United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11]
`
`4,418,333
`
`
`
`Schwarzbach et a1. Nov. 29, 1983 [45]
`
`
`
`Primary Examiner—Donald J. Yusko
`[54] APPLIANCE CONTROL SYSTEM
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Dithmar, Stotland, Stratman
`[75]
`Inventors: Richard J, Schwarzbach; Manley S.
`& Levy
`Keeler, both of Naperville; Randy J.
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`Cavaiani, Hanover Park; Michael K.
`An appliance control system includes a central control
`Chapman, Sycamore, all Of 111.
`unit and a plurality of slave units each including a user-
`Pittway Corporation, Aurora, 111.
`[73] Assignee:
`programmable microprocessor
`and
`respectively
`J 2 1,244
`A l.
`plugged 1nto outlet sockets of a power main 1n a build-
`7
`pp No
`[21]
`ing, appliances being respectively coupled to the slave
`Jun. 8, 1981
`[22] Filed:
`unitS- The System Permits manual or automatic trans-
`[51]
`Int. Cl.3 ....................... H04Q 9/00; G06F 15/20;
`mission of command signals and status request signals
`H04B 3/54
`from the central control unit to individually addressed
`[52] US. Cl. ........................... 340/310 A; 340/825.07;
`slave units, and transmission of status signals from the
`340/825.22
`slave units to the central control unit. Certain slave
`[58] Field of Search ......... 340/310 A, 825.15, 825.22,
`units include lamp dimmers which can be operated
`340/309.1, 309.4, 825.06, 825.07, 825.17, 501,
`either remotely from the central control unit or locally
`825.52; 307/141; 315/293; 364/104
`at the slave unit, the microprocessors of these slave
`References Cited
`umts bemg programmable to remember a predeter-
`mined brightness level, so that the lamp can be remotely
`U-S' PATENT DOCUMENTS
`turned on to that predetermined level. Means are pro-
`3,691,528
`9/1972 Calvagna et a1.
`.............. 340/825.52
`vided for turning the appliance off at the remote appli-
`3,815,091
`6/1974 Kirk ......................... 340/825
`
`ance site while maintaining the appliance under the
`471511515 4/ 1979 P6356 CtaL -
`------ 340/309'1
`
`-
`_
`4,156,866
`5/1979 Miller .........
`340/825.06
`
`control of the central control umt. Means are also pro
`4,174,517 “/1979 Mandel .........
`.. 340/3‘0 A'
`4,200,862 4/1980 Campbell et al.
`340/310A . Vided for reViCWing fwd tesiing a pre'pmgrammed
`..
`
`4,217,646
`8/1980 Caltagirone etal. ..
`..... 340/310R
`SChedlfle 0f command mStFUCtlonS-
`4,279,012
`7/1981 Beckedorff et a1.
`........... 340/82522
`4,308,911
`1/1982 Mandl
`................................. 340/501
`
`33 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures
`
`[56]
`
` 1
`
`APPLE 1014
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1014
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 29, 1983
`
`Sheet 1 of 13
`
`4,418,333
`
`FIGJ
`
`
`
`g
`\Il\
`
`*
`
` a
`3, La
`
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`WED
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`TUE
`
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`35
`
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`
`
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`[—7 o :l D DEF UN
`I
`m/
`I
`I
`o _I __l HE/
`
`
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 29, 1983
`
`Sheet 2 of 13
`
`4,418,333
`
`mm
`
`k5
`
`3
`
`

`

`S.U.
`
`Patent
`
`Nov. 29
`
`, 1983
`
`Sheet 3 of 13
`
`4,418,333
`
`“MS
`
`4
`
`

`

`US Patent
`
`Nov. 29, 1983
`
`Sheet 4 of 13
`
`4,418,333
`
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`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 29, 1983
`
`Sheet 5 of 13
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`4,418,333
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`7
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 29, 1983
`
`Sheet 7 of 13
`
`4,418,333
`
`E16. Tm
`CENTRAL UNIT
`MANUAL 8 AUTO MODES
`
`ENTER SET
`
`N
`
`SET PWR
`
`
`ENTER AUTO
`MODE, SET
`
`AUTO LED
`
`N
`
`BAT7?'ERY
`
`5/0
`
`CLEAR ALL
`STORED
`EVENTS
`
`FROM SET
`CLOCK MODE
`
`
`
`ENTER MAN.
