US5898384A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Programmable remote control systems for electrical apparatuses
Assignee: Profile Systems LLC
•
Filing: 1995-12-22
•
Granted: 1999-04-27
•
Expires: 2015-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A control system for remotely controlling the application of electric power to a plurality of electrical apparatuses (10) includes a radio transmitting device (20) at a central location, and a radio receiving device (22) and a control unit (16) at each electrical apparatus location. During set-up of an electrical apparatus, programming signals designating the operating protocol or mode and the location of the electrical apparatus are transmitted by a radio programming signal to the control unit (16) associated with each electrical apparatus. Subsequently, timing reference signals containing a multiple-digit computer generated code designating the time of day and the time of sunrise and sunset on a particular day within particular latitudinal zones are transmitted by radio to the control units (16) of all electrical apparatus (10). Each control unit interprets and responds to the timing signals in accordance with previously received programming signals to control the application of electric power to the electrical apparatus in accordance with a predetermined operating protocol. Each control unit is also provided with a two way communication answer back capability to advise the control command center that previously sent messages have been received and to provide status report information.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry G. Alt
- 👤 Robert C. Florin
- 👤 Joseph H. Little
- 👤 Richard C. Oesterle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:16
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B47/00; H05B47/10; H05B47/16; H05B47/175; H05B47/19; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B20/00; Y02B20/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
A system for controlling the operation of an electrical apparatus, said system comprising: a system control center for controlling a control unit remotely located from said control center and associated with an electrical apparatus in accordance with an individual operating protocol of said control unit, said system control center including memory means containing said operating protocol; transmission means associated with said system control center for transmitting a programming signal to said control unit designating said operating protocol and a geographical location of said control unit and for further transmitting a timing reference signal to said control unit designating the occurrence of an event at a benchmark geographical location; said control unit including receiver means for receiving said timing reference signal; timing means associated with said control unit and responsive to said timing reference signal for initiating a timing period having a duration determined based upon the relation between said benchmark geographical location and said geographical location of said control unit; control circuit means responsive to expiration of said timing period for controlling the application of operating current to electrical circuitry within said electrical apparatus; and a response transmitter responsive to the operation of said control circuit means for selectively transmitting at least one answer back message to a receiving unit associated with said system control command center for comparison with said stored protocol, whereby said electrical apparatus is verifiably operated in accordance with said operating protocol.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
236 words
A system for controlling the operation of an electrical apparatus, said system comprising: a system control center for controlling a control unit remotely located from said control center and associated with an electrical apparatus in accordance with an individual operating protocol of said control unit, said system control center including memory means containing said operating protocol; transmission means associated with said system control center for transmitting a programming signal to said control unit designating said operating protocol and a geographical location of said control unit and for further transmitting a timing reference signal to said control unit designating the occurrence of an event at a benchmark geographical location; said control unit including receiver means for receiving said timing reference signal; timing means associated with said control unit and responsive to said timing reference signal for initiating a timing period having a duration determined based upon the relation between said benchmark geographical location and said geographical location of said control unit; control circuit means responsive to expiration of said timing period for controlling the application of operating current to electrical circuitry within said electrical apparatus; and a response transmitter responsive to the operation of said control circuit means for selectively transmitting at least one answer back message to a receiving unit associated with said system control command center for comparison with said stored protocol, whereby said electrical apparatus is verifiably operated in accordance with said operating protocol.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said transmission means and said receiver means comprise conventional paging or two-way radio systems.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said timing reference signal is transmitted by said transmission means at a predetermined time corresponding to the setting of a sun relative to a predetermined geographic location.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said timing means comprises a microprocessor device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said programming signal includes an address unique to said electrical apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said electrical apparatus has a plurality of operating functions and wherein the operation of at least one of said operating functions is independently controlled.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said receiving unit associated with said system control center comprises a relay station including means for receiving answer back messages from nearby operation control units and means for relaying the received answer back messages to a remote system control command center.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said answer back message includes an acknowledgement signal component indicating that the time reference signal or the programming signal was properly received by the receiving means associated with the operation control unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said answer back message includes an autodiagnostic status report signal component indicative of a current status of the electrical apparatus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said answer back message includes an identifying address code component identifying the electrical apparatus and operation control unit from which the answer back message is being transmitted.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein transmission of said answer back message follows a second predetermined timing period responsive to a received signal selected from received time reference signals, received protocol programming signals and combinations of the foregoing signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said second predetermined timing period is dependent upon the geographic location of said electrical apparatus.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said timing reference signal is transmitted by said transmission means at a predetermined time corresponding to a rising of a sun relative to a predetermined geographic location.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein a communications link selected from the group consisting essentially of radio, paging, telephone, modem and fax communications links communicates said response transmitter associated with said operation control unit with said receiving unit associated with said system control center.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
222 words
A system for controlling the operation of multiple electrical apparatuses, said system comprising: a system control center for controlling a control unit remotely located from said control center and associated with an electrical apparatus in accordance with an individual operating protocol of said control unit; transmission means associated with said system control center for transmitting a programming signal to said control unit designating said operating protocol and a geographical location of said control unit and for further transmitting a timing reference signal to said control unit designating the occurrence of an event at a benchmark geographical location; said control unit including receiver means for receiving said timing reference signals; timing means responsive to said reference signal for initiating a predetermined timing period having a duration determined based upon the relation between said benchmark geographical location and said geographical location of said control unit; control circuit means responsive to said timing means for controlling the application of operating current to said apparatus following expiration of said timing period; and a response transmitter associated with said control unit for selectively transmitting at least one answer back message at an assigned time in response to a received reference signal to a receiving unit associated with the system control center, whereby the apparatus is caused to be verifiably operated in accordance with its respective operating protocol.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
222 words
A system for controlling the operation of multiple electrical apparatuses, said system comprising: a system control center for controlling a control unit remotely located from said control center and associated with an electrical apparatus in accordance with an individual operating protocol of said control unit; transmission means associated with said system control center for transmitting a programming signal to said control unit designating said operating protocol and a geographical location of said control unit and for further transmitting a timing reference signal to said control unit designating the occurrence of an event at a benchmark geographical location; said control unit including receiver means for receiving said timing reference signals; timing means responsive to said reference signal for initiating a predetermined timing period having a duration determined based upon the relation between said benchmark geographical location and said geographical location of said control unit; control circuit means responsive to said timing means for controlling the application of operating current to said apparatus following expiration of said timing period; and a response transmitter associated with said control unit for selectively transmitting at least one answer back message at an assigned time in response to a received reference signal to a receiving unit associated with the system control center, whereby the apparatus is caused to be verifiably operated in accordance with its respective operating protocol.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system for controlling the operation of multiple electrical apparatuses as defined in claim 15 wherein said timing means is effective to initiate a second predetermined timing period and said operation control unit further comprises an autodiagnostic status check circuit means responsive to said second predetermined timing period.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein the electrical apparatuses are disposed in a plurality of diverse geographic locations and wherein said timing period of each said electrical apparatus is dependent upon the geographic location of said electrical apparatus.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said transmission means and said receiver means comprise conventional paging or two-way radio systems.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said reference signal is transmitted by said transmission means at a predetermined time corresponding to a setting of a sun relative to a predetermined geographic location.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein each said reference signal includes an address unique to said electrical apparatus.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said reference signal is transmitted by said transmission means at a predetermined time corresponding to a rising of a sun relative to a predetermined geographic location.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
198 words
A control device operable from a received timing reference signal for controlling the operation of an electrical apparatus, comprising: means for storing an operating protocol for said control device and data indicative of the geographical location of said control device; receiver means for receiving at least one timing reference signal transmitted upon the occurrence of an event at a benchmark geographical location; timing means responsive to said received timing reference signal for initiating at least one predetermined timing period having a duration based upon the relation between said benchmark geographical location and said geographical location of said control device; apparatus control circuit means responsive to said timing means for controlling the application of operating current to operating means of said electrical apparatus following said timing period; autodiagnostic circuit means responsive to said timing means for performing a status check of said apparatus and for preparing an autodiagnostic status report indicative of a current status of said electrical apparatus; and an answer back communications link for automatically providing an answer back message including said autodiagnostic status report to a remote control command center, whereby said electrical apparatus is caused to be verifiably operated in accordance with its operating protocol.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
198 words
A control device operable from a received timing reference signal for controlling the operation of an electrical apparatus, comprising: means for storing an operating protocol for said control device and data indicative of the geographical location of said control device; receiver means for receiving at least one timing reference signal transmitted upon the occurrence of an event at a benchmark geographical location; timing means responsive to said received timing reference signal for initiating at least one predetermined timing period having a duration based upon the relation between said benchmark geographical location and said geographical location of said control device; apparatus control circuit means responsive to said timing means for controlling the application of operating current to operating means of said electrical apparatus following said timing period; autodiagnostic circuit means responsive to said timing means for performing a status check of said apparatus and for preparing an autodiagnostic status report indicative of a current status of said electrical apparatus; and an answer back communications link for automatically providing an answer back message including said autodiagnostic status report to a remote control command center, whereby said electrical apparatus is caused to be verifiably operated in accordance with its operating protocol.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
54 words
A control device as defined in claim 22 wherein the electrical apparatus is one of a plurality of electrical apparatuses disposed in a plurality of diverse geographic locations, said reference signal controls a plurality of said electrical apparatuses, and wherein said predetermined timing period is dependent upon the geographic location of said electrical apparatus.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
A control device as defined in claim 22 wherein said reference signal is transmitted at a predetermined time corresponding to a setting of a sun relative to a predetermined geographic location.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
A control device as defined in claim 22 wherein said electrical apparatus has a plurality of operating functions and wherein the operation of at least one of said operating functions is independently controlled by said received reference signal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
A control device as defined in claim 22 wherein said reference signal is transmitted at a predetermined time corresponding to a rising of a sun relative to a predetermined geographic location.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
250 words
A method for controlling the operation of a selected set of a plurality of electrical apparatuses, comprising the steps of: storing a predetermined individual operating protocol associated to each of said plurality of electrical apparatuses, each said operating protocol having predetermined on and off times, transmitting at least one timing reference signal to said plurality of electrical apparatuses upon the occurrence of an event at a benchmark geographical location; receiving a transmitted timing reference signal at said selected set of said plurality of said electrical apparatuses; initiating a timing period at each apparatus of said selected set in response to the received reference signal, the timing period initiated at each apparatus having a duration based upon the relation between the benchmark geographical location and the geographical location of that particular apparatus; controlling the application of operating current to the operating means of each apparatus of said selected set following expiration of said timing period; initiating a second timing period at each apparatus of said selected set in response to the received reference signal; and transmitting at least one answer back message from each electrical apparatus of said selected set to a remote command center following said second timing period of each electrical apparatus of said second set, said answer back message including an acknowledgement component indicating receipt of the reference signal at each electrical apparatus of said selected set whereby each electrical apparatus of said selected set is caused to be verifiably operated in accordance with its predetermined operating protocol.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
250 words
A method for controlling the operation of a selected set of a plurality of electrical apparatuses, comprising the steps of: storing a predetermined individual operating protocol associated to each of said plurality of electrical apparatuses, each said operating protocol having predetermined on and off times, transmitting at least one timing reference signal to said plurality of electrical apparatuses upon the occurrence of an event at a benchmark geographical location; receiving a transmitted timing reference signal at said selected set of said plurality of said electrical apparatuses; initiating a timing period at each apparatus of said selected set in response to the received reference signal, the timing period initiated at each apparatus having a duration based upon the relation between the benchmark geographical location and the geographical location of that particular apparatus; controlling the application of operating current to the operating means of each apparatus of said selected set following expiration of said timing period; initiating a second timing period at each apparatus of said selected set in response to the received reference signal; and transmitting at least one answer back message from each electrical apparatus of said selected set to a remote command center following said second timing period of each electrical apparatus of said second set, said answer back message including an acknowledgement component indicating receipt of the reference signal at each electrical apparatus of said selected set whereby each electrical apparatus of said selected set is caused to be verifiably operated in accordance with its predetermined operating protocol.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
184 words
A system for controlling the operation of an electrical apparatus, said system comprising: a system control center for controlling a control unit remotely located from said control center and associated with an electrical apparatus in accordance with an individual protocol of said control unit, said system control center including memory means containing said operating protocol; transmission means associated with said system control center for transmitting a programming signal to said control unit designating said operating protocol and a geographical location of said control unit and for further transmitting a timing reference signal to said control unit designating the occurrence of an event at a benchmark geographical location; said control unit including receiver means for receiving said timing reference signal; timing means associated with said control unit and responsive to said timing reference signal for initiating a timing period having a duration determined based upon the relation between said benchmark geographical location and said geographical location of said control unit; and control circuit means responsive to expiration of said timing period for controlling the application of operating current to electrical circuitry within said electrical apparatus.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
184 words
A system for controlling the operation of an electrical apparatus, said system comprising: a system control center for controlling a control unit remotely located from said control center and associated with an electrical apparatus in accordance with an individual protocol of said control unit, said system control center including memory means containing said operating protocol; transmission means associated with said system control center for transmitting a programming signal to said control unit designating said operating protocol and a geographical location of said control unit and for further transmitting a timing reference signal to said control unit designating the occurrence of an event at a benchmark geographical location; said control unit including receiver means for receiving said timing reference signal; timing means associated with said control unit and responsive to said timing reference signal for initiating a timing period having a duration determined based upon the relation between said benchmark geographical location and said geographical location of said control unit; and control circuit means responsive to expiration of said timing period for controlling the application of operating current to electrical circuitry within said electrical apparatus.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein said transmission means and said receiver means comprise conventional paging or two-way radio systems.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein said programming signal includes an address unique to said electrical apparatus.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein said timing means comprises a microprocessor device.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system for controlling an electrical apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein said electrical apparatus has a plurality of operating functions and wherein the operation of at least one of said operating functions is independently controlled.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
