System and method for operating a portable air heater

Abstract

A portable forced air heater including a housing, a heating element located within the housing, a sensor configured to sense a characteristic of the portable heater, a communications device configured to communicate with an external device, and a controller having an electrical processor and memory. The controller is configured to receive, from the sensor, the characteristic of the portable heater, and output, via the communications device, a signal indicative of the characteristic of the portable heater to the external device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable forced air heater comprising:
 a housing;   a heating element located within the housing;   a sensor configured to sense a characteristic of the portable heater;   a communications device configured to communicate with an external device; and   a controller having an electrical processor and memory, the controller configured to
 receive, from the sensor, the characteristic of the portable heater, and 
 output, via the communications device, a signal indicative of the characteristic of the portable heater to the external device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The portable heater of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery receptacle located on the housing, the battery receptacle configured to receive a rechargeable battery pack. 
     
     
         3 . The portable heater of  claim 2 , wherein the controller receives power from the rechargeable battery pack. 
     
     
         4 . The portable heater of  claim 2 , wherein the rechargeable battery pack is used in conjunction with a power tool when removed from the battery receptacle. 
     
     
         5 . The portable heater of  claim 1 , wherein the external device is at least one selected from a group consisting of an external computer, a smartphone, a tablet, a smart watch, and a server. 
     
     
         6 . The portable heater of  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic is at least one selected from a group consisting of a fuel level, a battery capacity, a temperature, an oxygen level, and an angle. 
     
     
         7 . The portable heater of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes an accessory component, wherein the accessory component is at least one selected from a group consisting of a light source, a speaker, a thermostat, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) output, an alternating-current (AC) receptacle, a battery charger, a fluid pump, a wireless-connectivity hub, and an insect repellant device. 
     
     
         8 . A portable forced air heater comprising:
 a housing;   a heating element located within the housing;   a communications device configured to communicate with an external device; and   a controller having an electrical processor and memory, the controller configured to
 receive from the external device, via the communications device, a control signal, and 
 control a component of the portable forced air heater according to the control signal. 
   
     
     
         9 . The portable forced air heater of  claim 8 , wherein the component is at least one selected from a group consisting of a fan, the heating element, an oscillation motor, a light source, a speaker, a thermostat, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) output, an alternating-current (AC) receptacle, a battery charger, a fluid pump, a wireless-connectivity hub, and an insect repellant device. 
     
     
         10 . The portable heater of  claim 8 , further comprising a battery receptacle located on the housing, the battery receptacle configured to receive a rechargeable battery pack. 
     
     
         11 . The portable heater of  claim 10 , wherein the controller receives power from the rechargeable battery pack. 
     
     
         12 . The portable heater of  claim 10 , wherein the rechargeable battery pack is used in conjunction with a power tool when removed from the battery receptacle. 
     
     
         13 . The portable heater of  claim 8 , wherein the external device is at least one selected from a group consisting of an external computer, a smartphone, a tablet, a smart watch, and a server. 
     
     
         14 . The portable heater of  claim 8 , wherein the housing includes an accessory component, wherein the accessory component is at least one selected from a group consisting of a light source, a speaker, a thermostat, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) output, an alternating-current (AC) receptacle, a battery charger, a fluid pump, a wireless-connectivity hub, and an insect repellant device. 
     
     
         15 . The portable heater of  claim 8 , wherein the control signal relates to a temperature setting of the portable forced air heater. 
     
     
         16 . A method of operating a portable forced air heater including a housing and a heating element located within the housing, the method comprising:
 sensing, via a sensor, a characteristic of the portable forced air heater;   analyzing, via a controller having an electronic processor, the characteristic; and   outputting, via a communications device, a signal indicative of the characteristic to an external device.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the external device is at least one selected from a group consisting of an external computer, a smartphone, a tablet, a smart watch, and a server. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the characteristic is at least one selected from a group consisting of a fuel level, a battery capacity, a temperature, an oxygen level, and an angle. 
     
     
         19 . A method of operating a portable forced air heater including a housing and a heating element located within the housing, the method comprising:
 receiving from an external device, via a communications device, a control signal; and   controlling, via a controller having an electronic processor, a component of the portable forced air heater based on the control signal.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the external device is at least one selected from a group consisting of an external computer, a smartphone, a tablet, a smart watch, and a server. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the control signal relates to a temperature setting of the portable forced air heater.