Wireless Thermostat Web-Service Pairing for Remote HVAC Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems lack the ability to be remotely controlled and monitored effectively, limiting user convenience and efficiency in managing environmental conditions within buildings.
Innovation Solution
An HVAC controller is associated with an external web service through a wireless network, allowing remote access and control by establishing a first wireless network between the controller and a user's device, which then connects to a wider area network for communication with the web service, using access and registration parameters to authenticate and link the controller to a user account.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an HVAC controller is connected to a wireless network for remote access, then user convenience and remote control capability are improved, but device complexity and network configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The HVAC controller automatically generates and transmits registration parameters (MAC address, CRC code) to the external device, and the system performs self-registration with the web service without requiring manual configuration of network credentials or complex setup procedures by the user
Solution Approach 2:
A temporary first wireless network is established between the HVAC controller and external device to serve as an intermediary communication channel, allowing the external device to receive registration parameters and configure connection to the second wireless network without requiring the controller to have direct access to network credentials
2Ease of manufacture
If the HVAC controller establishes a temporary wireless network for registration, then ease of initial setup is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The HVAC controller hosts a temporary wireless network specifically for the registration process before connecting to the permanent second wireless network, allowing all configuration and parameter transmission to occur beforehand so that normal operation requires no additional power beyond standard network maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The network connection process is divided into distinct phases: initial temporary network establishment for registration, then transition to permanent network connection for normal operation, separating the setup burden from ongoing operational power consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless thermostat may be associated with a user account of an external web service that may facilitate remote access and/or control of the wireless thermostat. A remote device may be used to access a user's account hosted by the external web service. The wireless thermostat may be identified to the external web service and associated with the user's account by one or more unique identifiers previously delivered to the remote device from the wireless thermostat.