Programmable thermostat time/temperature display and method

• US 8,387,891 B1
• Filed: 07/28/2009
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tim Simon, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tim Simon, Inc.
• Inventors: Simon, Timothy M., Fisher, Matthew T., Smith, Blaine M.
• Primary Examiner(s): NORMAN, MARC E
• Application Number:
  US12/510,691
• Time in Patent Office: 1,316 Days
• Field of Search: 236/46.R, 236/94, 621/57, 622/31
• US Class Current: 236/46.R
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1904 variable in time

Abstract

A programmable thermostat time/temperature display has a continuous loop timeline with a plurality of temperature transition points along the timeline to define a plurality of timeline segments. Temperature and time IDs are displayable on the display and are associated with at least some of the timeline segments and temperature transition points. A thermostat can be programmed by touching a position on a touchscreen associated with a temperature transition point on a continuous loop timeline on the touchscreen. The touching step may be carried out by moving the first temperature transition point from a first position along the timeline to a second position along the timeline so to change the first timeline segment. An updated time ID may be selected for the first temperature transition point.

Claims

1. A time and temperature display for a programmable thermostat comprising:

a display;

a continuous loop timeline displayable on the display;

the continuous loop timeline defining a timeline interior;

the continuous loop timeline having a central point;

a plurality of temperature transition points positionable along the timeline to define a plurality of timeline segments between said temperature transition points;

temperature IDs displayable on the display and associated with at least some of the timeline segments; and

time IDs displayable on the display and associated with at least some of the temperature transition points; and

segment lines extending from the central point to the temperature transition points to divide the timeline interior into time and temperature regions.

2. The time and temperature display according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the time IDs are positioned external of the timeline.

3. The time and temperature display according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the temperature IDs are positioned within the time and temperature regions.

4. The time and temperature display according to claim 3, wherein:

the fixed time position comprises a midnight fixed time position and a noon fixed time position;

the time IDs comprise a.m. time IDs for times between midnight and noon and p.m. time IDs for times between noon and midnight; and

each of the temperature transition points associated with a.m. time IDs remain along the timeline between the midnight and noon fixed time positions and p.m. time IDs remain along the timeline between the noon and midnight fixed time positions.

5. A method for programming a thermostat of the type having a touchscreen interface, comprising:

touching a position on a touchscreen associated with a temperature transition point on a continuous loop timeline on the touchscreen, the continuous loop timeline having a central point and defining a timeline interior, the continuous loop timeline comprising a plurality of said temperature transition points therealong to create timeline segments extending between adjacent ones of the temperature transition points, segment lines extending from the central point to the temperature transition points to divide the timeline interior into time and temperature regions, the touchscreen also displaying time IDs and temperature IDs associated with the temperature transition points, the plurality of temperature transition points comprising first and second temperature transition points with a first of the temperature transition segments extending from the first temperature transition point to the second temperature transition point;

the touching step comprising moving the first temperature transition point from a first position along the timeline to a second position along the timeline so to (1) change the first timeline segment, and (2) move the segment line extending from the central point to the first temperature transition point; and

selecting an updated time ID for the first temperature transition point.