User interaction with building controller device using a remote server and a duplex connection
First Claim
1. A thermostat configured to control one or more HVAC components of an HVAC system, the thermostat comprising:
- a housing, the housing configured to house;
a temperature sensor;
a microphone;
a controller operatively coupled to the temperature sensor and the microphone; and
wherein the controller is configured to identify an audio trigger received by the microphone, and in response to identifying the audio trigger, establish a full duplex connection between the thermostat and a remote server, wherein the audio trigger is a trigger phrase contained in an audio voice stream.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An HVAC controller may be controlled in response to a natural language audio message that is not recognizable by the HVAC controller as a command, where the natural language audio message is translated into a command recognizable by the HVAC controller. Voice recognition software identifies a trigger phrase included in the natural language audio message and in response the HVAC controller performs an action. In response to identifying a trigger phrase at the HVAC controller, the HVAC controller may establish a single duplex connection with a remote server having a voice interaction module. An end user may then have a continuous dialog with the voice interaction module via the HVAC controller over the established single duplex connection. The voice interaction module may allow for an end user to interrupt the dialog at any time, as desired.
130 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A thermostat configured to control one or more HVAC components of an HVAC system, the thermostat comprising:
a housing, the housing configured to house; a temperature sensor; a microphone; a controller operatively coupled to the temperature sensor and the microphone; and wherein the controller is configured to identify an audio trigger received by the microphone, and in response to identifying the audio trigger, establish a full duplex connection between the thermostat and a remote server, wherein the audio trigger is a trigger phrase contained in an audio voice stream. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of operating a thermostat of an HVAC system, the method comprising:
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the thermostat identifying an audible trigger phrase provided by a user; in response to identifying the trigger phrase, the thermostat initiating a full duplex connection between the thermostat and a remote server; in response to identifying the trigger phrase, the thermostat providing an audible request for a voice command from the user; in response to the audible request, the thermostat configured to receive a voice stream from the user, the voice stream including a voice command; the thermostat providing the received voice stream from the user to the remote server via the full duplex connection; and the remote server processing the voice stream to identify the voice command. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A server configured to communicate with one or more thermostats of one or more HVAC systems, the server comprising:
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a communications module for establishing a full duplex connection with a thermostat upon a request by the thermostat, wherein the thermostat includes a microphone configured to receive an audio trigger that initiates the request by the thermostat; a voice interaction module operatively coupled to the communications module, wherein the voice interaction module is configured to provide an interactive audio dialog with a user of the thermostat by identifying one or more words in a voice stream received from the thermostat over a first channel of the full duplex connection, and in response, sending a return voice message to the thermostat over a second channel of the full duplex connection; and wherein in response to identifying one or more words in a voice stream, the voice interaction module is further configured to determine and then send a control command to the thermostat over a third channel of the full duplex connection to change at least one control parameter of the thermostat. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification