CONTROLLER FOR CONTROLLING A BUILDING COMPONENT OF A BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A controller unit for controlling a discrete air conditioning unit mounted to a wall, ceiling or window of a building, the controller unit comprising:
- a housing including one or more features to aid in mounting the controller unit to a surface of the building;
a memory located within the housing for storing a programmable operating schedule for a discrete air conditioning unit, wherein the programmable operating schedule includes two or more time periods, and each time period includes a corresponding programmable temperature set point;
a first wireless interface for communicating with a remotely located central coordinator;
a second wireless interface for communicating with the discrete air conditioning unit, the first wireless interface using a different communication protocol than the second wireless interface;
a temperature sensor; and
a controller located within the housing and coupled to the memory, the first wireless interface, the second wireless interface, and the temperature sensor, the controller configured to send out a command to the discrete air conditioning unit via the second wireless interface in accordance with the programmable operating schedule stored in the memory, the controller also configured to receive one or more schedule updates to the programmable operating schedule via the first wireless interface.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A controller unit for communicating with and controlling one or more discrete air conditioner units within a building is disclosed. In some instances, the discrete air conditioner controller may be configured to receive signals in a first signal format from a central coordinator and to transmit signals to the one or more discrete air conditioner units in a second signal format. The first signal format and second signal format may be different wireless formats. In some cases, the controller unit may store a programmable operating schedule, which may be updated via the central coordinator.
38 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A controller unit for controlling a discrete air conditioning unit mounted to a wall, ceiling or window of a building, the controller unit comprising:
-
a housing including one or more features to aid in mounting the controller unit to a surface of the building; a memory located within the housing for storing a programmable operating schedule for a discrete air conditioning unit, wherein the programmable operating schedule includes two or more time periods, and each time period includes a corresponding programmable temperature set point; a first wireless interface for communicating with a remotely located central coordinator; a second wireless interface for communicating with the discrete air conditioning unit, the first wireless interface using a different communication protocol than the second wireless interface; a temperature sensor; and a controller located within the housing and coupled to the memory, the first wireless interface, the second wireless interface, and the temperature sensor, the controller configured to send out a command to the discrete air conditioning unit via the second wireless interface in accordance with the programmable operating schedule stored in the memory, the controller also configured to receive one or more schedule updates to the programmable operating schedule via the first wireless interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A controller unit for controlling a discrete air conditioning unit mounted in a wall, ceiling or window of a building, the controller unit comprising:
-
a housing; a first wireless interface for communicating with a remotely located central coordinator; a second wireless interface for communicating with the discrete air conditioning unit, the first wireless interface using a different communication protocol than the second wireless interface; a memory for storing one or more operating parameters including a temperature set point; a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature in or around the housing; and a controller located within the housing and coupled to the first wireless interface, the second wireless interface, the memory and the temperature sensor, the controller configured to send out one or more commands to the discrete air conditioning unit via the second wireless interface in an attempt to control the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor in accordance with the temperature set point stored in the memory, the controller further configured to receive one or more set point updates via the first wireless interface, and to store the one or more set point updates in the memory. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A method of controlling a discrete air conditioner unit servicing a building or structure, the method comprising:
-
receiving an operating schedule for the discrete air conditioner unit in a first signal format at a discrete air conditioner controller unit via a first wireless interface of the discrete air conditioner controller unit, the discrete air conditioner controller unit having a memory and controller coupled to the memory, the memory and the controller located within a housing that is mountable to a surface of the building or structure, the discrete air conditioner controller unit configured to control the discrete air conditioner unit from a remote location via a second wireless interface in accordance with the operating schedule stored in the memory; storing the received operating schedule in the memory of the discrete air conditioner controller unit; and sending one or more commands in a second signal format from the discrete air conditioner controller unit to the discrete air conditioner unit via the second wireless interface in accordance with the received operating schedule stored in the memory of the discrete air conditioner controller unit. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
Specification