PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT
First Claim
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1. A programmable thermostat comprising:
- (a) a viewing window for displaying an interval of time partitioned into discrete time units with the programmed temperature indicated for each of said time units;
(b) a continuously movable indexing mechanism for changing the display such that a movement of said indexing mechanism by a user sequentially changes the interval of time displayed in said viewing window;
said viewing window configured to display sequential time intervals ranging over a complete week through corresponding continuous movement of said indexing mechanism; and
(c) one or more user input devices for setting a temperature for a selected period of time displayed in said viewing window.
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Abstract
A programmable thermostat is disclosed having a continuously movable indexing mechanism, such as a rotatable wheel, that allows a user to scroll or cycle through sequential time intervals ranging over a complete week to view currently programmed time intervals and to select periods of time during the week that the user wishes to program or reprogram. Such a design allows a user to easily program different temperature settings during different time intervals during the week and allows the user to easily view the programmed settings.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A programmable thermostat comprising:
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(a) a viewing window for displaying an interval of time partitioned into discrete time units with the programmed temperature indicated for each of said time units; (b) a continuously movable indexing mechanism for changing the display such that a movement of said indexing mechanism by a user sequentially changes the interval of time displayed in said viewing window;
said viewing window configured to display sequential time intervals ranging over a complete week through corresponding continuous movement of said indexing mechanism; and(c) one or more user input devices for setting a temperature for a selected period of time displayed in said viewing window. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of programming a programmable thermostat comprising the steps of:
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(a) displaying in a viewing window an interval of time partitioned into discrete time units with the currently programmed temperature indicated for each of said time units; (b) changing the display in said viewing window to display sequential time intervals based on movement of a continuously movable indexing mechanism by a user;
said viewing window being configured to display sequential time intervals ranging over a complete week through corresponding continuous movement of said indexing mechanism;(c) receiving all electronic signal from one or more user input devices indicating that said user wishes to select a period of time to program; (d) selecting said period of time in response to movement of said continuously movable indexing mechanism by said user; and (e) setting a temperature to be associated with said selected period of time. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification