Wireless controller with gateway
First Claim
1. For use with a gateway communicatively coupled to a remote signal source, a local system controller comprising:
- a user input device;
a wireless communication circuit configured and arranged to receive input signals sent from the gateway in response to the remote signal source and to send signals including information about the local system to the gateway; and
a control circuit coupled to the user input device and the wireless communication circuit and configured and arranged to communicate control signals to a local system for controlling energy consumption thereof in response to user inputs received via the user input device and to input signals received via the wireless communication circuit.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Remote control of energy consumption is realized using a readily installable, flexible approach. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a remote source communicates with a wireless controller for executing energy usage control. The remote source sends signals to the wireless controller via a gateway located near or, in one implementation, forming part of the wireless controller. In response to the signals, the wireless controller sets control settings for operating one or more of a variety of equipment types, such as a furnace, air conditioner, water heater or heat pump. With this approach, wired connections from the gateway to energy-consuming equipment do not necessarily need to be made in order to effect remote energy-consumption control. For instance, when used in connection with a controller wired to the energy-consuming equipment, the gateway need only communicate wirelessly with the controller and does not necessarily need to be coupled to the energy-consuming equipment. In addition, access to the energy-consuming equipment for establishing remote energy control is not necessary; rather, the remote energy control can be effected by accessing user-friendly locations, such as those where thermostats and other controllers are typically located.
318 Citations
39 Claims
-
1. For use with a gateway communicatively coupled to a remote signal source, a local system controller comprising:
-
a user input device;
a wireless communication circuit configured and arranged to receive input signals sent from the gateway in response to the remote signal source and to send signals including information about the local system to the gateway; and
a control circuit coupled to the user input device and the wireless communication circuit and configured and arranged to communicate control signals to a local system for controlling energy consumption thereof in response to user inputs received via the user input device and to input signals received via the wireless communication circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. An HVAC control system comprising:
-
a wireless HVAC controller arrangement including a user input device, a wireless transceiver and a thermostat; and
a wireless gateway configured and arranged to wirelessly communicate control inputs to the HVAC controller via the wireless transceiver in response to remote control signals received from a remote source, the wireless HVAC controller arrangement being configured and arranged to control HVAC equipment as a function of the remote control signals and user inputs received via the user input device and to report characteristics of the operation of the HVAC equipment to the remote source via the wireless gateway. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
-
31. For use with a gateway communicatively coupled to a remote signal source, a local system controller comprising:
-
means for receiving user input;
wireless means for receiving input signals sent from the gateway in response to the remote signal source and for sending signals including information about the local system to the gateway; and
control means, coupled to the user input device and the wireless communication circuit, for communicating control signals to a local system for controlling energy consumption thereof in response to user inputs received via the user input device and to input signals received via the wireless communication circuit.
-
-
32. An HVAC controller comprising:
-
a thermostat;
a temperature sensor;
a user interface including an input device and a display;
a transceiver configured and arranged to wirelessly communicate with a utility company source for receiving utility control signals; and
a control circuit configured and arranged to control an HVAC system as a function of the utility control signals, the temperature sensor and user inputs received via the user interface, and further to communicate characteristics of the HVAC system operation to the utility company via the transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (33)
-
-
34. A method for controlling an HVAC system from a remote location, the method comprising:
-
sending a utility control signal to a local gateway;
in response to the utility control signal, sending a wireless signal from the local gateway to an HVAC controller coupled to control the HVAC system in response to user inputs and the utility control signal;
in response to the wireless signal, setting an operational characteristic of the HVAC system using the HVAC controller; and
reporting actual operational characteristics of the HVAC system with the HVAC controller by sending wireless signals to the remote location via the gateway. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
-
-
37. A method for installing and operating a system for controlling HVAC equipment in response to utility control signals, the method comprising:
-
installing a wireless HVAC controller at a user-accessible location remote from the HVAC equipment, the wireless HVAC controller being adapted to receive control inputs for controlling the HVAC system and to control the HVAC system in response to the control inputs, the control inputs including local user inputs and remote utility control signals wirelessly received from a utility company; and
sending wireless utility control signals from the utility company to the wireless HVAC controller and controlling the HVAC system with the wireless utility control signals. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
-
Specification