Patent ID: 6061604
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: G05B

Abstract:
A multi-unit automated space management and communication system for use in association with a structure having a plurality of units, said system comprising:means for monitoring various utility related aspects of each of the plurality of units;an automated subsystem disposed in each one of the plurality of units, said subsystem including at least one appliance apparatus disposed in the unit, at least one communication medium means operably disposed in the unit, at least one interface means for connecting the at least one appliance apparatus into a signal exchanging relationship with the at least one communication medium means, at least one communication source, operably connected to the at least one communication medium means, for generating at least one first signal relevant to at least one of the at least one appliance apparatus, the at least one communication source being capable of disposing the at least one first signal into the at least one communication medium means, for reception at least one location remote from the communication source, the at least one interface means being operably configured so as to enable at least one of the at least one appliance apparatus to respond to the at least one first signal relevant to the at least one of the at least one appliance apparatus for transmission to locations remote from the at least one appliance apparatus, the at least one interface means being further operably configured so as to be capable of generating at least one second signal representative of at least one characteristic of the at least one appliance apparatus, the at least one interface means further being operably configured so as to be capable of disposing the at least one second signal into the at least one communication medium means, for reception at at least one location remote from the at least one interface means;an external communication interface linking the automated subsystem in each one of the plurality of units to the monitoring means in a signal-exchanging relationship; andmeans for storing data provided from each one of the plurality of automated subsystems associated with each one of the plurality of units.