BUILDING CONTROL SYSTEM WITH REMOTE CONTROL UNIT AND METHODS OF OPERATION
First Claim
1. A comfort control system for controlling one or more HVAC components of a building or other structure, the comfort control system comprising:
- a first controller having access to a first temperature sensor for sensing a first temperature, a wireless interface, and a control module for controlling the comfort level of at least a portion of the building or other structure by activating and deactivating the one or more HVAC components of the building or other structure;
a second controller having a second temperature sensor for sensing a second temperature, and a wireless interface, the wireless interface of the second controller and the wireless interface of the first controller providing a communication path whereby the second temperature can be communicated from the second controller to the first controller;
the control module of the first controller selectively controlling the comfort level of at least the portion of the building or other structure based at least primarily on the first temperature or the second temperature; and
wherein, when the control module of the first controller is controlling the comfort level of at least the portion of a building or other structure based at least primarily on the second temperature, the control module automatically switches to controlling the comfort level based at least primarily on the first temperature when a predetermined condition is detected.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A building controller for controlling the comfort level in a building is described. The building controller may include a thermostat and wireless remote controller for communicating with the thermostat from a remote location. The thermostat may have access to a first temperature sensor for sensing a first temperature, sometimes at or near the thermostat. The remote controller may likewise have a second temperature sensor for sensing a second temperature, sometimes at or near the remote controller. Under some conditions, the thermostat may use the second temperature sensed by the remote controller to control the comfort level in a building unless or until a predetermined condition is detected, after which the thermostat may use a different temperature, such as the first temperature at or near the thermostat, to control the comfort level in a building.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A comfort control system for controlling one or more HVAC components of a building or other structure, the comfort control system comprising:
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a first controller having access to a first temperature sensor for sensing a first temperature, a wireless interface, and a control module for controlling the comfort level of at least a portion of the building or other structure by activating and deactivating the one or more HVAC components of the building or other structure; a second controller having a second temperature sensor for sensing a second temperature, and a wireless interface, the wireless interface of the second controller and the wireless interface of the first controller providing a communication path whereby the second temperature can be communicated from the second controller to the first controller; the control module of the first controller selectively controlling the comfort level of at least the portion of the building or other structure based at least primarily on the first temperature or the second temperature; and wherein, when the control module of the first controller is controlling the comfort level of at least the portion of a building or other structure based at least primarily on the second temperature, the control module automatically switches to controlling the comfort level based at least primarily on the first temperature when a predetermined condition is detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A building system controller comprising:
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a thermostat having access to a first temperature sensor for sensing a first temperature; a portable remote controller for remotely controlling the thermostat, the portable remote controller having a second temperature sensor for sensing a second temperature; a wireless interface adapted to communicate the second temperature from the portable remote controller to the thermostat; and the thermostat having a control module that controls the comfort level of at least a portion of a building by activating and/or deactivating one or more HVAC components, wherein when desired, the control module controls the comfort level based on the second temperature, and if a predetermined condition is subsequently detected, controls the comfort level based on a temperature different from the second temperature. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for controlling the comfort level in at least a portion of a building using a thermostat having access to a first temperature sensor for sensing a first temperature, and a remote controller for remotely controlling the thermostat having a second temperature sensor for sensing a second temperature, the method comprising:
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controlling the comfort level in at least the portion of the building based at least primarily on the second temperature; determining if one or more predetermined conditions exist; and controlling the comfort level in at least the portion of the building based at least primarily on a different temperature than the second temperature if one or more of the predetermined conditions is determined to exist. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification