US Patent:
20140135998, May 15, 2014
Inventors:
Zhiheng CAO - Aliso Viejo CA, US
Qingqi DOU - Aliso Viejo CA, US
International Classification:
G05D 23/19
Abstract:
A new system and associated methods are disclosed for minimize a thermostat hardware to reduce its cost, while allowing the user to regulate temperature based on information from one or more external door/window sensors, motion sensors and temperature sensors coupled indirectly to the thermostat through an Internet service. From anywhere with Internet access, the user can specify various types of algorithms to be carried out on the Internet service through a scripting language, including turning off HVAC function when a door or window sensor detects opening, turning on HVAC when a motion sensor detects motion, and controlling the thermostat based on temperature reading from the same motion sensor that last detected motion or human presence. With a prior art thermostat, user often has to press the temperature setting button multiple times until the temperature setting is raised above or lowered below current temperature to turn on heat or cooling HVAC functions. A method to allow user to turn on the HVAC functions through a single button click is also disclosed, to allow reducing the number of control elements on a thermostat.