Adaptive hierarchy usage monitoring HVAC control system
AssigneeMMI Controls Ltd.
InventorsRobert J. Poth, Johnnie L. McDowell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods are described for an adaptive hierarchy usage monitoring HVAC control system. A method, includes: regulating user access to at least one menu of an interactive user interface of a programmable digital thermostat, including: reversibly defining at least one minimum user level required to access the at least one menu.
Claims2
A method, comprising regulating user access to at least one menu of an interactive user interface of a programmable digital thermostat, including:
- reversibly defining at least one minimum user level required to access the at least one menu including:
- reading and storing a hierarchical personal identification number associated with a hierarchical user level;
- permitting hierarchical user access to a user level menu when the hierarchical personal identification number is both valid and associated with a hierarchical user level greater than or equal to a minimum hierarchical user level predefined to be required for access to the user level menu;
- and
- reading and storing the at least one minimum user level required to access the at least one menu;
- and then
- permitting user access to the at least one menu when a personal identification number entered by another user is both valid and associated with a user level greater than or equal to the minimum user level reversibly defined by the hierarchical user to be required for access to the at least one menu;
- and
- synchronizing a clock of the programmable digital thermostat using a power line frequency.
A method, comprising defining a multi-stage cooling/heating program of a programmable digital thermostat having an interactive user interface, including:
- reversibly defining a number of events per day including:
- reading and storing a hierarchical personal identification number associated with a hierarchical user level;
- permitting hierarchical user access to a system menu when the hierarchical personal identification number is both valid and associated with a hierarchical user level greater than or equal to a minimum hierarchical user level predefined to be required for access to the system menu;
- and
- reading and storing the number of events per day;
- and then
- permitting user access to another menu when a personal identification number entered by another user is valid to further define the multi-stage cooling/heating program;
- and
- synchronizing a clock of the programmable digital thermostat using a power line frequency.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.