168 words
A system for controlling the operation of multiple electrical apparatuses, said system comprising: a system control center for controlling a control unit remotely located from said control center and associated with an electrical apparatus in accordance with an individual operating protocol of said control unit; transmission means associated with said system control center for transmitting a programming signal to said control unit designating said operating protocol and a geographical location of said control unit and for further transmitting a timing reference signal to said control unit designating the occurrence of an event at a benchmark geographical location; said control unit including receiver means for receiving said timing reference signal; timing means responsive to said reference signal for initiating a predetermined timing period having a duration determined based upon the relation between said benchmark geographical location and said geographical location of said control unit; and control circuit means responsive to said timing means for controlling the application of operating current to said apparatus following expiration of said timing period.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
168 words
A system for controlling the operation of multiple electrical apparatuses, said system comprising: a system control center for controlling a control unit remotely located from said control center and associated with an electrical apparatus in accordance with an individual operating protocol of said control unit; transmission means associated with said system control center for transmitting a programming signal to said control unit designating said operating protocol and a geographical location of said control unit and for further transmitting a timing reference signal to said control unit designating the occurrence of an event at a benchmark geographical location; said control unit including receiver means for receiving said timing reference signal; timing means responsive to said reference signal for initiating a predetermined timing period having a duration determined based upon the relation between said benchmark geographical location and said geographical location of said control unit; and control circuit means responsive to said timing means for controlling the application of operating current to said apparatus following expiration of said timing period.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
127 words
A control device operable from a received timing reference signal for controlling the operation of an electrical apparatus, comprising: means for storing an operating protocol for said control device and data indicative of the geographical location of said control device; receiver means for receiving at least one timing reference signal transmitted upon the occurrence of an event at a benchmark geographical location; timing means responsive to said received timing reference signal for initiating at least one predetermined timing period having a duration based upon the relation between said benchmark geographical location and said geographical location of said control device; and apparatus control circuit means responsive to said timing means for controlling the application of operating current to operating means of said electrical apparatus following said timing period.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
127 words
A control device operable from a received timing reference signal for controlling the operation of an electrical apparatus, comprising: means for storing an operating protocol for said control device and data indicative of the geographical location of said control device; receiver means for receiving at least one timing reference signal transmitted upon the occurrence of an event at a benchmark geographical location; timing means responsive to said received timing reference signal for initiating at least one predetermined timing period having a duration based upon the relation between said benchmark geographical location and said geographical location of said control device; and apparatus control circuit means responsive to said timing means for controlling the application of operating current to operating means of said electrical apparatus following said timing period.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for controlling the operation of a select set of a plurality of electrical apparatuses, comprising the steps of: storing a predetermined individual operating protocol associated to each of said plurality of electrical apparatuses, each said operating protocol having a predetermined on and off time; transmitting at least one timing reference signal to said plurality of electrical apparatuses upon the occurrence of an event at a benchmark geographical location; receiving a transmitted timing reference signal at said selected set of said plurality of said electrical apparatuses; initiating a timing period at each apparatus of said selected set in response to the received reference signal, the timing period initiated at each apparatus having a duration based upon the relation between the benchmark geographical location and the geographical location of that particular apparatus; and controlling the application of operating current to the operating means of each apparatus of said selected set following expiration of said timing period.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for controlling the operation of a select set of a plurality of electrical apparatuses, comprising the steps of: storing a predetermined individual operating protocol associated to each of said plurality of electrical apparatuses, each said operating protocol having a predetermined on and off time; transmitting at least one timing reference signal to said plurality of electrical apparatuses upon the occurrence of an event at a benchmark geographical location; receiving a transmitted timing reference signal at said selected set of said plurality of said electrical apparatuses; initiating a timing period at each apparatus of said selected set in response to the received reference signal, the timing period initiated at each apparatus having a duration based upon the relation between the benchmark geographical location and the geographical location of that particular apparatus; and controlling the application of operating current to the operating means of each apparatus of said selected set following expiration of said timing period.
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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) | 2002-04-26 | 2002-10-26 | 2003-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-26 | 2006-10-26 | 2007-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-26 | 2010-10-26 | 2011-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |