Patent · US Expired

Multifunction sensor and network sensor system

US5971597A · kind A · utility

256Cited by
15References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 25, 1996
Grant dateOct 26, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 25, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02B20/40
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A multifunction sensor provides a plurality of parameter sensors in one sensor module which can interface with and control operation of one or more processor control systems in an occupied space networked environment such as a commercial building. The multifunction sensor comprises at least an occupancy sensor, an ambient light sensor, and a temperature sensor. A common network communications and control processor is coupled to 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 interface with and control operation of one or more processor control systems. A plurality of the multifunction sensors are placed at different locations throughout the building. The multifunction network sensor system further comprises energy management and security controller systems, and a common data communication network which connects to the multifunction sensors and the controller 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, over t…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.