`MODE, SET
`
` MA N. L ED
`
`
`
`‘
`
`‘
`
`JUMP TO
`PREVIOUS
`SUBROUT/NE
`
`BLINK
`
`
`TIME, D.0.W. , a
`ES. STA TE
`
`CURRENT
`DISPLAY
`
`520
`
`
`
`
`
`PWR 0N
`N
`
`
`FLAG SET
`
`
`.7
`
`
`
`ISPLA Y
`DISP. CURRENT
`\sL/NKS”
`TIME, D.0.W. a
`
`‘SE'IZ
`E.S.STATE
`
`
`I
`
`0-9 AND/0R FUNCTION ,7
`
`TRA NSM/ T
`
`FUNC TION
`
`
`
`
`REAL TIME
`
`COMP. RAM
`TIMES TO
`
`
`
`
`
`
`5/2
`
`8
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 29, 1983
`
`Sheet 8 of 13
`
`4,418,333
`
`TO
`5/7
`
`FROM
`5/6
`
`TO
`5/3
`
`FIGJSE
`' FROM
`5/1
`
`FROM
`5/4
`
`REVERSE
`E. S. STA TE
`
`Y
`
`DISPLAY ES.
`STATE
`
`ENERGY
`SA ng
`.
`
`N
`
`COMPARE
`XMITTOTED
`RECEIVED
`LOAD
`STATUS
`
`
`
`DISPLAY
`
`
`§LAVE 3* &
`
`
`FAIL’FOR
`
`
`33 SEC.
`
`
`
`T0
`5/5
`
`TO FROM TO
`,
`5/2
`
`5/9
`
`5‘20
`
`DISPLAY
`SLAVE N0. a
`STATUS
`
`FOR za SEC.
`
`
`' D’spfif’f‘A’ZE,
`a SLAVE NO.
`
`
`
`
`
`SLAVE
`
`
`BUFFER CONT:
`ITHRU l6
`
`,
`1
`
`‘
`
`SET MAN.
`OVERR/DE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FLAG
`
`BR/ TE, 'PRES’ET
` O/M, STATUS
`
`DISPLAY
`
`NUMBER
`IN SL A VE
`
`DIG! TS
` DISPLAY
`
`SLAVE
`
`D/G/ TS
`
`
`STORE
`SLAVE
`DIG/TS
`
`INFO.
`
`
`
`CHECK E.S.
`STATE
`
`RESET MAN.
`OVERR. FLAG
`
`9
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 29, 1983
`
`Sheet 9 of 13
`
`4,418,333
`
`FROM FIG. /3B
`
`5/8
`
`FIONA
`
`CENTRAL UNIT
`REVIEW 8 DEMO MODES
`
`
`
`
` ENTER REVIEW
`MODE, SET
`
`
`REV. FLAG,
`RESET DEMO FLAG
`SET REV. LED
` ENTER PROGRAM
`MODE
`
`
`REVIEW
`
`
`
`
` E! E IN
`SLAVE DIG/TS
`
`
` SLAVE
`D/GI T8
`
`
`
` ADVANCE
`
`T0 NEXT
`DAY
`
`
`
`
`DISPL‘I,’
`Ehd
`
`FOR
`96 3 SEC
`
` 52’
`
`ADVANCE
`T0 NEXT
`SLA VE
`525
`
`10
`
`524
`
`Y
`
`-
`
`526 A
`
`._
`
`10
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 29, 1983
`
`Sheet 10 of 13
`
`4,418,333
`
`TO
`522
`
`FROM
`52/
`
`TO
`525
`
`DISPLAY lsf
`OR NEXT
`STORED EVENT
`FOR SELECTED
`
`\
`DISPLA Y
`‘
`
`524
`
`
`
`
`
`
`0/39 NEW
`KEY, BLINK
`
`TO
`526
`
`DEMO
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DAY
`
`
`
`
`
`DEMO
`FLAG
`
`y
`
`XMIT
`DISPLA YED
`
`.7
`
`
`
`SET
`REVIEW
`FLAG
`
`TOGGLE
`DEMO
`FLA G
`
`GO TO
`NEXT
`STORED
`EVENT
`
`
`Isf OR
`DISP.
`
`
`NEXT STORED
`EVENT FOR
`SELEC. SLAVE
`
`
`
`
`
`
` XMIT
`DISPLA YED
`
`EVEN T
`
`
`
`TOGGLE
`
`
`
`DEMO
`
`NEXT
`STORED
`
`N RAM
`REVIEW
`EVENTS
`EVENT
`?
`FLAG
`
`
`
`
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 29, 1983
`
`Sheet 11 of 13
`
`4,418,333
`
`Fl8.£§
`
`LAMP SLAVE UNIT
`LOAD SWITCH TOGGLE
`
`INI TIA L
`POWER 0N
`
`
`
`OPEN
`
`
`LOAD
`SWITCH
`
`
`
`TURN ON
`L E0
`
`FROM 533
`
`Has. [6 a 17
`
`T0
`FIG/7
`
`_
`
`T0
`FIG/6
`
`LEAVE
`TRIAC ON
`
`
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 29, 1983
`
`Sheet 12 of 13
`
`4,418,333
`
`FIG¢I6
`LAMP SLAVE UNIT
`LOCAL D/MM/NG
`
`FROM 532
`FIG. I5
`
`TO FIG. I5
`
`DECREMENT
`LOCAL
`
`DONE
`
`
`
`
`TIMEOUT
` TIMEOUT
`Y
`
`INIT LOCAL
`
`
`TIMEOUT
`INIT LOCAL
`TO LONG
`TIMEOUT T0
`
`
`VALUE
`
`SHORT VALUE
`
`
`
`
`
`?
`
`
`
`LAMP
`
`FULLY ON
`
`
`
`SET
`
`
`
`DIRECTION
`
`
`
`TO DIM
`
`
`
`
`SET
`SE T
`
`
`
`DIREC TION
`DIREC TION
`TO BR'T
`TO DIM
`
`
`
`
`?
`
`N
`
`BRI GH T
`
`
` DIREC TI0N
`= BRIGH T
`
`
`
`INCREMENT
`DECREMEN T
`
`
`LINE PHASE
`LINE PHASE
`
`
`
`CONTROL
`CONTROL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 29, 1983
`
`Sheet 13 of 13
`
`4,418,333
`
`SLAVE UNIT
`T0
`REMOTE CONTROL
`Fig. 5 ?
`FIG. I5
`
`
`533
`
`
`
`
`FROM 534
`REC. a STORE
`FIG. /5
`MESSAGE:
`.,
`
`DECODE' ERROR
`
`C ORREC T
`
`IGNORE
`
`COMMAND
`
`
`
`
`LIGHTS
`ON OR
`l-I2 OFF
`
`HOUS/zYCODE 7
`?
`'
`
`IGNORE
`COMMAND
`
` EXECU TE
`COMMA ND COMMAND
`
`
`
`PRESE T
`?
`
`
`
`LAMP
`
`FULLY ON OR
`
`FULLY OFF
`
`
`BR/GH T
`Tr‘
`
`
`
`
`
`INCREMENT
`
`CHANGE
`PRESE T LEVEL
`
`
`LINE
`SET ”NE
`T0 VggfileNT
`
`
`
`PHASE
`PHASE
`
`
`
`CONTROL
`CONTROL
`
`
`
`TO PRESET
`LEVEL
`
`
` COMMAND
`
`STA TUS
`
`
`REQUEST
`
`DECREMEN T
`
`?
`
`LINE PHASE
`
`
`CONTROL
`
`
`TRA NSM/ T
`
`STA TUS
`
`
`14
`
`14
`
`

`

`1
`
`4,418,333
`
`2
`
`APPLIANCE CONTROL SYSTEM
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It is a general object of this invention to provide an
`improved appliance control system for providing com-
`munication between a central control unit and remote
`slave units over common power lines, which system
`avoids the disadvantages of prior art systems while
`affording additional structural and operating advan-
`tages.
`An important object of this invention is to provide a
`system of the type set forth which permits a remote
`lamp to be dimmed or brightened either remotely from
`the centralcontrol unit or locally at the slave unit.
`It is another object of this invention to provide a
`system of the type set forth which permis a controlled
`lamp to be turned on immediately to a predetermined
`dimmed condition.
`Still another object of this invention is the provision
`of a system of the type set forth, wherein a controlled
`device can be turned off by the use of its own switch
`without removing the device from system control.
`Another object of this invention is the provision of a
`system of the type set forth which permits verification
`that a function command transmitted to a slave unit has
`been properly executed.
`Yet another object of this invention is the provision
`of a system of the type set forth which can be pre-pro-
`grammed by the user with a plurality of commands to
`be automatically executed at predetermined times, and
`0 which includes means for accelerating the program to
`permit review and testing thereof.
`In connection ‘with the foregoing object, it is another
`object of this invention to provide a system of the type
`set forth wherein, immediately after the transmission of
`a programmed command message to a slave unit, the
`central unit automatically interrogates that slave unit as
`to its status and the slave unit responds with its current
`status.
`It is another object of this invention to provide a
`central control unit for use in a system of the type set
`forth.
`Still another object of this invention is the provision
`of slave units for use in a system of the type set forth.
`These and other objects of the invention are attained
`by providing, for example, in a system including a cen-
`tral unit for controlling a remote lamp, a slave unit
`coupled to the remote lamp, and means providing com-
`munication between the central unit and the slave unit,
`the slave unit including light intensity control means
`variable among a plurality of intensity levels corre-
`sponding respectively to an OFF condition and a maxi-
`mum intensity condition and a plurality of intermediate
`intensity conditions of the associated lamp, the central
`unit including means for transmitting to the slave unit a
`control signal for operating the light intensity control
`means, the improvement comprising: means in the cen-
`tral unit for transmitting to the slave unit a preset inten-
`sity signal; and processor means in the slave unit operat-
`ing under stored program control; the processor means
`including means for sensing the intensity level of the
`light intensity control means; the processor means in-
`cluding means responsive to the preset intensity signal
`when the light intensity control means is in either the
`OFF level or the maximum intensity level for setting
`the light intensity control means to a predetermined
`intermediate intensity level.
`The invention consists of certain novel features and a
`combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illus-
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to control of electrical appli-
`ances within a building, including both remote and local
`_ control. In particular, the invention relates to a system
`which utilizes the common power distribution lines of a
`building to provide a medium for communication be- 10
`tween a central control unit and a plurality of remote
`slave units respectively adapted to be coupled to appli-
`ances to be controlled.
`Systems of this type are disclosed, for example, in
`us. Pat. Nos. 4,174,517 and 4,200,862. Such systems '15
`typically include a central control unit and a plurality or
`remote slave units, each of which units includes an
`integrated circuit microprocessor and is adapted to be
`plugged into an outlet socket of the domestic electrical
`power main. Input means are provided on each slave 20
`unit for programming its microprocessor with a coded
`address for that unit and input means are provided on
`the central control unit for programming its micro-
`processor and controlling the transmission of command
`signals to the slave units. In this regard, the central 25
`control unit includes a transmitter/modulator and each
`slave unit includes a receiver/demodulator. Addition-
`ally, each slave unit may include a transmitter/modula-
`tor and the central control unit may include a receiver/
`demodulator so that signals indicative of the status of
`the slave units may be transmitted therefrom to the
`central control unit.
`.
`While such prior systems have generally provided
`effective remote control of appliances, they have had a 35
`number of disadvantages. Thus, certain functions, such
`as lamp dimming control, could be performed only
`from the central control unit and could not be executed
`locally at the appliance. On the other hand, a function
`which could be controlled at the appliance, such as 40
`turning the appliance off at its own switch, would re-
`move that appliance from control by the system. Fur-
`thermore, while lamp dimming functions controlled
`from the central control unit are provided, there is no
`means for instantaneously turning the lamp on to a 45
`predetermined dimmed condition. In order to bring an
`individual lamp to an intermediate brightness condition,
`it is necessary to first turn it full on and then run it
`manually through the dimming operation until the de-
`sired brightness level is reached.
`Another drawback of the prior art systems is that
`they provide no means for verifying at the central unit
`whether a transmitted command has been executed by a
`slave unit. Furthermore, these systems are capable of
`being pre-programmed by the user with a number of
`commands to be automatically executed at predeter-
`mined times. The system then automatically transmits
`the programmed commands at the appointed times. But
`once a set of commands is loaded into the system mem— 60
`ory, there is no means provided for testing the user-
`entered program to make sure that the commands have
`been properly stored in the system memory and to ver-
`ify that they can be properly executed by the system.
`The only way to determine a defect in the program is to 55
`constantly monitor the system until the entire program
`has been completed and see if it was properly carried
`out.
`
`50
`
`55
`
`15
`
`15
`
`

`

`4,418,333
`
`3
`trated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly
`pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood
`that various changes in the details may be made without
`departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the ad-
`vantages, of the invention.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`4
`and one or more wall switch slave units 400. The central
`control unit 30 is provided with a plug 31 and the slave
`units 200 and 300 are each provided with plugs 201 and
`301 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) for plugging these units into the
`outlet sockets 25 of the power distribution system. The
`wall switch slave unit 400 is adapted to be mounted in a
`wall switch receptacle 27 in place of the wall switch
`which normally controls the associated light fixture.
`Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the central control
`unit 30 is provided with an electrical circuit 50 which
`includes a microprocessor 100. A house code switch 32,
`preferably in the form of a rotary switch having four
`contact elements respectively corresponding to the l’s,
`2’3, 4’5 and 8’s digits of the binary numbering system, is
`coupled to the microprocessor 100. The house code
`switch 32 is preferably located on the bottom of the
`housing 33 of the central control unit 30, and by the use
`of this switch any one of sixteen different house codes
`can be programmed into the microprocessor 100. Thus,
`if more than one system 20 is used in a multiple~occu-
`pant building such as an apartment building or an office
`building, the system can be assigned a unique house
`code which will not interfere with any other systems in
`the building. Accordingly, up to sixteen separate sys-
`tems 20 can be used in a building without interference
`with one another, as will be explained more fully below.
`The central control unit 30 also includes a display
`panel ,35 which is coupled to a microprocessor 100 and
`which is preferably a seven-character vacuum-tube
`fluorescent display,
`in which numerals and/or letters
`are created with a standard seven-segment character.
`Referring to FIG. 3, the display includes an array of
`five large characters 34 to indicate the time-of-day and
`certain words, and an array of two small characters 38
`to indicate the slave unit numbers. Each of the seven
`characters is also provided with a day designation, as at
`37, to provide a day-of-the-week display. The two small
`characters 38 additionally respectively include 0N and
`OFF designations 36, and the first large character 39
`also includes a PM designation. Thus, it can be seen that
`a few of the characters have as many as nine segments.
`The display panel 35 is a multiplex type display in
`which all of the corresponding segments of each char-
`acter are wired in common. Each character is individu-
`ally selected by one of the conductors designated 1
`through 7. The characters are time multiplexed by the
`microprocessor 100, which also handles all of the de-
`coding and time-sharing process of the display panel 35.
`The central control unit 30 also includes a keyboard
`40 which is coupled to the display panel 35 and to the
`microprocessor 100. Referring to FIG. 2, the keyboard
`40 is preferably a membrane-switch key pad comprising
`a plurality of keys 41, each provided with translucent
`indicia to indicate the function of that key. The key-
`board 40 is connected as a 3 X 8 matrix, with its row pins
`1 through 8 connected to corresponding microproces-
`sor output terminals. During normal standby operation,
`the microprocessor 100 sequentially drives its output
`terminals R1 through R8 to a high level for about 0.75
`ms. All eight pins are scanned once during each cycle of
`AC line voltage for simultaneously driving the key-
`board rows 1 through 8 and the display panel character
`terminals 1 through 7. During the time that a keyboard
`row pin is held high, the microprocessor 100 looks at its
`input wires L1—L8 to determine whether a key is
`closed. When the key closure is detected, the; micro-
`processor 100 takes the appropriate actibn after the end
`
`16
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an appliance control _
`system constructed in accordance with and embodying
`the features of the present invention, shown connected
`to the power distribution lines of a building;
`FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan View of the keyboard of
`the central control unit of the appliance control system
`of of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the display panel
`of the central control unit of the appliance control sys-
`tem of FIG. 1;
`FIGS. 4A and 4B are a schematic circuit diagram of
`the electrical circuit of the central control unit of the
`appliance control system of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of the electrical
`circuit of the lamp slave unit of the appliance control
`system of FIG. 1;
`,
`FIG. .6 is a schematic circuit diagram of the electrical
`circuit of the appliance slave unit of the appliance con-
`trol system of FIG. 1;
`.
`FIG. 7 is a waveform diagram of a typical command
`message transmitted from the central cotrol unit of the
`appliance control system of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 8 is a waveform diagram similar to FIG. 7,
`illustrating a typical status message transmitted from a
`slave unit to the central control unit;
`.
