Remote control thermostat system for controlling electric devices

• US 6,152,375 A
• Filed: 04/22/1999
• Issued: 11/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jerry L. Robison
• Original Assignee: Jerry L. Robison
• Inventors: Robison, Jerry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Doerrler, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): NORMAN, MARC E
• Application Number:
  US09/296,308
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 236/51, 236/78 R, 236/78 D, 236/74 R, 236/74 A
• US Class Current: 236/51
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control

Abstract

A remote control thermostat system for controlling electric devices for remotely controlling electric heating and cooling devices for regulating temperatures inside a structure. The remote control thermostat system for controlling electric devices includes a thermostat with a transmitter for emitting signals varying with the ambient temperature around the thermostat. A control unit is in communication with a power source and has a receiver for receiving the signals from the thermostat. The control unit is adapted for selectively permitting flow of power to an electric device in response to signals received from the thermostat.

Claims

1. A remote control system, comprising:

a thermostat having a transmitter for emitting signals; and

a control unit in communication with a power source and having a receiver for receiving said signals from said thermostat, said control unit being adapted for selectively permitting flow of power to an electric device in response to signals received from said thermostats;

wherein said control unit has a rheostat for reducing the flow of electricity to the electric device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said thermostat has a digital display for displaying a temperature setting and a control means for setting a desired temperature setting.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said control unit has a rheostat bypass switch for selectively permitting electricity to bypass said rheostat.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said control unit has an outlet adapted for receiving a plug of the electric device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said thermostat has a rechargeable power source and a pair of first connection means for detachably coupling with a second connection means of said control unit for recharging said rechargeable power source.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said control unit has a control bypass switch for permitting flow of electricity to said electric device independent of signals received from said receiver.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said control unit has a circuit breaker for preventing electrical overloads.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein second and third control units each have a receiver for receiving signals from said thermostat, said second and third control units being adapted for selectively permitting flow of power to second and third electric devices.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said thermostat has a selection dial for selecting three different wavelengths of signals emitted by said thermostat, each of said control units responding to signals of a unique wavelength.

10. A remote control system, comprising:

a thermostat having a transmitter for emitting signals;

a control unit in communication with a power source and having a receiver for receiving said signals from said thermostat, said control unit being adapted for selectively permitting flow of power to an electric device in response to signals received from said thermostat;

said thermostat having a digital display for displaying a temperature setting and a control means for setting a desired temperature setting;

said control unit having a rheostat for reducing the flow of electricity to the electric device;

said control unit having a rheostat bypass switch for selectively permitting electricity to bypass said rheostat;

said control unit having an outlet adapted for receiving a plug of the electric device;

said thermostat having a rechargeable power source and a pair of first connection means for detachably coupling with a second connection means of said control unit for recharging said rechargeable power source;

said control unit having a control bypass switch for permitting flow of electricity to said electric device independent of signals received from said receiver;

said control unit having a circuit breaker for preventing electrical overloads;

second and third control units each having a receiver for receiving signals from said thermostat, said second and third control units being adapted for selectively permitting flow of power to second and third electric devices; and

said thermostat having a selection dial for selecting three different wavelengths of signals emitted by said thermostat, each of said control units responding to signals of a unique wavelength.

11. A remote control system, comprising:

a thermostat having a transmitter for emitting signals;

a control unit in communication with a power source and having a receiver for receiving said signals from said thermostat, said control unit being adapted for selectively permitting flow of power to an electric device in response to signals received from said thermostat; and

second and third control units each having a receiver for receiving signals from said thermostat, said second and third control units being adapted for selectively permitting flow of power to second and third electric devices;

wherein said thermostat has a selection dial for selecting three different wavelengths of signals emitted by said thermostat, each of said control units responding to signals of a unique wavelength.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said thermostat has a digital display for displaying a temperature setting and a control means for setting a desired temperature setting.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein said control unit has an outlet adapted for receiving a plug of the electric device.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein said thermostat has a rechargeable power source and a pair of first connection means for detachably coupling with a second connection means of said control unit for recharging said rechargeable power source.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein said control unit has a control bypass switch for permitting flow of electricity to said electric device independent of signals received from said receiver.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein said thermostat has a rechargeable power source and a pair of first connection means for detachably coupling with a second connection means of said control unit for recharging said rechargeable power source.

17. A remote control system, comprising:

a thermostat having a transmitter for emitting signals; and

a plurality of control units, each said control unit being in communication with a power source, each said control unit having a receiver for receiving said signals from said thermostat, each said control unit being adapted for selectively permitting flow of power to an electric device in response to signals received from said thermostat;

wherein said thermostat has a selection dial for selecting one of a plurality of different wavelengths of signals emitted by said thermostat, each said control unit responding to signals of one of said plurality of different wavelengths.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said control unit has a rheostat for reducing the flow of electricity to the electric device.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said control unit has a rheostat bypass switch for selectively permitting electricity to bypass said rheostat.