STRATEGIC REDUCTION OF POWER USAGE IN MULTI-SENSING, WIRELESSLY COMMUNICATING LEARNING THERMOSTAT
First Claim
1. A method for strategically reducing power usage in a thermostat having a rechargeable power source comprising:
- supplying power for a plurality of thermostat activities using a rechargeable power source located within the thermostat, wherein the plurality of thermostat activities comprises;
at least one essential activity, the at least one essential activity comprising monitoring temperature and controlling a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system; and
at least one non-essential activity, the at least one non-essential activity comprising a wake-on-proximity function that activates a user interface based on readings from a proximity sensor;
making at least one measurement associated with the rechargeable power source; and
automatically altering at least one of the plurality of thermostat activities based at least in part on the measurement so as to reduce power usage from the rechargeable power source, wherein;
the at least one essential activity continues to operate normally; and
the at least one non-essential activity is altered.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In a multi-sensing, wirelessly communicating learning thermostat that uses power-harvesting to charge an internal power source, methods are disclosed for ensuring that the battery does not become depleted or damaged while at the same time ensuring selected levels of thermostat functionality. Charge status is monitored to determine whether the present rate of power usage needs to be stemmed. If the present rate of power usage needs to be stemmed, then a progression of performance levels and/or functionalities can be scaled back according to a predetermined progressive power conservation algorithm. In one embodiment, a wake-on-proximity function that activates a user interface based on readings from the proximity sensor may be altered while still allowing a HVAC control circuitry to operate as normal.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for strategically reducing power usage in a thermostat having a rechargeable power source comprising:
-
supplying power for a plurality of thermostat activities using a rechargeable power source located within the thermostat, wherein the plurality of thermostat activities comprises; at least one essential activity, the at least one essential activity comprising monitoring temperature and controlling a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system; and at least one non-essential activity, the at least one non-essential activity comprising a wake-on-proximity function that activates a user interface based on readings from a proximity sensor; making at least one measurement associated with the rechargeable power source; and automatically altering at least one of the plurality of thermostat activities based at least in part on the measurement so as to reduce power usage from the rechargeable power source, wherein; the at least one essential activity continues to operate normally; and the at least one non-essential activity is altered. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
11. A thermostat comprising:
-
a proximity sensor; a user interface; a plurality of components that consume electrical power and perform a plurality of thermostat activities, wherein the plurality of thermostat activities comprises; at least one essential activity, the at least one essential activity comprising monitoring temperature and controlling a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system; and at least one non-essential activity, the at least one non-essential activity comprising a wake-on-proximity function that activates the user interface based on readings from the proximity sensor; a rechargeable power source for providing power to at least some of the plurality of components; power management circuitry that takes at least one measurement associated with the rechargeable power source; and a processing system adapted and programmed to automatically alter at least one of the plurality of thermostat activities based at least in part on the measurement so as to reduce power usage from the rechargeable power source, wherein; the at least one essential activity continues to operate normally; and the at least one non-essential activity is altered.
-
Specification