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Connecting split HVAC systems to the internet and/or smart utility meters

  • US 10,013,873 B2
  • Filed: 07/13/2012
  • Issued: 07/03/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system for use with a split HVAC system including at least one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units, each indoor unit having an infrared receiver, the system comprising:

  • a control having connectivity to a network and/or a smart utility meter; and

    a plurality of equipment interface modules, each of the plurality of equipment interface modules mounted on a corresponding one of the plurality of indoor units adjacent to the infrared receiver of the corresponding one of the plurality of indoor units while leaving at least a portion of said infrared receiver visually unobstructed to receive infrared signals directly from a handheld infrared remote control, each of the plurality of equipment interface modules configured for one-way wireless communication with the infrared receiver of the corresponding one of the plurality of indoor units and two-way wireless communication with the control, such that each of the plurality of equipment interface modules is operable for communicating instructions from the control to the infrared receiver of the corresponding one of the plurality of indoor units while also allowing the infrared receiver to receive infrared signal instructions directly from the handheld infrared remote control, thereby allowing operation of the corresponding indoor unit to be controllable via the network and/or smart utility meter, and the handheld infrared remote control;

    wherein each of the plurality of equipment interface modules comprises a collector for intercepting contrary instructions from the handheld infrared remote control of the corresponding one of the plurality of indoor units, to thereby allow each of the plurality of equipment interface modules to countermand the contrary instructions by sending an instruction to the infrared receiver after receiving the contrary instruction from the handheld infrared remote control via the collector.

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  • 6 Assignments
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