摘要:
A low cost communications device such as a modem reduces electrical interference or noise of signals received from a power line and transmitted to electrical devices. The modem forwards messages and commands between electrical devices and an external computer device. That is, the modem communicates over a power line without the use of a controller such as a microprocessor or microcomputer. The modem can reduce electrical interference of signals received from a power line through the use of an adjustable automatic gain (AGC) circuit.
摘要:
A system for sensing and maintaining the light level within an area. The invention comprises multiple lux sensor readers that function to measure the current light level within an area. One or more controllers are used to control the dimming level of each light source in accordance with the readings received from the plurality of lux sensors. The readings are averaged such that over time any extreme readings are averaged out. The light level of the plurality of light sources is adjusted in accordance with the averaged readings. This virtually eliminates areas in the room where the light is too dim or too bright and serves to average out any manufacturing and component tolerance differences between devices. In addition, the invention comprises the optional assignment of a weight factor to each reading or average to further provide the ability to give more importance to certain regions in the room over others thus further assisting in eliminating areas where the light is either too dim or too bright. The system includes control units, controllers, controls for window, skylight, light pipe and shading, HVAC controls, lighting loads and light sensors (lux readers) that are used to construct the lighting control system of the present invention. Readings from the one or more lux sensors are processed by one or more controllers and in response thereto, one or more commands are generated for directing the actions of controllers to which the lighting loads are attached.
摘要:
An apparatus and method place a node in an unconfigured state, with the apparatus and method functioning within an electrical network including a plurality of such nodes. Each node is adapted to communicate over a communications network. Such electrical networks can be implemented utilizing the CEBus (EIA-600 standard) or LonWorks communications systems. The apparatus and method operate in a LonWorks communications system by placing a node in an unconfigured state for installation or maintenance purposes. A push button switch is in a suitable location in the apparatus to be accessed by a user. The switch is coupled between a service pin of a Neuron chip and ground. Under control of an executable application program, pressing the switch for a predetermined length of time causes the node to be placed in the unconfigured state.
摘要:
An apparatus for and method of inhibiting and overriding the normal operating mode of one or more input devices connected to a communications network. The present invention functions within an electrical network made up of a plurality of input devices wherein a group of input devices is capable of commanding an electrical control device to apply and remove electrical power from an electrical load connected thereto. The input devices or nodes communicate with the electrical control device over a communications network. When one of the input devices is turned off, the normal operating mode of all the other input sensors is inhibited. The electrical control device remains inhibited until all the input devices are no longer in the off position. Thus, electrical power to the load controlled by the electrical control device remains disconnected until all input devices are in the on position. Local and remote signaling, control and indication diagnostic and monitoring functions are also provided.
摘要:
A ground detector circuit in the form of a live ground detector circuit. This live ground detector circuit can be combined with a circuit interrupting device. The circuit interrupting device can have a grounding conductive path, and a set of contacts which are configured to break an electrical connection between input and output terminals on the circuit interrupting device when operated. The ground detector when combined with a circuit interrupter, triggers the circuit interrupter into a fault condition when the detector circuit detects the presence of a signal or a fault.
摘要:
An over voltage protection device for a GFCI having a voltage divider network connected across the line terminals of the GFCI, and an over voltage detecting diode connected between the voltage divider network and a gate terminal of an SCR. The voltage divider and diode cause a signal to be fed to the gate terminal of the SCR to trip the GFCI when an over voltage condition exists at the line terminals. The voltage divider is adjustable, with the sensitivity of the over voltage protection varying in accordance with adjustment of the potential from the voltage divider. In an embodiment of the invention, the circuit includes an indicator, such as a photodiode, which indicates the occurrence of an over voltage condition. In addition, a blocking diode is connected between the gate terminal of the SCR and a triggering terminal of an integrated circuit of the GFCI where the over voltage detecting diode conducts current to the gate terminal when an over voltage condition occurs, and the blocking diode conducts current to the gate terminal of the SCR when a ground-fault condition occurs.
摘要:
The present invention relates to a family of resettable circuit interrupting devices that avoid reverse wiring conditions by sensing which pair of two pairs of terminals on the circuit interrupting device is connected to a source of electricity and connecting the pair of terminals sensed as line terminals to the circuit interrupting device as the line terminals and the other pair of terminals as the load terminals.
摘要:
Indicator means located in a plug or connector indicates when at least one phase of an AC multi-phase voltage is absent. The indicator means can be any one of a variety of light sources and/or an audible generator. The light source can be, for example, an LED, an illuminating ring visible from any angle around the body of the plug or connector, etc. An opaque barrier can be used to totally or partially block the light from the light source when light from the light indicator may be objectionable such as during a stage lighting application. The indicator means for detecting the absence of at least one phase can be on a printed circuit board connected to receive power from the conductors in the plug or connector.
摘要:
A method of adding a device to an existing or new electrical or electronic automation or multimedia network. The invention facilitates adding a device to the network that can communicate using various protocols such as LonWorks, CEBus, X-10, etc. over media such as AC power line, IR, RF, twisted pair, optical fiber, etc. The method is a mechanism for adding a device to a system that can be used by an ordinary user of network capable electrical devices. The method comprises the steps an installer would perform including the handshaking that needs to occur between devices to accomplish the binding process. A Functional Profile for LonWorks networks is given as an example. This includes a Home Device profile that employs an automated explicit type messaging for all devices intended for use in a home environment. The invention includes adding to the device an install button and a visual indicator for status such as an LED. Alternatively, existing buttons and LEDs on the device may be used for installed and binding purposes. Other methods of binding can be employed by the use of wired or wireless handheld tools, remote controls, etc. Other interfaces and user feedback can be used such as touch screen, personal computers, cellular phones, PDAs, etc which can offer simple ‘virtual’ binding by the press of an icon versus the physical button on the device. The binding can be performed locally or remotely such as via LAN, WAN, Internet, etc.
摘要:
A multifunction sensor device acts as a heat detector and performs various transducer functions for temperature sensing, ambient light sensing, motion detection, switching functions, and a mechanism to put the device in an on, off or auto mode. The device operates in diverse environments in which sensors are utilized for energy monitoring and control, end user convenience or HVAC control. Key elements include overcoming the difficulty of mounting diverse sensors or transducers within the same device or housing; permitting these various sensors to exist in a single package mounted to a wall; and eliminating the requirement of an air flow channel, thus minimizing any adverse effects on the motion detecting element or sensor as well as providing built in partial hysteresis. A temperature sensor is exposed neither to the flow of air in a room or area nor in an airflow channel where a chimney effect may occur.