METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTING THERMOSTAT VIA TELEPHONE

• US 20070135969A1
• Filed: 11/09/2006
• Published: 06/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Curl
• Original Assignee: Robert Curl
• Inventors: Curl, Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/558,240
• Publication Number:
  US 20070135969A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/276
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control

Abstract

A climate control system is presented. The system includes a remote signal input device and a controller. The controller is operable to receive input from the remote signal input device and to control a climate control device. The climate control device is operable to change or maintain an environmental condition. The remote signal input device can be configured to receive an audio input from a speaker of an answering machine. The controller can be configured to control the climate control device by changing a setting of a climate control device control unit. Changing a setting of the climate control device control unit can include turning the climate control device control unit off or on. The controller can be configured to control the climate control device by switching between controlling the climate control device using a first climate control device control unit and a second climate control device control unit.

Claims

1. A climate control system comprising:

a remote signal input device; and

a controller operable to receive input from the remote signal input device and control a climate control device at least partly in response to the input, the climate control device being operable to change or maintain an environmental condition of an enclosure.

2. The climate control system of claim 1, wherein the remote signal input device is an audio input device.

3. The climate control system of claim 2, wherein the remote signal input device is configured to receive an audio input emitted from a speaker of an answering machine.

4. The climate control system of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to control the climate control device if the input includes a password.

5. The climate control system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the climate control device by changing one or more settings of a climate control device control unit.

6. The climate control system of claim 5, wherein the climate control device control unit is a thermostat.

7. The climate control system of claim 5, wherein changing one or more settings of the climate control device control unit includes turning the climate control device control unit off or on.

8. The climate control system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the climate control device by switching between controlling the climate control device using a first climate control device control unit and a second climate control device control unit.

9. The climate control system of claim 1, further comprising:

a transmission unit configured to send an acknowledgement signal to a remote communication device.

10. The climate control system of claim 1, wherein the climate control device is selected from the group consisting of a heater, a cooler, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, a filtration system, an electronic window tinting system, a blinds system, a curtain system and a shade system.

11. A method of controlling an environmental condition of an enclosure comprising:

receiving input at a remote signal input device; and

controlling a climate control device at least partly in response to the input, the climate control device being operable to change or maintain the environmental condition.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the remote signal input device is an audio input device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving input includes receiving an audio input emitted from a speaker of an answering machine.

14. The method of claim 13, controlling the climate control device includes determining whether the input includes a password.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein controlling the climate control device includes changing one or more settings of a climate control device control unit.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the climate control device control unit is a thermostat.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein changing one or more settings of the climate control device control unit includes turning the climate control device control unit off or on.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein controlling the climate control device includes switching between controlling the climate control device using a first climate control device control unit and a second climate control device control unit.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

transmitting an acknowledgement signal to a remote communication device.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the climate control device is selected from the group consisting of a heater, a cooler, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, a filtration system, an electronic window tinting system, a blinds system, a curtain system and a shade system.