Apparatus and methods for remote environmental control

Abstract

Computerized apparatus and methods useful for remotely controlling one or more environmental functions. In one embodiment, the computerized apparatus is configured to generate, based on previously stored information, displays relating to various environmental functions such as heating, cooling, temperature, and/or lighting within a building. The user of the apparatus can select the desired function(s), and the apparatus causes the selected function(s) to be activated remotely via a wireless interface with a remote networked server, such as before the user arrives. In one variant, different rooms or areas of the building can be controlled independently.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . Computerized apparatus configured to remotely actuate one or more environmental functions associated with a premises, the apparatus comprising:
 data processing apparatus;   a display device in communication with processing apparatus;   a wireless network interface in data communication with the data processing apparatus;   input apparatus in data communication with the data processing apparatus and configured to receive a user input; and   storage apparatus in data communication with the data apparatus and comprising computerized logic configured to, when executed by the data processing apparatus:
 display on the display device one or more display elements corresponding to the one or more environmental functions; 
 receive via the input device at least one input corresponding to a user's selection of at least one of the one or more display elements; and 
 transmit data relating to the at least one input via the wireless interface to a remote networked server, the server configured to utilize the transmitted data to cause actuation at the premises of one or more environmental control functions corresponding to the selected at least one display element. 
   
     
     
         42 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein:
 the display device and the input device comprise a touch-screen input and display device capable of (i) displaying information, and (ii) receiving input via a person touching a touch-sensitive screen thereof; and   the at least one input comprises touching by the user of a region of the touch-sensitive screen corresponding to the at least one selected display element.   
     
     
         43 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the one or more display elements comprise respective one or more soft function keys generated on the touch-screen input and display device, each of the one or more soft function keys comprising at least a textual portion identifying an environmental control function associated therewith, and configured to generate a signal to the data processing apparatus when the soft function key is touched by the user. 
     
     
         44 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 42 , further configured to display two or more touch-sensitive areas on the display device, the two or more areas within a building or structure at the premises, the computerized apparatus configured to transmit data relating to each of the two or more areas to the remote networked server so as to independently control an environmental function associated each of the two or more areas. 
     
     
         45 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the two or more areas within the building or structure at the premises comprise respective ones of two or more rooms of the building or structure, and the independent control of an environmental function associated each of the two or more areas comprises independently controlling temperature in each of the two or more rooms. 
     
     
         46 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the computerized apparatus is substantially physically integrated with an apparatus configured to transport two or more persons from at least a first location to at least a second location, the touch-screen input and display device mounted within a passenger compartment of the apparatus configured to transport such that the user, when present in the passenger compartment, can both see and provide tactile input to the touch-screen input and display device while the apparatus configured to transport is in motion. 
     
     
         47 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the computerized apparatus further comprises a data interface disposed substantially within the passenger compartment and configured to enable ad hoc data communication between the computerized apparatus and a portable electronic device of the user. 
     
     
         48 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein computerized apparatus is configured such that the ad hoc data communication between the computerized apparatus and a portable electronic device of the user can be controlled by application software resident on the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         49 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the data interface is configured to operate according to a serialized bus protocol compliant with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard, and the interface includes a physical connector over which the data communication may pass. 
     
     
         50 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein:
 the one or more display elements corresponding to the one or more environmental functions comprise (i) at least one temperature control display element; and (ii) at least one display element allowing the user to select a room or area within a building or structure associated with the premises; and   the receipt via the input device at least one input corresponding to a user's selection of at least one of the one or more display elements comprises (i) receipt of a first input relating to a selection of a room or area within the building or structure; and (ii) receipt of an input to change temperature within the selected room or area.   
     
     
         51 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein the transmission of the data relating to the at least one input via the wireless interface to the remote networked server, comprises transmission of data that can be used by the remote server to cause the temperature within the selected room or area to change as desired by the user. 
     
     
         52 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein the one or more display elements corresponding to the one or more environmental functions further comprise at least one premises lighting control display element. 
     
     
         53 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein the receipt via the input device at least one input corresponding to a user's selection of at least one of the one or more display elements further comprises (i) receipt of a first input relating to a selection of a room or area within the building or structure; and (ii) receipt of an input to turn on lighting within the selected room or area. 
     
     
         54 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the computerized apparatus further comprises short range radio frequency apparatus, the radio frequency apparatus configured to receive data from a portable radio frequency device of the user when the portable radio frequency device is within range of the radio frequency apparatus, the received data comprising data enabling the computerized apparatus to identify the user. 
     
     
         55 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein the computerized apparatus is further configured to, based at least on the identification of the user via the received data, enable one or more functions of the computerized apparatus relating to the user. 
     
