Systems and Methods for Wireless Control and Monitoring of Residential Devices

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a system for adapting a residential device for wireless communication. In some embodiments, a system for adapting a residential device with a serial communication port for communication with a user via a remote server, an internet connection, and internet enabled device is provided, the system comprising: a wireless gateway device connected to a router; and a wireless adapter connected to the serial communication port, comprising: a gateway node; a transceiver; and a processor programmed to: establish a wireless connection with the wireless gateway; receive a first message from the residential device; cause the gateway node to modify the first message; cause the first modified message to be transmitted to the remote server via the wireless gateway; receive a second message from the remote server; modify the second message for output to the residential device; and transmit the second modified message to the residential device.

1 . A system for adapting a residential device with a serial communication port for wireless communication with a user via a remote server, an internet connection, and an internet enabled device, the system comprising:
 a wireless gateway device connected to a router; and   a wireless adapter connected to the serial communication port of the residential device, the wireless adapter comprising:
 a gateway node; 
 a transceiver; and 
 a processor that is programmed to:
 establish a wireless connection with the wireless gateway device using the transceiver; 
 receive a first message from the residential device; 
 cause the gateway node to modify the first message for transmission to the remote server over a wide area network; 
 cause, using the transceiver, the first modified message to be transmitted to the remote server via the wireless gateway device using the transceiver; 
 receive, using the transceiver, a second message from the remote server via the wireless gateway device and the gateway node; 
 modify the second message for output to the residential device using the serial communication port; and 
 transmit the second modified message to the residential device using the serial communication port. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first message includes a status of the residential device. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the second message includes a command to update the firmware of the residential device. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second wireless adapter connected to a serial communication port of a second residential device, the second wireless adapter comprising:
 a second gateway node; 
 a second transceiver; and 
 a second processor that is programmed to:
 establish a wireless connection with the wireless gateway device using the second transceiver; 
 receive a third message from the second residential device; 
 cause the second gateway node to modify the third message for transmission to the remote server over a wide area network; 
 cause, using the transceiver, the third modified message to be transmitted to the remote server via the wireless gateway device using the transceiver; 
 receive, using the transceiver, a fourth message from the remote server via the wireless gateway device and the gateway node; 
 modifying the fourth message for output to the residential device using the serial communication port; and 
 transmitting the fourth modified message to the residential device using the serial communication port. 
 
   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the residential device is a battery back up unit for a sump pump, and the second residential device is not a battery back up unit for a sump pump. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further programmed to:
 enter a sleep mode after a predetermined period of time elapses without a request from the wireless gateway device;   receive a wake input from the wireless gateway device; and   transmit a signal to the wireless gateway device indicating that the wake input was received.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless connection with the gateway is a 900 MHz wireless connection. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further programmed to:
 determine that the connection established with the wireless gateway device is a first time that a connection has been established with the wireless gateway device; and   in response to determining that the connection established with the wireless gateway device is the first connection established with the wireless gateway device, transmitting all parameters associated with the residential device to the remote server via the wireless gateway.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further programmed to:
 receive a plurality of parameter values from the residential device;   determine that at least one parameter of the plurality of parameter values is outside a range of acceptable values defined by a preventive maintenance value corresponding to the at least one of the plurality of parameter values;   in response to determining that the at least one parameter of the plurality of parameter values is outside the range of acceptable values defined by the preventive maintenance value, transmitting a message to the remote server indicating that the at least one parameter is outside the range of acceptable values.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first message includes a notification of a change in a status of the residential device. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first message includes a notification of a need for maintenance. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first message includes a request for maintenance. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the request for maintenance is generated without user interaction. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first message includes a request for replacement parts. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the request for replacement parts is generated without user interaction. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the request includes payment information.