Thermostat and remote control apparatus

• US 20030034897A1
• Filed: 08/20/2001
• Published: 02/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Charles G. Shamoon, Deborah H. Shamoon
• Original Assignee: Charles G. Shamoon, Deborah H. Shamoon
• Inventors: Shamoon, Charles G., Shamoon, Deborah H.
• Application Number:
  US09/931,985
• Publication Number:
  US 20030034897A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/825.72
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/21 Programming remote control devices via third means
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/51 Remote controlling of devices based on replies, status thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

A thermostat and remote control apparatus, that is made up of a housing, an interface disposed in the housing, a plurality of icons on the interface, which correspond to a set of controls for items that can be controlled by the apparatus, a display screen, which indicates the current temperature setting, time and date, a recessed program and enter button that allows a user to enter temperature settings to a thermostat, a clear button for deleting any entered information, an electric cradle that is used to recharge the apparatus, a universal serial bus port (USB) that is used to connect a computerized device to the apparatus, an RS-232 port to standardize a transmission of serial data between any devices and the apparatus and a microcontroller for processing information and data. The apparatus specifically utilizes infrared and radio frequency technology for transmitting and receiving information from various items.

Claims

1. A thermostat and remote control apparatus, comprising:

a housing;

an interface disposed in said housing;

a plurality of icons on the interface, which correspond to a set of controls for items that are controlled by the apparatus;

a display screen, which indicates the current temperature setting, time and date;

a recessed program and enter button that allows a user to enter temperature settings to a thermostat;

a clear button for deleting any entered information;

an electric cradle that is used to recharge the apparatus;

a universal serial bus port (USB) that is used to connect a computerized device to the apparatus;

an RS-232 port to standardize a transmission of serial data between any devices and the apparatus;

a microcontroller for processing information and data;

a serial to parallel converter and a parallel to serial converter; and

a transmitting means for transmitting a signal to and from an item that can be controlled by the apparatus.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an entertainment center, and wherein the item controlled by the apparatus is said entertainment center.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a thermostat, and wherein the item controlled by the apparatus is said thermostat.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising household appliances, and wherein items controlled by the apparatus are said household appliances.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising devices with an X-10 protocol, and wherein items controlled by the apparatus are said devices with an X-10 protocol.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a security system, and wherein the item controlled by the apparatus is said security system.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting means for transmitting information to and from an item is an infrared transmitter and receiver.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting means for transmitting information to and from an item is a radio frequency transmitter and receiver.