Thermostat With One Button Programming Feature

• US 20030121652A1
• Filed: 02/18/2003
• Published: 07/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Copeland Comfort Control LP (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Carey, Steven L., Fredricks, Thomas J., Weaver, Earle L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,783,079 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/238
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/59 for presetting
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1904 variable in time

Abstract

Abstract of Disclosure

A digital programmable thermostat comprising up and down temperature adjustment buttons, an LCD display, and a Program button, which a user can simply press once to initiate a single setback program that sets back the last user selected temperature setting during a predetermined setback time period. The thermostat can also automatically set the current time and date, to allow the user to initiate the program without having to set the current time and date.

Claims

1. An improved programmable digital thermostat having user input means for selecting a desired temperature setting, the improvement comprising:

2. The thermostat according to claim 1, wherein the activation means comprises a single button that runs the program when pressed only one time.

3. The thermostat according to claim 1, wherein the activation means comprises at least two buttons that run the program when simultaneously pressed only one time.

4. The thermostat according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined non-setback time period is substantially the time period the user is awake during the day.

5. The thermostat according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined setback time period is substantially the time period the user is asleep during the night.

6. The thermostat according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined amount for offsetting the last selected temperature setting is in the range of 5 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

7. An improved programmable digital thermostat having user input means for selecting a desired temperature setting, the improvement comprising:

8. The thermostat according to claim 7, wherein the activation means comprises a single button that runs the program when pressed only one time.

9. The thermostat according to claim 7, wherein the activation means comprises at least two buttons that run the program when simultaneously pressed only one time.

10. The thermostat according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined non-setback time period is substantially the time period the user is awake during the day.

11. The thermostat according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined setback time period is substantially the time period the user is asleep during the night.

12. The thermostat according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined amount for offsetting the last selected temperature setting is in the range of 5 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

13. An improved programmable digital thermostat having user input means for selecting a desired temperature setting and for selecting a setback program in the thermostat, the improvement comprising:

14. The thermostat according to claim 13, wherein the means for selecting a setback program comprises: