FLOATING THERMOSTAT PLATE

• US 20160187023A1
• Filed: 12/30/2014
• Published: 06/30/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bevan, Scott, Beagley, James, Flint, Jason C.
• Granted Patent: US 10,228,151 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• 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

Abstract

Methods and systems are described for operating a wall mounted thermostat. An example computer-implemented method includes receiving an indication of a physical touch to an exposed portion of a housing of the thermostat, wherein the housing is movable when touched. The method also includes determining a thermostat command associated with where the housing is touched and movement of the housing in response to the touch, and operating the thermostat according to the determined thermostat command.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for operating a wall mounted thermostat, comprising:

receiving an indication of a physical touch to an exposed portion of a housing of the thermostat, the housing being movable when touched;

determining a thermostat command associated with where the housing is touched and movement of the housing in response to the touch; and

operating the thermostat according to the determined thermostat command.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the entire housing is movable.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermostat command includes at least one of a temperature adjustment, a heat on/off actuation, a cool on/off actuation, a fan adjustment, a setup mode operation, a query of a state or status of one or more system functions, an acknowledgement or clearing of a status indicator, or an input or feedback related to at least one of an HVAC zone selection, a damper control, an air exchanger control, a humidifier control, a dehumidifier control, and an air leaning system control.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the thermostat includes transmitting instructions to an HVAC device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying information on a display screen mounted to or visible through the housing.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting presence of a user in proximity to the thermostat; and

executing a programmed response to the detected presence.

7. A wall mounted thermostat, comprising:

a housing; and

at least one sensor operable to determine movement of the housing and to determine a location where the housing is touched to generate the movement;

wherein the movement of the housing in any of a plurality of directions relative to a wall to which the thermostat is mounted and where the housing is touched as detected by the at least one sensor initiates a thermostat adjustment.

8. The thermostat of claim 7, wherein the housing is movable toward or away from a support surface to which the thermostat is mounted.

9. The thermostat of claim 7, wherein the housing is movable laterally relative to a support surface to which the thermostat is mounted.

10. The thermostat of claim 7, wherein the housing is movable vertically relative a support surface to which the thermostat is mounted.

11. The thermostat of claim 7, wherein the housing is movable rotationally relative to a support surface to which the thermostat is mounted.

12. The thermostat of claim 7, wherein the housing includes a display screen.

13. The thermostat of claim 7, wherein the housing has at least one of a rectangular, circular, triangular, and hemispherical shape.

14. The thermostat of claim 7, wherein the housing pivots about a ball and socket joint relative to a support surface to which the thermostat is mounted.

15. The thermostat of claim 7, wherein the at least one sensor detects the movement of the housing in at least three different directions of movement.

16. The thermostat of claim 7, further comprising:

a base member mounted to the wall, the housing being supported by and movable relative to the base member.

17. The thermostat of claim 15, wherein the housing is supported by the base member at one or more locations.

18. The thermostat of claim 7, further comprising:

a transceiver operable to communicate with at least one of an HVAC device, a control panel, remote computing device, and a central station.

19. The thermostat of claim 7, further comprising:

a processor;

memory; and

a power supply;

wherein the processor is operable to determine using input from the at least one sensor what thermostat adjustment corresponds to the housing movement and the location where the housing is touched.

20. A computing device configured for controlling a thermostat, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor, wherein the memory stores computer executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform the steps of;

receiving an indication of a physical touch to an exposed portion of a housing of the thermostat;

determining a thermostat operation associated with where the housing is touched; and

controlling the thermostat according to the determined thermostat operation.