Tamper resistant thermostat having hidden limit adjustment capabilities

• US 10,317,919 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2016
• Issued: 06/11/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Braeburn Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Braeburn Systems LLC
• Inventors: Poplawski, Daniel, Rados, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Pich, Ponnoreay
• Application Number:
  US15/183,757
• Publication Number:
  US 20170364104A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/65 for selecting an operating mode
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback

Abstract

A thermostat resists tampering by including a hidden mechanism for switching from a limit setting mode to an operation mode. In some embodiments, the switching mechanism is in the form of a tamper proof switch or jumper on the thermostat'"'"'s circuit board. The switching mechanism can be hidden from a potential non-administrative user and can be located on the circuit board of the thermostat, as opposed to on the external housing. While the switching mechanism is in limit setting mode, the limits of the thermostat'"'"'s temperature range can be adjusted. Once these limits have been set, the adjuster can move the switching mechanism to operation mode, and the thermostat will now be able to maintain temperatures within the new limit settings.

Claims

1. A circuit board comprising:

a. a plurality of connections, said plurality of connections interacting with a temperature maintenance system having at least one of a heating system and a cooling system;

b. a switching mechanism having an operation position and a limit setting position, said switching mechanism at said limit setting position enabling an administrator user to adjust an upper temperature limit and a lower temperature limit for the at least one of said heating system and said cooling system, wherein said upper temperature limit and said lower temperature limit form an operating temperature range of selectable temperature corresponding to said operation position, wherein only temperature within said operating temperature range is selectable when said switching mechanism is at said operation position; and

c. at least one hardware component selected from the group consisting of displays, at least one hard button, at least one soft button, and a wireless communication system.

2. The circuit board of claim 1, wherein said circuit board is mounted in a thermostat housing to form a thermostat assembly.

3. The circuit board of claim 1, wherein said switching mechanism comprises a removable jumper, wherein said removable jumper is configured to move between said limit setting position to said operation position.

4. The circuit board of claim 1, wherein said switching mechanism comprises a removable jumper, wherein said limit setting position is accessed by inserting said removable jumper into a receiver.

5. The circuit board of claim 1, wherein said switching mechanism comprises a two-way switch.

6. The circuit board of claim 1, wherein said switching mechanism comprises a lock and key switch, wherein a key interacts with a lock so that said lock can be moved from said limit setting position to said operation position.

7. The circuit board of claim 1, wherein said switching mechanism comprises a biometric identification system.

8. The circuit board of claim 1, wherein said switching mechanism comprises an RFID identification system.

9. The circuit board of claim 1, wherein said switching mechanism comprises a USB key identification system.

10. The circuit board of claim 1 wherein said switching mechanism at said limit setting position enables access to a hidden menu system by said administrator user to adjust said upper temperature limit and said lower temperature limit.

11. A method for adjusting a temperature range in a thermostat controlling a temperature maintenance system having at least one of a heating system and a cooling system comprising:

a. accessing a switching mechanism on a temperature control circuit;

b. changing said switching mechanism from an operation position to a limit setting position;

wherein said limit setting position provides access to a hidden menu system configured to provide the ability to adjust an upper temperature limit and a lower temperature limit for at least one of said heating system and said cooling system;

c. navigating said hidden menu system, wherein said upper temperature limit and said lower temperature limit form an operating temperature range of selectable temperature corresponding to said operation position, wherein only temperature within said operating temperature range is selectable when said switching mechanism is at said operation position; and

d. adjusting said upper temperature limit and said lower temperature for at least one of said heating system and said cooling system.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

a. hiding said hidden menu system by reverting said switching mechanism to said operation position.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

a. hiding said hidden menu system automatically after a given period of time.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein accessing said switching mechanism comprises remotely triggering said switching mechanism by means of RFID identification.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein accessing said switching mechanism comprises remotely triggering said switching mechanism by means of a geo-fencing mechanism.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein accessing said switching mechanism comprises remotely triggering said switching mechanism by means of a transceiver and a corresponding device.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein said temperature control circuit is affixed to a device interacting with a transceiver, such that said method can be accomplished remotely.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein accessing said switching mechanism comprises interacting with a biometric identification system.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said biometric identification system is configured to utilize voice recognition.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said biometric identification system is configured to utilize fingerprint data.