System and method for automatically programming HVAC system temperature adjustment times

• US 9,217,579 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2011
• Issued: 12/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Inventors: DiFulgentiz, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): KASENGE, CHARLES R
• Application Number:
  US13/302,999
• Publication Number:
  US 20120290138A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,491 Days
• Field of Search: 700/278, 700/295, 705/14, 705/58, 542/3
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/57 using telephone networks
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/66 Sleep mode
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/19 characterised by the use of electric means G05D23/1393 takes precedence

Abstract

A programmable HVAC controller, a method of automatically programming HVAC system temperature adjustment times and an HVAC system incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the programmable HVAC controller includes: (1) a memory subsystem, (2) a communication subsystem configured to receive a wake-up alarm time and (3) a processing subsystem coupled to the memory and communication subsystems and configured to: (3a) set a “sleep” temperature adjustment time based on a time the wake-up alarm time is received and (3b) set a “wake” temperature adjustment time based on the wake-up alarm time.

Claims

1. A programmable HVAC controller, comprising:

a memory subsystem;

a communication subsystem configured to receive a wake-up alarm time according to an alarm set by a user on a wireless device; and

a processing subsystem coupled to said memory and communication subsystems and configured to;

in response to receiving the wake-up alarm time, set a “

sleep”

temperature adjustment time based on a time subsequent to when said wake-up alarm time is received; and

set a “

wake”

temperature adjustment time based on said wake-up alarm time.

2. The programmable HVAC controller as recited in claim 1 wherein said communication subsystem is a wireless communication subsystem configured to receive said wake-up alarm time wirelessly.

3. The programmable HVAC controller as recited in claim 1 wherein said wake-up alarm time is received from one of:

a smartphone, and

a tablet.

4. The programmable HVAC controller as recited in claim 1 wherein said processing subsystem is configured to set said “

wake”

temperature adjustment time to said wake-up alarm time.

5. The programmable HVAC controller as recited in claim 1 wherein said processing subsystem is configured to set said “

wake”

temperature adjustment time to a time before said wake-up alarm time.

6. A method of automatically programming HVAC system temperature adjustment times, comprising:

receiving a wake-up alarm time into a programmable controller, according to an alarm time set by a user on a wireless device;

in response to receiving the wake-up alarm time, setting a “

sleep”

temperature adjustment time in a programmable HVAC controller to a time subsequent to when said wake-up alarm time is received; and

setting a “

wake”

temperature adjustment time in a programmable HVAC controller based on said wake-up alarm time.

7. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said receiving comprises wirelessly receiving said wake-up alarm time.

8. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said receiving comprises receiving said wake-up alarm time from one of:

a smartphone, and

a tablet.

9. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said setting said “

wake”

temperature adjustment time comprises setting said “

wake”

temperature adjustment time to said wake-up alarm time.

10. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said setting said “

wake”

temperature adjustment time comprises setting said “

wake”

temperature adjustment time to a time before said wake-up alarm time.

11. An HVAC system, comprising:

a programmable HVAC controller; and

other HVAC equipment coupled to said programmable HVAC controller, said programmable HVAC controller including;

a memory subsystem,

a wireless communication subsystem configured to receive a wake-up alarm time wirelessly, according to an alarm time set by a user on a wireless device, and

a processing subsystem coupled to said memory and wireless communication subsystems and configured to;

in response to receiving the wake-up alarm time, set a “

sleep”

temperature adjustment time to a time subsequent to when said wake-up alarm time is received; and

further set a “

wake”

temperature adjustment time based on said wake-up alarm time.

12. The HVAC system as recited in claim 11 wherein said wake-up alarm time is received from one of:

a smartphone, and

a tablet.

13. The HVAC system as recited in claim 11 wherein said processing subsystem is configured to set said “

wake”

temperature adjustment time to said wake-up alarm time.

14. The HVAC system as recited in claim 11 wherein said processing subsystem is configured to set said “

wake”

temperature adjustment time to a time before said wake-up alarm time.

15. A programmable HVAC controller, comprising:

a memory subsystem;

a communication subsystem configured to receive a wake-up alarm time according to an alarm set by a user on a wireless device; and

a processing subsystem coupled to said memory and communication subsystems and configured to set a “

wake”

temperature adjustment time to a time before said wake-up alarm time in response to receiving the wake-up alarm time.

16. The programmable HVAC controller as recited in claim 15 wherein said processing subsystem is further configured to a “

sleep”

temperature adjustment time based on a time said wake-up alarm time is received.

17. The programmable HVAC controller as recited in claim 16 wherein said processing subsystem is configured to set said “

sleep”

temperature adjustment time to said time at which said time wake-up alarm time is received.

18. The programmable HVAC controller as recited in claim 16 wherein said processing subsystem is configured to set said “

sleep”

temperature adjustment time to a time after said time at which said time wake-up alarm time is received.

19. A method of automatically programming HVAC system temperature adjustment times, comprising:

receiving a wake-up alarm time into a programmable controller, according to an alarm time set by a user on a wireless device; and

in response to receiving the wake-up alarm time, setting a “

wake”

temperature adjustment time in a programmable HVAC controller to a time before said wake-up alarm time.