Thermostat and system and method for use of same
A thermostat and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, multiple wireless transceivers are located within a housing, which also interconnectively includes a processor and memory. To improve convenience, the thermostat may establish a pairing with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device having a display. Virtual remote control functionality for various amenities may then be provided. To improve safety, the thermostat may be incorporated into a geolocation and safety network.
1. A system for remote control, the system comprising:
a programming interface configured to communicate with a thermostat, the thermostat including a housing securing a temperature input, a temperature output, a processor, non-transitory memory, and storage therein, the thermostat including a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting the temperature input, the temperature output, the processor, the non-transitory memory, and the storage, the thermostat including a wireless transceiver associated with the housing and coupled to the busing architecture; and
the non-transitory memory accessible to the processor, the non-transitory memory including first processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to:
establish a pairing between a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device and the thermostat,
send user interface instructions relative to an amenity to the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device,
receive and process user input instructions relative to the amenity from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device,
generate a command signal, and
send the command signal to the amenity; and
the non-transitory memory including second processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to:
receive and process a beacon signal including a personal location device identification,
generate a broadcast signal including the personal location device identification, a thermostat identification, and a signal characteristics indicator, and
send the broadcast signal to a server.
2. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device comprises a device selected from the group consisting of personal computers, laptops, tablet computers, smart phones, and smart watches.
3. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the personal location device identification is generated by a personal location device, the personal location device further comprising the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device.
4. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the personal location device identification is generated by a personal location device, the personal location device further comprising a single button personal location device.
5. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the amenity is selected from the group consisting of television, lighting control, speakers, window shade control, and door security.
6. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the signal characteristics indicator is based on the beacon signal being received at the thermostat.
7. The system as recited in claim 6 , wherein the signal characteristics indicator is selected from the group consisting of signal strength measurements, phase angle measurements, and flight time measurements.
8. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the non-transitory memory includes third processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to:
establish the pairing between the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device and the thermostat,
send the user interface instructions relative to the amenity to the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device,
receive and process the user input instructions relative to the amenity from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device,
generate a status inquiry,
send the status inquiry to the amenity,
receive a response to the status inquiry at the thermostat, and
forward the response to the status inquiry to the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device.
9. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the memory includes fourth processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
establish the pairing between the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device and the thermostat,
send the user interface instructions relative to the amenity to the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device,
receive and process the user input instructions relative to the amenity from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device,
import content from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device,
reformat the imported content, and
forward the reformatted imported content to the amenity.
10. A system for remote control, the system comprising:
a programming interface configured to communicate with a thermostat, the thermostat including a housing securing a temperature input, a temperature output, a processor, non-transitory memory, and storage therein, the thermostat including a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting the temperature input, the temperature output, the processor, the non-transitory memory, and the storage, the thermostat including a wireless transceiver associated with the housing and coupled to the busing architecture; and
the non-transitory memory including first processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to:
receive and process a beacon signal including a personal location device identification,
generate a broadcast signal including the personal location device identification, a thermostat identification, and a signal characteristics indicator, and
send the broadcast signal to a server.
11. The system as recited in claim 10 , wherein the personal location device identification is generated by a personal location device, the personal location device further comprising a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device.
12. The system as recited in claim 10 , wherein the personal location device identification is generated by a personal location device, the personal location device further comprising a single button personal location device.
13. The system as recited in claim 10 , wherein the signal characteristics indicator is based on the beacon signal being received at the thermostat.
14. The system as recited in claim 10 , wherein the signal characteristics indicator is selected from the group consisting of signal strength measurements, phase angle measurements, and flight time measurements.
15. The system as recited in claim 10 , wherein the non-transitory memory includes second processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to:
establish a pairing between a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device and the thermostat,
send user interface instructions relative to an amenity to the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device,
receive and process user input instructions relative to the amenity from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device,
generate a status inquiry, and
send the status inquiry to the amenity,
receive a response to the status inquiry at the thermostat, and
forward the response to the status inquiry to the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device.
16. The system as recited in claim 15 , wherein the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device comprises a device selected from the group consisting of personal computers, laptops, tablet computers, smart phones, and smart watches.
17. The system as recited in claim 15 , wherein the amenity is selected from the group consisting of television, lighting control, speakers, window shade control, and door security.
18. The system as recited in claim 10 , wherein the non-transitory memory includes third processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to:
establish a pairing between a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device and the thermostat, the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device comprises a device selected from the group consisting of personal computers, laptops, tablet computers, smart phones, and smart watches,
send user interface instructions relative to an amenity to the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device,
receive and process user input instructions relative to the amenity from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device,
generate a command signal, and
send the command signal to the amenity.
19. The system as recited in claim 18 , wherein the amenity is selected from the group consisting of television, lighting control, speakers, window shade control, and door security.
20. A system for remote control, the system comprising:
a programming interface configured to communicate with a thermostat, the thermostat including a housing securing a temperature input, a temperature output, a processor, non-transitory memory, and storage therein, the thermostat including a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting the temperature input, the temperature output, the processor, the non-transitory memory, and the storage, the thermostat including a wireless transceiver associated with the housing and coupled to the busing architecture; and
the non-transitory memory including first processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to:
establish a pairing between a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device and the thermostat,
receive and process a beacon signal including a personal location device identification,
generate a broadcast signal including the personal location device identification, a thermostat identification, and a signal characteristics indicator, and
send the broadcast signal to a server.