Computer controlled air vent

• US 6,692,349 B1
• Filed: 06/10/2002
• Issued: 02/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fusion Design Co.
• Original Assignee: Fusion Design, Inc.
• Inventors: Geraty, Thomas Keith, Brinkerhoff, Mark Duncan
• Primary Examiner(s): Boles; Derek
• Application Number:
  US10/166,969
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 454/256,333 237/2 A,8 A 236/49.1,51
• US Class Current: 454/256
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/06 Outlets for directing or distributing air into rooms or spaces, e.g. ceiling air diffuser
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/1426 characterised by actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2007/0025 using vent ports in a wall
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 7/00 Ventilation

Abstract

A computer-controlled air vent and methods of using the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the computer-controlled air vent includes: a top plate; a base connected to the top plate; a component housing connected to the top plate and to the base; a plurality of louvers rotatably positioned within the base; a force generating means connected to the louvers to rotate them between an open position and a closed position; a temperature sensor to sense an indoor temperature; a computer processor; a memory; a wireless transceiver; a bus to connect the processor and the memory; and a remote control device to control the opening and closing of the louvers.

Claims

1. A computer-controlled air vent, comprising:

a base;

a plurality of louvers disposed within the base, the louvers to block a flow of air through the base when the louvers are in a closed position and to permit a flow of air through the base when the louvers are in an open position;

a printed circuit board (PCB) attached to the base;

force generating means electrically connected to a first computer processor and to a power source, and mechanically connected to the plurality of louvers, the force generating means to open and close the plurality of louvers in response to signals received from the first computer processor;

a first wireless transceiver attached to the base and connected to the first computer processor;

the power source attached to the base and connected to the force generating means to provide power to the force generating means; and

a second computer processor positioned in a remote control device and connected to a second wireless transceiver in the remote control device to transmit command signals to the first wireless transceiver.

2. The computer-controlled air vent of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of louvers is a rectangular-shaped, planar member that includes a plurality of reinforcement ribs extending longitudinally along a length thereof.

3. The computer-controlled air vent of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of louvers further comprises:

a first pivot centrally connected to a first end of each louver, the pivot to rotate within an opening formed in an end wall of the base;

a shaft centrally connected to a second end of each louver, wherein the shaft protrudes through an opposite end wall of the base to connect to a cam that is connected to the force generating means.

4. The computer-controlled air vent of claim 3, wherein the power source further includes:

a receptacle within the base;

a plurality of electrical contacts positioned within the receptacle to receive one or more batteries.

5. The computer-controlled air vent of claim 4, further comprising:

a top plate attached to the base;

a removable component housing cover formed in the top plate and secured to the top plate by rotatable fasteners.

6. The computer-controlled air vent of claim 5, wherein the rotatable fasteners remain with the component housing cover after the fasteners are disengaged from the top plate.

7. The computer-controlled air vent of claim 3, further comprising:

a master controller having a third wireless transceiver positioned therein and configured to transmit data and command signals to the computer processor, wherein the master controller is connected to a computer network.

8. The computer-controlled air vent of claim 7, further comprising:

a power company computer server connected to the computer network and configured to transmit data and command signals to the master controller over the computer network.

9. The computer-controlled air vent of claim 7, further comprising:

a handheld device connected to the computer network and configured to transmit data and command signals to the master controller over the computer network.

10. The computer-controlled air vent of claim 9, wherein the remote control device is positioned in a same room as the air vent.

11. The computer-controlled air vent of claim 10, further comprising:

a temperature sensing device positioned in the remote control device.