Universal adapting device for retrofitting a thermostat system and methods of using the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a universal adapter and transceiver retrofit for a battery-operated thermostat in communication with a control unit in heating ventilation and air conditioning systems. The universal adapter may be integrated into the thermostat pins and control unit wiring to eliminate the need for wiring within the regulated environment. The universal adapter and transceiver may enable mobile communication to the control unit and portability of the thermostat with the option to relocation of the thermostat.

1 . A universal adapter device for enabling the relocation of any battery-operated thermostat wired to a forced air control unit, furnace of a HVAC system or control unit, the universal adapter device comprising:
 a. a first microprocessor in communication with a switching circuit operable for routing current through the wiring of a control unit and receiving instruction from wireless receiver circuitry;   b. a power leaching circuit operable to extract power from said control unit to a storage and regulatory power circuit operable for providing power to said first microprocessor;   c. programming in said first microprocessor for:
 i. interpreting a load and state of said control unit to initiate said power leaching circuit to retrieve power from said control unit; 
 ii. interpreting a state of said storage and regulatory power circuit to halt said power leaching circuit from retrieving power from said control unit; and 
 iii. logging and interpreting the inputs from said wireless receiver circuitry for providing instructions to said switch circuit to configure each switch in said switch circuit to an open or closed state. 
   
     
     
         2 . The universal adapter device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second microprocessor operable to measure from the output of thermostat pins of said thermostat, wirelessly transmit information directly to said first microprocessor wireless receiver circuitry, and programming in said second microprocessor for:
 i. interpreting the outputs of said battery-operated thermostat;   ii. direct the state of said outputs to said transmission circuit; and   iii. determining the state of a power bank for providing power to said second microprocessor.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said switching circuit is comprised of a series of electromechanical switches each of which is operable to join said wiring and said regulatory power circuit for each wire of said control unit. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said receiving instruction includes information corresponding to a closed state and open state of each wire output of said thermostat. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said a closed state and open state configures each of said electromechanical switches in the state associated with said receiving instructions. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said power leaching circuit is operable to convert an AC voltage source to a low DC voltage for storage in a secondary battery medium. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said second microprocessor is a low-power processor operable to be configured between a hibernation mode and an active mode. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said processor is configured in said hibernation mode when there is no signal change from said thermostat pins. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said microprocessor operable to apply a load to said thermostat from said power bank to a power input pin of said thermostat. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said programing is operable to interpret a change in a digital or analog signal from said thermostat. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said programing determines the state of a power bank and indicate to a user a state of charge. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said switching circuit is in electronic communication with each of said individual HVAC control wires of said HVAC control with a series of terminal screw ports corresponding to each of said control wires. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method for retrofitting a thermostat, using universal adapter device of  claim 1  for enabling wireless communication, transmission and relocation of said thermostat, the method comprising:
 a. removing said thermostat from a wall and disconnecting said control wires of the said HVAC controller; 
 b. attaching said first microprocessor and switching circuit to said control wires of said HVAC controller; 
 c. attaching said second microprocessor to said thermostat pins of said thermostat; and 
 d. relocation of said thermostat to the new desired location. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said disconnecting said control wires are removed from the thermostat intact. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said attaching said first microprocessor and switch circuit to said control wires in electronic communication with to said HVAC controller at any location along the control wire structure. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said attaching said second microprocessor has a series of wires corresponding to the each of said thermostat pins. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The universal adapter of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second microprocessor enable portability and movement of said thermostat. 
     
     
         23 . A universal adapter device for enabling the relocation of any battery-operated thermostat wired to a forced air control unit, furnace of a HVAC system or control unit, the universal adapter device comprising:
 a. a first microprocessor in communication with a switching circuit operable for routing current through the wiring of a control unit and receiving instruction via a wireless receiver circuitry;   b. a power leaching circuit operable to extract power from said control unit to a regulatory power circuit operable for providing power to said first microprocessor;   c. programming in said first microprocessor for interpreting the inputs from said wireless receiver circuitry for providing instructions to said switch circuit to configure each switch in said switch circuit to an open or closed state.   
     
     
         24 . The universal adapter device of  claim 23 , further comprising a second microprocessor operable to measure the output of thermostat pins of said thermostat, wirelessly transmit information directly to said first microprocessor wireless receiver circuitry, and programming in said second microprocessor for:
 i. interpreting the outputs of said battery-operated thermostat; and   ii. direct the state of said outputs to said transmission circuit.   
     
     
         25 . The universal adapter device of  claim 24 , wherein said first microprocessor and said second microprocessor communicate to one another via a direct wireless communication without the need of a pre-existing networking infrastructure.