Connected Thermostat Service Requests for Faster HVAC Dispatch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Customers face inconvenience and delays in servicing electrical devices due to the need to contact and follow up with contractors for repairs or replacements, as existing systems lack efficient mechanisms for automated service request processing and contractor selection.
Innovation Solution
An Internet-based system that includes a thermostat unit with a unique identification number, user interface, processing, and transmission means to generate and send service requests to a web-based server, which looks up and notifies appropriate contractors via SMS, email, or other methods, allowing users to select service types and urgency levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If customers contact and follow up with contractors manually for device servicing, then contractors can be notified of service requests, but customers experience inconvenience and delays due to the need to remember contractor details and actively follow up
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat unit automatically generates and transmits service requests to contractors without requiring customer intervention. The system self-services by detecting device issues and initiating the service request process autonomously, eliminating the need for customers to manually contact contractors or remember contractor details.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermostat unit acts as an intermediary between the HVAC device and the contractor. It receives service requests from the device, processes them by adding unique identification numbers, and automatically transmits them to the appropriate contractor, serving as an automated mediator that eliminates direct customer-contractor communication needs.
2Reliability
If a comprehensive service request system is implemented to track multiple service types and urgency levels, then service delivery can be improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The service request system segments information into distinct components: unique identification numbers for thermostat units, service request numbers for tracking, and categorized service types. This segmentation allows the complex system to manage multiple service parameters through structured, modular data elements that can be processed independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the thermostat unit with unique identification numbers and establishing the framework for service request transmission before actual service needs arise. This preliminary setup enables automatic service request generation without requiring complex real-time decision-making during service events.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an Internet based detailed service notification system to inform the contractor of a customer in need of HVAC servicing. The thermostat has Internet connectivity provided to it. Whenever the customers need servicing or repair of their HVAC devices, they have a special menu/interface at their disposal in their thermostat which assists the customer's service request to be registered on the thermostat company's web server. The company's web server having all the details of the thermostat owner, then automatically forwards these details to the preferred contractor through SMS, through email or an automatically generated call. The details include the address details, phone numbers, type of service needed e.g. servicing, repairing, new device installation, replacement and the like.