`FIG. 9 is an enlarged wave-form diagram indicating
`the three types of logic bits utilized in the coding
`scheme of the present invention;
`FIG. 10 is a waveform diagram, illustrating the sam-
`pling pattern by which a slave unit decodes received
`message bits;
`FIG. 11 is a waveform diagram illustrating various
`phases of 60 Hz AC power;
`FIG. 12 is a waveform diagram similar to FIG. 10,
`illustrating the sampling pattern by which the central
`control unit decodes received message bits;
`FIGS. 13A and 133 are a program flow chart depict-
`ing the operational steps prformed within the micro-
`processor of the central control unit in its MANUAL
`and AUTO modes of operation;
`FIGS. 14A and 148 are a program flow chart depict-
`ing the operational steps performed by the microproces-
`sor of the central control unit in its REVIEW and
`DEMO modes of operation; and
`FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 are program flow charts depict-
`ing operational steps performed by the microprocessors
`of the, slave units to accomplish various functions.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`'10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25,
`
`_3o
`
`35
`
`4o
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is illus-
`trated an appliance control system, generally designated
`by the number 20, constructed in accordance with and
`embodying the features of the present invention. The
`system 20 is [adapted to be coupled to the power lines 21
`of a building power distribution system for controlling
`one or more remote devices, such as a lamp 22, an appli-
`ance 23, or a built-in lighting fixture such as the ceiling-
`mounted fixture 26. More particularly, the system 20
`includes a central control unit 30, one or more lamp
`slave units 200, one or more appliance slave units 300
`
`16
`
`

`

`4,418,333
`
`6
`63 has been charged to a potential of about 16 volts, the
`Zener diode 70 begins to conduct and current flows
`through the resistor 68. the capacitor 69 and the Zener
`diode 70, returning to the neutral conductor 52 through
`the display filament 65. Thus, the Zener diode 70 pro-
`vides the VDD supply voltage of approximately +16
`volts, which is connected to the VDD input terminal of
`the'microprocessor 100. When the capacitor 69 has
`been charged to about_9.1 volts, the Zener diode 71 will
`begin to conduct and will maintain the van to V55
`potential of about 9 volts. This 9-volt supply is riding on
`top of the l6-volt supply of the Zener diode 71,
`whereby the V55 supply, provided at conductor 78, is
`about +25 VDC, which supply is riding on top of the
`approximately 3 volts AC which is present across the
`display' filament 65. Most of the circuitry in the central
`control unit 30 operates between the VDD and V55 po-
`tentials. These stacked power supplies are necessary
`because the Vacuum-tube fluorescent display of the
`display panel 35 requires 30 volts between anode and
`filament in order to operate brightly, but the micro-
`processor 100 is restricted to not more than 10 volts
`across itself, except for the 0 outputs.
`A negative voltage of about ——5 volts with respect to
`neutral is developed by the capacitor 76. This negative
`voltage is the return point for pull-down resistors on the
`microprocessor 100 ’outputs. Since these outputs are
`pulled down to —5 volts, but can go as high as +25
`volts, the display panel 35 is actually driven at its anodes
`and grids by swings of approximately 30 volts, which is
`sufficient to give adequate brightness and also to insure
`cutoff ofblank display elements. The battery 72 is sim-
`ply‘ a backup supply and serves to protect programs
`stored inthe memory of the microprocessor 100 in the
`event of an AC power failure. The Zener diodes 66 and
`67 serve to suppress start-up transients that might ap—
`pear across the display filament 65.
`’
`The brightness of the display panel 35 is controlled by
`a display dimmer, generally designated by the numeral
`80, which includes a transistor 81 having its emitter
`connected to the conductor 59 and its collector con-
`nected to the VDD supply. The base of the transistor 81
`is connected through resistors 82 and 83 to the V55
`supply, a capacitor 84 being connected in parallel there-
`with. The junction between the resistors 82 and 83 is
`connected to the collector of the phototransistor 47, the
`emitter of which is connected to the conductor 59.
`As indicated above,
`the phototransistor 47 is so
`mounted on the central control unit 30 that room light
`can fall through an aperture in the keyboard 40 and
`illuminate the surface of the phototransistor 47. In a
`brightly lit room the phototransistor 47 will be satu-
`rated, with its collector being very close to ground
`potential. This turns off transistor 81. In this case, the
`microprocessor 100 is supplied with the V55 potential of
`approximately +25 volts so as to drive the display
`panel 35 to a sufficient brightness to be visible in the
`relatively bright ambient light. When the ambient light
`is reduced or disappears, phototransistor 47 shuts off
`and its collector rises to V55. Transistor 81 is now
`turned on by current through the resistors 82 and 83.
`When transistor 81 saturates, it effectively short-circuits
`the Zener diode 70. Since the microprocessor 100 is
`floating on top of Zener diode 70, its output swing is
`now decreased to about 10 volts from the previous 25,
`which substantially reduces the brightness of the dis-
`play panel 35.
`
`5
`of that keyboard scan. The arrangement of the keys 41
`on the 3X8 matrix is set forth in the following chart:._
`
` A B C
`
`
`CLEAR
`1-12 OFF
`LIGHTS ON
`1
`ENTER & ADVANCE
`STATUS
`DEMO '
`2
`‘
`MODE SELECT
`l/MON ‘
`2/TUE
`3
`3/WED
`AM/PM , ENERGY SAVER .4.
`4/THU .
`6/SAT
`S/FRI
`S
`PRESET DIM
`BRIGHT
`'
`,9
`6 “
`7/SUN
`0
`’S/DAILY
`7
`OFF
`ON
`DIM
`8
`
`‘10
`
`The central control unit 30 also includes a‘ plurality of
`LED’s which are coupled to the microprocessor‘lOO
`and are mounted immediately beneath the keyboard'40
`so as to shine respectively through apertures therein,
`these LED’s respectively indicating the various modes
`in which the central control unit 30 may operate. More
`specifically, an LED 42 indicates a MANUAL mode, '
`an LED 43 indicates an AUTO or automatic mode, an
`LED 44 indicates a REVIEW mode, an LED 45 indi-
`cates a PROGRAM mode, and an LED 46 indicates a
`SET CLOCK mode. Also mounted immediately be
`neath the keyboard 40 in registry with an aperture
`therethrough is a photocell which is preferably in the
`form of a phototransistor 47, for a purpose to be ex-
`plained more fully below.
`‘
`‘
`'
`The plug 31 is a two-prong plug, the prongs being
`respectively Connected to a live conductor 51'and a
`grounded neutral conductor 52. Connected in series
`across the conductors 51 and 52 is a resistor 54 and a
`neon lamp 55. Also connected in series across the con-
`ductors 51 and 52 is a resistor 56 and a neon lamp 57.
`The neon lamps 55 and 57 are mounted beneath'the
`membrane of the keyboard 40 for providing'backlight-
`ing of the translucent indicia thereon. The conductor 51
`is connected through a choke coil 58 to a power supply
`60, which is in turn connected by a conductor 59 to the
`display panel 35. The power supply 60 includes a capac.
`itor 61, a diode 62 and a capacitor 63, all connected in
`series with the choke coil 58 across the conductors 51
`and 59. A diode 64 is connected in parallel with the
`diode 62 and the capacitor 63. The conductor 59 is
`connected to one terminal of the filament ‘65 of the
`display panel 35, the other terminal of which is con-
`nected to the neutral conductor 52. Back-to-back Zener
`diodes 66 and 67 are connected across the display fila-
`ment 65. A resistor 68, a capacitor 69 and a Zener diode
`70 are connected in series between the cathode of the
`diode 62 and the conductor 59. A Zener diode 71 is
`connected in parallel with the capacitor 69. Connected
`in parallel with the Zener diode 71 is the series combina-
`tion of a battery 72 and a diode 73. A varistor 74 may be
`connected across the AC line conductors 51 and 52 to
`clamp high-energy spikes which might appear on the
`AC line and damage the central control unit 30. The
`Vppsupply output terminal of the microprocessor 100 is
`connected by a diode 75 to the conductor 59 and via a
`capacitor 76 to ground.
`line voltage
`The capacitor 61 drops the 120-volt
`down to a mOre usable voltage. During the positive
`half-cycle of the 'AC line voltage, current flows through
`the capacitor 61, the diode 62 and the capacitor 63 and
`then through the display filament 65 to the neutral con—
`ductor 52. During the negative half-cycle of the line
`voltage, current is in the opposite direction from the
`neutral conductor 52 through the display filament 65,
`the diode 64 and the capacitor 61. When the capacitor
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`4O
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`17
`
`17
`
`

`

`7
`The AC conductor 52 is connected to the micro-
`processor 100 through an inverter amplifier, which
`includes the series combination of a resistor 85 and
`inverter sections 86 and 87 of an integrated-circuit hex
`inverter, the supply terminals of which are connected to '
`the V55 and Van supplies, as indicated at H+ and H—.
`The output of the inverter section 87 is connected to the ,
`K1 and K8 input terminals ofthe microprocessor 100. A
`capacitor 88 is connected in parallel with the. inverter
`sections 86 and 87. The purpose of this inverter ampli-
`fier is to convert the AC line voltage to a square wave
`form. The capacitor 88 provides AC positive feedback
`around the amplifier in order to obtain .very fast transi- -
`tions of the square wave. This squared up60 Hz signal .
