THERMOSTAT CIRCUITRY TO CONTROL POWER USAGE
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A thermostat comprising:
- control wires that control heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment;
a thermostat control circuit configured to control the HVAC equipment;
a radio module coupled to the thermostat control circuit to provide a network connection for the thermostat; and
a power circuit system coupled to the control wires and providing power to the thermostat control circuit and the radio module; and
wherein the power circuit system comprises;
an extraction circuit configured to extract power from the control wires;
a power storage device configured to store electrical current extracted from the control wires;
common wire detection circuitry configured to detect a presence of a common wire among the control wires; and
load determination circuitry configured to determine the electrical load impedance presented by HVAC equipment.
3 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
An operation alteration of a network attached thermostat to control power usage. Control wires for a heating and air conditioning system may be connected to a thermostat control circuit configured to control the system. A power extraction circuit may be coupled to the control wires configured to extract power from the control wires. The power may be put into a storage device. The power may be provided to the thermostat control circuit and a WiFi radio module. The radio module may provide a network connection for the thermostat. Circuitry and techniques may be provided to reduce power usage by the thermostat components.
54 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A thermostat comprising:
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control wires that control heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment; a thermostat control circuit configured to control the HVAC equipment; a radio module coupled to the thermostat control circuit to provide a network connection for the thermostat; and a power circuit system coupled to the control wires and providing power to the thermostat control circuit and the radio module; and wherein the power circuit system comprises; an extraction circuit configured to extract power from the control wires; a power storage device configured to store electrical current extracted from the control wires; common wire detection circuitry configured to detect a presence of a common wire among the control wires; and load determination circuitry configured to determine the electrical load impedance presented by HVAC equipment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for altering operation of a network attached thermostat to control power usage, comprising:
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providing a thermostat for controlling HVAC equipment; and wherein; the thermostat comprises a radio module, a power circuit, and a control circuit; and the radio module comprises a processor and radio chip. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A thermostat system comprising:
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a power supply circuit configured for connection to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment; a control circuit connected to the power supply circuit; a radio module connected to the control circuit; and a sensor connected to the control circuit. wherein; the power supply circuit comprises a power extraction circuit having an output; and the power extraction circuit can obtain power for the output from current through a load impedance of an HVAC equipment. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification