# US 10,310,477 B2 · Multi-function thermostat with occupant tracking features

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- Number: US 10,310,477 B2
- Document ID: US10310477B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/336,793
- Filed: 2016-10-28
- Published: 2017-05-04
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2015-10-28
- Assignees: Johnson Controls Technology Company
- Applicants: Johnson Controls Technology Company
- Inventors: Sudhi Sinha; Joseph R. Ribbich; Michael L. Ribbich; Charles J. Gaidish; John P. Cipolla
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10310477B2

## CPC

- G07F 9/0235: {the arrangements being full-front touchscreens}
- A61B 5/02055: {Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature}
- A61B 5/681: {Wristwatch-type devices}
- A61M 5/1723: {using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood sugar or pressure}
- F24F 11/30: for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
- F24F 11/32: Responding to malfunctions or emergencies
- F24F 11/523: for displaying temperature data
- F24F 11/526: giving audible indications
- F24F 11/58: using Internet communication
- F24F 11/62: characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
- F24F 11/63: Electronic processing
- F24F 11/74: for controlling air flow rate or air velocity
- F24F 11/84: using valves
- G05B 19/048: Monitoring; Safety
- G06F 3/167: {Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback}
- G06Q 20/10: specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
- G06Q 20/382: {insuring higher security of transaction}
- G06Q 20/383: {Anonymous user system}
- G06Q 20/405: {Establishing or using transaction specific rules}
- G06Q 50/12: Hotels or restaurants
- G06Q 50/40: Business processes related to the transportation industry (shipping G06Q10/083)
- G07F 17/0057: {for the hiring or rent of vehicles, e.g. cars, bicycles or wheelchairs (car rental G07B15/00)}
- G07G 5/00: Receipt-giving machines
- G08B 7/066: {guiding along a path, e.g. evacuation path lighting strip}
- G08B 21/0453: {worn on the body to detect health condition by physiological monitoring, e.g. electrocardiogram, temperature, breathing (detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00)}
- H04L 67/12: specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
- H04W 64/003: {locating network equipment}
- A61B 5/02405: {Determining heart rate variability}
- A61B 5/02438: {with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient}
- A61B 5/1113: {Local tracking of patients, e.g. in a hospital or private home}
- A61B 5/117: Identification of persons (methods or arrangements for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints, G06F18/00, G06V40/00; identification of persons by analysing their voice or speech G10L17/00)
- A61M 5/14: Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
- A61M 2209/088: on the body
- F24F 11/52: Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
- F24F 2110/10: Temperature
- F24F 2120/00: Control inputs relating to users or occupants
- F24F 2120/10: Occupancy
- F24F 2120/12: Position of occupants
- F24F 2120/14: Activity of occupants
- F24F 2120/20: Feedback from users
- F24F 2140/00: Control inputs relating to system states
- G05B 2219/15117: Radio link, wireless
- G05B 2219/2614: HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control
- G05B 2219/2642: Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
- G06F 3/04883: for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
- G06F 16/24575: {using context}
- G08B 19/00: Alarms responsive to two or more different undesired or abnormal conditions, e.g. burglary and fire, abnormal temperature and abnormal rate of flow
- G08B 27/00: Alarm systems in which the alarm condition is signalled from a central station to a plurality of substations
- H04W 64/00: Locating users or terminals {or network equipment} for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
- H05B 47/11: by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
- H05B 47/115: by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
- G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00})
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}
- F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02)
- G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G)
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G07G: REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
- G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)
- H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL

## Abstract

A multi-function thermostat for a building includes a communications interface and a processing circuit. The communications interface is configured to communicate with building equipment and receive data from one or more sensors. The processing circuit is configured to control the building equipment to affect an environmental condition within a first zone of the building when an occupant is detected within the first zone based on the data received from the sensors. The processing circuit is further configured to detect movement of the occupant from the first zone of the building to a second zone of the building based on the data received from the sensors. The processing circuit is further configured to control the building equipment to affect an environmental condition within the second zone of the building when the occupant is detected within the second zone based on the data received from the sensors.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A multi-function thermostat for a building, the thermostat comprising:
a user interface configured to receive user input adjusting settings of the thermostat;
a communications interface configured to communicate with building equipment and receive data from one or more sensors; and
a processing circuit configured to:
control the building equipment to affect an environmental condition within a first zone of the building when a first occupant is detected by the processing circuit within the first zone based on the data received from the sensors;
detect whether a second occupant associated with no permission to adjust the settings is within a predefined distance from the thermostat based on the data received from the sensors;
disable adjustment of the settings via the user interface in response to a detection that the second occupant is within the predefined distance from the thermostat;
detect movement of the first occupant from the first zone of the building to a second zone of the building based on the data received from the sensors; and
control the building equipment to affect an environmental condition within the second zone of the building when the first occupant is detected within the second zone based on the data received from the sensors.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the sensors are located in the first zone and the second zone of the building, wherein the sensors comprise at least one of a microphone and a camera.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the communications interface is further configured to receive permissions associated with the first occupant and the second occupant from a building management system, wherein the permissions define which of the settings of the thermostat the first occupant and the second occupant are allowed to adjust.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The thermostat of claim 3, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to allow the first occupant to adjust the settings of the thermostat based on the permissions via the user interface.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:
cause the building equipment to activate lighting in the first zone of the building when the first occupant is detected within the first zone based on the data received from the sensors;
cause the building equipment to deactivate lighting in the first zone of the building when the first occupant is detected in the second zone of the building based on the data received from the sensors; and
cause the building equipment to activate lighting in the second zone of the building when the first occupant is detected in the second zone of the building based on the data received from the sensors.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the communications interface is further configured to receive signal strength data indicating a wireless signal strength between a user device associated with the first occupant and one or more routers;
wherein the processing circuit is further configured to determine a location of the first occupant based on the signal strength data and the locations of the routers.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to determine a location of the first occupant based on audio data received from the sensors by:
determining one or more voice biometrics of the first occupant based on the audio data; and
matching the determined voice biometrics to voice biometrics linked to the first occupant.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the communications interface is further configured to communicate with a user device associated with the first occupant;
wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:
receive a unique device identifier from the user device via the communications interface;
identify the first occupant associated with the user device based on the unique device identifier; and
identify preferred settings associated with the first occupant.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The thermostat of claim 8, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:
control the environmental condition within the first zone based on the preferred settings when the first occupant is detected in the first zone; and
control the environmental condition within the second zone based on the preferred settings when the first occupant is detected in the second zone.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the communications interface is further configured to receive signal strength data for a wireless connection between a user device associated with the first occupant and one or more emitters;
wherein the processing circuit is further configured to determine a location of the user device based on the signal strength data.

### Claim 11

A thermostat controller for a building, the thermostat controller comprising:
a user interface configured to receive user input adjusting settings of the thermostat controller;
a communications interface configured to:
communicate with building equipment and receive data from one or more sensors; and
receive preferences of a first occupant from a building management system; and
a processing circuit configured to:
control the building equipment to affect an environmental condition within a first zone of the building based on the preferences of the occupant when the first occupant is detected by the processing circuit within the first zone based on the data received from the sensors;
detect whether a second occupant associated with no permission to adjust the settings is within a predefined distance from the thermostat controller based on the data received from the sensors;
disable adjustment of the settings via the user interface in response to a detection that the second occupant is within the predefined distance from the thermostat controller;
detect movement of the first occupant from the first zone of the building to a second zone of the building based on the data received from the sensors; and
control the building equipment to affect an environmental condition within a second zone of the building based on the preferences of the first occupant when the occupant is detected within the second zone based on the data received from the sensors.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The thermostat controller of claim 11, wherein the communications interface is further configured to receive permissions associated with the first occupant and the second occupant from the building management system, wherein the permissions define which of the settings of the thermostat controller the first occupant and the second occupant are allowed to adjust.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The thermostat controller of claim 12, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to allow the first occupant to adjust the settings of the thermostat controller based on the permissions via the user interface.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The thermostat controller of claim 11, wherein the communications interface is further configured to communicate with a user device associated with the first occupant;
wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:
receive a unique device identifier from the user device via the network communications interface;
identify the first occupant associated with the user device based on the unique device identifier; and
identify the preferred settings associated with the first occupant.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The thermostat controller of claim 11, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to determine a location of the first occupant based on audio data received from the sensors by:
determining one or more voice biometrics of the first occupant based on the audio data; and
matching the determined voice biometrics to voice biometrics linked to the first occupant.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The thermostat controller of claim 11, wherein the communications interface is configured to receive signal strength data indicating a wireless signal strength between a user device associated with the first occupant and one or more routers;
wherein the processing circuit is further configured to determine a location of the first occupant based on the signal strength data and the locations of the routers.

### Claim 17

A method for controlling building equipment with a multi-function thermostat for a building, the method comprising:
receiving, by the thermostat, user input adjusting settings of the thermostat via a user interface of the thermostat;
operating, by the thermostat, the building equipment to affect an environmental condition within a first zone of the building when a first occupant is detected by the thermostat within the first zone based on occupancy data;
detecting, by the thermostat, whether a second occupant associated with no permission to adjust the settings is within a predefined distance from the thermostat based on the occupancy data;
disabling, by the thermostat, adjustment of the settings via the user interface in response to a detection that the second occupant is within the predefined distance from the thermostat;
detecting, by the thermostat, movement of the first occupant from the first zone of the building to a second zone of the building based on the occupancy data; and
operating, by the thermostat, the building equipment to affect an environmental condition within the second zone of the building when the first occupant is detected within the second zone based on the occupancy data.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises receiving, by the thermostat, the occupancy data from one or more occupancy sensors located in the first zone and the second zone of the building, wherein the sensors comprise at least one of a microphone and a camera.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises receiving, by the thermostat, permissions associated with the occupant from the building management system, wherein the permissions define which of the settings of the thermostat the first occupant and the second occupant are allowed to adjust.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises:
activating, by the thermostat, lighting in the first zone of the building when the first occupant is detected within the first zone based on the occupancy data;
deactivating, by the thermostat, lighting in the first zone of the building when the first occupant is detected in the second zone of the building based on the occupancy data; and
activating, by the thermostat, lighting in the second zone of the building when the first occupant is detected in the second zone of the building based on the occupancy data.