Bluetooth perimeter extension

Abstract

In some examples, a system for comfort or security in a building and its premises includes a plurality of “first” devices configured to wirelessly communicate with a hub device that is a master for controlling the system for comfort or security in the building and premises, wherein the plurality of first devices and the hub device are configured to wirelessly communicate using either one of an IEEE 802.15.4 standard or a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) 5.0 standard; a plurality of “second” devices that are battery powered and configured to wirelessly communicate with respective ones of the plurality of first devices, wherein the plurality of second devices and respective ones of the plurality of first devices are configured to communicate using the BTLE 5.0 standard, wherein the hub device and the plurality of second devices are configured to communicate with each other via respective ones of the plurality of first devices.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system, comprising:
 a plurality of first devices configured to wirelessly communicate with a hub device that is a master for controlling the system,
 wherein the plurality of first devices and the hub device are configured to wirelessly communicate using either one of first communication format or a second communication format, the first communication format being different than the second communication format; 
   a plurality of second devices that are battery powered and configured to wirelessly communicate with respective ones of the plurality of first devices, wherein the plurality of second devices and respective ones of the plurality of first devices are configured to communicate using the second communication format,   wherein the hub device and the plurality of second devices are configured to communicate with each other via respective ones of the plurality of first devices, and   wherein at least one of:
 the plurality of second devices comprises at least one sensor device; 
 the plurality of first devices comprises a first device configured to:
 receive sensor data from the at least one sensor device via the second communication format; 
 convert the sensor data from the second communication format to the first communication format; and 
 transmit the sensor data to the hub device via the first communication format; or the plurality of second devices comprises at least one controllable device; 
 
 the plurality of first devices comprises a second device configured to:
 receive program instructions from the hub device via the first communication format; 
 convert the program instructions from the first communication format to the second communication format; and 
 transmit the program instructions to the at least one controllable device via the first communication format. 
 
   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of first devices comprises:
 a smart thermostat;   a portal contact sensor; or   a motion sensor.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one sensor device comprises:
 a carbon-monoxide detector;   a motion sensor;   a portal contact sensor;   an air sensor; or   a passive infrared sensor.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one controllable device comprises an air vent damper configured to open or close an air vent in response to wirelessly receiving the program instructions. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the at least one sensor device comprises:
 a carbon-monoxide detector; 
 a motion sensor; 
 a portal contact sensor; 
 an air sensor; or 
 a passive infrared sensor; and 
   the at least one controllable device comprises:
 an air vent damper. 
   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one controllable device is further configured to perform an action in response to receiving the program instructions. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one controllable device comprises an air vent damper, wherein the air vent damper is configured to close an air vent in response to receiving the program instructions. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein each of the plurality of first devices is configured to communicate via the first communication format in a first plurality of time slots and communicate via the second communication format in a second plurality of time slots, wherein each of the first plurality of time slots is different from each of the second plurality of time slots. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of first devices are battery powered. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the first communication format is compatible with an IEEE 802.15.4 standard. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the second communication format is compatible with a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) standard. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the BTLE standard is BTLE 5.0. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 21 ,
 wherein the plurality of second devices comprises both the at least one sensor device and the at least one controllable device, and   wherein the plurality of first devices comprises both the first device of the plurality of first devices and the second device of the plurality of first devices.   
     
     
         34 . A method, comprising:
 wirelessly communicating between a plurality of first devices and a hub device,
 wherein the hub device is a master for controlling a system for comfort or security in a building, and 
 wherein the plurality of first devices and the hub device are configured to wirelessly communicate using either one of a first communication format or a second communication format; and 
   wirelessly communicating between a plurality of second devices that are battery powered, and respective ones of the plurality of first devices using the second communication format,
 wherein the hub device and the plurality of second devices are configured to communicate with each other via respective ones of the plurality of first devices, and 
   wherein at least one of:
 the plurality of second devices comprises at least one sensor device; 
 the method further comprising:
 receiving, with a first device of the plurality of first devices, sensor data from the at least one sensor device via the second communication format; 
 converting, with the first device of the plurality of first devices, the sensor data from the second communication format to the first communication format; and 
 transmitting, with the first device of the plurality of first devices, the sensor data to the hub device via the first communication format; or the plurality of second devices comprises at least one controllable device; 
 
 the method further comprising:
 receiving, with a second device of the plurality of first devices, program instructions from the hub device via the first communication format; 
 converting, with the second device of the plurality of first devices, the program instructions from the first communication format to the second communication format; and 
 transmitting, with the second device of the plurality of first devices, the program instructions to the at least one controllable device via the first communication format. 
 
   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the plurality of first devices comprises:
 a smart thermostat;   a portal contact sensor; or   a motion sensor.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one sensor device comprises:
 a carbon-monoxide detector;   a motion sensor;   a portal contact sensor;   an air sensor; or   a passive infrared sensor.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one controllable device comprises an air vent damper. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein:
 wherein the plurality of second devices comprises both the at least one sensor device and the at least one controllable device, and   wherein the plurality of first devices comprises both the first device of the plurality of first devices and the second device of the plurality of first devices.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the plurality of second devices are battery powered. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the second communication format is compatible with a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) standard.