Abstract:
A utility control system governs provision of genuine on-demand lighting, as well other utilities as in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”) in territories of a building in accordance with occupant demand. In lighting control, the present invention enacts on-demand illumination anterior to the occupant entering a normally dimmed/unlighted territory; lighting is provided immediately anterior to occupant entry into an oncoming territory. As the occupant leaves each territory, lighting provision is suspended/terminated in that territory for energy conservation. Signals and commands received by the utility control system from a plurality of override switches, interactive sensors and occupancy sensors within each monitored territory, as well as the control units of an elevator control system (“ECS”), a Building Management System (“BMS”) and a client computer govern the utility control system for configuring automated lighting provision. The utility control system predicts an occupant traversal path and provides the occupant with the best-suited lighted environments in each territory of the occupant traversal path.

Description:
PRIORITY DATE 
       [0001]    This application claims priority rights in accordance with provisional application 61/321,913 filed on Apr. 8, 2010. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates in particular to a sophisticated utility control system with a major breakthrough—genuine on-demand lighting provision. Illumination is activated immediately anterior to occupant entry into an oncoming territory such that the occupant is not exposed to light fixture brightening during the illumination process. Subsequent occupancy traffic and departure from a territory is tracked and analyzed by the controller for determination of illumination extinguishment. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Existing utility control systems control lighting and other utilities characterized in HVAC in conformance with occupancy detection and preconfigured responses. Problems arise as illumination in a normally dimmed, sensor monitored territory is activated after sensor detection of an occupant. In addition, unused lighting and other utilities are provided in unattended territories during preconfigured time periods. There is a need in the art for a system to provide on-demand lighting anterior to detection of an occupant&#39;s actual presence in the territory and illumination distinguishment after occupant departure. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The invention relates to a utility control system that governs lighting and other utility provision to building territories (“territories”). A primary object of the invention is to pinpoint occupant location and predict the occupant movement to a new location and to activate on-demand utility provision and in particular lighting provision to optimize energy efficacies. 
         [0007]    One aspect of the invention relates to illumination of light groups and scene alterations by a modular controller governing a corresponding zone of monitored territories in conformity with embedded control methods and received sensor signals. At least one override switch is installed in each building territory for the sending of command signals to extend illumination upon activation, as well a link with the ECS to receive elevator scheduler information. In another aspect, the invention relates to on-demand utility control system, in particular a utility control apparatus governing on-demand lighting and utility control in accordance with the prediction of an occupant traversal path based on signals received from a combination of sensors and information from the ECS. 
         [0008]    In yet another aspect, the utility control system conveys signals to the ECS regarding occupancy in monitored territories, including corridors and elevator halls, for a specific landing/destination floor. Related information may be used by the ECS for determination of elevator related control and operation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The drawings, constitute various embodiments of the present invention and serve to depict the control infrastructure and operating principles. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary building environment comprising a zone governed by the utility control system. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates an interactive sensor using various technologies and operation principles. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating the control method of the utility control system in operation with real-time ECS operation information. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary passive infrared (“PIR”) sensor performing a diagnosis function in conformity with control signals receiving from a controller. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates interaction of apparatuses of an exemplary modular utility control system governing one building zone. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary implementation of antecedent illumination in a building environment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the present invention for activating antecedent illumination and an occupancy verification process. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    The present invention may be better understood with reference to embodiments illustrated by the supporting drawings. However, the invention is not restricted to specific apparatuses, technologies, methods or particular protocols, which may be modified or substituted by equivalent counterparts or new approaches to serve similar purposes or functions as long as the overall operation and performance remain unimpeded and unaltered in principle. Terminology and protocol used herein is to describe particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting in scope. 
       Terminology 
     Antecedent Illumination 
       [0018]    Illumination in a normally dimmed/unlighted territory is activated immediately anterior to occupant arrival and visual notification, wherein the occupant is evaded from the brightening process. 
       Client Computer 
       [0019]    A network linked electronic device such as a microcomputer or a handheld personal digital assistant (“PDA”), etc. 
       Electrical Device 
       [0020]    Electrically operated devices controlled by the utility control system including but not limited to light fixtures, occupancy sensors and the client computer. 
       Grace Time Period 
       [0021]    Each occupant entering a territory from another territory is assigned a grace time period by the controller, during which lighting and other utility provision is to continue without disruption. 
       Illumination/Illumination Extinguishment 
       [0022]    Illumination of lighting in the invention description indicates a process of power connection or a boost from a power reduction mode to an operation mode having higher lighting intensity up to 100%. Illumination extinguishment denotes lighting entering a power reduction mode. 
       Occupancy Sensor 
       [0023]    A sensor monitoring occupancy and occupant location within a territory and sending sensor signal to the controller upon detecting the occupant through PIR sensing, laser sensing, imaging capturing and processing, etc; or, a sensor detecting the traversing occupant through active sensing of a chip embedded PDA using RFID sensing and WiFi sensing, etc. 
       Power Reduction Mode 
       [0024]    An electrical device may be switched from a power reduction mode indicating either a standby mode with reduced or minimal power consumption or total power disconnection to an operation mode with full power connection to electricity and readiness for intended operation. 
       Territory and Zone 
       [0025]    A zone within a building is monitored by a controller of the utility control system and is comprised of at least one territory. As the traversing occupant departing from the present territory enters an oncoming territory adjacent to the present territory and reaches a destination territory, the occupant traversal path is terminated by the controller. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary building environment  100  in which utility control system  180  monitors occupancy and controls provision of lighting. Controller  130  of utility control system  180  implements the operation and is communicatively linked to hub  110  via bus  102 . Note that although wired connections are shown in  FIG. 1 , wireless communication of control signals can also be used by the present invention. Real-time monitoring of environment  100  and control of the operation by management is enabled through client  105 , which is also linked (wired or wireless) to hub  110 . Client  105  sends configurations and commands to controller  130  and receives operation information, such as power consumption, apparatus status, etc. from controller  130 . 
         [0027]    An exemplary zone encompasses a territory excluding unit  116 - 1 , unit  116 - 2  and elevator car (“car”)  159 ; the zone includes a plurality of light fixtures  140 , occupancy sensors  143 , interactive sensors  144  and override switch  145  which are communicatively linked to controller  130  through wired or wireless linkages. Utility control system  180  provides lighting in the territory in anticipation of an arriving occupant. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, the occupant (not shown) may enter the unattended elevator hall  119  from unit  116 - 1 , unit  116 - 2  or stairs  118 . Prior to making entry, the occupant triggers interactive sensor  144 - 1 ,  144 - 2 , or  144 - 3 , at the opening of the corresponding door  117 - 1 ,  117 - 2 , or  117 - 3 . A signal is sent by one or more of the interactive sensors to controller  130 , which then brightens light fixtures  140  from a power reduction mode to an operation mode with the light intensity ramped up to a lux level preconfigured by controller  130 . 
         [0029]    In another embodiment, the controller  130  obtains information regarding passenger arrival (not shown) in the unattended elevator hall  119  from the landing car  159 . An elevator car detection section (not shown)—communicatively linked with controller  130  detecting car landing—sends a signal to controller  130  upon landing of car  159 ; controller  130  brightens light fixtures  140  after landing of car  159  and anterior to the elevator door opening in doorway  116 - 3 . In an alternative embodiment, ECS  450  sends information  471  (discussed in detail below) comprising landing schedules of car  159  to controller  130 ; controller  130  brightens light fixtures  140  after landing of car  159  and anterior to door opening in doorway  116 - 3 . 
         [0030]    Each arriving passenger to the elevator hall  119  is assigned a grace time period; which may be preconfigured through client  105  and is initiated by one or a combination of occupancy sensors, interactive sensors, elevator car detection sections, the ECS, etc. upon detection of the occupant entering into an oncoming, normally dimmed territory. Upon depletion of the grace time period, controller  130  dims light fixtures  140  in one or more territories after implementing the occupancy verification process for ascertainment of occupant departure in the respective territories. 
       Adaptive Control 
       [0031]    Information pertaining to units  116 - 1  and  116 - 2  including but not limited to unit numbers, occupant identifications and associated parking spaces in a building parking garage (not shown), etc. is stored in the memory means of controller  130 . Occupant entry and exit through units  116 - 1  and  116 - 2  trigger respective interactive sensors  144 - 1 ,  144 - 2 ; related patterns pertaining to each unit may be utilized by controller  130  for adaptive control in the automated utility provision including but not limited to lighting provision with minimized switching cycles between a power reduction mode and an operation mode. An inferred occupant traversal path and path destination may be projected by controller  130  in accordance with occupant information tagged with interactive sensors  144 - 1  and  144 - 2 . 
         [0032]    Further, the duration of an operation state of the interactive sensors  144 - 1  and  144 - 2  may be utilized by controller  130  for composition of the operation data in adaptive control. In one exemplary embodiment, occupant entry/exit patterns contributed from unit  116 - 1  may be eliminated by controller  130  in control of automated utility provision for elevator hall  119  in accordance with the calculated percentage possibility in unit  116 - 1  being vacated or change of tenants based on the signals sent from interactive sensor  144 - 1  indicating frequencies and time durations of door  117 - 1  being in the open state. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  illustrates various embodiments of an interactive sensor provided within a territory  200 . In one embodiment, interactive sensor  220  is a contact sensor, encompassing sensing plate  220 - 1  mounted on door frame  204  and is communicatively linked to the controller (not shown), as well as contact plate  220 - 2  which is mounted on door  201 . When door  201  is in the closed state, sensing plate  220 - 1  is faced with contact plate  220 - 2 . When the door  201  is opened by an occupant (not shown), contact plate  220 - 2  moves away from sensing plate  220 - 1 : interactive sensor  220  sends a signal to the controller, which switches one or more electrical devices (not shown) in the oncoming territory behind door  201  from a power reduction mode to an operation mode. As door  201  closes, interactive sensor  220  enters the closed state wherein contact plate  220 - 2  is reverted to a position facing sensing plate  220 - 1  while interactive sensor  220  sends a signal to the controller. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, an occupant behind door  201  opens a closed door  201  and enters territory  200 ; interactive sensor  220  sends a signal to the controller, which brightens light fixtures (not shown) installed in territory  200  before the occupant makes entry into territory  200 . Once located within territory  200 , the occupant is detected by occupant sensor  203 . 
         [0035]    In an alternative embodiment, an occupant exits from territory  200  by withdrawing a key card  261 ; interactive sensor (card reader)  260  sends a signal to the controller which brightens light fixtures (not shown) installed in a territory behind door  201  before door  201  is opened. 
         [0036]    In another embodiment, a vehicle in position  653 - 1  entering entry  618 - 1 , in a multi-floor parking garage environment  600  of a building as illustrated in  FIG. 6 ; reader/sensor  616 - 1  captures stored vehicle information and forwards it to controller  530 - 1 . The information containing vehicle parking space location and driver&#39;s residence unit number is processed by controller  530 - 1  and forwarded to controller  530 - 2 ; controller  530 - 1  brightens light fixtures  611 - 1 ,  611 - 2 , whereas controller  530 - 2  brightens light fixtures  621 - 1 ,  621 - 2 . Controllers  530 - 1  and  530 - 2  give a grace time period for lighting provision through the four light fixtures  611 - 1 ,  611 - 2 ,  621 - 1 ,  621 - 2 . After the driver parks the vehicle in position  653 - 2  of control zone  660 - 2 , the driver (position  655 - 4 ) walks toward doorway  626 - 3  for elevator service. After the driver has entered an elevator car (not shown) through doorway  626 - 3  and departed from the elevator car, ECS  450  sends pertinent elevator operation information through hub  510  to controllers  530 - 1  and  530 - 2 . When the grace time period of lighting provision is depleted, controller  530 - 1  switches light fixtures  611 - 1  and  611 - 2  to a power reduction mode while controller  530 - 2  switches light fixtures  621 - 1  and  621 - 2  to a power reduction mode, after both controllers have completed an occupant verification process. 
         [0037]    The interactive sensor may be provided with a variety of technologies that operate on the principle of detecting occupant initiated action followed by opening/closing of a door partitioning two territories in the occupant traversal path. Some technologies and methods constituting the interactive sensor, including but not limited to: 
         [0000]    Door Sensor  220 : comprising two metal plates, each mounted on the door and the door frame, sending signals when closed in or separated; or, comprising a spring imbedded compression switch, sending signals when compressed or released;
 
Capacitance Sensor  222 : capacitance sensing on the metal door latch  202 ;
 
Proximity Sensor  223 : non-contact sensing;
 
Key Card Reader  260 : insertion and withdrawal of key card  261 .
 
         [0038]    These technologies can be used alone or in combination to provide information about an occupant. 
         [0039]    A variety of occupancy sensor technologies can be used to detect the traversing occupant in building territories, including (alone or in combination): 
         [0000]    PIR sensor  230 : passive infrared motion sensor;
 
Image Sensor  240 : occupant image capturing;
 
Smart Floor  270 : exerted weight sensing;
 
RFID reader (not shown): detecting an RFID tag  280  in a key holder, or, worker&#39;s permit/key card/smart card;
 
WiFi access point  290 : detecting the WiFi adapter in a PDA, cellular phone, etc.
 
         [0040]    While the above represent various current sensor technologies, new sensors enabled by technological advancements and sensor model improvements will not alter the operation principle of the interactive sensor or limit the scope of functionality in the present utility control system and thus such improved sensors are contemplated for use in the present invention. 
         [0041]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of a control method  300  illustrating the utility control system in operation with the ECS. 
         [0000]    1. In step  302 , the dimmed elevator hall in a building floor is unattended with occupancy.
 
2. As a floor not selected as a landing floor in step  312 , the utility control system retains selected electrical devices in a power reduction mode.
 
3. Should a floor be requested as the landing floor in step  312 , a respective controller receives related information from the ECS in step  322 .
 
4. In step  332 , the controller provides on-demand lighting in said landing floor anterior to car door opening through switching the selected electrical devices to an operation mode.
 
5. In step  342 , selected light fixtures brighten to preconfigured intensities immediately anterior to car door opening. Further HVAC is optionally supplied to the landing floor in accordance with control specifications.
 
6. The utility control system assigns a grace time period for lighting provision to a car passenger entering the landing floor after car landing.
 
7. In step  352 , if occupancy, in the elevator hall or car, is not detected upon depletion of the grace time period or car door closing, the utility control system switches selected electrical devices and optional HVAC to a power reduction mode in accordance with control specifications.
 
         [0042]      FIG. 4  demonstrates implementation of an exemplary embodiment comprising testing the operativity of a PIR sensor based occupancy sensor  443 . In a regular PIR sensor operation, the PIR sensing element (not shown) within PIR module  462  receives IR radiation  481  emitted by a foreign entity (not shown) that is focused by sensor optics  461  including but not limited to Fresnel lens; PIR module  462  generates an output signal  486  and sends it to controller  430 . In an operativity diagnosis process, an external IR radiation energy source  481  becomes unavailable; controller  430  sends a signal  485  to the PIR sensor based occupancy sensor  443  having an accessorized inductor  465 , which emits energy  483 —which relates to an energy source such as but not limited to heat. PIR module  462  responds and sends output signal  486  to controller  430 , indicating operativity of occupancy sensor  443 . In contrast, failure to generate an output signal  486  by PIR module  462  indicates inoperativity of occupancy sensor  443 . 
         [0043]    An exemplary architecture  500  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 , wherein a modular utility control system  580  constituting a distributed intelligence system with high granularity is communicatively linked (wired or wireless) with ECS  450 , client  505  and BMS  506  through hub  510 . In one embodiment, controller  530  receives configurations and commands from client  505  and/or BMS  506 ; in return, client  505  and BMS  506  receive real-time and archived operation information of utility control system  580 . 
         [0044]    Controller  530  comprises a processor  531 , memory  532 , clock and timer  533 , program code  534 , interface  535 , input/output gateway (“I/O”)  536  and AD converter  537 . 
         [0045]    Controller  530  receives/retrieves information  471  from ECS  450  through hub  510 , including one or more of the following (but not limited thereto): 
         [0000]    number of passengers and corresponding identifications;
 
real-time locations of said passengers;
 
schedule of car landing/departing;
 
car load and increase/decrease in car load after car landing/departing;
 
real-time car landing/departing;
 
detected passenger identification in correspondence with active sensing technology, for example, user identification through RFID chip or WiFi adapter equipped PDA and cellular phone and similar technologies with identifiable wireless tags embedded in portable or personal belongings.
 
         [0046]    Controller  530  sends information  471  to ECS  450  through hub  510 , including one or more of the following (but not limited thereto): 
         [0000]    real-time occupancy and number of occupants in building territories including but not limited to the elevator hall, corridors, stairs and parking garage, etc.;
 
recorded occupancy and number of occupants in accordance with time and day.
 
         [0047]    Information  471  is utilized by controller  530  in operation, in one or more of the following ways: 
         [0000]    activating provision of lighting illumination in territories including but not limited to the elevator hall anterior to passenger arrival from the landing elevator car,
 
and;
 
terminating said provision of lighting in territories following occupant departure through a departing elevator car.
 
         [0048]    Controller  530  receives/retrieves and processes real-time operation information from other systems through interface  535  for activation of on-demand antecedent lighting provision and occupancy verification process for ascertainment of total occupant departure from said territories in the corresponding landing floor and terminates provision of lighting and optional utilities as in HVAC, in one or more of the following ways: 
         [0000]    via commands and operation information from client  505  and BMS  506 ;
 
via information  471  from ECS  450 .
 
         [0049]    12 
         [0050]    Through I/O  536 , controller  530  controls activation and termination of utility provision by switching selected electrical devices including but not limited to a plurality of light fixtures  540 , between an operation mode and a power reduction mode, including one or more of: 
         [0000]    receiving real-time signals in accordance with clock time from elevator car detection section  542  detecting car arrival and car departure; occupancy sensor  543 , interactive sensor  544 , override switch  545 ;
 
brightening and dimming light fixtures  540 - 1 ,  540 - 2 ,  540 - 3 .
 
         [0051]    Processor  531  processes incoming signals via I/O  536  and executes preinstalled programs in conformity with program code  534 . Data is stored in memory  532  while commands are sent or executed in conformity with clock and timer  533 . Communications are performed via interface  535  with other systems that are linked to hub  510 . Incoming analog signals are converted to digital data by AD converter  537 . 
         [0052]    In  FIG. 7 , a flow diagram illustrates illumination extinguishment in a territory upon completion of the occupancy verification process in control method  700 . Referring to building environment  600  in  FIG. 6 , controller  530 - 2  monitors occupancy in elevator hall  629  through occupancy sensor  623 - 1 ; wherein dynamic partitions are in place: including elevator doors  626 - 3 ; doors  617 ,  627 . 
         [0053]    In step  710 , controller  530 - 2  activates illumination extinguishment by switching light fixtures  621 - 1  and  621 - 2  to a power reduction mode as controller  530 - 2  determines that occupancy is not detected in elevator hall  629 . 
         [0054]    In step  720 , an occupant in position  655 - 3  entering the unattended elevator hall  629  triggers interactive sensor  624 - 3  anterior to opening door  627 . Controller  530 - 2  activates the antecedent illumination process by switching light fixtures  621 - 1 ,  621 - 2  to an operation mode anterior to door  627  opening and assigns a grace time period for undisrupted illumination to the visiting occupant. 
         [0055]    In step  730 , controller  530 - 2  activates a count-down on said grace time period; subsequently—said occupant in position  655 - 4  is departing from elevator hall  629  through elevator doors  626 - 3  into a departing car (not shown). 
         [0056]    In step  740 , controller  530 - 2  receives/retrieves information  471  related to the real-time ECS  450  operation, and activates the occupancy verification process upon depletion of said grace time period, including:
       activating occupancy detection in elevator hall  629  through occupancy sensor  623 - 1 ;   processing data pertaining to interaction sensors  624 - 1 ,  624 - 2 ,  624 - 3  for   detection of door opening (implying possibility in occupant making entry/exit);   processing selected data of information  471 ;   processing selected data of clock and timer  533  ( FIG. 5 );   analyzing occupancy within the elevator hall  629 .       
 
         [0063]    In addition, controller  530 - 2  optionally processes commands and operation information from client  505  and BMS  506 , if any. Return to step  710  in the event that controller  530 - 2  determines to activate illumination extinguishment. Return to step  730  in the event that controller  530 - 2  determines that occupancy is detected within elevator hall  629 . 
         [0064]    In step  760 , controller  530 - 2 —receiving an override switch  625  signal activated by an undetected occupant  655 - 4  in the dimmed elevator hall  629 —instantly assigns an extension time period to said occupant  655 - 4  and brightens light fixtures  621 - 1  and  621 - 2 . The extension time period having a countdown for extension of illumination is similar to the grace time period 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0065]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention of the utility control system. The above examples are merely exemplary implementations of a particular system, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated in the claims.