×

Resource Control System With Local Reallocation

  • US 20140336838A1
  • Filed: 05/08/2013
  • Published: 11/13/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A control system to allow a user greater control over how much of a measurable resource (MR) is allocated to and within at least one particular zone or area of control, the system comprising:

  • a) At least one balanceable zone comprising at least one measurable resource-consuming device operatively connected to a source of said measurable resource and operatively connectable to and controllable by a master/system control unit (MSCU);

    b) At least one chosen from the group;

    a feature zone comprising at least one measurable resource-consuming device connected to a source of said measurable resource and operatively connectable to and controllable by a MSCU, and another balanceable zone different than any of said at least one balanceable zone comprising at least one measurable resource-consuming device connected to a source of said measurable resource and operatively connectable to and controllable by a MSCU;

    said feature zone having priority to said measurable resource over said at least one balanceable zone and said another balanceable zone;

    said at least one balanceable zone, and said at least one chosen from the group;

    a feature zone comprising at least one measurable resource-consuming device connected to a source of said measurable resource and operatively connectable to and controllable by a MSCU, and another balanceable zone different than any of said at least one balanceable zone, chosen ones of which defining “

    zones”

    ;

    c) Means for monitoring said measurable resource consumed by at least a portion of at least one of said “

    zones”

    , said means for monitoring generating a signal representative of said measurable resource consumed thereby, said means for monitoring being operatively connectable to a MSCU;

    d) A user interface operatively connectable to a MSCU; and

    e) A master/system control unit (MSCU) comprising a control program;

    said MSCU operatively connected to said “

    zones”

    , said means for monitoring and said user interface;

    said control program performing/allowing at least one of the actions chosen from the group;

    providing a default setting for an initial allocation of measurable resource for each of said “

    zones”

    , and specifying an initial allocation of measurable resource to be determined for each of said “

    zones”

    ;

    said user interface allowing a user to review a current allocation of said measurable resource for at least one of said “

    zones”

    , and said MSCU being responsive to a request generated from at least said user interface for a change to said current allocation of said measurable resource for at least one of said “

    zones”

    , thereby allowing said MSCU to respond to said request by reducing said measurable resource allocated to yet another of at least one chosen from the group;

    said at least one balanceable zone and said another balanceable zone that is unlocked when the total amount of said measurable resource consumed by said “

    zones”

    is no greater than the sum of said measurable resource initially allocated to said “

    zones”

    by said control system.

View all claims
  • 6 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×