Adaptive hierarchy usage monitoring HVAC control system

• US 7,555,364 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2004
• Issued: 06/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MMI Controls Ltd.
• Original Assignee: MMI Controls Ltd.
• Inventors: McDowell, Johnnie L., Poth, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Masinick; Michael D
• Application Number:
  US11/018,667
• Publication Number:
  US 20050120012A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,652 Days
• Field of Search: 700276-278, 713/165, 713/185, 713/201
• US Class Current: 700/276
• 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 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/47 Responding to energy costs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/88 Electrical aspects, e.g. circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0428 Safety, monitoring G05B19/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24168 Identify connected programmer to allow control, program entry
• 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: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2107 File encryption
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2131 Lost password, e.g. recovery of lost or forgotten passwords

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for an adaptive hierarchy usage monitoring HVAC control system. A method, includes: regulating user access to at least one menu of an interactive user interface of a programmable digital thermostat, including: reversibly defining at least one minimum user level required to access the at least one menu.

Claims

1. A method, comprising regulating user access to at least one menu of an interactive user interface of a programmable digital thermostat, including:

reversibly defining at least one minimum user level required to access the at least one menu including;

reading and storing a hierarchical personal identification number associated with a hierarchical user level;

permitting hierarchical user access to a user level menu when the hierarchical personal identification number is both valid and associated with a hierarchical user level greater than or equal to a minimum hierarchical user level predefined to be required for access to the user level menu; and

reading and storing the at least one minimum user level required to access the at least one menu; and

then

permitting user access to the at least one menu when a personal identification number entered by another user is both valid and associated with a user level greater than or equal to the minimum user level reversibly defined by the hierarchical user to be required for access to the at least one menu; and

synchronizing a clock of the programmable digital thermostat using a power line frequency.

2. A method, comprising defining a multi-stage cooling/heating program of a programmable digital thermostat having an interactive user interface, including:

reversibly defining a number of events per day including;

reading and storing a hierarchical personal identification number associated with a hierarchical user level;

permitting hierarchical user access to a system menu when the hierarchical personal identification number is both valid and associated with a hierarchical user level greater than or equal to a minimum hierarchical user level predefined to be required for access to the system menu; and

reading and storing the number of events per day; and

then

permitting user access to another menu when a personal identification number entered by another user is valid to further define the multi-stage cooling/heating program; and

synchronizing a clock of the programmable digital thermostat using a power line frequency.