GB2465629A

GB2465629A - A temperature control system with wireless communication to a remote user interface.

Info

Publication number: GB2465629A
Application number: GB0821757A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Darren Murphy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-11-28
Filing date: 2008-11-28
Publication date: 2010-06-02
Also published as: GB0821757D0; GB2465629A8

Abstract

A temperature control systein 1 comprising a user control unit 2 connected to a heating/cooling (HVAC) system 3, a wireless communication interface 4 and a remote user interface 5. The control unit communicates with the remote user interface via the wireless communication interface using the internet, cellular communications network or short range radio frequency. The system may also include an energy usage monitor 8 and/or a heat exchanger control unit 10 with the user control unit communicating with these units via short range radio frequency or an existing services infrastructure circuit such as a wiring, earthing, telecoms, or multimedia circuit or the metal pipe work of a heating system. The remote user interface may be a computer terminal connected to the internet, a remote server or a mobile telephone. The system may also include a local user interface 6 that is able to perform the same functions as the remote user interface.

Description

INTELLECTUAL

. .... PROPERTY OFFICE Application No. GB082 1757.2 RTM Date:2 June 2009 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: GSM, CDMA, TDMA, WI-Fl, Bluetooth Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk Title: Temperature Control System

Description of Invention

THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a temperature control system and more specifically to a temperature control system having a wireless communication interface to communicate with a remote user interface.

A known temperature control system includes a heating/cooling system to which is connected a user control unit. The user control unit is typically "hard wired" to the heating/cooling system. The user control unit may be provided adjacent one of the components of the heating/cooling system, for example the boiler or a heat exchanger. The user control unit may include a thermometer and be provided in one of the rooms of which the heating/cooling system controls the temperature, to provide closed-loop feedback.

If a user wishes to alter the settings of the heating/cooling system, for example to adjust the temperature, or to review information relating to the heating/cooling system, for example the current temperature, the user must be present at the user control unit.

It will be appreciated that once the settings have been adjusted, e.g. an increase in the desired temperature, there may be some delay before the temperature reaches the required level. Moreover, before the user enters the desired temperature into the user control unit, the control system may not have been operating. It may thus take some time before the desired temperature is achieved.

It is known to provide a programmable user control unit, wherein a desired temperature is pre-set for predetermined periods of the day. For example, in the domestic environment involving a central hearing system, a programmable user control unit may be set such that a "comfortable" temperature is maintained during the hours in which the user is likely to be at home. When the user is not at home, then a lower temperature may be maintained, or the central heating system may be switched off. The benefit of a programmable user control unit is that it may be set such that the desired temperature is reached before, or as, the user arrives home, but the temperature is lowered when the user leaves home, to avoid wasting energy.

However, the user may plan to arrive home earlier than normally expected. In such a case, the desired temperature might not yet have been reached and the domestic dwelling may be too cold for the user. Conversely, the user may intend not to return home for a considerable time, in which case the domestic dwelling would be unnecessarily heated, wasting energy. With existing systems, the user must be present at the programmable user control unit to adjust any of the settings.

Although the above example uses a central heating system, the same considerations are true of an air conditioning system. What is important is that the domestic dwelling must be heated or cooled to within a predetermined temperature range.

The present invention seeks to address at least one of the above problems.

Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a temperature control system, comprising a user control unit, connectable to a heating/cooling system to receive information therefrom and to deliver instructions thereto; and a wireless communication interface, operable to deliver information from the user control unit to a remote user interface and to deliver instructions from the remote user interface to the user control unit.

The invention further provides a temperature control system according to the claims.

The embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the figures.

FIGURE 1 schematically illustrates a temperature control system embodying the present invention; and FIGURE 2 shows an example display of a remote user interface embodying the present invention.

The temperature control system 1 of figure 1 comprises a user control unit 2 which is connectable to a heating/cooling system 3 to receive information therefrom and to deliver instructions thereto. Further, the temperature control system provides a wireless communication interface 4, operable to deliver information from the user control unit 2 to a remote user interface 5 and to deliver instructions from the remote user interface 5 to the user control unit 2.

The user control unit 2 has a user interface 6 to provide information regarding the heating/cooling system 3 to a user and to receive instructions from the user. The user control unit 2 may be seen as comparable to the known user control unit of a domestic central heating control system. The user control unit 2 may have a display screen for displaying information regarding the heating/cooling system 3 to the user. For example, the user display may indicate the programme number in operation and the current and target temperature. The user control unit 2 may be powered by battery and/or by a mains voltage supply. For example, power may normally be drawn from the mains voltage supply. In the event of a power cut, the battery supply may keep the user control unit 2 powered for a predetermined period of time, before the mains voltage supply can be restored. Conveniently, an internal clock signal and any settings of the user control unit 2 may then be maintained throughout the power cut.

In one embodiment, the user control unit 2 may detect a power cut and send information to the remote user interface 5. Similarly, the user control unit 2 may detect a cut in the supply of one of the other metered utilities (gas, water, etc) -using readings from the energy usage monitor 8, described below -and communicate this to the remote user interface 5. The user may then inform the service provider.

The temperature control system further comprises a remote user interface 5 which is operable to receive information from the wireless communication interface 4 and to deliver the information to a user. Further, the remote user interface 5 is operable to receive instructions from the user and wirelessly communicate the instructions to the user control unit 2 via the wireless communication interface 4. The information may be displayed on the remote user interface 5 using text and/or graphics. In one embodiment, the remote user interface comprises a touch screen. Graphical representations on the screen may be pressed by the user to send a specific instruction to the user control unit 2. Alternatively, or additionally, pressing a particular graphical representation on the touch screen may cause the remote user interface 5 to display a further control screen ("page"), providing the user with further control options and/or information.

An example of the graphical and textual representations that may be displayed on the display screen of the remote user interface 5 and/or the user control unit 2 is shown in figure 2.

Preferably, the remote user interface 5 provides substantially the same information, and is operable to receive substantially the same instructions from the user, as the user interface 6 of the user control unit 2. In other words, the remote user interface 5 may be seen as a "mimic" of the user interface 6 of the control unit 2. Any instructions entered at either of the user interface 6 or the remote user interface 5 may be displayed simultaneously on the other of the user interface 6 and the remote user interface 5.

The user control unit 2 is connectable to a heating/cooling system 3 via a control interface 7. The control interface 7 may be hard wired to an existing heating/cooling system 3, for example at the location of the boiler and/or air conditioning system. The connection between the user control unit 2 and the heating/cooling system 3 will be described in more detail below.

The wireless communication interface 4 is operable to communicate with a remote user interface 5 using at least one of a cellular communication network, the internet and short range radio frequency. Such communication means are advantageous because they allow the remote user interface 5 to be used far remote from the user control unit 2. For example, the remote user interface 5 could be taken by a user to a workplace or even a vehicle. A plurality of remote user interfaces 5 may be provided, such that remote control of the temperature control system 1 is possible simultaneously from a plurality of locations. Any locations entered by a user are mirrored on the other remote user interface(s) 5.

In one embodiment, the wireless communication interface 4 is operable to communicate using at least one of the protocols of GSM, CDMA and TDMA.

Both the wireless communication interface 4 and the remote user interface 5 have a corresponding transceiver module operable according to the desired protocol.

In one embodiment, the temperature control system 1 comprises an energy usage monitor 8, connectable to at least one energy meter 9. For example, the energy meter 9 may be a conventional gas, electric or water meter, or a meter for any other utility (for example compressed steam). In other embodiment, the energy usage monitor may be integral with an energy meter, which may be installed to replace an existing meter. The energy usage monitor 8 is configured to take at least one meter reading from the energy meter(s) 9 and deliver it to the user control unit 2. Meter readings may be provided at predetermined times and/or within a predetermined time interval. Alternatively, a meter reading may be provided at the request of the user control unit 2. There may be provided an energy meter interface to connect to an existing energy meter 9. Alternatively, an energy meter 9 may be provided which has an energy meter interface integral therewith.

