Thermostat assembly with removable communication module and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A thermostat assembly comprising:
- a thermostat;
a first communication module physically and functionally connected to the thermostat;
the first communication module being operable using a first communication protocol and configured to permit information transfer between the thermostat and a first device remote from the thermostat;
a second communication module physically and functionally connected to the thermostat; and
the second communication module being operable using a second communication protocol and configured to permit information transfer between the thermostat and a second device remote from the thermostat.
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Abstract
A thermostat assembly comprises a thermostat and a removable and replaceable first communication module physically and functionally removably connected to the thermostat. The first communication module is configured to permit information transfer between the thermostat and a first device remote from the thermostat. If more than one communication module is used to communicate with more than one device, the communication modules may operate using different communication protocols.
57 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A thermostat assembly comprising:
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a thermostat; a first communication module physically and functionally connected to the thermostat; the first communication module being operable using a first communication protocol and configured to permit information transfer between the thermostat and a first device remote from the thermostat; a second communication module physically and functionally connected to the thermostat; and the second communication module being operable using a second communication protocol and configured to permit information transfer between the thermostat and a second device remote from the thermostat. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for setting up a thermostat for remote communication with devices spaced apart from the thermostat, comprising:
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selecting a thermostat usable with first and second removable and replaceable communication modules; determining a first radio communication protocol for a first device with which the thermostat is to communicate and a second radio communication protocol for a second device with which the thermostat is to communicate, the first and second devices being spaced apart from the thermostat; obtaining first and second removable and replaceable communication modules that are physically and functionally removably connectable to the thermostat and that use said first and second radio communication protocols, respectively; and operably mounting the removable and replaceable communication modules to the thermostat to permit the thermostat to communicate with the first and second devices using said radio communication protocols. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification