Combination thermostat and warning device with remote sensor monitoring

• US 7,522,063 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2006
• Issued: 04/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Ehlers, Gregory A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham; Toan N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hunnings; Travis R
• Application Number:
  US11/456,697
• Publication Number:
  US 20070013532A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,015 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540, 340/601, 340/602, 340/628, 340/632, 340/517, 340/521, 340/522, 340/286.01, 340/286.04, 340/286.05, 340/286.11, 340/539.26, 340/310.11, 340/7.48, 340/905, 379/43, 379/48
• US Class Current: 340/601
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/008 with transmission via TV or radio broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources

Abstract

A combination thermostat and warning device that is housed within a common housing, such as a housing resembling that for a conventional thermostat. The combination device includes a controller that is operable to control the operation of a climate control device, such as an HVAC system. The combination thermostat and warning device includes a radio receiver that is disposed within the common housing and receives warning radio broadcasts from a remote source, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The controller of the combination thermostat and warning device controls the generation of a warning alarm by an alarm indicator based upon the warning radio broadcast to alert occupants of the warning broadcast. The warning alarm can be generated by an alarm indicator included within the common housing or can be generated by remote devices, such as hazardous condition detectors or other alarm system. The combination thermostat and warning device includes a transceiver that can both broadcast messages to remote devices and receive information from remote devices, such as remote temperature sensors.

Claims

1. A combination thermostat and warning device, comprising:

a housing mountable to a support surface;

a controller contained within the housing and operable to control the operation of a climate control device;

at least one temperature sensor in communication with the controller to sense the temperature and provide a temperature signal to the controller such that the controller can control the operation of the climate control device based upon the temperature signal;

a radio receiver disposed within the housing and operable to receive a radio broadcast from a remote source, the radio receiver being in communication with the controller; and

at least one alarm indicator in communication with the controller such that the controller can activate the alarm indicator to generate a warning alarm upon receipt of the radio broadcast by the radio receiver, the radio receiver being configured to receive energy pricing information such that the controller is operable to control the operation of the climate control device based upon the energy pricing information, the energy pricing information being received over a Federally controlled frequency used to generate warning radio broadcasts.

2. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 1 wherein the alarm indicator is a hazardous condition detection system located remotely from the device, the hazardous condition detection system including at least one hazardous condition detector having an audible alarm such that the audible alarm can be actuated by the controller.

3. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 2 wherein the controller communicates with the hazardous condition detection system using wireless communication.

4. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 2 wherein the controller communicates with the hazardous condition detection system using Power Line Communication.

5. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 2 wherein each hazardous condition detector is operable to generate a warning alarm distinct from a first alarm generated upon detection of the hazardous condition.

6. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 1 further comprising a visual display device disposed within the housing and in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is operable to display a warning message on the visual display device based upon the radio broadcast.

7. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 6 wherein the alarm indicator is disposed within the housing.

8. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 7 wherein the alarm indicator includes a visual warning device and an audible warning device each actuated by the controller.

9. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 8 wherein the audible warning device is operable to annunciate either a voice message or a horn pattern.

10. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 1 further comprising:

an electrical external power supply for providing electrical power to at least the controller and the radio receiver; and

a battery power supply disposed within the housing to provide electrical power to at least the controller and the radio receiver upon interruption of the external power supply.

11. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 1 wherein the radio receiver is configured to receive a severe weather broadcast.

12. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 11 further comprising a user interface disposed within the housing, wherein the user interface is in communication with the controller such that a Federal Information Processing System code can be entered into the controller for a geographic region through the user interface.

13. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 1 further comprising a user interface disposed within the housing, wherein the user interface is in communication with the controller such that a receiving frequency for the radio receiver can be selected through the user interface.

14. A combination thermostat and warning device, comprising:

a housing mountable to a support surface;

a controller contained within the housing and operable to control the operation of a climate control device;

at least one temperature sensor in communication with the controller to sense the temperature and provide a temperature signal to the controller such that the controller can control the operation of the climate control device based upon the temperature signal;

a radio receiver disposed within the housing and operable to receive a warning radio broadcast from a remote source, the radio receiver being in communication with the controller;

a transceiver disposed within the housing and coupled to the controller, the transceiver being operable to transmit an alarm signal from the controller; and

at least one remote alarm indicator operable to receive the alarm signal from the transceiver and generate a warning alarm, the radio receiver being configured to receive energy pricing information such that the controller is operable to control the operation of the climate control device based upon the energy pricing information, the energy pricing information being received over a Federally controlled frequency used to generate warning radio broadcasts.

15. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 14 wherein the remote alarm indicator is a hazardous condition detection system located remotely from the device, the hazardous condition detection system including at least one hazardous condition detector having an audible alarm such that the audible alarm is actuated upon receipt of the alarm signal.

16. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 15 wherein the alarm signal is an RF signal.

17. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 15 wherein each hazardous condition detector generates the warning alarm that is distinct from a first alarm generated upon detection of a hazardous condition.

18. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 14 further comprising a visual display device disposed within the housing and in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is operable to display a warning message on the visual display device based upon the warning radio broadcast.

19. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 14 further comprising at least one remote temperature sensor located remotely from the housing and operable to generate a remote temperature signal, wherein the transceiver receives the remote temperature signal and relays the remote temperature signal to the controller such that the controller is operable to control the operation of the climate control device based upon the remote temperature signal.

20. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 14 wherein the alarm indicator is disposed within the housing.

21. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 16 wherein the alarm indicator includes a visual device and an audible device each actuated by the controller.

22. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 14 further comprising:

an electrical external power supply for providing electrical power to at least the controller and the radio receiver; and

a battery power supply disposed within the housing to provide electrical power to at least the controller and the radio receiver upon interruption of the external power supply.

23. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 14 wherein the radio receiver is configured to receive a severe weather broadcast.

24. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 14 further comprising a user interface disposed within the housing, wherein the user interface is in communication with the controller such that a Federal Information Processing System code can be entered into the controller for a geographic region through the user interface.

25. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 14 further comprising a user interface disposed within the housing, wherein the user interface is in communication with the controller such that a receiving frequency for the radio receiver can be selected through the user interface.

26. The combination thermostat and warning device of claim 14 wherein the remote alarm indicator is a network of alarm devices, wherein at least one of the alarm devices is operable to receive the alarm signal from the controller and relay the alarm signal to another of the alarm devices such that the network of alarm devices defines a mesh network.

27. A thermostat device, comprising:

a housing;

a controller contained within the housing and operable to control the operation of a climate control device;

at least one temperature sensor in communication with the controller to sense the temperature and provide a temperature signal to the controller such that the controller can control the operation of the climate control device based upon the temperature signal; and

a radio receiver disposed within the housing and operable to receive a radio broadcast from a remote source, the radio receiver being in communication with the controller, the radio receiver being configured to receive energy pricing information such that the controller is operable to control the operation of the climate control device based upon the energy pricing information, the energy pricing information being received over a frequency used to generate warning radio broadcasts.

28. The thermostat device, as set forth in claim 27, including at alarm generating device indicator in communication with the controller such that the controller can activate the alarm generating device to generate a warning alarm upon receipt of the radio broadcast by the radio receiver.

29. The thermostat device, as set forth in claim 28, wherein the alarm generating device is an alarm indicator located remotely from the housing.

30. The thermostat device device, as set forth in claim 28, wherein alarm generating device is located on the housing.

31. An apparatus, comprising:

a housing;

a controller contained within the housing and operable to control the operation of a device which uses energy;

a radio receiver disposed within the housing and operable to receive a radio broadcast from a remote source, the radio receiver being in communication with the controller, the radio receiver being configured to receive energy pricing information such that the controller is operable to control the operation of the device based upon the energy pricing information, the energy pricing information being received over a frequency used to generate warning radio broadcasts.

32. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 31, including at alarm generating device indicator in communication with the controller such that the controller can activate the alarm generating device to generate a warning alarm upon receipt of the radio broadcast by the radio receiver.

33. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 32, wherein the alarm generating device is an alarm indicator located remotely from the housing.

34. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 32, wherein the alarm generating device is located on the housing.