Wireless system with multi-device control

Abstract

A control system includes an enclosure, a control panel, and a plurality of controls, indicators, or both mounted on the control panel or in the enclosure. At least some of the plurality of controls, indicators, or both are configured to wirelessly communicate with each other inside the enclosure, and at least some controls including wirelessly controlled relays are configured to control devices outside the enclosure. Also, the wirelessly configured controls, indicators, or both are further configured to communicate with a plurality of other controls, indicators, or both in the control system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Figure is a representative pictorial diagram of a control panel configuration of the present invention.

Claims

1. A control system comprising: an enclosure;a control panel;a plurality of controls, indicators, or both mounted on said control panel or in said enclosure;at least some of said plurality of controls, indicators, or both configured to wirelessly communicate with each other inside said enclosure, and at least some controls including wirelessly controlled relays configured to control devices outside said enclosure; andsaid wirelessly configured controls, indicators, or both further configured to communicate with a plurality of other controls, indicators, or both in said control system.

2. A control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein a transmitting wirelessly configured control or indicator is configured to request an acknowledgement response from a receiving wirelessly configured control or indicator.

3. A control system in accordance with claim 1 further configured to generate a random address for each said wirelessly configured control and indicator.

4. A control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said wireless communications include at least one of status checks, control signals, or annunciations.

5. A control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said wirelessly configured controls, indicators, or both have a lock-out mode configured to prevent an inadvertent setting or configuration change.

6. A control system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said system is password protected.

7. A control system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising an interface or PC configured to monitor connection data in real time and to provide a status indication for controls, indicators, or both.

8. A control system in accordance with claim 7 configured to use ID numbers in a data stream to identify a connection.

9. A control system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said interface or PC is configurable in at least one communication mode from the group consisting of status request, last control function performed, active and/or inactive device polling, and error or last detected error.

10. A method for controlling a system comprising: providing an enclosure;a control panel;a plurality of controls, indicators, or both mounted on said control panel or in said enclosure;at least some of said plurality of controls, indicators, or both configured to wirelessly communicate with each other inside said enclosure, and at least some controls including wirelessly controlled relays configured to control devices outside said enclosure; andusing said wirelessly configured controls, indicators, or both to communicate with a plurality of other said wirelessly configured controls, indicators, or both.

11. A method in accordance with claim 10 further wherein a transmitting wirelessly configured control or indicator requests an acknowledgement response from a receiving wirelessly configured control or indicator.

12. A method in accordance with claim 10 further comprising generating a random address for each said wirelessly configured control and indicator.

13. A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein said wireless communications include at least one of status checks, control signals, or annunciations.

14. A method in accordance with claim 10 further comprising setting a wirelessly configured control, indicator, or both in a lock-out mode configured to prevent an inadvertent setting or configuration change.

15. A method in accordance with claim 10 further comprising monitoring connection data in real time and to provide a status indication for controls, indicators, or both.

16. A method in accordance with claim 15 further comprising using ID numbers in a data stream to identify a connection.

17. A method in accordance with claim 15 further comprising using an interface or PC to monitor the connection data in real time, and configuring the interface or PC in a communication mode selected from the group consisting of status request, last control function performed, active and/or inactive device polling, and error or last detected error.