Abstract:
Method and Apparatus for connecting to a thermostat, capturing and converting the output signal from the thermostat to a computer readable form, and wirelessly sending a command signal to a receiver to control a cooler or heater, whether they are gas, electric, evaporative or refrigerated air.

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED R&amp;D 
       [0001]    None. 
       NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0002]    None. 
       CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0003]    None 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates to a (HCCS) Heating and Cooling Control System, a device that attaches with wires to any thermostat (line powered, battery powered, Wi-Fi). The device contains circuitry and a microprocessor to convert the signal that is received from the thermostat into a computer readable form. The microprocessor analyzes the signal sent by the thermostat and based on preprogrammed instructions will send a signal wirelessly to a receiving unit that will perform the desired action(s) on a heating or cooling unit. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0007]    There are 4.5 million users of evaporative coolers in the United States. These users are located primarily in the Southwest where humidity is low. In a typical home in this area of the county, there are two separate climate control systems, one for the furnace and a separate one for the evaporative cooler. These systems each have their own outlet box, power, wiring, and manual control switch or thermostat. The physical distance between the separate climate control systems outlet boxes range from a few inches to several feet. All thermostats operate on 24 VAC which is usually provided by a transformer located in the furnace. Evaporative coolers are powered by 120 VAC and this line voltage extends through the thermostat. A separate thermostat is necessary for an evaporative cooler system because of the different voltage requirements of that system. Thermostats have the capability of controlling a cooling system but the voltage difference and distance between the respective control boxes prevent this from occurring. Dedicated evaporative cooler thermostats retail for $40 to $150 and at the current time there are no dedicated Wi-Fi enabled evaporative cooler thermostats on the market. Common Wi-Fi thermostats range in price from $99 to $250 and are being underutilized in the Southwest as they are commonly used for the heating system only. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention solves these problems by using the full cooling function capability of any thermostat to control a separate evaporative cooler system. Additionally, homes that have been retrofitted with refrigerated air units can benefit from the present invention. Any heating or cooling system can be controlled by the present invention. 
         [0009]    It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a means for a single thermostat to control both a 26 VAC operated furnace and a 120 VAC operated evaporative cooler. 
         [0010]    It is another object of the present invention to enable users to install a single Wi-Fi enabled thermostat and control both their heating and cooling systems via their cell phone. 
         [0011]    It is a further object of the present invention to allow one thermostat to control multiple heating and cooling systems, are whether they gas, electric, evaporative or refrigerated air, thereby saving money by eliminating the requirement of purchasing two thermostats. 
         [0012]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method to control window mounted evaporative coolers with a thermostat. 
         [0013]    It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a means of controlling multiple evaporative coolers or furnaces from one thermostat giving the user flexibility in cooling and heating options. 
         [0014]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a means of using multiple thermostats to control one cooler or furnace giving the user flexibility in cooling and heating options. 
         [0015]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a means for the user to have the flexibility to locate a thermostat anywhere they wish. 
         [0016]    The present invention is a device that is connected with wires to the heating and/or cooling terminals of any thermostat. The device itself is powered by the 24 VAC typically provided by the furnace transformer to the thermostat. When a cooling or heating signal is sent by the thermostat, the present invention will capture and convert the signal into a computer readable format. A wireless signal is sent to a receiving module whereby the desired action is performed. The present invention solves the problem created by different voltage requirements for heating and cooling control systems and enables any thermostat to control both the heating and cooling functions in a home or building. The present invention also solves the problem of distance between control boxes, it bridges the distance between them using wireless technology. The present invention allows one thermostat to control both heating and cooling systems regardless of voltage or distance. 
         [0017]    These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in this art and upon reading the accompanying description, drawings, and claims set forth herein. The headings provided herein are for the convenience of the reader only. No headings should be construed to limiting upon the content in any way. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the present invention ( 2 ) and its&#39; general components. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a wiring schematic between the present invention ( 2 ) and a typical thermostat ( 1 ). 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a front section showing a possible use configuration of one thermostat ( 1 ), one HCCS ( 2 ), and multiple evaporative coolers ( 12 ). 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a front section showing a possible use configuration of multiple thermostats ( 1 ) utilizing multiple HCCS&#39;s ( 2 ) and one evaporative cooling unit ( 12 ) with one receiver module ( 13 ). 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a front section showing an alternative use of a reconfigured HCCS to expand an existing  4  valve sprinkler system to a  6  valve system. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a front section showing another alternative use of a reconfigured HCCS to control a sprinkler head using buried moisture sensors. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Definitions 
       [0024]    Wirelessly as used herein shall mean any radio frequency, Bluetooth , or other over the air technology. 
         [0025]    HCCS—as used herein shall mean the present invention name “Heating and Cooling Control System”. 
         [0026]    24 VAC—as used herein shall mean any voltage commonly produced by transformers labeled as 24 VAC (19—38 VAC). 
         [0027]    120 VAC—as used herein shall mean any voltage commonly available and identified as such in the United States. 
         [0028]    Transceiver—a device comprising both a transmitter and a receiver which are combined and share common circuitry or a single housing. 
         [0029]    Firmware—software that is programmed into a computer chip to perform basic instructions. 
       2. Best Mode of the Invention 
       [0030]      FIG. 1  shows a front section view of the present invention and its major components. These include power circuit ( 6 ), microprocessor ( 5 ), wireless transmitter ( 3 ), wireless receiver ( 4 ), and various switches (toggle ( 8 ), dip ( 7 ) etc). A transceiver may be substituted for the separate transmitter and receiver. These and other minor components are housed in an enclosure. These major components are also present in any receiver device used with this system. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  shows a front section view of the best mode contemplated by the inventor of the present invention. As shown, the device is mounted adjacent to the thermostat ( 1 ) with wires ( 9 ) extending from the present invention ( 2 ) to either all or some of the appropriate thermostat output pins ( 10 ). Any number of thermostat output pins ( 10 ) may be used based on the needs of the user. The present invention ( 2 ) can control any cooling or heating system that the thermostat can. This includes gas and electric furnaces, evaporative coolers or refrigerated air units. The module will send the appropriate signal to the receiver configuration selected by the user. Many receiver configurations are possible. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a front section view showing a possible use configuration of one thermostat ( 1 ), one HCCS ( 2 ), and multiple evaporative coolers ( 12 ) utilizing multiple receiving units ( 13 ). This same configuration can be done with refrigerated air conditioning units. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a front section showing a possible use configuration of multiple thermostats ( 1 ) utilizing multiple HCCS&#39;s ( 2 ) and one evaporative cooling unit ( 12 ) with one receiver module ( 13 ). This same configuration can be used with a refrigerated air conditioning unit. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  shows a front section view of an alternative use for this system that applies to lawn or garden sprinkler systems. Because sprinkler systems operate on the same voltage as heating and cooling systems, the HCCS is uniquely suited to sense the 24 VAC signals output by sprinkler timers. In order to expand a sprinkler system one or more valves must be added. The valve(s) ( 18 ) must be hardwired to the sprinkler timer ( 15 ) but this is commonly a difficult task since landscaping, fencing, and concrete stand in the way, often more than 20 feet. The HCCS can be reconfigured to assist in this expansion. Reconfiguring will involve some firmware and hardware changes although the major components will be the same. Simply disconnect an existing valve control wire ( 23 ) from both the timer ( 15 ) and the valve ( 18 ) itself. Fasten the timer ( 15 ) end of the wire ( 23 ) to a constant 24 VAC power source in the sprinkler timer ( 15 ). Attach the reconfigured HCCS ( 16 ) to two or more station outputs ( 20 ) in the sprinkler timer ( 15 ) (i.e. the original repurposed station and the new ones). Attach a receiver module ( 17 ) to the two or more valves ( 18 ) in the valve box. The reconfigured HCCS ( 16 ) will sense which circuit is activated and send the appropriate signal to the receiver ( 17 ) in the valve box. The receiver ( 17 ) in the valve box will pass power from the “always live” wire to the appropriate valve at the appropriate time. The HCCS ( 16 ) and receivers ( 17 ) can be configured to add any number of extended valve circuits. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  shows a front section view of another alternative use for this system that applies to lawn or garden sprinkler systems. Large portions of the United States are experiencing drought conditions with water rationing becoming common. In order to conserve water it is important to water only when the ground is dry. There are rain sensors on the market but they do not work very well. The HCCS ( 25 ) can be reconfigured to control one or more sprinkler heads ( 23 ) more efficiently to avoid over watering. Reconfiguring will involve some firmware and hardware changes although the major components will be the same. In this scenario the reconfigured HCCS ( 25 ) is attached with wires to the terminals ( 20 ) in the sprinkler timer ( 15 ), the sprinkler valve wires remain attached. An electronically activated valve ( 21 ) is installed in the sprinkler riser on as many sprinkler heads ( 23 ) as desired. One or more moisture sensors ( 22 ) are placed at various distances around the sprinkler head ( 23 ), buried under the ground, and wired to an aggregation unit ( 24 ) that will collect the moisture readings and communicate wirelessly with the reconfigured HCCS ( 25 ). Wires can be replaced with wireless technology depending on cost. One HCCS ( 25 ) can be used per sprinkler head ( 23 ) or many sprinkler heads representing an area. Because sprinkler systems operate on 24 VAC, the HCCS ( 25 ) is uniquely suited to sense when a specific station is activated. When a station is activated by the sprinkler timer, the reconfigured HCCS ( 25 ) will sense the signal, determine which station was activated, and send a wireless signal to the appropriate aggregation unit. The aggregation unit ( 24 ) and it will poll the moisture sensors ( 22 ), and based on preprogrammed criteria, the electronically activated valve ( 21 ) will open if the surrounding area needs moisture. If the area is moist, the aggregator unit ( 24 ) will close the electronic valve ( 21 ) and prevent that sprinkler head ( 23 ) or heads from watering. This system is designed to override the timer control and cancel the watering of an area if it is too moist. 
       3. How to Make the Invention 
       [0036]    As can be amply seen from the drawings, the present invention  FIG. 1 , consists of a power circuit ( 6 ), microprocessor ( 5 ), wireless transmitter ( 3 ), wireless receiver ( 4 ), and various switches (toggle ( 8 ), dip ( 7 ) etc.). A transceiver may be substituted for the separate transmitter and receiver. Customization is accomplished via firmware and through the use of various functions of the microprocessor. Receiver modules are customized to perform the commands that are sent by the Transmitter. Many configurations are possible (see  FIG. 4 through 6 ) based on desired function and mounting location. 
       4. How to Use the Invention 
       [0037]    The present invention ( 2 ) HCTEB consists of a power circuit ( 6 ), microprocessor ( 5 ), wireless transmitter ( 3 ), wireless receiver ( 4 ), and various switches (toggle ( 8 ), dip ( 7 ) etc.). A transceiver may be substituted for the separate transmitter and receiver. These and other minor components are contained in a plastic housing and mounted to a wall next to a thermostat and hard wired to it. The HCCS provides a method to read the signals output by a thermostat, and transmit them wirelessly to a receiver to perform the desired action. Many types of receivers are possible, depending on the application. In one scenario a wall mounted receiver is hard wired to replace a manual switch or thermostat. When a cooling or heating signal is sent by the thermostat, the present invention will capture and convert the signal into a computer readable format. A wireless signal is sent to a receiving module whereby the desired action is performed. This invention solves the problem that many homeowners and businesses have, duplicated heating and cooling system thermostats. For many years it was a standard in the United States to have separate heating and cooling controls. A separate outlet box, wiring, and thermostat exist in each system. These controls are commonly separated by a few inches to several feet. In addition, evaporative coolers&#39; have an additional hurdle to overcome. The evaporative cooler control systems operate on 120 VAC which is different than that of heating and refrigerated air systems 24 VAC. The proposed invention overcomes these obstacles and allows the user to use one thermostat to control both heating and cooling systems whether they are gas, electric, evaporative or refrigerated air.