US7061393B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for managing services and facilities in a multi-unit building
Assignee: Inncom International Inc
•
Filing: 2003-09-26
•
Granted: 2006-06-13
•
Expires: 2023-09-26
Abstract
Abstract The application discloses various methods and systems that utilize infrared communication to enhance and manage the security and convenience of occupants and the operation and efficiency of the staff of a multi-unit building.
Inventors
- 👤 Duane W. Buckingham
- 👤 Richard N. Quirino
- 👤 David G. Oliver
- 👤 Gregory F. Scheurer
- 👤 Philipp A. Roosli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:37
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/2803; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/02; G06Q10/028; G06Q10/0285; G08; G08B; G08B3/00; G08B3/10; H04L12/2816; H04L2012/284; H04L2012/2841; H04L2012/2847; H04L2012/285
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of effecting a reduction of energy usage in a room of a multi-unit building, comprising: determining a vacant occupancy status of the room; generating digital commands in response to the vacant occupancy status of the room; converting the digital commands at a gateway device located inside of the room into wireless commands; transmitting the wireless commands from the gateway device; receiving the wireless commands at a room environment control device located inside of the room; and converting the wireless commands into electronic commands which are processed by the room environmental control device to effect a reduction of energy usage by a room environmental device associated with the room environmental control device; wherein the gateway device is connected to a network of the multi-unit building and the digital commands are provided by the network.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of effecting a reduction of energy usage in a room of a multi-unit building, comprising: determining a vacant occupancy status of the room; generating digital commands in response to the vacant occupancy status of the room; converting the digital commands at a gateway device located inside of the room into wireless commands; transmitting the wireless commands from the gateway device; receiving the wireless commands at a room environment control device located inside of the room; and converting the wireless commands into electronic commands which are processed by the room environmental control device to effect a reduction of energy usage by a room environmental device associated with the room environmental control device; wherein the gateway device is connected to a network of the multi-unit building and the digital commands are provided by the network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the vacant occupancy status comprises an un-rented room.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the vacant occupancy status comprises a rented room that is un-occupied.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the determining the vacant occupancy status comprises tracking actuation of a door switch associated with a door of the room.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the determining the vacant occupancy status comprises detecting motion within the room.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: receiving the wireless commands at a window treatment control device within the room; and converting the wireless commands into electronic commands which are processed by the window treatment control device to set the window treatment to effect a reduction of energy usage by the room environmental device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the gateway device is associated with at least one of a light switch, a mini-bar, a telephone, a door lock, and a television set top box.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the room environmental control device comprises a thermostat.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the room environmental device comprises one of a Fan Coil Unit, a Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning system, a Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner, and an Energy Management System.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless commands are diffused infrared dispersion.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
133 words
A system for effecting a reduction of energy usage in a room of a multi-unit building, comprising: means for determining a vacant occupancy status of the room to generate digital commands in response thereto; a gateway device located inside of the room for converting the digital commands into wireless commands and transmitting the wireless commands within the room; and a room environment control device located inside of the room, the room environment control device including means for receiving the wireless commands and converting the wireless commands into electronic commands which are processed to effect a reduction of energy usage by a room environmental device associated with the room environmental control device; wherein the gateway device is connected to a network of the multi-unit building and the digital commands are provided by the network.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
133 words
A system for effecting a reduction of energy usage in a room of a multi-unit building, comprising: means for determining a vacant occupancy status of the room to generate digital commands in response thereto; a gateway device located inside of the room for converting the digital commands into wireless commands and transmitting the wireless commands within the room; and a room environment control device located inside of the room, the room environment control device including means for receiving the wireless commands and converting the wireless commands into electronic commands which are processed to effect a reduction of energy usage by a room environmental device associated with the room environmental control device; wherein the gateway device is connected to a network of the multi-unit building and the digital commands are provided by the network.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the vacant occupancy status comprises an un-rented room.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the vacant occupancy status comprises a rented room that is un-occupied.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the means for determining the vacant occupancy status comprises a door switch associated with a door of the room.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the means for determining the vacant occupancy status comprises a motion detector located inside of the room.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 11 further comprising: a window treatment control device located inside of the room, the window treatment control device including means for receiving the wireless commands and converting the wireless commands into electronic commands which are processed to set a window treatment to effect a reduction of energy usage by the room environmental device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the gateway device is associated with at least one of a light switch, a mini-bar, a telephone, a door lock, and a television set top box.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the room environmental control device comprises a thermostat.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the room environmental device comprises one of a Fan Coil Unit, a Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning system, a Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner, and an Energy Management System.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the wireless commands are diffused infrared dispersion.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of profiling an occupant's desired environmental settings in a room of a multi-unit building, comprising: converting electronic data indicative of a setting on a room environmental control device located inside of the room into wireless data; transmitting the wireless data from the room environmental control device; receiving the wireless data at a gateway device located inside of the room; and converting the wireless data into digital data which is processed to generate a profile of the occupant's desired environmental settings; wherein the gateway device is connected to a network of the multi-unit building and the digital data is provided to the network.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of profiling an occupant's desired environmental settings in a room of a multi-unit building, comprising: converting electronic data indicative of a setting on a room environmental control device located inside of the room into wireless data; transmitting the wireless data from the room environmental control device; receiving the wireless data at a gateway device located inside of the room; and converting the wireless data into digital data which is processed to generate a profile of the occupant's desired environmental settings; wherein the gateway device is connected to a network of the multi-unit building and the digital data is provided to the network.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the gateway device is associated with at least one of a light switch, a mini-bar, a telephone, a door lock, and a television set top box.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the room environmental control device comprises a thermostat.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the room environmental device comprises one of a Fan Coil Unit, a Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning system, a Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner, and an Energy Management System.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the wireless data is diffused infrared dispersion.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
136 words
A system for profiling an occupant's desired environmental settings in a room of a multi-unit building, comprising: a room environment control device located inside of the room, the room environment control device including means for converting electronic data indicative of a setting on a room environmental control device located inside of the room into wireless data and transmitting the wireless data from the room environmental control device; a gateway device located inside of the room for receiving the wireless data at a gateway device located inside of the room and converting the wireless data into digital data; and means for processing the digital data to generate a profile of the occupant's desired environmental settings; wherein the gateway device is connected to a network of the multi-unit building and the digital data is provided to the network.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
136 words
A system for profiling an occupant's desired environmental settings in a room of a multi-unit building, comprising: a room environment control device located inside of the room, the room environment control device including means for converting electronic data indicative of a setting on a room environmental control device located inside of the room into wireless data and transmitting the wireless data from the room environmental control device; a gateway device located inside of the room for receiving the wireless data at a gateway device located inside of the room and converting the wireless data into digital data; and means for processing the digital data to generate a profile of the occupant's desired environmental settings; wherein the gateway device is connected to a network of the multi-unit building and the digital data is provided to the network.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 26 wherein the gateway device is associated with at least one of a light switch, a mini-bar, a telephone, a door lock, and a television set top box.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 26 wherein the room environmental control device comprises a thermostat.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 26 wherein the room environmental device comprises one of a Fan Coil Unit, a Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning system, a Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner, and an Energy Management System.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 26 wherein the wireless data is diffused infrared dispersion.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of effecting a reduction of energy usage in a room of a multi-unit building, comprising: determining a vacant occupancy status of a room; generating digital commands in response to the vacant occupancy status of a room; converting the digital commands at a gateway device located inside of the room into wireless commands; transmitting the wireless commands from the gateway device; receiving the wireless commands at a window treatment control device located inside of the room; and converting the wireless commands into electronic commands which are processed by the window treatment control device to set the window treatment to effect a reduction of energy usage. wherein the gateway device is connected to a network of the multi-unit building and the digital commands are provided by the network.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of effecting a reduction of energy usage in a room of a multi-unit building, comprising: determining a vacant occupancy status of a room; generating digital commands in response to the vacant occupancy status of a room; converting the digital commands at a gateway device located inside of the room into wireless commands; transmitting the wireless commands from the gateway device; receiving the wireless commands at a window treatment control device located inside of the room; and converting the wireless commands into electronic commands which are processed by the window treatment control device to set the window treatment to effect a reduction of energy usage. wherein the gateway device is connected to a network of the multi-unit building and the digital commands are provided by the network.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the vacant occupancy status comprising an un-rented room.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the vacant occupancy status comprising a rented room that is un-occupied.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the determining the vacant occupancy status comprises tracking actuation of a door switch associated with a door of the room.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the determining the vacant occupancy status comprises detecting motion within the room.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the gateway device is associated with at least one of a light switch, a thermostat, a mini-bar, a telephone, a door lock, and a television set top box.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the wireless commands are diffused infrared dispersion.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 37 wherein the vacant occupancy status comprising an un-rented room.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 37 wherein the vacant occupancy status comprising a rented room that is un-occupied.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 37 wherein the means for determining the vacant occupancy status comprises a door switch associated with a door of the room.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 37 wherein the means for determining the vacant occupancy status comprises a motion detector located inside of the room.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 37 wherein the gateway device is associated with at least one of a light switch, a thermostat, a mini-bar, a telephone, a door lock, and a television set top box.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 37 wherein the wireless commands are diffused infrared dispersion.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
132 words
A system for effecting a reduction of energy usage in a room of a multi-unit building, comprising: means for determining a vacant occupancy status of a room to generate digital commands in response to the vacant occupancy status of a room; a gateway device located inside of the room for converting the digital commands into wireless commands and transmitting the wireless commands within the room; a window treatment control device located inside of the room, the window treatment control device including means for receiving the wireless commands and converting the wireless commands into electronic commands which are processed to set the window treatment to effect a reduction of energy usage; wherein the gateway device is connected to a network of the multi-unit building and the digital commands are provided by the network.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
132 words
A system for effecting a reduction of energy usage in a room of a multi-unit building, comprising: means for determining a vacant occupancy status of a room to generate digital commands in response to the vacant occupancy status of a room; a gateway device located inside of the room for converting the digital commands into wireless commands and transmitting the wireless commands within the room; a window treatment control device located inside of the room, the window treatment control device including means for receiving the wireless commands and converting the wireless commands into electronic commands which are processed to set the window treatment to effect a reduction of energy usage; wherein the gateway device is connected to a network of the multi-unit building and the digital commands are provided by the network.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of effecting a reduction of energy usage in a room of a multi-unit building, comprising: determining a vacant occupancy status of a room; generating digital commands in response to the vacant occupancy status of a room; converting the digital commands at a gateway device located inside of the room into wireless commands; transmitting the wireless commands from the gateway device; receiving the wireless commands at a light switch located inside of the room; and converting the wireless commands into electronic commands which are processed to turn the light switch off; wherein the gateway device is connected to a network of the multi-unit building and the digital commands are provided by the network.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of effecting a reduction of energy usage in a room of a multi-unit building, comprising: determining a vacant occupancy status of a room; generating digital commands in response to the vacant occupancy status of a room; converting the digital commands at a gateway device located inside of the room into wireless commands; transmitting the wireless commands from the gateway device; receiving the wireless commands at a light switch located inside of the room; and converting the wireless commands into electronic commands which are processed to turn the light switch off; wherein the gateway device is connected to a network of the multi-unit building and the digital commands are provided by the network.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 45 wherein the vacant occupancy status comprising an un-rented room.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 45 wherein the vacant occupancy status comprising a rented room that is un-occupied.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 45 wherein the determining the vacant occupancy status comprises tracking actuation of a door switch associated with a door of the room.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 45 wherein the determining the vacant occupancy status comprises detecting motion within the room.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 45 wherein the gateway device is associated with at least one of the light switch, a thermostat, a mini-bar, a telephone, a door lock, and a television set top box.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 45 wherein the wireless commands are diffused infrared dispersion.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
122 words
A system for effecting a reduction of energy usage in a room of a multi-unit building, comprising: means for determining a vacant occupancy status of a room to generate digital commands in response to the vacant occupancy status of a room; a gateway device located inside of the room for converting the digital commands into wireless commands and transmitting the wireless commands within the room; a light switch located inside of the room, the light switch including means for receiving the wireless commands and converting the wireless commands into electronic commands which are processed to turn the light switch off; wherein the gateway device is connected to a network of the multi-unit building and the digital commands are provided by the network.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
122 words
A system for effecting a reduction of energy usage in a room of a multi-unit building, comprising: means for determining a vacant occupancy status of a room to generate digital commands in response to the vacant occupancy status of a room; a gateway device located inside of the room for converting the digital commands into wireless commands and transmitting the wireless commands within the room; a light switch located inside of the room, the light switch including means for receiving the wireless commands and converting the wireless commands into electronic commands which are processed to turn the light switch off; wherein the gateway device is connected to a network of the multi-unit building and the digital commands are provided by the network.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 52 wherein the vacant occupancy status comprising an un-rented room.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 52 wherein the vacant occupancy status comprising a rented room that is un-occupied.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 52 wherein the means for determining the vacant occupancy status comprises a door switch associated with a door of the room.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 52 wherein the means for determining the vacant occupancy status comprises a motion detector located inside of the room.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 52 wherein the gateway device is associated with at least one of the light switch, a thermostat, a mini-bar, a telephone, a door lock, and a television set top box.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 52 wherein the wireless commands are diffused infrared dispersion.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of managing energy usage in a room of a multi-unit building, comprising: determining a rented or un-rented status of the room at a server remote from the room; generating digital commands at the server in response to the rented or un-rented status of the room; transmitting the digital commands over a network to a gateway device located inside the room; converting the digital commands at the gateway device into wireless commands; transmitting the wireless commands from the gateway device; receiving the wireless commands at a room environment control device located inside of the room; and converting the wireless commands into electronic commands which are processed by the room environmental control device to effect an increase or a reduction of energy usage by a room environmental device associated with the room environmental control device.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of managing energy usage in a room of a multi-unit building, comprising: determining a rented or un-rented status of the room at a server remote from the room; generating digital commands at the server in response to the rented or un-rented status of the room; transmitting the digital commands over a network to a gateway device located inside the room; converting the digital commands at the gateway device into wireless commands; transmitting the wireless commands from the gateway device; receiving the wireless commands at a room environment control device located inside of the room; and converting the wireless commands into electronic commands which are processed by the room environmental control device to effect an increase or a reduction of energy usage by a room environmental device associated with the room environmental control device.
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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) | 2009-06-12 | 2009-12-12 | 2010-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-06-12 | 2013-12-12 | 2014-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-06-12 | 2017-12-12 | 2018-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |