System to control environmental conditions in a living space

Abstract

A system to control environmental conditions in a living space, including an appliance to modify an environmental condition, an air moving device, a control to operate the appliance and to operate the device at the multiple velocities, an environmental sensor, and an input device to permit a user to input a desired environmental value. One or more sensors may communicate with the control to provide input parameters for the control. The sensors and the control may be directly attached to or part of one or more of the appliances or devices, or may be contained in a separate unit fixed in the living space, or movable, remote control unit. Communication between the control and the appliances and devices may be accomplished through a hard wired connection or a wireless connection. Environmental conditions that may be modified include air humidity, air temperature, air purity, and air stratification.

1 . A system to control temperature conditions in a living space, comprising: 
 a temperature modifying appliance operable to modify air temperature at one or more rates,    a separate air moving device operable to move air at multiple controlled velocities,    a control operable to operate said air moving device at said multiple controlled velocities, and to operate said temperature modifying appliance,    a temperature sensor operatively connected to said control,    an input device operatively connected to said control to permit a user to input a desired temperature value,    whereas said control is operative to operate said temperature modifying appliance and said air moving device at various of said multiple controlled velocities based upon sensed temperatures at said sensor over time.    
   
   
       2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said control is operative to operate said air moving device at a particular velocity to achieve a sensed temperature in said living space at said desired temperature value.  
   
   
       3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said air moving device comprises a ceiling fan.  
   
   
       4 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said air moving device comprises a plurality of fans in said living space.  
   
   
       5 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said control comprises a remote control device operative to communicate with said air moving device via a wireless connection.  
   
   
       6 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said air moving device comprises a ceiling fan, said appliance to modify air temperature comprises a room air conditioner, and said common control comprises a remote control device operative to communicate with said ceiling fan and said room air conditioner via a wireless connection.  
   
   
       7 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said temperature sensor comprises a plurality of temperature sensors positioned at a plurality of locations in said living space.  
   
   
       8 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said appliance to modify air temperature comprises an HVAC unit.  
   
   
       9 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said appliance to modify air temperature comprises a heater.  
   
   
       10 . A system to control environmental conditions in a living space, comprising: 
 an appliance to modify an environmental condition,    an air moving device operable to move air at multiple controlled velocities,    a control operable to operate said appliance and said air moving device at said multiple controlled velocities,    an environmental sensor operatively connected to said control,    an input device operatively connected to said control to permit a user to input a desired environmental value,    whereas said control is operative to operate said appliance and said air moving device at various of said multiple controlled velocities based upon sensed environmental conditions at said sensor over time.    
   
   
       11 . A system according to  claim 10 , wherein said environmental condition comprises air humidity.  
   
   
       12 . A system according to  claim 11 , wherein said appliance comprises a humidifier.  
   
   
       13 . A system according to  claim 11 , wherein said appliance comprises a dehumidifier.  
   
   
       14 . A system according to  claim 10 , wherein said environmental condition comprises air temperature.  
   
   
       15 . A system according to  claim 14 , wherein said appliance comprises a heater.  
   
   
       16 . A system according to  claim 14 , wherein said appliance comprises an air conditioner.  
   
   
       17 . A system according to  claim 10 , wherein said environmental condition comprises air purity.  
   
   
       18 . A system according to  claim 17 , wherein said appliance comprises an appliance to purify air.  
   
   
       19 . A system to control temperature conditions in a living space, comprising: 
 a fan operable to move air at multiple controlled speeds,    a fan control operable to operate said fan at said multiple controlled speeds,    an air conditioning appliance to cool air within said living space,    an air conditioning control operable to operate said air conditioner as required,    a temperature sensor operatively connected to said control,    an input device operatively connected to said control to permit a user to input a desired temperature value,    whereas said fan control is operative to operate said fan at various of said multiple controlled speeds and said air conditioner control is operative to operate said air conditioner, based upon sensed temperatures at said sensor over time.    
   
   
       20 . A system according to  claim 19 , including a remote control device operative to command said air conditioner control and said fan control.  
   
   
       21 . A system according to  claim 19 , including a remove control device incorporating said temperature sensor therein.  
   
   
       22 . A system according to  claim 19 , wherein said fan includes a temperature sensor.  
   
   
       23 . A system according to  claim 19 , wherein said fan comprises a ceiling fan.  
   
   
       24 . A system according to  claim 19 , wherein said fan comprises a free standing fan.  
   
   
       25 . A system according to  claim 19 , wherein said fan comprises multiple fans.  
   
   
       26 . A control to provide communication of control signals between one or more environmental condition modifying appliances and one or more separate air moving devices.  
   
   
       27 . A control according to  claim 26 , wherein said control is located in one of said appliances.  
   
   
       28 . A control according to  claim 26 , wherein said control is located in one of said air moving devices.  
   
   
       29 . A control according to  claim 26 , wherein said control is located in a movable remote control device.  
   
   
       30 . A control according to  claim 26 , wherein said control communicates with said appliances and said devices via a wireless connection.