Wireless thermostat and system

• US 10,261,528 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2014
• Issued: 04/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blue Radios Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Blue Radios Incorporated
• Inventors: Kramer, Mark, Tucker, Wilfred, Sample, John, Bermel, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Crenshaw, Henry T
• Application Number:
  US14/171,838
• Publication Number:
  US 20140217186A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,897 Days
• Field of Search: 236 78 R, 236 1 C, 340521, 726 1
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control

Abstract

A secure wireless thermostat and system comprising the thermostat are described and taught. The temperature control unit replaces the traditional thermostat by attaching to the wall and using the existing wiring from the traditional thermostat. This temperature control unit has no display or programming buttons, rather a user interacts with the temperature control unit via electronic devices such as smart phones, laptop computers, and desktop computers. The settings of the system can be modified by the user from these access ports. If the user opts to interact with the system via a third party IP server, a local DHCP web server can be employed to store data safely and securely.

Claims

1. A temperature control unit consisting of:

an exterior shell, the exterior shell comprising a first half configured to securely mate with a second half, the first half consisting of a continuous first surface and the second half being configured to couple to an existing wall;

a wall mounting bracket, wherein the wall mounting bracket attaches to the exterior shell via terminal screws; and

a printed circuit board (PCB), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a battery, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and an accelerometer contained within the exterior shell;

wherein the temperature control unit employs near field communication (NFC);

wherein settings of the temperature control unit are modified via a voice command input by a secondary electronic device in communicative connection with the temperature control unit;

wherein the temperature control unit is configured to send a theft notification to the secondary electronic device based on data collected by the accelerometer.

2. The temperature control unit of claim 1 wherein the temperature control unit operates over the 2.4 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) radio band.

3. The temperature control unit of claim 1 wherein the temperature control unit operates as a wireless local area network device.

4. The temperature control unit of claim 1 wherein the printed circuit board has at least two terminal screws.

5. A control system comprising:

the temperature control unit of claim 1; and

a smart phone paired to the temperature control unit to enable automated and manual control of settings of the control system,

wherein authorization information must be exchanged between the smart phone and the temperature control unit,

wherein absence of the authorization information being exchanged will result in an unsuccessful pairing of the temperature control unit and the smart phone,

wherein the settings of the control system are modified via a voice command received by the smart phone,

wherein the smart phone is configured to receive a theft notification from the temperature control unit based on data collected by the accelerometer, wherein the smart phone is configured to enable manual control of the control system via an application running on the smart phone, and wherein the smart phone is configured to further automatically set a schedule of the system based on a combination of an electronic calendar, global positioning system, proximity position of the smart phone to the temperature control unit, and weather forecast.

6. The control system of claim 5 wherein settings of the system are configured to be manipulated via a touch sensitive screen of the smart phone.

7. A temperature control system consisting of:

a temperature control unit, the temperature control unit consisting of an exterior shell and having a printed circuit board (PCB), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a battery, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and an accelerometer contained within the exterior shell,

wherein the exterior shell is affixed to a wall and consists of a static, continuous first surface, and

wherein the temperature control unit utilizes near field communications capabilities;

at least one smart phone paired to the control unit via a near field communications connection,

wherein the smart phone is configured to receive a theft notification from the temperature control unit based on data collected by the accelerometer,

wherein the smart phone is configured to enable manual control the temperature control system,

wherein authorization information must be exchanged between the smart phone and the control unit,

wherein absence of the authorization information being exchanged will result in an unsuccessful pairing of the control unit and the smart phone,

wherein settings of the control system are modified via a voice command received by the smart phone, and

wherein the smart phone is further configured to automatically modify a schedule of the system based on a combination of an electronic calendar, global positioning system, proximity position of the smart phone to the control unit, and weather forecast; and

a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server or wireless access point configured to provide system security and system access.