Energy conservation system

An energy conservation system is provided to lower energy consumption in an unoccupied room. A master controller provides control of power consumption to an occupant of a room through an occupant action to create an occupied mode and otherwise be in an unoccupied mode. A thermostat is controlled by the master controller. A master radio frequency transceiver is located within the master controller and a second radio frequency transceiver remote from the master radio frequency transceiver is provided. The second radio frequency transceiver is coupled to an electrical switching circuit responsive to a radio frequency signal received from the master radio frequency transceiver. A controlled power device is coupled to the electrical switching circuit such that an energy input to the device is controlled by the master controller in the unoccupied mode.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to energy conservation, and more particularly, to lowering energy consumption in an unoccupied room such as an unoccupied hotel room, apartment, condominium, or residence.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As the environmental and economic costs of energy consumption become more apparent increasing attention has been paid to energy conservation. Energy conservation not only saves the consumer money, but also limits the societal need for additional power generation facilities and their associated economic and environmental costs. In conserving energy, the least drastic behavioral measures are associated with eliminating wasted consumption; consumption that affords the consumer little, if any, benefit.

The lodging industry maintains large numbers of self-contained rooms each having separate thermostats and electrical outlets. A lodging patron often leaves a room for hours at a time in a state of high energy consumption through climate control settings and operation of electrical appliances and lights. The patron often has little concern for reducing energy consumption in a paid lodging. In such an instance, the lodging patron, absent from the room, derives no benefit from additional energy consumption. Energy consumption represents 3 to 6 percent of the gross revenue in the lodging industry. Additionally, renters of apartments and people who reside in condominiums and residences also have the opportunity to significantly reduce power consumption, but may lack financial incentive to do so.

The predominate method of occupancy control across the world is with the use of the room keycard. Quality properties in Europe and Asia have been using keycard occupancy control for years. However, many of these systems are hardwired. This prior art attempts to limit energy consumption in vacant or unoccupied lodging rooms utilizing a door keycard inserted into an electrical controller. The electrical controller of this prior art system required retrofitting hardwired systems that control electrical switches within the room. The labor and room downtime associated with such a hardwiring retrofit has limited the acceptance of this prior art system. Thus, there exists a need for a lodging energy conservation system that will operate without resort to a hardwired installation of a master controller and controlled electrical power sources.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an energy conservation system primarily for the purpose of lowering energy consumption in an unoccupied room within a lodging facility or other forms of living areas. The system includes a master controller which houses a radio frequency transceiver and an electrically controlled power consumption device that houses a radio frequency transceiver that is coupled to an electrical switching circuit. When activated, the master controller transmits a frequency that is received by the remote receiver slave device. The received signal causes the switching circuit to connect to an energy source thereby providing power to an appliance connected to the controlled power device. After successful receipt of the radio frequency command from the master controller to the remote receiver slave device a verification of received command is rebroadcast via a radio frequency to the master controller.

Preferably, the housings of the master controller and the controlled power device are dimensioned for installation within a conventional switch electrical box. In one implementation, the controller housing includes a keycard slot adapted to allow the controller to be activated by a room occupant upon entering a room by inserting a keycard into the slot. Conversely, the controller is deactivated when the keycard is removed from the slot. Also, another version of the master controller does not require the insertion of a keycard but it instead activates the same functions by the use of a toggle switch that mimics the operation of the keycard use. Another method would allow room occupancy to be determined by means of motion detection. This motion detection may or may not include passive infrared (PIR), Microwave or Ultrasonic sensing device.

The radio frequency transmitter within the controller emits a frequency that is received by the radio frequency receiver that is mounted at a remote location within range of the transmitter. The transmitter and receiver may or may not consist of a transceiver technology to accomplish the desired effect of shedding unused load during an unoccupied room condition.

The receiver activates the electrical switching circuit upon receiving the signal from the master controller. In turn, the activation of the switching circuit causes the controlled power device to be connected to an energy source until the master controller deactivates the slave device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention has utility in conserving electrical energy in a vacant or unoccupied room. While the present invention as detailed herein is described with respect to a lodging guest room, it is appreciated to also be operative in the settings illustratively including hospitals, warehouses, commercial spaces, apartments, condominiums and residences.

The present invention has a master controller that upon activation by an occupant energizes a remote switching circuit that causes energy to be supplied to a controlled power device from an energy source that illustratively includes a natural gas feed; an electrical source; or water supply line. A controlled power device may include an electrical outlet; a climate-control component such as a thermostat or HVAC system; an electrical switch; a solenoid controlled valve; or the like. The master controller activates the switching circuit that is remote there from by sending a radio frequency (RF) signal to an RF receiver coupled to a switch circuit that in turn connects the energy source. The present invention operates in contrast to the prior art by communicating between the master controller and the remote energy supply sources through a radio frequency signal, as compared to conductive wiring physically forming connections there between.

An inventive energy conservation system offers the option of controlling room HVAC as well as lighting and optional sliding door electrical loads. Through the implementation of a microchip radio frequency communication capability between the master controller and the other system components, there is no need to connect parts with hard wiring and thereby allowing for the retrofitting of a room with inventive system components in a typical room in less than one hour. In contrast to prior art systems based on motion or infrared sensors, the inventive system is free of communication dead spots and lacks the requirement of line of sight communication. As such, the inventive system is particularly well suited for a multi-room suite. By way of illustration, a seventy-five foot communicative radius through wall structure is optionable with an inventive system. It is appreciated that an inventive system provides energy conservation savings of typically between twenty-five and fifty percent as compared to a conventional lodging room and also provides additional savings in extending the operational life time of HVAC, lighting elements in televisions. Still further advantages are afforded through the use of a guest key or mini key activated master entry wall control switch that upon insertion of a card key or mini card key into an inventive system, pre-selected lights within the room are immediately activated affording an additional sense of security. A still further advantage of the inventive system is the reduction in guest room lock outs caused by key cards being left in the room by the patron. Additionally it is appreciated that an inventive system is readily overridden on a room by room basis upon patron request thereby affords a feature unavailable with conventional PIR energy management systems.

Referring now toFIG. 1, a master controller10of the present invention is mounted within a conventional lodging facility room. Preferably, the master controller10is mounted proximal to the room entryway E. The master controller10is activated by a room occupant action. In addition to the preferred activation through magnetic key card insert or mini-key card insert into controller10; or moving a door slide switch; other room occupant actions illustratively include flipping a switch, producing a thermal signature, voice activation or touchpad activation. The activated master controller10emits a radio frequency12over a broadcast range encompassing remote RF receivers within a predetermined area. A broadcast range of 50-70 feet is typical in a lodging setting where the master controller radio frequency need only broadcast to tuned RF receivers within a lodging room or suite. In other applications the broadcast range can be increased. The RF12is received by at least one RE receiver14located within the broadcast range of the master controller10. The RF receiver14is remote from the master controller10and coupled to an electrical switching circuit that when activated causes an energy source to be coupled to a controlled power device. As depicted inFIGS. 1 and 7, the RF receiver14can be coupled to an electrical outlet (synonymously a wall plug)100, a wall light switch250, thermostat control unit400, door or window opening monitor170, or a PTAC control unit600.

FIG. 2illustrates various views of a controlled power device, namely the slave electrical outlet100(or dual receptacle), wherein the switching circuit includes a SPST relay coupled to the RF receiver via a processor and bipolar transistor. It is appreciated that additional energy or power sources in the lodging setting also include electrical switches, HVAC components such as thermostats, solenoid controlled valves, internet and cable TV jacks, and the like. The electrical outlet100has an RF receiver and deactivating circuitry. InFIG. 2, the electrical outlet100according to the present invention has conventional receptacle apertures102adapted to receive a conventional electrical plug. A flange104having an aperture106is adapted to secure to a conventional electrical box by way of a fastener. The outlet100is defined by a first housing portion108and a second housing portion110. The first housing portion108can have an electrically insulating plate112, beneath which electrical contacts114are provided for an electrical plug inserted there through.

A radio frequency receiver is attached to the plate112. Preferably, the radio frequency receiver is provided with frequency controlling switches138intended to frequency code the radio frequency receiver with the radio frequency signal emitted by the radio frequency transmitter of the master controller10. In this way, proximate rooms are coded differently to avoid RF signaling interference. This method of frequency coding is not the only method of frequency coding. Other methods may be employed. A power supply for the radio frequency receiver is also provided. Upon the radio frequency receiver receiving a signal from the master controller10, a switching circuit activates the conductive pathway through conductors114.

It is appreciated that in the embodiment depicted inFIG. 2, only a single outlet receptacle of the dual receptacle is under the control of radio frequency activation. In this embodiment of an outlet according to the present invention, the conventional outlet receptacle remains active regardless of radio frequency signals and is adapted to control power devices such as a clock or other continuous operation device. The second outlet portion110provides complementary conductor portions to conductors114located within first portion108. The first and second portion may be jumpered together such that both portions are activated by the master controller10. Second portion110is also provided with apertures through which electrical wire30is received and thereby conductively coupled to the complementary connectors. The slave wall plug100automatically shuts off power to electrical devices in electrical communication therewith when the room is unoccupied. Lamps, HVAC and televisions are illustrative of such electrical devices.

FIG. 3illustrates a preferred embodiment of a master controller10according to the present invention, where like number references among the figures refer to the same component. The master controller10as shown inFIG. 3is incorporated into a conventional wall switch200, the wall switch having a toggle rocker220and a conventional faceplate240. A master controller front case portion260and master controller rear case portion280afford a rugged and self-contained unit promoting quick installation within a conventional switch electrical box. Extending from the master controller housing defined by front portion260and rear portion280are electrical leads30. Provided within the front portion260is an aperture32adapted to be in electrical communication with an activation keycard, mini-keycard (FIGS. 8A and 8B) or a door lock slide switch, as shown inFIG. 8C.

In operation, the master controller10is positioned such that a patron entering the room inserts a key card or mini key card, or slides a toggle between unoccupied to an occupied position. Preferably, the master controller10is eliminated to facilitate key card insertion or toggle movement in a darkened room. Activation of the master controller10triggers the radio frequency transmitter therein to set the entire system to the “occupied” mode with the room occupant having normal control over room electrical and HVAC systems. Upon a patron exiting the room, the key card or mini key card is taken from the master controller10or the toggle is slide to the “unoccupied” position. After a timed delay of typically between zero and five hundred seconds and preferably between fifteen and seventy-five seconds another radio frequency transmission is sent from the master controller10to the slave components of the system to change the settings on the slave components to the “unoccupied” mode thereby placing the HVAC system into pre-selected temperature operating ranges and shutting off electrical outlets and light switches to reduce energy consumption. A sliding door sensor is likewise similarly disabled adding to security while reducing energy consumption.

In one of the applications, the aperture32is a translucent light pipe affording illumination of the aperture32even in a master controller de-active state in order to facilitate room occupant locating of the aperture32. In a room inclusive of a door or window monitor170, as detailed for perspective inFIG. 6in present, the status of a balcony slide door or window being opened is communicated to the master controller10and in the event that a door or balcony slide is left in the open position, preferably shuts off the HVAC system when a door or window is left in an open position. Optionally, the HVAC system is not shut off in the presence of an open door or window until a pre-selected time interval has based. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) can be located within the housing defined by master controller portions260and280that provide a long lifetime, low intensity source of illumination. The light source is illustratively a light emitting diode but a phosphor or other illuminate material may be used that allows for the card slot to be visible when a room is dark.

In operation, the master controller10is positioned such that a patron entering your room inserts a key card or mini key card, or slides a toggle between unoccupied to an occupied position. Preferably, the master controller10is illuminated to facilitate key card insertion or toggle movement in a darkened room. Activation of the master controller10triggers the rate of frequency transmitter herein to set the entire system the “occupied” mode with the room occupant now having normal control over room electrical and HVAC systems. Upon a patron exited the room, the key card or mini key card is taken from the master controller10or the toggle is slide to the “unoccupied” position. After a time delay of typically between zero and five hundred seconds and preferably between fifteen and seventy-five seconds another radio frequency transmission is sent from the master controller10to the slave components of the system to change the settings on the slave components to the “unoccupied” mode thereby placing the HVAC system into pre-selected temperature operating ranges and shutting off electrical outlets and light switches to reduce energy consumption. A sliding door sensor is likewise similarly disabled adding to security while reducing energy consumption.

The faceplate240is fitted with a flange34adapted to receive at least one fastener for securing the master controller10within a conventional switch electrical box. A radio frequency emitting source is provided within the housing portions260and280. Preferably, the radio frequency source is a radio frequency crystal but may be comprised of a combination of passive and active electronic components, a surface acoustic wave circuit, or other transmitter circuits suitable for low-power, close range transmission. More preferably the radio frequency source is provided with a series of coding switches for the setting of the specific frequency modulation. In a room inclusive of a door or a window monitor170come as detailed from perspectiveFIG. 6, the status of a balcony slide door or window being opened is communicated to the master controller10and in the event that the door or balcony slide is left in an open position, preferably shuts off the HVAC system when a door or window is left in an open position. Optionally, the HVAC system is not shut-off in the presence of an open door or window until a pre-selected time interval has passed. Radio frequency modulation switches38are still more preferably accessible without resort to disassembly of the housing portions260and280. A circuit board can contain conventional electronic components associated with an RF transmitter. It is appreciated that the RF broadcast range of a master controller10according to the present invention is affected by factors illustratively including the power input to the RF crystal, the materials the radio frequency must penetrate, and the specific radio frequency of the device. Preferably, a protective flange affords mechanical protection for any exposed switches38of the radio frequency source.FIG. 3also illustrates a master controller20wherein an aperture32is not included and thus the master controller is not activated by an activation card but by a switch22.

InFIG. 4, a slave wall switch250is illustrated wherein the wall switch can automatically energize and de-energize lighting fixtures and electrical outlets that it controls. The wall switch250has a toggle switch252, an RF transceiver and other miniaturized controls including mechanical relays for affording the enabling or disabling of associated lighting fixtures and electrical outlets. In operation, upon receiving an “unoccupied” RF signal from the master controller10, the wall switch250de-energizes associated lighting fixtures and electrical outlets after a predetermined wait time, e.g. 30 seconds. Then, when an occupant enters the room, the wall switch250receives an “occupied” RF signal from the master controller10and the wall switch250re-energizes any associated lighting fixtures and electric outlets that were de-energized when the occupant left the room and the master controller10transmitted the “unoccupied” signal. In addition, once the wall switch250receives the “occupied” signal from the master controller10, the switch250operates as a normal wall switch until a subsequent “unoccupied” RF signal is received.

While the present invention has been detailed with respect to an RF receiver controlling the energization of an electrical outlet and/or lighting fixtures, it is appreciated that the same RF receiver and switching circuitry can be coupled to other energy sources. In the case of the controlled power device being an HVAC component, it is often preferred not to completely shut down an HVAC system, but rather to switch to an energy conservation mode. An energy conservation mode for HVAC is provided by the present invention through incorporating a thermostat and associated controller unit (collectively “thermostat” or TCU)400(FIG. 5A) with the master controller10such that when the master controller10is in a deactivated state (unoccupied room), the TCU400maintains an unoccupied room HVAC control. Preferably, the TCU automatically shifts between heating and cooling operation as needed. In contrast, upon master controller10activation by a room occupant, the HVAC control is transferred to a room occupant regulatable thermostat with the same TCU400. The TCU400may be in the form of a discrete modular unit that includes an RF receiver and HVAC control circuitry capable of controlling operation of the HVAC system in response to receiving an RF transmission from a master controller and according to preset conditions.

The modular TCU400can be set to one of a plurality of control ranges that operate to limit the climate conditions within a room within the selected control range. Each control range includes distinct climate conditions to be maintained when the room is either occupied or unoccupied. An illustrative example being that when a room is occupied, the climate conditions within the room are limited between 67-76° F. while an unoccupied room might have climate limit conditions between 62-78° F.FIGS. 5A and 5Bschematically illustrate the sub-circuits within the TCU400that include a dip switch used for selecting the mode of operation of the unit, an R-F receiver circuit, and a plurality of SPST relays which operate to open and close the control circuits to the existing HVAC system for a four pipe and PTAC control unit600(FIG. 7), respectively. It is appreciated that incorporating a microprocessor into the present invention affords greater system programmability and flexibility in operation. For instance, seasonal or diurnal controller adjustments are facilitated in this way.

Optionally, the master controller10is powered not by line voltage by rather by battery power. It is appreciated that a battery powered master controller10is particularly well suited for cooperation with a conventional magnetic key card, slider or any key card. The battery powered master controller10includes a radial for the purpose of transmission of radio frequency signals denoting “occupied” or “unoccupied” room condition based on the presence or absence of a magnetic key card within a receiver, respectively; or alternatively slider switch position between these binary conditions. The battery provides power to the control electronics and the radio.FIGS. 8A and 8Cillustrate a front view and a side view, respectively of a key card/mini key card insertion aperture32prime. It is appreciated that this configuration of parallel insertion aperture32prime relative to the master controller face plate is suitable for usage with a line power activated master controller as well as a battery powered master controller. The aperture32prime being configured to accept a pre-selected key card. With insertion of a magnetic key card/mini key card into an aperture32prime, a signal is communicated to the master controller electronics that the room is now in “occupied” mode. A radio frequency signal is sent to various slave components in the inventive system. Exemplary slave components of the inventive system are depicted inFIGS. 1 and 7.

InFIG. 8B, a slide switch is provided that has two positions corresponding to “occupied” and “unoccupied”. Based on the occupancy status of the room, control of the various slave components of the inventive system is retained by the master controller or surrendered to the room occupant.

Optionally included within the energy control system can be a door or window monitor170as shown inFIG. 6. In some instances, the door or window monitor170is a sliding balcony door or window monitor having sensor172. The sensor172can be any sensor known to those skilled in the art for detecting when a window or door is opened and closed, illustratively including electromagnetic sensors, infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors and the like. The monitor170includes an RF transceiver that can send an open or closed door/window signal to the TCU400. In this manner when a balcony door or window is opened, the monitor170signals the TCU400that the balcony door or window is open and thereby afford for the TCU400to de-energize the HVAC system or in the alternative afford for He TCU400to control the HVAC system with a set of parameters selected for when an occupant opens a balcony door or a window.

In operation, the present invention upon activation by a room occupant, the master controller transmits a signal to the radio frequency receiver thereby activating the electrical outlet. Upon the room occupant, or final room occupant when a group is present, vacating the room, the an unoccupied state is sent from the master controller thereby terminating the radio frequency emissions from the master controller that in turn deactivates the remote outlet through the termination of receipt of the activating radio frequency. In a preferred embodiment, the master controller operates to afford continued radio frequency emission for a limited period of time after deactivation. The limited time of continued activation is typically between a few seconds and a few minutes.

One skilled in the art to which the invention pertains will readily appreciate that various modifications of the present invention as detailed herein are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.