Access controlled thermostat system

• US 6,644,557 B1
• Filed: 03/25/2002
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BioMETRX, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Robert A. Jacobs
• Inventors: Jacobs, Robert A
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William
• Application Number:
  US10/105,909
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.31, 236/46.R, 236/94, 236/51, 713/202
• US Class Current: 236/46.00R
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2223/38 Remote control
• 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 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/00 Control inputs relating to users or occupants
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2221/38 Personalised air distribution

Abstract

A system for a user to control a thermostat temperature setting includes a master code by which an operator gains access to the system to set the parameters by which the general user can access the system and change the temperature setting. The general user gains access by keying in a password, which may be permanent or temporary, manipulating a key in a lock mechanism, or by providing a biometric reading through a biometric reading device. The biometric readings can include one or more characteristics including thumb print, finger print, retinal scan, iris scan, and facial image. The operator with the master code enables or disables the various means of access for the general user, and can also schedule automatic thermostat adjustments at various times and dates.

Claims

1. A system for a user to control a thermostat temperature setting, comprising:

a housing component enclosing the thermostat, the housing and thermostat being positioned on a hand-accessible wall;

at least one display component for displaying temperature information and control information, the temperature information including at least the actual temperature, the control information including at least prompts and messages;

an access controller component having;

a plurality of user-operated keys, the keys including at least a plurality of numeric keys;

a memory for storing and accessing information entered by the user, the information including at least a master code and a password;

the access controller component being operative to;

accept a password, the password being keyed in by the user, the display then prompting the user to key in a new thermostat temperature setting if the password matches a password stored in the memory;

reject a keyed in password if said password does not match a stored password, the display communicating the rejection;

communicate the keyed in new thermostat temperature setting to the thermostat, the thermostat being adapted to adjust the temperature setting in response to the communication; and

accept a keyed in master code if the keyed in master code matches the master code stored in the memory, the display then prompting the master code user to key in the user'"'"'s choice of the access controller component functions the user desires to modify, and further prompting for keyed in entries to make those modifications, the available modifications at least including;

modifying the acceptable passwords by adding new passwords or eliminating then stored passwords; and

reject a keyed in master code if the keyed in master code does not match the master code stored in the memory.

2. A system for a user to control a thermostat temperature setting, comprising:

a housing component enclosing the thermostat, the housing and thermostat being positioned on a hand-accessible wall;

at least one display component for displaying temperature information and control information, the temperature information including at least the actual temperature, the control information including at least prompts and messages;

an access controller component having;

a plurality of user-operated keys, the keys including at least a plurality of numeric keys;

a biometric reading device for receiving biometric information from the user;

a memory for storing and accessing information entered by the user, the information including at least a master code, a password, and a biometric record of the user;

the access controller component being operative to;

accept a password, the password being keyed in by the user, the display then prompting the user to key in a new thermostat temperature setting if the password matches a password stored in the memory;

reject a keyed in password if said password does not match a stored password, the display communicating the rejection;

accept a biometric reading and compare the reading to the stored biometric record, the display then prompting the user to key in a new thermostat temperature setting if the biometric reading matches a biometric record stored in the memory;

reject a biometric reading if said reading does not match the stored biometric record of the user, the display communicating the rejection;

communicate the keyed in new thermostat temperature setting to the thermostat, the thermostat being adapted to adjust the temperature setting in response to the communication; and

accept a keyed in master code if the keyed in master code matches the master code stored in the memory, the display then prompting the master code user to key in the user'"'"'s choice of the access controller component functions the user desires to modify, and further prompting for keyed in entries to make those modifications, the available modifications at least including;

modifying the acceptable passwords by adding new passwords or eliminating then stored passwords; and

modifying the biometric record by adding new biometric records or eliminating then stored biometric records;

reject a keyed in master code if the keyed in master code does not match the master code stored in the memory.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein modification of acceptable passwords includes at least the options of:

adding a new password;

eliminating a stored password;

adding a temporary password, and information determining its duration; and

eliminating a temporary password, and information determining its duration.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the available modification to the master code user also includes:

setting the time;

setting the date; and

setting a schedule wherein the thermostat temperature setting is adjusted at various times and dates keyed-in by the master code user.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the access controller component has a clearing key that, when depressed, restores the system to the un-accessed status.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the access controller component is further operative to prompt for a keyed-in selection of the user'"'"'s choice of password access or biometric access.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the access controller component further comprises a general access key that, when depressed causes the access controller component to prompt for a keyed-in selection of the user'"'"'s choice of password access or biometric access.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein the access controller component further comprises a master access key that, when depressed causes the access controller component to prompt for the master code to be keyed-in.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the access controller component biometric reading is a thumb print, the access controller component having a biometric reading device for the thumb to contact, the device reading the thumb print and communicating the biometric reading for the comparison to the biometric record.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the access controller component biometric reading is a finger print, the access controller component having a biometric reading device for the finger to contact, the device reading the finger print and communicating the biometric reading for the comparison to the biometric record.

11. The system of claim 2, wherein the access controller component biometric reading is a retinal scan, the access controller having a biometric reading device into which the user'"'"'s close gaze is directed, the device reading the retinal scan and communicating the biometric reading for the comparison to the biometric record.

12. The system of claim 2, wherein the access controller component biometric reading is an iris scan, the access controller having a biometric reading device into which the user'"'"'s close gaze is directed, the device reading the iris scan and communicating the biometric reading for the comparison to the biometric record.

13. The system of claim 2, wherein the access controller component biometric reading is a voice pattern, the access controller having a biometric reading device into which the user'"'"'s voice is directed, the device reading the voice pattern and communicating the biometric reading for the comparison to the biometric record.

14. The system of claim 2, wherein the access controller component biometric reading is a facial image, the access controller having a biometric reading device at which the user'"'"'s face is presented, the device reading the facial image and communicating the biometric reading for the comparison to the biometric record.

15. The system of claim 2, wherein the access controller component also has a lock mechanism and a key for manipulating the lock mechanism, the stored and accessible memory information includes an on or off status for the lock mechanism, and the access controller component is operative to:

accept a keyed manipulation of the lock mechanism if the stored lock mechanism information indicates the lock mechanism is on, the display then prompting the user to key in a new thermostat temperature setting; and

reject a keyed manipulation of the lock mechanism if the stored information indicates the lock mechanism is off, the display communicating the rejection.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the available modifications to the master code user also includes changing the on or off status for the lock mechanism.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the access controller component further comprises a general access key that, when depressed causes the access controller component to prompt for a keyed-in selection of the user'"'"'s choice of password access, biometric access, or key access.

18. A system for a user to control a thermostat temperature setting, comprising:

a housing component enclosing the thermostat, the housing and thermostat being positioned on a hand-accessible wall;

display means for displaying temperature information and control information, the temperature information including at least the actual temperature, the control information including at least prompts and messages;

access control means for controlling access to the thermostat, the access control means having;

a plurality of user-operated keys, the keys including at least a plurality of numeric keys;

biometric reading means for receiving biometric information from the user;

memory means for storing and accessing information entered by the user, the information including at least a master code, at least one password, and a biometric record of the user;

the access control means being operative to;

accept a password, the password being keyed in by the user-operable keys, the display means then prompting the user to key in a new thermostat temperature setting if the password matches a password stored in the memory;

reject a keyed in password if said password does not match a stored password, the display means communicating the rejection;

accept a biometric reading and compare the reading to the stored biometric record, the display means then prompting the user to key in a new thermostat temperature setting if the biometric reading matches a biometric record stored in the memory;

reject a biometric reading if said reading does not match a stored biometric record of the user, the display means communicating the rejection;

communicate the keyed in new thermostat temperature setting to the thermostat, the thermostat being adapted to adjust the temperature setting in response to the communication;

accept a keyed in master code if the keyed in master code matches the master code stored in the memory, the display means then prompting the master code user to key in the user'"'"'s choice of the access controller function the user desires to modify, and further prompting for keyed in entries to make those modifications, the available modifications at least including;

