Habitat control system

• US 10,716,178 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2019
• Issued: 07/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Current USA Incorporated (Middleby Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Current USA Incorporated (Middleby Corporation)
• Inventors: Fredricks, Dennis, Eigenbrode, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Tan, Vibol
• Application Number:
  US16/351,232
• Publication Number:
  US 20200053850A1
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/006 Accessories for aquaria or terraria
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/047 Liquid pumps for aquaria air pumps for aquaria A01K63/042
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/06 Arrangements for heating or lighting in, or attached to, receptacles for live fish
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0676 by action on flow sources G05D7/0688, G05D7/0694 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/195 the transmission using visible or infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

The present invention consolidates and centrally organizes, among other things, the control of and communication with equipment and sensors placed in or adjacent to the habitat. In an embodiment of the invention, a system for controlling and recognizing habitat components comprises: a main controller comprising an integrated circuit (IC chip) containing information and programming for associated habitat components and a communication component for transferring updated programming and data to associated component via cable, WiFi, Bluetooth, or infrared; and a habitat component having an integrated circuit (IC) chip which contains operating data and acts as an identifier of the component, allowing an application on a smartphone or the main controller to automatically recognize the device and control programs.

Claims

1. A system for controlling and recognizing habitat components comprising:

a main controller comprising a processor configured to execute program instructions, memory for storing a first set of program instructions as well as information associated with a set of habitat components;

a first manifold comprising a plurality of ports, wherein a first one of the plurality of ports is in communication with a first habitat component from the set of habitat components, and a second one of the plurality of ports in communication with the main controller; and

a second manifold in communication with the main controller via the first manifold, wherein the second manifold comprises a plurality of ports, wherein one of the plurality of ports is in communication with a second habitat component from the set of habitat components;

wherein upon connecting the first habitat component to the first manifold, the processor of the main controller is configured to recognize an identity of the first habitat component according to the information associated with the set of habitat components, and execute one or more program instructions from the first set of program instructions to control operation of the first habit component; and

wherein upon connecting the second habitat component to the second manifold, the processor of the main controller is configured to recognize an identity of the second habitat component according to the information associated with the set of habitat components, and execute one or more program instructions from the first set of program instructions to control an operation of the second habitat component.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first manifold is a lighting manifold and the first habitat component is an LED light.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second manifold is a pump manifold and the second habitat component is a pump.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second manifold is a device manifold and the second habitat component is a sensor.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the main controller further comprises a communications modules for receiving communications from a remote controller or user device, the communications comprising the first set of program instructions or a second set of program instructions, and the processor is configured to execute the second set of program instructions to jointly control both the first habitat component and the second habitat component.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the main controller comprises a user interface and display.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the user device is a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of ports in the first manifold of the second manifold is electronically coupled to a display, an audio speaker, or a communications module.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the second habitat component is selected from the group consisting of:

an ornament, fish feeder, light, heater, chiller, water pump, air pump, wave maker, mister, fogger, thermometer, water monitor, air monitor, filter sensor, and water level sensor.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first habitat component is a pump and the second habitat component is a feeder;

wherein the one or more program instructions from the first set of program instructions further comprises a feeding instruction and upon execution of the feeding instruction, the pump is deactivated and the feeder is activated.