Device and method for interactive programming of a thermostat

• US 7,146,253 B2
• Filed: 03/24/2003
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smartway Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Smartway Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Knobloch, Nims P. Jr., Hoog, Klaus D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Douglas S.
• Application Number:
  US10/395,587
• Publication Number:
  US 20040193324A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,352 Days
• Field of Search: 700/86, 700/276, 340/539.14, 340/539.27, 236/94, 704/275
• US Class Current: 700/276
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24094 Voice alarm

Abstract

An audible interactive and programmable heating and cooling digital thermostat providing voice setup instructions for easy and precise temperature management during four different time periods in a twenty-four hour day and the option of distinct weekday and weekend programming temperature setpoints. The audible interactive thermostat includes an alerting means including a visual display device and/or a verbal announcing device to alert a user of current status of programmable time and temperature parameters, to alert a user of different choices within the time and temperature parameters and/or to alert a user of chosen parameters selected from the group including: current status of selectable functions, ambient conditions, programming status and/or response to activation of a triggering means.

Claims

1. A programmable thermostat device communicatively connected to a heating/cooling system, the device comprising:

a microprocessor configured to activate the heating/cooling system upon a preprogrammed triggering event or programming commands by a user;

a user interface comprising at least one user-activatable triggering element adapted to interact with the microprocessor;

a verbal signal storage element comprising any of pre-recorded and microprocessor-generated verbal signals associated with activation of the triggering element;

an announcing element, wherein upon activation of the at least one triggering element, the microprocessor causes the announcing element to provide a verbal signal to announce any of;

control functions;

current status of selectable functions, mode of programming being executed, current status of programmable time, programming status, instructions for programming the device, and confirmation of completion of a programming command.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the verbal signal can be selectively actuatable.

3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a RF receiver communicatively connected to the microprocessor, the RF receiver being adapted to receive signals transmitted from a remote device.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the programming commands are stored in any of the microprocessor and a memory device communicatively connected to the microprocessor.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the programming commands comprise separate temperatures and times for any of individual days of the week and weekends.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the programming commands comprise a plurality of separate time and temperature settings.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein a triggering element is designated for programming time and temperature for weekdays.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein a triggering element is designated for programming time and temperature for weekends.

9. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a triggering element that upon activation causes the announcing element to announce any of current ambient temperature and programmed settings.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein programmed temperature can be overridden by a triggering element that upon activation manually changes the programmed temperature to a desired temperature.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the desired temperature remains until a stored programming command is activated by the microprocessor.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the verbal signal storage element comprises pre-recorded voice signals.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the announcing element comprises a speaker.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor causes the announcing element to provide a verbal signal to announce instructions for programming the device.

18. The device according to claim 1, wherein the verbal signal storage element comprises any of a memory, a voice chip, and an addressable voice chip.

19. The device according to claim 1, adapted to provide a verbal signal indicative of any of a low battery warning and a reminder to check a filter in the heating/cooling system.

20. The device according to claim 1, wherein a triggering element is designated for programming time and temperature for each individual day of the week.

21. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one triggering element comprises at least one button.

10. A programmable thermostat device communicatively connected to a heating/cooling system and adapted for visually impaired users, the device comprising:

a microprocessor configured to activate the heating/cooling system upon any of a preset triggering event and programming commands by a user;

a user interface comprising at least one user-activatable triggering element adapted to interact with the microprocessor;

a verbal signal storage element comprising any of pre-recorded audible signals and microprocessor-generated audible signals associated with activation of the triggering element;

an announcing element, wherein upon activation of the at least one triggering means, the microprocessor causes the announcing element to provide a verbal signal to announce any item of;

current status of programmable time, mode of programming being executed, current status of selectable functions, programming status, instructions for programming the device, and confirmation of completion of a programming command.

11. The device according to claim 10, further comprising a visual display device adapted to display at least one visual signal.

22. The device according to claim 10, wherein the microprocessor causes the announcing element to provide a verbal signal to announce instructions for programming the device.

23. The device according to claim 10, wherein the programming commands comprise time-dependent temperature settings.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein the time-dependent temperature settings comprise any of time-dependent temperature settings for individual days of the week, time-dependent temperature settings for weekdays, and time-dependent temperature settings for weekends.

12. A method of changing current programmed time-dependent temperature parameters in a thermostat, the method comprising the steps of:

activating a first triggering element to initiate programming of desired programmed time-dependent temperature parameters;

responding to a pre-recorded or microprocessor-generated verbal message offering verbal instructions for programming time-dependent temperature parameters the thermostat by activating any of the first triggering element and a second triggering element to accept or reject the offer of verbal programming instructions;

activating any of the first, the second, and a third triggering element to complete programming of desired programmed time-dependent temperature parameters.

25. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of providing a remote device adapted to communicate with a RF receiver communicatively connected to the microprocessor, wherein the remote device includes any of the first, second, and third triggering element, and the triggering activating step includes transmitting a signal from the remote device to the RF receiver.

26. The method according to claim 12, wherein each of the activating and responding steps are performed with the first triggering element.