U.S. patent application number 12/856773 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-01 for thermostat.
This patent application is currently assigned to HUNTER FAN COMPANY. Invention is credited to Andy Lin, Nicole Moody, Erich Schroeder.
Application Number | 20120048955 12/856773 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45695810 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120048955 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lin; Andy ; et al. |
March 1, 2012 |
THERMOSTAT
Abstract
A thermostat (10) includes a housing (11) having a control panel
(13) with a plurality of manually selectable input elements or
input keys (15) and a display panel (17) for displaying various
functions of the programmable thermostat. The programmable
thermostat also includes a temperature sensor (18), a
microprocessor (19) having memory for storing a schedule program
set which includes a number of schedule time periods. Each schedule
time period includes a start time, end time and temperature. The
manual programming of select schedule time periods may
automatically set the start and end times of another schedule time
period.
Inventors: |
Lin; Andy; (Collierville,
TN) ; Schroeder; Erich; (Memphis, TN) ; Moody;
Nicole; (Memphis, TN) |
Assignee: |
HUNTER FAN COMPANY
Memphis
TN
|
Family ID: |
45695810 |
Appl. No.: |
12/856773 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
236/46R |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05D 23/1904 20130101;
F24F 11/30 20180101; F24F 2110/10 20180101; F24F 11/59 20180101;
F23N 5/203 20130101; F23N 2225/12 20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
236/46.R |
International
Class: |
F23N 5/20 20060101
F23N005/20 |
Claims
1. A programmable thermostat for controlling space conditioning
equipment comprising: a temperature sensor; a display panel; a
clock; a processor; memory coupled to said processor for receiving
a schedule program set for at least one of a heating and cooling
mode, said schedule program set defined by a plurality of schedule
time periods, each schedule time period having a temperature
setting for at least one of a heating and cooling mode and a time
value set including a start time value and an end time value; said
processor enabling the manual entry of at least one said time value
set for at least one said schedule time period, said processor
automatically entering at least one said time value set for another
said schedule time period in response to the manual entry of the at
least one said time value set of said schedule time period.
2. The programmable thermostat of claim 1 wherein upon the manual
entry of said time value set for a first schedule time period and a
second schedule time period said processor automatically enters at
least one time value set for a third schedule time period.
3. The programmable thermostat of claim 2 wherein said processor
automatically enters two time value sets for a third schedule time
period.
4. A programmable thermostat for controlling space conditioning
equipment comprising: a temperature sensor; a display panel; a
clock; a processor; memory coupled to said processor for receiving
a schedule program set for at least one of a heating and cooling
mode, said schedule program set including a first schedule time
period, a second schedule time period, and a third schedule time
period; said first schedule time period including a first time
value set which includes a first start time setting and a first end
time setting, and a first temperature setting; said second schedule
time period including a second time value set which includes a
second start time setting and a second end time setting, and a
second temperature setting; said third schedule time period
including at least one third time value set which includes a third
start time setting and a third end time setting, and at least one
third temperature setting; said processor automatically enters a
time value into memory for said third time value set in response to
the manual entry of a time value into memory for either said first
time value set or said second time value set.
5. The programmable thermostat of claim 4 wherein said third
schedule time period may include two third sub-schedule time
periods, and wherein each of said third sub-schedule time periods
includes a sub-third start time setting and a sub-third end time
setting.
6. A programmable thermostat for controlling space conditioning
equipment comprising: a temperature sensor; a display panel; a
clock; a processor; memory coupled to said processor for receiving
a schedule program set for at least one of a heating and cooling
mode, said schedule program set including a first schedule time
period, a second schedule time period, and a third schedule time
period; said first schedule time period including a first start
time setting and a first end time setting; said second schedule
time period including a second start time setting and a second end
time setting; said third schedule time period including a third
start time setting, a third end time setting, a fourth start time
setting, and a fourth end time setting; said processor
automatically enters a value into memory for either said third
start time setting, said third end time setting, said fourth start
time setting, or said fourth end time setting in response to the
manual entry of a value into memory for either said first start
time setting, said first end time setting, said second start time
setting, or said second end time setting.
7. The programmable thermostat of claim 6 wherein said third
schedule time period may include two third sub-schedule time
periods, and wherein each of said third sub-schedule time periods
includes a sub-third start time setting and a sub-third end time
setting.
8. A programmable thermostat for controlling space conditioning
equipment comprising: a temperature sensor; a display panel; a
clock; a processor; memory coupled to said processor for receiving
a schedule program set for at least one of a heating and cooling
mode, said schedule program set including a first schedule time
period, a second schedule time period, and a third schedule time
period; said first schedule time period including a first start
time setting and a first end time setting; said second schedule
time period including a second start time setting and a second end
time setting; said third schedule time period; said processor
automatically creates two third sub-schedule time periods
associated with said third schedule time period upon entry into
memory of a time value associated with said second start time
setting which is spaced in time from the time value associated with
said first end time setting or upon entry into memory of a time
value associated with said second end time setting which is spaced
in time from the time value associated with said first start time
setting.
9. The programmable thermostat of claim 8 wherein said first
schedule time period includes a first temperature setting, said
second schedule time period includes a second temperature setting,
and said third schedule time period includes a third temperature
setting.
10. The programmable thermostat of claim 8 wherein each of said two
third sub-schedule time periods includes a third sub-start time
setting and a third sub-end time setting.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to thermostats, and specifically to
programmable electronic thermostats.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Thermostats have existed for many years. Recently,
programmable thermostats have been designed to include programmable
capabilities that include multiple "time periods" associated with
each day so that a user may select different times to start and
stop each "time period" and different temperatures (both heating
and cooling) associated with each "time period". The thermostat
then controls a heating and/or cooling system (HVAC system)
according to the programmed times and temperatures for each "time
period" throughout the day. The use of these select "time periods"
decrease the energy expenses associated with the running of the
HVAC system by running the system at different temperatures when
the homeowner is "away" from the home, i.e., the thermostat is
programmed to operate the heating system at a cooler temperature
setting and operates the cooling system at a higher temperature
setting when the owner is suppose to be "away" according to the day
and time programmed in the thermostat.
[0003] However, the programming of each of the multiple "time
periods" can become very tedious. Furthermore, it may be possible
to program the thermostat so that an overlapping of time occurs
between two concurrent time periods.
[0004] Accordingly, it is seen that a need remains for a thermostat
that is capable of reducing the number of entries a person must
manually operate when programming a thermostat. It is to the
provision of such therefore that the present invention is primarily
directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In a preferred form of the invention a programmable
thermostat for controlling space conditioning equipment comprises a
temperature sensor, a display panel, a clock, a processor, and
memory coupled to the processor for receiving a schedule program
set for at least one of a heating and cooling mode. The schedule
program set including a first schedule time period, a second
schedule time period, and a third schedule time period. The first
schedule time period includes a first time value set which includes
a first start time setting and a first end time setting, and a
first temperature setting. The second schedule time period includes
a second time value set which includes a second start time setting
and a second end time setting, and a second temperature setting.
The third schedule time period includes at least one third time
value set which includes a third start time setting and a third end
time setting, and at least one third temperature setting. The
processor automatically enters a time value into memory for the
third time value set in response to the manual entry of a time
value into memory for either the first time value set or the second
time value set.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIGS. 1-7 are a series of schematic views of a thermostat
embodying principles of the invention in a preferred form, showing
different stages of the programming sequence.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0007] With reference next to the drawings, there is shown a
thermostat 10 embodying principles of the invention in a preferred
form. The thermostat 10 includes a housing 11 having a control
panel 13 with a plurality of manually selectable input elements or
input keys 15 and a display panel 17 for displaying various
functions of the programmable thermostat, as depicted schematically
in FIGS. 1-7. The design of the thermostat control panel 13 of the
present invention may be of various sizes, shapes and
configurations. The programmable thermostat 10 may include many
different computer architectures, but generally requires a
temperature sensor 18, a microprocessor or central processing unit
(CPU) 19 having a permanent memory such as a read only memory (ROM)
20 for storing the schedule program set or instructions for
operation and control of the thermostat, a working memory or random
access memory (RAM) 21 that retains or receives at least the
particular schedule program set for that day, and a clock 23. The
program set, whether that be a default program set or a desired
program set as is known in the art, includes a plurality of
schedule time periods which each include times and temperatures
over a given day associated with both a heating mode and a cooling
mode. The microprocessor keeps track of the current day and the
present time of day and determines which program of the various
program sets the thermostat should be set in, when in its program
mode, and then sets the temperature value and controls heating
and/or cooling units 22 (HVAC space conditioning equipment) for the
appropriate heating or cooling mode through relays, for example, as
is well known in the art.
[0008] Programmable thermostats that include the present invention
may be pre-programmed to enable the operator or user of the
thermostat to create or program the thermostat to provide a default
program set in the working memory, in accordance with an
instruction manual that the user receives with the thermostat or in
accordance with prompts that are displayed on the display panel 17.
Alternatively, the default program set may be stored in the
permanent memory by the thermostat manufacturer and this default
program set may be automatically transferred into the working
memory upon initialization of the thermostat.
[0009] The control panel 13 includes a plus "+" input key 24, a
minus "-" input key 25, a "schedule" input key 26, a "home" input
key 27, a "cancel" input key 28, a "back" input key 29, a "next"
input key 30, a "done" input key 31 and a "menu" input key 32. The
"schedule" input key 26 is associated with an "Away" input key 38,
and "Asleep" input key 39, and an "At home" input key 40. The
"Away" input key 38 is intended to be associated with a "schedule
time period" during which the operator/homeowner is away from the
home. The "Asleep" input key 39 is intended to be associated with a
"schedule time period" during which the operator is asleep within
the home. The "At home" input indicator 40 is intended to be
associated with a "schedule time period" during which the operator
is awake and in the home. While only three "schedule time periods"
are shown in the preferred embodiment, it should be understood that
the thermostat may include any number of multiple schedule time
periods associated with each day. The control panel 13 also
includes a "cool" indicator 33, a "heat" indicator 35, a "copy
whole day.", and an "energy saving" bar graph indicator 37. The
thermostat may also includes unshown conventionally known
cool/heat/auto switches or button and refresh/auto/on switches or
button to control the function of the thermostat. The functions of
most of these keys and indicators are conventional and well known
in the art.
[0010] The display panel 17 of the control panel 13 includes a
number of display indicia that appears at different times upon the
display, as best illustrated in the drawings and description of the
programming method described herein. The display indicia includes a
days of the week display 41, temperature display 42, time period
start time display 43, time period end time display 44, and
operating and programming instructions display 46. Additional
indicia that can be displayed are current temperature, current
time, fan symbols, and other commonly used nomenclature associated
with thermostats.
[0011] In use, the system is initially set up by entering the day,
date and time by utilizing the "+" input key 24 or "-" input key 25
until the appropriate date and time appear. If the user initially
skips the schedule set-up process, then the default program set
(pre-programmed) or schedule will go into effect. The default
schedule provides for a fairly standard time schedule with
temperature settings which provide comfort yet are high enough on
the cool setting (cooling mode) and low enough on the heat setting
(heating mode) to provide a very efficient mode of operation of the
HVAC unit.
[0012] If the user wishes to program the thermostat with his or her
own schedule (a desired program set) the user presses the Schedule
input key 26, as shown in FIG. 2. With the actuation of the
"schedule" indicator 26, the system then prompts the user to select
a day of the week (Monday through Sunday) through the use of the
"+" and "-" input keys or by depressing upon the day when used with
a touchscreen, which turns the indicator arrow (triangle) on the
display on or off accordingly, highlights the selected day, or
otherwise indicated the chosen day. With the selection of the day
(example, Tuesday in FIG. 3), the thermostat displays the three
schedule time periods "Away", "Asleep" and "At home" associated
with the corresponding Away input key 38, Asleep input key 39, and
"At home" input key 30. In other words, a desired schedule program
set of custom "schedule time periods" or modes ("Away" associated
with the Away input indicator 38, "Asleep" associated with the
Asleep input indicator 39, and "At home" associated with the "At
home" input indicator 40) which are associated with a plurality of
desired "schedule time period" time and temperature programs is
displayed. The display includes the entry of a desired temperature
value and desired time values (start time value and end time
value), indicated by a change in appearance of the display directly
adjacent the "Schedule" input key 26, as shown in FIG. 4 wherein a
small triangle appears adjacent the Away input indicator 38.
However, other methods of indicating may be utilized such as
blinking, the reverse of background and foreground appearances or
other commonly known methods.
[0013] The thermostat preferably commences with the "Away" time
period as indicated by the triangle adjacent the Away input key 38.
The thermostat automatically displays the "Away" time period
pre-selected time (08:00 AM) and temperature (60 F) associated with
the start time display 43, end time display 44 and temperature
display 42. Again, the user may then utilize the "+" and "-" input
keys 24 and 25 to change the value or setting entered into the
desired start time for the "Away" time period to a desired time, as
shown by the change to 08:15 AM in FIG. 5. The user enters the
desired start time value with the depression of the "next" input
key 30. The thermostat then highlights the end time on the end time
display 44. The user may then again utilize the "+" and "-" input
keys 24 and 25 to change the desired end time value for the "Away"
time period to a desired time. The user enters the desired end time
value in the same manner as previously described in reference to
the start time value.
[0014] Next, the thermostat displays a pre-selected temperature
value associated with the heat mode of operation on the temperature
display 42. Again, the user may then utilize the "+" and "-" input
keys 24 and 25 to change the desired temperature value for the
"Away" mode to a desired temperature value. The heat mode
temperature value is entered with the depression of the "next"
input key. The thermostat then displays a pre-selected temperature
value associated with the cool mode of operation on the temperature
display 42. Once again, the user uses input keys 24 and 25 to
change the temperature value to a desired temperature setting and
enters such with the depression of the "next" input key 30, thus
concluding the customizing of the time and temperature settings of
the "Away" time period.
[0015] The thermostat then automatically moves the programming
sequence to the "Asleep" time period, as indicated by the
highlighting of the Asleep input indicator 39 shown in FIG. 6. The
thermostat automatically displays an "Asleep" time period
pre-selected time value and temperature value associated with the
start time display 43, end time display 44 and temperature display
42. Again, the user may then utilize the "+" and "-" input keys 24
and 25 to change the desired start time value for the "Asleep" mode
to a desired time value. The user enters the desired start time
value with the depression of the "next" input key 30. The
thermostat then highlights the end time value on the end time
display 44. The user may then again utilize the "+" and "-" input
keys 24 and 25 to change the desired end time value for the
"Asleep" time period to a desired time. The user enters the desired
end time value in the same manner as previously described in
reference to the start time. As used herein, the terms time value,
time setting, and time may be used interchangeably, similarly, the
terms temperature value, temperature setting, and temperature may
be used interchangeably.
[0016] Next, the thermostat displays a pre-selected temperature
value associated with the heat mode of operation on the temperature
display 42. Again, the user may then utilize the "+" and "-" input
keys 24 and 25 to change the desired temperature value for the
"Asleep" mode to a desired temperature. The heat mode temperature
value is entered with the depression of the "next" input key. The
thermostat then displays a pre-selected temperature value
associated with the cool mode of operation on the temperature
display 42. Once again, the user uses input keys 24 and 25 to
change the temperature value to a desired temperature setting or
value and enters such with the depression of the "next" input key
30, thus concluding the customizing of the time and temperature
settings of the "Asleep" time period.
[0017] The thermostat then automatically moves the programming
sequence to the "At home" time period, which is the last of the
three time periods, as indicated by the highlighting of the "At
home" input indicator 40 in FIG. 7. It should be noted that the
thermostat does not display an "At home" time period start time
display 43 or end time display 44, instead only showing the
temperature display 42. The thermostat displays a pre-selected
temperature associated with the heat mode of operation on the
temperature display 42. Again, the user may then utilize the "+"
and "-" input keys 24 and 25 to change the desired temperature
value for the "Asleep" mode to a desired temperature, shown as 70
F. The heat mode temperature is entered with the depression of the
"next" input key. The thermostat then displays a pre-selected
temperature value associated with the cool mode of operation on the
temperature display 42. Once again, the user uses input keys 24 and
25 to change the temperature to a desired temperature setting or
value and enters such with the depression of the "next" input key
30, thus concluding the customizing of the time and temperature
settings of the "At home" time period. The operator depresses the
Done entry key 31 to conclude the customized programming.
[0018] The reason the thermostat does not display the start and end
times associated with the "At home" time period is that the "Away"
time period and "Asleep" time period have already been entered, and
their corresponding start and end times. Through the selection of
the start and end times of these sequentially prior or later
schedule time periods the remaining times or time frames of the
complete day are automatically assigned to the "At home" time
period, i.e., the remaining time or times (time period(s)) are
already established as being the time remaining between the already
entered "Away" and "Asleep" time periods. For example, should the
"Away" time period have a start time of 8:15 a.m. and an end time
of 4 p.m. and the "Asleep" time period have a start time of 11 p.m.
and an end time of 6:30 a.m., then this establishes two separate
"At home" time periods (two sub-schedule time periods). The first
"At home" time period has a start time of 4 p.m. and an end time of
11 p.m. The second "At home" time period has a start time of 6:30
a.m. and an end time of 8:15 a.m. Thus, any time outside the time
spans associated with the already programmed time periods of "Away"
time period and "Asleep" time period, automatically are designated
time periods associated with the remaining "At home" time period.
The "Away" and "Asleep" time periods in this example may be thought
of as first and second schedule time periods while the "At home"
time, period is thought of as a third schedule time period having
two sub-schedule time periods.
[0019] The elimination or reduction of having to physically set
time periods associated with multiple time period thermostats
greatly improves the ease of programming. Additionally, one can
automatically establish multiple time periods and the temperature
associated with such, through programming other time periods, i.e.,
by separating the "Away" and "Asleep" time periods one
automatically creates two different "At home" time periods
(sub-periods). As such, the thermostat not only reduces the four
commonly associated time periods associated with thermostats
("Asleep", "Away", "At home" and Return) to only three time periods
("Asleep", "Away" and "At home") and the programming associated
with each, but the thermostat also reduces the physical programming
of the start time and end time to only those associated with two of
the time periods ("Asleep" and "Away"). This eliminates fifty
percent of the programming steps when compared to four time periods
each having a separate start time and end time, thus greatly
decreasing the time and frustration associated with programming
thermostats.
[0020] It should be understood that the present invention may
include more schedule time periods than that shown in the preferred
embodiment. For example, the thermostat may include four named
schedule time periods, rather than the three previously described,
wherein the "At home" schedule time period may be automatically
programmed in the same manner through the programming of the other
three schedule time periods.
[0021] It thus is seen that a thermostat is now provided which
overcomes problems with those of the prior art. While this
invention has been described in detail with particular references
to the preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood that
many modifications, additions and deletions, in addition to those
expressly recited, may be made thereto without departure from the
spirit and scope of the invention as described by the following
claims.
* * * * *