U.S. patent number RE45,574 [Application Number 13/551,543] was granted by the patent office on 2015-06-23 for self-programmable thermostat.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Honeywell International Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Robert J. Harter. Invention is credited to Robert J. Harter.
United States Patent |
RE45,574 |
Harter |
June 23, 2015 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Self-programmable thermostat
Abstract
A hybrid manual/programmable thermostat for a furnace or air
conditioner .[.offers the simplicity of a manual thermostat while
providing the convenience and versatility of a programmable one.
Initially, the hybrid thermostat appears to function as an ordinary
manual thermostat; however, it privately observes and learns.].
.Iadd.that is configured to learn from .Iaddend.a user's manual
temperature .[.setting habits.]. .Iadd.settings .Iaddend.and
.[.eventually programs.]. .Iadd.program .Iaddend.itself
accordingly. .[.If users begin changing their preferred temperature
settings due to seasonal changes or other reasons, the thermostat
continues learning.]. .Iadd.The thermostat may be configured to
learn .Iaddend.and .[.will.]. adapt to .[.those changes as well.
For ease of use, the thermostat does not require an onscreen menu
as a user interface. In some embodiments, the thermostat can
effectively program itself for temperature settings that are set to
occur at particular times daily or just on weekends, yet the user
is not required to enter the time of day or the day of the week.].
.Iadd.a user's manual temperature settings over time.Iaddend..
Inventors: |
Harter; Robert J. (La Crosse,
WI) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Harter; Robert J. |
La Crosse |
WI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Honeywell International Inc.
(Morristown, NJ)
|
Family
ID: |
39685007 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/551,543 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
11704414 |
Feb 9, 2007 |
7784704 |
Aug 31, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05D
23/1904 (20130101); F24F 11/30 (20180101); F24F
11/00 (20130101); F24F 11/65 (20180101); F24F
2110/10 (20180101); F24F 11/64 (20180101); F24F
11/66 (20180101) |
Current International
Class: |
G05D
23/32 (20060101); F24F 11/00 (20060101); G05D
23/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;236/46R,46C,1C,44C |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2202008 |
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Oct 1998 |
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CA |
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0196069 |
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Oct 1986 |
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EP |
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S59-106311 |
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Jun 1984 |
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JP |
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H1-252850 |
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Oct 1989 |
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JP |
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2011072332 |
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Jun 2011 |
|
WO |
|
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|
Primary Examiner: Ciric; Ljiljana
Assistant Examiner: Cox; Alexis
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Seager Tufte & Wickhem LLC
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A thermostat method for a temperature conditioning unit, wherein
the temperature conditioning unit helps control a temperature of a
comfort zone, the method comprising: receiving a first manually
entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a first timestamp;
controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the
first manually entered setpoint temperature; receiving a second
manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a second
timestamp; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in
response to the second manually entered setpoint temperature;
receiving a third manually entered setpoint temperature, which is
assigned a third timestamp; controlling the temperature
conditioning unit in response to the third manually entered
setpoint temperature; identifying a learned setpoint temperature
based on the first manually entered setpoint temperature, the
second manually entered setpoint temperature, and third manually
entered setpoint temperature; and controlling the temperature
conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature;
and wherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the
third timestamp are based on a 24-hour timer and all lie within a
predetermined range of each other based on the 24-hour timer.
2. The thermostat method of claim 1, wherein first manually entered
setpoint temperature, the second manually entered setpoint
temperature, and third manually entered setpoint temperature all
lie within 5.degree. F. of each other.
3. The thermostat method of claim 1, further comprising: after
controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the
learned setpoint temperature, receiving a fourth manually entered
setpoint temperature; and after receiving the fourth manually
entered setpoint temperature, controlling the temperature
conditioning unit in response to the fourth manually entered
setpoint temperature.
4. The thermostat method of claim 3, further comprising: after
controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the
fourth manually entered setpoint temperature, returning to
controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the
learned setpoint temperature.
5. A thermostat method for a temperature conditioning unit, wherein
the temperature conditioning unit helps control a temperature of a
comfort zone, the method comprising: receiving a first manually
entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a first timestamp;
controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the
first manually entered setpoint temperature; receiving a second
manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a second
timestamp; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in
response to the second manually entered setpoint temperature;
receiving a third manually entered setpoint temperature, which is
assigned a third timestamp; controlling the temperature
conditioning unit in response to the third manually entered
setpoint temperature; identifying a learned setpoint temperature
based on the first manually entered setpoint temperature, the
second manually entered setpoint temperature, and third manually
entered setpoint temperature; and controlling the temperature
conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature;
and wherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the
third timestamp are based on a 168-hour timer .Iadd.and all lie
within a predetermined range of each other based on the 168-hour
timer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.6. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the
temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning
unit of a comfort zone, the method comprising: receiving a first
manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a first
timestamp; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in
response to the first manually entered setpoint temperature;
receiving a second manually entered setpoint temperature, which is
assigned a second timestamp; controlling the temperature
conditioning unit in response to the second manually entered
setpoint temperature; receiving a third manually entered setpoint
temperature, which is assigned a third timestamp; controlling the
temperature conditioning unit in response to the third manually
entered setpoint temperature; identifying a learned setpoint
temperature based on the first manually entered setpoint
temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature, and
third manually entered setpoint temperature; controlling the
temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint
temperature; and wherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp,
and the third timestamp are based on a daily pattern and all lie
within a predetermined range of each other based on the daily
pattern; and wherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and
the third timestamp all lie within 90 minutes of each other based
on the daily pattern..Iaddend.
.Iadd.7. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the
temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning
unit of a comfort zone, the method comprising: receiving a first
manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a first
timestamp; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in
response to the first manually entered setpoint temperature;
receiving a second manually entered setpoint temperature, which is
assigned a second timestamp; controlling the temperature
conditioning unit in response to the second manually entered
setpoint temperature; receiving a third manually entered setpoint
temperature, which is assigned a third timestamp; controlling the
temperature conditioning unit in response to the third manually
entered setpoint temperature; identifying a learned setpoint
temperature based on the first manually entered setpoint
temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature, and
third manually entered setpoint temperature; controlling the
temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint
temperature; wherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and
the third timestamp are based on a daily pattern and all lie within
a predetermined range of each other based on the daily pattern; and
wherein the controlling step controls the temperature conditioning
unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature at a learned
setpoint time, wherein the learned setpoint time is based on the
first timestamp, the second timestamp, and/or the third timestamp
on the daily pattern..Iaddend.
.Iadd.8. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the
temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning
unit of a comfort zone, the method comprising: receiving a first
manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a first
timestamp; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in
response to the first manually entered setpoint temperature;
receiving a second manually entered setpoint temperature, which is
assigned a second timestamp; controlling the temperature
conditioning unit in response to the second manually entered
setpoint temperature; receiving a third manually entered setpoint
temperature, which is assigned a third timestamp; controlling the
temperature conditioning unit in response to the third manually
entered setpoint temperature; identifying a learned setpoint
temperature based on the first manually entered setpoint
temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature, and
third manually entered setpoint temperature; controlling the
temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint
temperature; wherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and
the third timestamp are based on a daily pattern and all lie within
a predetermined range of each other based on the daily pattern; and
wherein the controlling step controls the temperature conditioning
unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature at a learned
setpoint time, wherein the learned setpoint time is set before the
first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp on
the daily pattern..Iaddend.
.Iadd.9. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the
temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning
unit of a comfort zone, the method comprising: receiving a first
manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a first
timestamp; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in
response to the first manually entered setpoint temperature;
receiving a second manually entered setpoint temperature, which is
assigned a second timestamp; controlling the temperature
conditioning unit in response to the second manually entered
setpoint temperature; receiving a third manually entered setpoint
temperature, which is assigned a third timestamp; controlling the
temperature conditioning unit in response to the third manually
entered setpoint temperature; identifying a learned setpoint
temperature based on an average of the first manually entered
setpoint temperature, the second manually entered setpoint
temperature and the third manually entered setpoint temperature;
controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the
learned setpoint temperature; and wherein the first timestamp, the
second timestamp, and the third timestamp all lie within a
predetermined range of each other based on a daily
pattern..Iaddend.
