THERMOSTAT AND IRRIGATION CONTROLLER WITH REMOVABLE USER INTERFACE
First Claim
1. A thermostat and an irrigation controller each with removable user interface comprising:
- a thermostat for control of an HVAC system and an irrigation controller for control of a sprinkler system comprised of a base unit and a user interface unit each in its own enclosure;
said base unit is attached to a wall or protective enclosure and which has an input/output connector for message communication with a user interface unit;
said user interface unit is attachable to said base unit for message communication via an input/output connector;
wherein operational control settings are stored in said base unit;
wherein said base unit is capable of performing its control functions according to its operational control settings whether or not said user interface unit is attached;
wherein said user interface unit contains a display and controls for changes to one or more operational control settings by a user, andwherein changes made by said user to said operational control settings are transferred from said user interface unit to said base unit while said user interface unit is attached to said base unit, thereby providing said operational control settings for said base unit.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Improvements in a thermostat for HVAC control and an irrigation controller for sprinkler control are constructed each with a Base Unit and a removable User Interface Unit. The dual-function Base Unit is configurable for use as either a thermostat or an irrigation controller. The Base Unit has a connector for connection to a separate User Interface (UI) Unit. The separate UI Unit has a display, controls, and I/O Connector for connection to a Base Unit or an external computer. The UI Unit adaptively operates as a thermostat interface or irrigation interface, as is appropriate for the configuration of a connected Base Unit. The UI Unit can be connected via its I/O Connector to a PC, tablet PC, or smart phone for configuration of operational control settings using application software. The configuration settings are transferred from a UI Unit to a Base Unit upon connection via the I/O Connector.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A thermostat and an irrigation controller each with removable user interface comprising:
-
a thermostat for control of an HVAC system and an irrigation controller for control of a sprinkler system comprised of a base unit and a user interface unit each in its own enclosure; said base unit is attached to a wall or protective enclosure and which has an input/output connector for message communication with a user interface unit; said user interface unit is attachable to said base unit for message communication via an input/output connector; wherein operational control settings are stored in said base unit; wherein said base unit is capable of performing its control functions according to its operational control settings whether or not said user interface unit is attached; wherein said user interface unit contains a display and controls for changes to one or more operational control settings by a user, and wherein changes made by said user to said operational control settings are transferred from said user interface unit to said base unit while said user interface unit is attached to said base unit, thereby providing said operational control settings for said base unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
Specification