Device and method for interactive programming of a thermostat

• US 20040193324A1
• Filed: 03/24/2003
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smartway Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Smartway Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Knobloch, Nims P. Jr., Hoog, Klaus D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,146,253 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/276
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24094 Voice alarm

Abstract

An audible interactive and programmable heating and cooling digital thermostat providing voice setup instructions for easy and precise temperature management during four different time periods in a twenty-four hour day and the option of distinct weekday and weekend programming temperature setpoints. The audible interactive thermostat includes an alerting means including a visual display device and/or a verbal announcing device to alert a user of current status of programmable time and temperature parameters, to alert a user of different choices within the time and temperature parameters and/or to alert a user of chosen parameters selected from the group including: current status of selectable functions, ambient conditions, programming status and/or response to activation of a triggering means.

Claims

19-1. The device according to claim 1, wherein programmed temperature can be overridden by a triggering means that on activation manually changes the programmed temperature to a desired temperature.

22. A programmable thermostat device communicatively connected to a heating/cooling system adapted for visually impaired users, the device comprising:

a microprocessor configured to send signals to and receive signals from the heating/cooling system upon a preset triggering event and/or commands by a user;

a user interface comprising at least one triggering means that upon activation interacts with the microprocessor;

a voice storage means comprising pre-recorded audible signals or microprocessor generated audible signals associated with activation of triggering means, wherein the audible signals are responsively actuatable in the microprocessor;

an announcing means, wherein upon activation of a triggering means, the microcontroller causes an audible signal to be announced relative to the triggering means; and

an alerting means comprising a verbal announcing device to alert a user of at least one parameter selected from the consisting of;

current status of programmable time, current status of temperature, different choices within the time and temperature parameters;

current status of selectable functions, ambient conditions, programming status and response to activation of a triggering means.

23. The device according to claim 22, further comprising a visual display device to visually display the at least one parameter.

24. A method of changing current programmed temperature/time parameters in a thermostat, comprising:

activating a first triggering means to initiate programming of desired programmed temperature/time parameters;

responding to a pre-recorded audible message offering the option of audible instructions for programming the thermostat by activating a second triggering means to accept or reject the option of audible instructions for programming;

activating a third triggering means to input desired programmed temperature/time parameters wherein modified parameters are visually displayed; and

activating a final triggering means to complete programming of desired programmed temperature/time parameters.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising accepting the option of audible instructions for guidance to input desired programmed temperature/time parameters and activating triggering means according to audible instructions.