.Iadd.10. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the
temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning
unit of a comfort zone, the method comprising: receiving a first
manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a first
timestamp; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in
response to the first manually entered setpoint temperature;
receiving a second manually entered setpoint temperature, which is
assigned a second timestamp; controlling the temperature
conditioning unit in response to the second manually entered
setpoint temperature; receiving a third manually entered setpoint
temperature, which is assigned a third timestamp; controlling the
temperature conditioning unit in response to the third manually
entered setpoint temperature; identifying a learned setpoint
temperature based on the first manually entered setpoint
temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature,
and/or the third manually entered setpoint temperature if the first
manually entered setpoint temperature, the second manually entered
setpoint temperature, and the third manually entered setpoint
temperature all fall within a temperature range that is less than 5
degrees F.; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in
response to the learned setpoint temperature; and wherein the first
timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp all lie
within a predetermined range of each other based on a daily
pattern..Iaddend.
.Iadd.11. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the
temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning
unit of a comfort zone, the method comprising: receiving a first
manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a first
timestamp; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in
response to the first manually entered setpoint temperature;
receiving a second manually entered setpoint temperature, which is
assigned a second timestamp; controlling the temperature
conditioning unit in response to the second manually entered
setpoint temperature; receiving a third manually entered setpoint
temperature, which is assigned a third timestamp; controlling the
temperature conditioning unit in response to the third manually
entered setpoint temperature; identifying a learned setpoint
temperature based on the first manually entered setpoint
temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature, and
third manually entered setpoint temperature; controlling the
temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint
temperature; wherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and
the third timestamp are based on a weekly pattern and all lie
within a predetermined range of each other based on the weekly
pattern; and wherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and
the third timestamp all lie within 90 minutes of each other based
on the weekly pattern..Iaddend.
.Iadd.12. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the
temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning
unit of a comfort zone, the method comprising: receiving a first
manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a first
timestamp; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in
response to the first manually entered setpoint temperature;
receiving a second manually entered setpoint temperature, which is
assigned a second timestamp; controlling the temperature
conditioning unit in response to the second manually entered
setpoint temperature; receiving a third manually entered setpoint
temperature, which is assigned a third timestamp; controlling the
temperature conditioning unit in response to the third manually
entered setpoint temperature; identifying a learned setpoint
temperature based on the first manually entered setpoint
temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature, and
third manually entered setpoint temperature; controlling the
temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint
temperature; wherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and
the third timestamp are based on a weekly pattern and all lie
within a predetermined range of each other based on the weekly
pattern; and wherein the controlling step controls the temperature
conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature
at a learned setpoint time, wherein the learned setpoint time is
based on the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and/or the
third timestamp on the weekly pattern..Iaddend.
.Iadd.13. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the
temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning
unit of a comfort zone, the method comprising: receiving a first
manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a first
timestamp; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in
response to the first manually entered setpoint temperature;
receiving a second manually entered setpoint temperature, which is
assigned a second timestamp; controlling the temperature
conditioning unit in response to the second manually entered
setpoint temperature; receiving a third manually entered setpoint
temperature, which is assigned a third timestamp; controlling the
temperature conditioning unit in response to the third manually
entered setpoint temperature; identifying a learned setpoint
temperature based on the first manually entered setpoint
temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature, and
third manually entered setpoint temperature; controlling the
temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint
temperature; wherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and
the third timestamp are based on a weekly pattern and all lie
within a predetermined range of each other based on the weekly
pattern; and wherein the controlling step controls the temperature
conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature
at a learned setpoint time, wherein the learned setpoint time is
set before the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third
timestamp on the weekly pattern..Iaddend.
.Iadd.14. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the
temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning
unit of a comfort zone, the method comprising: receiving a first
manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a first
timestamp; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in
response to the first manually entered setpoint temperature;
receiving a second manually entered setpoint temperature, which is
assigned a second timestamp; controlling the temperature
conditioning unit in response to the second manually entered
setpoint temperature; receiving a third manually entered setpoint
temperature, which is assigned a third timestamp; controlling the
temperature conditioning unit in response to the third manually
entered setpoint temperature; identifying a learned setpoint
temperature based on the first manually entered setpoint
temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature and
the third manually entered setpoint temperature; controlling the
temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint
temperature; and wherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp,
and the third timestamp all lie within a predetermined range of
each other based on a weekly pattern..Iaddend.
.Iadd.15. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the
temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning
unit of a comfort zone, the method comprising: receiving a first
manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a first
timestamp; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in
response to the first manually entered setpoint temperature;
receiving a second manually entered setpoint temperature, which is
assigned a second timestamp; controlling the temperature
conditioning unit in response to the second manually entered
setpoint temperature; receiving a third manually entered setpoint
temperature, which is assigned a third timestamp; controlling the
temperature conditioning unit in response to the third manually
entered setpoint temperature; identifying a learned setpoint
temperature based on an average of the first manually entered
setpoint temperature, the second manually entered setpoint
temperature and the third manually entered setpoint temperature;
controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the
learned setpoint temperature; and wherein the first timestamp, the
second timestamp, and the third timestamp all lie within a
predetermined range of each other based on a weekly
pattern..Iaddend.
.Iadd.16. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the
temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning
unit of a comfort zone, the method comprising: receiving a first
manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a first
timestamp; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in
response to the first manually entered setpoint temperature;
receiving a second manually entered setpoint temperature, which is
assigned a second timestamp; controlling the temperature
conditioning unit in response to the second manually entered
setpoint temperature; receiving a third manually entered setpoint
temperature, which is assigned a third timestamp; controlling the
temperature conditioning unit in response to the third manually
entered setpoint temperature; identifying a learned setpoint
temperature based on the first manually entered setpoint
temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature, and
third manually entered setpoint temperature; controlling the
temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint
temperature; wherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and
the third timestamp are based on a weekly pattern and all lie
within a predetermined range of each other based on the weekly
pattern; and wherein the identifying step identifies a learned
setpoint temperature when the first manually entered setpoint
temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature, and
third manually entered setpoint temperature are within a
predetermined deviation from one another..Iaddend.
.Iadd.17. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the
temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning
unit of a comfort zone, the method comprising: receiving a first
manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a first
timestamp; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in
response to the first manually entered setpoint temperature;
receiving a second manually entered setpoint temperature, which is
assigned a second timestamp; controlling the temperature
conditioning unit in response to the second manually entered
setpoint temperature; receiving a third manually entered setpoint
temperature, which is assigned a third timestamp; controlling the
temperature conditioning unit in response to the third manually
entered setpoint temperature; identifying a learned setpoint
temperature based on the first manually entered setpoint
temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature,
and/or the third manually entered setpoint temperature if the first
manually entered setpoint temperature, the second manually entered
setpoint temperature, and the third manually entered setpoint
temperature all fall within a temperature range that is less than 5
degrees F.; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in
response to the learned setpoint temperature; and wherein the first
timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp all lie
within a predetermined range of each other based on a weekly
pattern..Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The subject invention generally pertains to a room or building
thermostat and more specifically to a method of programming such a
thermostat, wherein the thermostat can in effect program itself for
various daily and/or weekly temperature setpoints upon learning
temperature setting habits of a user and can do such
self-programming without ever knowing the actual time of day or day
of the week.
BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART
Furnaces, air conditioners and other types of temperature
conditioning units typically respond to a thermostat in controlling
the air temperature of a room or other area of a building.
Currently, thermostats can be classified as manual or
programmable.
With manual thermostats, a user manually enters into the thermostat
a desired temperature setpoint, and then thermostat controls the
temperature conditioning unit to bring the actual room temperature
to that setpoint. At various times throughout the day, the user
might adjust the setpoint for comfort or to save energy. When
operating in a heating mode, for instance, a user might lower the
setpoint temperature at night and raise it again in the morning.
Although manual thermostats are easy to understand and use, having
to repeatedly adjust the setpoint manually can be a nuisance.
Programmable thermostats, on the other hand, can be programmed to
automatically adjust the setpoint to predetermined temperatures at
specified times. The specified times can initiate automatic
setpoint adjustments that occur daily such as on Monday-Friday, or
the adjustments might occur weekly on days such as every Saturday
or Sunday. For a given day, programmable thermostats can also be
programmed to make multiple setpoint adjustments throughout the
day, such as at 8:00 AM and 11:00 PM on Saturday or at 6:00 AM and
10 PM on Monday through Friday. Such programming, however, can be
confusing as it can involve several steps including: 1)
synchronizing the thermostat's clock with the current time of day;
2) entering into the thermostat the current date or day of the
week; and 3) entering various chosen days, times and setpoint
temperatures. One or more of these steps may need to be repeated in
the event of daylight savings time, electrical power interruption,
change in user preferences, and various other reasons.
Consequently, there is a need for a thermostat that offers the
simplicity of a manual thermostat while providing the convenience
and versatility of a programmed thermostat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide an essentially
self-programmable thermostat for people that do not enjoy
programming conventional programmable thermostats.
An object of some embodiments of the invention is to provide a
programmable thermostat that does not rely on having to know the
time of day, thus a user does not have to enter that.
Another object of some embodiments is to provide a programmable
thermostat with both daily and weekly occurring settings, yet the
thermostat does not rely on having to know the day of the week,
thus a user does not have to enter that.
Another object of some embodiments is to provide a programmable
thermostat that does not rely on onscreen menus for
programming.
Another object of some embodiments is to provide a thermostat that
effectively programs itself as it is being used as a manual
thermostat.
Another object of some embodiments is to provide a thermostat that
automatically switches from a manual mode to a programmed mode when
it recognizes an opportunity to do so.
Another object of some embodiments is to provide a thermostat that
automatically switches from a programmed mode to a manual mode
simply by manually entering a new desired setpoint temperature.
Another object of some embodiments is to observe and learn the
temperature setting habits of a user and automatically program a
thermostat accordingly.
Another object of some embodiments is to provide a self-programming
thermostat that not only learns a user's temperature setting
habits, but if those habits or temperature-setting preferences
change over time, the thermostat continues learning and will adapt
to the new habits and setpoints as well.
Another object of some embodiments is to minimize the number of
inputs and actions from which a user can choose, thereby
simplifying the use of a thermostat.
Another object of some embodiments is to provide a thermostat that
can effectively self-program virtually an infinite number of
setpoint temperatures and times, rather than be limited to a select
few number of preprogrammed settings.
Another object of some embodiments is to provide a simple way of
clearing programmed settings of a thermostat.
One or more of these and/or other objects of the invention are
provided by a thermostat and method that learns the manual
temperature setting habits of a user and programs itself
accordingly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a thermostat controlling a
temperature conditioning unit.
FIG. 2 shows an example of algorithm for a thermostat method.
FIG. 3 shows another example of algorithm for a thermostat
method.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIGS. 1-3 show a thermostat 10 and a method for automatically
programming it. Initially, thermostat 10 might first appear and
function as an ordinary manual thermostat. Thermostat 10, for
instance, includes a manual input 12 (e.g., dial, keyboard,
pointer, slider, potentiometer, pushbutton, etc.) that enables a
user to manually enter a manual setpoint 14 that defines a manually
entered setpoint temperature 16. The manually entered setpoint
temperature 16 is the user's desired target temperature for a
comfort zone 18. Upon comparing the manually entered setpoint
temperature 16 to the comfort zone's actual temperature 20
(provided by a temperature sensor 22), thermostat 10 provides an
output signal 24 that controls a temperature conditioning unit 26
(e.g., furnace, heater, air conditioner, heat pump, etc.) to heat
or cool air 28 in comfort zone 18, thereby urging the comfort
zone's actual temperature 20 toward the manually entered setpoint
temperature 16.
A digital display 30 can be used for displaying the current
setpoint temperature, and another display 32 can show the comfort
zone's actual temperature. Displays 30 and 32 could be combined
into a single display unit, wherein the combined display unit could
show the current setpoint temperature and the zone's actual
temperature simultaneously or in an alternating manner. Thermostat
10 might also include a selector switch 34 for manually switching
between a cooling mode for cooling zone 18 and a heating mode for
heating zone 18. Items such as display 30, selector switch 34,
manual input 12, and output 24 are well known to those of ordinary
skill in the art. One or more of such items, for example, can be
found in a model CT8775C manual thermostat provided by Honeywell
Inc. of Golden Valley, Minn.
Although thermostat 10 can operate as a regular manual thermostat
by controlling unit 26 as a function of a differential between the
actual zone temperature and the most recently entered manual
setpoint temperature, thermostat 10 includes a microprocessor 36
(e.g., computer, CPU, firmware programmed chip, etc.) that enables
thermostat 10 to observe the temperature setting habits of the user
(e.g., person that manually enters setpoint temperatures into the
thermostat). After several manual settings, microprocessor 36 may
learn the user's preferred setpoint temperatures and timestamps
them with the aide of a timer 38. With one or more learned setpoint
temperatures and timestamps 48, microprocessor 36 can begin
anticipating the user's desires and automatically adjust the
thermostat's setpoint temperatures accordingly. Thus, thermostat 10
can begin operating as a programmed thermostat, rather than just a
manual one.
Since a user's desired temperature setpoints and time preferences
might change for various reasons, any manually entered setpoint
temperature 16 overrides the currently active setpoint temperature
regardless of whether the current setpoint temperature was manually
entered or was automatically activated as a learned setpoint
temperature. Once overridden, another learned setpoint temperature
might later be activated at a learned time to return thermostat 10
back to its programmed mode. Thus, thermostat 10 is somewhat of a
hybrid manual/programmable thermostat in that it can shift
automatically between manual and programmed operation.
To assign timestamps 48 to manually entered setpoint temperatures,
timer 38 can actually comprise one or more timers and/or counters.
In some embodiments, for example, timer 38 includes a continuously
running daily or 24-hour timer that resets itself every 24 hours.
The time increments can be in minutes, seconds, or any preferred
unit. In some cases, timer 38 is a continuously operating weekly or
168-hour timer that resets itself every seven days. The increments
can be in days, hours, minutes, seconds, or any preferred unit. The
weekly timer could also be a seven-increment counter that indexes
one increment every 24 hours in response to a daily or 24-hour
timer. Timer 38, however, is not necessarily synchronized with the
actual time of day or day of the week. Such synchronization
preferably is not required; otherwise the user might have to
manually enter or set the correct time and day of the week.
In the case where timer 36 comprises a weekly timer in the form of
a 7-increment counter triggered by each 24-hour cycle of a daily
timer, timestamp 48 might a be a two-part number such as (X and Y)
wherein X cycles from 1 to 7 as a weekly timer, and Y cycles from 0
to 1,439 (1,440 minutes per day) as a daily timer. In this case, a
timestamp 48 might be (3 and 700) to indicate 700 minutes elapsed
during day-3. Whether day-3 represents Monday, Tuesday or some
other day is immaterial, and whether the 700-minute represents 2:00
AM, 7:30 PM or some other time of day is also immaterial. As one
way to provide a programmable thermostat that can operate
independently of an actual time of day clock and to provide
thermostat 10 with other functionality, microprocessor 36 can be
firmware programmed to execute one or more of the following
rules:
Rule-1--Upon receiving a manually entered setpoint temperature,
microprocessor assigns an (X and Y) timestamp 48 to the manually
entered setpoint temperature, wherein the timestamp indicates when
the setpoint temperature was entered relative to other timestamps.
The manually entered setpoint temperature and its timestamp 48 are
stored in memory for later reference.
Rule-2--Microprocessor 36 looks for patterns of manual setpoints,
wherein each manual setpoint has a manually entered setpoint
temperature and a timestamp 48.
A daily pattern, for example, can be defined as three consecutive
days in which a series of three similar manually entered setpoint
temperatures (e.g., within a predetermined deviation of perhaps
2.degree. F. or 5.degree. F. of each other) have similar daily
timestamps 48 (e.g., each Y-value being within a predetermined
deviation of perhaps 90 minutes of each other). Such a daily
pattern can then be assigned a learned daily setpoint temperature
and a learned daily time. The learned daily setpoint temperature
could be, for example, an average of the three similar manually
entered setpoints temperatures or the most recent of the three. The
learned daily time could be, for example, 20 minutes before the
three similar timestamps. For future automatic settings, the 20
minutes might allow microprocessor 36 to activate the learned daily
setpoint temperature before the user would normally want to adjust
the setpoint.
A weekly pattern, for example, can be defined as three manual
setpoints spaced 7 days apart (e.g., same X-value after one
complete 7-day cycle) in which three similar manually entered
setpoint temperatures (e.g., within 2.degree. F. or 5.degree. F. of
each other) have similar timestamps 48 (e.g., each Y-value being
within 90 minutes of each other). Such a weekly pattern can then be
assigned a learned weekly setpoint temperature and a learned weekly
time. The learned weekly setpoint temperature could be, for
example, an average of the three similar manually entered setpoints
temperatures spaced 7 days apart or the most recent of the three.
The learned time could be, for example, 20 minutes before the three
similar timestamps.
Rule-3--Automatically activate a learned daily setpoint temperature
at its learned daily time (at its assigned Y-value), whereby
thermostat 10 controls unit 26 based on the learned daily setpoint
temperature and continues to do so until interrupted by one of the
following: a) the user enters a manually entered setpoint
temperature (adjusts the temp), b) another learned daily setpoint
temperature becomes activated at its learned daily time, or c) a
learned weekly setpoint temperature becomes activated at its
learned weekly time.
Rule-4--Automatically activate a learned weekly setpoint
temperature at its learned weekly time (at its assigned X and Y
values), whereby thermostat 10 controls unit 26 based on the
learned weekly setpoint temperature and continues to do so until
interrupted by one of the following: a) the user enters a manually
entered setpoint temperature (adjusts the temp), b) a learned daily
setpoint temperature becomes activated at its learned daily time
(but see Rule-5), or c) another learned weekly setpoint temperature
becomes activated at its learned weekly time.
Rule-5--A weekly pattern overrides or supersedes a daily pattern if
their assigned timestamps 48 are within a predetermined period of
each other such as, for example, within three hours of each other
based on the Y-values of their timestamps.
Rule-6--If a user enters a manually entered setpoint temperature,
thermostat 10 controls unit 26 in response to the manually entered
setpoint temperature and continues to do so until interrupted by
one of the following: a) the user enters another manually entered
setpoint temperature (adjusts the temp), b) a learned daily
setpoint temperature becomes activated at its learned daily time,
or c) a learned weekly setpoint temperature becomes activated at
its learned weekly time.
Rule-7--If a user enters two manually entered setpoint temperatures
within a predetermined short period of each other, e.g., within 90
minutes of each other, the first of the two manual entries is
disregarded as being erroneous and is not to be considered as part
of any learned pattern.
Rule-8--If a learned daily setpoint temperature is activated at a
learned time and is soon interrupted by the user entering a
manually entered setpoint temperature within a predetermined short
period (e.g., within 3 hours), and this occurs a predetermined
number of days in a row (e.g., 3 days in a row as indicated by the
X-value of timer 38), then the daily pattern associated with the
learned daily setpoint temperature is erased from the memory.
Rule-9--If a learned weekly setpoint temperature is activated at a
learned time and is soon interrupted by the user entering a
manually entered setpoint temperature within a predetermined short
period (e.g., within 3 hours), and this occurs a predetermined
number of weeks in a row (e.g., 2 weeks in a row as indicated by an
additional counter that counts the cycles of the X-value of timer
38), then the weekly pattern associated with the learned weekly
setpoint temperature is erased from the memory.
Rule-10--Actuating switch 34 between cool and heat or actuating
some other manual input can be used for erasing the entire
collection of learned data.
Rules 1-10 might be summarized more concisely but perhaps less
accurately as follows:
1) Assign timestamps 48 to every manually entered setpoint
temperature.
2) Identify daily patterns (similar manually entered temperatures
and times 3 days in a row), and identify weekly patterns (3 similar
manually entered temperatures and times each spaced a week apart).
Based on those patterns, establish learned setpoint temperatures
and learned times.
3) Activate learned daily setpoints at learned times, and keep them
active until the activated setpoint is overridden by the next
learned setpoint or interrupted by a manually entered setpoint.
4) Activate learned weekly setpoints at learned times, and keep
them active until the activated setpoint is overridden by the next
learned setpoint or interrupted by a manually entered setpoint.
5) If a learned weekly setpoint and a learned daily setpoint are
set to occur near the same time on given day, the learned daily
setpoint is ignored on that day because the day is probably a
Saturday or Sunday.
6) Whenever the user manually adjusts the temperature, the manually
entered setpoint temperature always overrides the currently active
setting. The manually entered setpoint remains active until it is
interrupted by a subsequent manual or learned setting.
7) If a user repeatedly tweaks or adjusts the temperature within a
short period, only the last manually entered setpoint temperature
is used for learning purposes, as the other settings are assumed to
be trial-and-error mistakes by the user.
8) If a user has to repeatedly correct a learned daily setpoint
(e.g., correct it 3 days in a row), that learned setpoint is
deleted and no longer used. Using 3 days as the cutoff avoids
deleting a good daily pattern due to 2 days of corrections over a
weekend.
9) If a user has to repeatedly correct a learned weekly setpoint
(e.g., correct it 2 weeks in a row), that learned setpoint is
deleted and no longer used.
10) Switching between heating and cooling, for at least 5 seconds
or so, deletes the entire collection of learned data.
To execute one or more of the aforementioned rules, microprocessor
36 could operate under the control of various algorithms, such as,
for example, an algorithm 40 of FIG. 2, an algorithm 42 of FIG. 3,
a combination of algorithms 40 and 42, or another algorithm
altogether.
Referring to the example of FIG. 2, a block 44 represents receiving
a plurality of manual setpoints 14 that are manually entered at
various points in time over a period, each of the manual setpoints
14 provides a manually entered setpoint temperature 16 that in
block 46 becomes associated with a timestamp 48 via timer 38. Timer
38 can run independently or irrespective of the actual time of day
and irrespective of the actual day of the week. In blocks 50 and
52, thermostat 10 controls unit 26 as a function of a differential
between the actual zone temperature 20 and a currently active
manually entered setpoint. In block 54, microprocessor 36
recognizes patterns with the manually entered setpoints. Based on
the patterns, in block 56 microprocessor 10 establishes learned
setpoint temperatures and corresponding learned times. In block 58,
some time after controlling unit 26 in response to the manually
entered setpoint temperatures (block 50), automatically switching
at the learned time to controlling the temperature conditioning
unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature. This might
continue until interrupted by block 60, wherein microprocessor 36
encounters another recognized pattern or upon receiving another
manual setpoint, at which point unit 26 is controlled in response
thereto.
Referring to the example of FIG. 3, a block 62 represents
microprocessor 36 receiving temperature feedback signal 20 from
temperature sensor 22. Sensor 22 could be incorporated within
thermostat 10, as shown in FIG. 1, or sensor 22 could be installed
at some other location to sense the room temperature such as the
temperature of air 28 entering unit 26. Blocks 64, 66 and 68
represent microprocessor 36 sequentially receiving first, second
and third manually entered setpoint temperatures. Blocks 70, 72 and
74 represent thermostat 10 controlling unit 26 at sequential
periods in response to a differential between the comfort zone
temperature and the various manually entered setpoint temperatures.
Block 76 represents assigning timestamps 48 to the various manually
entered setpoint temperatures. A block 78 represents microprocessor
36 identifying a learned setpoint temperature based on the first,
second and third manually entered setpoint temperatures. In block
80, thermostat 10 controls unit 26 in response to a differential
between the learned setpoint temperature and the actual zone
temperature. Block 82 represents subsequently receiving a fourth
manually entered setpoint temperature. Block 84 represents
controlling unit 26 in response to the fourth manually entered
setpoint temperature. Some time after that, thermostat 10 returns
to controlling unit 26 in response to the learned setpoint
temperature, as indicated by block 86.
Although the invention is described with respect to a preferred
embodiment, modifications thereto will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the invention, therefore,
is to be determined by reference to the following claims:
* * * * *
References