modifying the acceptable passwords by adding new passwords or eliminating then stored passwords; and

modifying the biometric record by adding new biometric records or eliminating then stored biometric records;

reject a keyed in master code if the keyed in master code does not match the master code stored in the memory.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein modification of acceptable passwords includes at least the options of:

adding a new password;

eliminating a stored password;

adding a temporary password, and information determining its duration; and

eliminating a temporary password, and information determining its duration.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the available modification to the master code user also includes:

setting the time;

setting the date; and

setting a schedule wherein the thermostat temperature setting is adjusted at various times and dates keyed-in by the master code user.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the access control means has a clearing key that, when depressed, restores the system to the un-accessed status.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the access control means is further operative to prompt for a keyed-in selection of the user'"'"'s choice of password access or biometric access.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the access control means further comprises a general access key that, when depressed causes the access control means to prompt for a keyed-in selection of the user'"'"'s choice of password access or biometric access.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein the access control means further comprises a master access key that, when depressed causes the access control means to prompt for the master code to be keyed-in.

25. The system of claim 18, wherein the access control means biometric reading is a thumb print, the access control means having a biometric reading device for the thumb to contact, the device reading the thumb print and communicating the biometric reading for the comparison to the biometric record.

26. The system of claim 18, wherein the access control means biometric reading is a finger print, the access control means having a biometric reading device for the finger to contact, the device reading the finger print and communicating the biometric reading for the comparison to the biometric record.

27. The system of claim 18, wherein the access control means biometric reading is a retinal scan, the access controller having a biometric reading device into which the user'"'"'s close gaze is directed, the device reading the retinal scan and communicating the biometric reading for the comparison to the biometric record.

28. The system of claim 18, wherein the access control means biometric reading is an iris scan, the access controller having a biometric reading device into which the user'"'"'s close gaze is directed, the device reading the iris scan and communicating the biometric reading for the comparison to the biometric record.

29. The system of claim 18, wherein the access control means biometric reading is a voice pattern, the access controller having a biometric reading device into which the user'"'"'s voice is directed, the device reading the voice pattern and communicating the biometric reading for the comparison to the biometric record.

30. The system of claim 18, wherein the access controller component biometric reading is a facial image, the access controller having a biometric reading device at which the user'"'"'s face is presented, the device reading the facial image and communicating the biometric reading for the comparison to the biometric record.

31. The system of claim 18, wherein the access control means also has a lock mechanism and a key for manipulating the lock mechanism, the stored and accessible memory information includes an on or off status for the lock mechanism, and the access control means is operative to:

accept a keyed manipulation of the lock mechanism if the stored lock mechanism information indicates the lock mechanism is on, the display means then prompting the user to key in a new thermostat temperature setting;

reject a keyed manipulation of the lock mechanism if the stored information indicates the lock mechanism is off, the display means communicating the rejection.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the available modifications to the master code user also includes changing the on or off status for the lock mechanism.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein the access control means further comprises a general access key that, when depressed causes the access control means to prompt for a keyed-in selection of the user'"'"'s choice of password access, biometric access, or key access.

34. A method to control access to a thermostat at least one user in accordance with parameters set by of an operator, the thermostat being enclosed in a housing, and a controller being in electronic communication with the thermostat, in electronic communication with at least one display for displaying alphanumeric characters, and in electronic communication with user-operable keys, the controller being programmable and having a memory, the method comprising the steps of:

accepting a master code as entered by the operator using the keys;

allowing access to the controller memory if the master code is valid;

accepting the operator'"'"'s choice of one function from a plurality of functions for which function parameters are to be changed, including at least the functions of setting a permanent password, setting a temporary password and its duration parameters, and setting biometric access parameters;

if the operator chose setting a permanent password, prompting for keypad entry of at least one permanent password;

accepting the operator'"'"'s keypad entry of the at least one permanent password and storing the at least one permanent password in the memory;

if the operator chose setting a temporary password, prompting for keypad entry of at least one temporary password and duration determinative -keypad entries for each of the at least one temporary passwords;

accepting the operator'"'"'s keypad entry of the at least one temporary password and duration determinative entries and storing the at least one temporary password and duration determinative entries in the memory;

if the operator chose setting biometric reading parameters, prompting for a biometric reading of a biometric characteristic of the at least one intended user;

accepting the biometric reading and storing the biometric reading in the memory as a biometric record;

controlling access to keypad entry of a thermostat temperature setting by a user by;

accepting the user'"'"'s keypad entry of a password, if the entered password matches a stored permanent or temporary password, then accepting a keypad entry of a new thermostat temperature setting;

rejecting the user'"'"'s keypad entry of a password, if the entered password does not match either a stored permanent or temporary password, then displaying the rejection;

accepting the user'"'"'s provision of a biometric reading, if the biometric reading matches a stored biometric record, then accepting a keypad entry of a new thermostat temperature setting;

rejecting the user'"'"'s provision of a biometric reading, if the biometric reading does not match a stored biometric record.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein a lock mechanism is in electronic communication with the controller and the functions for which parameters are changeable by the operator also include setting the controller to accept or reject a keyed manipulation of a lock mechanism such that the controller accepts a keyed manipulation of the lock mechanism by the user if the operator has set the controller to accept the same, and rejects the keyed manipulation of the lock mechanism by the user if the operator has set the controller to reject the same.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the functions for which parameters are changeable by the operator also include:

setting the time;

setting the date; and

setting a schedule wherein the thermostat temperature setting is adjusted at various times and dates keyed-in by the operator.

37. A system for a user to control a thermostat temperature setting, comprising:

a housing component enclosing the thermostat, the housing and thermostat being positioned on a hand-accessible wall;

at least one display component for displaying temperature information and control information, the temperature information including at least the actual temperature, the control information including at least prompts and messages;

an access controller component having;

a plurality of user-operated keys, the keys including at least a plurality of numeric keys;

a biometric reading device for receiving biometric information from the user;

a lock mechanism and a key for manipulating the lock mechanism, the stored and accessible memory information includes an on or off status for the lock mechanism;

a memory for storing and accessing information entered by the user, the information including at least a master code, a password, a biometric record of the user, an on or off status for the lock mechanism, a system time, a system date, a system schedule;

the access controller component being operative to;

accept a password, the password being keyed in by the user, the display then prompting the user to key in a new thermostat temperature setting if the password matches a password stored in the memory;

reject a keyed in password if said password does not match a stored password, the display communicating the rejection;

accept a biometric reading and compare the reading to the stored biometric record, the display then prompting the user to key in a new thermostat temperature setting if the biometric reading matches a biometric record stored in the memory;

reject a biometric reading if said reading does not match the stored biometric record of the user, the display communicating the rejection;

accept a keyed manipulation of the lock mechanism if the stored lock mechanism information indicates the lock mechanism is on, the display then prompting the user to key in a new thermostat temperature setting; and

reject a keyed manipulation of the lock mechanism if the stored information indicates the lock mechanism is off, the display communicating the rejection;

communicate the keyed in new thermostat temperature setting to the thermostat, the thermostat being adapted to adjust the temperature setting in response to the communication; and

accept a keyed in master code if the keyed in master code matches the master code stored in the memory, the display then prompting the master code user to key in the user'"'"'s choice of the access controller component functions the user desires to modify, and further prompting for keyed in entries to make those modifications, the available modifications at least including;

modifying the acceptable passwords by adding new passwords, eliminating then stored passwords, adding a temporary password and information detennining its duration;

modifying the biometric record by adding new biometric records or eliminating then stored biometric records; and

modifying the on or off status of the lock mechanism;

modifying the system time;

modifying the system date;

modifying the system schedule such that the thermostat temperature setting is automatically adjusted at various times and dates; and

reject a keyed in master code if the keyed in master code does not match the master code stored in the memory.