LU100187B1

LU100187B1 - Sensor Wiring System and Sensing System for Room Boundary Surfaces

Info

Publication number: LU100187B1
Application number: LU100187A
Authority: LU
Inventors: Christophe Reithler
Original assignee: Tarkett Gdl Sa
Priority date: 2017-05-03
Filing date: 2017-05-03
Publication date: 2018-11-05

Abstract

The invention proposes a sensor wiring system for sensors incorporated in a room boundary surface, such as floors, walls or ceilings. This sensor wiring system comprises: a flat channel recessed in the room boundary surface, the flat channel having a longitudinal extension; functional node modules received in the flat channel, wherein they are spaced from one another along the longitudinal extension of the flat channel; and a backbone cable assembly longitudinally extending through the flat channel, the functional node modules being connected to the backbone cable assembly. The invention further proposes a sensing system for integration into a room boundary surface and to a subfloor integrating such a sensor wiring system or sensing system

Description

Sensor Wiring System and Sensing System for Room Boundary Surfaces. Technical Field: [0001] The present invention generally relates to a sensor wiring system to be integrated in room boundary surfaces, such as floors, walls or ceilings. It further relates to a sensing system for integration into such a room boundary surface and to a subfloor integrating such a sensor wiring system or sensing system.

Background of the invention [0002] Intelligent or smart flooring is a topic increasingly gaining the attention of the flooring industry and the technical building equipment industry in general. Intelligent or smart floors generally designate floors equipped with functionalities such as e.g. presence sensing, people counting, people tracking, indoor positioning, displays, or the like.

[0003] Indoor positioning systems may use, for instance, radio beacons arranged in the floor. The radio beacons may connect to users’ smart phones or other portable electronic devices (tablets, laptop computers, smart watches, etc.). A user’s position may be obtained by identification of the radio beacon currently connected to the user’s portable electronic devices. If the user is within the range of plural beacons, triangulation or trilatération techniques may be used to further increase the precision of the position fix. Radio beacons embedded into the floor (or other room boundary surfaces) may have relatively short ranges (a few meters or even less), making a high area density of radio beacons necessary or at least preferable. Thus the question arises as to how the radio beacons can be supplied with energy. Battery-powered radio beacons could be used but it would be necessary to replace the batteries from time to time. Also, if a beacon fails, it may be desirable to reboot it or install a new version of the firmware. Furthermore, it may be desirable to selectively switch on or off certain radio beacons. All these maintenance task may require an important logistical and time-consuming effort if the beacons are autonomous units. Another solution is to deploy a wired network of beacon tiles. The challenge is in this case to provide an infrastructure that can be deployed relatively easily.

[0004] A somewhat similar problem is encountered with floors featuring a two-dimensional arrangement of presence sensors (e.g. pressure sensors, vibration sensors, capacitive sensors, etc.), since the electrical signals produced by these sensors have to be collected and transmitted to a control unit for processing. Depending on the type of sensor technology used, providing electrical power to the sensors is also an issue.

Summary of the invention [0005] Aspects of the present invention address issues encountered with distributed electronic devices integrated into walls, floors or ceilings (hereinafter termed “room boundary surfaces”).

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, a sensor wiring system for sensors incorporated in a room boundary surface comprises: a flat channel recessed in the room boundary surface, the flat channel having a longitudinal extension; functional node modules received in the flat channel, wherein they are spaced from one another along the longitudinal extension of the flat channel; and a backbone cable assembly longitudinally extending through the flat channel, the functional node modules being connected to the backbone cable assembly.

[0007] A typical functional node module advantageously comprises functional node equipment and a mounting platform. The functional node equipment is advantageously supported by or integrated in the mounting platform, which is designed to be mounted into the flat channel at any place along its longitudinal extension.

[0008] The mounting platform is advantageously fixed in the flat channel by means of at least one snap-fit connection. It advantageously forms a cover of the flat channel above the functional node equipment, wherein this cover has a top surface that is substantially coplanar with the room boundary surface into which the flat channel is recessed.

[0009] At least one additional cover element may cover the flat channel where it is not already covered by the cover formed by the mounting platform. This additional cover element may then have a top surface that is substantially coplanar with the top surface of the cover formed by the mounting platform.

[0010] The flat channel comprises two side walls, wherein each of these side wall advantageously includes a shoulder surface that forms a continuous bearing surface for one of two lateral edges of the mounting platform, respectively for one of two lateral edges of the additional cover element. This shoulder surface is advantageously formed by a rib that protrudes into the channel. A lateral edge of the mounting platform and of the cover element bearing on this shoulder surface may then include a hook-like element cooperating with the rib so as to achieve a snap-fit connection to this rib.

[0011] The functional node module may include at least one external port connector arranged below the mounting platform, for connecting thereto at least one external sensor. In this case the mounting platform includes in its cover at least one feedthrough opening providing functional access to the at least one external port connector.

[0012] The functional node module may include two, respectively four external port connectors, which are arranged below the mounting platform in a matrix-type 2x1, respectively 2x2 arrangement. In this case the mounting platform comprises in its cover at least one feedthrough opening providing functional access to these external port connectors. Preferably the mounting platform comprises in its cover at least one feedthrough opening for each of the external port connectors of the functional node module. The external port connector is advantageously a flat cable connector.

[0013] The functional node module may further include a backbone connector located inside of the flat channel, wherein the backbone cable assembly is connected to this backbone connector.

[0014] In a first embodiment, the backbone cable assembly comprises a continuous flat multi-conductor cable extending in the longitudinal direction through the flat channel, and the backbone connector is a flat cable connector with insulation piercing contacts for establishing a direct connection to the continuous flat multiconductor cable. This continuous flat multi-conductor cable preferably lies flat on a bottom surface of the flat channel and passes underneath the functional node module, and the backbone connector is advantageously arranged at the underside of the functional node module.

[0015] In a second embodiment, the backbone cable assembly comprises a continuous flat multi-conductor cable extending in the longitudinal direction through the flat channel and being equipped with backbone connector elements, which are longitudinally spaced along the backbone cable assembly and are capable of mating with the backbone connector of the functional node modules.

[0016] In a third embodiment, the backbone cable assembly is longitudinally divided in separate backbone cable assembly segments; and each of these separate backbone cable assembly segments interconnects two neighbouring functional node modules. In this case, the functional node module advantageously includes two axial ends spaced in the longitudinal direction of the flat cable channel, wherein a backbone connector for connecting thereto one of the backbone cable assembly segments is arranged in each of these axial ends of the functional node module.

[0017] The sensor wiring system advantageously comprises a cover element covering the flat channel, wherein: the backbone cable assembly is substantially centred on a bottom surface of the flat channel; and the cover element comprises on each side of the backbone cable assembly a support ridge longitudinally extending along the backbone cable assembly and bearing on the bottom surface of the flat channel.

[0018] The flat channel normally has: a height of less than 16 mm, preferably a height in the range of 4 mm to 10 mm; and a width of 20 mm to 100 mm, preferably of 30 mm to 80 mm.

[0019] A typical functional node module comprises one or more of the following functional node equipment: an external connection port module with at least one external port connector for connecting thereto for example an external sensor; an addressing module allowing to individually address the functional node module over the backbone cable assembly; a multiplexer module adapted for multiplexing over the backbone cable assembly analogue or digital signals from at least one sensor connected to the functional node module; an amplifier module adapted for amplifying a signal from a sensor or a signal in the backbone cable assembly; a switching module adapted for switching between several sensors connected to the functional node module; a wireless signal receiver and/or transmitter module; an active radio beacon module.

[0020] Furthermore, two or more separate functional node modules may be juxtaposed in the flat channel to form an extended functional node module.

[0021] According to a further aspect of the invention, a sensing system integrated into a room boundary surface comprises: a plurality of sheet-type sensors distributed over said room boundary surface, and a sensor wiring system as specified hereinbefore, wherein the sheet-type sensors are connected to the functional node modules of this sensor wiring system. Such a sheet-type sensor advantageously comprises several individual sensor elements regrouped in branch. Each of these individual sensor elements has a sensor connection tail, and the sensor connection tails of the individual sensor elements regrouped in a branch are regrouped in a branch connection tail. All the sensor connection tails regrouped in a branch connection tail are connected to one of the functional node modules of the sensor wiring system. The individual sensor elements regrouped in a branch advantageously form a one piece sensing surface having a branch connection tail connected to one of the functional node modules of the sensor wiring system.

[0022] According to a further aspect of the invention, a subfloor has a top surface for installing thereon a decorative flooring, the top surface of the subfloor having a sensor wiring system as specified hereinbefore integrated therein.

[0023] In a first embodiment of this subfloor, the flat channel of the sensor wiring system is formed by a flat channel profile mounted onto a levelled base surface, and the subfloor is formed around the flat channel profile by means of a levelling material arranged on the levelled base surface. In a further embodiment of this subfloor, the flat channel of the sensor wiring system is formed by a recess directly incorporated into the material thickness of the subfloor, for example, by a material shaping technology, such as casting, or a material removing technology, such as milling. In an additional embodiment of this subfloor, the flat channel is incorporated into prefabricated subfloor panels (for example, by a material shaping technology, such as casting, or a material removing technology, such as milling), wherein the subfloor panels are laid on a levelled base surface.

[0024] According to a further aspect of the invention, a subfloor has a top surface for installing thereon a decorative flooring, and this subfloor includes a sensing system as specified hereinbefore. The sheet-type sensors are hereby arranged on the top surface of the subfloor, and the flat channels of the sensor wiring system are recessed into the top surface of the subfloor.

Brief description of drawings: [0025] The afore-described and other features, aspects and advantages of the invention will be better understood with regard to the following description of several embodiments of the invention and upon reference to the attached drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional detail view of a sensor wiring system according to an embodiment of the invention showing one functional node module received in a flat channel; FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional view from the top side of the functional node module of Fig. 2; FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional view from the bottom side of the functional node module of Fig. 2; FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a subfloor with a sensor wiring system integrated therein; FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional view of the sensor wiring system of Fig. 1 with additional cover plates; FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of the sensor wiring system of Fig. 5, showing it integrated in a subfloor; FIG. 7 is a three-dimensional detail view of a sensor wiring system showing two juxtaposed functional node modules; FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional view from the top side of a functional node module comprising an external connection port module with four external port connectors; FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional view from the bottom side of the external connection port module of Fig. 8; FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of a subfloor with a sensor wiring system and sheet-type sensors arranged on top of the subfloor; FIG. 11 is a three-dimensional view of the sensor wiring system of Fig. 7 with additional cover plates; FIG. 12 is a three-dimensional view of a subfloor with the sensor wiring system of Fig. 11 integrated into subfloor and sheet-type sensors arranged on top of the subfloor; FIG. 13 is a detail view of Fig. 12; FIG. 14 is a top view of part of a sensing system arranged on top of a subfloor, showing a functional node module with four sheet-type sensors connected thereto; FIG. 15 is a top view of part of a sensing system arranged on top of a subfloor, showing two successive functional node modules spaced from one another along the longitudinal extension of a flat channel, each of the functional node modules having four sheet-type sensors connected thereto; FIG: 16 is a top view of a one piece sensing surface with three individual sensor elements arranged on top of a subfloor and connected to a functional node module, illustrating a first connection topology of the three individual sensor elements; and FIG. 17 is a top view as in FIG. 16, illustrating a second connection topology of the three individual sensor elements.

Detailed description of embodiments of the invention [0026] It will be understood that the following description and the drawings to which the description refers describe, by way of example, embodiments of the invention for illustration purposes. They shall not limit the scope, nature or spirit of the claimed subject matter.

[0027] Fig. 1 shows, in a three-dimensional view, a detail of a sensor wiring system 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. This sensor wiring system 10 comprises a channel profile 11 forming a flat, longitudinally extending channel 12, which is delimited by a bottom surface 14 and two side walls 16. The channel profile 11 is normally made of a plastic or metallic material. If it is made of plastic material, it is advantageously equipped with an electromagnetic shielding, advantageously under the form of a metallic coat. The flat channel 12 normally has a height of less than 10 mm, preferably a height in the range of 4 mm to 8 mm, and a width of 20 mm to 100 mm, preferably of 30 mm to 60 mm.

[0028] A functional node module 18 is received in the flat channel 12. It will be understood that the sensor wiring system 10 normally includes several of such functional node modules 18 received in the flat channel 12, wherein they are spaced from one another along the longitudinal extension of the flat channel 12 (see e.g. Fig. 15). The functional node module 18 has a height that is slightly smaller than the height of the flat channel 12 and a width that is slightly smaller than the width of the flat channel 12. There is basically no constraint as regards the length of the functional node module 18, but a typical functional node module 18 will advantageously have a length of not more than 200 mm.

[0029] A backbone cable assembly 20 longitudinally extends through the flat channel 12, wherein the functional node modules 18 received in the flat channel 12 are connected to this backbone cable assembly 20. This backbone cable assembly 20 is used for digital data exchange with the functional node modules 18 and/or analogue signal transfer and may further be used for supplying the functional node modules 18 with electrical energy.

[0030] A typical functional node module 18 comprises functional node equipment 22, such as e.g.: an external connection port module with at least one external port, e.g. an external port connector for connecting thereto an external sensor; a multiplexer module adapted for multiplexing over the backbone cable assembly 20 analogue or digital signals from at least one sensor connected to the functional node module 18; an addressing module allowing to individually address each of the functional node modules 18 in the wiring system; an amplifier module adapted for amplifying a signal received from a sensor connected to the functional node module 18 and/or a signal in the backbone cable assembly 20; an switching module adapted for switching between several sensors connected to the functional node module 18; an active radio beacon module; a wireless signal receiver and/or transmitter module.

[0031] In the functional node module 18 of Fig. 1, the functional node equipment 22 comprises e.g. an active radio beacon (as e.g.: a RFID transponder; a Bluetooth transponder; a WiFi transponder). This radio beacon emits a short-distance radio signal which can be received by mobile devices (as e.g. smart phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) within a distance of a few meters (at most) from the source. The radio signal received from one or more of such active radio beacons can then be used by a software in the mobile device to determine the position of the mobile device.

[0032] The functional node module 18 further comprises a mounting platform 24, wherein the functional node equipment 22 is supported by or integrated in this mounting platform 24. This mounting platform 24 is advantageously designed tö be mounted into the flat channel 12 at any place along its longitudinal extension, so that the spacing along the longitudinal extension of the flat channel 12 of two successive functional node modules 18 may be easily adjusted when mounting the sensor wiring system 10. Preferably, the mounting platform 24 is fixed in the flat channel 12 by means of a snap-fit connection. In a preferred embodiment of the functional node modules 18, the mounting platform 24 forms moreover a cover covering the flat channel 12 above the functional node equipment 22.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 4 and 6, the flat channel profile 11 of Fig. 1 is recessed into the top surface 26 of a subfloor 28 (or, more generally, a levelling layer 28 forming a room boundary surface 26). The upper edges of its sidewalls 16 are preferably flush with the top surface 26 of the subfloor 28 (or levelling layer 28). They may also be slightly lower than the top surface 26 of the subfloor 28 (or levelling layer 28) but should not protrude over the top surface 26 of the subfloor 28 (or levelling layer 28).

[0034] For producing the required flat channel 12 recessed in the room boundary surface 26, one may first mount the flat channel profile 11 onto a levelled base surface 30 and then only form the subfloor 28 (or levelling layer 28) around the flat channel profile 11 by means of a levelling material. This levelling material may be a pourable material that forms the subfloor 28 (or levelling layer 28) by hardening onsite or may consist of plates, panels or stripes, having the same height (or thickness) as the flat channel. These plates, panels or stripes are laid onto the levelled base surface and preferably affixed thereto, for example by adhesive means. In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated in the drawings), the flat channel 12 is formed without using a channel profile 11, by incorporating a flat recess directly into the material forming the subfloor 28 (or the levelling layer 28), for example, by a material shaping technology using a pourable or pliable material, such as casting, or a material removing technology, such as milling. In a further alternative embodiment (not illustrated in the drawings), the flat channel 12 is incorporated in the prefabricated subfloor or in the levelling layer panels (for example, by a material shaping technology, such as casting, injection moulding or pressing, or a material removing technology, such as milling), wherein the prefabricated subfloor or levelling layer panels are laid on a levelled base surface.

[0035] As illustrated by Fig. 5 and 6, at least one additional cover element 32 covers the flat channel 12 where it is not covered by the cover formed by the mounting platform 24. This additional cover element 32 has, as well as the cover formed by the mounting platform 24, a top surface that is substantially coplanar with the room boundary surface 26 into which the flat channel 12 is recessed.

[0036] Just as the mounting platform 24, the additional cover elements 32 are preferably fixed in the flat channel 12 by means of a snap-fit connection. The additional cover elements 32 are usually made of a plastic or a metallic material. If they are made of plastic material and electromagnetic shielding is required, this plastic material is advantageously equipped with an electromagnetic shielding, for example under the form of a metallic coat. If the backbone cable assembly 20 itself and/or the cables therein are already provided with an electromagnetic shielding one may usually renounce to an electromagnetic shielding of the channel profile 11 and/or the additional cover elements 32. The cover formed by the mounting platform 24 must be permeable to radiofrequencies, if the radiofrequencies have to be emitted or received by the functional node equipment covered by the mounting platform 24.

[0037] Fig. 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a snap-fit connection for the mounting platform 24 and/or the additional cover elements 32. Each of the side walls 16 includes a shoulder surface that forms a continuous bearing surface for a lateral edge of the mounting platform 24, respectively a lateral edge of the additional cover element 32. This shoulder surface is advantageously formed by a rib 34 that protrudes into the channel 12. The lateral edge of the mounting platform 24, respectively of the cover element 32, bearing on this shoulder surface includes a hook-like element 36 cooperating with the rib 34 so as to achieve a snap-fit engagement of the hook-like element 36 with the rib 34, when the lateral edge of the mounting platform 24 or of the cover element 32 is pressed onto the shoulder surface defined by the rib 34. Alternatively, instead of cooperating with a protruding element as the rib 34, a resilient hook-like element of the mounting platform 24, respectively of the additional cover element 32, may e.g. cooperate with a longitudinal recess in the side wall 16 to achieve a snap-fit engagement. If the flat channel 12 is a flat recess directly incorporated into the material forming the subfloor 28, such a longitudinal recess may e.g. be milled into the side wall 16 of the flat channel 12.

[0038] The flat channel 12 provides space for accommodating therein the functional node modules 18 and the backbone cable assembly 20. This backbone cable assembly 20 preferably comprises one or more flat multi-connector cables (also called a multi-wire planar cables) lying flat on the bottom surface 14 of the flat channel 12. If space permits, other than flat cables may also be used in the backbone assembly. The backbone cable assembly 20 interconnects the functional node modules 18, connects them to external data processing equipment and/or to an external communication network and/or external data or signal processing equipment, and supplies them with electric power.

[0039] The backbone cable assembly 20 is preferably substantially centred on the bottom surface 14 of the flat channel 12. In a preferred embodiment, the additional cover element 32 comprises on each side of the backbone cable assembly 20 a support ridge 38 longitudinally extending along the backbone cable assembly 20 and bearing on the bottom surface 14 of the flat channel 12. These support ridges 38 substantially reinforce the mounted cover element 32.

[0040] The functional node module 18 preferably includes at least one backbone connector 40 located inside of the flat channel, wherein the backbone cable assembly 20 is connected to this backbone connector 40.

[0041] In one embodiment (not illustrated in the drawings), the backbone cable assembly comprises a continuous flat multi-conductor cable (also called a multi-wire planar cable) extending in the longitudinal direction through the channel, and the backbone connector is a flat cable connector with insulation piercing contacts for establishing direct connections to the continuous flat multi-conductor cable. In this embodiment, the continuous flat multi-conductor cable preferably lies flat on the bottom surface 14 of the flat channel 12 and passes underneath the functional node modules 18, which are spaced from the bottom surface 14, and the functional node modules 18 have their backbone connector arranged at their underside, i.e. directly above the continuous flat multi-conductor cable.

[0042] In another embodiment (illustrated in the drawings), the backbone cable assembly 20 is longitudinally divided in separate backbone cable assembly segments 20’, 20”, wherein each of these separate backbone cable assembly segments 20’, 20” just interconnects two neighbouring functional node modules 18. In this embodiment, the functional node module 18 includes in each of its axial ends a backbone connector 40 for connecting thereto one of the backbone cable assembly segments 20’, 20”.

[0043] In the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 7 to 17, the functional node module 18’ includes an external connection port module 50 with external port connectors 52 arranged below the mounting platform 24, for connecting thereto an external cable. The mounting platform 24 includes in its cover top surface at least one feedthrough opening 54 giving access to the at least one external port connector 52 for connecting thereto the external cable (preferably each external port connector 52 includes its own feedthrough opening 54). As shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 11 to 17, the functional node module 18’ includes more particularly four external port connectors 52, which are arranged below the mounting platform in a matrix-type 2x2 arrangement, for connecting thereto four external cables. The mounting platform 24 comprises four feedthrough openings 54 giving access to the four external port connectors 52 for connecting thereto external cables. The external port connectors are advantageously flat cable connectors or modular plugs.

[0044] As seen in Fig. 3 and Fig. 9, the functional node module 18, 18’ advantageously comprises an indicator (poka-yoke) 56,56’ that indicates the correct orientation for arranging it in the flat channel 12. In Fig. 3 and Fig. 9 this poka-yoke 26, 26’ is arranged on the bottom surface 54 of the functional node module 18, 18’. Such a poka-yoke 26,26’ may however alternatively or additionally be arranged on the top surface 54 of the functional node module 18,18’.

[0045] As illustrated by Fig. 7 and Fig. 11 two functional node modules 18, 18’ may be juxtaposed along the longitudinal direction of the flat channel 12 so as to form an extended functional node module. For example, the functional module 18 may comprise an active radio beacon and the functional module 18’ may comprise an external connection port module for connecting thereto further external sensors. Such juxtaposed functional node modules 18, 18’ may themselves be directly electrically interconnected, so that for example only one of them has to be connected to the backbone cable assembly 20, or they may both be separately connected to the backbone cable assembly 20.

[0046] Fig. 13 to 17 illustrate a sensing system 60 equipping a room boundary surface. This sensing system 60 comprises a two-dimensional arrangement of sheet-type sensors 62 arranged on the room boundary surface and a sensor wiring system 10 as described hereinbefore, which is integrated into the room boundary surface and to which the sheet-type sensors 62 are connected. Each of the sheet-type sensors 62 comprises several (here three) individual sensor elements 70. Each of these individual sensor elements 70 is equipped with a sensor connection tail 64 for connecting it to an external port connector 52 of one of the functional node modules 18 of the sensor wiring system 10. The individual sensor elements 70 are preferably distributed in branches, wherein all the individual sensor elements 70 of such a branch have their sensor connection tails 64 assembled in a branch connection tail 68 that is connected to one external port connector 52 of the functional node modules 18 of the sensor wiring system. According to a first wiring topology, as illustrated by Fig. 14,15 and 16, the individual sensor elements 70 are distributed in branches that are transverse to the longitudinal direction of the channel 12, i.e. their sensor connection tails 64 are transversal to the longitudinal direction of the channel 12. According to a second wiring topology, as illustrated by Fig. 17, the individual sensor elements 70 are distributed in branches that are substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the channel 12, i.e. their sensor connection tails 64 are parallel to the longitudinal direction of the channel 12 and, preferably, located above the channel 12.

[0047] The individual sensor elements 70 are preferably pressure sensitive sensors, comprising for example one or more flexible films or foils with conductive tracks, electrodes, etc. printed thereon, to form pressure sensitive surfaces. The sensor connection tails 64 are advantageously integrally formed with the individual sensor element 70 to which they belong and preferably comprise flat conductive tracks (as e.g. printed tracks) sandwiched between two insulating films or foils. Preferably, the individual sensor elements 70 of one branch form a one piece sheet type sensor 62 that can be simply laid onto the room boundary surface 26 and connected to the backbone cable assembly 22 by connecting a branch connection tail connector 68 to one of the external port connectors 52 of the external connection port module 50 of the respective functional node module 18’.

[0048] The external connection port module 50 of the functional node module 18’ preferably interfaces the sheet-type sensors 62 with a wire-based network. It includes an electronic circuit (e.g. microprocessor, application-specific integrated circuit, system-on-chip, etc.) adapted for individually addressing the module. Depending on the type of sensors, the connection port module 50 may further include an analogue-to-digital converter for converting analogue signals from the sensors into corresponding digital signals that are then carried by the backbone cable assembly 20. The connection port module 50 tags the digital signals with an indication of their geographic origin. This indication could be position coordinates or a unique identifier of the connection port module 50, of the branch of individual sensor elements 70 and/or of each of the individual sensor element 70 that has produced the underlying analogue signal. The position can then be retrieved from a look-up table containing the positions of the connection port module 50, the sensor branches and the individual sensor elements 70.

[0049] It will be noted that the individual sensor elements 70 are principally analogous to touch-sensitive pixels of a touch screen. They can be referred to as “floxels” (portmanteau of floor and pixel) or “pixols” (portmanteau of “pixel” and the French word “sol” (floor)). The size of the “floxels” determines the resolution of the sensing system. Advantageously, the size of a floxel ranges from a few tens of centimetres by a few tens of centimetres to about one metre by one metre. Hence, a “floxel” may e.g. have a size of 30 cm x 30 cm, 40 cm x 40 cm, 50 cm x 50 cm, 60 cm x 60 cm, 70 cm x 70 cm or 100 cm x 100 cm. It should be noted that the “floxels” need not be square-shaped: they could, e.g., be rectangular or hexagonal, while this is not intended to exclude other shapes. It should also be noted that if zones of different resolutions are required, the sensing system may comprise “floxels" of different sizes.

[0050] In the illustrated embodiments, each mounting platform 24 comprises four feedthrough openings 54, each of them giving access to a corresponding external port connector 52 of the external connection port module 50. The four external port connectors 52 are arranged in a 2x2 matrix for connecting thereto four one piece sensing surfaces 62 as shown in Fig. 16 or 17.

[0051] While specific embodiments have been described herein in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.

Reference signs list 10, Sensor wiring system 36 Hook-like element 10’ 38 Support ridge 11 Channel profile 40 Backbone connector (of 18) 12 Flat channel 50 External connection port 14 Bottom surface (of 12) module 16 Sidewalls (of 12) 52 External port (connector) 18 Functional node module 54 Feedthrough opening 20 Backbone cable assembly 56, Indicator (poka-yoke) 22 Functional node equipment 56’ 24, Mounting platform 60 Sensing system 24’ 62 Sheet-type sensor (one 26 Top surface of 28 piece Sensing surface) 28 Room surface levelling 64 Sensor connection tail layer (e.g. a subfloor) 68 Branch connection tail 30 Levelled base surface 70 Individual sensor element 32 Cover element (“pixol” or “floxel”) 34 Rib

Claims

A sensor wiring system for integrated sensors in a room boundary surface, comprising: a flat channel embedded in the boundary surface of a room, the flat channel having a longitudinal extent; node functional modules received in the flat channel, wherein they are spaced from each other along the longitudinal extent of the flat channel; and a back wiring assembly extending longitudinally through the flat channel, the node functional modules being connected to the back wiring assembly.

The sensor wiring system of claim 1, wherein: the node functional module comprises a node functional equipment and a mounting platform; node functional equipment is supported by or integrated into the mounting platform; and the mounting platform is adapted to be mounted in the flat channel at any location along its longitudinal extension.

The sensor wiring system of claim 2, wherein the mounting platform is secured in the flat channel with at least one snap connection.

The sensor wiring system of claim 2 or 3, wherein: the mounting platform forms a flat channel cover over the node functional equipment; and this cover has an upper surface which is substantially coplanar with the delimiting surface of a room in which the flat channel is recessed.

The sensor wiring system of claim 4, further comprising at least one additional cover member covering the flat channel; wherein: this additional cover member covers the channel where it is not covered by the cover formed by the mounting platform; and said additional cover member has an upper surface which is substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the cover formed by the mounting platform.

The sensor wiring system of claim 5, wherein: the flat channel comprises two side walls, and each of said side walls comprises a shoulder which forms a continuous bearing surface for a side edge of the mounting platform and for a side edge of the additional cover member.

The sensor wiring system of claim 6, wherein: the shoulder is formed by a rib projecting into the channel; and each of the side edges of the mounting platform and the cover member which is supported on said shoulder comprises a hook-shaped member which cooperates with the rib so as to make a snap connection therewith.

The sensor wiring system according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein: the node functional module comprises at least one external port connector arranged below the mounting platform for connecting a sensor therein external; and the mounting platform comprises in its lid at least one passage opening providing functional access to at least one external port connector.

