Thermostat control device with integrated feedback and notification capability
First Claim
1. An environmental control device comprising:
- a temperature sensor;
an audio module;
an input/out module operatively connected to an environmental system;
a memory module;
a processor in communication with the temperature sensor, the audio module, the input/out module and the memory module, wherein the memory module stores a control routine comprising processor executable instructions and a user-selected audio file associated with a predefined event related to the environmental system, the processor executable instructions configured to;
receive a control indication corresponding to a temperature sensor signal from the temperature sensor, an environmental system output signal from the input/output module, or an input from a user via the environmental control device;
determine whether the control indication corresponds to the predefined event; and
generate, via the audio module, an audible signal based on the user-selected audio file in response to determining that the control indication corresponds to the predefined event, the predefined event being an input of a setpoint change greater than a predetermined setpoint change from the user via the environmental control device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An environmental control device is disclosed and includes a temperature sensor, an audio module, an input/out module operatively connected to an environmental system, a memory module, and a processor in communication with the temperature sensor, the audio module, and the memory. The memory stores a control routine comprising processor executable instructions and an audio file associated with a predefined event related to the environmental system. The processor executable instructions are configured to receive a current state signal corresponding to one of a temperature sensor signal from the temperature sensor and an environmental system output signal from the input/output module,
determine whether the current state signal corresponds to the predefined event, and generate, via the audio module, an audible signal based on the audio file in response to determining that the current state signal corresponds to the predefined event.
70 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An environmental control device comprising:
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a temperature sensor; an audio module; an input/out module operatively connected to an environmental system; a memory module; a processor in communication with the temperature sensor, the audio module, the input/out module and the memory module, wherein the memory module stores a control routine comprising processor executable instructions and a user-selected audio file associated with a predefined event related to the environmental system, the processor executable instructions configured to; receive a control indication corresponding to a temperature sensor signal from the temperature sensor, an environmental system output signal from the input/output module, or an input from a user via the environmental control device; determine whether the control indication corresponds to the predefined event; and generate, via the audio module, an audible signal based on the user-selected audio file in response to determining that the control indication corresponds to the predefined event, the predefined event being an input of a setpoint change greater than a predetermined setpoint change from the user via the environmental control device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An environmental control device configured to regulate environmental conditions within a structure, the device comprising:
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an audio module; and a processor in communication with the audio module and a memory in communication with the processor, wherein the memory is configured to store control routines comprising processor executable instructions, the processor executable instructions configured to; implement a first control routine to control an environmental system, wherein the first control routine is operative to regulate a temperature within the structure with respect to a temperature threshold; implement, in response to a detected activating event, a stored second control routine that is different than the first control routine, wherein the second control routine alters the operation of the environmental system with respect to the temperature threshold; and generate, via the audio module, an audible indication associated with the detected activating event, wherein the audible indication reflects the altered operation of the environmental system, the detected activating event being the receipt of an input of a change of the temperature threshold greater than a predetermined temperature threshold change from a user via the environmental control device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of controlling the environment within a structure and providing feedback regarding the environment, the method comprising:
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receiving a control indication at a thermostat control device; analyzing the received control indication against a stored plurality of activating events; determining when the control indication corresponds to one activating event of the plurality of activating events; identifying, when the control indication corresponds to the one activating event, an audio file associated with the one activating event; and playing the audio file associated with the one activating event, the one activating event being an input of a setpoint change greater than a predetermined setpoint change from a user via the thermostat control device, wherein the audio file reflects an operation status of an environmental system. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification