Systems, methods and devices for controlling ventilation registers

• US 20040176022A1
• Filed: 12/10/2003
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bryan A. Scott, John Bugg, Steven Thrasher
• Original Assignee: Bryan A. Scott, John Bugg, Steven Thrasher
• Inventors: Thrasher, Steven, Bugg, John, Scott, Bryan A.
• Application Number:
  US10/732,610
• Publication Number:
  US 20040176022A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 454/256
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/082 Grilles, registers or guards

Abstract

The invention teaches systems, devices and methods for controlling the automation of ventilation registers. In one embodiment, the invention is a system for articulating a register for a heating or air-conditioning system. The system generally includes a means for receiving a wireless signal, a means for switching a drive means on, a drive means, and a movable member.

Claims

1. A remote controlled ventilation register attachment, comprising:

a housing that is adapted to attach to a ventilation register, and also adapted to maintain at least a receiver, a switch, and a drive;

the receiver located in the housing and capable of receiving a signal directly from a remote control device, and also capable of generating an electric signal for the switch;

the switch coupled to the receiver and to the drive;

the switch having logic capable of controlling a supply of power to the drive; and

the drive being adapted to couple to a member.

2. The remote controlled ventilation register attachment of claim 1 wherein the receiver and the electric switch are integrated onto a single electronic platform.

3. The remote controlled ventilation register attachment of claim 1 wherein the receiver is adapted to receive an infrared signal.

4. The remote controlled ventilation register attachment of claim 1 wherein the receiver is adapted to receive a radio wave signal.

5. The remote controlled ventilation register attachment of claim 1 wherein the receiver is identifiable with a remote control code.

7. The remote controlled ventilation register attachment of claim 1 wherein the receiver is uniquely identifiable with a remote control code.

8. The remote controlled ventilation register attachment of claim 1 wherein the drive comprises an electric motor.

9. The remote controlled ventilation register attachment of claim 1 wherein the drive comprises a gear box.

10. The remote controlled ventilation register attachment of claim 1 further comprising a timing device coupled to the electric switch.

12. The remote controlled ventilation register attachment of claim 1 further comprising a thermometer coupled to the electric switch.

13. The remote controlled ventilation register attachment of claim 1 further comprising a ventilation register coupled to the housing.

14. The remote controlled ventilation register attachment of claim 1 wherein the housing is integrated within the body of a ventilation register.

16. The remote controlled vent cover of claim 1 wherein the ventilation register is a grill-only register.

22. The remote control register of claim 1 further comprising an output means adapted to indicate a register position to a user.

23. The remote control register of claim 1 wherein the logic comprises a digital signal processor.

15. A remote controlled ventilation register cover, comprising:

a housing adapted to cover an exterior of a ventilation register, and also adapted to maintain at least a receiver;

the receiver being adapted to receive a signal from a remote control device, and also being coupled to a switch;

the switch being maintained within the housing so as to control an airflow through the vent by controlling a drive;

the electric switch coupled to the receiver and to the drive; and

the drive comprising a motor, the motor being adapted to couple to a member for opening and closing the ventilation register.

17. A method of remotely opening or closing a ventilation register, comprising:

receiving a wireless signal;

using logic to convert the signal into a motor signal; and

running a motor to articulate a ventilation register;

wherein the motor and the logic are powered with a local power source.

18. A method of remotely opening or closing a ventilation register cover that removably couples about an exposed face of a ventilation register:

receiving a wireless signal;

using logic to convert the signal into a motor signal; and

running a motor to articulate the ventilation register cover.

19. The remote control register of claim 18 wherein the motor is driven by a local power source not part of a networked power supply.

20. The remote control register of claim 19 wherein the power source is a battery.

21. The remote control register of claim 19 wherein the power source comprises a solar cell.