CA2633121C - Simplified user interface and graduated response in a programmable baseboard thermostat incorporating an occupancy sensor - Google Patents
Simplified user interface and graduated response in a programmable baseboard thermostat incorporating an occupancy sensor Download PDFInfo
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- CA2633121C CA2633121C CA2633121A CA2633121A CA2633121C CA 2633121 C CA2633121 C CA 2633121C CA 2633121 A CA2633121 A CA 2633121A CA 2633121 A CA2633121 A CA 2633121A CA 2633121 C CA2633121 C CA 2633121C
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- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- G05D23/00—Control of temperature
- G05D23/19—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means
- G05D23/1902—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means characterised by the use of a variable reference value
- G05D23/1904—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means characterised by the use of a variable reference value variable in time
Abstract
A thermostat system which incorporates a mechanism for detecting occupancy in a room or area in which a programmable thermostat is located when combined with a simple user programming facility provides the ability for establishing user programmable time-based thermostat control sequences that can reduce energy usage while still providing for comfort. The inclusion of a mechanism for detecting occupancy in the programmable thermostat increases the convenience and efficiency of operation by allowing a thermostat program to normally run in a user specified time-based temperature sequence mode, and then to have that mode of normal operation preempted when conditions of detected occupancy change. When the occupancy sensor is a motion detector, further enhancement to determining a setpoint temperature by the thermostat system can be made by utilizing an estimation of level of activity in a room based upon the frequency at which motion is detected.
Description
SIMPLIFIED USER INTERFACE AND GRADUATED RESPONSE IN
A PROGRAMMABLE BASEBOARD THERMOSTAT
INCORPORATING AN OCCUPANCY SENSOR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the art of environmental control systems and more particularly to the art of programmable thermostats. Additional related fields of art include electric heating, electric heaters, electric baseboard heaters, air-conditioning system control, thermostats, energy conservation, energy management, motion detectors, and occupancy sensors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Energy usage for environmental control, especially for heating or cooling, is a major expense in many homes and businesses. Even minor changes in environmental control procedures can result in significant energy savings. Typical approaches for saving energy include such procedures as manually turning off a heating or cooling system when a room is not used, or reducing the level of heating or cooling based upon some algorithm of programmed control in a thermostat. It is common in thermostats intended for home use to provide programmable features allowing for temperature settings that are dependent upon the time of day, and also upon the day of the week with the desired temperature being set based upon the user's prediction of needs for heating or cooling, or possibly to shift energy usage to a time of day or day of the week when energy costs are lower.
When a user programs a programmable thermostat, the prediction of need and the setting of the programmed temperatures may be based upon the user's occupancy predictions, the typical use of a specific area or room, or to take into account lower cost energy during certain times of the day or on certain days of the week such as weekends It is often true that rooms or areas of certain office buildings or houses are unoccupied on certain days, for example weekends, which provides opportunity for potentially reducing energy usage. It may also often be the case that a room or area is often unused or unoccupied during certain periods of a day or a room may be used only at night.
Prior art programmable thermostats for use in a home have provided for a user of the thermostat to input a user program which sets a desired temperature as the thermostat's setpoint temperature at or during user programmed times of the day, with typical provision for four programming events each day being common. Programmable thermostats also may provide for programmed settings that can be varied by the day of the week, or for weekdays and weekends.
Programmable thermostats for home use however do not typically provide for unpredictable or varying patterns of occupancy, or
A PROGRAMMABLE BASEBOARD THERMOSTAT
INCORPORATING AN OCCUPANCY SENSOR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the art of environmental control systems and more particularly to the art of programmable thermostats. Additional related fields of art include electric heating, electric heaters, electric baseboard heaters, air-conditioning system control, thermostats, energy conservation, energy management, motion detectors, and occupancy sensors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Energy usage for environmental control, especially for heating or cooling, is a major expense in many homes and businesses. Even minor changes in environmental control procedures can result in significant energy savings. Typical approaches for saving energy include such procedures as manually turning off a heating or cooling system when a room is not used, or reducing the level of heating or cooling based upon some algorithm of programmed control in a thermostat. It is common in thermostats intended for home use to provide programmable features allowing for temperature settings that are dependent upon the time of day, and also upon the day of the week with the desired temperature being set based upon the user's prediction of needs for heating or cooling, or possibly to shift energy usage to a time of day or day of the week when energy costs are lower.
When a user programs a programmable thermostat, the prediction of need and the setting of the programmed temperatures may be based upon the user's occupancy predictions, the typical use of a specific area or room, or to take into account lower cost energy during certain times of the day or on certain days of the week such as weekends It is often true that rooms or areas of certain office buildings or houses are unoccupied on certain days, for example weekends, which provides opportunity for potentially reducing energy usage. It may also often be the case that a room or area is often unused or unoccupied during certain periods of a day or a room may be used only at night.
Prior art programmable thermostats for use in a home have provided for a user of the thermostat to input a user program which sets a desired temperature as the thermostat's setpoint temperature at or during user programmed times of the day, with typical provision for four programming events each day being common. Programmable thermostats also may provide for programmed settings that can be varied by the day of the week, or for weekdays and weekends.
Programmable thermostats for home use however do not typically provide for unpredictable or varying patterns of occupancy, or
2 patterns of occupancy which may change over periods of time such as days, weeks, months, or seasons. For example, a person coming home from work unexpectedly in the middle of the day may have to manually override the programmed thermostat settings in order to achieve a comfortable environment. Also, a thermostat programmed to provide a certain level of comfort at night may waste energy if nobody is at home for one night or a few nights, particularly if the absence is unexpected or if there is no opportunity for the previously programmed settings to be manually changed by the user.
In environments such as a motel or hotel room, further difficulties in reducing energy use are encountered. Varying preferences or desires of individual guests and unpredictable patterns of occupancy make it difficult to predict a pattern of temperature settings that might be acceptable to a guest or desirable for energy savings. For these reasons programmable thermostats have often not been chosen for use in many motels or hotels.
It is further noted that completely turning off a heating or cooling system, or manually changing the temperature setting too far away from a comfortable setting, may make the recovery time for achieving comfort in a room too long to be acceptable. For example, if the heating system were to be turned completely off on a very cold day, and the temperature in the room fell to 45 degrees Fahrenheit, the time to heat a typical motel room with a heat pump to a comfortable level when the desired temperature was changed to 72 degrees would be too long to suit the desires of many discriminating guests. In this case it would be advantageous to strike a compromise between saving energy and maintaining a programmed temperature.
In environments such as a motel or hotel room, further difficulties in reducing energy use are encountered. Varying preferences or desires of individual guests and unpredictable patterns of occupancy make it difficult to predict a pattern of temperature settings that might be acceptable to a guest or desirable for energy savings. For these reasons programmable thermostats have often not been chosen for use in many motels or hotels.
It is further noted that completely turning off a heating or cooling system, or manually changing the temperature setting too far away from a comfortable setting, may make the recovery time for achieving comfort in a room too long to be acceptable. For example, if the heating system were to be turned completely off on a very cold day, and the temperature in the room fell to 45 degrees Fahrenheit, the time to heat a typical motel room with a heat pump to a comfortable level when the desired temperature was changed to 72 degrees would be too long to suit the desires of many discriminating guests. In this case it would be advantageous to strike a compromise between saving energy and maintaining a programmed temperature.
3 It becomes difficult or challenging to design a user interface that describes a desired response to periods of occupancy or no occupancy for a typical home user. Attempting to describe algorithms of any significant complexity on a small thermostat screen, utilizing only a few buttons, and oftentimes utilizing only a few preprogrammed icons and screen patterns is difficult and can be daunting enough to the user that the full capabilities of a programmable thermostat are sometimes not used. Further, trying to decide upon a programmable sequence of events that attempts to anticipate both occupied, unoccupied, and also periods of expected and not expected occupancy is not simple to describe or program into a programmable thermostat for a typical home user.
Therefore, there is need for an improved user interface and also for simplified control algorithms for a programmable thermostat that incorporates an occupancy sensor. An easy to program or "user friendly"
user interface for a thermostat that is more likely to be actually used may save more energy than a more complex interface which may be daunting enough to the user that he or she avoids using it, or avoids or delays reprogramming when conditions change.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved thermostat system and a simplified method for programming described in an illustrated embodiment of a programmable thermostat device which incorporates a mechanism for detecting and timing periods of no occupancy in a room or area in which the programmable thermostat is located with simplified programming that can reduce energy usage while still providing for comfort. The inclusion of a means for detection of occupancy in a programmable thermostat increases the convenience of operation by
Therefore, there is need for an improved user interface and also for simplified control algorithms for a programmable thermostat that incorporates an occupancy sensor. An easy to program or "user friendly"
user interface for a thermostat that is more likely to be actually used may save more energy than a more complex interface which may be daunting enough to the user that he or she avoids using it, or avoids or delays reprogramming when conditions change.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved thermostat system and a simplified method for programming described in an illustrated embodiment of a programmable thermostat device which incorporates a mechanism for detecting and timing periods of no occupancy in a room or area in which the programmable thermostat is located with simplified programming that can reduce energy usage while still providing for comfort. The inclusion of a means for detection of occupancy in a programmable thermostat increases the convenience of operation by
4 allowing a thermostat program to run in a normal program mode with consideration of both comfort and the cost of energy, and then to have that mode of normal operation preempted when changes in occupancy for a certain measured period of time are detected. This modification of programming based upon occupancy or no occupancy provides for further reduction in energy usage than what would have been achieved with just a normal time based event drive programmable thermostat with no non-occupancy detection. One purpose of the present invention is to provide a simplified method of user interface and programming for a thermostat that because of simplicity will increase the likelihood that the thermostat will be purchased and used with a resultant reduction in energy usage.
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention an illustrated embodiment of the invention includes a series of input screens for a programmable thermostat. A first input screen may provide for a user to describe a desired first sequence or first algorithm for scheduling "normal" events that alter the setpoint temperature based upon time of day, day of week or possibly even seasonal periods, months of the year or dates. A second input screen may provide for user modification of the first "normal" algorithm as described on the first input screen, with that modification being based upon detection of a condition of a change in occupancy in the room or area served by space conditioning equipment controlled by the programmable thermostat. That is, the second screen allows the user to modify the "normal" algorithm when a change in occupancy is detected in the area in which the thermostat is located. For example, during a period of heating, it might be desirable to program the thermostat to reduce the setpoint temperature when no occupancy is observed in order to save energy. The second exemplary input screen may further provide for a user to specify a modification of the setpoint
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention an illustrated embodiment of the invention includes a series of input screens for a programmable thermostat. A first input screen may provide for a user to describe a desired first sequence or first algorithm for scheduling "normal" events that alter the setpoint temperature based upon time of day, day of week or possibly even seasonal periods, months of the year or dates. A second input screen may provide for user modification of the first "normal" algorithm as described on the first input screen, with that modification being based upon detection of a condition of a change in occupancy in the room or area served by space conditioning equipment controlled by the programmable thermostat. That is, the second screen allows the user to modify the "normal" algorithm when a change in occupancy is detected in the area in which the thermostat is located. For example, during a period of heating, it might be desirable to program the thermostat to reduce the setpoint temperature when no occupancy is observed in order to save energy. The second exemplary input screen may further provide for a user to specify a modification of the setpoint
5 temperature when no occupancy is detected after some period of time, and may provide for further reduction of the setpoint temperature after additional periods of time. This program for setpoint reduction may be described by the user on the second screen as a modification to the first "normal" algorithm described on the first screen. This approach is easier for the user to describe and understand compared to alternatives such as defining an entire second sequence of programmed events based upon time of day. The approach, while easy for the user to comprehend, provides for significant flexibility in user programming.
The illustrated embodiment of the present invention may further provide for a graduated response to changes in occupancy, which may be preferable to a user in comparison to invoking sudden significant changes in setpoint temperature when occupancy changes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The subject matter of the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, may better be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the subjoined claims and the accompanying drawing of which:
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing space conditioning equipment controlled by a programmable thermostat system which incorporates the teachings of the present invention that includes a programmable thermostat with input from a temperature sensor, a display, a user input panel for providing user input for programming, a thermostat control unit controlling operation of the thermostat system, and a motion detector serving as an occupancy detector providing an indication of occupancy to the thermostat control unit's microprocessor for the thermostat system;
The illustrated embodiment of the present invention may further provide for a graduated response to changes in occupancy, which may be preferable to a user in comparison to invoking sudden significant changes in setpoint temperature when occupancy changes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The subject matter of the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, may better be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the subjoined claims and the accompanying drawing of which:
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing space conditioning equipment controlled by a programmable thermostat system which incorporates the teachings of the present invention that includes a programmable thermostat with input from a temperature sensor, a display, a user input panel for providing user input for programming, a thermostat control unit controlling operation of the thermostat system, and a motion detector serving as an occupancy detector providing an indication of occupancy to the thermostat control unit's microprocessor for the thermostat system;
6 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a electric heater powered from house power connected through a programmable thermostat system that includes a programmable thermostat with input from a temperature sensor, a display, a user input panel providing for user input in programming the thermostat, a thermostat control unit controlling operation of the overall thermostat system, a triac device gated under control of the thermostat control unit for gating house power through to an electric heater, and a motion detector serving as an occupancy detector providing an indication to the thermostat control unit of occupancy in the room or area in which the thermostat is mounted;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing data on a touch sensitive display screen as might be used to provide user input describing a user programmable time-based normal thermostat control sequence intended by the user to be followed when occupancy is not considered;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an exemplary first simple interface screen in which a user enters data during periods of heating describing a user programmable reduction in temperature after a measured period based upon occupancy, or after each of a plurality of measured periods of time.
FIG.5 is a diagram showing an exemplary second simple interface screen as on a touch sensitive display screen that might be used to provide user input describing a desired thermostat control response based upon detection of a condition of no occupancy in a room in which the thermostat is located.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing data on a touch sensitive display screen as might be used to provide user input describing a user programmable time-based normal thermostat control sequence intended by the user to be followed when occupancy is not considered;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an exemplary first simple interface screen in which a user enters data during periods of heating describing a user programmable reduction in temperature after a measured period based upon occupancy, or after each of a plurality of measured periods of time.
FIG.5 is a diagram showing an exemplary second simple interface screen as on a touch sensitive display screen that might be used to provide user input describing a desired thermostat control response based upon detection of a condition of no occupancy in a room in which the thermostat is located.
7 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
An illustrated embodiment of the subject invention provides a user programmable time event based thermostat that incorporates an occupancy sensor in a baseboard thermostat which includes also a temperature sensor, a display screen, a user input mechanism and a triac for control of power to a baseboard heater. The control algorithms of the thermostat provide for running a normal event driven program that determines the setpoint temperature for the thermostat at user programmed times. The illustrated embodiment further provides that when a user programmed first period of measured time has passed during which occupancy has not been detected that the desired temperature setpoint is modified by a first user programmed delta value of temperature.
The setpoint temperature can optionally be further programmed to be altered when a second or additional periods of measured time of no occupancy have elapsed with the alteration further changing the desired setpoint temperature by the first user programmed delta value or other programmed delta values.
The illustrated embodiment of the invention may further provide that when a user programmable longer period of measured time has passed during which occupancy has not been detected then the desired setpoint temperature can be changed to a specifically specified value of temperature, that is, not changed by a delta amount from the normal programmed temperature or from the current setpoint temperature, but instead set to a specific value of temperature.
For example, in a case where a room is being heated, the first measured periods of time would each reduce the temperature by some
OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
An illustrated embodiment of the subject invention provides a user programmable time event based thermostat that incorporates an occupancy sensor in a baseboard thermostat which includes also a temperature sensor, a display screen, a user input mechanism and a triac for control of power to a baseboard heater. The control algorithms of the thermostat provide for running a normal event driven program that determines the setpoint temperature for the thermostat at user programmed times. The illustrated embodiment further provides that when a user programmed first period of measured time has passed during which occupancy has not been detected that the desired temperature setpoint is modified by a first user programmed delta value of temperature.
The setpoint temperature can optionally be further programmed to be altered when a second or additional periods of measured time of no occupancy have elapsed with the alteration further changing the desired setpoint temperature by the first user programmed delta value or other programmed delta values.
The illustrated embodiment of the invention may further provide that when a user programmable longer period of measured time has passed during which occupancy has not been detected then the desired setpoint temperature can be changed to a specifically specified value of temperature, that is, not changed by a delta amount from the normal programmed temperature or from the current setpoint temperature, but instead set to a specific value of temperature.
For example, in a case where a room is being heated, the first measured periods of time would each reduce the temperature by some
8 user programmable number of degrees, and when a longer period of no occupancy was measured, the setpoint temperature could then be set to a final temperature at which it would remain until either occupancy was again detected or, if desired, when another "normal" time-based programmable event occurs. In cooling mode similar, but opposite, programming would be obvious to one skilled in the art.
The illustrated embodiment can further provide for setpoint adjustment by providing a plurality of temperature setbacks based upon a corresponding plurality of measured periods of non-occupancy.
Further provision can be made for a fixed temperature setting that is invoked after another programmable time measure of non-occupancy.
Finally, the illustrated embodiment provides for returning to a normal program time-based event sequence when a person returns to a room and occupancy is determined, or if desired, when another time based event of the normal program occurs.
As a somewhat conceptually simpler alternative, the illustrated embodiment might provide for a setpoint adjustment by a specific number of degrees of setback as a delta value each time a specified period of no occupancy is determined. For example, the temperature setpoint could be reduced by 1 degree Fahrenheit every fifteen minutes until a maximum amount of total setback is reached and then the temperature setpoint is left at that value until occupancy is again detected, and the normal program sequence is resumed.
The determination of "occupancy" can be more refined by requiring a period of occupied time or detection of a certain level of activity to determine occupancy. This would be useful, for example, when a person passes through a room but doesn't stay, and turning on
The illustrated embodiment can further provide for setpoint adjustment by providing a plurality of temperature setbacks based upon a corresponding plurality of measured periods of non-occupancy.
Further provision can be made for a fixed temperature setting that is invoked after another programmable time measure of non-occupancy.
Finally, the illustrated embodiment provides for returning to a normal program time-based event sequence when a person returns to a room and occupancy is determined, or if desired, when another time based event of the normal program occurs.
As a somewhat conceptually simpler alternative, the illustrated embodiment might provide for a setpoint adjustment by a specific number of degrees of setback as a delta value each time a specified period of no occupancy is determined. For example, the temperature setpoint could be reduced by 1 degree Fahrenheit every fifteen minutes until a maximum amount of total setback is reached and then the temperature setpoint is left at that value until occupancy is again detected, and the normal program sequence is resumed.
The determination of "occupancy" can be more refined by requiring a period of occupied time or detection of a certain level of activity to determine occupancy. This would be useful, for example, when a person passes through a room but doesn't stay, and turning on
9 space conditioning equipment, or baseboard heater for example would be potentially wasteful.
As an example, a typical event driven time-based user program for a thermostat might determine that a desired temperature setpoint for that time of day or week is 72 degrees Fahrenheit. However, when the room in which the thermostat is located is found to be unoccupied for some first period of measured time such as 30 minutes, the user can specify that the desired setpoint temperature be reduced by a delta of 2 degrees, that is, to 70 degrees. After another period of time such as another 30 minutes, the user may further specify that the desired setpoint temperature be further reduced by another delta of two degrees which would be change to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. After a longer period, such as for example two hours, the setpoint program could further provide to change the setpoint temperature to a specific user programmed value, such as 55 degrees, and the setpoint would remain at the value until occupancy or activity is again detected.
The user might be further asked to specify that the modification of setpoint temperatures just described be overridden by further time programmable events, or in the alternative, that the detection or condition of no occupancy overrides the time programmable events. This choice in the priority of a condition of no occupancy versus normal user programmed events may be made by the user or built into the programming of the thermostat control. The user might make this choice based upon factors such as frequency of expected occupancy, or the time it takes for the space conditioning system to "recover" when occupancy is again detected.
Note that there are two methods of altering the setpoint temperature which may be incorporated as part of the subject invention.
One is to alter the set point "by" a specific amount, that is, there is a "delta" applied to the setpoint temperature. The second is to change the setpoint temperature "to" a specific temperature, meaning that the setpoint temperature is not changed by a programmed delta amount, but is instead set to a specific value. These two concepts might be much more easily understood by the user of the thermostat device and avoids both a more complex user programming interface and control such as that which would be required if multiple programs were required for different stages of occupancy and no occupancy.
The illustrated embodiment of the present invention further provides a process or method for a "graduated" change to the setpoint temperature based upon changes in occupancy in the room or space affected by space conditioning equipment. A graduated change provides that a plurality of changes to the setpoint temperature are made as a result of a change in occupancy, which results in a smoothing of the temperature changes in the room. This smoothing effect may provide more comfort if people are entering and leaving a room occasionally, and also provides for user programming that is easy to understand. The thermostat control program may provide a graduated change in setpoint temperature on the basis of a single change in desired setpoint temperature indicated by the user programming of the thermostat. For example, the user might specify a setpoint reduction of four degrees in the desired room temperature after one hour of no occupancy. In response to a condition of no occupancy for one hour, the thermostat control program might during that period of no occupancy reduce the setpoint temperature by one degree every fifteen minutes, thus achieving the full reduction of four degrees, but in a smoothed or graduated manner.
It might also be desirable to provide in the illustrated embodiment a graduated change after the noted period of no occupancy has occurred, that is, in a similar example, starting a graduated change after one hour that begins the reduction of one degree after one hour, and completes the reduction of four degrees by reducing the setpoint temperature three more times during the next 45 minutes, and completing the reduction of four degrees in one hour.
The graduated change does not have to be a linear change based upon time. It, for example, might be desirable to slowly reduce the setpoint during initial periods of no occupancy and reduce it by a larger amount as the period of no occupancy becomes longer.
The illustrated embodiment may further provide for algorithms of control that can be invoked based upon occupancy or no occupancy, even without user intervention or user programming. The illustrated embodiment may be incorporated into a thermostat that has not been programmed by the user for time based events that change the setpoint temperature. That is, the thermostat can be shipped from the factory or have a "default" mode of programming built in such that changes in occupancy are factored into the determination of temperature setpoint automatically without further programming by the user. The algorithm, method or process of applying a delta setback to the normal setpoint temperature after a measured period of time, and repeating the application of either the same or another delta after either the same measured period or another measured period of time, until either a maximum total delta, or a fixed temperature is reached can achieve energy savings with little or not programming by the user, and may in fact be a reasonable program for adoption. For example, the thermostat could be preprogrammed at the factory, or upon application of a master reset, to apply a setback temperature of one degree Fahrenheit after every 15 minutes of no occupancy, with the one degree of added setback applied until 5 degrees of total added setback are applied. Then the setpoint temperature is left at that value until four hours of no occupancy are detected and at that time an additional five degrees of setback is applied. The user might also be allowed to select only that occupancy or no occupancy detection be factored into the control algorithm, and have a default programming which is invoked by just that selection, without further user programming.
In an illustrated embodiment a user may be required to select only a single desired temperature setting that is applied throughout the day when the room is occupied, a delta temperature that is applied after a first period or repeated periods of no occupancy, and a final setting of temperature that is applied after a longer period of continued no occupancy.
As another further example, when thermostats are used for controlling a baseboard heater, the baseboard heater may have enough power to change the temperature in the room quite quickly when occupancy is detected, so it may be desired by the user to save as much as energy as possible by setting the desired setpoint temperature as specified in a condition of no occupancy and not to start the normal programmed sequence at all unless occupancy is detected.
The teachings of the present invention are particularly applicable for baseboard heaters that are sized such that a room in which the heaters are located can be warmed quite quickly, that is the heaters are powerful enough to make "recovery" time reasonably short when heat is needed.
Baseboard heaters are often controlled by a thermostat device located in the same room as the baseboard heater itself, and so occupancy detection incorporated as a part of an individual thermostat package relates to the area specifically under control of the thermostat device which directly controls the heating of that particular room or area. For an application of this nature, the thermostat device of the illustrated embodiment of the present invention could include in a single compact package a triac device for controlling power to the baseboard heaters, a temperature sensor, a user interface display, an occupancy or activity level sensor, and buttons or touchscreen interface allowing for the user to program the device. This packaging along with a simplified user interface for user programming provides for significant energy savings in a device that could be installed and programmed by a typical homeowner. Even if installed professionally, the packaging and ease of use once installed make the device of the present invention conducive to home application.
The illustrated embodiment of the present invention with a simplified user programming interface provides further improvement by reducing or eliminating the amount of information that is required from the user to program the thermostat device and this reduces the number of icons and similar information that must be provided on a programmable LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen typically used as an interface for such thermostat devices. The simplicity might also allow a reduction in the size of the LCD screen required for programming the thermostat device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE
PRESENT INVENTION
Certain aspects of the illustrated embodiment will now be described in greater detail with reference to the figures of the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing space conditioning equipment 100 controlled by a programmable thermostat system that includes a programmable thermostat with input from a temperature sensor 130, a display which might typically be a liquid crystal display 110, a user input panel 115 for providing user input for programming, a thermostat control unit 120 controlling operation of the thermostat system, and a motion detector serving as an occupancy detector 140 providing an indication of occupancy for the room in which the thermostat is mounted to the thermostat control unit's microprocessor for the thermostat system.
The space conditioning equipment 100 provides conditioned air to the room 170 which is in the conditioned space. The conditioning can be in the form of heating or cooling or with other conditioning such as for humidity. The temperature sensor 130 and the occupancy sensor 140 provide input to the thermostat control unit's input output unit 124 via connections 131 and 141 respectively.
The thermostat control unit 120 includes a microprocessor 121 for running a thermostat control program contained in memory 122, a real time clock 123, the input / output unit 124, and other devices if or as necessary to support the microprocessor 121 such as a power regulator and a timing crystal.
A display 110, which may be a liquid crystal display or other display type, serves as a mechanism for displaying various alphanumeric messages and/or icons which may be used to prompt the user for user programming and also for displaying system status, room temperature, the time of day and other items that might be of interest to the thermostat system user.
The user input panel 115 may be implemented as a touch screen detector as an attachment or as part of the liquid crystal display, with buttons for touching being displayed on the liquid crystal display. The user input panel may also be buttons or touch sensors separate from the display, and may incorporate wheels, joystick type switches, trackballs, or other types of switches and sensors for user input.
The microprogram processor of the thermostat control unit generally performs many functions as part of its programming relating to maintenance of the display, monitoring the data inputs which come from the temperature sensor, and the motion detector, and other functions or threads necessary to implement the concepts of present invention, and also in general support of the functions of the thermostat system..
The microprogram processor has access to a real time clock 123 which is used to determine when to invoke temperature settings provided as programming by the thermostat user. The real time clock may be part of the microprocessor itself, or as another device part of the thermostat control unit. The real time clock may also be settable by the microprocessor.
The occupancy sensor device 140 and temperature sensor device 130 in one embodiment are contained within the housing of the thermostat system. In another illustrated embodiment either of these devices may be located external to the thermostat system with connections 141 and 131 respectively to the thermostat control unit.
If multiple occupancy sensors are in use, then a connection from each occupancy sensor to the thermostat control unit is provided. The connection of occupancy sensors can be by wire, by RF signal, or other wireless signal. The temperature sensor connection would typically be connected by wiring but could also be wireless if desired.
In this FIG. 1 illustration, the thermostat control unit sends signals over a wire 160 to the space conditioning equipment as control for the equipment. The thermostat control unit causes the space conditioning equipment to turn on heating or cooling to the conditioned space. The signal wire 160 might be replaced by a wireless type signal if desired.
FIG. 2 illustrates a thermostat in which the incorporation of an illustrated embodiment is especially applicable, that is, the thermostat device is in control of an electric heater which may be a baseboard heater.
The particular application of the subject invention when the space conditioning equipment is an electric heater with electric heating elements may allow for significant energy savings because the heating elements may draw a large amount of power, and also may typically be sized such that they might heat a room or surrounding area quite quickly.
The illustration is a diagram showing a electric heater 200 with a heating element 201 powered from house power 220 connected through a programmable thermostat system including an input to a thermostat control unit 120 from a temperature sensor 130, a display 110 which is a liquid crystal display, a user input panel 115 providing for user input in programming the thermostat, the thermostat control unit 120 including a microprocessor with a memory controlling operation of the overall thermostat system, a triac device 240 gated under control by a control signal 260 from the thermostat control unit and gating house power 220 through as gated power 250 to the heating element 201 of the electric heater 200, and a motion detector serving as an occupancy sensor 140 providing an indication to the thermostat control unit of occupancy or activity in the room or area in which the thermostat is mounted. In this illustration of the illustrated embodiment the occupancy sensor, temperature sensor, triac, liquid crystal display, user input panel, and the thermostat control unit may all be incorporated into a single package which may include other devices as necessary or in support of the listed elements.
The programmable thermostat system in FIG. 2 functions in manner similar to that shown in FIG. 1 but with adaptation for controlling an electric heater directly instead of sending signals to the space conditioning equipment. In FIG. 2, the space conditioning equipment being controlled is an electric heater, and the triac device 240 acts as an electronic switch with an input gating signal for turning on or allowing the house power through to the electric heater. The gating signal to the triac device 260 is an output from the thermostat control unit and used in manner similar to the signal wire 160 in FIG. 1 to turn on or off power to the electric heater heating elements. In this illustration where the space conditioning equipment is a heating device, a "setback" in temperature would be a lowering of the setpoint temperature such that less energy would typically be required to maintain the room containing the thermostat at that setpoint temperature.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing data on a touch sensitive display screen 300 as might be used to provide user input describing a user's time based thermostat control sequence. In this example, the user is allowed to select a "normal" program which can be set to be run either during periods of occupancy or in the alternative periods of no occupancy, as shown on the illustrated screen with reference number 310. In the illustration four "events" of programming 310 for each day are displayed but any number of periods could be provided. Specific days of the week for programming or specifying weekdays or weekends 320 for programming can be selected.
The screen includes "buttons" as might be implemented on a touchscreen display, or the functionality of the buttons could be implemented as actual buttons not part of the screen. In addition to the above provision for programming buttons referenced 301, 302, 303 and 304 provide general purpose input for "increasing" selected items on the screen such as increasing the set temperature or increasing time 301, or decreasing items 302, moving to the next item or screen 303 and exiting the particular programming screen 304.
This style of user interface and programming is for exemplary purposes only. Other styles or methods of programming could be designed by one knowledgeable in the state of the art without deviating from the teachings of this present invention, and the user input mechanism could be implemented either using touchscreen capability, actual buttons, wheels or other input devices or some combination of all of these or other user input mechanism as might be obvious to one skilled in the state of the art.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a touch sensitive display screen as might be used to provide further user input for overriding the "normal"
programming that might have been provided as illustrated in FIG. 3. This screen would typically be the "next" screen displayed after the "normal"
program was supplied by the user. This screen is intended to illustrate a very simple way for the user to allow for programming that saves energy by utilizing the condition of occupancy or no occupancy in determination of a setpoint temperature. The "Normal Program Override Screen 400 provides that the "normal" programming be overridden by a modification to the normal program, that modification being a lowering or raising of the setpoint temperature by a specified number of degrees after a specified period of time. Reference item 410 depicts a status message indicating that the "override" is to apply during either a condition of detected "no occupancy" or "occupancy" which would be the override condition for the selection made on reference item 310 in FIG. 3. For example, if the "normal" program is described as being for conditions where occupancy is detected, then the override would take place when no occupancy is detected. It is noted that the user might also be provided with an input screen for describing how long a period of time would be considered a signal of no occupancy, that is a period of no detected activity, or no motion as might be dependent on the characteristics of the device selected for use as the occupancy sensor.
For purposes of discussion and as an example, the discussion of FIG. 4 will be continued assuming that the user has defined a "normal"
program to execute during a period of detected occupancy, and as a result the exemplary "override" screen depicted in FIG. 4 will describe a response when no occupancy is detected. Reference items 420, 421 and 422 exemplify a simple way for a user of the thermostat to describe a desired response to the thermostat control which, in heating mode for example, will reduce (lower) the setpoint temperature a user selected number of degrees 420, and this will be repeated if the condition of no occupancy persists for a user specified number of minutes 421, and the reduction in temperature by that same number of degrees will be repeated until the setpoint temperature reaches a lower limit which is also user specified 422.
This style of user interface is quite easily comprehended by a user. For example, programming could easily provide for the normal program to run while someone is detected in the room, and when nobody has been in the room for some time, the setpoint temperature is slowly reduced until it reaches a user specified lower limit. If someone comes back in the room, the normal program is resumed.
As an alternative example, the "normal" program could be specified to run during no occupancy, and when occupancy is detected the temperature could be raised as quickly as desired to either a fixed comfortable temperature or to a temperature offset from the normal programmed temperature (programming for this second option not illustrated in the Figure).
As before, in addition to the above exemplary programming buttons at the bottom of the screen in FIG. 4 referenced 401, 402, and 404 provide a general purpose input mechanism for increasing, decreasing and exiting the screen in the same manner as reference items 301, 302, and 304 respectively as discussed above in relation to FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 depicts a similar, possibly even simpler to understand user input screen for overriding the "normal" programming. In this depiction, the normal program is assumed to be running during a period of occupancy, as reflected in the title at the top of the screen which labels the screen "OVERRIDE Normal Program Mode" 505 and the override scheme is then programmed as on the screen in FIG. 5. The screen 500 allows for the user to provide for a delay time 510 which says how long a detection of no activity from the occupancy sensor is necessary before the override programming begins. The user then provides for the amount of setback to be applied 520 in degrees, the frequency of further setback 520 in minutes, and the maximum number of times to repeat 522. After a longer period of no occupancy the user can set the temperature 530 to a fixed temperature that will remain until occupancy is again detected.
It would be another option in design to provide an alternative for the override program to either be 1) canceled when the next programmed "normal" program event occurs, or 2) to continue until occupancy is detected.
This exemplary programming for heating mode would be easily modified to provide similar energy saving design for cooling mode programming. It would be an option in design to provide separate screens for heating and cooling mode programming.
In addition to the above exemplary programming buttons referenced 501, 502, and 504 provide a general purpose input mechanism for increasing, decreasing and exiting the screen in the same manner as reference items 301, 302, and 304 respectively as discussed above in relation to FIG. 3.
Thus, while the principles of the invention have now been made clear in an illustrative embodiment, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangements, the elements, circuitry, materials, and components, used in the practice of the invention which are particularly adapted for specific environments and operating requirements without departing from those principles.
As an example, a typical event driven time-based user program for a thermostat might determine that a desired temperature setpoint for that time of day or week is 72 degrees Fahrenheit. However, when the room in which the thermostat is located is found to be unoccupied for some first period of measured time such as 30 minutes, the user can specify that the desired setpoint temperature be reduced by a delta of 2 degrees, that is, to 70 degrees. After another period of time such as another 30 minutes, the user may further specify that the desired setpoint temperature be further reduced by another delta of two degrees which would be change to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. After a longer period, such as for example two hours, the setpoint program could further provide to change the setpoint temperature to a specific user programmed value, such as 55 degrees, and the setpoint would remain at the value until occupancy or activity is again detected.
The user might be further asked to specify that the modification of setpoint temperatures just described be overridden by further time programmable events, or in the alternative, that the detection or condition of no occupancy overrides the time programmable events. This choice in the priority of a condition of no occupancy versus normal user programmed events may be made by the user or built into the programming of the thermostat control. The user might make this choice based upon factors such as frequency of expected occupancy, or the time it takes for the space conditioning system to "recover" when occupancy is again detected.
Note that there are two methods of altering the setpoint temperature which may be incorporated as part of the subject invention.
One is to alter the set point "by" a specific amount, that is, there is a "delta" applied to the setpoint temperature. The second is to change the setpoint temperature "to" a specific temperature, meaning that the setpoint temperature is not changed by a programmed delta amount, but is instead set to a specific value. These two concepts might be much more easily understood by the user of the thermostat device and avoids both a more complex user programming interface and control such as that which would be required if multiple programs were required for different stages of occupancy and no occupancy.
The illustrated embodiment of the present invention further provides a process or method for a "graduated" change to the setpoint temperature based upon changes in occupancy in the room or space affected by space conditioning equipment. A graduated change provides that a plurality of changes to the setpoint temperature are made as a result of a change in occupancy, which results in a smoothing of the temperature changes in the room. This smoothing effect may provide more comfort if people are entering and leaving a room occasionally, and also provides for user programming that is easy to understand. The thermostat control program may provide a graduated change in setpoint temperature on the basis of a single change in desired setpoint temperature indicated by the user programming of the thermostat. For example, the user might specify a setpoint reduction of four degrees in the desired room temperature after one hour of no occupancy. In response to a condition of no occupancy for one hour, the thermostat control program might during that period of no occupancy reduce the setpoint temperature by one degree every fifteen minutes, thus achieving the full reduction of four degrees, but in a smoothed or graduated manner.
It might also be desirable to provide in the illustrated embodiment a graduated change after the noted period of no occupancy has occurred, that is, in a similar example, starting a graduated change after one hour that begins the reduction of one degree after one hour, and completes the reduction of four degrees by reducing the setpoint temperature three more times during the next 45 minutes, and completing the reduction of four degrees in one hour.
The graduated change does not have to be a linear change based upon time. It, for example, might be desirable to slowly reduce the setpoint during initial periods of no occupancy and reduce it by a larger amount as the period of no occupancy becomes longer.
The illustrated embodiment may further provide for algorithms of control that can be invoked based upon occupancy or no occupancy, even without user intervention or user programming. The illustrated embodiment may be incorporated into a thermostat that has not been programmed by the user for time based events that change the setpoint temperature. That is, the thermostat can be shipped from the factory or have a "default" mode of programming built in such that changes in occupancy are factored into the determination of temperature setpoint automatically without further programming by the user. The algorithm, method or process of applying a delta setback to the normal setpoint temperature after a measured period of time, and repeating the application of either the same or another delta after either the same measured period or another measured period of time, until either a maximum total delta, or a fixed temperature is reached can achieve energy savings with little or not programming by the user, and may in fact be a reasonable program for adoption. For example, the thermostat could be preprogrammed at the factory, or upon application of a master reset, to apply a setback temperature of one degree Fahrenheit after every 15 minutes of no occupancy, with the one degree of added setback applied until 5 degrees of total added setback are applied. Then the setpoint temperature is left at that value until four hours of no occupancy are detected and at that time an additional five degrees of setback is applied. The user might also be allowed to select only that occupancy or no occupancy detection be factored into the control algorithm, and have a default programming which is invoked by just that selection, without further user programming.
In an illustrated embodiment a user may be required to select only a single desired temperature setting that is applied throughout the day when the room is occupied, a delta temperature that is applied after a first period or repeated periods of no occupancy, and a final setting of temperature that is applied after a longer period of continued no occupancy.
As another further example, when thermostats are used for controlling a baseboard heater, the baseboard heater may have enough power to change the temperature in the room quite quickly when occupancy is detected, so it may be desired by the user to save as much as energy as possible by setting the desired setpoint temperature as specified in a condition of no occupancy and not to start the normal programmed sequence at all unless occupancy is detected.
The teachings of the present invention are particularly applicable for baseboard heaters that are sized such that a room in which the heaters are located can be warmed quite quickly, that is the heaters are powerful enough to make "recovery" time reasonably short when heat is needed.
Baseboard heaters are often controlled by a thermostat device located in the same room as the baseboard heater itself, and so occupancy detection incorporated as a part of an individual thermostat package relates to the area specifically under control of the thermostat device which directly controls the heating of that particular room or area. For an application of this nature, the thermostat device of the illustrated embodiment of the present invention could include in a single compact package a triac device for controlling power to the baseboard heaters, a temperature sensor, a user interface display, an occupancy or activity level sensor, and buttons or touchscreen interface allowing for the user to program the device. This packaging along with a simplified user interface for user programming provides for significant energy savings in a device that could be installed and programmed by a typical homeowner. Even if installed professionally, the packaging and ease of use once installed make the device of the present invention conducive to home application.
The illustrated embodiment of the present invention with a simplified user programming interface provides further improvement by reducing or eliminating the amount of information that is required from the user to program the thermostat device and this reduces the number of icons and similar information that must be provided on a programmable LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen typically used as an interface for such thermostat devices. The simplicity might also allow a reduction in the size of the LCD screen required for programming the thermostat device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE
PRESENT INVENTION
Certain aspects of the illustrated embodiment will now be described in greater detail with reference to the figures of the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing space conditioning equipment 100 controlled by a programmable thermostat system that includes a programmable thermostat with input from a temperature sensor 130, a display which might typically be a liquid crystal display 110, a user input panel 115 for providing user input for programming, a thermostat control unit 120 controlling operation of the thermostat system, and a motion detector serving as an occupancy detector 140 providing an indication of occupancy for the room in which the thermostat is mounted to the thermostat control unit's microprocessor for the thermostat system.
The space conditioning equipment 100 provides conditioned air to the room 170 which is in the conditioned space. The conditioning can be in the form of heating or cooling or with other conditioning such as for humidity. The temperature sensor 130 and the occupancy sensor 140 provide input to the thermostat control unit's input output unit 124 via connections 131 and 141 respectively.
The thermostat control unit 120 includes a microprocessor 121 for running a thermostat control program contained in memory 122, a real time clock 123, the input / output unit 124, and other devices if or as necessary to support the microprocessor 121 such as a power regulator and a timing crystal.
A display 110, which may be a liquid crystal display or other display type, serves as a mechanism for displaying various alphanumeric messages and/or icons which may be used to prompt the user for user programming and also for displaying system status, room temperature, the time of day and other items that might be of interest to the thermostat system user.
The user input panel 115 may be implemented as a touch screen detector as an attachment or as part of the liquid crystal display, with buttons for touching being displayed on the liquid crystal display. The user input panel may also be buttons or touch sensors separate from the display, and may incorporate wheels, joystick type switches, trackballs, or other types of switches and sensors for user input.
The microprogram processor of the thermostat control unit generally performs many functions as part of its programming relating to maintenance of the display, monitoring the data inputs which come from the temperature sensor, and the motion detector, and other functions or threads necessary to implement the concepts of present invention, and also in general support of the functions of the thermostat system..
The microprogram processor has access to a real time clock 123 which is used to determine when to invoke temperature settings provided as programming by the thermostat user. The real time clock may be part of the microprocessor itself, or as another device part of the thermostat control unit. The real time clock may also be settable by the microprocessor.
The occupancy sensor device 140 and temperature sensor device 130 in one embodiment are contained within the housing of the thermostat system. In another illustrated embodiment either of these devices may be located external to the thermostat system with connections 141 and 131 respectively to the thermostat control unit.
If multiple occupancy sensors are in use, then a connection from each occupancy sensor to the thermostat control unit is provided. The connection of occupancy sensors can be by wire, by RF signal, or other wireless signal. The temperature sensor connection would typically be connected by wiring but could also be wireless if desired.
In this FIG. 1 illustration, the thermostat control unit sends signals over a wire 160 to the space conditioning equipment as control for the equipment. The thermostat control unit causes the space conditioning equipment to turn on heating or cooling to the conditioned space. The signal wire 160 might be replaced by a wireless type signal if desired.
FIG. 2 illustrates a thermostat in which the incorporation of an illustrated embodiment is especially applicable, that is, the thermostat device is in control of an electric heater which may be a baseboard heater.
The particular application of the subject invention when the space conditioning equipment is an electric heater with electric heating elements may allow for significant energy savings because the heating elements may draw a large amount of power, and also may typically be sized such that they might heat a room or surrounding area quite quickly.
The illustration is a diagram showing a electric heater 200 with a heating element 201 powered from house power 220 connected through a programmable thermostat system including an input to a thermostat control unit 120 from a temperature sensor 130, a display 110 which is a liquid crystal display, a user input panel 115 providing for user input in programming the thermostat, the thermostat control unit 120 including a microprocessor with a memory controlling operation of the overall thermostat system, a triac device 240 gated under control by a control signal 260 from the thermostat control unit and gating house power 220 through as gated power 250 to the heating element 201 of the electric heater 200, and a motion detector serving as an occupancy sensor 140 providing an indication to the thermostat control unit of occupancy or activity in the room or area in which the thermostat is mounted. In this illustration of the illustrated embodiment the occupancy sensor, temperature sensor, triac, liquid crystal display, user input panel, and the thermostat control unit may all be incorporated into a single package which may include other devices as necessary or in support of the listed elements.
The programmable thermostat system in FIG. 2 functions in manner similar to that shown in FIG. 1 but with adaptation for controlling an electric heater directly instead of sending signals to the space conditioning equipment. In FIG. 2, the space conditioning equipment being controlled is an electric heater, and the triac device 240 acts as an electronic switch with an input gating signal for turning on or allowing the house power through to the electric heater. The gating signal to the triac device 260 is an output from the thermostat control unit and used in manner similar to the signal wire 160 in FIG. 1 to turn on or off power to the electric heater heating elements. In this illustration where the space conditioning equipment is a heating device, a "setback" in temperature would be a lowering of the setpoint temperature such that less energy would typically be required to maintain the room containing the thermostat at that setpoint temperature.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing data on a touch sensitive display screen 300 as might be used to provide user input describing a user's time based thermostat control sequence. In this example, the user is allowed to select a "normal" program which can be set to be run either during periods of occupancy or in the alternative periods of no occupancy, as shown on the illustrated screen with reference number 310. In the illustration four "events" of programming 310 for each day are displayed but any number of periods could be provided. Specific days of the week for programming or specifying weekdays or weekends 320 for programming can be selected.
The screen includes "buttons" as might be implemented on a touchscreen display, or the functionality of the buttons could be implemented as actual buttons not part of the screen. In addition to the above provision for programming buttons referenced 301, 302, 303 and 304 provide general purpose input for "increasing" selected items on the screen such as increasing the set temperature or increasing time 301, or decreasing items 302, moving to the next item or screen 303 and exiting the particular programming screen 304.
This style of user interface and programming is for exemplary purposes only. Other styles or methods of programming could be designed by one knowledgeable in the state of the art without deviating from the teachings of this present invention, and the user input mechanism could be implemented either using touchscreen capability, actual buttons, wheels or other input devices or some combination of all of these or other user input mechanism as might be obvious to one skilled in the state of the art.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a touch sensitive display screen as might be used to provide further user input for overriding the "normal"
programming that might have been provided as illustrated in FIG. 3. This screen would typically be the "next" screen displayed after the "normal"
program was supplied by the user. This screen is intended to illustrate a very simple way for the user to allow for programming that saves energy by utilizing the condition of occupancy or no occupancy in determination of a setpoint temperature. The "Normal Program Override Screen 400 provides that the "normal" programming be overridden by a modification to the normal program, that modification being a lowering or raising of the setpoint temperature by a specified number of degrees after a specified period of time. Reference item 410 depicts a status message indicating that the "override" is to apply during either a condition of detected "no occupancy" or "occupancy" which would be the override condition for the selection made on reference item 310 in FIG. 3. For example, if the "normal" program is described as being for conditions where occupancy is detected, then the override would take place when no occupancy is detected. It is noted that the user might also be provided with an input screen for describing how long a period of time would be considered a signal of no occupancy, that is a period of no detected activity, or no motion as might be dependent on the characteristics of the device selected for use as the occupancy sensor.
For purposes of discussion and as an example, the discussion of FIG. 4 will be continued assuming that the user has defined a "normal"
program to execute during a period of detected occupancy, and as a result the exemplary "override" screen depicted in FIG. 4 will describe a response when no occupancy is detected. Reference items 420, 421 and 422 exemplify a simple way for a user of the thermostat to describe a desired response to the thermostat control which, in heating mode for example, will reduce (lower) the setpoint temperature a user selected number of degrees 420, and this will be repeated if the condition of no occupancy persists for a user specified number of minutes 421, and the reduction in temperature by that same number of degrees will be repeated until the setpoint temperature reaches a lower limit which is also user specified 422.
This style of user interface is quite easily comprehended by a user. For example, programming could easily provide for the normal program to run while someone is detected in the room, and when nobody has been in the room for some time, the setpoint temperature is slowly reduced until it reaches a user specified lower limit. If someone comes back in the room, the normal program is resumed.
As an alternative example, the "normal" program could be specified to run during no occupancy, and when occupancy is detected the temperature could be raised as quickly as desired to either a fixed comfortable temperature or to a temperature offset from the normal programmed temperature (programming for this second option not illustrated in the Figure).
As before, in addition to the above exemplary programming buttons at the bottom of the screen in FIG. 4 referenced 401, 402, and 404 provide a general purpose input mechanism for increasing, decreasing and exiting the screen in the same manner as reference items 301, 302, and 304 respectively as discussed above in relation to FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 depicts a similar, possibly even simpler to understand user input screen for overriding the "normal" programming. In this depiction, the normal program is assumed to be running during a period of occupancy, as reflected in the title at the top of the screen which labels the screen "OVERRIDE Normal Program Mode" 505 and the override scheme is then programmed as on the screen in FIG. 5. The screen 500 allows for the user to provide for a delay time 510 which says how long a detection of no activity from the occupancy sensor is necessary before the override programming begins. The user then provides for the amount of setback to be applied 520 in degrees, the frequency of further setback 520 in minutes, and the maximum number of times to repeat 522. After a longer period of no occupancy the user can set the temperature 530 to a fixed temperature that will remain until occupancy is again detected.
It would be another option in design to provide an alternative for the override program to either be 1) canceled when the next programmed "normal" program event occurs, or 2) to continue until occupancy is detected.
This exemplary programming for heating mode would be easily modified to provide similar energy saving design for cooling mode programming. It would be an option in design to provide separate screens for heating and cooling mode programming.
In addition to the above exemplary programming buttons referenced 501, 502, and 504 provide a general purpose input mechanism for increasing, decreasing and exiting the screen in the same manner as reference items 301, 302, and 304 respectively as discussed above in relation to FIG. 3.
Thus, while the principles of the invention have now been made clear in an illustrative embodiment, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangements, the elements, circuitry, materials, and components, used in the practice of the invention which are particularly adapted for specific environments and operating requirements without departing from those principles.
