Wireless controlled thermostat with reduced polling communications during predicted periods of low activity to save power
First Claim
1. A temperature control apparatus for controlling operation of at least one temperature-modifying device, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a housing;
(b) a wireless communication module contained within the housing and configured to communicate with a remote Internet-based server; and
(c) a controller contained within the housing and in communication with the wireless communication module, the controller being configured to;
(i) control operation of the at least one temperature modifying device in response to a comparison of a measured ambient temperature with a setpoint temperature,(ii) in a user-selectable first mode of operation, during a first pre-scheduled time period during a day, poll the remote server at a first rate of at least six times per hour, using the wireless communication module, for an instruction to change the setpoint temperature,(iii) in the first mode of operation, during a second pre-scheduled time period during the day different from the first time period, poll the remote server at a second rate that is lower than the first rate, using the wireless communication module, for an instruction to change the setpoint temperature,(iv) in a second user-selectable mode of operation, during the first pre-scheduled time period of the day, poll the remote server at a third rate that is between the first rate and the second rate, using the wireless communication module, for an instruction to change the setpoint temperature, and(v) in the second mode of operation, during the second pre-scheduled time period of the day, poll the remote server at a fourth rate that is lower than the second rate, using the wireless communication module, for an instruction to change the setpoint temperature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A temperature control apparatus for controlling operation of at least one temperature-modifying device includes a housing, a wireless communication module configured to communicate with a remote Internet-based server, and a controller in communication with the wireless communication module. The controller is configured to: (i) control operation of the temperature modifying device in response to a comparison of a measured ambient temperature with a setpoint temperature, (ii) in a user-selectable first mode of operation, during a first time period during a day, poll the remote server at a first rate of at least six times per hour, using the wireless communication module, for an instruction to change the setpoint temperature, and (iii) in the first mode of operation, during a second time period, poll the remote server at a second rate that is lower than the first rate, using the wireless communication module, for an instruction to change the setpoint temperature.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A temperature control apparatus for controlling operation of at least one temperature-modifying device, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) a housing; (b) a wireless communication module contained within the housing and configured to communicate with a remote Internet-based server; and (c) a controller contained within the housing and in communication with the wireless communication module, the controller being configured to; (i) control operation of the at least one temperature modifying device in response to a comparison of a measured ambient temperature with a setpoint temperature, (ii) in a user-selectable first mode of operation, during a first pre-scheduled time period during a day, poll the remote server at a first rate of at least six times per hour, using the wireless communication module, for an instruction to change the setpoint temperature, (iii) in the first mode of operation, during a second pre-scheduled time period during the day different from the first time period, poll the remote server at a second rate that is lower than the first rate, using the wireless communication module, for an instruction to change the setpoint temperature, (iv) in a second user-selectable mode of operation, during the first pre-scheduled time period of the day, poll the remote server at a third rate that is between the first rate and the second rate, using the wireless communication module, for an instruction to change the setpoint temperature, and (v) in the second mode of operation, during the second pre-scheduled time period of the day, poll the remote server at a fourth rate that is lower than the second rate, using the wireless communication module, for an instruction to change the setpoint temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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6. A temperature control apparatus for controlling operation of at least one temperature-modifying device, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) a housing; (b) a wireless communication module contained within the housing and configured to communicate with a remote Internet-based server; and (c) a controller contained within the housing and in communication with the wireless communication module, the controller being configured to; (i) control operation of the at least one temperature modifying device in response to a comparison of a measured ambient temperature with a setpoint temperature, (ii) in a user-selectable first mode of operation, during a first pre-scheduled time period during a day, poll the remote server at a first rate of at least six times per hour, using the wireless communication module, for an instruction to change the setpoint temperature, (iii) in the first mode of operation, during a second pre-scheduled time period during the day different from the first time period, poll the remote server at a second rate that is lower than the first rate, using the wireless communication module, for an instruction to change the setpoint temperature, wherein the controller is further configured to evaluate a response time for the wireless communication module to send and/or receive messages, and wherein the controller is further configured to adjust at least one of the first or second rates based on the evaluated response time.
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13. A method for remotely modifying a setpoint temperature in a temperature control apparatus that controls operation of at least one temperature-modifying device, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a mobile application configured to be stored and executed on a mobile device by a user of the temperature control apparatus; (b) receiving, at an Internet-based remote server, an instruction from the mobile application to change the setpoint temperature in the temperature control apparatus; (c) polling, in a user-selectable first mode of operation by a controller of the temperature control apparatus using a wireless communication module of the temperature control apparatus, the remote server for the instruction to change the setpoint temperature, the polling occurring at a first rate of six times per hour or more during a first pre-scheduled time period during a day and at a second rate that is lower than the first rate during a second pre-scheduled time period of the day; (d) polling, in a user-selectable second mode of operation by the controller of the temperature control apparatus using the wireless communication module of the temperature control apparatus, the remote server for the instruction to change the setpoint temperature, the polling occurring at a third rate that is between the first rate and the second rate during the first pre-scheduled time period during the day and at a fourth rate that is lower than the second rate during the second pre-scheduled time period of the day; and (e) controlling, by the controller of the temperature control apparatus, operation of the at least one temperature modifying device in response to a comparison of a measured ambient temperature with the changed setpoint temperature. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification