US6967565B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Building automation system
Assignee: HX LifeSpace Inc
•
Filing: 2003-06-27
•
Granted: 2005-11-22
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Expires: 2023-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A building automation system including user interface units with touchscreens, power drivers, and a controller, all connected to a common trunk conductor. The power drivers are connected to the electrical devices and AC wiring. The building automation system further includes wireless remote controls that are connected to the trunk either through a user interface unit or a wireless transceiver. Any electrical device in the building may be controlled by any of the user interface units and wireless remote controls.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald R. Lingemann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:20
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B15/00; G05B15/02; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/20; G05B2219/23; G05B2219/23417; G05B2219/25; G05B2219/25106; G05B2219/26; G05B2219/2614; G05B2219/2642
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A building automation system comprising: a plurality of programmable user interface units, each of said user interface units located in a room or associated area of a building; a plurality of power drivers, each of said power drivers located in a room or associated area of said building; a plurality of electrical devices, each of said electrical devices electrically connected to one of said power drivers, said electrical devices comprising a plurality of different types of devices selected from the group consisting of lighting fixtures, fans, security systems, audio/video systems, heating systems, air conditioning systems, garage doors, garage door sensors, doorbells, window controls, sprinkler controls, garage door openers, electronic gate openers, driveway heaters, sidewalk heaters, fireplace controls, intercoms, speakers, microphones, dampers, digital cameras, hot water heaters, telephones, aquarium controls, water feature controls, pool/spa controls, fire protection systems, thermostats, and switched outlets; a controller comprising a processor and a memory; and an electrical signal trunk connected to said controller; wherein each of said user interface units and each of said power drivers are connected to said electrical signal trunk.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A building automation system comprising: a plurality of programmable user interface units, each of said user interface units located in a room or associated area of a building; a plurality of power drivers, each of said power drivers located in a room or associated area of said building; a plurality of electrical devices, each of said electrical devices electrically connected to one of said power drivers, said electrical devices comprising a plurality of different types of devices selected from the group consisting of lighting fixtures, fans, security systems, audio/video systems, heating systems, air conditioning systems, garage doors, garage door sensors, doorbells, window controls, sprinkler controls, garage door openers, electronic gate openers, driveway heaters, sidewalk heaters, fireplace controls, intercoms, speakers, microphones, dampers, digital cameras, hot water heaters, telephones, aquarium controls, water feature controls, pool/spa controls, fire protection systems, thermostats, and switched outlets; a controller comprising a processor and a memory; and an electrical signal trunk connected to said controller; wherein each of said user interface units and each of said power drivers are connected to said electrical signal trunk.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A building automation system as in claim 1 wherein said user interface units include a touchscreen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A building automation system as in claim 2 wherein said user interface units include a button separate from said touchscreen, said button adapted to control an electrical device in the room or associated area in which said user interface unit is located.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A building automation system as in claim 3 wherein said electrical device is a lighting fixture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A building automation system as in claim 3 and further including a light for illuminating said button.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A building automation system as in claim 2 wherein said touchscreen displays a scene screen object for controlling a plurality of said electrical devices with a single touch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A building automation system as in claim 2 wherein said touchscreen displays a program screen object enabling the user to program any controllable electrical device in said building or associated areas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A building automation system as in claim 2 wherein said touchscreen displays screen objects for accessing three or more functions selected from the group consisting of: time, date, temperature, weather, security, intercom, audio, and sprinklers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A building automation system as in claim 2 wherein said touchscreen displays a rooms screen object for displaying a listing of said rooms and associated areas of said building.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A building automation system as in claim 2 wherein said touchscreen displays a screen object for displaying a list of all controllable electrical devices in said rooms and associated areas of said building.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A building automation system as in claim 1 wherein each of said user interface units is capable of controlling each of said power drivers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A building automation system as in claim 1 and further including an electrical circuit panel and an electrical power conductor connected between said electrical circuit panel and each of said power drivers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A building automation system as in claim 1 wherein said electrical signal trunk is a low voltage control wiring.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A building automation system as in claim 13 wherein said low voltage control wiring is CAT5 cable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A building automation system as in claim 1 and further including a wireless remote control, wherein said wireless remote control controls only the electrical devices in the room in which it is located.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A building automation system as in claim 15 wherein said wireless remote control further includes a selector button, wherein operating said selector button changes the electrical device controlled by said wireless remote control.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A building automation system as in claim 16 wherein said wireless remote control further includes up/down buttons, wherein selecting the up/down buttons adjusts the electrical output to said selected electrical device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A building automation system as in claim 15 wherein said wireless remote control further includes a flashlight and a flashlight activation button.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A building automation system as in claim 15 wherein said wireless remote control controls electrical devices throughout said building.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A building automation system as in claim 15 wherein said wireless remote control transmits radio frequency (RF) signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
A building automation system as in claim 15 wherein said wireless remote control transmits infrared (IR) signals.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
A building automation system as in claim 1 wherein each of said power drivers control AC power to a plurality of electrical devices.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
A building automation system as in claim 1 wherein said user interfaces include a level control for controlling the level of power applied to an electrical device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
A building automation system as in claim 23 wherein said electrical device is selected from the group consisting of a lighting fixture and a motor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
A building automation system as in claim 23 wherein said level control includes a bar graph device for indicating the power level at which said level control is set.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
90 words
A building automation system comprising: a controller comprising a microprocessor and a memory; a plurality of programmable user interface units, each of said user interface units located in a room in a building; each user interface unit comprising: a touchscreen, a speaker, and a microphone; each user interface unit is capable of controlling an electrical device in a room in which said controller is located; and each user interface unit is capable of controlling an electrical device in a room different than the room in which said controller is located.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
90 words
A building automation system comprising: a controller comprising a microprocessor and a memory; a plurality of programmable user interface units, each of said user interface units located in a room in a building; each user interface unit comprising: a touchscreen, a speaker, and a microphone; each user interface unit is capable of controlling an electrical device in a room in which said controller is located; and each user interface unit is capable of controlling an electrical device in a room different than the room in which said controller is located.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
A building automation system as in claim 26 wherein each user interface unit further includes a camera.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
A building automation system as in claim 26 wherein each user interface unit further includes a motion detector.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
A building automation system as in claim 26 wherein at least one user interface unit receives radio frequency (RF) signals.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
A building automation system as in claim 26 wherein at least one user interface unit receives radio frequency (RF) signals.
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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) | 2008-11-21 | 2009-05-23 | 2009-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-11-21 | 2013-05-23 | 2013-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-11-21 | 2017-05-23 | 2017-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |