multifunctional sensor 12 includes an occupancy sensor in the form of a passive infrared (PIR) sensor 14 which can be in particular of the sensor type described in the co-pending patent application Serial number (attorney's note 10348) for Multifunction Occupancy Sensor. This type of PIR occupancy sensor can work in a double mode, either as a safety occupancy sensor or as an energy management occupation sensor as disclosed and taught in the patent application (lawyer's note 10348). The output of the PIR sensor 14 is directed through a preamplifier 50 and forms an input to the two-channel A / D converter 52. In an ambient light sensor 16, which can be any type of photodetector, it forms a second input to the A / D converter 52. In alternative embodiments, the light sensor may be analog or digital, e.g., light to frequency and the two-channel A / D converter 52 could be replaced by a four-channel A / D converter, or a A / D converter that has any appropriate number of channels. A temperature sensor 18, which may be a model DS1620 or a model DS1820 as obtainable from Dallas Semiconductor, incorporates the same if its own output and temperature conversion in digital series. The multifunctional sensor also includes a front press switch 54 that is in the form of a local on / off switch, and a second press switch 56 that is a daylight adjustment switch and allows a local adjustment of ambient light, as desired. Other appropriate sensors such as the CO2 sensor or a relative humidity sensor or the time of day information can also form appropriate inputs for this circuit. The outputs of the A / D converter 52, the temperature sensor 18 and the switches 54 and 56 form inputs to a network and control communications processor 20 which may be a Neuron processor, model 3150 or 3120, as commercially available of Motorola. An additional network service switch 58 is provided for installation of the multifunction sensor when the multifunction sensor is being installed as a nodule in a network and sends a specific ID 48 bit specific to the communication and control processor. A press reset switch 60 also forms an input to the processor 20 together with a 5 MHZ crystal oscillator clock 62, and a supervisory power supply / low voltage drop detector circuit 63. A supply 67 of energy regulated your initra energy to the circuit in general. The outputs of the processor 20 include an output to a light emitting diode 64 indicating movement detection, a light emitting diode 65 indicating the service and a buzzer 66 if required to indicate a pre-light output warning and / or nodes of the light. operating sensor. The processor 20 communicates with the multifunction network sensor system via a transceiver 22 which may be a FTT-10A model, obtainable from Echelon. The output of the tranceptor 22 is directed above the data communication network 34 which can be a pair of twisted wires, at a typical data rate of 78 Kbps. For a unit 42 mounted on the ceiling, the sensor 18 of temperature, the front press switch 54 and the daylight press switch 56 were normally omitted. Generally, a network-based multifunction sensor comprises a single mounted enclosure that provides sensor inputs to the network, such as a PIR or ultrasound occupancy sensor, an ambient light sensor such as a photoelectric cell, a sensor temperature and an analog to digital (A / D) converter controls the network interface of the installer, and one or more network transceivers configurable to any function. For example, security could be provided in a separate network entirely, and a second transceiver would be provided for the security network. The multifunctional sensor may include more or fewer sensors than the three basic types of sensors mentioned above. The design considerations are to reduce costs by minimizing the different product types, enclosures, circuit hardware that is mutually exclusive (eg., Neuron, transceiver) and the installation time. The hardware and software implementations of the network use an appropriate network driver and a transceiver eg, a Neuron controller and a FTT-10A transceiver for LONTALK protocol, a CEBus network with a CEWay controller including a power line transceiver , etc. The parameters of the network are defined by the protocol of the specific network. Figures 6 and 7 together form an electrical schematic diagram of one embodiment of a multifunctional sensor according to the present invention. The electrical schematic diagram of Figures 6 and 7 includes the components generally indicated in Figure 5, and for explanation purposes is divided by dashed lines in sections 71-79. A section 71 includes the passive infrared (PIR) occupancy sensor 14 (IC8), which operates in a multi-mode manner such as an energy management sensor and / or a security sensor. A section 72 includes an ambient light (AL) sensor 16 (IC7) that provides light level output in lux and / or space alignment. A section 73 includes an analog-to-digital converter 52 (IC4) that receives analog inputs from the PIR sensor 14 and the sensor 16 AL, and converts them into digital outputs for interfacing with the microprocessor. A section 74 includes a temperature sensor (TS) 18 (IC3), which converts the temperature of the space into a digital serial output signal. A section 75 includes a microprocessor (uP) 20 which includes data communication and control functions such as the LONTALK protocol processing, the 3120 or 3150 Neuron LonWorks processor, or the CeBus protocol, such as the Intel 8051 and Ceway processor, and includes the following subcircuits: a. an oscillator, a clock 62 microprocessor; b. a circuit 67 (IC5), low voltage detector / supply supervision, which supplies the reset line uP during power up / down and unstable transitions;c. an LED1 64 service / movement detector and a service switch SI 58, a red / green two-color light-emitting diode, red indicates the service mode, green indicates movement detection (flash with movement). The switch (momentary) informs uP to send the unique ID device, e.g., Neuron of 48 bit ID code. A section 76 includes a transceiver 22 of network interface and connection. The transceiver converts the I / O series uP and interconnects it with the appropriate network, eg, Free Topology (FTT-10A) 1C1, the Twisted Pair (TPT), the Power Line (PLT), RF, IR ... etc. In the subcircuit a, the network interface provides conditioning and protection between the transceiver units and the network. On subcircuit b, the connection provides connectivity to the physical network, eg, the terminal block, RJll telephone connector ... etc. A section 77 includes the power supply that provides appropriate voltage (s) and current (s) to supply the application. A section 78 includes a second transceiver, the network interface and connection, to provide a second network connection.

A section 79 includes a network selector switch that switches the appropriate sensor information with the correct network. Figures 8 and 9 are front and back views, respectively of a designed embodiment of a printed circuit board for a multifunctional sensor according to the present invention, and illustrate the temperature sensor 18 (1C3) and the passive infrared sensor 14 ( 1C8) mounted respectively on the opposite rear and front sides of the printed circuit board. The light sensor 16 (1C7) is also mounted adjacent to the sensor 14 PIR. The temperature sensor must be mounted to be exposed to a flow of air from the room environment being monitored, while the passive infrared occupancy sensor must be mounted so as not to expose itself to an air flow from the room environment. It is being monitored. The temperature sensor must also be insulated or protected from direct exposure to and thermal loading of sunlight. The Patent Application Serial Number (lawyer's note 10255), filed on August 30, 1996, discloses and teaches about compatible mounting arrangements for a temperature sensor and a passive infrared sensor, and in particular gives In Figures 1 to 3, 5 and 6, know the appropriate arrangements for the printed circuit board of Figures 8 and 9. Figures 10 and 11 together form a logical flow diagram for operation of a multifunctional sensor according to the present invention. invention. A reset block 100 is basically an initiation of the multifunctional sensor and is followed by a load configuration data block 102, which includes the facilities for the multifunctional sensor, such as the definitions for inputs / outputs and definitions of the constants. From block 102, the logical flow diagram branches to the optional block 103 and three blocks 104, 106 and 108 which respectively deal with the temperature sensor, the light sensor and the PIR occupancy sensor. Block 104 includes the routine for measuring temperature and includes the configuration to send a temperature to the network only when a specified difference (delta) in temperature is reached and also includes minimum and maximum times to know how often the temperature is sent to the network, and a counterbalance to provide temperature compensation as required. Accordingly, depending on the rate or magnitude of temperature change, the actual temperature sent by the temperature sensor block 104 could be less than or greater than the temperature as detected within the enclosure. Block 106 includes the routine for measuring ambient light, and sends the differences of the light sensor (delta), together with the minimum and maximum times of how often the light level was measured to the network, and a calibration factor. The routine output of the light sensor from block 106 will generally be different from the output of the actual light sensor, with changes in the output remaining within the graduated limits. The calibration factor provides a counterweight to compensate for different factors such as the lens material, a non-linear photodetector tilt, etc. The routine 108 of the PIR sensor includes a configuration of how frequent the occupancy updates to the network occur. The scan checks if the movement is pending during its routine processing. To the right of the 108 PIR routine, a decision mode block 110 determines which of two modes the occupancy sensor is operating in a mode of the security sensor in which case the routine advances to block 112, or a mode of administration of energy in which case the routine proceeds to block 114. These different modes of operation are described more particularly in the patent application (touch of attorney 10348). The security detection mode 112 sets a higher threshold value for the output of the PIR sensor, while the energy management mode 114 sets a lower threshold for operation of the PIR sensor. Accordingly, after block 112 of security detection mode in block 116 the threshold is increased. It may also be desirable in the safety detection mode to increase the optical sensitivity of the occupancy sensor due to reasons explained in detail in the patent application Serial number (touch of attorney 10348). In the power management occupancy mode indicated by block 114, in the next change threshold block 122, the threshold of the detection circuit is decreased. Also, in this mode it may be desirable to decrease the optical sensitivity of the occupancy sensor due to reasons explained in detail in the patent application Serial number (touch of attorney 10348). The optional block 103 is included in the logic flow diagram in case additional parameter sensors, such as the CO2 sensor, or a relative humidity sensor or an active infrared sensor are added.

