Device and method for providing HVAC service assistance

• US 20020180590A1
• Filed: 06/05/2001
• Published: 12/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clockwork IP, LLC (Centrica PLC)
• Original Assignee: James D. Abrams
• Inventors: Abrams, James D.
• Granted Patent: US 6,608,560 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/286.06
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal

Abstract

An HVAC service assistance device assists individuals with troubleshooting their climate control systems and with contacting an HVAC contractor for service when necessary. Stored within the device is HVAC troubleshooting information that is conveniently provided to users on demand via an audio speaker and/or a visual display. The device may also store contact information for an HVAC contractor which can be conveniently accessed by the user when the climate control system next requires servicing. By recording (or having prerecorded) their contact information in the service assistance device of the present invention, HVAC contractors may increase their opportunities for receiving repeat business from customers. The service assistance device may further include a service call button which, when depressed, automatically sends a call for service to an HVAC contractor over a communication network, such as a telephone or computer network, using prerecorded contact information for the HVAC contractor.

Claims

1. A service assistance device for a climate control system, the service assistance device comprising:

an input device via which a user can initiate an automated call for service of the climate control system;

a memory device for storing contact information for an HVAC contractor;

a communication network interface for connecting the service assistance device to a communication network; and

a processor operatively connected to the input device, the memory device, and the communication network interface, the processor being configured to contact the HVAC contractor, through the communication network using the communication network interface and the contact information stored in the memory device, in response to the user initiating the automated call for service via the input device.

2. The service assistance device of claim 1 further comprising a thermostat for the climate control system, the thermostat having a housing enclosing the input device, the memory device, the communication network interface, and the processor.

3. The service assistance device of claim 1 wherein the input device is a push-button switch.

4. The service assistance device of claim 1 wherein a prerecorded message is stored in the memory device, and wherein the processor is configured to provide the prerecorded message to the HVAC contractor over the communication network in response to the user initiating the automated call for service via the input device.

5. The service assistance device of claim 1 wherein troubleshooting information for the climate control system is stored in the memory device, and wherein the processor is configured to provide the troubleshooting information to the user in response to receiving a request for assistance from the user.

6. The service assistance device of claim 5 further comprising an input device via which the user can provide the request for assistance.

7. The service assistance device of claim 1 wherein the communication network is a telephone network and the communication network interface is a telephone network interface.

8. A method of assisting a user in troubleshooting a climate control system, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a service assistance device having troubleshooting information for the climate control system stored therein, the service assistance device including an input device via which the user can provide a request for assistance;

receiving a request for assistance provided by the user via the input device; and

providing troubleshooting information for the climate control system to the user in response to the received request for assistance.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the service assistance device includes an audio speaker, and wherein the troubleshooting information for the climate control system is provided to the user via the audio speaker.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the service assistance device includes a visual display, and wherein the troubleshooting information for the climate control system is provided to the user via the visual display.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the troubleshooting information for the climate control system is provided to the user via the visual display in a non-encoded format.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the troubleshooting information for the climate control system includes information prompting the user to determine whether a thermostat for the climate control system is set to “

on”

or “

auto.”

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the service assistance device is comprised within said thermostat.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein the troubleshooting information for the climate control system includes information prompting the user to check an electric circuit breaker for the climate control system.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of advising the user that a thermostat for the climate control system is covered under a warranty.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of providing the contact information for the HVAC contractor includes identifying the HVAC contractor as a contractor authorized to perform service under the thermostat warranty.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of storing the contact information for the HVAC contractor in the memory device.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the contact information for the HVAC contractor is stored in the memory device by the HVAC contractor.

15. A method of assisting a user in obtaining service for a climate control system, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a service assistance device having contact information for an HVAC contractor stored therein, the service assistance device including an input device via which the user can provide a request for assistance;

receiving a request for assistance provided by the user via the input device; and

providing the contact information for the HVAC contractor to the user in response to the received request for assistance.

20. A method for scheduling service of a climate control system, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving an automated call for service provided by a device in response to input from a user, the automated call for service relating to a need for service of the user'"'"'s climate control system;

determining contact information for the user;

contacting the user using the determined contact information; and

scheduling service of the user'"'"'s climate control system.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the automated call for service is received over a telephone network, and wherein the contact information for the user is determined using a caller identification service.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the contact information is determined from a prerecorded message provided by said device.