Ubiquitous connectivity and control system for remote locations

• US 7,668,532 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2006
• Issued: 02/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ubiquitous Connectivity, LP (Nomad Communications, L.L.C.)
• Original Assignee: Allen Turkow, Turkow Lucy
• Inventors: Fehnel, Michael, Neal, Franklin Eugene, Shamoon, Charles G., Shamoon, Deborah H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Feild; Joseph H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen; Huy D
• Application Number:
  US11/309,508
• Publication Number:
  US 20070115902A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,288 Days
• Field of Search: 455/410, 455/411, 455/41.2, 455/456.1, 455/456.3, 455/456.4, 455/435.1, 370/338
• US Class Current: 455/410
• 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 detection system for selectively determining the presence of individuals proximate a structure, said detection system comprising:

a base unit at said structure;

a first remote unit operated by one of the individuals and a master remote unit operated by another individual, said remote units being cellular telephones, said remote units and said base unit having geographical dependent bidirectional communications modules with limited transmission range of about 100 m or less, said module of said first remote unit transmitting a first identification signal;

receiving means associated with said base unit for receiving said first identification signal when said first remote unit is within said limited transmission range of the structure;

selection means operatively associated with said base unit for selectively establishing an authorized user status to said first remote unit upon receipt of said first identification signal;

instant wireless connectivity means for transmitting over a cellular network from said base unit to said master remote unit the presence of said first remote unit within said limited transmission range of said structure.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said base unit includes a Bluetooth transmitter and receiver for bidirectional communications with said remote units.

3. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said base unit includes a bidirectional radio frequency communications module conforming to the 802.11 protocol.

4. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said receiving means associated with said base unit is a Bluetooth bidirectional communications module.

5. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said receiving means associated with said base unit is a bidirectional radio frequency communications module conforming to the 802.11 protocol.

6. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said selection means comprises a microcontroller-based processing unit having customizable application specific software.

7. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said instant wireless connectivity means is a radio frequency communications channel according to the Bluetooth communications protocol.

8. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said instant wireless connectivity means is a radio frequency communications channel according to the 802.11 communications protocol.