Devices and methods for interacting with an HVAC controller
US10047970B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 2014 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 6, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B10/40
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An HVAC controller may be controlled in response to a natural language audio message that is not recognizable by the HVAC controller as a command, where the natural language audio message is translated into a command recognizable by the HVAC controller. The HVAC controller may be a thermostat and may include a housing that at least partially houses a control module, a microphone, a speaker, a display, and a voice recognition module. The voice recognition module recognizes a predetermined audible trigger from a recorded voice message or streamed voice message, and in response, provide one or more audio clips via the speaker and/or video clips via the display to assist users in operating the thermostat. A user may communicate with the thermostat via the thermostat and/or a remote device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.