Home automation system providing remote room temperature control

• US 9,080,782 B1
• Filed: 07/27/2012
• Issued: 07/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Babak Sheikh
• Original Assignee: Babak Sheikh
• Inventors: Sheikh, Babak
• Primary Examiner(s): Masinick, Michael D
• Application Number:
  US13/559,803
• Time in Patent Office: 1,082 Days
• Field of Search: 700/275, 700/276, 700/277, 236/44.R
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/00 Control or safety arrangements
• 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 11/523 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 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/00 Control inputs relating to users or occupants
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23406 Programmer device, portable, handheld detachable programmer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25168 Domotique, access through internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2614 HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control

Abstract

A system and method of home automation comprising one or more remote thermostats each having an environmental sensor array configured to sense temperature and humidity and at least one thermostat controller in electrical communication with an HVAC system. The remote thermostats and the thermostat controller are in electrical communication over a local area network, which may be wired or wireless. The thermostat controller receives, over the local area network, computer-readable environmental data from the remote thermostats corresponding to the temperature and said humidity in the location where the remote thermostat is installed. The thermostat controller conditionally controls the HVAC system based on the environmental data received from the remote thermostats, allowing for more precise and accurate environmental control of the entire home or building. The local area network is connected to the internet and the automation system is controllable remotely by a mobile device or computer via the internet.

Claims

1. A home automation system, comprising:

one or more plug-in portable remote thermostats, each of said remote thermostats including an environmental sensor array configured to sense temperature and humidity, a display, a motion sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a security camera, and a pass-through convenience power outlet;

at least one thermostat controller in electrical communication with an HVAC system;

wherein said remote thermostats and said thermostat controller are in electrical communication over a local area network;

wherein said thermostat controller receives, over said local area network, computer-readable environmental data from said one or more remote thermostats corresponding to said temperature and said humidity;

wherein said thermostat controller conditionally controls said HVAC system based on said environmental data received from said remote thermostats; and

wherein said thermostat controller is in electrical communication with a security system wherein said thermostat controller is configured to receive security data from said remote thermostats corresponding to activation of said motion sensors and wherein said thermostat controller conditionally controls said security system based on said security data.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said local area network comprises a wireless local area network.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said wireless local area network is established by a wireless gateway.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said wireless local area network is in communication with the internet.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said home automation system is remotely accessible over the internet by way of a computing device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said computer device comprises a mobile device.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein said mobile device includes a client-side application that is configured to communicate with a server-side application executing on said thermostat controller.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said client-side application is configured to control said thermostat controller to control said HVAC system.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said one or more remote thermostats includes a network interface configured to transmit said environmental data over local area network.

10. The system of claim 3, wherein said network interface comprises a wireless network interface device.

11. A method of home automation, comprising:

providing a thermostat controller, said controller in electrical communication with an HVAC system;

providing one or more plug-in portable remote thermostats, each remote thermostat including an environmental sensor array configured to sense temperature and humidity, a display, a motion sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a security camera, and a pass-through convenience power outlet;

establishing a bi-directional communications link between said thermostat controller and said one or more remote thermostat, said communications link established over a local area network;

whereby said thermostat controller receives, over said local area network, computer-readable environmental data from said one or more remote thermostats corresponding to said temperature and said humidity; and

whereby said thermostat controller conditionally controls said HVAC system based on said environmental data received from said remote thermostats.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said local area network comprises a wireless local area network.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said wireless local area network is in communication with the internet.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said home automation system is remotely accessible over the internet by way of a computing device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said computer device comprises a mobile device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said mobile device includes a client-side application that is configured to communicate with a server-side application executing on said thermostat controller.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said client-side application is configured to control said thermostat controller to control said HVAC system.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein said one or more remote thermostats includes a network interface configured to transmit said environmental data over local area network.