115
`United States Patent
`4,418,333
`[11]
`
`[45] Nov.29, 1983
`Schwarzbachet al.
`
`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.
`Chapman, Sycamore,all ofIll.
`An appliance control system includes a central control
`unit and a plurality of slave units each including a user-
`Pittway Corporation, Aurora, III.
`[73] Assignee:
`
`programmable microprocessor and__respectively
`[21] Appl. No.: 271,244
`plugged into outlet sockets of a power main in a build-
`[22] Filed:
`Jun. 8, 1981
`ing, appliances being respectively coupled to the slave
`units. The system permits manual or automatic trans-
`[SU]
`Int. C13 oe eeeeeeeee H04Q 9/00; GO6F 15/20;
`mission of commandsignals and status request signals
`HO4B 3/54
`from the central control unit to individually addressed
`[52] U.S. CD, cece eeceseetseseeeeeenee 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
`units being programmable to remember a predeter-
`minedbrightness level, so that the lamp can be remotely
`turned on to that predetermined level. Means are pro-
`vided for turning the appliance off at the remote appli-
`ance site while maintaining the appliance under the
`control of the central contro] unit. Meansare also pro-
`vided for reviewing and testing a pre-programmed
`schedule of commandinstructions.
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,691,528
`9/1972 Calvagnaet al. ........0 340/825.52
`3,815,091
`6/1974 Kirk v.ccescscccesesseneeeenees 340/825
`
`4,151,515
`4/1979 Pease et al. vce 340/309.1
`
`4,156,866
`w. 340/825.06
`5/1979 Miller.........
`
`4,174,517 11/1979 Mandel...........
`.. 340/310 A
`4,200,862 4/1980 Campbell et al.
`..
`ww 340/310 A
`
`8/1980 Caltagironeet al.
`........... 340/310 R
`4,217,646
`7/1981 Beckedorff etal. ........... 340/825.22
`4,279,012
`1/1982 Mand.......ccsesseseeseneenees 340/501
`4,308,911
`
`33 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures
`
`
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1014
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1014
`
`

`

`
`
`U.S. Patent—Nov. 29, 1983 Sheet 1 of 13 4,418,333
`
`
`
`25.
`
`FIG.! 2
`
`
`1 327
`
`AY
`
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`
`325 sd
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`300
`426.
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`4277402 4 Ql
`a“er
`7
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`| Lf A
`
`
`
`2
`
`

`

`Sheet 2 of 13
`
`4,418,333
`
`6S
`
`Nov. 29, 1983
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Zf£/
`
`3
`
`

`

`S.U.
`
`Patent
`
`Nov. 29
`
`, 1983
`
`Sheet 3 of 13
`
`4,418,333
`
`Go-oid
`
`SZ
`
` Z9GbEZ1
`
`ddA
`
`
`
`4
`
`
`

`

`Nov. 29, 1983
`
`Sheet 4 of 13
`
`4,418,333
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`5
`
`

`

`Sheet 5 of 13
`
`4,418,333
`
`Nov. 29, 1983
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`6
`
`

`

`Nov. 29, 1983
`
`Sheet 6 of 13
`
`4,418
`
`,333
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`8°9id
`
`
`
`
`
`LINNFAVISWO44dFISNOdSSYSNLVLIS
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`SLIGSLYVls
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`7
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 29, 1983
`
`Sheet 7 of 13
`
`4,418,333
`
`FIG.IZA
`CENTRAL UNIT
`MANUAL & AUTO MODES
`
`ENTER SET
`
`SET PWR
`
`
`
`
`ENTER AUTO
`MODE, SET
`AUTO LED
`
`kopBATTERY
`
`?
`
`Y
`
`:
`
`
`
`DISPLAY CURRENT
`TIME, D.O.W., &
`E.S. STATE
`
`5/2
`
`
`SUBROUTINE
`
`5/0
`
`
`
`CLEAR ALL
`STORED
`EVENTS
`
`FROM SET
`CLOCK MODE
`
`ENTER MAN.
`MODE, SET
`MAN. LED
`
`
`
`P
`
`8LINK
`CURRENT
`DISPLAY
`
`Y
`
`JUMP TO
`PREVIOUS
`
`iISPLAY
`BLINKS,
`SEt
`
`
`
`
`O-9 AND/OR FUNCTION ?
`
`
`TRANSMIT
`FUNCTION
`
`
`
`8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 29, 1983
`
`Sheet 8 of 13
`
`4,418,333
`
`TO
`57
`
`FIG.IZ8B
`* FROM
`TO.
`FROM
`516 53S
`
`FROM
`5/4
`
`TO FROM TO
`TO.
`515
`512
`519-199 |
`
`COMPARE
`XMITTED
`RECEIVED
`LOAD
`STATUS
`
`
`
`
`DISPLAY
`
`SLAVE # g
`FAIL FOR
`w3 SEC.
`
`
`
`|Y--ENERGY
`SAVER
`
`REVERSE
`E.S. STATE
`
`DISPLAYES. ELS.prsecarES.
`
`
`
`XMIT
`
`
`
`DISPLAY
`DISPLAY
`SLAVE_NO. &
`“CAI”
`7
`STATUS
`SLAVE I
`FOR 3 SEC.
`& SLAV
`0.
`.
`
`
`
`
`
`[THRU 16
`7
`
`
`OVERRIDE OFF, DIM,
`
`SLAVE
`DIGITS
`
`
`BRITE, PRESET
`DIM, “STATUS
`
`
`DISPLAY
`
`
`DISPLAY
`SLAVE
`
`DIGITS
`
`SET MAN.
`
`
`
`
`
`CHECK E.S.
`STATE
`
`RESET MAN.
`OVERR., FLAG
`
`9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 29, 1983
`
`Sheet 9 of 13
`
`4,418,333
`
`518
`
`FROM FiIG.1I3B
`[ENTER REVIEW
`
`MODE,
`SET
`FIGAAA
`RESETDEMOFLAG
`
`
`SET REV. LED
`
`ENTER PROGRAM
`MODE
`
`CENTRAL UNIT
`REVIEW & DEMO MODES
`
`“P
`
`Se
`
`TOGGLE
`DEMO
`
`~
`
`
`
`
`
`ADVANCE
`TO NEXT
`DAY
`
`
`
`End
`FOR
`
` O/SPLAY
`
` 3 SEC
` 52!
`ADVANCE
`
`SLAVE
`525—|
`
`10
`
`|
`
`10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 29, 1983
`
`Sheet 10 of 13
`
`4,418,333
`
`FIG. (4B
`
`525
`
`"oer
`
`DISPLAY Ist
`OR NEXT
`STORED EVENT
`FOR SELECTED
`DAY
`
`DISPLAY
`“END”
`FOR
`
`574
`
`SHIFTSLAVE
`
`ierelie
`
`
`
`
`526
`
`DEMO
`
`poo Y
`rsae)||nh
`NY
`EVENTS
`DEMO
`FLAG
`STOR,
`
`
`
` DISP_ {st OR
`
`NEXT STORED
`EVENT FOR
`SELEC. SLAVE
`
`a etCORRECT
`3 SEC
`SahDISPLAYED
`
`
`
`
`
`GO_TO
`NEXT.
`STORED
`EVENT
`
`
`
`XMIT
`DISPLAYED
`EVENT
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 29, 1983
`
`Sheet 11 of 13
`
`4,418,333
`
`FIG.I§
`
`LAMP SLAVE UNIT
`LOAD SWITCH TOGGLE
`
`INITIAL
`POWER ON
`
`
`
` TURN
`
`
`TURN ON
`LEO
`
`OFF LED
`
`FROM 533
`FIGS. 16 817
`
`TO
`FIGI7
`
`_
`
`TO
`FIGIG
`
`
`
`LEAVE
`TRIAC ON
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov.29, 1983
`
`Sheet 12 of 13
`
`4,418,333
`
`FIG.I6
`LAMP SLAVE UNIT
`LOCAL DIMMING
`
`FROM 532
`
`DECREMENT
`LOCAL
`TIMEOUT
`
`INIT. LOCAL
`TIMEOUT TO
`SHORT VALUE
`
`INIT. LOCAL
`TIMEOUT
`TO LONG
`VALUE
`
`FIGLIS TO FIGIS
`
`BRIGHT
`
`INCREMENT
`LINE PHASE
`CONTROL
`
`DECREMENT
`LINE PHASE
`CONTROL
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 29, 1983
`
`Sheet 13 of13
`
`4,418,333
`
`SLAVE UNIT
`REMOTE CONTROL
`
`FIGA?
`
`TO
`FIGAS
`
`FIGS
`
`IGNORE
`COMMAND
`
`REC. & STORE
`MESSAGE:
`DECODE, ERROR
`CORRECT
`
`533 FROM 534
`
`INCREMENT
`LINE
`PHASE
`CONTROL
`
`DIM
`f
`
`DECREMENT
`LINE PHASE
`CONTROL
`
`SET LINE
`PHASE
`CONTROL
`TO PRESET
`LEVEL
`
`COMMAND
`STATUS
`REQUEST
`
`TRANSMIT
`STATUS
`
`14
`
`14
`
`

`

`1
`
`4,418,333
`
`2
`
`APPLIANCE CONTROL SYSTEM
`
`_
`15
`
`30
`
`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 powerdistributionlines of a
`building to. provide a medium for communication be- jg
`tween a central contro] 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
`typically include a central control unit and a plurality of
`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 45
`numberof 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 lampto 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 meansfor 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 commandsat the appointed times. But
`once a set of commandsis loaded into the system mem- ¢y
`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 memoryandto ver-
`ify that they can be properly executed by the system.
`The only wayto determine a defect in the program is to 65
`constantly monitor the system until the entire program
`has been completed and see if it was properly carried
`out.
`
`50
`
`15
`
`SUMMARYOF 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 powerlines, which system
`avoids the disadvantages of prior art systems while
`affording additional structural and operating advan-
`tages.
`An important objectof this invention is to provide a
`system of the type set forth which permits a remote
`lamp to be dimmedorbrightened either remotely from
`the central control 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
`dimmedcondition.
`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 commandtransmitted 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
`which includes means for accelerating the program to
`permit review andtesting 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 messageto 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 contro! unit for use in a system of the type set
`forth.
`Still another object of this invention is the provision
`ofslave 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 thé associated lamp, the central
`unit including meansfor 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 meansin 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
`whenthe light intensity control meansis in either the
`OFFlevel or the maximum intensity level for setting
`the light intensity control means to a predetermined
`intermediate intensity level.
`Theinvention consists of certain novel features and a
`combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illus-
`
`15
`
`

`

`4,418,333
`
`3
`trated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly
`pointed out in the appendedclaims, it being understood
`that various changesin 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 powerdistribution system. The
`wall switch slave unit 400 is adapted to be mounted in a
`wall switch teceptacle 27 in place of the wall switch
`FIG.1is:a perspective view of an appliance contro].
`which normally controls the associated light fixture.
`Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B,the central control
`system constructed in accordance with and embodying.
`a
`the features. of the present invention, shown connected
`unit 30 is provided with an electrical circuit 50 which
`to the powerdistribution lines of a building;
`includes a microprocessor 100. A house code switch 32,
`FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the keyboard of
`preferably in the form of a rotary switch having four
`the central. contro! unit of the appliance control system
`contact elements respectively corresponding to the 1’s,
`of of FIG.1;
`2’s, 4’s and 8’s digits of the binary numbering system,is
`FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the display panel
`coupled to the microprocessor 100. The house code
`of the central control unit of the appliance control sys-
`switch 32 is. preferably located on the bottom of the
`tem of FIG.1;
`housing 33 of the central control unit 30, and by the use
`FIGS. 4A and 4B are a schematiccircuit diagram of
`of. this switch any oneofsixteen different house codes
`the electrical circuit of the central control unit of the
`can be programmedinto the microprocessor 100. Thus,
`appliance control system of FIG. 1,
`if more than one system 20 is used in a multiple-occu-
`FIG.5 is a schematic circuit diagram oftheelectrical
`pant building such as an apartmentbuilding or an office
`circuit of the. lamp slave unit of the appliance control
`building, the system can be assigned a unique house
`system of FIG. 1;
`code which will not interfere with any other systems in
`FIG..6 is a schematic circuit diagram of the electrical
`the building. Accordingly, up to sixteen separate sys-
`circuit of the appliance slave unit of the appliance con-
`‘tems 20 can be used in a building without interference
`trol system of FIG.1;
`.
`with one another,as will be explained more fully below.
`FIG.7 is a waveform diagram ofa typical command
`The central control unit 30 also includes a display
`message transmitted from the central cotrol unit of the
`panel 35 which is coupled to a microprocessor 100 and
`appliance control system of FIG.1;
`which is preferably a seven-character vacuum-tube
`FIG. 8 is a waveform diagram similar to FIG. 7, _
`fluorescent display,
`in. which numerals and/orletters
`illustrating a typical status message transmitted from a
`are created with a standard seven-segment character.
`slave unit to the central. control unit;
`.
`Referring to FIG. 3, the display includes an array of
`FIG.9 is an enlarged wave-form diagram indicating
`five largecharacters 34 to indicate the time-of-day and
`the three types of logic bits utilized in the coding
`certain words, and an array of two small characters 38
`schemeofthe present invention;
`to indicate the slave unit numbers. Each of the seven
`FIG. 10 is a waveform diagramillustrating the sam-
`charactersis also provided with a day designation,as at
`pling.pattern by which a slave unit decodes received
`37, to provide a day-of-the-week display. The two small
`message bits;
`characters 38 additionally respectively include ON and
`FIG.11 is a waveform diagram illustrating various
`OFF designations 36, and the first large character 39
`phases of 60 Hz AC power;
`also includes a PM designation. Thus, it can be seen that
`FIG. 12 is a waveform diagram similar to FIG. 10,
`a few of the characters have as many as nine segments.
`illustrating the sampling pattern by which the central
`The display panel 35 is a multiplex type display in
`control unit decodes received message bits;
`whichall of the corresponding segments of each char-
`FIGS. 13A and 13B are a program flow chart depict-
`acter are wired in common. Each characteris individu-
`ing the operational steps prformed within the micro-
`ally selected by one of the conductors designated 1
`processor of the central control unit in its MANUAL
`through 7. The characters are time multiplexed by the
`and AUTO modesof operation;
`microprocessor 100, which also handlesall of the de-
`FIGS. 14A and 14B are a program flow chart depict-
`coding and time-sharing process of the display panel 35.
`ing the operational steps performed by the microproces-
`The central control unit 30 also includes a keyboard
`sor of the central control unit in its REVIEW and
`40 which is coupled to the display panel 35 and to the
`DEMOmodes of operation; and
`microprocessor 100. Referring to FIG. 2, the keyboard
`FIGS.15, 16 and 17 are program flow charts depict-
`40 is preferably a membrane-switch key pad comprising
`ing operational steps performed by the microprocessors
`a plurality of keys 41, each provided with translucent
`of theslave units to accomplish various functions.
`indicia to indicate the function of that key. The key-
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`board 40is connected as a 3X8 matrix, with its row pins
`EMBODIMENT
`1 through 8 connected to corresponding microproces-
`sor output terminals. During normalstandby 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 andthe display panel character
`terminals 1 through 7. During the time that a keyboard
`row pin is held high, the microprocessor 100 looksatits
`input wires L1-L8 to determine whether a key is
`closed. When the key closure is detected, the micro-
`processor 100 takes the appropriate action after the end
`
`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 powerlines 21
`of a building powerdistribution 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
`
`mm wy
`
`20
`
`35
`
`40
`
`55
`
`16
`
`16
`
`

`

`4,418,333
`
`5
`of that keyboard scan. The arrangementof the keys: 41
`on the 3X8 matrix is set forth in the following chart:,
`
` A
`
`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 Vpp supply voltage of approximately +16
`volts, which is connected to the Vpp 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 Vpp to Vss
`potential of about 9 volts. This 9-volt supply is riding on
`top of the 16-volt supply of the Zener diode 71,
`whereby the Vss 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
`displayfilament 65. Most of the circuitry in the central
`control unit 30 operates between the Vpp and Vss 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
`acrossitself, except for the O outputs.
`A negative voltage of about —5 volts with respect to
`neutral is developed by thecapacitor 76. This negative
`voltage is the return point for pull-downresistors on the
`microprocessor 100 outputs. Since these outputs are
`pulled down to —5 volts, but can go as high as +25
`volts, the display panel35 is actually drivenat its anodes
`andgrids by swings of approximately 30 volts, which is
`sufficient to give adequate brightnessand 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
`eventof an AC powerfailure. The Zener diodes 66 and
`67 serve to suppress start-up transients that might ap-
`pear across the display filament 65.
`Thebrightness ofthe 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 Vpp supply. The base of the transistor 81
`is connected through resistors 82 and 83 to the Vss
`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 Vss 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 ambientlight
`is reduced or disappears, phototransistor 47 shuts off
`and.
`its collector rises to Vss. Transistor 81 is now
`turned on by current through the resistors 82 and 83.
`Whentransistor 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.
`
`CLEAR
`ENTER & ADVANCE
`MODE SELECT
`3/WED
`4/THU
`PRESET DIM
`7/SUN
`OFF
`
`Cc
`B
`1
`LIGHTS ON
`1-12 OFF
`2
`DEMO"
`STATUS
`3
`2/TUE
`\/MON'
`AM/PM — ENERGY SAVER 4...
`6/SAT
`5/FRI
`5,
`BRIGHT
`3
`,
`6
`10
`Q
`‘8/DAILY
`7
`ON
`DIM
`8
`
`ay
`
`N
`
`Thecentral control unit 30 also includesaplurality of
`LED’s which are coupled to the microprocessor 100
`and are mounted immediately beneath the keyboard40
`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 43indicates 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 @ 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 inseries 30
`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 providingbacklight- 3
`ing of the translucent indicia thereon. The conductor 51
`is connected through a chokecoil 58 to a power supply
`60, whichis 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 4°
`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- 45
`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 anda Zener diode
`70 are connected in series between thecathode of the
`diode 62 and the conductor 59. A Zener diode 71 is 50
`connected in parallel with the capacitor 69. Connected
`in parallel with the Zener diode 71is 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 55
`AC line and damage the central control unit 30. The
`Vppsupply output terminal of the microprocessor 100is
`connected by a diode 75 to the conductor 59 and via a
`capacitor 76 to ground.
`line voltage 60
`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 throughthe display filament 65 to the neutral con-
`ductor 52. During the negative half-cycle of the line 65
`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
`
`17
`
`17
`
`

`

`4,418,333:
`
`—
`
`0:
`
`5
`
`20°.
`
`8 .
`7
`The AC conductor 52 is connected to the micro-
`sor 100 to drop to a logic low state. This is the signal
`that tells the microprocessor 100 that some external
`processor 100 through an inverter amplifier, which
`includes the series combination of a resistor 85 and
`device is signaling alarm, thereby causing the micro-
`processor 100 to respond in a predetermined manner
`inverter sections 86 and 87 of an integrated-circuit hex
`such as by transmitting an “ON” commandto certain
`inverter, the supply terminals of which are connected to ~
`slave unitsso as to flood a house with light and actuate
`the Vssand Vppsupplies, as indicated at H+- and H—.
`a remote siren or dialer, as in the case for a burglar
`The output of the inverter section 87 is connectedto the .
`alarm. Adiode 90 is connected between the Vppsupply
`K1and K8input terminals of the microprocessor 100. A
`and the K4terminal of the microprocessor 100 to insure
`capacitor 88 is connected in parallel with theinverter
`that the terminal K4 is not pulled lower in voltage than
`sections 86 and 87. The purpose ofthis inverter ampli-
`Vopp.
`-
`fier is to convert the AC line voltage to a square wave
`The Vsssupply is connected through a capacitor 107
`form.:The capacitor 88 provides AC positive feedback
`to the oscillator input terminals of the microprocessor
`around the amplifier in order to obtain .very fast transi-..
`100, these terminals also being connected through a
`tions of the square wave. This squared up.60 Hz signal .
`variable resistor 108 and a resistor 109 to the Vpp sup-
`is used as the timing reference for data communication
`to and from the central control unit 30, as will: be ex-
`ply. The capacitor 107 and theresistors 108 and 109
`work with an internal oscillator circuit of the micro-
`plained more fully below.
`.
`.
`The column terminals and the row.8 terminal of the
`processor 100, the resistor 108 being adjustable to pro-
`vide the exactly 500 KHz clock frequency required by
`keyboard 40 are connected by diodes 91 to the Vss
`the microprocessor 100.
`_-
`supply and by diodes 92 to a Vppsupply. The diodes 91
`The central control unit 30 also includes a transmit-
`and 92 are connected so as to protect the microproces-
`ter/modulator, generally designated by the numeral
`sor input terminals from damagein the event.ofa static.
`110, for transmitting signals to the remote slave units
`discharge between the operator and the keyboard 40.
`200, 300 and 400. The transmitter/modulator 110 has an
`Diodes 93 are connected between the column terminals
`‘inverter oscillator which includes three inverter sec-
`of the keyboard 40 and the input terminals L1, L2 and
`tions 111, 112 and 113 of the hex inverter. Connected in
`L4ofthe microprocessor 100 to provide isolation of the
`parallel with the inverter section 112 is the series combi-
`keyboard conductors from one another. In like manner,
`nation of a capacitor 114, a resistor 115 and a resistor
`diodes 94 provide isolation of the elements ofthe house _
`117, a diode 116 being connected in parallel with the
`code switch 32 from one another. The Vop supply is
`resistor 115. A resistor 118 is connected between the
`connected througharesistor 95 to the cathodes of the’
`input of the inverter section 113 and a node X at the
`LED’s 42 through 46.
`of
`junction between the capacitor 114 andtheresistor 115.
`The Vppand Vsssupplies are respectively connected
`A diode 119 has its anode connected to the node X and
`to corresponding input terminals of the microprocessor
`its cathode connected to the R15 output terminal of the
`100: Connected in series between these supplies are’a
`microprocessor 100 via conductor 129. The output of
`diode 97 and a capacitor 98, the junction therebetween
`the inverter section 111 is connected via a resistor 121 to
`being connectedto an INITinput terminal of the micro-
`the base of a transistor 120, the emitter of which is
`processor 100. The diode 97 and the capacitor 98 consti-
`connected to the Vss supply. A resistor.122 is con-
`tute an initializing circuit for the microprocessor 100.
`nected across the base-emitter junction of the transistor
`When poweris first applied, the rising edge of the Vss
`120 while a Zener diode 123 is connected across the
`supply is coupled through the capacitor 98 to the INIT
`emitter-collector junction. The collector of the transis-
`terminal of the microprocessor 100 for resetting it and
`tor 120 is connected to the center tap of a winding of a
`starting its operation at the beginning ofits stored pro-
`line coupling transformer, generally designated by the
`gram. The diode 97 serves to discharge the capacitor 98
`numeral 125.
`when the powerdrops, thereby preparingit for the next
`The inverteroscillatoris essentially a relaxation oscil-
`start-up pulse.
`.
`lator with a time constant established by the capacitor
`Meansare provided for interface between the central
`114 and the resistor 115. Diode 116is used to alter the
`control unit 30 and an outside unit, such as an ultrasonic
`duty cycle of the resulting square wave. Thelast in-
`burglar alarm or other type of alarm system. The Vss
`verter section 111 simply inverts the oscillator wave
`supply is connected through a resistor 99 to the emitter
`form to proper polarity to drive the transistor 120. In
`of a Darlington transistor 102 which has its collector
`standby condition the microprocessor output terminal
`connected to the K4input terminal of the microproces-
`R15is at a logic low and diode 119 conducts, thereby
`sor 100; A resistor 101 is connected across the emitter-
`holding its anode and the input of the inverter section
`collector junction of the transistor 102. A diode 103 and
`113 low to maintain the oscillator off. In this condition
`a resistor 104 are connected in series between the col-
`the output of the inverter section 113 is high, the output
`lector ofthe transistor 102 and oneof the interface input
`of the inverter section 112 is low and the output of the
`terminals, while the base of the transistor 102 is con-
`inverter section 111 is high, which shuts off the transis-
`nected to the other interface input terminal through a
`tor.120. When the microprocessor output terminal R15
`resistor 105. A resistor 106 is connected across the base-
`goes high, the diode 119 does not conduct and the input
`collector junction ofthe transistor 102.
`‘
`to the inverter section 113 goes high, its output goes
`If nothing is connected to the two interface terminals
`low and