Thermostat update and copy methods and systems

• US 10,317,867 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2017
• Issued: 06/11/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Braeburn Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Braeburn Systems LLC
• Inventors: Moore, Glenn A., Poplawski, Daniel S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elamin, Abdelmoniem I
• Application Number:
  US15/439,591
• Publication Number:
  US 20170300025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 839 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/54 using one central controller connected to several sub-controllers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/59 for presetting
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2614 HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control

Abstract

A thermostat update and copying system can include a first thermostat having a processor, a transmitter, a storage area. In some embodiments, the processor generates update data, the storage area maintains the update data, and the transmitter transmits the update data to multiple target devices. In some embodiments, the target devices include mobile devices capable of running applications to receive the update data and/or at least a second thermostat wherein the second thermostat is activated and update data is transmitted by the transceiver to the second thermostat.

Claims

1. A comfort control device comprising:

(i) a processor;

(ii) a transceiver connected to said processor;

(iii) a storage area configured to store a datum;

(iv) said comfort control device adapted to enter an access point mode;

(v) said comfort control device adapted to seek connection to a second comfort control device over a first wireless network via said transceiver when said comfort control device is in said access point mode;

(vi) said comfort control device adapted to connect to said second comfort control device over said first wireless network via said transceiver; and

(vii) said comfort control device adapted to transmit said datum to said second comfort control device over said first wireless network via said transceiver, wherein;

(a) said second comfort control device is adapted to seek connection to a third comfort control device over a second wireless network;

(b) said second comfort control device is adapted to connect to said third comfort control device over said second wireless network; and

(c) said second comfort control device is adapted to transmit said datum to said third comfort control device over said second first wireless network.

2. The comfort control device of claim 1 wherein said first wireless network and said second wireless network are short wavelength radio wave networks.

3. The comfort control device of claim 2 wherein said short wavelength radio wave networks are Bluetooth networks.

4. The comfort control device of claim 1 wherein said datum is an authentication datum for accessing the Internet.

5. The comfort control device of claim 1 wherein said comfort control device and said third comfort control device cannot access a same Wi-Fi network.

6. The comfort control device of claim 1 wherein said comfort control device, said second comfort control device and said third comfort control device are thermostats.

7. The comfort control device of claim 1 wherein said comfort control device, said second comfort control device and said third comfort control device are Wi-Fi enabled thermostats.

8. The comfort control device of claim 1 wherein said comfort control device is further adapted to:

(d) seek connection to a fourth comfort control device over a third wireless network via said transceiver when said comfort control device is in said access point mode;

(e) connect to said fourth comfort control device over said third wireless network via said transceiver; and

(f) transmit said datum to said fourth comfort control device over said third wireless network via said transceiver.

9. The comfort control device of claim 8 wherein said third wireless network is a short wavelength radio wave network.

10. The comfort control device of claim 9 wherein said short wavelength radio wave network is a Bluetooth network.

11. The comfort control device of claim 8 wherein said datum is an authentication datum for accessing the Internet.

12. The comfort control device of claim 8 wherein said fourth comfort control device is a thermostat.

13. The comfort control device of claim 12 wherein said fourth comfort control device is a Wi-Fi enabled thermostat.