`is used as the timing reference for data communication
`to and from the central control unit 30, as will be ex-
`plained more fully below.
`.
`,
`,‘
`_
`The column terminals and the row8 terminal of the
`keyboard 40 are connected by diodes 91 to the V55
`supply and by diodes 92 to a Vpp supply. The diodes 91
`and 92 are connected so as to protect the microproces-
`sor input terminals from damage in the event of a static
`discharge between the operator and the keyboard 40.
`Diodes 93 are connected between the column terminals
`of the keyboard 40 and the input terminals L1, L2 and
`L4 of the microprocessor 100 to provide isolation of the
`keyboard conductors from one another. In like manner,
`diodes 94 provide isolation of the elements ofthe house ‘
`code switch 32 from one another. The VDD supply is
`‘30
`connected through a resistor 95 to the cathodes of the
`LED’s 42 through 46.
`'
`The Vppand V55 supplies are respectively connected
`to corresponding input terminals of the microprocessOr
`100. Connected in series between these supplies are a
`diode 97 and a capacitor.98, the junction therebetWeen
`being connected to an INIT input terminal 'of the micro-
`processor 100. The diode 97 and the capacitor 98 consti-
`tute an initializing circuit for the microprocessor 100.
`When power is first applied, the rising edge of the V55
`supply is coupled through the capacitor 98 to the INIT
`terminal of the microprocessor 100 for resetting it' and
`starting its operation at the beginning of its stored pro-
`gram. The diode 97 serves to discharge the capacitor 98
`when the power drops, thereby preparing it for the next
`start-up pulse.
`.
`Means are provided for interface between the Central
`control unit 30 and an outside unit, such as an ultrasonic
`burglar alarm or other type of alarm system. The V55
`supply is connected through a resistor 99 to the emitter
`of a Darlington transistor 102 which has its collector
`connected to the K4 input terminal of the microproces-
`sor 100. A resistor 101 is connected across the emitter-
`collector junction of the transistor 102. A diode 103 and
`a resistor 104 are connected in series between the col-
`lector of the transistor 102 and one of the interface input
`terminals, while the base of the transistor 102 is con-
`nected to the other interface input terminal through a
`resistor 105. A resistor 106 is connected across the base-
`collector junction of the transistor 102.
`‘
`If nothing is connected to the two interface terminals
`(which are perferably provided on the back of the cen-
`tral control unit 30), then the Darlington transistor 102
`will be turned on, thereby driving terminal K4 of the
`microprocessor 100 to a logic high state. This is the
`normal quiescent condition of terminal K4. If a voltage
`of 5.5 volts or more is applied to the interface terminals
`with the polarity indicated, the transistor 102 will be
`turned off, causing the terminal K4 of the microproces-
`
`45
`
`25'
`
`35
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`4,418,333
`
`10'
`
`15
`
`20
`
`8 .
`sor 100 to drop to a logic low state. This is the signal
`that tells the microprocessor 100 that some external
`device is signaling alarm, thereby causing the micro-
`processor 100 to respond ina predetermined manner
`such as by transmitting an “0N” command to certain
`slave units so as to flood a house with light and actuate
`a remote siren or dialer, as in the case for a burglar
`alarm. A' diode 90 is connected between the VDD supply
`and the K4 terminal of the microprocessor 100 to insure
`that the terminal K4 is not pulled lower in voltage than
`VDD.
`The V55 supply is connected through a capacitor 107
`to the oscillator input terminals of the microprocessor
`100, these terminals also being connected through a
`variable resistor 108 and a resistor 109 to the VDD sup-
`ply. The capacitor 107 and the resistors 108 and 109
`work with an internal oscillator circuit of the micro-
`processor 100, the resistor 108 being adjustable to pro-
`vide the exactly 500 KHz clock frequency required by
`the microprocessor 100.
`The central control unit 30 also includes a transmit-
`ter/modulator, generally designated by the numeral
`110, for transmitting signals to the remote slave units
`200, 300 and 400. The transmitter/modulator 110 has an
`inverter oscillator which includes three inverter sec-
`tions 111, 112 and 113 of the hex inverter. Connected in
`parallel with the inverter section 112 is the series combi-
`nation. of a capacitor 114, a resistor 115 and a resistor
`117, a diode 116 being connected in parallel with the
`resistor 115. A resistor 118 is connected between the
`input of the inverter section 113 and a node