Another embodiment of the temperature control system 1 comprises at least one heat exchanger control unit 10, operable to be connected to a single or group of heat exchangers 11 (for example a domestic radiator). For example, the heat exchanger control unit 10 may comprise a thermostatic radiator valve (TRy) connectable to the user control unit 2. A known TRV comprises a thermostatic control element which is mechanically set by a user. When the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the TRV increases above a predetermined temperature, the TRV prevents the heat exchanger unit 11 from operating. With the present invention, the predetermined temperature of a particular TRV may be set remotely by the user control unit 2. Moreover, the TRV may provide information regarding the current temperature in the vicinity of each TRV to the user control unit 2. The temperature in various zones may therefore be monitored, and controlled, remotely.

In one embodiment, the user control unit 2 is connectable to the heating/cooling system 3, energy usage monitor 8 and heat exchanger control unit(s) 10 by short range radio frequency. Accordingly, there is no requirement for the units to be "hard wired" to one another. Retro-fitting the various elements of a temperature control system 1 embodying the present invention to an existing heating/cooling system is therefore possible. Each of the energy usage monitor 8 and heat exchanger control unit(s) 10 may be powered locally by battery. Alternatively, they may draw power from a local power source. The control interface 7 may also draw power from a power source local to the heating/control system 3.

In another embodiment, the user control unit 2 may communicate with the other elements of the temperature control system 1 via an existing services infrastructure circuit. For example, communication may be via the domestic wiring circuit, by overlaying communication signals on top of the electrical supply. An earthing circuit may alternatively be used, as may a telecoms or multimedia circuit. Alternatively or additionally, the communication signals may be sent through the metal pipework of the domestic heating system.

In one embodiment, the user control unit 2 comprises a thermometer (e.g. thermistor) to detect the local temperature in the vicinity of the user control unit 2. Further temperature sensors may be located in other rooms or zones, to detect the local temperature. The temperature sensors (not shown) may send temperature readings to the user control unit 2, at predetermined intervals and/or at the request of the user control unit 2.

The user control unit 2 is operable to process the information received from the various elements of the temperature control system 1 and to deliver the processed information, or at least a part thereof, to the remote user interface 5, as well as to the user interface 6 of the user control unit 2.

In one embodiment, the wireless communication interface 4 is operable to communicate with all of the remote user interface 5, the control interface 7, the energy usage monitor 8 and the heat exchanger control units 10. The wireless communication interface 4 may be provided integral with the user control unit 2 (and mounted, for example, on the wall of a living room) or may be mountable at the location of the boiler and/or air conditioning unit in a dwelling. The wireless communication interface 4 may then communicate with the user control unit 2 by a short range radio frequency, whereas the wireless communication interface 4 will communicate with a remote user interface 5 by a cellular communication network.

In one embodiment, the remote user interface 5 comprises a mobile telephone.

More specifically, the remote user interface 5 may be embodied in an application installed on the mobile telephone. The application utilises the user graphical interface of the mobile telephone to display a mimicked version of the user interface 6 to the user.

In another embodiment, the remote user interface 5 is a remote computer terminal connected to the internet. The remote user interface 5 may be hosted on a remote server, accessible by a user on a computer terminal over the internet. For example, a user may access a predetermined web page showing a graphical representation of the remote user interface 5. The user may then view information and/or send instructions to the user control unit 2. The benefit of such an embodiment is that multiple users, geographically spaced-apart from one another, may access the same remote user interface 5.

In one embodiment, as described above, the remote user interface 5 may comprise a touch screen. The touch screen presents graphical and textual representations to the user which mimic the appearance of the user interface 6 of the user control unit 2. For example, the layout of the buttons and display screen of the user interface 6 will be displayed on the remote user interface 5.

The user may press the graphical representation of a control button, and the remote user interface 5 will send an instruction to the user control unit 2 which is identical to the instruction that would have been processed by the user control unit 2 had the corresponding button on the user interface 6 been pressed.

In one embodiment, both the user interface 6 of the user control unit 2 and the remote user interface 5 may be substantially identical to one another. For example, both may comprise a unit having a touch screen displaying text and graphical representations. The user interface 6 connects directly, or forms part of, the user control unit 2; whereas the remote user interface 5 connects to the user control unit wirelessly, via the wireless communication interface 4.

In one embodiment, there may be no user interface 6 provided on the user control unit 2. Instead, one or all users of the temperature control system may possess, or have access to, a remote user interface. Accordingly, when in the dwelling in which the system is installed, the user may view information from, and send instructions to, the heating/cooling system.

In a further embodiment, the temperature control system 1 may be operable automatically to select one of at least two means of communication to connect the remote user interface 5 with the user control unit 2, based on predetermined parameters. For example, if a remote user interface 5 is within a predetermined range of the user control unit 2, and more particularly the wireless communication interface 4, the user remote user interface 5 and user control unit 2 may automatically chose to communicate via a short range radio frequency. If the two units are within a smaller predetermined range, then communication may be via infrared, assuming there is a clear line of sight between thetwo.

If the distance between the remote user interface 5 and user control unit 2 is outside of the predetermined range(s), then communication may be via a longer range wireless communication range, such as one of the protocols of GSM, CDMA and TDMA. A benefit of such an arrangement is that, if the user is in the dwelling and within a short distance from the user control unit (and more particularly the wireless communication interface 4), the system may automatically switch to a short-range communication means, to avoid the user unnecessarily incurring service, 3G, or internet usage fees, should the remote user interface 5 comprise a mobile telephone. Short range communication means such as Bluetooth or WiFi may also be a faster means of communication.

In one embodiment, the display of the remote user interface 5 may change according to the proximity of the remote user interface 5 to the wireless communication device and/or user control unit 2. For example, if the remote user interface 5 is determined to be within the dwelling, the user will likely be aware of the current temperature in at least a part of the dwelling. In such a situation, the remote user interface 5 may not need to display the current temperature so prominently. Instead, the controls to increase or decrease the temperature in at least a part of the dwelling may take more prominence on the display.

When the remote user interface 5 is remote from the wireless communication device 4 and/or user control unit 2, the display may change, for example to show the current temperature more prominently. Further, the control to advance' the heating/control system to its next programme cycle may be more prominent, since this is the control of use if the user decides to return to a dwelling earlier than expected, and wishes the heating to be turned on or increased.

The remote user interface 5 may display at least one of the following: At least one meter reading from at least one utility meter; The per unit and/or total cost of the utility used within a predetermined period or since a predetermined date; Signal strength of communication between the user control unit and remote user interface (Bluetooth, WiFi, GSM etc); Battery status of the remote user interface 5; The current status of the heating/control system; The programme details of the heating/control system Current time and date In a further embodiment, the user control unit 5 is operable to provide the user, via the remote user interface and/or a mobile telephone connected with the user, with a warning regarding a predetermined parameter. For example, if the temperature in at least one zone drops below a predetermined value, there may be a risk of frost. The user will be warned of this and can take appropriate action remotely. Conversely, the temperature may have increased to an undesirable level. The user can react accordingly.

The user may set a predetermined daily cost limit for a particular utility. When it has been determined that an equivalent value of the utility has been used, the user can be informed and take appropriate action.

A temperature control system 1 embodying the present invention may replace an existing heating/cooling control system 3 or be retrofit thereto.

Conveniently, a temperature control system 1 embodying the present invention requires at least the same inputs as an existing control system and therefore can be connected at existing wiring locations. In one embodiment, the temperature control system 1 may be provided in a module which may be connected into an existing heating/cooling control system.

A benefit of embodiment of the present invention is that the wireless communication interface allows information to flow between the user control unit and the remote user interface in both directions. Accordingly, the user can view information regarding the current status of the heating/cooling system -for example the existing temperature -and subsequently send appropriate instructions to the heating/cooling system based on that received information.

The closed-loop nature of the invention therefore allows the user to make an informed decision. Without the remote user interface of the invention providing the user with information, the user would have otherwise to send instructions to the heating/cooling system without knowledge of its existing status.

A further benefit of the invention is that the user can remotely specify a predetermined temperature for a predetermined zone of the property in which the heating/cooling system is installed. As opposed to simply turning the heating/cooling system on' or off' -a binary instruction -the invention allows the user to send a variable instruction to the user control unit to control the heating/cooling system. Conveniently, therefore, the invention allows the user to have the same control, remotely, as they would have if present at the user control unit.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Key to Figure 2 item A Continuous transfer of data from meter B Running total value of account C Bluetooth status D Battery status E Signal strength F Set daily usage at say �8.00 budget and receive _____ text alerts ____ Average_daily_usage_for_month H Administrators can control system and obtain up to ______ date readings ____ Tarrif cost per unit J Control heating via mobile and obtain meter ____ readings o K Heating zone status OFF r L Control heating and read all control and meter CO ______ readings on line o M Change temp settings online and receive alarm r _____ alerts o N Termp reading O Heating zones status ON P Dual screen will show alternative heating status ______ and hot water zones Q Unit will have output control to disconnect the ______ system R Time and region S Date T Sub total for month U Running total parallel meter reading V Wi-fi status

Claims

Claims 1. A temperature control system, comprising: a user control unit, connectable to a heating/cooling system to receive information therefrom and to deliver instructions thereto; and a wireless communication interface, operable to deliver information from the user control unit to a remote user interface and to deliver instructions from the remote user interface to the user control unit.
2. A temperature control system according to claim 1, wherein the user control unit has a user interface to provide information regarding the heating/cooling system to a user and to receive instructions from the user.
3. A temperature control system according to any preceding claim, further comprising a remote user interface, operable to receive information from the wireless communication interface and to deliver the information to a user; and to receive instructions from the user and wirelessly communicate the instructions to the wireless communication interface.
4. A temperature control system according to claim 3, wherein the remote user interface provides substantially the same information and is operable to receive substantially the same instructions from the user as the user interface of the user control unit.
5. A temperature control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the user control unit is connectable to heating/cooling system via a control interface.
6. A temperature control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the wireless communication interface communicates with the remote user interface using at least one of a cellular communication network, the internet and short range radio frequency.
7. A temperature control system according to claim 6, wherein the wireless communication interface is operable to communicate using at least one of the protocols of GSM, CDMA and TDMA.
8. Wherein the wireless communication interface is operable to communicate using at least one of WI-Fl and Bluetooth protocol.
9. A temperature control system according to any preceding claim, further comprising an energy usage monitor, connectable to at least one energy meter, the energy usage monitor configured to deliver at least one meter reading to the user control unit at a predetermined time interval.
10. A temperature control system according to claim 9, further comprising an energy meter interface, connectable to the user control unit.
11. A temperature control system according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one heat exchanger control unit, operable to be connected to a single or group of heat exchangers.
12. A temperature control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the user control unit is connectable to at least one of the heating/cooling system, energy usage monitor or heat exchanger control unit(s) by short range radio frequency.
13. A temperature control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the user control unit is connectable to at least one of the heating/cooling system, energy usage monitor or heat exchanger control unit(s) by at least one of Bluetooth, WiFi and infrared.
14. A temperature control system according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the user control unit is connectable to at least one of the heating/cooling system, energy usage monitor or heat exchanger control unit(s) via an existing services infrastructure circuit.
15. A temperature control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the user control unit is operable to deliver information relating to at least one of heating/cooling system, energy usage monitor or heat exchanger control unit(s) to the remote user interface.
16. A temperature control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the user control unit is operable to process information relating to at least one of heating/cooling system, energy usage monitor or heat exchanger control unit(s) and deliver the processed information to the remote user interface.
17. A temperature control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the remote user interface has a wireless communication interface, to communicate with the user control unit.
18. A temperature control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the remote user interface comprises a mobile telephone.
19. A temperature control system according to claim 18, wherein the remote user interface is embodied in an application installed on the mobile telephone.
20. A temperature control system according to any of claims 1 to 17, wherein the remote user interface is a remote computer terminal connected to the internet.
21. A temperature control system according to any of claims 1 to 17, wherein the remote user interface is hosted on a remote server, accessible by a user on a computer terminal over the internet.
22. A temperature control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the remote user interface is provided by a graphical user interface mimicking the appearance of the user interface of the user control unit.
23. A temperature control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the heating/cooling system is a domestic central heating system.
24. A temperature control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the heating/cooling system is an air conditioning system.
25. A temperature control system substantially as herein described with reference to the figures.
26. Any novel matter or combination thereof hereinbefore described.