THERMOSTAT AND MESSAGING DEVICE AND METHODS THEREOF

• US 20150362927A1
• Filed: 06/16/2015
• Published: 12/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magnum Energy Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Magnum Energy Solutions, LLC
• Inventors: Giorgi, Michael E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,639,098 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2614 HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information

Abstract

Thermostat and messaging devices (TMDs) and associated platforms for providing monitor and control functionality are disclosed. A TMD can be in communication with one or more sensors to facilitate intelligent heating and cooling as well has home automation. The TMD can facilitate communication with a plurality of different networking protocols such that it can receive communication signals from a plurality of different sensors and devices that operate using varying communication techniques. The TMD can also be configured to assist with geolocating a person who is calling for emergency services.

Claims

1. A thermostat and messaging device for an environment having a climate control system , comprising:

a user interface including a display screen;

a network interface, wherein the network interface comprises a first transceiver for communicating in a first communication protocol and a second transceiver for communicating in a first communication protocol; and

a controller coupled to the user interface and the network interface, wherein the controller generates control signals to one or more components of a climate control system of an environment, and wherein the controller is to communicate with a first control device positioned within the environment using the first communication protocol and a second control device positioned within the environment using the second communication protocol.

2. The thermostat and messaging device of claim 1, further comprising a data store, wherein geospatial information of the thermostat and messaging device is stored in the data store.

3. The thermostat and messaging device of claim 1, wherein the geospatial information is any of a height, an address, and a positional identifier.

4. The thermostat and messaging device of claim 1, wherein the controller is in networked communication with an environment control system.

5. The thermostat and messaging device of claim 4 in combination with the environment control system, wherein the environment control system is in networked communication with a plurality of thermostat and messaging devices.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein the each of the plurality of thermostat and messaging devices are positioned within a separate sub-environment of the environment.

7. The combination of claim 5, wherein the environment control system is to transmit messaging to a selective thermostat and messaging device for display on the display screen.

8. The combination of claim 7, wherein the messaging is an occupant notification.

9. A thermostat and messaging device for an environment having a climate control system, comprising:

a user interface including a display screen;

a data store, wherein geospatial information of the thermostat and messaging device is stored in the data store; and

a controller coupled to the user interface, wherein the controller generates control signals to one or more components of a climate control system of an environment, and wherein the controller is to provide the geospatial information to a requesting computing device.

10. The thermostat and messaging of claim 9, wherein the geospatial information is any of a height, an address, and a positional identifier of the thermostat and messaging device.

11. The thermostat and messaging of claim 9, wherein the requesting computing device is any of a mobile communication device and an emergency communications center.

12. The thermostat and messaging of claim 9, wherein a distribution list is stored in the data store.

13. The thermostat and messaging of claim 9, wherein the controller is to transmit messaging to a recipient on the distribution list based on the detection of an emergency event.

14. The thermostat and messaging of claim 14, wherein the emergency event is detected when the geospatial information is provided to the requesting computing device.

15. A system, comprising

a plurality of thermostat and messaging devices positioned throughout an environment, wherein each of the plurality of thermostat and messaging devices comprises:

a user interface including a display screen;

a data store, wherein geospatial information of the thermostat and messaging device is stored in the data store; and

a controller coupled to the user interface, wherein the controller generates control signals to one or more HVAC components; and

an environment control system in networked communication with each of the plurality of thermostat and messaging devices, wherein the environment control system is to wirelessly transmit messaging to each of the plurality of thermostat and messaging devices.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of thermostat and messaging devices is positioned with a respective sub-environment of the environment.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the environment is a residential structure and each sub-environment is a dwelling.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the environment is a commercial structure and each sub-environment is a business office.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the geospatial information is any of a height, an address, and a positional identifier for the respective thermostat and messaging device.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the controller of each thermostat and messaging device is to provide the geospatial information to a requesting computing device during an emergency event, wherein the requesting computing device is any of a mobile communication devices and an emergency communications center.