Remotely operated heating system

Abstract

A heating system includes a heat source. A controller is connected to the heat source and controls operation of the heat source. A first sensor is configured to sense temperature and report a signal to the controller. An input/output (I/O) device is configured to send a set point to the controller. The controller selectively operates the heat source based on a comparison of the signal and the set point. The heat source communicates wirelessly with at least one of the controller, the first sensor, and the I/O device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heating system comprising:
 a heat source;   a controller connected to and controlling operation of the heat source;   a first sensor configured to sense temperature and report a signal to the controller; and   an input/output (I/O) device configured to send a set point to the controller,   wherein: the controller selectively operates the heat source based on a comparison of the signal and the set point; and the heat source communicates wirelessly with at least one of the controller, the first sensor and the I/O device.   
     
     
         2 . The heating system of  claim 1  wherein the first sensor reports to the controller wirelessly. 
     
     
         3 . The heating system of  claim 1  wherein the first sensor reports to the controller via an RF transmission device. 
     
     
         4 . The heating system of  claim 1  wherein the controller and the I/O device exchange information via a home wireless network. 
     
     
         5 . The heating system of  claim 1  wherein the controller and the I/O device exchange information via a cloud storage location. 
     
     
         6 . The heating system of  claim 1  wherein the first sensor is electrically connected to an electrical line associated with an outlet to receive power. 
     
     
         7 . The heating system of  claim 6 , further comprising a faceplate, the faceplate including at least one clip configured to couple the faceplate to an outlet, the outlet including the electrical line. 
     
     
         8 . The heating system of  claim 7  wherein the first sensor is coupled to the outlet by the at least one clip. 
     
     
         9 . The heating system of  claim 8  further comprising at least one biasing spring forcing the at least one clip towards the outlet and maintaining the electrical connection between the electrical line and the first sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The heating system of  claim 6  wherein the first sensor is coupled to an external female outlet which is configured to connect an external device to the electrical line. 
     
     
         11 . The heating system of  claim 6  wherein the first sensor communicates with the controller via the electrical line using power-line communication. 
     
     
         12 . The heating system of  claim 7  wherein the outlet is an electrical switch outlet. 
     
     
         13 . A heating system comprising:
 a heat source connected to a plurality of heating elements in a plurality of locations;   a controller connected to a data storage area and controlling operation of the heat source;   a plurality of sensors each positioned proximate to one of the locations and powered by an electrical line coupled to an outlet, the sensors each including an external female outlet coupled to the electrical line such that an external device can plug into the external female outlet to receive power from the electrical line; and   an input/output (I/O) device configured to receive at least one set point from a user and send the at least one set point to the data storage area,   wherein:   the sensors are each configured to sense temperature and report a signal to the controller based on a temperature in the location proximate to the sensor; and   the controller selectively operates the heat source to provide heat to at least one of the heating elements based on a comparison of the at least one set point and the signals from the sensors.   
     
     
         14 . The heating system of  claim 13  wherein the sensors are each configured to report the signal to the controller by reporting the signal to the data storage area where data related to the signal is retrieved by the controller. 
     
     
         15 . A heating system comprising:
 a heat source;   a controller connected to and controlling operation of the heat source;   a first sensor configured to sense temperature and report a signal to the controller;   a first input/output (I/O) device proximate and directly connected to the first sensor, the first I/O device configured to send a first set point to the controller; and   a second I/O device wirelessly connected to the controller and configured to send a second set point to the controller,   wherein the controller selectively operates the heat source based on a comparison of the signal to the set points.   
     
     
         16 . The heating system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the first I/O device includes a touch screen display operable to change the first set point; and   the touch screen display displays: a temperature based on data from the first sensor; and the first set point.   
     
     
         17 . The heating system of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the first sensor and the first I/O device are electrically connected to an electrical line associated with an outlet to receive power;   the first sensor reports the signal to the controller via the electrical line using power-line communication; and   the first I/O device sends the first set point to the controller via the electrical line using power-line communication.   
     
     
         18 . The heating system of  claim 17  wherein the touch screen display displays a sliding temperature layout operable to raise or lower the first set point. 
     
     
         19 . The heating system of  claim 18  wherein the touch screen display further includes a second sliding layout operable to control a separate electrical device connected to the outlet. 
     
     
         20 . The heating system of  claim 15 , wherein the controller selectively operates the heat source based on a comparison of the signal to a most recently updated set point of the set points.