SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ZONE THERMOSTAT BUDGETING
First Claim
1. A zone thermostat, comprising:
- a controller;
a temperature sensor provided to said controller, said temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of air in a first zone;
a display;
at least one user input device; and
a communication system provided to said controller, said controller configured to communicate temperature readings to a central system in response to a first query from said central system, said at least one user input device configured to allow a user to specify a zone setpoint temperature and a zone allowable temperature range, said controller configured to communicate said zone setpoint temperature and said zone allowable temperature range to said central system.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A zone thermostat for use in connection with an Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones and provides heating and cooling to the various zones according to a cost budget.
86 Citations
59 Claims
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1. A zone thermostat, comprising:
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a controller; a temperature sensor provided to said controller, said temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of air in a first zone; a display; at least one user input device; and a communication system provided to said controller, said controller configured to communicate temperature readings to a central system in response to a first query from said central system, said at least one user input device configured to allow a user to specify a zone setpoint temperature and a zone allowable temperature range, said controller configured to communicate said zone setpoint temperature and said zone allowable temperature range to said central system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A zone thermostat, comprising:
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a controller; a temperature sensor provided to said controller, said temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of air in a first zone; a display; at least one user input device; and a communication system provided to said controller, said controller configured to communicate temperature readings to a zone control system in response to a first query from said zone control system, said at least one user input device configured to allow a user to specify a zone setpoint temperature and a zone minimum temperature, said controller configured to communicate said zone setpoint temperature and said zone minimum temperature to said zone control system. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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Specification