After blocks 103, 104, 106 and 120 or 126, the logic flow diagram proceeds to decision block 128. The decision block 128 is related to the transmission of the data at the level of the detected ambient light. This is followed in the logic flow diagram by a decision block 130 related to the transmission of the temperature data, which is followed by the decision block 132 related to the data transmission on the occupation, which is followed by the block Decision related to the transmission of optional data such as data from a CO2 sensor, a relative humidity sensor or an active infrared sensor. Returning to the decision block 128, if the data at the detected ambient light level is to be transmitted, the logical flow diagram branches to the left to block 136 to obtain the data of the A / D converter that converts the level of ambient light detected in a digital signal, and then to block 128 to transmit the data through the data transmission network 34, where the communication network protocol for data transmission is used. The data is transmitted through the communication network using the appropriate protocol for the network. For example, in the LONWORKS Echelon system, this is referred to as SNVT, which represents Variable Type of the System Network. For either a No decision in block 128 or block 138, the logic flow diagram advances to the temperature transmission decision block 130 and if the temperature data is to be transmitted, the logic flow diagram proceeds to the right to a data acquisition block 140, which is similar to the data acquisition block 136 and then to a transmission data network block 142 similar to block 138. From either a decision No in decision block 130 or block 142, the logic flow diagram proceeds to decision block 132 which involves the transmission of occupation data. If the transmission data is to be transmitted, the logical flow diagram advances to the left until block 144 to obtain the data of the A / D converter, and then advances to a block 146 of motion detected decision where it is made a decision as to whether the movement has been detected or not. This also depends on the selected mode of the PIR occupancy sensor, with different threshold values being used in the security and power management modes. If the movement was detected, the light emitting diode 64 is illuminated in block 147, and the data is transmitted through the data transmission network in block 148 similar to block 138. If no movement was detected in the block 146 of decision, or after completion of the transmission of the data in block 148, the logic flow diagram proceeds to decision block 134 for data transmission from any of the optional sensors such as the CÜ2 sensor the relative humidity sensor or in active infrared sensor in block 150. The logical flow diagram then advances to block 152 where the data is obtained, similar to block 136 and then block 144 where the data is transmitted through the network, similar to block 138. If the decision in the decision block 134 is No, the service switch is checked in block 156. If the service switch is operated, the unique identification number of the unit bit 48 is transmitted through the data network of block 158. From a decision of No in block 156 or the following blocks 158 or 154, the logical flow diagram proceeds to block 160 where a decision is made as to whether the data of Network configuration information has been received. This involves, for example, the information of the installation tools data, where nodes can be added to the network and also involves information and rankings including application codes. If no network configuration information data has been received, the logic flow diagram proceeds back to block 128 to be recycled again through the logical flow diagram. If the network configuration information data has been received, the logic flow diagram proceeds to block 162, where the information of network configuration information is saved and then again to block 102, where the information data received network configuration is loaded into an application memory. As stated above, the network configuration information data includes the data in the facilities (eg, delta, minimum / maximum, etc.) are definitions for entries, definitions of constants, etc., all according to it is defined in the specific data communication network. The logical flow diagram is then recycled again through itself. A multifunctional sensor with common data communications can replace any of the traditional individual sensors. In addition, it enables decision making and improved logic to build automation and control including maximum performance in power management and maximum demand control as used in Demand Side Management (DSM) systems. A low-cost system design brings the load to the electric DSM systems to optimum by detecting and communicating occupancy, temperature and ambient light data to the DSM controller. In addition, energy management and maximum demand supervision and control is brought to the optimum by providing simultaneous information in the current state of occupancy, ambient temperature and light levels. This allows HVAC, DSM and lighting controllers to make optimal decisions by shedding different HVAC lighting loads and other electrical loads while simultaneously providing occupancy information for safety monitoring and control. The multifunctional sensor maximizes the performance of the systems conveniently and economically. For example, if the maximum energy demand in the summer is exceeded and the temperatures and ambient light levels are high, then the lighting loads can be released in areas with sufficient ambient light. If the demand is still exceeded, the A / C charges may also be released in those areas or areas that are not occupied. In the winter, the multifunctional sensor can similarly optimize energy management during heating, illumination and other loads. In addition, the multifunctional sensor can provide detailed occupancy information to the safety controller in the event of a fire. In the case of unwanted intrusion, occupancy detection can activate the safety controller during hours when it is not working for an appropriate alarm with diagonal location information addressing the intruders and also activating the lighting controller as necessary. Although the various embodiments and variations of the present invention for a multifunctional sensor and a network sensor system are described in detail herein, it should be apparent that the disclosure and teachings of the present invention will suggest many alternative designs for those persons. experts in the art.

Claims (28)

CLAIMS:

1. A multifunctional sensor that provides a plurality of parameter sensors in a sensor module that can be interconnected with and control the operation of one or more processor control systems in an occupied space network operating environment comprising: a. an occupancy sensor; b. an ambient light sensor; c. a temperature sensor; d. a common network and control communications processor coupled with a common communication transceiver that are shared in common by the occupancy sensor, the ambient light sensor and the temperature sensor such that the multifunctional sensor can be interfaced with and control the operation of one or more processor control systems in a busy space network operation environment.

2. A multifunctional sensor according to claim 1, connected in a multifunctional network sensor system that further comprises power and safety management control systems, and a common data communication network that is connected to the multifunctional sensor and the control systems to form a local operating network in a building.

3. A multifunctional sensor according to claim 2, further including a plurality of multifunctional sensors that are placed at different locations throughout the building.

A multi-functional sensor according to claim 3, wherein the processor of each multifunctional sensor is assigned a unique location address, and transmits and receives data, including its own unique address, through the data communication network .

A multifunctional sensor according to claim 4, wherein the local operating network includes one or more lighting controllers that receive data on occupancy and ambient light from one or more of the multifunctional sensors.

6. A multifunction sensor according to claim 4, wherein the local operating network includes one or more security controllers that receive data on occupancy or intrusion from one or more of the multifunctional sensors.

A multifunctional sensor according to claim 4, wherein the local operating network includes one or more heating, ventilation and air conditioning controllers that receive occupancy and temperature data from one or more of the multifunctional sensors.

A multifunctional sensor according to claim 4, wherein the local operating network includes one or more demand side management controllers that control and manage the electrical charges depending on the electrical demand and that receive data on the occupation, temperature and ambient light of one of the multifunction sensors.

A multi-functional sensor according to claim 4, wherein the local operating network includes one or more presence monitors that receive data on the occupancy of one or more of the multifunctional sensors.

A multi-functional sensor according to claim 4, wherein the data communication network is connected by a pair of twisted wires.

A multi-functional sensor according to claim 4, wherein the data communication network employs an appropriate common bus collector data communications protocol such as LONWORKS, CEBus or BacNßt.

12. A multifunctional sensor according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of multifunctional sensors includes a multifunctional sensor mounted on the wall that is mounted level on a wall or at a corner, a multifunctional ceiling mount sensor mounted at a ceiling and a multifunctional wall mounted switch sensor lowered into a wall mounted or recessed wall switch receptacle box, which are mounted in corridors, rooms or open office cubicles.

A multi-functional sensor according to claim 4, wherein each multifunctional sensor includes an analog to digital converter, installer interface network controls and one or more network communication transceivers configurable to any function.

A multi-functional sensor according to claim 1, further including a plurality of multifunctional sensors that are placed at different tions throughout a building.

15. A multifunction sensor according to claim 14, wherein each multifunction sensor is assigned a unique tion address, and transmits and receives data, including its own unique address through the data communication network.

16. A multifunction sensor according to claim 2, wherein the local operating network includes one or more lighting controllers that receive data on the occupancy and ambient light of one or more of the multifunctional sensors.

A multi-functional sensor according to claim 2, wherein the local operating network includes one or more security controllers that receive occupancy data from one or more of the multifunction sensors.

18. A multifunction sensor according to claim 2, wherein the local operating network includes one or more of heating, ventilating and air conditioning controllers that receive data on the occupancy and temperature of one or more of the multifunctional sensors.

19. A multifunctional sensor according to claim 2, wherein the local operating network includes one or more demand side management controllers that control and manage the electric charges depending on the electrical demand and that receive data on the occupation, ambient light and temperature of one or more of the multifunction sensors.

A multi-functional sensor according to claim 2, wherein the local operating network includes one or more presence monitors that receive data on the occupancy of one or more of the multifunctional sensors.

21. A multifunction sensor according to claim 2, wherein the data communication network is connected by a pair of twisted wires.

22. A multifunction sensor according to claim 2, wherein the data communication network employs an appropriate common bus collector data communications protocol such as LONWORKS, CEBus or BacNet.

23. A multifunction sensor according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of multifunctional sensors includes a multifunctional wall mount sensor mounted level on a wall or in a corner, a multifunctional ceiling mount sensor mounted at a level in a ceiling and a multifunctional mounted wall switch sensor lowered into a wall mounted receptacle housing recessed into a wall that are mounted in corridors, rooms or open office cubicles.

A multi-functional sensor according to claim 3, wherein each multifunctional sensor includes an analog to digital converter, installer interface network controls and one or more network communication transceivers configurable to any function.

25. A multifunction sensor according to claim 1, wherein the occupation sensor comprises a passive infrared sensor that provides a first occupation output signal for the security systems and a second occupancy output signal for the control systems of energy management.

26. A multifunction sensor according to claim 1, wherein the occupancy sensor comprises a passive infrared sensor and the temperature sensor and the passive infrared sensor are respectively mounted on the opposite rear and front sides of the printed circuit board.

27. A multifunction sensor according to claim 26, wherein the ambient light sensor is also mounted on the front of the printed circuit board.

28. A multifunctional sensor according to claim 1, further including a second transceiver, a network and connection inferfa, to provide a connection to a second data communication network. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A multifunctional sensor that provides a plurality of parameter sensors in a sensor mode that can communicate with and control the operation of one or more processor control systems in an occupied space network operating environment such as a commercial building. The multifunctional sensor comprises at least one occupancy sensor, an ambient light sensor and a temperature sensor. A network communication processor and common control processor is coupled with a common communication transceiver and are shared in common by the occupancy sensor, the ambient light sensor and the temperature sensor such that the multifunction sensor can interconnect with and controlling the operation of one or more of the processor control systems. A plurality of multifunctional sensors are placed in different locations throughout the building. The multifunctional network sensor system further comprises power and safety management control systems, and a common data communication network that connects with the multifunctional sensors and control systems to form a local operating network in the building. Each multifunction sensor is assigned a unique location address and can transmit and receive data, including its own unique address through the data communication network.