Thermostat assembly with removable communication module and method

• US 8,393,550 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2009
• Issued: 03/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tim Simon, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tim Simon, Inc.
• Inventors: Simon, Timothy M., Fisher, Matthew T.
• Primary Examiner(s): NORMAN, MARC E
• Application Number:
  US12/363,041
• Publication Number:
  US 20100193592A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,502 Days
• Field of Search: 236/51, 236/94, 700/276, 709/230
• US Class Current: 236/51
• 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 11/47 Responding to energy costs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/526 giving audible indications
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/00 Control inputs relating to system states
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/19 characterised by the use of electric means G05D23/1393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control

Abstract

A thermostat assembly comprises a thermostat and a removable and replaceable first communication module physically and functionally removably connected to the thermostat. The first communication module is configured to permit information transfer between the thermostat and a first device remote from the thermostat. If more than one communication module is used to communicate with more than one device, the communication modules may operate using different communication protocols.

Claims

1. A thermostat assembly comprising:

a thermostat;

a removable and replaceable first communication module physically and functionally removably connected to the thermostat;

the first communication module being operable using a first communication protocol and configured to permit information transfer between the thermostat and a power meter remote from the thermostat;

a second communication module physically and functionally connected to the thermostat; and

the second communication module being operable using a second communication protocol and configured to permit information transfer between the thermostat and an energy consuming unit remote from the thermostat.

2. The thermostat assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second communication module is physically and functionally removably connected to the thermostat.

3. The thermostat assembly according to claim 1, wherein the thermostat comprises a communication link between the first and second communication modules.

4. The thermostat assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first communication module comprises an RF communication module.

5. The thermostat assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

the thermostat comprises a housing, the housing comprising an outer surface;

the first communication module has first and second side edges on opposite sides thereof, and an inner edge joining the first and second side edges;

the housing comprising an open region sized for at least partially containing the communication module therein;

the open region has first and second opposed side walls, an end wall joining the side walls, and an opening opposite the end wall through which the communication module can pass (1) when inserted through the opening to a docked position within the open region, and (2) when removed from the open region;

the first and second side edges comprise side edge alignment elements;

the first and second side walls comprise sidewall alignment elements;

the side edge alignment elements and the sidewall alignment elements being configured for complementary mating engagement when the communication module is placed into the docked position.

6. The thermostat assembly according to claim 5, wherein the side edge alignment elements comprise outwardly extending guide fins and the sidewall alignment elements comprise slots.

7. The thermostat assembly according to claim 5, wherein the end wall and the inner edge comprise electrical connectors that mate when the communication module is in the docked position.

8. The thermostat assembly according to claim 5, wherein the end wall and the inner edge comprise alignment elements sized for complementary mating engagement when the communication module is in the docked position.

9. The thermostat assembly according to claim 5, wherein:

the open region has an inner wall joining the first and second side walls and the end wall; and

the first and second side walls, the end wall and the inner wall completely define the open region.

10. A method for setting up a thermostat for remote communication with a power meter and an energy consuming unit, comprising:

selecting a thermostat usable with first and second removable and replaceable communication modules;

determining a first radio communication protocol for a power meter and a second radio communication protocol for an energy consuming unit with which the thermostat is to communicate;

obtaining first and second removable and replaceable communication modules that are physically and functionally removably connectable to the thermostat and that uses said first and second radio communication protocols, respectively; and

operably mounting the removable and replaceable communication modules to the thermostat to permit the thermostat to communicate with the power meter and with the energy consuming unit using said radio communication protocols.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the determining step comprises determining the radio communication protocol for a computer so to permit the computer to communicate with the thermostat.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the radio communication protocols for the first and second communication modules are different protocols.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the obtaining step comprises selecting the first communication module for communication with the power meter and selecting the second communication module for communication with a water heater using Z wave communication protocol.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the obtaining step comprises selecting a thermostat usable with more than two communication modules.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the radio communication protocol is selected from the following communication protocols:

ZigBee, Z-wave, 6LowPAN, RDS and WiFi.