Patent ID: 7257397

Claim:
A ubiquitous connectivity and communications system for controlling operation of an environmental condition in a structure, comprising: a device for controlling the environmental condition in the structure; a base unit in said structure and operatively interfaced with said device to control the operation thereof; a remote device adapted to send and receive short message service (SMS) messages; wireless connectivity means providing an on-demand, private and direct communications interface between said base unit and said remote device enabling instant wireless connectivity therebetween without use of an Internet connection; means for providing an indication of current status of said device to said base unit; means for transmitting said indication of current status through said connectivity means from the base unit to said remote device as a first SMS message; display means at said remote device for indicating said current status of said device; input means at said remote device for prescribing an indication of revised status for said device as a second SMS message, wherein the second SMS message includes information associated with the remote device; means for transmitting said second SMS message including information associated with the remote device and the indication of revised status through said connectivity means to said base unit, wherein the base unit is adapted to authenticate the second SMS message using the information associated with the remote device; means operatively associated with said base unit and operatively connected with said device for effecting said revised status for said device.