Method for controlling an HVAC system using a proximity aware mobile device
First Claim
1. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a program code for use by a user'"'"'s mobile wireless device connectable to a network, the program code causing the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device to execute a method comprising:
- storing geographic information in a memory, wherein the geographic information comprises an outer boundary about a first location and a route between the first location and a second location;
monitoring a current location of the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device;
comparing the stored geographic information and the current location of the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device, and;
if the comparison meets a first predetermined criteria, the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device transmitting a first command causing an HVAC controller to transition from a first operating state having a first temperature setpoint to a second operating state having a second temperature setpoint, wherein the first predetermined criteria comprises a determination that the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device crossed the outer boundary stored in the memory; and
if the comparison meets a second predetermined criteria, the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device transmitting a second command, wherein the first and second commands are different, and wherein the second predetermined criteria comprises a determination that the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device is following the route.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile wireless device (e.g. smart phone) may be used to remotely control an HVAC system. A program code stored in the memory of the mobile wireless device may cause the mobile wireless device to store geographic information in the memory of the mobile wireless device, monitor a location of the mobile wireless device, and compare the stored geographic information to the location of the mobile wireless device. If the comparison meets predetermined criteria, the program code may cause the mobile wireless device to transmit a command either directly or indirectly to an HVAC controller, causing the HVAC controller to transition from a first operating state having a first temperature setpoint to a second operating state having a second temperature setpoint.
138 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a program code for use by a user'"'"'s mobile wireless device connectable to a network, the program code causing the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device to execute a method comprising:
-
storing geographic information in a memory, wherein the geographic information comprises an outer boundary about a first location and a route between the first location and a second location; monitoring a current location of the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device; comparing the stored geographic information and the current location of the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device, and; if the comparison meets a first predetermined criteria, the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device transmitting a first command causing an HVAC controller to transition from a first operating state having a first temperature setpoint to a second operating state having a second temperature setpoint, wherein the first predetermined criteria comprises a determination that the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device crossed the outer boundary stored in the memory; and if the comparison meets a second predetermined criteria, the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device transmitting a second command, wherein the first and second commands are different, and wherein the second predetermined criteria comprises a determination that the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device is following the route. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A remote server accessible over a network, the remote server comprising:
-
an input/output port for sending and/or receiving data via the network; a data storage device storing a program code for download via the network for use by a user'"'"'s mobile wireless device connectable to the network, the program code configured to cause the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device to; store geographic information in a memory of the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device, wherein the geographic information comprises an outer boundary; cause the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device to learn at least one route between a first location and at least one other location, and to store the at least one learned route in the memory; monitor a current location of the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device; compare the stored geographic information and the current location of the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device and; if the comparison meets a first predetermined criteria, the program code is configured to cause the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device to transmit a first command causing an HVAC controller to transition from a first operating state having a first temperature setpoint to a second operating state having a second temperature setpoint, wherein the first predetermined criteria comprises a determination that the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device is following one of the at least one learned route; and if the comparison meets a second predetermined criteria, the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device transmitting a second command, wherein the second predetermined criteria comprises a determination that the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device crossed the outer boundary stored in the memory; a controller coupled to the input/output port and the data storage device, the controller configured to download the program code to a remote device upon request. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
-
-
15. A mobile wireless device comprising:
-
a locating device for detecting a current location of the mobile wireless device; a memory for storing geographic information, wherein the geographic information comprises one or more outer boundaries and at least one route between a first location and at least one other location; an input/output port for sending and/or receiving data over a network; a controller coupled to the locating device, the memory, and the input/output port, the controller configured to detect the current location of the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device and compare the stored geographic information stored in the memory to the current location of the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device, wherein if the comparison meets predetermined criteria, the controller of the mobile wireless device further configured to transmit a command causing an HVAC controller to transition from a first operating state having a first temperature setpoint to a second operating state having a second temperature setpoint; and wherein the comparison is determined to meet the predetermined criteria when the current location of the user'"'"'s mobile wireless device has crossed at least one of the one or more outer boundaries and is following one of the at least one route. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method of controlling an HVAC system using a mobile wireless device, the method comprising:
-
storing geographic information including an outer boundary about a first location and a route between the first location and a second location in a memory of the mobile wireless device, the mobile wireless device comprising a locating device for detecting a current location of the mobile wireless device, an input/output port for sending and/or receiving data over a network, a controller coupled to the locating device, the memory, and the input/output port; the controller of the mobile wireless device monitoring a current location of the mobile wireless device; and the controller of the mobile wireless device comparing the stored geographic information and the current location of the mobile wireless device, and; if the comparison meets a first predetermined criteria, the controller of the mobile wireless device transmitting a first command causing an HVAC controller to transition from a first operating state having a first temperature setpoint to a second operating state having a second temperature setpoint, wherein the first predetermined criteria comprises a determination that the mobile wireless device has crossed the outer boundary; and if the comparison meets a second predetermined criteria, the mobile wireless device transmitting a second command, wherein the first and second commands are different, and wherein the second predetermined criteria comprises a determination that the mobile wireless device is following the route. - View Dependent Claims (21)
-
Specification