Wireless temperature control system

• US 7,571,865 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2006
• Issued: 08/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tonerhead Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tonerhead Incorporated
• Inventors: Martin, J. Steven, Nicodem, Harry E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Norman; Marc E
• Application Number:
  US11/554,694
• Publication Number:
  US 20080099568A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,015 Days
• Field of Search: 236/1.B, 236/1.C, 236/51, 236/94, 165/205, 165/209, 700/276, 700/277
• US Class Current: 236/51
• 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 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1934 each space being provided with one sensor acting on one or more control means

Abstract

An apparatus such as a wireless temperature control system or a method for controlling an HVAC unit from a central location may include a control transmitter for sending programming data. One or more thermostats, each wired to an associated HVAC unit or units, have a wireless component for receiving the programming data from the control transmitter via a localized wireless network. The one or more thermostats of the system are not dependent upon the control transmitter or the localized wireless network for continued operation. Using this apparatus or method, a user may, among other things, transmit programming data to one or more HVAC units from one central location.

Claims

1. A temperature control system, comprising:

a control unit for transmitting and receiving a first and second programming data;

a first thermostat coupled to a first HVAC unit, said first thermostat having a component for transmitting and receiving said first programming data to or from said control unit via a localized network;

wherein said first thermostat is not dependent upon said control unit for continued operation of said first HVAC unit;

a second thermostat coupled to a second HVAC unit, said second thermostat having a second component for transmitting and receiving said second programming data to and from said control unit via a localized network;

wherein said second thermostat is not dependent upon said control unit for continued operation of said second HVAC unit; and

wherein said first thermostat is operably coupled to said second thermostat, such that said second HVAC unit may be controlled by said first thermostat based on said first programming data transmitted from said first thermostat, if said second thermostat were to malfunction, or to conserve energy of the temperature control system.

2. The temperature control system of claim 1 wherein a personal computer transmits said first and second programming data to said control unit.

3. The temperature control system of claim 1, further comprising one or more sensors operably coupled to said first thermostat.

4. The temperature control system of claim 1, further comprising one or more sensors operably coupled to said second thermostat

5. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said first thermostat transmits a sensor data to said control unit.

6. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said second HVAC unit is controlled by said control unit based on said sensor data received from said first thermostat.

7. The temperature control system of claim 1, further comprising at least one override button or said first thermostat such that a user may override said sensor data thereby controlling said second HVAC unit.

8. A method for controlling a second HVAC unit coupled to a second thermostat from a first thermostat coupled to a first HVAC unit if said second thermostat malfunctions or to conserve energy in a temperature control system, the method comprising the steps of:

acquiring sensor data in said first thermostat;

transmitting said sensor data to a control unit;

receiving said sensor data by said control unit;

transmitting said sensor data from said control unit to said second thermostat; and

controlling said second HVAC unit based on said sensor data received by said second thermostat.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of:

using one or more sensors to generate sensor data;

transmitting said sensor data from said one or more sensors to said first thermostat; and

receiving said sensor data by said first thermostat.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of overriding said sensor data with at least one override button located on said first thermostat, wherein said user controls said second HVAC unit by pressing said at least one override button on said first thermostat.