UBIQUITOUS CONNECTIVITY AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR REMOTE LOCATIONS

• US 20170115017A1
• Filed: 01/13/2017
• Published: 04/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ubiquitous Connectivity, LP (Nomad Communications, L.L.C.)
• Original Assignee: Ubiquitous Connectivity, LP (Nomad Communications, L.L.C.)
• Inventors: Shamoon, Charles, Shamoon, Deborah, Neal, Franklin Eugene, Fehnel, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 10,344,999 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/33 to fire, excessive heat or smoke
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/57 using telephone networks
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/42 Transmitting or receiving remote control signals via a network
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/91 Remote control based on location and proximity
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/93 Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2825 Reporting to a device located outside the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with telemetering systems H04M11/002
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2827 Reporting to a device within the home network; wherein the reception of the information reported automatically triggers the execution of a home appliance functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72415 for remote control of appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1016 : Telecontrol
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 : wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 : Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 : Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 : Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 : Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/105 : PBS [Private Base Station] network H04W84/12 - H04W84/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices

Abstract

A thermostat control system for monitoring and controlling environmental characteristics of a building includes a base station unit and a remote access unit continuously interfacing through instant wireless private direct connectivity. The system also includes a plurality of sensors that measure the environmental characteristics and provide the thermostat unit with the measurements.

Claims

1. A base unit configured to communicate with an environmental device and to communicate with a cellular remote the base unit comprising:

a first communication interface configured to receive environmental information from the environmental device and to send a control instruction to the environmental device;

a wireless communication interface configured to send a first message to the cellular remote unit via a cellular communications network and to receive a second message from the cellular remote unit via the cellular communications network,

wherein the first message is a first digital communications message including a representation of the environmental information, and

wherein the second message is a second digital communications message including a command regarding the environmental device; and

a microcontroller configured to process the second message, to provide the control instruction based on the command, and to send the control instruction to the environmental device via the first communication interface, and

wherein the command is initiated by a user via the cellular remote unit to change an environmental characteristic controlled by the environmental device, and

wherein the base unit is configured to operate without a personal computer.

2. The base unit of claim 1, wherein the command regards entering an energy conservation mode, and wherein the energy conservation mode is associated with multiple environmental devices.

3. The base unit of claim 1, wherein the command is associated with an icon on the remote unit.

4. The base unit of claim 1, wherein the change in the environmental characteristic associated with the environmental device is to turn the environmental device on or off.

5. The base unit of claim 1, wherein the change in the environmental characteristic associated with the environmental device is to raise or lower a setting associated with the environmental device.

6. The base unit of claim 1, wherein the cellular communications network includes a data bearer service.

7. The base unit of claim 1, wherein the remote unit is a mobile remote unit.

8. The base unit of claim 1, wherein the control instruction includes an environmental control instruction;

and wherein the command includes an environmental command.

9. The base unit of claim 1, wherein the command is an energy conservation command associated with multiple environmental devices.

10. The base unit of claim 1,

wherein the cellular communications network includes a data bearer service;

wherein the remote unit is a mobile remote unit;

wherein the control instruction includes an environmental control instruction; and

wherein the command includes an environmental command.

11. The base unit of claim 10, wherein the second message includes an energy conservation command associated with multiple environmental devices.

12. The base unit of claim 10, wherein the microcontroller is configured to process the environmental information into the representation and to process the command into the control instruction.

13. The base unit of claim 1, wherein the remote unit is a cellular telephone, and wherein the environmental device comprises a thermostat.

14. The base unit of claim 1, wherein the environmental device comprises at least one of a light, thermostat, or an alarm system.

15. The base unit of claim 1, wherein the base unit and the environmental device are contained in the same enclosure.

16. A base unit configured to communicate with an environmental device and to communicate with a cellular remote the base unit comprising:

a wireless communication interface configured to receive a first message from the cellular remote unit via a cellular communications network;

a second communication interface configured to send a control instruction from the base unit to the environmental device;

wherein the first message is a first digital communications message including a command;

a microcontroller, at the base unit, configured to process the first message, to provide a control instruction based on the command, and to send the control instruction to the environmental device via the second communication interface, wherein the first message is received before sending the control instruction; and

wherein the command is for the base unit, and wherein the command is initiated by a user via the cellular remote unit; and

wherein the control instruction to the environmental device is based on the command for the base unit.

17. The base unit of claim 16, wherein the first message is received from the cellular remote unit using a data bearer service.

18. The base unit of claim 16, wherein cellular remote unit is a mobile remote unit.

19. The base unit of claim 16, wherein the base unit and the environmental device are contained in the same enclosure.

20. A base unit configured to communicate with an environmental device and to communicate with a cellular remote the base unit comprising:

a wireless communication interface configured to receive a first message from the cellular remote unit via a cellular communications network and to send a second message to the cellular remote unit, wherein the first message is received before sending the second message;

a second communication interface configured to send a control instruction from the base unit to the environmental device; and

to receive an environmental status from the environmental device

wherein the first message is a first digital communications message including a command;

wherein the second message is a second digital communications message including the environmental status;

a microcontroller, at the base unit, configured to process the first message, to provide a control instruction based on the command, and to send the control instruction to the environmental device via the second communication interface; and

wherein the command is for the base unit, and wherein the command is initiated by a user via the cellular remote unit; and

wherein the control instruction to the environmental device is based on the command for the base unit.