Programmable thermostat with wireless programming module lacking visible indicators

• US 7,454,269 B1
• Filed: 06/01/2007
• Issued: 11/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Venstar Incorporated (Daikin Industries Ltd)
• Original Assignee: Venstar Incorporated (Daikin Industries Ltd)
• Inventors: Dushane, Steven, Staples, John
• Primary Examiner(s): VON BUHR, MARIA N
• Application Number:
  US11/809,799
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 700/17, 700/83, 700275-278, 700/299, 700/300, 236/1.B, 236/1.C, 236/91.R, 236/91.D, 236/94, 715/700, 715/866, 715/965, 715/970
• US Class Current: 700/276
• 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 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/65 for selecting an operating mode
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/67 Switching between heating and cooling modes
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 characterised by the use of a variable reference value

Abstract

The present invention comprises an intuitive algorithm embodiment. In said intuitive algorithm embodiment, a programmable thermostat that operates under control of a control program incorporating an intuitive algorithm. The intuitive algorithm allows a user to change the modes and setpoints of a programmable thermostat without need to refer to a display of currently effective operational modes, setpoints, or environmental sensor inputs. While a user may prefer to observe said display, the intuitive algorithm eliminates the need to do so.

Claims

1. A system of a wirelessly programmable thermostat and a wireless programming module having a minimized user interface comprising:

(a) the programmable thermostat comprising a first microprocessor effectively connected with a first input/output unit which in turn connects the first microprocessor to an environmental sensor, environmental control equipment for controlling environmental conditions of a conditioned space, a user-visible display screen, a user input interface, and a first wireless communication module, where a first control program operable by the thermostat microprocessor thermostat is adapted to compare a sensed environmental condition of the environmental sensor, compare it to a pre-determined setpoint, and to operate the environmental control equipment if the sensed environmental condition is outside of a range determined by said setpoint;

(b) the wireless programming module having a portable housing with pressure sensitive buttons presented to a user and comprising a second microprocessor effectively connected with a second input/output unit and a second wireless communication module, where a second control program operable by the a user detects that a user has pressed one or more of the buttons and thereafter signals are transmitted by way of the second wireless communication module to the first communication module and the first control program causes a change in said setpoint or other thermostat function for control of environmental control equipment;

(c) the wireless programming module lacks visible indications or displays observable to a user that any button has been pressed.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first wireless communication module is removable.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein one of the pressure sensitive buttons is a heating button and is closely associated with a text or graphic device indicating that pressing it will decrease a heating setpoint in the thermostat by a predetermined increase amount.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein a user pressing the heating button causes the second control program to wirelessly transmit signals to the thermostat, whereupon a heating setpoint is increased by a predetermined increase amount.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the first user interface comprises means for inputting to the microprocessor a determination of the increase amount.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein one of the pressure sensitive buttons is a cooling button and is closely associated with a text or graphic device indicating that pressing it will increase a heating setpoint in the thermostat by a predetermined decrease amount.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein a user pressing the cooling button causes the second control program to wirelessly transmit signals to the thermostat, whereupon a cooling setpoint is decreased by a predetermined decrease amount.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the first user interface comprises means for inputting to the microprocessor a determination of the decrease amount.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein one of the pressure sensitive buttons is a fan button and is closely associated with a text or graphic device indicating that pressing it will turn a fan of the environmental control equipment on.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein a user pressing the fan button causes the second control program to wirelessly transmit signals to the thermostat, whereupon the fan is turned on.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein one of the pressure sensitive buttons is a reset button and is closely associated with a text or graphic device indicating that pressing it will reset heating or cooling setpoints to predetermined default values.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein a user pressing the reset button causes the second control program to wirelessly transmit signals to the thermostat, whereupon a heating or cooling setpoints are reset to predetermined default values.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the first user interface comprises means for inputting to the microprocessor a determination of the default values.