Thermostat and method for controlling an HVAC system with remote temperature sensor

• US 6,449,533 B1
• Filed: 05/25/2000
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Mueller, Carl J., Toth, Bartholomew L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): JARRETT, RYAN A
• Application Number:
  US09/579,115
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 700/276, 700/277, 700/278, 700/300, 700/301, 236/91.R, 236/91.D, 236/91.E, 236/91.F, 236/91.G, 236/99.C, 236/99.E, 236/101.B, 236/9.R, 236/9.A, 236/51, 702/99, 702/130
• US Class Current: 700/276
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1904 variable in time

Abstract

A thermostat adapted to be connected to a climate control system for operating the climate control system. The thermostat comprises a main unit having a microprocessor, a keypad connected to the microprocessor for operating the thermostat, and a sub-base. The sub-base is adapted to communicate with at least one remote temperature sensor and provide information from the remote temperature sensor to the microprocessor. The sub-base comprises either a first sub-base assembly or a second sub-base assembly. The first sub-base assembly is adapted for connection to the remote temperature sensor via a wire lead. The second sub-base assembly has a receiver adapted for wireless communication with the remote temperature sensor. The main unit is releasably connectable to the sub-base in a manner so that when the main unit is connected to the sub-base, the main unit is adapted to receive from the sub-base the information from the remote temperature sensor regardless of whether the sub-base constitutes the first sub-base assembly or the second sub-base assembly.

Claims

1. A thermostat adapted to be connected to a climate control system for operating the climate control system, the thermostat comprising a main unit having a microprocessor, a keypad connected to the microprocessor for operating the thermostat, and a sub-base, the sub-base being adapted to communicate with at least one remote temperature sensor and provide information from the at least one remote temperature sensor to the microprocessor, the sub-base comprising one of a first sub-base assembly and a second sub-base assembly, the first sub-base being adapted for connection to the at least one remote temperature sensor via at least one wire lead, the second sub-base assembly having a receiver adapted for wireless communication with the at least one remote temperature sensor, the main unit being releasably connectable to the sub-base in a manner so that when the main unit is connected to the sub-base the main unit is adapted to receive from the sub-base said information from the at least one remote temperature sensor regardless of whether the sub-base constitutes the first sub-base assembly or the second sub-base assembly.

2. A thermostat as set forth in claim 1 wherein the microprocessor is adapted to control operation of the climate control system in accordance with pre-stored instructions and user entered data entered via the keypad.

3. A thermostat as set forth in claim 2 wherein when the main unit is connected to the sub-base, the pre-stored instructions enable the microprocessor to control operation of the climate control system in part based on information communicated from the at least one remote temperature sensor to the microprocessor.

4. A thermostat as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sub-base comprises the first sub-base assembly.

5. A thermostat as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sub-base comprises the second sub-base assembly.

6. A thermostat as set forth in claim 5 wherein the receiver of the second sub-base assembly is a RF receiver for RF communication with the at least one remote temperature sensor.

7. A thermostat as set forth in claim 5 wherein the microprocessor of the main unit comprises a first microprocessor, the second sub-base assembly further comprising a second microprocessor for controlling the receiver.

8. A thermostat as set forth in claim 1 wherein the main unit further includes a local temperature sensor.

9. A method of controlling an HVAC system comprising:

providing a main unit of a thermostat, a first sub-base, and a second sub-base, the main unit having a microprocessor and a keypad connected to the microprocessor for operating the thermostat, the first sub-base assembly being adapted for connection to at least one wired remote temperature sensor via at least one wire lead, the second sub-base assembly having a receiver adapted for wireless communication with at least one wireless remote temperature sensor, the main unit being releasably connectable to the first sub-base assembly in a manner so that when the main unit is connected to the first sub-base assembly the main unit is adapted to receive from the first sub-base assembly information from the at least one wired remote temperature sensor, the main unit being releasably connectable to the second sub-base assembly in a manner so that when the main unit is connected to the second sub-base assembly the main unit is adapted to receive from the second sub-base assembly information from the at least one wireless remote temperature sensor;

connecting one of the first and second sub-base assemblies to the HVAC system;

connecting the main unit to said one of the first and second sub-base assemblies.

10. A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the step of connecting one of the first and second sub-base assemblies to the HVAC system comprises connecting the first sub-base assembly to the HVAC system.

11. A method as set forth in claim 10 wherein the step of connecting the main unit to said one of the first and second sub-base assemblies comprises connecting the main unit to the first sub-base assembly in a manner to enable the microprocessor to control operation of the HVAC system based at least in part upon information received from the at least one wired remote temperature sensor.

12. A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the step of connecting one of the first and second sub-base assemblies to the HVAC system comprises connecting the second sub-base assembly to the HVAC system.

13. A method as set forth in claim 12 wherein the step of connecting the main unit to said one of the first and second sub-base assemblies comprises connecting the main unit to the second sub-base assembly in a manner to enable the microprocessor to control operation of the HVAC system based at least in part upon information received from the at least one wireless remote temperature sensor.

14. A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the receiver of the second sub-base assembly is a RF receiver for RF communication with the at least one wireless remote temperature sensor.

15. A thermostat as set forth in claim 9 wherein the microprocessor of the main unit comprises a first microprocessor, the second sub-base assembly further comprising a second microprocessor for controlling the receiver.