US5566879A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for centralized controlling of a plurality of temperature regulating devices
Assignee: Comptel Domotique Inc
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Filing: 1993-12-06
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Granted: 1996-10-22
•
Expires: 2013-12-06
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a system for centralized controlling of a plurality of temperature regulating devices by an existing network of power lines comprising a central control means provided to send or receive predetermined commands to and from a plurality of temperature regulating devices. Each of those devices comprises a communication means adapted to provide two way communication with the central control means, a microprocessor means adapted to store predetermined information received from the central control means, a temperature sensor means adapted to send signals to the microprocessor means and an output means adapted to supply power to temperature varying units. The system further includes a network protecting means adapted to regulate the supply of power to output supply means during sudden change in power supply or due to changes in temperature conditions and a locking means adapted to prevent an unauthorized entry to change temperature condition. Preferably, the temperature regulating devices comprise at least one primary thermostat means and a predetermined number of secondary thermostat means. Those primary thermostat means are adapted to communicate with the central control means in independent manner. The primary thermostat means are capable to configure conditions of the secondary thermostat means.
Inventors
- 👤 Pierre Longtin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:27
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1902; G05D23/1905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for centralized controlling of a plurality of temperature regulating devices by an existing network of power lines comprising: a central control means provided to send or receive predetermined commands to and from; a plurality of temperature regulating devices, each of said temperature regulating devices comprising a communication means adapted to provide two way communication with said central control means; a microprocessor means adapted to store predetermined information received from said central control means and to provide a proper functioning of said device; a temperature sensor means adapted to send signals to said microprocessor means; and an output supply means adapted to supply power to temperature varying units; wherein each of said temperature regulating devices further comprises a network protecting means adapted to regulate the supply of power to said output supply means dining sudden changes in the power supply or due to changes in temperature conditions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for centralized controlling of a plurality of temperature regulating devices by an existing network of power lines comprising: a central control means provided to send or receive predetermined commands to and from; a plurality of temperature regulating devices, each of said temperature regulating devices comprising a communication means adapted to provide two way communication with said central control means; a microprocessor means adapted to store predetermined information received from said central control means and to provide a proper functioning of said device; a temperature sensor means adapted to send signals to said microprocessor means; and an output supply means adapted to supply power to temperature varying units; wherein each of said temperature regulating devices further comprises a network protecting means adapted to regulate the supply of power to said output supply means dining sudden changes in the power supply or due to changes in temperature conditions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein each of said temperature regulating devices further include locking means to prevent an unauthorized entry to change temperature conditions of said temperature regulating device, wherein locking function of said locking means is performed by means of predetermined set of commands received from said microprocessor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system according to claim 2, wherein each of said temperature regulating devices comprises at least one primary thermostat means and a predetermined number of a secondary thermostat means, and wherein said primary and secondary thermostat means are adapted to communicate with said central control means in independent mode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 3, wherein said primary and secondary thermostat means are adapted to communicate with each other by means of commands sent through their own microprocessor means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 3, wherein said primary thermostat means are adapted to configure conditions of said secondary thermostat means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 5, wherein configuration of said secondary thermostat means is provided by means of sending commands through said microprocessor means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 3, wherein said locking means of said primary and secondary thermostat means are activated in independent manner.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said central control means send or receive commands to said temperature regulating devices by means of high frequency signals applied to said power lines.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said output supply means supply power to temperature varying units in a time delay mode to avoid undesirable or excessive temperature variations.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 9, wherein said output supply means supply power to said temperature varying units by means of predetermined commands sent from said microprocessor means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said network protecting means regulate the supply of power to said output supply means by means of predetermined commands sent from said microprocessor means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said temperature varying traits are heating units.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said network protecting means comprises a power supply means adapted to receive power through said power supply lines; and a line monitor means adapted to determine sudden change of power.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 13, wherein said network protecting means is activated by signals sent from said line monitor means during sudden change of power voltage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 13, wherein said network protecting means is activated by means of predetermined commands sent from said microprocessor means during changes of set temperature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said output supply means supply power to said temperature regulating units by means of time delay mode consisting in limiting the time of a current supply to said units.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 16, wherein during network protecting mode, supply of the current to each of said temperature varying units is provided randomly to prevent simultaneous activation of all of said output power supply means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said central control means comprises a predetermined sequence of commands stored in a memory of said microprocessor means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 18, wherein said central control means further comprises a long distance control means provided to monitor and modify temperature setting of said temperature regulating devices.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of a centralized control of a plurality of temperature regulating devices comprising: sending commands to each of said temperature regulating devices by communication means; receiving signals from temperature sensors of said temperature regulating devices after those signals are being processed by a microprocessor means of said devices; verifying signals received from said temperature regulating devices and sending appropriate correcting commands necessary to amend the temperature conditions of each of said temperature regulating devices; wherein a process of supplying power to temperature varying units is provided by means of an output power supply means in a time delay mode to avoid undesirable or excessive temperature variations.