Networked thermostat control for ductless HVAC

A system for remotely controlling an infrared controlled HVAC system by a computing device configured to be positioned in a second location and in data communication with a wireless network, the infrared controlled HVAC system being installed in a first location, the infrared controlled HVAC system comprising an infrared detector directed toward an interior space and configured to receive an infrared control signal from a standard remote control, the system comprising:

• a cloud server controlling an infrared controlled HVAC system by a computing device;
• a controller configured to be positioned within the interior space of the second location as a replacement to the standard remote control at least part-time, the controller comprising:
• a microprocessor with a hardware processor and a memory;
• a wireless network interface controller providing data communication between a wireless network and the microprocessor;
• and
• an infrared transmitter controlled by the microprocessor and configured to be selectively in optical data communication with an infrared detector of the infrared controlled HVAC system;
• a sensor for measuring an ambient parameter;
• wherein the controller periodically interrogates the sensor for the ambient parameter, the controller sending the ambient parameter to the cloud server;
• wherein the infrared controlled HVAC system is a pre-existing environmental control system, and wherein the controller is retrofittable to the pre-existing environmental control system to enable a computing device control of the pre-existing environmental control system via transmission of control signals from the cloud server over the Internet to the controller;
• wherein a HVAC control signal is received by the controller from the computing device through the wireless network, the HVAC control signal containing an HVAC command;
• wherein infrared control signals are transmitted by the infrared transmitter to the infrared detector of the infrared controlled HVAC system;
• wherein the ambient parameter is a temperature, the sensor is a temperature sensor, a setting of the infrared controlled HVAC system being controlled to maintain a temperature set point of the temperature sensor;
• and,
• wherein the system monitors the temperature sensor to determine if the infrared controlled HVAC system has entered a runaway heat scenario, the system controlling the infrared controlled HVAC system to prevent undesired operational results.