A multifunction sensor device which provides various
transducer functions including means for performing
temperature sensing,
humidity sensing, ambient
light sensing,
motion detection,
thermostat functions, switching functions, load switching and dimming functions, displaying actual and set temperature values, displaying
time of day values and a means to put the device in an on, off or auto mode. The device has utility in environments such as that found in offices, schools, homes, industrial plants or any other type of automated facility in which sensors are utilized for energy
monitoring and control,
end user convenience or artificial or natural cooling, heating and
HVAC control. The device can be used as a switch or
dimmer, sensor or
thermostat as well as to adjust and control all natural and artificial lighting, temperature and
humidity devices. Key elements of the invention include overcoming the difficulty of mounting diverse sensors or transducers within the same device or housing; permitting these various sensors to exist in a single
package that can be mounted to a wall in a substantially flush manner; and eliminating the requirement of an air flow channel in the device, thus minimizing any adverse effects on the motion detecting element or sensor as well as providing built in partial
hysteresis. The device may include additional transducers or sensors and is constructed such that the temperature and
humidity sensors are neither exposed to the flow of air in a room or area nor in an
airflow channel whereby a
chimney effect may occur. The device can transmit and receive
real time data, relative data and actual discrete data in addition to switching and controlling loads locally or remotely. An embodiment utilizing
airflow channels to direct air over the temperature and humidity sensors is also disclosed.