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of a centralized control of a plurality of temperature regulating devices comprising: sending commands to each of said temperature regulating devices by communication means; receiving signals from temperature sensors of said temperature regulating devices after those signals are being processed by a microprocessor means of said devices; verifying signals received from said temperature regulating devices and sending appropriate correcting commands necessary to amend the temperature conditions of each of said temperature regulating devices; wherein a process of supplying power to temperature varying units is provided by means of an output power supply means in a time delay mode to avoid undesirable or excessive temperature variations.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 20, wherein a process of power supply to temperature varying units is provided by means of a network protecting means regulating the supply of power during sudden changes in power supply or due to changes in temperature conditions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 21, wherein said network protecting mode comprises the following steps: detecting a sudden change of power voltage or sudden temperature change; transmitting command to said microprocessor means; entering network protecting mode causing a limitation of a signal to said output power supply means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 22, wherein detection of a sudden change in power voltage is provided by a power supply means and a line monitor means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 22, wherein detection of sudden change of power voltage or sudden temperature change is provided by means of predetermined commands sent to said microprocessor means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
106 words
A method according to claim 20, wherein said time delay mode provided for limiting power supply to said temperature varying units comprises the following steps: verification of the difference between an ambient temperature and a set temperature by means of signals received from said temperature sensor means; calculating a time delay at the end of which the ambient temperature will reach the set temperature by means of said microprocessor means; sending signals causing variation of power supply to said output supply means, and wherein said signal is being maintained at a certain value to keep the ambient temperature substantially constant; correcting said signal at regular intervals.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
104 words
A temperature regulating device comprising: a communication means adapted to provide two way communication through an existing network of power lines; a microprocessor means adapted to store predetermined information received from said communication means and to provide a proper functioning of said device; a temperature sensor means adapted to send signals to said microprocessor means; and an output supply means adapted to supply power to temperature varying units; wherein said device is further comprising a network protecting means adapted to regulate the supply of power to said output supply means during sudden changes in the power supply, or due to changes in temperature conditions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
104 words
A temperature regulating device comprising: a communication means adapted to provide two way communication through an existing network of power lines; a microprocessor means adapted to store predetermined information received from said communication means and to provide a proper functioning of said device; a temperature sensor means adapted to send signals to said microprocessor means; and an output supply means adapted to supply power to temperature varying units; wherein said device is further comprising a network protecting means adapted to regulate the supply of power to said output supply means during sudden changes in the power supply, or due to changes in temperature conditions.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device according to claim 26, further including locking means to prevent an unauthorized entry to change temperature conditions of said temperature regulating device; wherein locking function of said locking means is performed by means of predetermined set of commands received from said microprocessor means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device according to claim 27, wherein said temperature regulating device comprises at least one primary thermostat means and a predetermined number of secondary thermostat means and wherein said primary and secondary thermostat means are adapted to communicate through said communication means in independent mode.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 28, wherein said primary and secondary thermostat means are adapted to communicate with each other by means of commands sent through their own microprocessor means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 28, wherein said primary thermostat means is adapted to configure conditions of said secondary thermostat means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 30, wherein configuration of said secondary thermostat means is provided by means of sending commands through said microprocessor means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 28, wherein said locking means of said primary and secondary thermostat means are activated in independent mode.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 26, wherein said communication means are adapted to send or to receive commands to and from said temperature regulating device by means of high frequency signals applied to said power lines.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 26, wherein said output supply means supply power to said temperature varying units in a time delay mode to avoid undesirable or excessive temperature variations.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 26, wherein said output supply means supply power to said temperature varying units by means of predetermined commands sent from said microprocessor means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 26, wherein said network protecting means regulate the supply of power to said output supply means by means of predetermined commands sent from said microprocessor means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 26, wherein said network protecting means comprises: a power supply means adapted to receive power through said power supply lines; and a line monitor means adapted to determine sudden change of power.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 37, wherein said network protecting means is activated by signals sent from said line monitor means during sudden changes of power voltage.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to claim 37, wherein said network protecting means is activated by means of predetermined commands sent to said microprocessor means due to changes of set temperature.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 26, wherein said output supply means supply power to said temperature varying units by means of time delay mode consisting in limiting the time of a current supply to said units.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 40, wherein during network protecting mode, supply of the current to each of said temperature varying units is provided randomly to prevent simultaneous activation of all of said output power supply means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device according to claim 26, wherein said communication means is adapted to receive commands from a central control means comprising a predetermined sequence of command stored in a memory of said microprocessor means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 42, wherein said central control means further comprises a long distance control means provided to monitor and modify temperature setting of said temperature regulating devices.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-22 | 2000-04-22 | 2000-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-22 | 2004-04-22 | 2004-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-22 | 2008-04-22 | 2008-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |