Remote controlled thermostat

• US 4,860,950 A
• Filed: 06/24/1988
• Issued: 08/29/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: REESER, LARRY, J., 2305 C SPRINGHOUSE ROAD MARTINEZ, GEORGIA 30907
• Original Assignee: Larry J. Reeser
• Inventors: Morton, Henry H., Reeser, Larry J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William E.
• Application Number:
  US07/211,277
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 236/51, 165/11, 340/825.07, 340/825.69
• US Class Current: 236/51
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control

Abstract

A method and apparatus for remotely adjusting the temperature of a closed environment such as a home or building comprising a means for transmitting a coded up-temperature signal and a down-temperature signal as a modulated radio frequency carrier wave, from a portable, battery-powered command module to a stationary receiver operatively connected to a heating/cooling unit. The received signal, upon decoding, activates the heating/cooling unit until the sensed temperature of the building matches the desired temperature. Additionally, a preset temperature stored in memory may be replaced remotely using the command module with a new preset temperature. The apparatus is designed to replace an existing thermostat and to be easily usable, especially by those who are disabled, bedridden or handicapped, to alter the temperature of their environments to comfortable levels.

Claims

1. A battery powered apparatus for remotely adjusting the temperature of a closed environment having a heating/cooling unit comprising:

(a) a means for encoding a desired temperature into series of pulses having

an up-temperature signal for increasing a preset temperature setting by an incremental step above the preset temperature;

a down-temperature signal for decreasing the preset temperature setting by the incremental step below the preset temperature;

a preset temperature signal for changing the closed environment temperature to the preset temperature by activating the heating/cooling unit;

an up-preset temperature signal for increasing the preset temperature by the incremental step; and

a down-preset temperature signal for decreasing the preset temperature by the incremental step to decrease the preset temperature by the incremental step;

(b) a means for generating a radio frequency carrier;

(c) a means for modulating the radio frequency carrier with the series of encoded pulses which modulating means is operatively connected to the encoding means and with the radio frequency carrier generating means;

(d) a transmitter for transmitting the modulated radio frequency carrier which transmitter is operatively connected to the modulating means;

(e) a receiver for receiving the modulated radio frequency carrier which receiver is in spaced relation to said transmitter;

(f) a means for demodulating the series of pulses from the radio frequency carrier which demodulating means is operatively connected to the receiver;

(g) a means for decoding the series of pulses into the desired temperature which decoding means is operatively connected to the demodulator;

(h) a means for comparing continuously two temperatures which comparing means is operatively connected to the heating/cooling unit so that any significant difference between the two temperatures causes the heating/cooling unit to activate and which comparing means is in communication with the decoding means so that the desired temperature is communicated to the comparing means and is one of the two temperatures compared; and

(i) a means for continuously sensing a temperature of the building which temperature sensing means is in communication with the comparing means so that the closed environment temperature can be compared to the desired temperature.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising

(a) a first memory for storing the desired temperature which first memory is in communication with the encoding means;

(b) a second memory for storing the closed environment temperature which second memory is in communication with the temperature sensing means;

(c) a first means for continuously displaying the desired temperature which first displaying means is in communication with the first memory; and

(d) a second means for continuously displaying the closed environment temperature which second displaying means is in communication with the second memory.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the up-preset temperature signal is sent by initiating the up-temperature signal simultaneously with the preset temperature signal and the down-preset temperature signal is sent by initiating the down-temperature signal simultaneously with the preset temperature signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the up-temperature signal, the down-temperature signal and the preset temperature signal are initiated by pressing an up-temperature button, a down-temperature button and a preset temperature button, respectively, which buttons are mutually distinguishable by feel.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the encoding means, the transmitter, the radio frequency carrier means, the modulator means, the up-temperature button, the down-temperature button, the preset button, the first memory and the first display are located in a portable command module.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the command module can be stored on a holder mounted on a wall of the building when not being carried.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the holder contains the temperature sensing means.