Climate control sensor apparatus

• US 5,785,243 A
• Filed: 04/11/1997
• Issued: 07/28/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cross, Andrew
• Original Assignee: Cross, Andrew
• Inventors: Cross, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William E.
• Application Number:
  US08/834,017
• Time in Patent Office: 473 Days
• Field of Search: 236/47, 236/51, 165/11.1, 165/237
• US Class Current: 236/47
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1904 variable in time

Abstract

An apparatus for activating climate control systems in response to the entry and/or presence of person(s) in a dwelling. An interior sensor apparatus includes a motion or thermal energy detection unit which emits a signal in response to the presence of person(s) within a room. A door entry sensor emits a signal upon entry of person(s) into the dwelling. A climate control unit, such as an air conditioner, has a default temperature setting which is activated upon the expiration of a timing sequence maintained by a timing circuit. The timing circuit is reset upon detection of persons by the motion/thermal detection unit or the door entry sensor.

Claims

1. An air conditioning/heat control system for a dwelling comprising:

means connected to an entrance to a dwelling for detecting the entrance of a person to said dwelling,

said means electrically connected to a main control panel,

said control panel having temperature detecting means for determining the ambient temperature of said dwelling, and

control means for setting a default temperature setting, and

means for setting a temperature in said dwelling, and

a countdown timer,

whereby when said means connected to an entrance to a dwelling detects the entrance of a person to said dwelling, the main control panel deactivates said default setting and activates said countdown timer and allows a person to control the means for setting a temperature in said dwelling.

2. The air conditioning/heat control system for a dwelling as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main control panel also contains a motion/heat sensor means for detecting the presence of a person in said dwelling,

said motion/heat sensor means deactivates said countdown timer when the presence of a person is not detected for a predetermined time,

when said motion/heat sensor means activates said countdown timer, said countdown timer runs for a predetermined period of time and then activates said control means for setting a default temperature setting.

3. The air conditioning/heat control system for a dwelling as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main control panel also contains control means for manually setting said countdown timer, said control means for setting a default temperature setting, and said means for setting a temperature in said dwelling.