ROUND THERMOSTAT WITH ROTATABLE USER INPUT MEMBER AND TEMPERATURE SENSING ELEMENT DISPOSED IN PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION WITH A FRONT THERMOSTAT COVER

• US 20140367475A1
• Filed: 08/29/2014
• Published: 12/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Fadell, Anthony M., Rogers, Matthew L., Sloo, David, Plitkins, Michael, Filson, John B., Matas, Michael J., Bould, Fred, Huppi, Brian, Daniels, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 9,535,589 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/1.C
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/00 Control or safety arrangements
• 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 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/47 Responding to energy costs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/50 characterised by user interfaces or communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/70 Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/89 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/00 Control inputs relating to air properties
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 Occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/12 Position of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/14 Activity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/60 Energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0025 Living bodies ear thermometers G01J5/0011; detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/041 : Mountings in enclosures or in a particular environment
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/02 : Means for indicating or recording specially adapted for thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/26 : Testing of individual semiconductor devices testing or measuring during manufacture or treatment H01L22/00; testing of photovoltaic devices H02S50/10
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 : electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/19 : characterised by the use of electric means G05D23/1393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 : characterised by the use of a variable reference value
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1919 : characterised by the type of controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1932 : to control the temperature of a plurality of spaces
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/24 : the sensing element having a resistance varying with temperature, e.g. a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/2454 : using photoelectric elements
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/27 : with sensing element responsive to radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/275 : with sensing element expanding, contracting, or fusing in response to changes of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3231 : Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3265 : Power saving in display device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3287 : by switching off individual functional units in the computer system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 : Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 : Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 : Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 : Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0304 : Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 : with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/042 : by opto-electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 : Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 : Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 : Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 : Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 20/00 : Machine learning
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/06 : Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being along the axis of angular movement
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 : in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 : in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 : Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 : End-user application control systems

Abstract

An electronic thermostat is described that includes a head unit, a rotatable ring, a backplate, an electronic display that is viewable by a user in front of the thermostat, a printed circuit board, and a daughter circuit. The daughter circuit is coupled to the printed circuit board, and senses motion of the rotatable ring and includes a first temperature sensor. A second temperature sensor separated from the first temperature sensor, are both used to calculate ambient temperature. The first temperature sensor is positioned at least partially within a cavity formed between a front surface of the head unit and the printed circuit board.

Claims

1. A compact thermostat, comprising:

a head unit having a circular exterior front surface and a first connector;

a rotatable ring disposed around the circular exterior front surface;

a back plate comprising a second connector, wherein the first connector is coupled to the second connector;

an electronic display mounted within the head unit and viewable through at least a portion of the circular exterior front surface;

a printed circuit board within the head unit;

a cavity located between the printed circuit board and the circular exterior front surface;

a daughter circuit coupled to the printed circuit board comprising;

a plurality of conductors;

a movement sensor that senses rotation of the rotatable ring, and

a first temperature sensor for making temperature measurements used for a calculation of ambient temperature, wherein;

the first temperature sensor is positioned at least partially within the cavity, and

the plurality of conductors couple the movement sensor and the first temperature sensor with the printed circuit board; and

a second temperature sensor positioned within the compact thermostat in a location separated from the first temperature sensor and positioned differently relative to one or more heat generating components mounted to the printed circuit board, wherein the calculation of ambient temperature is based at least in part on measurements from both the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor.

2. A thermostat according to claim 1, wherein the first temperature sensor is physically coupled to a back-side of the circular exterior front surface.

3. A thermostat according to claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a wireless communication circuit that couples the compact thermostat with a network.

4. A thermostat according to claim 1, wherein the daughter circuit extends away from the printed circuit board toward the circular exterior front surface.

5. A thermostat according to claim 1, wherein the first temperature sensor is thermally coupled to a back-side of the circular exterior front surface using thermal grease.

6. A thermostat according to claim 1, wherein the circular exterior front surface comprises:

an optically translucent portion proximate to the electronic display;

an optically opaque portion proximate to the first temperature sensor.

7. A thermostat according to claim 1, said electronic display comprising a non-circular dot-matrix color display element, said circular exterior front surface having a clear circular center portion and an opaque outer portion, the clear circular center portion permitting a corresponding circular portion of the non-circular dot-matrix color display element to be visible therethrough and the opaque outer portion masking a remaining portion of the non-circular dot-matrix color display element so as to create a circular visual appearance for the electronic display, wherein said thermostat further comprises:

an audio-output device to output sound; and

a processing system provided in operative communication the rotatable ring and the non-circular dot-matrix color display element, the processing system configured to;

cause the non-circular dot-matrix color display element to display a visually prominent digital numerical value representative of the ambient temperature, the digital numerical value representative of the temperature value being viewable through the clear circular center portion of the circular cover;

cause the audio-output device to output synthesized audible ticks in correspondence with user rotation of the circular rotatable ring; and

determine a user-selected setpoint temperature based on user rotation of the circular rotatable ring.

8. A compact thermostat, comprising:

a head unit having a circular exterior front surface and a first connector;

a rotatable ring disposed around the circular exterior front surface;

a back plate comprising a second connector, wherein the first connector is coupled to the second connector;

an electronic display mounted within the head unit and viewable through the circular exterior front surface;

a printed circuit board within the head unit;

a cavity located between the printed circuit board and the circular exterior front surface;

a plurality of first conductors coupled to the printed circuit board;

a plurality of second conductors coupled to the printed circuit board;

a movement sensor that senses rotation of the rotatable ring and coupled to the printed circuit board with the plurality of first conductors;

a first temperature sensor for making temperature measurements used for a calculation of ambient temperature, wherein;

the first temperature sensor is positioned at least partially within the cavity, and

the plurality of second conductors couple the first temperature sensor with the printed circuit board; and

a second temperature sensor positioned within the compact thermostat in a location different from the first temperature sensor relative to one or more heat generating components mounted to the printed circuit board, wherein the calculation of ambient temperature is based at least in part on measurements from both the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor;

wherein said electronic display comprises a non-circular dot-matrix color display element, said circular exterior front surface having a clear circular center portion and a non-clear outer portion, the clear circular center portion permitting a corresponding circular portion of the non-circular dot-matrix color display element to be visible therethrough and the non-clear outer portion masking a remaining portion of the non-circular dot-matrix color display element so as to create a circular visual appearance for the electronic display, wherein said thermostat further comprises;

an audio-output device to output sound; and

a processing system provided in operative communication with the rotatable ring and the non-circular dot-matrix color display element, the processing system configured to;

cause the non-circular dot-matrix color display element to display one or more temperature values that are viewable through the clear circular center portion of the circular exterior front surface;

cause the audio-output device to output synthesized audible ticks in correspondence with user rotation of the circular rotatable ring; and

determine a user-selected setpoint temperature based on user rotation of the circular rotatable ring.

9. A thermostat according to claim 8, further comprising a daughter circuit, comprising:

the plurality of first conductors,

the plurality of second conductors,

the movement sensor, and

the first temperature sensor.

10. A thermostat according to claim 8, wherein the first temperature sensor is physically coupled to a back-side of the circular exterior front surface.

11. A thermostat according to claim 8, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a wireless communication circuit that couples the compact thermostat with a network.

12. A thermostat according to claim 8, wherein the first temperature sensor is thermally coupled to a back-side of the circular exterior front surface using thermal grease.

13. A thermostat according to claim 8, wherein the circular exterior front surface comprises:

an optically translucent portion proximate to the electronic display;

an optically opaque portion proximate to the first temperature sensor.

14. A thermostat according to claim 8, wherein the circular exterior front surface comprises:

a plastic section that is opaque and comprises a first edge;

a transparent section comprising a second edge, wherein when the first edge and the second edge are joined a circle is completed.

15. A compact thermostat, comprising:

a head unit having an exterior front surface and a first connector;

a rotatable ring aligned with the exterior front surface;

a back plate comprising a second connector, wherein the first connector is coupled to the second connector;

an electronic display mounted within the head unit and viewable through a exterior front surface;

a printed circuit board within the head unit;

a cavity located between the printed circuit board and the exterior front surface;

a plurality of first conductors coupled to the printed circuit board;

a plurality of second conductors coupled to the printed circuit board;

a movement sensor that senses rotation of the rotatable ring and coupled to the printed circuit board with the plurality of first conductors;

a first temperature sensor for making temperature measurements used for a calculation of ambient temperature, wherein;

the first temperature sensor is positioned at least partially within the cavity,

the first temperature sensor is physically coupled to a back-side of the exterior front surface, and

the plurality of second conductors couple the first temperature sensor with the printed circuit board;

a second temperature sensor positioned within the compact thermostat in a location separated from the first temperature sensor to one or more heat generating components mounted to the printed circuit board, wherein the calculation of ambient temperature is based at least in part on measurements from both the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor.

16. A thermostat according to claim 15, further comprising a daughter circuit, comprising:

the plurality of first conductors,

the plurality of second conductors,

the movement sensor, and

the first temperature sensor.

17. A thermostat according to claim 15, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a wireless circuit that couples the compact thermostat with a network.

18. A thermostat according to claim 15, wherein the first temperature sensor is thermally coupled to the back-side of the exterior front surface using thermal grease.

19. A thermostat according to claim 15, wherein the exterior front surface comprises:

an optically translucent portion proximate to the electronic display;

an optically opaque portion proximate to the first temperature sensor.

20. A thermostat according to claim 15, wherein the exterior front surface comprises:

a plastic section that is opaque and comprises a first edge;

a transparent section comprising a second edge, wherein when the first edge and the second edge are joined a circle is completed.