Thermostat system for remote reading, setting, and control of devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern thermostats face challenges in universal compatibility with varying wiring configurations and power requirements, leading to complex installation, limited battery life, and difficulties in remote control and diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio in thermostats for peer-to-peer communication with smartphones, enabling local and remote control, and using a hub for connectivity to the cloud, which allows for standardized installation, long battery life, and simplified diagnostics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a thermostat uses wireless communication (WiFi) for remote control, then remote control capability is improved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat uses periodic advertising intervals instead of continuous communication. The device alternates between low-power sleep mode and active communication modes, waking up at predetermined intervals to broadcast its presence and receive control commands, then returning to sleep mode. This periodic operation significantly reduces average power consumption while maintaining remote control capability through the cloud infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cloud-based intermediary server that mediates between the thermostat and user devices. Instead of maintaining constant direct wireless connections, the thermostat communicates intermittently with the cloud, which then relays commands and data to user smartphones or tablets. This intermediary architecture allows the thermostat to remain in low-power state while still enabling remote control functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a thermostat supports universal wiring compatibility (0-8 wires), then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat is designed with universal functionality to work with 0-8 wires by detecting wire configurations automatically. It incorporates multiple communication protocols (Bluetooth Low Energy, WiFi, and cloud connectivity) and power management capabilities that adapt to different wiring scenarios. The device can operate in battery-powered mode for 0-wire installations or connect to various voltage sources when wires are present, eliminating the need for different thermostat models for different wiring configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermostat dynamically changes its operational parameters based on detected wire configurations. During installation, the device automatically detects the number of wires present and adjusts its power management strategy, communication protocols, and functional capabilities accordingly. This parameter adaptation allows a single device design to universally support various wiring configurations without requiring complex manual setup or multiple specialized models.
3Duration of action of moving object
If a thermostat uses Bluetooth Low Energy for communication, then battery life is improved, but communication range and data throughput are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The communication architecture is segmented into two distinct layers: a local Bluetooth Low Energy layer for immediate, low-power device-to-device communication, and a cloud-based wireless layer for remote communication. BLE handles local pairing, control, and diagnostics with minimal power consumption, while the cloud infrastructure handles remote command relay and data synchronization, compensating for BLE's limited range and throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud server acts as an intermediary that bridges the limitations of Bluetooth Low Energy. While BLE provides long battery life through ultra-low power consumption, it has limited range and data throughput. The cloud intermediary receives data from the thermostat via BLE or WiFi, then relays it to remote user devices through high-speed wireless networks, effectively extending communication capabilities without requiring the thermostat to maintain high-power continuous connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and approach for remote reading, setting and control of devices such as thermostats. A phone, such as a smartphone, a gateway and a cloud may be incorporated relative to interaction with the device or devices. The gateway may have a hub that has bluetooth communication capabilities with the device. The hub may be connected to a router that in turn is connected to a cloud in a wireless or wired manner. The phone may communicate with the cloud to achieve interaction with the device. The hub may also handle WiFi communications. The gateway may instead be a phone that contains an app which lets operate as a gateway for communications with the cloud. There may be one or more devices that are a part of one or more home area networks that are connected to a gateway via bluetooth and WiFi, and in turn connected to the cloud.