US 5,706,191 AGranted

Appliance interface apparatus and automated residence management system

AssigneeGas Research Institute

InventorsWilliam W. Bassett, Robert M. Russ, Charles A. Glorioso

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Abstract

A method for bringing an appliance and/or an electrical or mechanical system of a residence into communication with another, or with a control device within the residence, or with an other communication source outside the residence, so as to establish a home automation system, or enlarge upon an existing automation system. An appliance interface module apparatus is also provided for facilitating communication between an appliance, and the automation system as a whole. The appliance interface module may be capable of controlling, upon command, the specific detailed operations of the appliance to which it is attached, and may, upon inquiry, transmit data which has been recorded, stored and/or calculated by the module.

Claims31

Dependent claims

An interface apparatus, for use in a space management automation system, in which the space is provided with at least one appliance apparatus, and at least one communication medium, and for enabling the at least one appliance apparatus to engage in communication via the at least one communication medium with at least one communication source, the interface apparatus comprising:

first means for generating at least one first signal representative of at least one characteristic of the at least one appliance apparatus;
second means, associated with the first means, for placing the at least one first signal into the at least one communication medium, such that the communication source generates at least one second signal in response to the at least one first signal being placed into the at least one communication medium;
third means for locally processing the at least one first signal toward generating the at least one second signal and for precluding, whenever such local processing is possible, the second means from placing the at least one first signal into the at least one communication medium;
fourth means for reception of the at least one second signal from the third means and the at least one communication medium, the fourth means being operably configured so as to place the at least one second signal into a condition suitable for communication to the at least one appliance apparatus, so as to prompt the at least one appliance apparatus to react in response to the at least one second signal.

1 more element

An automated space management and communication system comprising:

a central processing device disposed in the space;
at least one appliance disposed in the space, each of the at least one appliance having at least one detectable condition related thereto and at least one adjustable parameter;
at least one interface means, each of the at least one interface means being associated with each one of the at least one appliance, each of the at least one interface means for obtaining information related to at least one of the at least one detectable condition related to the associated at least one appliance and for adjusting at least one of the at least one adjustable parameter;
means for communicating between each of the at least one interface means and the central processing device in a signal exchanging relationship, the central processing device transmitting a first signal, as necessary, to at least one of the at least one interface means via the communicating means;
and
each of the at least one interface means having a local processing means for processing the obtained information and for transmitting a second signal, as necessary, to the central processing device via the communicating means and for processing signals transmitted between the central processor and the at least one interface means.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/862,358Filed 23 May 1997 · continuation
Priority: 19 Jan 1995
Granted: 6 Jan 1998
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

G05D 23/1917
Characterised by the use of electric means: using digital means
G01D 4/004
Remote reading of utility meters: remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
G01D 4/006
Remote reading of utility meters: remote reading of utility meters to a non-fixed location, i.e. mobile location
Y02B 70/30
Technologies for an efficient end-user side electric power management and consumption: systems integrating technologies related to power network…