Claims (13)
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE
DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A thermostat apparatus which includes a user input mechanism and a display for use by an end user, the thermostat apparatus for controlling space conditioning equipment serving a conditioned space, running a thermostat control program for making a setpoint temperature determination, the thermostat apparatus comprising:
A) a first input connection for connecting to a temperature sensor providing an electrical signal indicative of temperature of the conditioned space;
B) a second input connection for connecting to an occupancy sensor providing a signal indicative of current occupancy of the conditioned space;
C) a thermostat control unit, running the thermostat control program, and being connected for receiving the signal indicative of temperature and the signal indicative of current occupancy, said thermostat control unit including:
1) a microprocessor;
2) a memory operatively coupled to said microprocessor for storing the thermostat control program and data, and normal program information including at least one user desired temperature setting;
3) a real time clock accessible by the microprocessor for determining current time of day information;
4) an input/output unit operatively coupled to said microprocessor including:
a) a first sensor input connected for receiving the electrical signal indicative of temperature of the conditioned space from said temperature sensor;
b) a second sensor input connected for receiving the signal indicative of current occupancy of the conditioned space from said occupancy sensor;
c) a control output means for issuing control signals to be used in controlling the space conditioning equipment;
d) an output connection to the display providing data from the thermostat control program running on the microprocessor to the display; and e) an input connection from the user input mechanism for receiving user programming information; wherein:
D) the user input mechanism includes means for entering, by the end user:
1) normal user program information specifying a plurality of user desired temperature settings each being assigned for invocation at a specified time of day;
2) second user program information of an alternate user sequence specifying a first modification for altering operation of the normal user program when the signal indicative of current occupancy has been continuously absent for a first measured period of time; and, 3) third user program information specifying a further modification to the operation of the normal user program after a second measured period of time, not necessarily different than the first measured period of time, during which the signal indicative of current occupancy has been continuously absent; and, E) the thermostat control program executed in the thermostat control unit with the thermostat control unit comprising:
1) means for calculating and maintaining a currently desired conditioned space temperature to be used in comparison with the electrical signal indicative of temperature of the conditioned space from the temperature sensor, and for issuing an output control signal to the space conditioning equipment for causing the conditioned space temperature to be brought closer to the currently desired value of conditioned space temperature; and 2) means for monitoring the second sensor input signal indicative of current occupancy and for determining a condition of occupancy when occupancy has been signaled in a time interval that is-less than said first measured period of time, and during this condition of occupancy the thermostat control program setting the currently desired value for conditioned space temperature as specified in said normal user program information; wherein: when occupancy is not currently detected and has not been signaled for a time interval longer than the first measured period of time, this now defining a condition of assumed no occupancy, the thermostat control program preempts normal user program operation and modifies the setpoint temperature, as specified by the second user program information; and when occupancy is not currently detected and has not been signaled for a time interval longer than the sum of the first and the second measured periods of time, the thermostat control program further modifies the setpoint temperature, a second time as specified by the third user program information; and, when the signal indicative of current occupancy is again detected, the thermostat control program directs the thermostat control unit to resume operation according to the normal user program information input for determining the setpoint temperature.
A) a first input connection for connecting to a temperature sensor providing an electrical signal indicative of temperature of the conditioned space;
B) a second input connection for connecting to an occupancy sensor providing a signal indicative of current occupancy of the conditioned space;
C) a thermostat control unit, running the thermostat control program, and being connected for receiving the signal indicative of temperature and the signal indicative of current occupancy, said thermostat control unit including:
1) a microprocessor;
2) a memory operatively coupled to said microprocessor for storing the thermostat control program and data, and normal program information including at least one user desired temperature setting;
3) a real time clock accessible by the microprocessor for determining current time of day information;
4) an input/output unit operatively coupled to said microprocessor including:
a) a first sensor input connected for receiving the electrical signal indicative of temperature of the conditioned space from said temperature sensor;
b) a second sensor input connected for receiving the signal indicative of current occupancy of the conditioned space from said occupancy sensor;
c) a control output means for issuing control signals to be used in controlling the space conditioning equipment;
d) an output connection to the display providing data from the thermostat control program running on the microprocessor to the display; and e) an input connection from the user input mechanism for receiving user programming information; wherein:
D) the user input mechanism includes means for entering, by the end user:
1) normal user program information specifying a plurality of user desired temperature settings each being assigned for invocation at a specified time of day;
2) second user program information of an alternate user sequence specifying a first modification for altering operation of the normal user program when the signal indicative of current occupancy has been continuously absent for a first measured period of time; and, 3) third user program information specifying a further modification to the operation of the normal user program after a second measured period of time, not necessarily different than the first measured period of time, during which the signal indicative of current occupancy has been continuously absent; and, E) the thermostat control program executed in the thermostat control unit with the thermostat control unit comprising:
1) means for calculating and maintaining a currently desired conditioned space temperature to be used in comparison with the electrical signal indicative of temperature of the conditioned space from the temperature sensor, and for issuing an output control signal to the space conditioning equipment for causing the conditioned space temperature to be brought closer to the currently desired value of conditioned space temperature; and 2) means for monitoring the second sensor input signal indicative of current occupancy and for determining a condition of occupancy when occupancy has been signaled in a time interval that is-less than said first measured period of time, and during this condition of occupancy the thermostat control program setting the currently desired value for conditioned space temperature as specified in said normal user program information; wherein: when occupancy is not currently detected and has not been signaled for a time interval longer than the first measured period of time, this now defining a condition of assumed no occupancy, the thermostat control program preempts normal user program operation and modifies the setpoint temperature, as specified by the second user program information; and when occupancy is not currently detected and has not been signaled for a time interval longer than the sum of the first and the second measured periods of time, the thermostat control program further modifies the setpoint temperature, a second time as specified by the third user program information; and, when the signal indicative of current occupancy is again detected, the thermostat control program directs the thermostat control unit to resume operation according to the normal user program information input for determining the setpoint temperature.
2. A user programmable thermostat apparatus which includes a user input mechanism and a display for use by an end user, the thermostat apparatus for controlling space conditioning equipment serving a conditioned space, running a thermostat control program for making a setpoint temperature determination, the thermostat apparatus comprising:
A) a temperature sensor connected for providing an electrical signal indicative of temperature of the conditioned space;
B) an occupancy sensor connected for providing a signal indicative of current occupancy of the conditioned space;
C) a thermostat control unit, running the thermostat control program, said thermostat control unit including:
1) a microprocessor;
2) a memory operatively coupled to said microprocessor for storing the thermostat control program and data, and normal program information including at least one user desired temperature setting;
3) a real time clock accessible by the microprocessor for determining current time of day information;
4) an input/output unit operatively coupled to said microprocessor including:
a) a first sensor input connected for receiving the electrical signal indicative of temperature of the conditioned space from said temperature sensor;
b) a second sensor input connected for receiving the signal indicative of current occupancy of the conditioned space from said occupancy sensor;
c) a control output means for issuing control signals to be used in controlling the space conditioning equipment;
d) an output connection to the display providing data from the thermostat control program running on the microprocessor to the display; and e) an input connection from the user input mechanism for receiving user programming information; wherein:
D) the user input mechanism includes means for entering, by the end user:
1) normal user program information specifying a plurality of user desired temperature settings, each being assigned for invocation at a specified time of day;
2) second user program information defining an alternate user sequence specifying a plurality of user desired temperature settings, each being assigned for invocation at a specified time of day and as a replacement of the normal user program time or temperature settings when the signal indicative of current occupancy has been continuously absent for a first measured period of time; and, 3) third user program information specifying a further modification to the operation of the second user program after a second measured period of time, not necessarily different than the first measured period of time, during which the signal indicative of current occupancy has been continuously absent; and, E) the thermostat control program executed in the thermostat control unit, with the thermostat control unit comprising:
1) means for calculating and maintaining a currently desired conditioned space temperature to be used in comparison with the electrical signal indicative of temperature of the conditioned space from the temperature sensor, and for issuing an output control signal to the space conditioning equipment for causing the conditioned space temperature to be brought closer to the currently desired value of conditioned space temperature; and 2) means for monitoring the second sensor input signal indicative of current occupancy and for determining a condition of occupancy when occupancy has been signaled in a time interval that is less than said first measured period of time, and during this condition of occupancy the thermostat control program setting the currently desired value for conditioned space temperature as specified in said normal user program information; wherein:
when occupancy is not currently detected and has not been signaled for a time interval longer than the first measured period of time, this now defining a condition of assumed no occupancy, the thermostat control program preempts normal user program operation and modifies the setpoint temperature, as specified by the second user program information;
when occupancy is not currently detected and has not been signaled for a time interval longer than the sum of the first and the second measured periods of time, the thermostat control program further modifies the setpoint temperature a second time, as specified by the third user program information; and, when the signal indicative of current occupancy is again detected, the thermostat control program directs the thermostat control unit to resume operation according to the normal user program information input for determining the setpoint temperature.
A) a temperature sensor connected for providing an electrical signal indicative of temperature of the conditioned space;
B) an occupancy sensor connected for providing a signal indicative of current occupancy of the conditioned space;
C) a thermostat control unit, running the thermostat control program, said thermostat control unit including:
1) a microprocessor;
2) a memory operatively coupled to said microprocessor for storing the thermostat control program and data, and normal program information including at least one user desired temperature setting;
3) a real time clock accessible by the microprocessor for determining current time of day information;
4) an input/output unit operatively coupled to said microprocessor including:
a) a first sensor input connected for receiving the electrical signal indicative of temperature of the conditioned space from said temperature sensor;
b) a second sensor input connected for receiving the signal indicative of current occupancy of the conditioned space from said occupancy sensor;
c) a control output means for issuing control signals to be used in controlling the space conditioning equipment;
d) an output connection to the display providing data from the thermostat control program running on the microprocessor to the display; and e) an input connection from the user input mechanism for receiving user programming information; wherein:
D) the user input mechanism includes means for entering, by the end user:
1) normal user program information specifying a plurality of user desired temperature settings, each being assigned for invocation at a specified time of day;
2) second user program information defining an alternate user sequence specifying a plurality of user desired temperature settings, each being assigned for invocation at a specified time of day and as a replacement of the normal user program time or temperature settings when the signal indicative of current occupancy has been continuously absent for a first measured period of time; and, 3) third user program information specifying a further modification to the operation of the second user program after a second measured period of time, not necessarily different than the first measured period of time, during which the signal indicative of current occupancy has been continuously absent; and, E) the thermostat control program executed in the thermostat control unit, with the thermostat control unit comprising:
1) means for calculating and maintaining a currently desired conditioned space temperature to be used in comparison with the electrical signal indicative of temperature of the conditioned space from the temperature sensor, and for issuing an output control signal to the space conditioning equipment for causing the conditioned space temperature to be brought closer to the currently desired value of conditioned space temperature; and 2) means for monitoring the second sensor input signal indicative of current occupancy and for determining a condition of occupancy when occupancy has been signaled in a time interval that is less than said first measured period of time, and during this condition of occupancy the thermostat control program setting the currently desired value for conditioned space temperature as specified in said normal user program information; wherein:
when occupancy is not currently detected and has not been signaled for a time interval longer than the first measured period of time, this now defining a condition of assumed no occupancy, the thermostat control program preempts normal user program operation and modifies the setpoint temperature, as specified by the second user program information;
when occupancy is not currently detected and has not been signaled for a time interval longer than the sum of the first and the second measured periods of time, the thermostat control program further modifies the setpoint temperature a second time, as specified by the third user program information; and, when the signal indicative of current occupancy is again detected, the thermostat control program directs the thermostat control unit to resume operation according to the normal user program information input for determining the setpoint temperature.
3. The programmable thermostat apparatus of claim 2, wherein the space conditioning equipment to be controlled by the thermostat apparatus is an electric heater and the thermostat apparatus further includes:
A) an electronic switch connected to be gated by the control output of the input/output unit of the thermostat control unit, and used to gate house power for supply to the electric heater.
A) an electronic switch connected to be gated by the control output of the input/output unit of the thermostat control unit, and used to gate house power for supply to the electric heater.
4. The programmable thermostat apparatus of claim 2, wherein the space conditioning equipment to be controlled by the thermostat apparatus is an electric baseboard heater and the thermostat apparatus further includes:
A) an electronic switch connected so as to be gated by the control output of the input/output unit of the thermostat control unit, and then used to gate house power for supply to the electric baseboard heater.
A) an electronic switch connected so as to be gated by the control output of the input/output unit of the thermostat control unit, and then used to gate house power for supply to the electric baseboard heater.
5. The programmable thermostat apparatus of claim 2 wherein said occupancy detector is a motion detector, further including:
A) the thermostat control unit performing thermostat control program analysis of the output from the motion detector to determine a level of activity indication based upon frequency of movement detected by the motion detector, and with said analysis being more than is necessary to distinguish between simple occupancy and no occupancy; and B) using the level of activity indication to effect determination of the currently desired conditioned space temperature.
A) the thermostat control unit performing thermostat control program analysis of the output from the motion detector to determine a level of activity indication based upon frequency of movement detected by the motion detector, and with said analysis being more than is necessary to distinguish between simple occupancy and no occupancy; and B) using the level of activity indication to effect determination of the currently desired conditioned space temperature.
6. The programmable thermostat apparatus of claim 2 with said occupancy detector being a motion detector, further including:
A) the thermostat control unit performing thermostat control program analysis of the output from the motion detector to determine a level of activity indication based upon frequency of movement detected by the motion detector; and B) using a high level of activity indication to lower the temperature determined by the thermostat control program as the currently desired conditioned space temperature, when compared to the temperature that would have been determined if just the condition of occupancy alone was considered.
A) the thermostat control unit performing thermostat control program analysis of the output from the motion detector to determine a level of activity indication based upon frequency of movement detected by the motion detector; and B) using a high level of activity indication to lower the temperature determined by the thermostat control program as the currently desired conditioned space temperature, when compared to the temperature that would have been determined if just the condition of occupancy alone was considered.
7. The programmable thermostat apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus is wholly contained as a unit intended typically to be mounted on a wall within a room or area served by the space conditioning equipment.
8. The programmable thermostat apparatus of claim 2, wherein the normal user program specifying a plurality of user desired temperature settings provides for specifying at least four events per day based upon time of day.
9. A thermostat apparatus which includes a user input mechanism and a display for use by an end user in conjunction with the input mechanism, the thermostat apparatus for controlling space conditioning equipment serving a conditioned space, running a thermostat control program for making a setpoint temperature determination, the apparatus comprising:
A) a temperature sensor connected for providing an electrical signal indicative of temperature of the conditioned space;
B) an occupancy sensor connected for providing a signal indicative of current occupancy of the conditioned space;
C) a thermostat control unit, running the thermostat control program, said thermostat control unit including:
1) a microprocessor;
2) a memory operatively coupled to said microprocessor for storing the thermostat control program and data, and normal program information including at least one user desired temperature setting;
3) a real time clock accessible by the microprocessor for determining current time of day information;
4) an input/output unit operatively coupled to said microprocessor including:
a) a first sensor input connected for receiving the electrical signal indicative of temperature of the conditioned space from said temperature sensor;
b) a second sensor input connected for receiving the signal indicative of current occupancy of the conditioned space from said occupancy sensor;
c) a control output means for issuing control signals to be used in controlling the space conditioning equipment;
d) an output connection to the display providing data from the thermostat control program running on the microprocessor to the display; and e) an input connection from the user input mechanism for receiving user programming information; wherein:
D) the user input mechanism includes means for entering by the end user:
1) normal user program information specifying a plurality of user desired temperature settings each being assigned for invocation at a specified time of day; and, 2) second user program information specifying a modification for altering operation of the normal user program when the signal indicative of current occupancy is absent or not detected during a first measured period of time; and, E) the thermostat control program executed on the thermostat control unit, with the thermostat control unit comprising:
means for calculating and maintaining a currently desired conditioned space temperature to be used in comparison with the electrical signal indicative of temperature of the conditioned space from the temperature sensor, and for issuing an output control signal to the space conditioning equipment for causing the conditioned space temperature to be brought closer to the currently desired value of conditioned space temperature; and means for monitoring the second sensor input signal indicative of current occupancy and for determining a condition of occupancy when occupancy has been signaled in recent time less than said first measured period of time, and during this condition of occupancy the thermostat control program setting the currently desired value for conditioned space temperature as specified in said normal user program information; wherein:
when occupancy is not currently detected and has not been signaled for a time interval longer than the first measured period of time, this now defining a condition of assumed no occupancy, the thermostat control program preempts normal user program operation and modifies the setpoint temperature with the modification beginning as a graduated change in the setpoint temperature intended to move the currently determined setpoint temperature towards the value specified by the second user program information;
when occupancy continues to not be signaled for measured time intervals beyond the first measured period of time, the thermostat control program continues with the graduated change in the setpoint temperature towards the value specified by the second user program information; and, when the signal indicative of current occupancy is again detected, the thermostat control program directs the thermostat control unit to resume operation according to the normal user program information input for determining the setpoint temperature.
A) a temperature sensor connected for providing an electrical signal indicative of temperature of the conditioned space;
B) an occupancy sensor connected for providing a signal indicative of current occupancy of the conditioned space;
C) a thermostat control unit, running the thermostat control program, said thermostat control unit including:
1) a microprocessor;
2) a memory operatively coupled to said microprocessor for storing the thermostat control program and data, and normal program information including at least one user desired temperature setting;
3) a real time clock accessible by the microprocessor for determining current time of day information;
4) an input/output unit operatively coupled to said microprocessor including:
a) a first sensor input connected for receiving the electrical signal indicative of temperature of the conditioned space from said temperature sensor;
b) a second sensor input connected for receiving the signal indicative of current occupancy of the conditioned space from said occupancy sensor;
c) a control output means for issuing control signals to be used in controlling the space conditioning equipment;
d) an output connection to the display providing data from the thermostat control program running on the microprocessor to the display; and e) an input connection from the user input mechanism for receiving user programming information; wherein:
D) the user input mechanism includes means for entering by the end user:
1) normal user program information specifying a plurality of user desired temperature settings each being assigned for invocation at a specified time of day; and, 2) second user program information specifying a modification for altering operation of the normal user program when the signal indicative of current occupancy is absent or not detected during a first measured period of time; and, E) the thermostat control program executed on the thermostat control unit, with the thermostat control unit comprising:
means for calculating and maintaining a currently desired conditioned space temperature to be used in comparison with the electrical signal indicative of temperature of the conditioned space from the temperature sensor, and for issuing an output control signal to the space conditioning equipment for causing the conditioned space temperature to be brought closer to the currently desired value of conditioned space temperature; and means for monitoring the second sensor input signal indicative of current occupancy and for determining a condition of occupancy when occupancy has been signaled in recent time less than said first measured period of time, and during this condition of occupancy the thermostat control program setting the currently desired value for conditioned space temperature as specified in said normal user program information; wherein:
when occupancy is not currently detected and has not been signaled for a time interval longer than the first measured period of time, this now defining a condition of assumed no occupancy, the thermostat control program preempts normal user program operation and modifies the setpoint temperature with the modification beginning as a graduated change in the setpoint temperature intended to move the currently determined setpoint temperature towards the value specified by the second user program information;
when occupancy continues to not be signaled for measured time intervals beyond the first measured period of time, the thermostat control program continues with the graduated change in the setpoint temperature towards the value specified by the second user program information; and, when the signal indicative of current occupancy is again detected, the thermostat control program directs the thermostat control unit to resume operation according to the normal user program information input for determining the setpoint temperature.
10. The thermostat apparatus of claim 9, wherein the graduated change in setpoint temperature is non-linear with respect to time and during earlier periods of no occupancy the setpoint temperature is modified by less than later modifications made after longer periods of no occupancy.
11. A method of operating a user programmable thermostat device for controlling space conditioning equipment supplying conditioned air to a conditioned space, the method comprising the steps of:
A) Including within a thermostat housing designed to be mounted on a wall, a thermostat control unit with a microprogram processor controlled by a thermostat control program;
B) Connecting to the thermostat control unit, an occupancy sensor and a temperature sensor situated such as to detect occupancy and temperature respectively;
C) Connecting to the thermostat control unit, a display device;
D) Connecting to the thermostat control unit, a user control interface for capturing user input;
E) Utilizing the display device and the user control interface, to capture user input in the form of at least one user programmable time-based thermostat control sequence intended as a normal thermostat control sequence for invocation during periods of occupancy;
F) Capturing further user input describing a plurality of desired modifications to a room temperature based upon a condition of no occupancy;
G) The thermostat control program determining a condition of no occupancy, when during a measured interval of time, no occupancy is detected;
H) Running the thermostat control program which, when not in a condition of no occupancy, follows the user programmable time-based normal thermostat control sequence and setting a currently desired condition space temperature;
I) The thermostat control program when in a condition of no occupancy, preempting the user programmable time-based normal thermostat control sequence and modifying the setting of the currently desired conditioned space temperature, as specified by the first of the plurality of desired modifications to the room temperature specified in the further user input of Step F);
J) The thermostat control program, when continuing operation in a condition of no occupancy, then further modifying the setting of the currently desired conditioned space temperature after successive periods of time as specified by the second and subsequent ones of the plurality of desired modifications to the room temperature specified in the further user input of Step F), until the plurality of desired modifications to the room temperature have been completed, or until occupancy is detected;
and, K) The thermostat control program, when occupancy is again detected, setting the desired condition space temperature to a value as though the user programmable time-based normal thermostat control sequence had not been interrupted, and then resuming normal thermostat operation by returning to step H).
A) Including within a thermostat housing designed to be mounted on a wall, a thermostat control unit with a microprogram processor controlled by a thermostat control program;
B) Connecting to the thermostat control unit, an occupancy sensor and a temperature sensor situated such as to detect occupancy and temperature respectively;
C) Connecting to the thermostat control unit, a display device;
D) Connecting to the thermostat control unit, a user control interface for capturing user input;
E) Utilizing the display device and the user control interface, to capture user input in the form of at least one user programmable time-based thermostat control sequence intended as a normal thermostat control sequence for invocation during periods of occupancy;
F) Capturing further user input describing a plurality of desired modifications to a room temperature based upon a condition of no occupancy;
G) The thermostat control program determining a condition of no occupancy, when during a measured interval of time, no occupancy is detected;
H) Running the thermostat control program which, when not in a condition of no occupancy, follows the user programmable time-based normal thermostat control sequence and setting a currently desired condition space temperature;
I) The thermostat control program when in a condition of no occupancy, preempting the user programmable time-based normal thermostat control sequence and modifying the setting of the currently desired conditioned space temperature, as specified by the first of the plurality of desired modifications to the room temperature specified in the further user input of Step F);
J) The thermostat control program, when continuing operation in a condition of no occupancy, then further modifying the setting of the currently desired conditioned space temperature after successive periods of time as specified by the second and subsequent ones of the plurality of desired modifications to the room temperature specified in the further user input of Step F), until the plurality of desired modifications to the room temperature have been completed, or until occupancy is detected;
and, K) The thermostat control program, when occupancy is again detected, setting the desired condition space temperature to a value as though the user programmable time-based normal thermostat control sequence had not been interrupted, and then resuming normal thermostat operation by returning to step H).
12. A method of operating a user programmable thermostat device for controlling space conditioning equipment supplying conditioned air to a conditioned space, the method comprising the steps of:
A) Including within a thermostat housing designed to be mounted on a wall a thermostat control unit with a microprogram processor controlled by a thermostat control program;
B) Connecting to the thermostat control unit, an occupancy sensor and a temperature sensor situated such as to detect occupancy and temperature respectively;
C) Connecting also to the thermostat control unit, a display device;
D) Connecting also to the thermostat control unit, a user control interface for capturing user input;
E) Utilizing the display device and the user control interface, to capture user input in the form of at least one user programmable time-based thermostat control sequence intended as a normal thermostat control sequence for invocation during periods of occupancy and providing a plurality of user desired temperature settings, including an adjustable setpoint temperature, each being assigned for invocation at a specified time of day;
F) Capturing further user input describing a value for a desired conditioned space temperature during a condition of no occupancy;
G) The thermostat control program determining a condition of no occupancy when during a measured interval of time no occupancy is detected;
H) Running the thermostat control program which, when not in a condition of no occupancy, follows the user programmable time-based normal thermostat control sequence and sets a currently desired conditioned space temperature;
I) The thermostat control program when in a condition of no occupancy, preempting the user programmable time-based normal thermostat control sequence and modifying the setting of the currently desired conditioned space temperature such as to gradually move the desired temperature towards the value for the desired conditioned space temperature during no occupancy as specified in the further user input of Step F); and, J) The thermostat control program, when occupancy is again detected, setting the setpoint temperature to a value as though the user programmable time-based normal thermostat control sequence had not been interrupted, and then resuming normal thermostat operation by returning to step H).
A) Including within a thermostat housing designed to be mounted on a wall a thermostat control unit with a microprogram processor controlled by a thermostat control program;
B) Connecting to the thermostat control unit, an occupancy sensor and a temperature sensor situated such as to detect occupancy and temperature respectively;
C) Connecting also to the thermostat control unit, a display device;
D) Connecting also to the thermostat control unit, a user control interface for capturing user input;
E) Utilizing the display device and the user control interface, to capture user input in the form of at least one user programmable time-based thermostat control sequence intended as a normal thermostat control sequence for invocation during periods of occupancy and providing a plurality of user desired temperature settings, including an adjustable setpoint temperature, each being assigned for invocation at a specified time of day;
F) Capturing further user input describing a value for a desired conditioned space temperature during a condition of no occupancy;
G) The thermostat control program determining a condition of no occupancy when during a measured interval of time no occupancy is detected;
H) Running the thermostat control program which, when not in a condition of no occupancy, follows the user programmable time-based normal thermostat control sequence and sets a currently desired conditioned space temperature;
I) The thermostat control program when in a condition of no occupancy, preempting the user programmable time-based normal thermostat control sequence and modifying the setting of the currently desired conditioned space temperature such as to gradually move the desired temperature towards the value for the desired conditioned space temperature during no occupancy as specified in the further user input of Step F); and, J) The thermostat control program, when occupancy is again detected, setting the setpoint temperature to a value as though the user programmable time-based normal thermostat control sequence had not been interrupted, and then resuming normal thermostat operation by returning to step H).
13. A method of operating a user programmable thermostat device for controlling space conditioning equipment supplying conditioned air to a conditioned space, the method comprising the steps of:
A) Including within a thermostat housing designed to be mounted on a wall, a thermostat control unit with a microprogram processor controlled by a thermostat control program;
B) Connecting to the thermostat control unit an occupancy sensor and a temperature sensor situated such as to detect occupancy and temperature respectively;
C) Connecting also to the thermostat control unit, a display device;
D) Connecting also to the thermostat control unit, a user control interface for capturing end user input;
E) Utilizing the display device and the user control interface, to capture end user input in the form of at least one user programmable time-based thermostat control sequence intended as a normal thermostat control sequence for invocation during periods of occupancy and providing a plurality of user desired temperature settings, including an adjustable set point temperature each being assigned for invocation at a specified time of day;
F) Capturing further end user input describing a value for a desired conditioned space temperature during a condition of no occupancy;
G) The thermostat control program determining a condition of no occupancy following a measured interval of time during which no occupancy is detected;
H) Running the thermostat control program which, when not in a condition of no occupancy, follows the user programmable time-based normal thermostat control sequence and sets a currently desired conditioned space temperature;
I) The thermostat control program when in a condition of no occupancy, preempting the user programmable time-based normal thermostat control sequence and modifying the setpoint temperature such as to gradually move the setpoint temperature towards the value of the currently desired conditioned space temperature during no occupancy as specified in the further user input of Step F); and, J) The thermostat control program, when occupancy is again detected, modifying the setting of the currently desired conditioned space temperature such as to gradually move the setpoint temperature returning towards the value as though the user programmable time-based normal thermostat control sequence had not been preempted, and then resuming normal thermostat operation by returning to step H).
A) Including within a thermostat housing designed to be mounted on a wall, a thermostat control unit with a microprogram processor controlled by a thermostat control program;
B) Connecting to the thermostat control unit an occupancy sensor and a temperature sensor situated such as to detect occupancy and temperature respectively;
C) Connecting also to the thermostat control unit, a display device;
D) Connecting also to the thermostat control unit, a user control interface for capturing end user input;
E) Utilizing the display device and the user control interface, to capture end user input in the form of at least one user programmable time-based thermostat control sequence intended as a normal thermostat control sequence for invocation during periods of occupancy and providing a plurality of user desired temperature settings, including an adjustable set point temperature each being assigned for invocation at a specified time of day;
F) Capturing further end user input describing a value for a desired conditioned space temperature during a condition of no occupancy;
G) The thermostat control program determining a condition of no occupancy following a measured interval of time during which no occupancy is detected;
H) Running the thermostat control program which, when not in a condition of no occupancy, follows the user programmable time-based normal thermostat control sequence and sets a currently desired conditioned space temperature;
I) The thermostat control program when in a condition of no occupancy, preempting the user programmable time-based normal thermostat control sequence and modifying the setpoint temperature such as to gradually move the setpoint temperature towards the value of the currently desired conditioned space temperature during no occupancy as specified in the further user input of Step F); and, J) The thermostat control program, when occupancy is again detected, modifying the setting of the currently desired conditioned space temperature such as to gradually move the setpoint temperature returning towards the value as though the user programmable time-based normal thermostat control sequence had not been preempted, and then resuming normal thermostat operation by returning to step H).
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| US10180673B2 (en) | 2015-10-28 | 2019-01-15 | Johnson Controls Technology Company | Multi-function thermostat with emergency direction features |
| US10318266B2 (en) | 2015-11-25 | 2019-06-11 | Johnson Controls Technology Company | Modular multi-function thermostat |
| US10941951B2 (en) | 2016-07-27 | 2021-03-09 | Johnson Controls Technology Company | Systems and methods for temperature and humidity control |
| US10458669B2 (en) | 2017-03-29 | 2019-10-29 | Johnson Controls Technology Company | Thermostat with interactive installation features |
| US11441799B2 (en) | 2017-03-29 | 2022-09-13 | Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP | Thermostat with interactive installation features |
| US10712038B2 (en) | 2017-04-14 | 2020-07-14 | Johnson Controls Technology Company | Multi-function thermostat with air quality display |
| US11162698B2 (en) | 2017-04-14 | 2021-11-02 | Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP | Thermostat with exhaust fan control for air quality and humidity control |
| US11131474B2 (en) | 2018-03-09 | 2021-09-28 | Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP | Thermostat with user interface features |
| US11107390B2 (en) | 2018-12-21 | 2021-08-31 | Johnson Controls Technology Company | Display device with halo |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2633121A1 (en) | 2008-09-02 |
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