U.S. patent application number 11/560640 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-24 for thermostat adjustment system.
Invention is credited to Stephen J. Gugenheim.
Application Number | 20070114293 11/560640 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38052481 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070114293 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gugenheim; Stephen J. |
May 24, 2007 |
Thermostat Adjustment System
Abstract
A thermostat adjustment system for efficiently conserving energy
within a thermostatically controlled zone. The thermostat
adjustment system generally includes a transmitter unit having a
toggle button in communication with a thermostat to toggle the
thermostat set point between a normal set point and an alternate
set point.
Inventors: |
Gugenheim; Stephen J.;
(Raleigh, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NEUSTEL LAW OFFICES, LTD.
2534 SOUTH UNIVERSITY DRIVE
SUITE 4
FARGO
ND
58103
US
|
Family ID: |
38052481 |
Appl. No.: |
11/560640 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60737765 |
Nov 18, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
236/49.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2110/10 20180101;
F24F 11/30 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
236/049.3 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/00 20060101
F24F007/00 |
Claims
1. A method of operating a thermostat adjustment system,
comprising: providing a thermostat having a normal set point and an
alternate set point, wherein said thermostat controls a temperature
within a room of a building; providing a transmitter unit that is
capable of transmitting a toggle signal that is receivable by said
thermostat; programming said normal set point to a desired normal
room temperature; programming said alternate set point to a desired
away temperature; operating said thermostat at said normal set
point; and activating said transmitter unit to transmit said toggle
signal to said thermostat thereby causing said thermostat to switch
to said alternate set point.
2. The method of operating a thermostat adjustment system of claim
1, including the step of activating said transmitter unit to
transmit said toggle signal to said thermostat thereby causing said
thermostat to switch to said normal set point.
3. The method of operating a thermostat adjustment system of claim
1, wherein said step of activating said transmitter unit is
comprised of selecting a toggle button of said transmitter
unit.
4. A method of operating a thermostat adjustment system,
comprising: providing a plurality of thermostats each having a
normal set point and an alternate set point, wherein said plurality
of thermostats each control a temperature within a corresponding
plurality of zones of a building; providing a transmitter unit that
is capable of transmitting a toggle signal that is receivable by
said plurality of thermostats; programming said normal set point to
a desired normal room temperature for each of said plurality of
thermostats; programming said alternate set point to a desired away
temperature for each of said plurality of thermostats; operating
said plurality of thermostats at said normal set point; and
activating said transmitter unit to transmit said toggle signal to
said plurality of thermostats thereby causing said plurality of
thermostats to switch to said alternate set point.
5. The method of operating a thermostat adjustment system of claim
4, including the step of activating said transmitter unit to
transmit said toggle signal to said plurality of thermostats
thereby causing said plurality of thermostats to switch to said
normal set point.
6. The method of operating a thermostat adjustment system of claim
4, wherein said step of activating said transmitter unit is
comprised of selecting a toggle button of said transmitter
unit.
7. A method of operating a thermostat adjustment system,
comprising: providing a thermostat having a normal set point and an
alternate set point, wherein said thermostat controls a temperature
within a room of a building; providing a transmitter unit that is
capable of transmitting a toggle signal that is receivable by said
thermostat; programming said normal set point to a desired normal
room temperature; programming said alternate set point to a desired
away temperature; operating said thermostat at said normal set
point; and activating said transmitter unit to transmit said toggle
signal to said thermostat thereby causing said thermostat to toggle
between said alternate set point and said normal set point.
8. The method of operating a thermostat adjustment system of claim
7, including the step of activating said transmitter unit to
transmit said toggle signal to said thermostat thereby causing said
thermostat to switch to said normal set point.
9. The method of operating a thermostat adjustment system of claim
7, wherein said step of activating said transmitter unit is
comprised of selecting a toggle button of said transmitter unit.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code,
Section 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/737,765 filed Nov. 18, 2005. The 60/737,765 application is
currently pending. The 60/737,765 application is hereby
incorporated by reference into this application.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable to this application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates generally to thermostats and
more specifically it relates to a thermostat adjustment system for
efficiently conserving energy within a thermostatically controlled
zone.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification
should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art
is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the
field.
[0007] Thermostats have been in use for years. Typically,
thermostats are utilized to regulate a temperature within a
particular zone. The thermostat generally maintains a desired
temperature by controlling the heat in and out of the zone.
Thermostats are generally set manually by the user to the desired
temperature; however in recent years thermostats have also included
remote control devices to adjust the set temperature of the
thermostat.
[0008] Many people waste hundreds or even thousands of dollars
every year by leaving their thermostat at the normal temperature
when not needed (i.e. at work, sleeping, vacation, etc.). To
overcome this waste of energy and money the user must generally set
their thermostat or thermostats to an energy saving mode (i.e.
temperature similar to an outside temperature) while they are away
from their home or office. Because of the inconvenience associated
with doing so and the potential for forgetting by consumers,
consumers do not generally adjust the temperature on their
thermostats for each zone of their home or office when away.
[0009] Different thermostat devices have been utilized in the past
to overcome this obstacle of routinely setting the thermostat to
energy saving mode. One of these devices is a programmable
thermostat. The programmable thermostat generally allows the
consumer to preset their thermostat to a certain temperature at a
given time or given day, wherein the given day or given time is
generally meant to be part of a routine. A main disadvantage of the
programmable thermostats are that consumers generally have changing
schedules and are generally somewhat unpredictable in the times
that they will be at home. For this reason programmable thermostats
may be more of an inconvenience than a benefit.
[0010] Remote controlled thermostats generally allow the consumer
to adjust their thermostat up or down by one degree at a time.
These remote controlled thermostats generally only control one
thermostat, wherein many consumers have multiple different
thermostats throughout their home or office. Because of the general
lack of efficiency and practicality in the prior art there is the
need for a new and improved thermostat adjustment system for
efficiently conserving energy within a thermostatically controlled
zone.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a
thermostat adjustment system that has many of the advantages of the
thermostats mentioned heretofore. The invention generally relates
to thermostats which includes a transmitter unit having a toggle
button in communication with a thermostat to toggle the thermostat
set point between a normal set point and an alternate set
point.
[0012] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the
features of the invention in order that the detailed description
thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are
additional features of the invention that will be described
hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims
appended hereto.
[0013] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that
the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose
of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0014] An object is to provide a thermostat adjustment system for
efficiently conserving energy within a thermostatically controlled
zone.
[0015] Another object is to provide a thermostat adjustment system
that attaches to a keychain.
[0016] An additional object is to provide a thermostat adjustment
system that is wall mountable.
[0017] A further object is to provide a thermostat adjustment
system that controls multiple thermostats simultaneously.
[0018] Another object is to provide a thermostat adjustment system
that may independently control multiple thermostats.
[0019] Another object is to provide a thermostat adjustment system
that is easy to use.
[0020] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects
and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. To
the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention
may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the
drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the
specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of
the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of
the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same
becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate
the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and
wherein:
[0022] FIG. 1 is an in use view of the present invention, wherein
the transmitter unit is controlling multiple thermostats within
different zones of a building.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the functionality of the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the functionality of the
thermostat.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the connectivity between
the transmitter unit and the thermostat.
[0026] FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of the thermostat
illustrating the main components.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a front view of the thermostat illustrating the
main components.
[0028] FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of the front of the
transmitter unit illustrating the main components.
[0029] FIG. 8 is an upper perspective view of the back of the
transmitter unit illustrating the main components.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a front view of the thermostat illustrating the
main components.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the thermostat
illustrating the main components.
[0032] FIG. 11 is an upper perspective view of the transmitter unit
illustrating the main components and attached to a keychain.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A. Overview
[0033] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar
reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several
views, FIGS. 1 through 11 illustrate a thermostat adjustment system
10, which comprises a transmitter unit having a toggle button in
communication with a thermostat to toggle the thermostat set point
between a normal set point and an alternate set point.
B. Transmitter Unit
[0034] The transmitter unit 20 allows a user to easily toggle
between a normal temperature set point and a pre-programmed
alternative set point upon the thermostat 30. It can be utilized on
multiple thermostats 30 within a building 14. The transmitter unit
20 preferably propagates an electromagnetic wave to a receiver 39
positioned within the thermostat 30 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The
electromagnetic wave from the transmitter is further preferably
comprised of a radio wave. The transmitter unit 20 is preferably
able to send a signal to the thermostat 30 from adequate distances,
wherein the user may be outside of their home or office and still
be able to control all of the thermostats 30 within the home of
office. The transmitter unit 20 is able to control multiple
thermostats 30 simultaneously, wherein the multiple thermostats 30
may be positioned within different zones 12 of a building 14 as
illustrated in FIG. 1. It is appreciated that the present invention
may also utilize a two-way data link between the thermostat 30 and
the transmitter unit 20. The two-way data link would require
additional circuitry, controls and possibly display units.
[0035] The transmitter unit 20 includes a shell 21, wherein the
shell 21 is preferably small in size so as to be easily transported
by the user. The transmitter unit 20 is preferably comprised of a
key fob configuration. The transmitter unit 20 may also attach to a
keychain to allow convenient transportation of the transmitter unit
20 and also to remind the user to toggle the temperature setting
upon the thermostat 30 when grabbing their keys 16. The transmitter
unit 20 may also include an attachment member 29 to easily attach
to a keychain as illustrated in FIG. 11.
[0036] The transmitter unit 20 includes at least one battery 27 to
provide adequate power to the transmitter unit 20 as shown in FIG.
10. The battery 27 or batteries are preferably positioned within a
compartment 26 of the transmitter unit 20. The compartment 26 is
preferably easily accessible upon the transmitter unit 20.
[0037] The transmitter unit 20 includes a toggle button 22. When
depressed the toggle button 22 preferably switches between the
normal setting and the toggle setting upon the thermostat 30. The
toggle button 22 is preferably recessed within the transmitter unit
20 to prevent the user from accidentally engaging the toggle button
22 or to prevent a premature discharge of the batteries 27 within
the transmitter unit 20. A firm pressure is also preferably
required to depress the toggle button 22 so as to prevent
accidental engagement of the toggle button 22. It is appreciated
that the transmitter unit 20 may include may include more than one
button to toggle the temperature settings upon the thermostat 30,
such as but not limited to an off button and an on button.
[0038] The transmitter unit 20 also preferably includes an
indicator 24 as shown in FIGS. 7, 9 and 11. The indicator 24 may be
comprised of various configurations, such as but not limited to an
LED light, a vibrating mechanism and an audible alert. The audible
alert may utilize various audible signals, such as but not limited
to a buzzer. It is appreciated that the transmitter unit 20 may
include more than one indicator 24 to serve several purposes, such
as but not limited to alerting the user if the toggle button 22 is
engaged, alerting the user of a low battery 27 within the
transmitter unit 20 or alerting the user which thermostats 30 are
being controlled if multiple thermostats 30 are utilized with the
present invention.
[0039] The transmitter unit 20 also preferably includes a plurality
of first adjustment members 28 as shown in FIG. 8. The first
adjustment members 28 may be built into the transmitter unit 20 or
positioned upon an outside of the transmitter unit 20. The first
adjustment members 28 may also be comprised of a plurality of
configurations, such as but not limited to a plurality of jumpers,
a plurality of switches or a sensor. The first adjustment members
28 may also be preset at the time of manufacture of the transmitter
unit 20 or the first adjustment members 28 may be set by the user
at the time of installation of the transmitter unit 20 and the
thermostat 30. The first adjustment members 28 allow the user to
set a unique access code for the transmitter unit 20 so as to not
interfere with other household objects and to prevent the
transmitter unit 20 from controlling undesired thermostats 30. A
similar access code is then set upon the second adjustment members
38 of thermostats 30 that the user desires to control.
C. Thermostat
[0040] The thermostat 30 is controlled by the transmitter unit 20
as illustrated in FIG. 1 and 4. It is appreciated that multiple
thermostats 30 may be utilized with the present invention, wherein
the transmitter unit 20 is able to toggle temperature settings of
the multiple thermostats 30. The thermostat 30 is also preferably
comprised of a digital thermostat 30 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The
thermostat 30 further preferably includes normal thermostat 30
functions common in the art, such as but not limited to control of
heating, control of ventilation, control of air conditioning and
programmable features to set different temperature set points for
different times of the day/week.
[0041] The thermostat 30 includes at least one circuit board
positioned within the thermostat 30. The thermostat 30 includes a
receiver 39 to receive the electromagnetic waves propagated by the
transmitter unit 20. The receiver 39 is preferably comprised of a
standard radio frequency receiver common in the art. The receiver
39 is preferably positioned within the thermostat 30 as illustrated
in FIG. 5; however it is appreciated that the receiver 39 may be
positioned upon an outside of the thermostat 30. The receiver 39 is
farther electrically connected to at least one circuit board. It is
appreciated that the receiver 39 may also be configured to transmit
signals, thus functioning as a transceiver, if it is desired to
allow two way communications between the thermostat 30 and the
transmitter unit 20. Utilizing a transceiver could allow for
additional functionality and security for the present
invention.
[0042] The thermostat 30 preferably includes a display area,
wherein the display area preferably includes a normal setting
display 32, a toggle setting display 33 and a current temperature
display 34 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. It is appreciated that the
normal setting display 32, the toggle setting display 33 and the
current temperature display 34 may not all be displayed
simultaneously, wherein the thermostat 30 may include a button to
switch between displays 32, 33 and 34.
[0043] The normal setting display 32 preferably displays the normal
temperature setting that the user has set upon the thermostat 30.
The toggle setting display 33 preferably displays the temperature
setting that the user desires to utilize when they toggle the
thermostat 30 with the transmitter unit 20, such as but not limited
to when they leave their home or office and wish to conserve energy
by adjusting the thermostat 30 to a lower temperature setting. For
example, during colder times of the year the user may desire to
allow their house to cool when they are away from home rather than
heating an empty home at a normal temperature setting. Likewise,
during warmer times of the year the user may desire to allow their
house to heat up when they are away from home rather than cooling
an empty home at a normal temperature setting.
[0044] The thermostat 30 includes at least one control button 36 as
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The control button 36 is preferably able to
access different settings of the thermostat 30. For example the
control button 36 may be depressed to access the toggle setting
display 33. The toggle setting display 33 may be adjusted with the
first adjustment button 35 and the second adjustment button 37. The
normal setting display 32 may be adjusted in a similar manner to
the toggle setting display 33. It is appreciated that other methods
of adjustment may be utilized with changing the temperature set
points upon the normal setting display 32 and the toggle setting
display 33, such as but not limited to a slider adjustment
member.
[0045] The thermostat 30 also preferably includes a plurality of
second adjustment members 38 as shown in FIG. 5. The second
adjustment members 38 may be built into the thermostat 30 or
positioned upon an outside of thermostat 30 as illustrated in FIG.
5. The second adjustment members 38 are further electrically
connected to at least one circuit board. The second adjustment
members 38 may also be comprised of a plurality of configurations,
such as but not limited to a plurality of jumpers, toggle switches
or a sensor.
[0046] The second adjustment members 38 may also be preset at the
time of manufacture of the thermostat 30 or the second adjustment
members 38 may be set by the user at the time of installation of
the thermostat 30 and the thermostat 30. The second adjustment
members 38 allow the user to set a unique access code for the
thermostat 30 to receive a signal from the transmitter unit 20.
[0047] Alternatively, if it is desired to have independent control
of the multiple thermostats 30, the thermostats 30 could be set up
with a common base code from the second adjustment members 38,
wherein a few bits of different code for each thermostat 30 would
be present. The transmitter unit 20 could thus be programmed to
transmit one code or the other, depending on which thermostat 30 is
desired to be toggled. The transmitting of different codes could be
accomplished through various methods, such as but not limited to
utilizing multiple buttons upon the transmitter unit 20 or
different button sequences.
[0048] One example of an appropriate coding scheme would be to use
the first 10 bits of a 12 bit address for the common base code. The
first 10 bits would be programmed to the common base code upon all
of the thermostats 30 in a given building 14 or location. The
remaining 2 bits from the 12 bit address could be assigned to each
of up to 4 thermostats 30. It is appreciated that different coding
schemes may be utilized with the present invention rather than the
above example.
D. Operation of Preferred Embodiment
[0049] In use, the user first adjusts the normal setting display 32
upon the thermostat 30 to the desired comfort setting for when the
user is present within the building 14 (i.e. home, office, etc.).
The user also adjusts the toggle setting display 33 upon the
thermostat 30 to the desired setting for when the user is away from
the building 14 or sleeping within the building 14 (i.e. energy
saving setting).
[0050] When the user wishes to toggle between temperature settings
(i.e. is leaving the building 14, returning to the building 14,
etc.), the user depresses the toggle button 22. The toggle button
22 then transmits a signal from the transmitter unit 20 to the
thermostat 30 or thermostats 30 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The
receiver 39 within the thermostat 30 then receives the signal and
adjusts to the next temperature set point. If the thermostat 30 is
currently set on the normal temperature set point the thermostat 30
adjusts to the toggle temperature set point. Likewise, if the
thermostat 30 is currently set on the toggle temperature set point
the thermostat 30 adjusts to the normal temperature set point as
illustrated in FIG. 3. This process is simply repeated whenever the
user desires to toggle the temperature set point upon the
thermostat 30.
[0051] What has been described and illustrated herein is a
preferred embodiment of the invention along with some of its
variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set
forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are
possible within the spirit and scope of the invention, which is
intended to be defined by the following claims (and their
equivalents) in which all terms are meant in their broadest
reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Any headings utilized
within the description are for convenience only and have no legal
or limiting effect.
* * * * *