US6741915B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Usage monitoring HVAC control system
Assignee: MMI Controls Ltd
•
Filing: 2001-08-22
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Granted: 2004-05-25
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Expires: 2021-08-22
Abstract
Abstract Systems and methods are described for a usage monitoring HVAC control system. A method, includes: providing a usage monitoring heating ventilation and air conditioning control system, the usage monitoring heating ventilation and air conditioning control system including a programmable digital thermostat with an on board memory, issuing personal identification numbers to each of a plurality of system users; associating each of the plurality of system users with at least one of a plurality of user types; storing the personal identification numbers in a first data structure in the on board memory; and linking each one of a plurality of entries in the first data structure by reference to at least one of a plurality of entries in a second data structure in the on board memory, the second data structure including a list of user types. A method, includes regulating user access to an interactive user interface of a programmable thermostat, each user identified by a personal identification number associated with a user type such as, for example, building owners, maintenance personnel, building tenants, and manufacturers.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. Poth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 06:08
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/30; F24F11/46; G; G05; G05B; G05B15/00; G05B15/02; G06; G06Q; G06Q50/00; G06Q50/06; F24F11/47; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/20; G05B2219/26; G05B2219/2642; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P80/00; Y02P80/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A method, comprising: providing a usage monitoring heating ventilation and air conditioning control system including a programmable digital thermostat with an on board memory; issuing a plurality of personal identification numbers to a plurality of system users; storing a plurality of personal identification numbers in a first data structure in the on board memory; linking each one of the plurality of personal identification numbers in the first data structure by reference to at least one of a plurality of entries in a second data structure in the on board memory, the second data structure including a plurality of user types; receiving a request for an additional period of heating ventilation and air conditioning system services from a requesting system user; maintaining another data structure in the on board memory of the programmable thermostat, the another data structure including a list of time entries, each time entry associated with one of the plurality of system users; updating the another data structure by adding a duration in units of time to a time associated with the requesting system user; and uploading the another data structure to a central billing computer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
188 words
A method, comprising: providing a usage monitoring heating ventilation and air conditioning control system including a programmable digital thermostat with an on board memory; issuing a plurality of personal identification numbers to a plurality of system users; storing a plurality of personal identification numbers in a first data structure in the on board memory; linking each one of the plurality of personal identification numbers in the first data structure by reference to at least one of a plurality of entries in a second data structure in the on board memory, the second data structure including a plurality of user types; receiving a request for an additional period of heating ventilation and air conditioning system services from a requesting system user; maintaining another data structure in the on board memory of the programmable thermostat, the another data structure including a list of time entries, each time entry associated with one of the plurality of system users; updating the another data structure by adding a duration in units of time to a time associated with the requesting system user; and uploading the another data structure to a central billing computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of user types is associated with at least one of a plurality of function sets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the on board memory includes a member selected from the group consisting of electrically erasable programmable read only memory, flash memory, random access memory, and network storage devices.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: dynamically updating the first data structure; and dynamically updating the second data structure.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
149 words
A method, comprising regulating user access to an interactive user interface of a programmable thermostat, each of a plurality of system users identified by a personal identification number i) stored in a data structure of an on board memory of the programmable thermostat and ii) associated with a user type selected from the group consisting of building owners, maintenance personnel, building tenants, and manufacturers; receiving a request for an additional period of heating ventilation and air conditioning system services from a requesting user; maintaining another data structure in the memory of the programmable thermostat, the another data structure including a list of time entries, each time entry associated with one of the plurality of system users; updating the another data structure by adding a duration in units of time to a time associated with the requesting system user; and uploading the another data structure to a central billing computer.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
149 words
A method, comprising regulating user access to an interactive user interface of a programmable thermostat, each of a plurality of system users identified by a personal identification number i) stored in a data structure of an on board memory of the programmable thermostat and ii) associated with a user type selected from the group consisting of building owners, maintenance personnel, building tenants, and manufacturers; receiving a request for an additional period of heating ventilation and air conditioning system services from a requesting user; maintaining another data structure in the memory of the programmable thermostat, the another data structure including a list of time entries, each time entry associated with one of the plurality of system users; updating the another data structure by adding a duration in units of time to a time associated with the requesting system user; and uploading the another data structure to a central billing computer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein each personal identification number belongs to exactly one user type.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein access to the interactive user interface is regulated using at least one of a plurality of software filters.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-05-25 | 2007-11-24 | 2008-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-05-25 | 2011-11-24 | 2012-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-05-25 | 2015-11-24 | 2016-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |