Self-programmable thermostat

• US 7,784,704 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2007
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ademco Inc. (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Robert J. Harter
• Inventors: Harter, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jules; Frantz F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cox; Alexis K
• Application Number:
  US11/704,414
• Publication Number:
  US 20080191045A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,299 Days
• Field of Search: 236/46.R, 236/46.C, 236/1.C, 236/44.C
• US Class Current: 236/1.00C
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/00 Control or safety arrangements
• 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 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/65 for selecting an operating mode
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/66 Sleep mode
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/83 by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1904 variable in time

Abstract

A hybrid manual/programmable thermostat for a furnace or air conditioner offers the simplicity of a manual thermostat while providing the convenience and versatility of a programmable one. Initially, the hybrid thermostat appears to function as an ordinary manual thermostat; however, it privately observes and learns a user'"'"'s manual temperature setting habits and eventually programs itself accordingly. If users begin changing their preferred temperature settings due to seasonal changes or other reasons, the thermostat continues learning and will adapt to those changes as well. For ease of use, the thermostat does not require an onscreen menu as a user interface. In some embodiments, the thermostat can effectively program itself for temperature settings that are set to occur at particular times daily or just on weekends, yet the user is not required to enter the time of day or the day of the week.

Claims

1. A thermostat method for a temperature conditioning unit, wherein the temperature conditioning unit helps control a temperature of a comfort zone, the method comprising:

receiving a first manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a first timestamp;

controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the first manually entered setpoint temperature;

receiving a second manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a second timestamp;

controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the second manually entered setpoint temperature;

receiving a third manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a third timestamp;

controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the third manually entered setpoint temperature;

identifying a learned setpoint temperature based on the first manually entered setpoint temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature, and third manually entered setpoint temperature; and

controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature; and

wherein

the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp are based on a 24-hour timer and all lie within a predetermined range of each other based on the 24-hour timer.

2. The thermostat method of claim 1, wherein first manually entered setpoint temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature, and third manually entered setpoint temperature all lie within 5°

F. of each other.

3. The thermostat method of claim 1, further comprising:

after controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature, receiving a fourth manually entered setpoint temperature; and

after receiving the fourth manually entered setpoint temperature, controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the fourth manually entered setpoint temperature.

4. The thermostat method of claim 3, further comprising:

after controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the fourth manually entered setpoint temperature, returning to controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature.

5. A thermostat method for a temperature conditioning unit, wherein the temperature conditioning unit helps control a temperature of a comfort zone, the method comprising:

receiving a first manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a first timestamp;

controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the first manually entered setpoint temperature;

receiving a second manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a second timestamp;

controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the second manually entered setpoint temperature;

receiving a third manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a third timestamp;

controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the third manually entered setpoint temperature;

identifying a learned setpoint temperature based on the first manually entered setpoint temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature, and third manually entered setpoint temperature; and

controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature; and

wherein

the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp are based on a 168-hour timer