Remote control thermostat

• US 6,394,359 B1
• Filed: 07/12/2000
• Issued: 05/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arthur Morgan
• Original Assignee: Arthur Morgan
• Inventors: Morgan, Arthur
• Primary Examiner(s): WAYNER, WILLIAM E
• Application Number:
  US09/614,110
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 236/51,47,94
• US Class Current: 236/51
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control

Abstract

This invention is a remote control device to control a thermostat. The remote control works using RF transceivers in base a wall mounted base unit and a portable remote control unit, or optionally, using infrared signals much like a television remote control. The remote control has a keypad on it to allow one to select the desired temperature, or to select a temperature from one of several buttons on it corresponding to a specific temperature. This enables the user to set the temperature of a room without having to get up and manually change it.

Claims

1. An apparatus for remotely controlling the temperature of a structure, consisting of:

a base unit, said base unit having a means for sensing the local temperature within a room of said structure and comparing it to a user selected temperature input from either a keypad located on said base unit or via a radio frequency signal from a remote control unit and adjusting said local temperature to said temperature input; and

at least one remote control unit, said remote control unit having a temperature sensor for sensing the local temperature, a keypad having a numeric keypad and numerous keys with specific functions, a microprocessor controller, a display, a light, and a radio frequency transceiver for transmitting a temperature input entered by a user via said keypad to said base unit,

wherein said base unit can receive an instructional RF signal from any remote control unit utilizing the same carrier frequency.

2. The apparatus for remotely controlling the temperature of a structure of claim 1, wherein said main microprocessor controller receives input signals from four sources, including:

a set of local temperature control pushbuttons provide for the up and down setting of the desired temperature in predetermined temperature increments;

a fan control switch;

a temperature sensing device for local ambient air sensing;

a base unit transceiver module which interacts with the remote control unit providing both input and output signals.

3. An apparatus for remotely controlling the temperature of a structure, consisting of:

a base unit, said base unit having a means for sensing the local temperature within a room of said structure and comparing it to a user selected temperature input from either a keypad located on said base unit or via a radio frequency signal from a remote control unit and adjusting said local temperature to said temperature input, wherein said base unit includes an antenna for the transmission of RF signals and can receive an instructional RF signal from any remote control unit utilizing the same carrier frequency; and

at least one remote control unit, said remote control unit having a temperature sensor for sensing the local temperature, a keypad having a numeric keypad and numerous keys with specific functions, a microprocessor controller, a display, a light, and a radio frequency transceiver for transmitting a temperature input entered by a user via said keypad to said base unit, wherein said main microprocessor controller further provides three sets of output signals comprising;

current ambient temperature, said current ambient temperature signal for displaying on an ambient temperature readout, said ambient temperature readout receiving its signal through a first display driver which is electrically coupled to said main microprocessor controller;

current set-point of the Remote Control Thermostat, said current set-point displayed on a set-point temperature readout, said set-point temperature readout receiving its signal through a second display driver which is electrically coupled to said main microprocessor controller; and

operational signals from said main microprocessor controller through an output control relay module, said output control relay module capable of providing signals to energize the heating equipment, to energize the cooling equipment and to energize the fan portion of either the heating or cooling equipment.

4. The apparatus for remotely controlling the temperature of a structure of claim 3, wherein said remote control unit comprises a portable, handheld device having an input keypad, a digital display, an RF transceiver, a temperature sensor, and a microprocessor.

5. The apparatus for remotely controlling the temperature of a structure of claim 3, wherein said temperature sensor constantly monitors the temperature local around remote control unit, and wherein said temperature information is available to the user via a button on said keypad.

6. The apparatus for remotely controlling the temperature of a structure of claim 5, wherein instructions are sent via said keypad to said microprocessor which in turn sends it to said transceiver to be carried to said base unit to adjust the temperature.