The sensor wiring system of claim 7 or 8, wherein: the node functional module comprises two, respectively four external port connectors, which are arranged below the mounting platform in a matrix-like arrangement 2x1, respectively 2x2; and the mounting platform includes in its lid at least one passage opening providing functional access to these external port connectors.

The sensor wiring system of claim 8 or 9, wherein the external port connector is a flat cable connector.

The sensor wiring system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the node functional module comprises a backbone connector located within the flat channel; and the back wiring assembly is connected to this backbone connector.

The sensor wiring system of claim 11, wherein: the back wiring assembly comprises a flat, multi-core cable extending longitudinally through the flat channel; and the backplane connector is a flat-wire connector with insulation-piercing contacts to make a direct connection to the flat, multi-core cable.

The sensor wiring system of claim 11 or 12, wherein: the flat, multi-conductor cable lies flat on a bottom surface of the flat channel and passes below the node functional module; and the backbone connector is arranged under the node functional module.

The sensor wiring system of claim 11, wherein: the back wiring assembly is provided with dorsal connector elements, which are longitudinally spaced along the back wiring assembly and are capable of mate with the backbone connector of node functional modules.

The sensor wiring system of claim 11, wherein: the back wiring assembly is divided longitudinally into separate segments of back wiring assembly; and each of these separate backplane assembly segments interconnects two neighboring node functional modules.

The sensor wiring system of claim 15, wherein: the node functional module comprises two axial ends spaced in the longitudinal direction of the flat channel; and in each of these axial ends is arranged a dorsal connector for connecting one of the dorsal wiring assembly separate segments.

The sensor wiring system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a cover member covering the flat channel, wherein: the back wiring assembly is substantially centered on a bottom surface of the flat channel; and the cover member comprises on each side of the back wiring assembly a support stop extending longitudinally along the back wiring assembly and resting on the bottom surface of the flat channel.

The sensor wiring system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flat channel has a height of less than 15 mm, preferably 4 mm to 10 mm, and a width of 20 mm to 100 mm, preferably from 30 mm to 80 mm.

The sensor wiring system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the node functional module comprises one or more of the following node devices: an external connection port module with at least one external port connector for connect an external sensor; an addressing module for individually addressing the node functional module; a multiplexing module adapted for multiplexing through the back wiring assembly of analogue or digital signals of at least one sensor connected to the node functional module; an amplifier module adapted to amplify a signal; a switching module adapted to switch between several sensors connected to the node functional module; - a receiver module and / or wireless signal transmitter; - an active beacon module.

20. The sensor wiring system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein two or more separate node functional modules are juxtaposed in the flat channel to form an extended function node functional module.

21. A detection system integrated into a boundary surface of a premises, comprising: a plurality of sheet-like sensors distributed on the delimiting surface of a premises; and a sensor wiring system as claimed in the foregoing claims, the sheet type sensors being connected to this sensor wiring system.

The detection system of claim 21, wherein: a sheet-like sensor comprises a plurality of individual sensor elements grouped in a branch; each of these individual sensor elements has a connection tail; the connection tails of the individual sensor elements being grouped together in a branch connection tail; all connection tails of the sensor elements grouped in a branch connection tail are connected to one of the node functional modules of the sensor wiring system.

The detection system of claim 22, wherein: the individual sensor elements clustered in one limb form an integral sensing surface having a branch connecting tail connected to one of the node functional modules of the communication system. sensor wiring.

24. A subfloor having an upper surface for installing a decorative floor covering thereon, the upper surface of the subfloor having a sensor wiring system according to claims 1 to 20 therein.

The subfloor of claim 24, wherein: the flat channel of the sensor wiring system is formed by a flat channel profile mounted on an equalized base surface; and the subfloor is formed around the flat profile channel using an equalizing material arranged on the equalized base surface.

The subfloor of claim 24, wherein the flat channel of the sensor wiring system is formed by a groove directly incorporated in the material thickness of the subfloor.

The subfloor of claim 24, wherein the flat channel is incorporated into prefabricated subfloor panels, which are laid on an equalized base surface.

28. A subfloor having an upper surface for installing a decorative floor covering, the subfloor comprising a detection system as claimed in claims 21 or 22.

The subfloor of claim 25, wherein: the sheet type sensors are arranged on the upper surface of the subfloor; and the flat channels of the sensor wiring system are embedded in the upper surface of the subfloor.