US5361985A — Setup tool for a wireless communications system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 120 words

A hierarchical control system comprising: a first central receiver; a first communications medium operably connecting the first central receiver to at least one controller; a controller operably connected to the first central receiver by the first communications medium; first means for sensing conditions; a second communication medium; means for transmitting the sensed conditions from the first sensing means to the first central receiver via the second communications medium, the first central receiver including means for receiving transmissions on the second communications medium and means for retransmitting the transmissions on the first communications medium; and a setup tool for providing programming instructions for the controller, and means for transmitting the programming instructions to the central receiver on the second communications medium.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 120 words

A hierarchical control system comprising: a first central receiver; a first communications medium operably connecting the first central receiver to at least one controller; a controller operably connected to the first central receiver by the first communications medium; first means for sensing conditions; a second communication medium; means for transmitting the sensed conditions from the first sensing means to the first central receiver via the second communications medium, the first central receiver including means for receiving transmissions on the second communications medium and means for retransmitting the transmissions on the first communications medium; and a setup tool for providing programming instructions for the controller, and means for transmitting the programming instructions to the central receiver on the second communications medium.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 63 words

The system of claim 1 further including: a third communications medium; third means for sensing conditions, the third means including means for transmitting the sensed conditions on the third communications medium; wherein the first sensing means includes means for receiving sensed conditions transmitted on the third communications medium, and means for retransmitting transmissions from the third communications medium on the second transmissions medium.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system of claim 2 wherein the third sensing means includes a generic sensor input and means for identifying and processing generic sensor data.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 31 words

The system of claim 2 wherein the third sensing means includes an interface adapted for connection to the setup tool, and means for receiving and processing information received through the interface.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the setup tool includes means for initiating the rebalancing of a localized portion of an air distribution system.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the controller includes means for operating independently of a particular sensor.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 35 words

The system of claim 6 wherein the independent operating means includes means for substituting a predetermined default sensor whenever a predetermined time period has expired without receiving a transmission from the first condition sensing means.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the first means for sensing conditions is portable and includes a self-contained source or means for receiving power from an external power source.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 14 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the setup tool includes a generic sensor input.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the controller includes means for acknowledging programming instruction by means of an audible signal.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 10 wherein the audible signal is coded to indicate various responses to the programming instruction.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 132 words

A hierarchical control system comprising: a first central receiver; a first communications medium operably connecting the first central receiver to at least one controller; a controller operably connected to the first central receiver by the first communications medium; first means for sensing conditions; a second communication medium; means for transmitting the sensed conditions from the first sensing means to the first central receiver via the second communications medium, the first central receiver including means for receiving transmissions on the second communications medium and means for retransmitting the transmissions on the first communications medium; and wherein the first condition sensing means includes an interface, the system further including a setup tool including means for providing programming instructions for the controller and means for connecting to the interface of the first condition sensing means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 132 words

A hierarchical control system comprising: a first central receiver; a first communications medium operably connecting the first central receiver to at least one controller; a controller operably connected to the first central receiver by the first communications medium; first means for sensing conditions; a second communication medium; means for transmitting the sensed conditions from the first sensing means to the first central receiver via the second communications medium, the first central receiver including means for receiving transmissions on the second communications medium and means for retransmitting the transmissions on the first communications medium; and wherein the first condition sensing means includes an interface, the system further including a setup tool including means for providing programming instructions for the controller and means for connecting to the interface of the first condition sensing means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 14 words

The system of claim 12 wherein the setup tool includes a generic sensor input.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system of claim 14 wherein the controller includes means for acknowledging programming instruction by means of an audible signal.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 14 wherein the audible signal is coded to indicate various responses to the programming instruction.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 180 words

A building HVAC and automation system comprising: means for conditioning air; means, operably connected to the conditioning means, for distributing the conditioned air; a first communications medium, means, operably connected to the conditioning means and the distributing means, for controlling the distribution of conditioned air, the controlling means including a plurality of controllers operably connected to the first communications medium; a second wireless communications medium; at least one central receiver operably connected to the first communications medium and including means for receiving transmissions on the second communications medium and means for retransmitting the communications from the second communications medium onto the first communications medium; a plurality of zone sensors, each zone sensor including means for sensing environmental conditions and means for transmitting data indicative of the sensed environmental conditions on the second communications medium; wherein at least some of the plurality of controllers control the distribution of air in accordance with the transmitted data; and a setup tool, having a non-physical link to the central receiver, for providing information or commands to the central receiver on the second communications medium.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 180 words

A building HVAC and automation system comprising: means for conditioning air; means, operably connected to the conditioning means, for distributing the conditioned air; a first communications medium, means, operably connected to the conditioning means and the distributing means, for controlling the distribution of conditioned air, the controlling means including a plurality of controllers operably connected to the first communications medium; a second wireless communications medium; at least one central receiver operably connected to the first communications medium and including means for receiving transmissions on the second communications medium and means for retransmitting the communications from the second communications medium onto the first communications medium; a plurality of zone sensors, each zone sensor including means for sensing environmental conditions and means for transmitting data indicative of the sensed environmental conditions on the second communications medium; wherein at least some of the plurality of controllers control the distribution of air in accordance with the transmitted data; and a setup tool, having a non-physical link to the central receiver, for providing information or commands to the central receiver on the second communications medium.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 16 wherein at least some of the plurality of zone sensors include generic sensor inputs.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 34 words

The system of claim 16 wherein at least a first controller of said plurality of controllers distributes air in accordance with the transmitted data from more than one of the plurality of zone sensors.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 31 words

The system of claim 16 wherein each of the plurality of zone sensors includes means for entering a dormant state to conserve power, and means for awaking from the dormant state.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 44 words

The system of claim 16 wherein the second communications medium is a radio frequency, an ultrasonic, an infrared, or a spread spectrum radio frequency medium and wherein the first communications medium is a cable link, a twisted pair link, or a fiber optic link.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 72 words

The system of claim 16 further including a third communications medium and a plurality of personal comfort sensors, each personal comfort sensor including means for sensing conditions, and means for transmitting the sensed conditions on the third communications medium, wherein the zone sensors each include means for receiving the transmissions on the third communications medium and means for retransmitting on the second communications medium the transmissions received from the third communications medium.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 27 words

The system of claim 21 wherein means for sensing conditions of each personal comfort sensor includes means for accepting an indication of personal discomfort from a user.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 35 words

The system of claim 16 wherein the non-physical link is a one-way link from the setup tool to the central receiver and the setup tool is portable and further includes means for accepting user commands.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 14 words

The system of claim 16 wherein the setup tool has a self-contained power source.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system of claim 16 wherein the setup tool includes means for receiving power from an outside source.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system of claim 16 wherein the setup tool includes a source of power, and further includes means for supplying power from the source of power to a sensor.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 35 words

The system of claim 16 further including means, operatively associated with the setup tool, for changing operating parameters so as to operate the system in an environmentally conservative manner in response to a user command.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system of claim 16 wherein the controller includes means for acknowledging programming instruction by means of an audible signal.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 28 wherein the audible signal is coded to indicate various responses to the programming instruction.

Claim 33

Independent Claim 138 words

A method of controlling an environment comprising the steps of: determining, with at least a first sensor, the environmental conditions in each of a plurality of zones; transmitting signals indicative of the environmental conditions from each of said plurality of zones to a central receiver by means of a second communications medium; receiving the environmental conditions at the central receiver from the second communications medium; retransmitting the environmental conditions from the central receiver onto a first communications medium; receiving in each of a plurality of controllers the retransmitted environmental conditions on the first communications medium; controlling the environment of a particular zone in accordance with a predetermined portion of the environmental conditions; determining programming for each controller using a portable setup tool; and transmitting the determined programming to the central receiver by means of the second communication medium.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 138 words

A method of controlling an environment comprising the steps of: determining, with at least a first sensor, the environmental conditions in each of a plurality of zones; transmitting signals indicative of the environmental conditions from each of said plurality of zones to a central receiver by means of a second communications medium; receiving the environmental conditions at the central receiver from the second communications medium; retransmitting the environmental conditions from the central receiver onto a first communications medium; receiving in each of a plurality of controllers the retransmitted environmental conditions on the first communications medium; controlling the environment of a particular zone in accordance with a predetermined portion of the environmental conditions; determining programming for each controller using a portable setup tool; and transmitting the determined programming to the central receiver by means of the second communication medium.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method of claim 30 including the steps of establishing a parasitic relationship between the setup tool and the first sensor such that the setup tool uses a transmitter or a power supply of the first sensor.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 30 including the step of providing a generic sensor input in the first sensor.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 55 words

The method of claim 32 of the first sensor including the steps of attaching a second sensor to the generic sensor input of the first sensor, measuring data using the second sensor, and forwarding that data to the respective controller by means of the second communications medium, the central receiver and the first communication medium.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 30 including the further step of providing an audible signal in response to the receipt of retransmitted environmental conditions.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 81 words

A setup tool for programing a building automation system having a central receiver operably connected to a plurality of controllers by a first communications medium, the central receiver operable to receive transmissions on a second communications medium, the setup tool comprising: means for constructing program instructions for one of the plurality of controllers; means, operably connected to the construction means, for transmitting the programmed instructions to the central receiver by means of the second communications medium; and a generic sensor input.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 81 words

A setup tool for programing a building automation system having a central receiver operably connected to a plurality of controllers by a first communications medium, the central receiver operable to receive transmissions on a second communications medium, the setup tool comprising: means for constructing program instructions for one of the plurality of controllers; means, operably connected to the construction means, for transmitting the programmed instructions to the central receiver by means of the second communications medium; and a generic sensor input.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 14 words

The setup tool of claim 35 wherein the transmitting means includes a wireless transmitter.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 12 words

The setup tool of claim 36 further including a generic sensor input.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 28 words

The setup tool of claim 35 wherein the transmitting means includes means for interfacing to a device which includes a wireless transmitter, and means for controlling the device.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 25 words

The setup tool of claim 35 wherein the transmitting means uses a spread spectrum radio frequency, an infrared, an ultrasonic or a radio frequency medium.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 19 words

The setup tool of claim 35 further including means, operably connected to the construction means, for entering operator instructions.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-11-07	1998-05-09	1998-11-08	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-11-07	2002-05-09	2002-11-08	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-11-07	2006-05-09	2006-11-08	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Setup tool for a wireless communications system

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