Disclosed herein is a heating apparatus for a domestic or commercial building. The apparatus comprises a controller for determining whether there is a need for heating in the building and a computer system for installation in the building. The computer system includes a data store, a program store s
Disclosed herein is a heating apparatus for a domestic or commercial building. The apparatus comprises a controller for determining whether there is a need for heating in the building and a computer system for installation in the building. The computer system includes a data store, a program store storing processor implementable instructions, and at least one processor coupled to the data and program stores for implementing the stored instructions to thereby produce thermal energy. The apparatus also comprises a thermal energy distribution means arranged for transferring the thermal energy from the computer system to at least one other location in the building, to a thermal energy storage means and/or to an industrial process. The apparatus is arranged to operate the computer system to implement processor implementable instructions, to thereby produce thermal energy, in response to the determination of a need for heating in the building. The apparatus may additionally comprise a computer network interface means for coupling the computer system to a computer network, and the computer system may be arranged for implementing processor implementable instructions received over the computer network interface means in response to the detection of a need for heating in the building.
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1. A heating apparatus for a domestic or commercial building, the apparatus comprising: a controller for determining whether or not there is a need for heating in the building;a computer system including a data store, a program store storing processor executable instructions, and at least one proces
1. A heating apparatus for a domestic or commercial building, the apparatus comprising: a controller for determining whether or not there is a need for heating in the building;a computer system including a data store, a program store storing processor executable instructions, and at least one processor coupled to the data and program stores for executing the stored instructions, to thereby produce thermal energy; anda thermal energy distribution means arranged for transferring the thermal energy from the computer system resulting from operation of said computer system;wherein the controller is arranged to operate the computer system to execute the processor executable instructions, to thereby produce the thermal energy, in response to the determination by the controller of there being the need for heating in the building. 2. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermal energy distribution means is arranged for transferring the thermal energy from the computer system to at least one of: another location in the building;a thermal energy storage means; anda medium used in an industrial process. 3. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is arranged to receive an output signal from a temperature detector and carry out the determination of whether there is a need for heating in the building based on the output signal of the temperature detector. 4. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of temperature detectors for installation in different locations in the building, wherein the controller is arranged to receive an output signal from each of the temperature detectors and carry out the determination of whether there is a need for heating in the building based on the output signals of the temperature detectors. 5. A heating apparatus as claimed claim 1, further comprising a timing device, wherein the controller is arranged to receive an output signal from the timing device and carry out the determination of whether there is a need for heating in the building based on the output signal of the timing device. 6. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermal energy distribution means comprises a heat exchanger for transferring the thermal energy from the computer to a fluid flowing through the heat exchanger. 7. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermal energy distribution means comprises a heat pump for the purpose of increasing the temperature associated with the thermal energy. 8. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a computer network interface means for coupling the computer system to a computer network, and wherein the computer system is arranged for executing the processor instructions received over the computer network interface means in response to the detection of a need for heating in the building. 9. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the computer network interface means is arranged to couple the computer system to the Internet. 10. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the computer system comprises a plurality of processors each provided on different integrated circuits. 11. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 10, including a computer network interface means for coupling the computer system to a computer network, and wherein the computer system is arranged for executing the processor instructions received over the computer network interface means in response to the detection of a need for heating in the building, wherein the computer system further comprises routing means for routing data and/or processor executable instructions received over the computer network interface means to the plurality of processors. 12. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of the computer systems. 13. A distributed computer network comprising a plurality of heating apparatuses in different domestic or commercial buildings, each apparatus comprising: a controller for determining whether or not there is a need for heating in the building;a computer system including a data store, a program store storing processor executable instructions, and at least one processor coupled to the data and program stores for executing the stored instructions, to thereby produce thermal energy;a thermal energy distribution means arranged for transferring the thermal energy from the computer system resulting from operation of said computer system; anda computer network interface means for coupling the computer system to a computer network,wherein the controller of each heating apparatus is arranged to operate the computer system to execute processor executable instructions, to thereby produce thermal energy, in response to the determination by the controller of there being the need for heating in the building, and wherein the computer system of each heating apparatus is arranged for executing processor executable instructions received over the computer network interface means in response to the detection of there being the need for heating in the building. 14. A method of heating a building using a computer system installed in the building, the computer system including a data store, a program store storing processor executable instructions, and at least one processor coupled to the data and program stores for executing the stored instructions, to thereby produce thermal energy, the method comprising: determining whether or not there is a need for heating in the building;in response to the determination of there being the need for heating in the building, operating the computer system to execute processor executable instructions, to thereby produce thermal energy; andtransferring the thermal energy from the computer system resulting from operation of the computer system. 15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of transferring the thermal energy comprises transferring the thermal energy from the computer system to at least one of: another location in the building;a thermal energy storage means; anda medium used in an industrial process. 16. A method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising, before the step of operating the computer system to execute the processor executable instructions: receiving the processor instructions over a computer network. 17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the processor executable instructions received over the computer network comprise instructions for providing at least one of: internet server functions;collection and processing of data from the Internet; andintensive processing of data received over the computer network. 18. A method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising communicating data indicating predicted future heating needs over the computer network. 19. A method as claimed in claim 18, further comprising receiving processor executable instructions over the computer network for execution at the time of the predicted future heating need. 20. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of operating the computer system to execute processor executable instructions comprises executing processor executable instructions serving no useful purpose other than to facilitate the production of thermal energy. 21. A method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising operating the computer system to provide home entertainment functions, desktop computing functions and/or server computer functions. 22. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of transferring the thermal energy from the computer system comprises transferring the thermal energy to another room of the building for space heating of the room. 23. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of transferring the thermal energy from the computer system comprises transferring the thermal energy to a thermal energy storage means, wherein the thermal energy storage means is a water-containing vessel.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (8)
Simmons Michael L. (7205 Signal Hill Rd. Manassas VA 22111) Goldsborough Robert J. (7627 Matera St. #3 Falls Church VA 22043), Automatic room occupancy controlled fuel savings system for air conditioning/heater units.
Penniman Mark B. ; Schlesener Carmen M. ; Kizer Jim J., Computer having a heat transfer system operably connected during assembly of a computer keyboard upon the computer.
Michael Lee Simmons ; Dominick J. Gibino, Energy-saving occupancy-controlled heating ventilating and air-conditioning systems for timing and cycling energy within different rooms of buildings having central power units.
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