Methods and control unit for temperature controlled devices

• US 20030001021A1
• Filed: 06/27/2001
• Published: 01/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: George Mazereeuw
• Original Assignee: George Mazereeuw
• Inventors: Mazereeuw, George
• Application Number:
  US09/681,929
• Publication Number:
  US 20030001021A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/47
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 characterised by the use of a variable reference value

Abstract

A method for operating a temperature controlled device includes detecting a human presence status and controlling a temperature of the temperature controlled device based upon the detected status.

Claims

1. A method for operating a temperature controlled device, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting a human presence status; and

controlling a temperature of the temperature controlled device based upon the detected status.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of detecting a human presence status comprises the step of detecting a human presence status utilizing at least one of a motion detector, an infrared sensor, and a vibration sensor.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of detecting a human presence status comprises the step of detecting a human presence utilizing a motion detector.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of detecting a human presence status comprises the step of detecting a human presence status in an area proximate to the temperature controlled device.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of detecting a human presence comprises the step of detecting a human presence in an area distant to the temperature controlled device.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of controlling a temperature comprises the steps of:

specifying a first temperature of the temperature controlled device comprising a cooling device when the detected status is human present; and

specifying a second temperature of the temperature controlled device when the detected status is human absent, the second temperature higher than the first temperature.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of controlling a temperature comprises the steps of:

specifying a first temperature of the temperature controlled device comprising a cooling device when the detected status is human present; and

specifying a second temperature of the temperature controlled device after detecting a human absent status for a predetermined period of time, the second temperature higher than the first temperature.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of controlling a temperature comprises the step of turning off the temperature controlled device when the detected status is human absent.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of controlling a temperature comprises the step of turning off the temperature controlled device after detecting a human absent status for a predetermined period of time.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of controlling a temperature comprises the steps of:

specifying a temperature of the temperature controlled device when the detected status is human present; and

turning off the temperature controlled device when the detected status is human absent.

11. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of controlling a temperature comprises the steps of:

specifying a temperature of the temperature controlled device when the detected status is human present; and

turning off the temperature controlled device after detecting a human absent status for a predetermined period of time.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of controlling a temperature comprises the steps of:

specifying a first temperature of the temperature controlled device comprising a heating device when the detected status is human present; and

specifying a second temperature of the temperature controlled device when the detected status is human absent, the second temperature lower than the first temperature.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of controlling a temperature comprises the steps of:

specifying a first temperature of the temperature controlled device comprising a heating device when the detected status is human present; and

turning off the temperature controlled device after detecting a human absent status for a predetermined period of time.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein said step of providing a human presence detector comprises the step of providing at least one of a motion detector, an infrared sensor, and a vibration sensor.

16. A method according to claim 14 wherein said step of coupling the human presence detector comprises coupling the human presence detector to the temperature controlled device comprising a cooling device.

17. A method according to claim 14 wherein said step of coupling the human presence detector comprises coupling the human presence detector to the temperature controlled device comprising a heating device.

20. A control unit according to claim 19 wherein said human detector comprises at least one of a motion detector, an infrared sensor, and a vibration sensor.

21. A control unit according to claim 19 wherein said control unit configured to control the temperature controlled device based on a human presence status.

22. A control unit according to claim 21 wherein said control unit further configured to:

control the temperature controlled device at a first temperature when said human detector detects a human present status; and

control the temperature controlled device at a second temperature when said human detector detects a human absent status.

23. A control unit according to claim 22 wherein said second temperature higher than said first temperature.

24. A control unit according to claim 22 wherein said second temperature lower than said first temperature.

25. A control unit according to claim 19 wherein said detector configured to detect a human presence status in an area proximate said control unit.

26. A control unit according to claim 19 wherein said detector configured to detect a human presence status in an area distant said control unit.

27. A control unit according to claim 21 wherein said control unit further configured to:

control the temperature controlled device at a first temperature when said human detector detects a human present status; and

control the temperature controlled device at a second temperature after said human detector detects a human absent status for a predetermined period of time.

28. A control unit according to claim 21 wherein said control unit further configured to:

control the temperature controlled device at a first temperature when said human detector detects a human present status; and

turn off the temperature controlled device when said human detector detects a human absent status.

29. A control unit according to claim 21 wherein said control unit further configured to:

control the temperature controlled device at a first temperature when said human detector detects a human present status; and

turn off the temperature controlled device after said human detector detects a human absent status for a predetermined period of time.

14. A method for fabricating a temperature controlled device, said method comprising:

providing a human presence detector; and

coupling the human presence detector to the temperature controlled device such that the temperature controlled device is controlled based on a human presence status.

18. A method for fabricating a control unit for a temperature controlled device, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a control unit; and

coupling a human detector to the control unit such that the control unit controls the temperature controlled device based on a human presence status.

19. A control unit for control of a temperature controlled device, said control unit comprising a human detector.