Ubiquitous connectivity and control system for remote locations

• US 6,990,335 B1
• Filed: 06/06/2005
• Issued: 01/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ubiquitous Connectivity, LP (Nomad Communications, L.L.C.)
• Original Assignee: Charles G. Shamoon, Deborah H. Shamoon
• Inventors: Neal, Franklin Eugene, Fehnel, Michael, Shamoon, Charles G., Shamoon, Deborah H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Feild, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Huy D.
• Application Number:
  US11/160,006
• Time in Patent Office: 232 Days
• Field of Search: 455/419, 455/420, 455/410, 455/411, 455/566, 455/456.1, 455/456.6
• US Class Current: 455/419
• 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 system for enabling select individuals to selectively control environmental conditions of a structure, comprising:

a plurality of devices for controlling discrete environmental conditions in the structure;

control means for operating each device to control a select environmental condition;

a base unit in said structure;

a mobile master remote unit operable by a first party;

a mobile associate remote unit operable by a second party, said mobile associate remote unit transmitting an identification signal;

receiving means associated with said base unit for receiving said identification signal when said mobile associate remote unit is with a proximate distance to the structure;

selection means operatively associated with said base unit for establishing an authorized user status to said mobile associate remote unit based on said identification signal;

instant wireless connectivity means;

connectivity means providing an on-demand, private and direct communications interface between said base unit, said mobile master remote unit and said mobile associate remote unit having said authorized user status enabling instant wireless connectivity therebetween;

means for providing a indication of current status of each of said devices to said base unit;

means for transmitting said indication of current status of each of said devices through said connectivity means to said mobile master remote unit and for transmitting said indication of current status of select devices to said mobile associate remote unit;

display means at said mobile associate remote unit for indicating said current status of said devices transmitted thereto;

input means at each of said mobile associate remote unit for prescribing an indication of revised status for device displayed thereat;

means for transmitting said indication of revised status through said connectivity means to said base unit;

means operatively associated with said base unit and operatively connected with said devices for effecting revised status for a prescribed device.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein said mobile associate remote units are conventional cellular telephone handsets with custom programmability means.

3. The system according to claim 2 wherein said mobile associate remote units include global positioning satellite (GPS) receivers for communicating present remote unit location information to said base unit.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein said connectivity means is the cellular telephone network.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein said mobile associate remote units include Bluetooth bidirectional communications modules.