Integrated circuit chip for use as an electronic thermostat
First Claim
1. An integrated circuit chip comprising a temperature sensor for providing a signal whose magnitude is a function of the ambient temperature, a comparator having an output which changes state when the magnitude of the sensor signal exceeds a temperature-equivalent signal corresponding to a stored digital value, and a control unit for setting the stored digital value corresponding to a desired trip temperature.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated circuit chip, useful as an electronic thermostat, comprises a temperature sensor for providing a signal corresponding to ambient temperature. A digital counter contains a value which, after digital-to-analog conversion by a DAC, corresponds to a desired trip temperature. A comparator has an output which changes state when the magnitude of the sensor signal exceeds the output of the DAC. The value in the counter is set by maintaining the sensor at a desired trip temperature and incrementing the counter until the comparator changes state.
3 Citations
13 Claims
- 1. An integrated circuit chip comprising a temperature sensor for providing a signal whose magnitude is a function of the ambient temperature, a comparator having an output which changes state when the magnitude of the sensor signal exceeds a temperature-equivalent signal corresponding to a stored digital value, and a control unit for setting the stored digital value corresponding to a desired trip temperature.
-
13. An electronic thermostat comprising an integrated circuit chip comprising a temperature sensor for providing a signal whose magnitude is a function of the ambient temperature, a comparator having an output which changes state when the magnitude of the sensor signal exceeds a temperature-equivalent signal corresponding to a stored digital value, and a control unit for setting the stored digital value corresponding to a desired trip temperature.
Specification