THERMOSTAT WITH USB INTERFACE
First Claim
1. A thermostat comprising:
- a universal serial bus interface adapted to connect to a universal serial bus device;
a display device having at least a portion thereof that is capable of displaying a message;
at least one input means for enabling the input of at least one request; and
a microprocessor in communication with the universal serial bus interface, the display device and the user input means, the microprocessor being configured to respond to a specific input request by requesting communication of information relating to a service provider from an electronic memory in communication with the universal serial bus interface, and subsequently communicating the information relating to a service provider to the display device, wherein the information relating to a service provider includes at least a name and phone number of the service provider.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various embodiments of a thermostat are provided that comprise at least one user input means for enabling the user to input at least one request, a universal serial bus interface, a display device capable of displaying at least a number of alphanumeric characters configured to display information relating to a service provider, and a microprocessor in communication with the universal serial bus interface, the display device and the user input means. The microprocessor is capable of monitoring the user input means for a request to retrieve information relating to a service provider, and is configured to respond to such a request by requesting communication through the universal serial bus interface of information relating to the service provider. The microprocessor (is further configured to communicate the information relating to the service provider to the display device, which information may include the name and phone number of the service provider.
66 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A thermostat comprising:
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a universal serial bus interface adapted to connect to a universal serial bus device; a display device having at least a portion thereof that is capable of displaying a message; at least one input means for enabling the input of at least one request; and a microprocessor in communication with the universal serial bus interface, the display device and the user input means, the microprocessor being configured to respond to a specific input request by requesting communication of information relating to a service provider from an electronic memory in communication with the universal serial bus interface, and subsequently communicating the information relating to a service provider to the display device, wherein the information relating to a service provider includes at least a name and phone number of the service provider. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A thermostat comprising:
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a universal serial bus interface adapted to connect to a universal serial bus device; at least one user input means for enabling the user to input at least one request; a display device capable of displaying a plurality of alphanumeric characters for displaying alphanumeric information; a microprocessor in communication with the universal serial bus interface, the display device and the user input means, the microprocessor being capable of monitoring the user input means for a request to retrieve information relating to a service provider, and being configured to respond to such a user request by requesting communication of information through the universal serial bus interface of information relating to the service provider, and communicating the information relating to the service provider to the display device, wherein the information relating to the service provider includes at least a name and phone number of the service provider. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A thermostat comprising:
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a universal serial bus interface adapted to connect to a universal serial bus device having at least an electronic memory thereon; a removable universal serial bus device including a memory having a plurality of stored time and temperature setting values that are required for the thermostat to operate, which removable universal serial bus device is connected to the universal serial bus interface such that the thermostat may access the stored time and temperature setting values; at least one user input means for enabling the user to input at least one request; a display device capable of displaying at least a predetermined number of alphanumeric characters configured to display alphanumeric information; and a microprocessor in communication with the universal serial bus interface, the display device and the user input means, the microprocessor being capable of retrieving parameters, including time and temperature settings, that are stored on the universal serial bus for controlling the operation of a heating or cooling system, whereupon removal of the universal serial bus device the thermostat discontinues operation. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A thermostat comprising:
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a memory device for storing information obtained by the thermostat relating to the operation of the thermostat or at least one component of a heating or cooling system; a universal serial bus interface adapted to connect to a universal serial bus flash memory device; a display device having a portion thereon capable of displaying at least a predetermined number of alphanumeric characters to permit display of operational information to a viewer of the thermostat; at least one user input means for enabling the user to input a request to the thermostat to initiate communication via the universal serial bus interface of stored information relating to the operation of the thermostat or at least one component of a heating or cooling system; a microprocessor in communication with the electronic memory, the universal serial bus interface, the display device and the user input means, the microprocessor being capable of monitoring the user input means for a request to retrieve and communicate information stored in the memory relating to the operation of the thermostat or at least one component of a heating or cooling system, wherein the microprocessor is configured to respond to such a request by retrieving information stored in the memory relating to the operation of the thermostat or at least one component of a heating or cooling system, and requesting communication of the stored information through the universal serial bus interface in a manner such that the information may be stored in a universal serial bus flash memory device connected to the universal serial bus interface.
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Specification