Reconfigurable programmable thermostat

• US 20070246553A1
• Filed: 04/22/2006
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Controls and Measurements Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Controls and Measurements Corporation
• Inventors: Morrow, Benjamin, Kadah, Ronald
• Granted Patent: US 7,575,179 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/46.R
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/74 for controlling air flow rate or air velocity
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/86 by controlling compressors within refrigeration or heat pump circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control

Abstract

A programmable thermostat can be programmed and configured using a set up selector keys or pushbuttons to enter set up modes and to move from screen to screen on the thermostat display, and using up and down selector keys to change the time and temperature settings within each screen or mode. The thermostat can be set into a master mode be depressing two of the selector keys simultaneously, and then the programmed settings of the thermostat can be electronically transferred to each of a batch of similar thermostats using a thermostat conductor in a multi-conductor thermostat wire such as the fan conductor. The thermostat can be toggled back to a normal or target mode for thermostat operation.

Claims

1. A programmable and reconfigurable thermostat in which settings can be programmed and in which settings of the thermostat can be copied electronically onto a plurality of similar thermostats, the thermostat comprising:

A wiring terminal block having at least two terminals adapted to receive and connect to thermostat wires;

A temperature sensor;

A microprocessor coupled to the at least two terminals and to the temperature sensor, including a clock for tracking time of day and day of week, and capable of sending signals to said terminals to turn on and off one or more room comfort apparatus in accordance with the temperature sensed at said temperature sensor and the settings stored in said microprocessor;

A display for showing modes and settings of said thermostat;

A plurality of selector keys coupled to said microprocessor permitting a user to switch into each of a plurality of modes and to adjust program time and temperature settings; and

Means for establishing a master mode and a target mode, whereby when in the master mode electrical contact of the at least two terminals of the thermostat to similar terminals of a second similar thermostat when in the target mode electronically transfers the settings of the first-mentioned thermostat into the microprocessor of the second thermostat.

2. Thermostat according to claim 1, wherein said microprocessor includes software stored therein responsive to actuation of a mode select key to set the thermostat into a configuration mode, producing a series of setup screens on said display, responsive to an advance key to advance from each of said setup screens to a subsequent setup screen, and to one or more setting select keys to select time and/or temperature settings within said setup screens.

3. Thermostat according to claim 1, wherein for an air conditioning mode or heat pump mode, the thermostat further includes time delay means providing a time delay for actuation of a compressor following a de-energization of the compressor.

4. Thermostat according to claim 1, wherein the thermostat has operating modes including at least one heat stage mode, at least one cooling stage mode, and a program mode.

5. Thermostat according to claim 1, further comprising a lockout feature to prevent tampering with the settings after programming is complete.

6. Thermostat according to claim 5, further comprising an internal battery for powering the microprocessor and display when the thermostat is not connected to a thermostat power source.

7. Thermostat according to claim 1, wherein said wiring block has at least three terminals including first and second terminals to be connected to receive thermostat power, and a third terminal, wherein the third terminal is adapted for data transfer to communicate the settings of the first-mentioned thermostat that is in the master mode to the microprocessor of the second thermostat.

8. Thermostat according to claim 1, wherein said means for establishing a master mode and a target mode includes a facility coupled to two of said plurality of selector keys, wherein actuating said two keys simultaneously toggles the thermostat between its master mode and its target mode.

9. Thermostat according to claim 1, wherein when said thermostat is int its master mode, said display shows a predetermined master mode indication.

10. Thermostat according to claim 1, wherein when said thermostat is in its target mode and is receiving settings being electronically transferred from another thermostat set in its master mode, said display shows a download indication, and when said transfer is complete, said display shows a download completed indication.