US5814902A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and process for control of energy use by direct observation of occupancy
Assignee: Light Minder
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Filing: 1996-08-22
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Granted: 1998-09-29
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Expires: 2016-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A system and process for control of energy use in a rented room based on direct occupancy observation. The system is designed to control up to 100% of the power usage. The system includes: a power supply; occupancy sensors; a thermostat responsive to a predetermined signal; electrical outlet receptacles and/or switches that are responsive to a predetermined signal transmitted over the powerline; and a central interface unit for receiving signals from the occupancy sensors and, based on the signals received from the occupancy sensors, controlling power consumption by the thermostat and electrical outlet receptacle and/or switches. The system can be used in a process for improving energy efficiency by direct observation of occupancy of an area in multitennant facilities, such as hotels, that has a plurality of discrete living quarters. The process includes the steps of: directly sensing whether each living quarters is occupied; generating a signal indicative of the state of occupancy; transmitting the signal to a control panel; and using the control panel to control the thermostat and electrical outlet receptacle and/or switches.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis R. Creasy
- 👤 Paul Kropfeld
- 👤 Gene Mauk
- 👤 Dana Schmidt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:25
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B47/00; H05B47/10; H05B47/105; H05B47/115; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B20/00; Y02B20/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A system for improving energy efficiency by direct sensing of occupancy of discrete suites within multisuite facilities, such as hotels, that have a plurality of discrete occupancy suites, the system comprising: a discrete energy control system within each suite, each discrete energy control system comprising: a power supply; a plurality of occupancy sensors for providing at least two different types of occupancy sensing; a first thermostat with setback control means responsive to a predetermined signal; a plurality of electrical outlet receptacles and/or switches having an on off means responsive to a second predetermined signal; and a central interface unit for receiving signals from the occupancy sensors and, based on the signals received from the occupancy sensors determining whether the suite is occupied and based on this determination, generating said first and second predetermined signals to control the setback control means of the thermostat and on-off means of the plurality of electrical outlet receptacles respectively throughout the entire suite.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
158 words
A system for improving energy efficiency by direct sensing of occupancy of discrete suites within multisuite facilities, such as hotels, that have a plurality of discrete occupancy suites, the system comprising: a discrete energy control system within each suite, each discrete energy control system comprising: a power supply; a plurality of occupancy sensors for providing at least two different types of occupancy sensing; a first thermostat with setback control means responsive to a predetermined signal; a plurality of electrical outlet receptacles and/or switches having an on off means responsive to a second predetermined signal; and a central interface unit for receiving signals from the occupancy sensors and, based on the signals received from the occupancy sensors determining whether the suite is occupied and based on this determination, generating said first and second predetermined signals to control the setback control means of the thermostat and on-off means of the plurality of electrical outlet receptacles respectively throughout the entire suite.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the sensors are connected to the central interface unit by a wire and the sensors include a quick disconnect on both ends of the wire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the thermostat that has a room occupied mode of operation and a different room unoccupied mode of operation and wherein the set back control means includes means for switching between the two modes of operation in response to the predetermined signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes a powerline carrier interface module.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the sensors is a dual technology sensor that use both infrared and ultrasonic technologies.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrical outlet receptacles include at least one combination duplex receptacle and at least one duplex receptacle.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
180 words
A system for control of energy use in building that has a plurality of discrete suites, comprising: a plurality of sensors located in each discrete suite for sensing occupancy throughout the suite and emitting a signal indicative of the state of occupancy; a thermostat located in each discrete suite, the thermostat in each discrete suite including a setback control means responsive to a predetermined signal; a plurality of electrical outlet receptacles or switches located in each discrete suite, the plurality of electrical outlet receptacles in each discrete suite including an on off means responsive to a signal having a unique address; and a central interface unit located in each discrete suite for receiving signals from the occupancy sensors located in that suite and, based on the signals received from the occupancy sensors, emitting a predetermined signal for controlling the setback control means and emitting a signal having a unique address for controlling on-off means of the plurality of electrical outlet receptacles of that suite without affecting the on-off means of the plurality of electrical outlet receptacles of any other suite.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
180 words
A system for control of energy use in building that has a plurality of discrete suites, comprising: a plurality of sensors located in each discrete suite for sensing occupancy throughout the suite and emitting a signal indicative of the state of occupancy; a thermostat located in each discrete suite, the thermostat in each discrete suite including a setback control means responsive to a predetermined signal; a plurality of electrical outlet receptacles or switches located in each discrete suite, the plurality of electrical outlet receptacles in each discrete suite including an on off means responsive to a signal having a unique address; and a central interface unit located in each discrete suite for receiving signals from the occupancy sensors located in that suite and, based on the signals received from the occupancy sensors, emitting a predetermined signal for controlling the setback control means and emitting a signal having a unique address for controlling on-off means of the plurality of electrical outlet receptacles of that suite without affecting the on-off means of the plurality of electrical outlet receptacles of any other suite.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 7, wherein the sensors are connected to the central interface unit by a wire and the sensors include a quick disconnect on both ends of the wire.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 7, wherein the thermostat that has a room occupied mode of operation and a different room unoccupied mode of operation and wherein the set back control means includes means for switching between the two modes of operation in response to the predetermined signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 7, wherein the system includes a powerline carrier interface module.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 7, wherein at least one of the sensors is a dual technology sensor that uses both infrared and ultrasonic technologies.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of electrical outlet receptacles and switch include at least one addressable combination duplex receptacle and at least one duplex receptacle and/or receptacle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
133 words
A process for improving energy efficiency by direct observation of occupancy of an area in multitennant facilities, such as hotels, that has a plurality of discrete living quarters, the process comprising the steps of: providing each living quarters with a power supply, a plurality of occupancy sensors, a thermostat with setback control means responsive to a predetermined signal, a plurality of electrical outlet receptacles or switches having an on off means responsive to a predetermined signal transmitted over the powerline, and a central control panel; directly sensing whether each living quarters is occupied; generating a signal indicative of the state of occupancy; transmitting the signal to a control panel; and using the control panel to control the setback control means of the thermostat and on-off means of the plurality of electrical outlet receptacles.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
133 words
A process for improving energy efficiency by direct observation of occupancy of an area in multitennant facilities, such as hotels, that has a plurality of discrete living quarters, the process comprising the steps of: providing each living quarters with a power supply, a plurality of occupancy sensors, a thermostat with setback control means responsive to a predetermined signal, a plurality of electrical outlet receptacles or switches having an on off means responsive to a predetermined signal transmitted over the powerline, and a central control panel; directly sensing whether each living quarters is occupied; generating a signal indicative of the state of occupancy; transmitting the signal to a control panel; and using the control panel to control the setback control means of the thermostat and on-off means of the plurality of electrical outlet receptacles.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-09-28 | 2002-03-30 | 2002-09-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-28 | 2006-03-30 | 2006-09-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-28 | 2010-03-30 | 2010-09-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |