Adjusting a Communications Channel Between Control Unit and Remote Sensor
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a control unit configured to control an environmental unit, the environmental unit affecting an environmental factor, the control unit including;
a first antenna;
a receiving module configured to receive a received radio frequency (RF) signal from a first remote sensor through the first antenna;
a signal measurement module configured to determine a signal strength parameter, the signal strength parameter being indicative of a signal strength of the received RF signal; and
a signal strength indication unit configured to provide an indication from the signal strength parameter; and
the first remote sensor positioned at a first location, the first remote sensor including;
a second antenna; and
a transmitting module configured to convey a first datum in a first transmitted RF signal through the second antenna to the control unit about the environmental factor that is measured at the first location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides apparatuses and systems for adjusting a communication channel between a control unit and a remote sensor. A system may include a control unit that controls an environmental unit and a remote sensor that provides data about an environmental factor as measured at the remote sensor. The remote sensor transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal that conveys the data to control unit through a directional antenna. The RF signal is received by the control unit through an omnidirectional antenna, and a signal strength parameter is determined from the received RF signal. A signal strength indication unit provides an indication from the signal strength parameter as a user adjusts the position of the directional antenna. With embodiments of the invention, a signal strength module generates an audio signal in accordance with an audio characteristic, which is indicative of the signal strength of the received RF signal.
15 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
a control unit configured to control an environmental unit, the environmental unit affecting an environmental factor, the control unit including; a first antenna; a receiving module configured to receive a received radio frequency (RF) signal from a first remote sensor through the first antenna; a signal measurement module configured to determine a signal strength parameter, the signal strength parameter being indicative of a signal strength of the received RF signal; and a signal strength indication unit configured to provide an indication from the signal strength parameter; and the first remote sensor positioned at a first location, the first remote sensor including; a second antenna; and a transmitting module configured to convey a first datum in a first transmitted RF signal through the second antenna to the control unit about the environmental factor that is measured at the first location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus comprising:
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a control unit configured to control a temperature control system in accordance with a desired temperature and a measured temperature; a first antenna; a receiving module configured to receive a received radio frequency (RF) signal from a first remote sensor through the first antenna, the received RF signal conveying information about the measured temperature; a signal measurement module configured to determine a signal strength parameter, the signal strength parameter being indicative of a signal strength of the received RF signal; and an audio generator configured to provide an audio indication from the signal strength parameter. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus comprising:
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a measurement module configured to determine a measured temperature at a location; a directional antenna; a transmitting module configured to convey information in a radio frequency (RF) signal through the antenna to a thermostat unit about the measured temperature; and a pivoting component configured to alter a position of the antenna in response to an external force. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification