Unit integrating functionalities

Description

[001] The invention relates to a functional integration unit for environments. More specifically, the invention relates to an integration unit that incorporates a thermostat for controlling the climatic conditions of an environment and that provides access to a series of additional functionalities that allow the management and control of activities carried out in the environment, and the control of other Smart IoT devices, from its wireless connection. State of the Art

[002] Home and / or commercial automation is a practice that has been adopted and is constantly evolving. More and more devices are emerging that can be programmed and controlled remotely in order to make the user's life easier.

[003] As a result of this technological trend, control centers designed to integrate and command the automation devices of an environment, or location, are becoming increasingly important. Summary of the Invention

[004] The invention comprises a functional integrating unit, as defined in the appended claims. Brief Description of the Figures

[005] The object of the present invention may be better understood from the detailed description that follows, in a preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the invention, which is made with the support of the attached figures, provided by way of illustration and not limitation, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the integrating unit of functionalities; Figure 2A is an enlarged image of an I / O screen from the integrating unit, regarding the air conditioning of the environment and verification of air quality; Figure 2B is a photograph of the invention's device in remote control mode; Figure 3 is an image of an I / O screen from the integrating unit, regarding the control of other Smart IoT devices; and Figure 4 is an image of an I / O screen from the integrating unit, regarding the control and management of activities performed by operational teams in the environment. Petition 870250083219, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, pages 30 / 40 2 / 4 Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

[006] In accordance with the attached figures, 1 generally indicates, in its entirety, a unit according to the invention.

[007] Said integrating unit 1 comprises a device 2 to which a touch-type screen or display 10 is attached, i.e., capable of acting as an I / O unit, receiving commands and selections by touch from the user and visually presenting the information provided by the integrating unit 1. The device 2 is physically disposed in a box (external front illustrated in figure 2B), which can be fixed in an easily accessible and visible location within the environment 6 to be controlled by the integrating unit 1.

[008] Device 2 is basically composed of a PCB (not illustrated) and equipped with processing capabilities, for example in the form of a central processor, a dedicated processor, a microcontroller, Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), or similar, which includes a communication stage 11 which incorporates an antenna 12 capable of sending and receiving wireless transmissions. Wireless transmissions are understood to mean receiving and sending data or commands via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, BLE, Zigbee, Z-Wave, 4G, 5G, among others.

[009] The PCB also comprises a bus 13 suitable, at least, for connection to the power supply for device 2, lines for coupling temperature sensors 4, a control line 5 for a valve (not shown) of the air conditioning system 7 of a room 6. In addition, one or more lines 8 may connect the bus 13 to a series of other sensors 16 which, for example, for CO2, humidity, VOC (volatile organic compounds), directly or indirectly linked to the quality of the environment for the user.

[0010] The said PCB also includes a thermostat 3, capable of detecting the ambient temperature from at least one temperature sensor 4 installed in the environment, and capable of controlling the airflow from an air conditioning system 7 by actuating a valve (not shown) that regulates the volume of air that is blown into the interior of the environment. In this way, the internal temperature of the environment 6 can be maintained at the value previously programmed / desired by the user. Petition 870250083219, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, pp. 31 / 40 3 / 4

[0011] More specifically, the user indicates the desired temperature via the 10-type touch display (best illustrated in figure 2A), in particular on a screen specifically linked to the thermostat's functionalities.

[0012] The aforementioned display 10 (see specifically figure 2) has touch keys (upper right corner) that provide quick access to specific functions, such as the temperature key 21 or the air conditioner key 22. A key 23 is used for navigating through the various screens related to complementary functions, while a key 24 is used for system settings. Display 10 also has an on / off key 20 in a centralized position. The rest of the display area is used to present information related to the screen in operation, as well as to activate or deactivate any function also related to the active screen.

[0013] Alternatively, display 10 may be a display without touch functionality. In this case, a touchpad is provided so that the user can navigate through the various screens and, within each of these, through the various functionalities, commands, and information displays, all related to each of the activated screens. In this case, the programming and / or control of device 10 can be performed remotely via a smartphone (see Figure 2B).

[0014] For this purpose, said communication stage 11 comprises an antenna 12 capable of receiving and sending data packets to and from the cloud 14. Through communication with the cloud 14, the integrating unit 1 can access functionalities not directly linked to the air conditioning of the environment.

[0015] More specifically, said cloud 14 can be a cloud with cloud processing capabilities, or it can be a simple storage cloud, but connected to a data processing system whose software is installed on private hardware. In any case, all support for non-local functionalities (data and programs), said backend 15 can be accessed directly or indirectly through communication with cloud 14. In addition, backend 15 can also act directly in controlling all functionalities of integrating unit 1.

[0016] Non-limiting examples of functionalities directly linked to the cloud Petition 870250083219, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, pp. 32 / 40 4 / 4 are: a hotel integration with hotel door displays for "do not disturb" signage, room cleaning or tray removal requests, maintenance, and multiple services; in the residential area, integration with the condominium and concierge, security service via video intercom, condominium activity management, message reception, management, unit access for visitors, common area reservations, receiving communications from the condominium administrator such as packages, rentals, notifications, incident logging, calendar, and other activities; and in the hospital sector, it allows bed management, ensuring activity logging, bed turnover, nurse call, and many other related activities. As an example, Figure 4 illustrates a screen aimed at controlling and managing activities performed by operational teams in the environment.

[0017] In turn, Figure 3 illustrates a specific screen for controlling other Smart IoT devices, in particular for controlling the opening and closing of a curtain. In a particularly advantageous embodiment for controlling a proprietary device, such as a curtain or similar IoT device, a proprietary communication protocol is implemented in the PCB's central processor, which converts user commands made through the specific interface (Figure 3), or received indirectly from the backend 15, into actuation commands conforming to the proprietary communication protocol, which are sent to the curtain via the antenna 12 of the communication stage 11.

[0018] Advantageously, the invention can control other proprietary or non-proprietary devices (with open communication protocol) from the same actuation structure described above.

[0019] Regarding the above examples being directed at residences, hotels and hospitals, the integrator of the invention can similarly be employed in various other sectors, providing specific and generic services and functionalities.

[0020] Alternatively, device 2 may still incorporate remote communication means 17, such as speakers and cameras.

Claims

1. Integrating unit (1) of functionalities, characterized by comprising a device (2) containing a display (10), a communication stage (11) equipped with an antenna (12) capable of sending and receiving wireless transmissions, such as data packets and commands to and from the cloud (14) or to and from individual devices; and further comprising a busbar (13) for connection to the power supply, with coupling lines for sensors (4), with a command line (5) for a valve of the air conditioning system (7) and with one or more lines (8) for connection to other sensors (16), and the device (2) further comprises a thermostat (3).

2. Integrating unit (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that said cloud (14) is a cloud with processing capacity, or is a simple storage cloud (14) connected to a data processing system in a backend (15).

3. Integrating unit (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (2) comprises a box enclosing a PCB comprising the bus (13), the communication stage (11) and the display (10).

4. Integrating unit (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the thermostat (3) detects the ambient temperature by at least one temperature sensor (4) installed in the environment, and is able to control the airflow from an air conditioning system (7) via a regulating valve for the volume of air that is supplied.

5. Integrating unit (1), according to claim 1, characterized by being able to control a proprietary IoT type device through a proprietary communication protocol, said proprietary protocol being implemented in the central processor of the PCB, which converts user commands via display (10), or received from the backend (15), into actuation commands conforming to the proprietary communication protocol, which are sent to the IoT device through the antenna (12) of the communication stage (11).

6. Integrating unit (1), according to claim 5, characterized in that the proprietary IoT-type device is a curtain. Petition 870250083219, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, p. 34 / 40 2 / 2 7. Integrating unit (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the programming and / or control of the device (10) is carried out via a smartphone, remotely.

8. Integrating unit (1), according to claim 1, characterized by the functionalities directly linked to the cloud being: a hotel integration with hotel door displays for do not disturb signage, requesting room cleaning or tray removal, maintenance and multiple services; in the residential area, integration with the condominium and concierge, security service via video intercom, condominium activity management, message reception, management, unit access by visitors, common area reservations, receiving communication from the condominium administrator such as packages, rentals, notifications, incident registration, calendar and other activities; and in the hospital sector, it allows bed management, ensuring activity registration, bed turnover, nurse call, among others.

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