Adaptive pattern recognition based controller apparatus and method and human-interface therefore

Abstract

A system and method of predicting items likely to appeal to a user, based on data received from a remote site. One or more local systems are provided, along with a remote system, said local systems communicating with said remote system over a network connection. Each local system maintains a set of characterized items. A local processor predicts an appeal of an item to a user based on the comparison with the set of characterized items with, e.g., user preferences. The user may interact through graphical user interface. At least one user-preference predictive algorithm may be employed to present items predicted to appeal to the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thermostat for controlling a climate control system, comprising:
 a thermal sensor, having a thermal sensor output;   at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of a light sensor, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, an air flow sensor, and a door open signal, producing at least one sensor output;   at least one processor, configured to control the climate control system in dependence on the thermal sensor output, and the at least one sensor output; and   a remote control interface configured to control the at least one processor, and receive feedback, through a digital communication interface.   
     
     
         2 . The thermostat according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a humidity sensor and an air flow sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The thermostat according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a humidity sensor and a light sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The thermostat according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a light sensor and a humidity sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The thermostat according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to learn patterns of human behaviour based on at least the at least one sensor output, and to further control the climate control system in dependence on the learned patterns of human behavior. 
     
     
         6 . The thermostat according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to perform pattern recognition analysis on received sensor signals, and to selectively control the climate control system in dependence on at least two distinguishable sensor patterns. 
     
     
         7 . The thermostat according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to selectively control the climate control system in dependence on an output of an artificial neural network. 
     
     
         8 . The thermostat according to  claim 1 , wherein the thermal sensor, a light sensor, and a humidity sensor are all contained within a common housing, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to selectively control the climate control system in dependence on the sensed sensed light and humidity. 
     
     
         9 . The thermostat according to  claim 1 , further comprising an interface to a local area network, configured to telecommunicate with a central control system. 
     
     
         10 . The thermostat according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to communicate sensor data and a digital message a code identifying the thermostat in a message communicated over the local area network. 
     
     
         11 . The thermostat according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor produces a control signal configured to control a forced air heating and cooling system. 
     
     
         12 . The thermostat according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to correlate outputs of a plurality of sensors, and to selectively control the climate control system further in deoendence on the correlated outputs. 
     
     
         13 . The thermostat according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to correlate outputs of a plurality of sensors with operation of the climate control system, and to selectively controls the climate control system further in dependence on the correlation. 
     
     
         14 . The thermostat according to  claim 1 , further comprising an output configured to control operation of a blower. 
     
     
         15 . The thermostat according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to detect a broken or inoperative sensor, and to selectively compensate for an erroneous reading from the broken or inoperative sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The thermostat according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to control the climate control system to reduce a peak power draw of a facility. 
     
     
         17 . The thermostat according to  claim 1 , wherein there at least one processor is configured to independently control a main element of the climate control system and an auxiliary element of the climate control system having a lower capacity and a lower operating cost than the main element of the climate control system, to selectively increase operating efficiency. 
     
     
         18 . The thermostat according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect an environmental disturbance, and to interrupt a normal climate control process until after the environmental disturbance has subsided. 
     
     
         19 . A method for controlling a climate control system, comprising:
 receiving a thermal sensor output communicating temperature information from a location;   receiving at least one auxiliary sensor output from at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of a light sensor, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, an air flow sensor, and a door open signal;   communicating with a remote control interface to receive control information and present feedback; and   controlling a climate control system in dependence on the thermal sensor output, and the at least one auxiliary sensor output.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising learning patterns of human behavior based on at least one sensor output; and controlling the climate control system in dependence on the learned patterns of human behavior. 
     
     
         21 . A forced air heating and cooling system controller, comprising:
 at least one thermal sensor configured to sense temperature;   at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of a light sensor, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, and an air flow sensor,   a remote control interface configured receive control information and transmit feedback;   at least one automated processor, receiving an output from the at least one sensor, configured to control the forced air heating and cooling system, based on at least the control information, the sensed temperature and the output of the at least one sensor.