(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0034898A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Feb. 20, 2003
`Shamoon et al.
`
`US 2003.0034898A1
`
`(54)
`
`(76)
`
`(21)
`(22)
`
`(63)
`
`THERMOSTAT AND REMOTE CONTROL
`SYSTEMAND METHOD
`
`Inventors: Charles G. Shamoon, Raleigh, NC
`(US); Deborah H. Shamoon, Raleigh,
`NC (US); Brian Spinks, Wendell, NC
`(US); Dale E. Dorsett, Raleigh, NC
`(US)
`Correspondence Address:
`Richard C. Litman
`LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD.
`P.O. Box 15035
`Arlington, VA 22215 (US)
`Appl. No.:
`09/987,035
`
`Filed:
`
`Nov. 13, 2001
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/931,985,
`filed on Aug. 20, 2001.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl." ..................................................... G05B 19/02
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................. 340/825.72; 340/825.24
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A thermostat and remote control apparatus, that is made up
`of a housing, an interface, a plurality of icons on the
`interface, corresponding to controls for items, a display
`Screen, indicating the current temperature Setting, time and
`date, a recessed program and enter button for entering
`temperature Settings to a thermostat, a clear button for
`deleting any entered information, a cradle that is used to
`recharge the apparatus, a universal Serial bus port (USB)
`connecting a computerized device to the apparatus, an
`RS-232 port to standardize a transmission of serial data
`between any devices and the apparatus, and a microcontrol
`ler for processing information and data. The apparatus
`utilizes infrared and radio frequency technology for trans
`mitting and receiving information from various items. A
`controlled apparatus with a microprocessor (e.g., a child
`monitor) is also disclosed.
`
`
`
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`
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`TEMP
`SENSOR(S)
`
`POWER LINE
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1004
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 1 of 9
`
`US 2003/0034898A1
`
`it
`
`s
`
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`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 2 of 9
`
`US 2003/0034898A1
`
`-10
`N
`
`15
`
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`
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`
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`
`Fig. 2
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1004
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 3
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 3 of 9
`
`US 2003/0034898A1
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`
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1004
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 4 of 9
`
`US 2003/0034898A1
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`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1004
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 5 of 9
`
`US 2003/0034898A1
`
`408
`REMOTE ANTENNA |
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`
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`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1004
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 6 of 9
`
`US 2003/0034898A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`*REMOTE
`ANTENNA
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`TRANSMITTER
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`(HAS ABILITY TO
`|
`WORK WITH)
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`25 O
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1004
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 7 of 9
`
`US 2003/0034898A1
`
`( INTERNET
`
`SERVER
`COMPUTER (500)
`5 1 O
`
`PROCESSOR
`
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`MEMORY
`
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`
`BUS (530)
`
`
`
`STORAGE
`DEVICE
`
`Fig. 7
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1004
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 8 of 9
`
`US 2003/0034898A1
`
`6OO
`
`62O
`
`618
`
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`
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`Fig. 8
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1004
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 20, 2003 Sheet 9 of 9
`
`US 2003/0034898A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`CHARGEABLE
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`HEADSET || BATTERY
`Fig. 9
`
`CHARGER 418
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1004
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 10
`
`

`

`US 2003/0034898A1
`
`Feb. 20, 2003
`
`THERMOSTAT AND REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM
`AND METHOD
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`0001. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
`Utility patent application Ser. No. 09/931,985.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0002) 1. Field of the Invention
`0003. The present invention relates to an intelligent ther
`mostat controller and hand held remote controller apparatus.
`0004 2. Description of the Related Art
`0005 Most modern families use several remote control
`devices to operate and utilize a wide variety of electronic
`equipment in their respective households. Use of a remote
`control is commonplace for operating televisions, Stereos,
`garage door openers and Video cassette recorders. Remote
`control Systems are also used at the commercial level.
`Furthermore, a variety of different technologies can be
`applied to a remote control.
`0006 The related art discloses the use of a remote control
`to control several pieces of equipment. U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,
`557 issued to Schepers et al., outlines the use of the
`interactive control of an entertainment electronicS apparatus.
`The apparatus can be simplified So that an unpracticed user
`can easily make all of the necessary or desired adjustments
`wanted, even in the case of a large, Seemingly complex
`System.
`0007 U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,222 issued to Welty, describes
`certain improvements in remote control Systems for control
`ling electronically operable equipment in occupiable struc
`tures, and more Specifically to remote control equipment
`with an essentially unlimited command format Such that the
`System is responsive to a large number of pieces of elec
`tronic equipment having different command formats, and
`which System can generate encoded Signals compatible with
`any Such electrically operated equipment.
`0008 U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,036 issued to Brown, Jr. et al.,
`describes the use of an energy management and home
`automation System which includes one or more controllers
`in each facility being managed, and one or more energy
`consuming devices attached to each controller. Each con
`troller responds to digital paging Signals from a central
`command center which establish a Schedule of events effect
`ing the operation of each device, and the controller Sched
`ules each device to be operated pursuant to the programmed
`Schedule.
`0009 U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,857 issued to Lee et al., teaches
`a remote control method and apparatus for a remote con
`troller having a touch panel as an image apparatus, and
`performing a remote control operation of an image appara
`tus, Such as a television, either by inputting a character onto
`the touch panel or by controlling a cursor according to the
`contact location of a finger or a pen contacting the touch
`panel.
`0010 U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,496 issued to Van Steenbrugge,
`teaches the use of a method and apparatus for processing
`control instructions received from at least 2 identifiable
`
`Sources via a communication connection. The method can be
`used in apparatuses which are coupled together by a bus. The
`invention also relates to an apparatus provided with a control
`circuit adapted to perform the method.
`0011 U.S. Pat. No. 5,621,662 issued to Humphries et al.,
`teaches a home automation System made up of a number of
`Sub-Systems for controlling various aspects of a house, Such
`as a Security System, an HVAC system, a lighting control
`System and an entertainment System. The network utilizes a
`host computer connected through a host interface to a
`plurality of nodes. The network is in a free form topology
`and employs asynchronous communication.
`0012 U.S. Pat. No. 5,818,428 issued to Eisenbrandt et
`al., teaches the use of a control System with a user config
`urable interface, particularly Suitable for use in connection
`with appliances. Users can configure display Screens at a
`point of Sale location or at home with a personal computer.
`Auser interface includes both the hardware and the Software
`via which a user interacts with a control System and includes
`Visual indicators, Switches and display Systems.
`0013 U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,486 issued to Ehlers et al.,
`teaches the use of a residential or commercial environmental
`condition control System and, more specifically, to a System
`that controls internal environmental conditions to optimize
`comfort and minimize energy consumption cost, based on
`user defined parameters.
`0014 U.S. Pat. No. 6,005,490 issued to Higashihara,
`teaches the use of a bidirectional remote control apparatus
`which can exchange a control Signal between a remote
`control transmitter and controlled equipment in two direc
`tions.
`0.015 U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,750 issued to Hoffberg et al.,
`teaches the use of an adaptive interface for a programmable
`System for predicting a desired user function, based on user
`history, as well as machine internal Status and context. The
`apparatus receives an input from a user and other data. A
`predicted input is presented for confirmation by the user and
`the predictive mechanism is updated based on this feedback.
`0016 U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,956 B1 issued to Ehlers et al.,
`teaches the use of an indoor environmental condition control
`and energy management System with a plurality of inputs. A
`user input receives user input parameters including a desired
`indoor environmental condition range for at least one energy
`unit price point. An indoor environmental condition input
`receives a Sensed indoor environmental condition. An
`energy price input receives a Schedule of projected energy
`unit prices per time periods.
`0017. Each of the described patents have a useful appli
`cation regarding remote controls and remote control Sys
`tems. None, however, can completely bypass the use of a
`personal computer and constantly update the readings from
`the components of a remote control System. No System also
`includes temperature Setting controls with more common
`appliance and electronic device controls as well.
`0018 None of the above inventions and patents, taken
`either Singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the
`instant invention as claimed. Thus a thermostat and remote
`control apparatus and method Solving the aforementioned
`problems is desired.
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1004
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 11
`
`

`

`US 2003/0034898A1
`
`Feb. 20, 2003
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0019. The invention is a thermostat and remote control
`apparatus that is made up of a housing, an interface disposed
`in the housing, a plurality of icons on the interface, which
`correspond to a Set of controls for items that can be moni
`tored and controlled by the apparatus, a display Screen,
`which indicates the current temperature Setting, time and
`date, a recessed program and enter button that allows a user
`to enter temperature Settings to a thermostat, a clear button
`for deleting any entered information, an electric cradle that
`is used to recharge the apparatus, Serial and parallel ports,
`such as universal serial bus port (USB), RS-232 port and
`other protocols, that may be used to connect to computerized
`devices and for Standard transmission of Serial data between
`any devices and the apparatus and a microcontroller for
`processing information and data. The apparatus Specifically
`utilizes infrared and radio frequency technology.
`0020. Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention
`to provide a remote control that can make changes to a
`thermostat.
`0021. It is another object of the invention to provide a
`remote control that can be run independently of a personal
`computer.
`0022. It is a further object of the invention to provide a
`remote control that can constantly monitor, control, and
`update information.
`0023. It is another object of the invention to provide total
`PC program and function capability.
`0024.
`It is another object of the invention to provide total
`two-way communication capability.
`0.025. It is another object of the invention to provide an
`intelligent thermostat which can control, monitor and com
`municate to a HVAC system and a thermostat and remote
`controller apparatus.
`0026. It is another object of the invention to provide a
`charger cradle capable of interfacing with the thermostat and
`remote controller apparatus providing charging power and
`additional memory media System that allows uploading and
`downloading of files and programs, and provides telephone
`communication.
`0027. It is an object of the invention to provide improved
`elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes
`described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effec
`tive in accomplishing its intended purposes.
`0028. These and other objects of the present invention
`will become readily apparent upon further review of the
`following Specification and drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0029 FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a
`thermostat and remote control apparatus according to the
`present invention.
`0030 FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a remote
`control apparatus according to the present invention.
`0.031
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a remote control
`apparatus and charger according to the present invention.
`
`0032 FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a remote control
`apparatus and its components according to the present
`invention.
`0033 FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a remote control
`apparatus and its entertainment center components accord
`ing to the present invention.
`0034 FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a remote control
`apparatus and its thermostat and X-10 components accord
`ing to the present invention.
`0035 FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a remote control
`apparatus being used on the Internet.
`0036 FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a remote control
`apparatus in the form of a watch.
`0037 FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the remote control
`apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8.
`0038 Similar reference characters denote corresponding
`features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`0039. A general discussion of the invention and its capa
`bilities is in order. The handheld controller of this invention
`performs as a handheld personal computer (PC). Thus, a
`principal thrust of the invention is to eliminate the need for
`a PC for the many and myriad applications discussed
`hereinbelow. The remote apparatus therefore has multiple
`control and monitoring capabilities which are disclosed
`herein. The prepackaged Software will operate with a stan
`dard operating System provided in the remote control appa
`ratus just as with any PC.
`0040. The wall thermostat controller of the invention uses
`the Same operating System as the handheld controller, has
`Similar hardware, and performs pretty much the Same.
`However, the thermostat controller embodiment will not
`utilize all the programs of the handheld unit, and is used
`mainly for the control and monitoring of an HVAC system,
`Security, etc.
`0041. There is yet a miniaturized version of the remote
`control apparatus in the form of a child's wrist watch, for
`example. Both hardware and software will be limited in this
`embodiment, all as explained on detail hereinbelow.
`0042. The present invention relates to an intelligent ther
`mostat controller and hand held remote controller apparatus
`10. The thermostat and remote control apparatus 10 con
`Solidates all remote controls into a single remote control, as
`well as combines the capability to monitor and control a
`user's thermostat and HVAC. The thermostat and remote
`control apparatus 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1.
`0043 Turning now to FIG. 2, the thermostat and remote
`control apparatus 10 has a housing and interface 15. The
`housing and interface 15 displays a plurality of icons that
`can be chosen, which correspond to a Set of controls for each
`item that can be controlled by the thermostat and remote
`control apparatus 10. For example, an "Entertainment' icon
`60 is shown and can be selected. Once selected, by depress
`ing the “Entertainment' icon 60, the entire face of the
`thermostat and remote control apparatuS 10 changes to a
`variety of control icons that pertain to the Selected icon.
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1004
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 12
`
`

`

`US 2003/0034898A1
`
`Feb. 20, 2003
`
`0044) In the case of the selected “Entertainment' icon 60,
`the main menu would then display various components of
`the user's entertainment center, Such as a CD player, a
`television, a record player and any other components of the
`user's entertainment center. Each component from the enter
`tainment center has its own Set of Settings, which are
`displayed on the housing and interface 15 of the thermostat
`and remote control apparatuS 10 once Selected by the user.
`004.5 The thermostat facing is the same as the remote
`control apparatus 10, only without the entertainment icon
`60. With this icon, automatic or manual adjustments can be
`made.
`0046) An “on/off power button 135 is provided on the
`casing, and is recessed to prevent accidental depression.
`0047 The settings can also include a display touchscreen
`as well as “Volume” settings, “Channel” settings and other
`settings. As shown in FIG. 2, other icons include X-10
`system settings 50, a thermostat setting 30, light settings 70,
`a Security System Setting 80 and a garage Setting 90. An icon
`for indicating when a signal is transmitted and/or received
`100 is provided and will light up the appropriate icon half
`when being completed. An “Other'110 icon can also be used
`for adding additional and lesser used components to the
`thermostat and remote control apparatus 10. The “Setting”
`icon 40, also has a lower half “Charge” icon, which can be
`illuminated to indicate that the apparatus 10 is being charged
`up.
`0.048. A display screen 120 is provided to display icons
`for each function, and programming and messaging. Ther
`mostat Setting and time and date are continually displayed
`on the screen, unless disabled. “Program entry' icon button
`130 and “clear icon button 140 may also be present as
`separate buttons, as shown in FIG. 2, or they may be part of
`the display screen 120. A light sensor 136 is provided to
`Sense levels of ambient light to adjust contrast and back
`ground lighting when unit is first turned on. Additional
`adjustments may be made via special icon(s) (not shown).
`0049 FIG.3 illustrates a cradle 150 that is used to charge
`up the apparatus 10. The cradle 150 has two contact points
`160 that are in contact with the thermostat and remote
`control apparatus 10 while the thermostat and remote control
`apparatus 10 is charging. There is also a universal Serial bus
`(USB) port 170 that can be connected to another computer
`and a recommended standard (RS-232) port 180 is also used.
`to Standardize the transmission of Serial data between
`devices.
`0050 Cradle 150 may also connect to serial or parallel
`port 171 for video, media memory unit and other media. The
`Serial/parallel port 171 may be utilized for any existing port
`or jack for present or future applications. Telephone jack 407
`on cradle 150 provides a connection to a telephone wall jack
`(not shown) for telephone communications. A Second tele
`phone jack 405 on the apparatus 10 is connected to the
`cradlejack 407 internally of the cradle (not shown). Parallel
`bus port 172 may be used to provide a full control address
`data bus interface connector for external module interface.
`0051. The thermostat and remote control apparatus 10
`can be charged both with the cradle 150 or from a charger
`unit using a standard electrical outlet (not shown). Abarcode
`Scanner or OCR document Scanner can also be connected to
`
`the thermostat and remote control apparatuS 10 via one of
`the serial/parallel ports 170, 171 or 180.
`0.052 The cradle 150 allows a user to utilize the thermo
`Stat and remote control apparatus 10 while it is being
`charged. This can occur since the infrared transmitter 190
`and receiver 200 are openly exposed through the open Side
`of the cradle 150, and allow for infrared interactions. An
`antenna 210 is also openly exposed as well to allow for radio
`frequency (RF) reception and transmission.
`0053. The cradle 150 contains a charging power supply
`and capability to read and write data into a memory media
`152 stored in the cradle 150. Read and write communication
`is transferred through connection(s) provided by Serial/
`parallel ports 170, 171, or 180 to the cradle 150 while the
`thermostat and remote control apparatuS 10 is connected.
`0054) One implementation of auxiliary memory may
`include read-only memory (ROM), a read and write floppy
`disk drive 154, memory stick port (not shown), a read and
`write CD drive 155 and random access memory (RAM).
`This will require a microcontroller 300 (see FIGS. 5 and 6)
`for the purpose of interfacing the thermostat and remote
`control apparatus 10 with the memory media 152 in the
`cradle 150. The thermostat and remote control apparatus 10
`may store data in the memory media 152 or upload data from
`the auxiliary memory. The telephone hookup 407 to the
`cradle 150 could also be implemented, and the microcon
`troller 300 could control the charger 418 (see FIGS. 5 and
`6 as well).
`0055 FIG. 4 depicts the thermostat and remote control
`apparatus 10 and its various components. There is a trans
`mitting means for transmitting a signal to an entertainment
`center 220 and household appliance(s) 230, which utilize
`infrared technology. The entertainment center 220 and
`household appliances 230 must be provided with an infrared
`Signal transmitter (not shown) and receiver (not shown) to
`correspond and communicate with the infrared transmitter
`190 and receiver 200 (see FIG. 3) of the thermostat and
`remote control apparatus 10.
`0056. The thermostat and remote control apparatus 10
`also utilizes radio frequency technology. A transmitting
`means for transmitting a signal to a temperature Sensor 240,
`an X-10 device 250, a thermostat 260, Surveillance equip
`ment 270 and entertainment center 220, are provided, which
`utilize radio frequency technology (RF).
`0057 The temperature sensor 240, the appliance 230,
`X-10 device 250, thermostat 260, entertainment center 220
`and Surveillance equipment 270 must be provided with an
`RF transmitter and receiver (not shown) to correspond and
`communicate with the RF transmitter 280 (FIG. 6) and
`receiver 290 (FIG. 6) of the thermostat and remote control
`apparatus 10. The thermostat 260 and temperature probe 265
`are the controlling devices for a user's heating and air
`conditioning equipment, which are typically powered by
`electricity and natural gas. A temperature Sensor 240 may be
`used to Sense temperature in a remote location.
`0058. The thermostat and remote control apparatus 10
`can communicate, via radio frequency, to additional ther
`mostat and remote control apparatuses 10. The thermostat
`and remote control apparatus 10 also has the capability to
`communicate through the frequency spectrum via cell tele
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1004
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 13
`
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`

`US 2003/0034898A1
`
`Feb. 20, 2003
`
`phone, Satellite communication, the GPS System, weather
`radio, radio time update and local RF intercommunication
`radio frequencies.
`0059. There is also two-way communication between the
`thermostat and remote control apparatuses 10 and other
`control devices, Via RF, infrared and ultraSonic technology.
`The thermostat and remote control apparatuS 10 can provide
`the Status of the controlled and monitored device, as well as
`the temperature, the time, and the on/off activation Switches
`for the HVAC.
`0060 FIG. 5 depicts an overview of the infrared tech
`nology used by the thermostat and remote control apparatus
`10. A powerful microcontroller 300 is at the heart of the use
`of the infrared technology. The microcontroller 300 is also
`provided with programmable memory (Such as RAM,
`PROM and flash PROM) as well as prepackaged software
`(not shown) that runs the hardware and other components of
`the thermostat and remote control apparatus 10. This soft
`ware is known to those skilled in the related art.
`0061 The infrared receiver 290 receives an infrared
`Signal and runs the Signal to a Serial to parallel converter 320
`before sending the signal to the microcontroller 300. The
`infrared transmitter 280 uses a parallel to serial converter
`310 before sending information from the microcontroller
`300. Information is input into the microcontroller 300 from
`a touchpad 330 and is displayed on a liquid crystal diode
`(LCD) display 340 of the interface 15.
`0062 Similarly, the microcontroller 300 sends a signal to
`a parallel to serial converter 310 to a light emitting diode
`(LED) transmitter 350, which sends a signal to the enter
`tainment center 220. The entertainment center 220 then
`sends a signal back to the LED receiver 360, which send a
`signal to a serial to parallel converter 320, which then sends
`a signal to the microcontroller 300. The microcontroller 300
`is also directly linked to a USB port 170 and a RS-232 port
`180. The microcontroller 300 may also be reprogrammed via
`USB port 170 or RS 232 port 180.
`0.063 Aspeaker 417, a microphone 416, a telephone jack
`407 and a camera 415 interface directly with the microcon
`troller 300 via appropriate interfaces. The thermostat and
`remote control apparatuS 10 also has the capability of Visual
`or audio Surveillance of other remote units or dedicated
`Surveillance units or devices. A chargeable battery pack 413
`connects to the microcontroller 300, parallel to serial con
`verter 310, LED transmitter 350, serial to parallel converter
`320, RF receiver detector 290, parallel to serial converter
`311, and RF transmitter modulator 280. There is also a
`headsetjack 412 to interface with the microcontroller 300 as
`well.
`Digital communication to external devices may be
`0.064
`conveyed through a serial/parallel port such as 170 or 171,
`and also telephone port 407, RF antenna 408 and IR trans
`mitter 190 and receiver 200. All of these interfaces allow
`communications to external key boards and monitors, Sur
`veillance apparatus, automobile controls and monitors,
`household controls and monitors, various controlled and
`monitoring devices, memory Storage devices, telephones,
`and interfacing to multiple communication and digital media
`devices (shown in FIG. 4). There are also other interfaces
`for a headset jack 412, speaker 417, microphone 416 and
`camera 415 used for enhanced communication.
`
`0065. The camera 415 and microphone 416 can be used
`with a LCD display 340 for videophone and other multime
`dia applications. All ports are on the thermostat and remote
`control apparatus 10. The thermostat and remote apparatus
`10 may run programs and games like those designed for a
`personal computer or laptop computer. It can perform con
`trol and monitoring functions. It can allow viewing on an
`external monitor or input from an external keyboard. The
`keyboard media could be like those on a common personal
`computer or can be uniquely designed to interface with the
`thermostat and remote control apparatus 10 (Plugged into
`keyboard). A computerized device's storage media may also
`be utilized by the thermostat and remote control apparatus
`10.
`0066. There is, of course, software internally of apparatus
`10 which provides the interface between control, commu
`nications and Software functions, and the LCD display,
`touch screen and I/O port data. The Software also allows the
`apparatus 10 to accept and process the various I/O Stimuli
`received for controlling, monitoring and processing infor
`mation. AS desired, the Software can provide the necessary
`interface for running popular PC programs, games and
`communication(s) Software.
`0067 Further with reference to FIG. 4, parallel busport
`172 is recessed into the body of apparatus 10; a blank is
`installed here if an add-on module is not installed. Such
`add-on modules can add Such features as, without limitation,
`expanded memory, program memory (e.g., preinstalled spe
`cific programs or reserved for the Storage of programs),
`co-processor, other Storage media, etc.
`0068 A chargeable battery pack 413 may be charged
`from an external circuit such as cradle 150 or separate
`charger 418. The chargeable battery pack 413 may be trickle
`charged using a v-bus of a USB port 170, if so dedicated,
`connected to an external port or a built in microphone 416
`when in idle mode. It could charge off of rectified power
`generated by background noise. When not in idle mode, the
`built in microphone 416 would perform as a normal micro
`phone. The thermostat and remote control apparatuS 10 has
`Voice activation and Voice recognition capabilities via Voice
`activation Software, which is well-known to those Schooled
`in the related art.
`0069. There is a miniature version (not shown) of the
`thermostat and remote control apparatuS 10 that is designed
`for children and that is made up of some of the basic
`components with equal or slightly leSS control capability.
`There are also Some programming differences, with the
`miniature version having fewer control functions and having
`a focus on a polling wrist band for locating and tracking
`children as part of a GPS System, time and date information,
`an alarm, and games. A Stealth mode can be programmed not
`to trigger an alarm when the chosen GPS System acquires a
`location of a particular transmitter (not shown). Such a
`System is discussed in detail hereinbelow, with reference to
`FIGS. 8 and 9.
`0070 The use of RF technology is similarly used and
`outlined in FIG. 6. An RF receiver 290 receives a RF signal
`and Sends a Signal to a Serial to parallel converter 320, which
`is then sent to a microcontroller 300. The microcontroller
`300 then sends a signal to the LCD display 340. A user then
`enters desired information from a touchpad 330, which is
`sent to the microcontroller 300, which is sent to a parallel to
`serial converter 310 and eventually to a RF transmitter 280.
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1004
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 14
`
`

`

`US 2003/0034898A1
`
`Feb. 20,