     
         56 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 55 , wherein:
 the computerized apparatus is substantially physically integrated with an apparatus configured to transport two or more persons from at least a first location to at least a second location, the display device mounted within a passenger compartment of the apparatus configured to transport such that the user, when present in the passenger compartment, can see the display device while the apparatus configured to transport is in motion; and   the enablement of the one or more functions comprises the computerized apparatus accessing previously stored data regarding a location which the user frequents, and utilizing the accessed previously stored data to configure at least a portion of the one or more display elements.   
     
     
         57 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 56 , wherein:
 the location which the user frequents comprises the premises;   the previously stored data comprises data relating to one or more rooms or areas within the premises; and   the utilization of the accessed previously stored data to configure at least a portion of the one or more display elements comprises the computerized apparatus displaying at least a first display element relating to the one or more rooms or areas, and at least a second display element relating to adjusting the temperature of the one or more rooms.   
     
     
         58 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 56 , wherein:
 the location which the user frequents comprises the premises;   the previously stored data comprises data relating to one or more rooms or areas within the premises; and   the utilization of the accessed previously stored data to configure at least a portion of the one or more display elements comprises the computerized apparatus displaying at least a first display element relating to the one or more rooms or areas, and at least a second display element relating to turning on a premises HVAC unit serving at least one of the one or more rooms.   
     
     
         59 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 56 , wherein the computerized apparatus is further configured to, prior to the enablement of the one or more functions of the computerized apparatus relating to the user:
 prompt the user for entry of a password;   receive the password from the user;   authenticate the user based at least on the received password; and   based at least on the authentication, enable the one or more functions of the computerized apparatus relating to the user.   
     
     
         60 . Computerized apparatus configured to remotely actuate one or more environmental functions associated with a particular premises, the apparatus comprising:
 data processing apparatus;   a display device in communication with processing apparatus;   a wireless network interface in data communication with the data processing apparatus;   input apparatus in data communication with the data processing apparatus and configured to receive input from a user of the computerized apparatus; and   storage apparatus in data communication with the data apparatus and comprising computerized logic configured to, when executed by the data processing apparatus:
 access previously stored information relating to a user, the previously stored information comprising information identifying the particular premises as a location associated with the user; 
 display on the display device one or more display elements corresponding to the one or more environmental functions associated with the particular premises; 
 receive via the input device at least one input corresponding to the user's selection of at least one of the one or more display elements; and 
 transmit data relating to the at least one input via the wireless interface to a remote networked server, the server configured to utilize the transmitted data to cause actuation at the particular premises of one or more environmental control functions corresponding to the selected at least one display element. 
   
     
     
         61 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 60 , wherein:
 the computerized apparatus is substantially physically integrated with an apparatus configured to transport two or more persons from at least a first location to at least a second location, the display device mounted within a passenger compartment of the apparatus configured to transport such that the user, when present in the passenger compartment, can see the display device while the apparatus configured to transport is in motion; and   the previously stored information relating to the user is disposed within a storage device of the computerized apparatus that is in data communication with the data processing apparatus.   
     
     
         62 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 60 , wherein the display on the display device one or more display elements corresponding to the one or more environmental functions associated with the particular premises comprises display of at least a first display element relating to a particular first room or area of the premises, and a display of at least a second display element relating to a particular second room or area of the premises. 
     
     
         63 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein the computerized logic is further configured to, when executed, access previously stored information to identify the one or more environmental functions associated with the particular premises, the access of previously stored information to identify the one or more environmental functions associated with the particular premises being conducted prior to the display of the display elements. 
     
     
         64 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein the display on the display device one or more display elements corresponding to the one or more environmental functions associated with the particular premises further comprises display of at least one of (i) a display element relating to turning on a heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) apparatus disposed at the premises; and/or (ii) changing a temperature setting associated with at least one of the first room or area and the second room or area. 
     
     
         65 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 64 , wherein the display device comprises a touch screen input and display device, and the one or more display elements comprise respective soft function keys or regions rendered on a screen of the display device which the user can touch so as to select the respective function. 
     
     
         66 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 60 , wherein the previously stored information relating to the user is disposed on the remote networked server. 
     
     
         67 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 60 , wherein the remote networked server is in data communication with the Internet. 
     
     
         68 . Computerized apparatus configured to remotely actuate one or more heating, cooling, or ventilation functions associated with a particular premises, the computerized apparatus being part of a transportation apparatus capable of moving persons to and from various locations, the computerized apparatus comprising:
 data processing apparatus;   a display device in communication with processing apparatus;   a wireless network interface in data communication with the data processing apparatus;   input apparatus in data communication with the data processing apparatus and configured to receive input from a user of the transportation apparatus; and   storage apparatus in data communication with the data apparatus and comprising computerized logic configured to, when executed by the data processing apparatus:
 access previously stored information relating to the user, the previously stored information comprising information identifying the particular premises as a destination of the user; 
 display on the display device one or more display elements corresponding to the one or more heating, cooling, or ventilation functions associated with the particular premises; 
 receive via the input device at least one input corresponding to the user's selection of at least one of the one or more display elements; and 
 transmit data relating to the at least one input via the wireless interface to a remote networked server, the transmitted data enabling actuation at the particular premises of one or more heating, cooling or ventilation functions corresponding to the selected at least one display element; 
 wherein the access, display, and transmission of data each occur while the transportation apparatus is in motion and prior to the user accessing the particular premises. 
   
     
     
         69 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 68 , wherein the transportation apparatus further comprises short range radio frequency apparatus in data communication with the computerized apparatus, the radio frequency apparatus configured to receive data from a portable radio frequency device of the user when the portable radio frequency device is within range of the radio frequency apparatus, the received data comprising data enabling the computerized apparatus to identify the user; and
 wherein the computerized apparatus is further configured to, based at least on the identification of the user via the received data, selectively configure one or more functions of the transportation apparatus which the user can access, the selective configuration based at least in part on one or more previously stored user preferences.   
     
     
         70 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 68 , wherein the one or more display elements comprise (i) at least one temperature control display element; and (ii) at least one display element allowing the user to select a room or area within a building or structure associated with the premises; and
 the receipt via the input device at least one input corresponding to a user's selection of at least one of the one or more display elements comprises (i) receipt of a first input relating to a selection of a room or area within the building or structure; and (ii) receipt of an input to change temperature within the selected room or area.   
     
     
         71 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 68 , wherein the one or more display elements comprise (i) at least one display element for controlling a first room or area within a building or structure associated with the particular premises; and (ii) at least one display element for controlling a second room or area within a building or structure associated with the particular premises. 
     
     
         72 . A method of remotely operating one or more environmental functions of a premises using a computerized apparatus, the method comprising:
 displaying on a display device of the computerized apparatus one or more display elements corresponding to the one or more environmental functions;   receiving from a user of the computerized apparatus at least one input corresponding to the user's selection of at least one of the one or more display elements;   transmitting data relating to the at least one input via at least a wireless link to a remote networked server, the server in data communication with the premises; and   based at least on the transmitted data, causing actuation at the premises of one or more environmental control functions corresponding to the selected at least one display element.   
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 72 , further comprising:
 receiving from the user information indicative of their identity;   validating the user based at least in part on the received information; and   based at least in part on the validating, authorizing the user to access to the one or more environmental functions.   
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein the receiving, validating and authorizing occur prior to the displaying. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein:
 the receiving from the user information indicative of their identity comprises receiving data from a short range radio frequency device carried by the user; and   the validating comprises searching a database of authorized users, the database including the user.   
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the premises comprises a premises within a building or structure. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein:
 the at least one environmental function comprises an HVAC (heating, ventilation and cooling) function, and the displaying one or more display elements comprises displaying a display element relating to starting at least one of heating, ventilation, and/or cooling for at least a portion of the premises; and   the receiving from the user at least one input corresponding to the user's selection of at least one of the one or more display elements comprises receiving an input corresponding to the user selecting to start the at least one of heating, ventilation, and/or cooling for the at least portion of the premises.   
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein:
 the displaying of one or more display elements further comprises displaying a display element relating to changing a temperature setting applicable to at least a portion of the premises; and   the receiving from the user at least one input corresponding to the user's selection of at least one of the one or more display elements further comprises receiving an input corresponding to the user selecting to change the temperature within the at least portion of the premises.   
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the at least one environmental function comprises an HVAC (heating, ventilation and cooling) function, and the displaying one or more display elements comprises displaying a display element allowing the user to change a temperature setting applicable to at least a portion of the premises. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein:
 the display device comprises a touch-screen input and display device; and   the receiving from the user at least one input corresponding to the user's selection of at least one of the one or more display elements comprises receiving at least one signal generated by the touch-screen input and display device in response to the user touching a region of a screen of the touch-screen input and display device corresponding to the at least one display element.   
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein:
 the display device comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD)-based display device; and   the receiving from the user at least one input corresponding to the user's selection of at least one of the one or more display elements comprises receiving at least one signal generated by a key- or button-based input device of the computerized apparatus, the key- or button-based input device enabling the user to select the at least one display element.   
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the wireless link comprises a wireless network interface of the computerized apparatus. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein:
 the remote networked server is in data communication with the premises; and   the causing actuation at the premises of one or more environmental control functions corresponding to the selected at least one display element comprises sending from the server to the premises data, the data causing the actuation.   
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 83 , wherein the premises comprises a microcontroller, and the sent data causing the actuation comprises causing the microcontroller to actuate at least a portion of an HVAC-related apparatus at the premises based at least in part on the data.