Abstract:
An integrated temperature and humidity control device includes a temperature and humidity sensing element, a temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface, a computation processing module, a communication interface, and a display interface which are integrated with each other. The device performs local and remote fab temperature and humidity control simultaneously and allows on-site display of temperature and humidity levels at the fab. Accordingly, the device enables convenient simultaneous control and display of temperature and humidity levels and simplifies the layout thereof.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 101102453 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on Jan. 20, 2012, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
       FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to integrated temperature and humidity control devices, and more particularly, to an integrated temperature and humidity control device for controlling temperature and humidity with a view to serving industry-related purposes. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In general, manufacturing processes of industrial products require that temperature and humidity of the operation environment at every production-related zone in a fab have to be closely monitored and strictly controlled, and that variations in the ambient temperature and humidity of the fab have to be coped with, in order to ensure the quality and stability of products being manufactured on a production line. 
         [0004]    At present, systems for controlling the ambient temperature and humidity in a fab are mostly self-contained, and thus every workstation in operation has its own independent control system which displays the current temperature and humidity at every part of the workstation. As a result, it is difficult to exercise real-time control over the ambient temperature and humidity of the fab from a remote end, thereby compromising the product quality of the production line in its entirety. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    It is an objective of the present invention to provide an integrated temperature and humidity control device for exercising local-end and remote-end control over the temperature and humidity in a fab and providing on-site display of temperature and humidity levels at the fab in real time. 
         [0006]    Another objective of the present invention is to simplify the integration of local-end temperature and humidity control and remote-end temperature and humidity control and an installation process thereof. 
         [0007]    Yet another objective of the present invention is to simplify the integration of a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing element and a low-precision temperature and humidity sensing element. 
         [0008]    In order to achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides an integrated temperature and humidity control device, controlled by a control console, comprising: at least a temperature and humidity sensing element for sensing temperature and humidity and generating at least a temperature and humidity sensing signal; a temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface connected to the at least a temperature and humidity sensing element for receiving the at least a temperature and humidity sensing signal; a computation processing module connected to the temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface for receiving the at least a temperature and humidity sensing signal to generate at least a temperature and humidity measurement result; a communication interface connected to the computation processing module for sending the at least a temperature and humidity measurement result to the control console; and at least a display interface connected to the computation processing module for displaying the at least a temperature and humidity measurement result. 
         [0009]    In an embodiment, the control console comprises a remote host and/or a local host. 
         [0010]    In an embodiment, the at least a temperature and humidity sensing element comprises at least a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing element and/or at least a low-precision temperature and humidity sensing element. The at least a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing element senses temperature and humidity and generates at least a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal. The at least a low-precision temperature and humidity sensing element senses temperature and humidity and generates at least a low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal. 
         [0011]    In an embodiment, the temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface comprises a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface and/or a low-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface. The high-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface is connected to the at least a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing element for communicating with the at least a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing element by two-wire transmission and receiving the at least a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal. The low-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface is connected to the at least a low-precision temperature and humidity sensing element for receiving the at least a low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment, the computation processing module is connected to the high-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface and/or the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface. The computation processing module receives the at least a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal and directly computes temperature and humidity levels to generate at least a high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result. The computation processing module receives the at least a low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal, performs analog-to-digital conversion on the at least a low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal, computes temperature and humidity levels, and generates at least a low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result. 
         [0013]    In an embodiment, the communication interface comprises a first communication interface and/or a second communication interface. The first communication interface is connected to the computation processing module and adapted to transmit the at least a high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result and the at least a low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result to the remote host by Ethernet. The second communication interface is connected to the computation processing module and adapted to transmit the at least a high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result and the at least a low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result to the local host via a RS232 interface. 
         [0014]    In an embodiment, an integrated temperature and humidity control device further comprises a storage unit connected to the computation processing module and adapted to receive and store the at least a high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result and the at least a low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, the high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result or the low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result is processed by a programmable logic device (PLD) in the computation processing module and then sent to the display interface for display. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment, the high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result or the low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result is processed by a driving circuit of a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) in the computation processing module and then sent to the local host via the second communication interface. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment, the at least a high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result and the at least a low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result are selectively read by the remote control console and the local control console such that, in case of an abnormal measurement result, at least one of the remote control console and the local control console issue an adjustment control signal for adjusting temperature and humidity. 
         [0018]    In an embodiment, the at least a low-precision temperature and humidity sensing element calculates a measured temperature level according to an intrinsic impedance level and calculates a measured humidity level according to an output voltage level. 
         [0019]    In an embodiment, the temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface effectuates data latch by one of a clock signal and a data signal. 
         [0020]    In conclusion, the present invention provides an integrated temperature and humidity control device for simplifying remote-end data transmission and local-end data transmission by means of an Ethernet and a RS232 interface, respectively, integrating a high-precision sensing signal and a low-precision sensing signal by means of high-precision and low-precision temperature and humidity sensing elements, performing local-end and remote-end temperature and humidity control on a fab, and providing on-site temperature and humidity level display. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
         [0021]    Objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention are hereunder illustrated with specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of an integrated temperature and humidity control device according to a specific embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of the integrated temperature and humidity control device according to another specific embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a functional block diagram of an integrated temperature and humidity control device  10  according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the diagram, the integrated temperature and humidity control device  10 , which is controlled by a control console  20 , comprises at least a temperature and humidity sensing element  11 , temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface  12 , a computation processing module  13 , a communication interface  14 , and at least a display interface  15 . 
         [0025]    The temperature and humidity sensing element  11  senses temperature and humidity and generates at least a temperature and humidity sensing signal. The temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface  12  is connected to the temperature and humidity sensing element  11  and adapted to receive the temperature and humidity sensing signal. The computation processing module  13  is connected to the temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface  12 . The computation processing module  13  receives the temperature and humidity sensing signal and generates at least a temperature and humidity measurement result according to the temperature and humidity sensing signal received. The communication interface  14  is connected to the computation processing module  13  and adapted to send the temperature and humidity measurement result to the control console  20 . The display interface  15  is connected to the computation processing module  13  and adapted to display the temperature and humidity measurement result. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a functional block diagram of the integrated temperature and humidity control device according to another specific embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the diagram, the integrated temperature and humidity control device  100  comprises at least a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing element  110 , at least a low-precision temperature and humidity sensing element  111 , a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface  120 , a low-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface  121 , a computation processing module  130 , a first communication interface  140 , a second communication interface  141 , and at least a display interface  150 . 
         [0027]    The integrated temperature and humidity control device  100  further comprises a remote host  210  and a local host  211  each of which functions as a control console for controlling the integrated temperature and humidity control device  100 . 
         [0028]    The high-precision temperature and humidity sensing element  110  senses temperature and humidity and generates a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal. The high-precision temperature and humidity sensing element  110  is connected to the high-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface  120 . The high-precision temperature and humidity sensing element  110  sends the high-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal to the high-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface  120  by means of two-wire transmission. In practice, the quantity of the high-precision temperature and humidity sensing element  110  is subject to changes as needed. 
         [0029]    The low-precision temperature and humidity sensing element  111  senses temperature and humidity and generates a low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal. The low-precision temperature and humidity sensing element  111  is connected to the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface  121 . The low-precision temperature and humidity sensing element  111  sends the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal to the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface  111 . In practice, the quantity of the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing element  111  is subject to changes as needed. 
         [0030]    The computation processing module  130  is connected to the high-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface  120  and the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface  121 . The computation processing module  130  receives the high-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal and performs computation on the temperature and humidity levels directly to generate a high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result. The computation processing module  130  receives the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal, performs an analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) process on the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal, and performs computation on the temperature and humidity levels to generate a low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result 
         [0031]    The first communication interface  140  is connected to the computation processing module  130  and adapted to transmit over an Ethernet the high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result and the low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result to the remote host  210  for remote-end control. For example, a local fab performs remote-end control from outside or performs centralized remote-end control by a control center of the fab. 
         [0032]    The second communication interface  141  is connected to the computation processing module  130  and adapted to transmit via a RS232 interface the at least a high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result and the at least a low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result to the local host  211  for local-end control exercised by a control center of the fab, for example. 
         [0033]    The at least a display interface  150  is connected to the computation processing module  130  and adapted to display the at least a high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result and/or the at least a low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result for performing fixed-point head-up control at a fixed location of a working area within the fab, for example. 
         [0034]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the at least a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing element  110  makes minimal errors, operates steadily, and performs a measurement process without prior precision calibration, and thus is suitable for use in a fab that requires high-precision temperature control. To perform ambient temperature and humidity sensing, the at least a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing element  110  automatically converts a detected physical parameter value into a digital value and generates the at least a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal. After receiving the at least a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal from the at least a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing element  110  by means of two-wire transmission, the high-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface  120  sends the at least a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal to the computation processing module  130  for further computation. Two-wire transmission is a smart transmission technique whereby data latch is accomplished by means of clock and data signals; hence, two-wire transmission outperforms multiwire transmission and single-wire transmission and thus enhances the reliability and stability in transmitting the high-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal. 
         [0035]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing element  111  is disadvantaged by its low measurement precision and thus has to undergo linear calibration regularly. Despite its low measurement precision, the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing element  111  is cheap enough to be widely used in fab areas which require no high-precision temperature and humidity control. After finishing the ambient temperature and humidity sensing process, the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing element  111  calculates a measured temperature level according to an intrinsic impedance level, calculates a measured humidity level according to an output voltage level, and generates the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal. After receiving the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal from the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing element  111 , the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface  121  sends the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal to the computation processing module  130  for further computation. 
         [0036]    For example, after receiving the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal, the computation processing module  130  performs an analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) process on the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal by means of an analog-to-digital converter built in the computation processing module  130 , to facilitate subsequent computation of temperature and humidity levels. Furthermore, a plurality of analog-to-digital converters is disposed in the computation processing module  130  of the integrated temperature and humidity control device  100  for driving multiple said low-precision temperature and humidity sensing elements  111  simultaneously and thereby performing temperature and humidity control over different positions of the fab respectively and simultaneously, or measuring the temperature and humidity at different portions of an apparatus simultaneously (for example, controlling the temperature and humidity of different components of a motherboard.) 
         [0037]    In an embodiment of the present invention, after receiving the high-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal and the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal, the computation processing module  130  performs numerical computation on the high-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal and the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal that has undergone analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) by means of a computation processing unit (such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessing unit (MCU)) in the computation processing module  130 . The computation processing unit executes a preset computation-required program to generate the high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result and the low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result. 
         [0038]    For example, the high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result and the low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result are processed by a programmable logic device (PLD) in the computation processing module  130  and then sent to the display interface  150  at the fab for display. The display interface  150  is a large display panel comprising a plurality of seven-step displays and is adapted to display temperature and humidity levels, such that workers working in the fab can know the ambient temperature and humidity levels in the fab. The high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result and the low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result are processed by a driving circuit disposed on the physical layer (PHY) in the computation processing module  130  and then sent to the remote host  210  via the first communication interface  140  for remote-end control. Furthermore, the high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result and the low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result are processed by a driving circuit of a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) in the computation processing module  130  and then sent to the local host  211  via the second communication interface  141  for local-end control. 
         [0039]    The high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result and the low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result which have been processed by the computation processing module  130  are sent over an Ethernet to the remote host  210  at the remote-end control center via the first communication interface  140  for remote-end control. The high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result and the low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result can be directly transmitted by means of a RJ45 terminal network line disposed in the fab, and then the temperature and humidity levels are read by a browser installed on the operating system of a computer in real time so as to accomplish remote-end temperature and humidity control without designing a layout anew or developing a compatible control software. 
         [0040]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the integrated temperature and humidity control device  100  performs high-precision temperature and humidity control and low-precision temperature and humidity control simultaneously, such that the administrative team working at the local-end control center and/or the remote-end control center can selectively read the high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result and/or the low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result as needed, in order to monitor software or apparatuses and observe the current temperature and humidity levels in the fab. In case of an abnormal measurement result, the remote control console and/or the local control console issue an adjustment control signal for adjusting the temperature and humidity. For example, in case of an abnormal change in temperature and humidity, the monitoring software generates an alert sound or directly sends a command for performing adjustment control of temperature and humidity. 
         [0041]    The integrated temperature and humidity control device  100  further comprises a storage unit  160  connected to the computation processing module  130  and adapted to receive and store the high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result and the low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result for subsequent data processing or data analysis. 
         [0042]    In conclusion, the present invention provides an integrated temperature and humidity control device for performing remote-end temperature and humidity control, local-end temperature and humidity control, and on-site display. The integrated temperature and humidity control device not only performs high-precision temperature and humidity control, low-precision temperature and humidity control, and a plurality of temperature and humidity control simultaneously, but also features systemic integration of temperature and humidity control in a fab so as to meet industrial needs better. 
         [0043]    The present invention is disclosed above by preferred embodiments. However, persons skilled in the art should understand that the preferred embodiments are illustrative of the present invention only, but should not be interpreted as restrictive of the scope of the present invention. Hence, all equivalent modifications and replacements made to the aforesaid embodiments should fall within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the legal protection for the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.