HVAC control system

• US 20040236471A1
• Filed: 04/02/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MMI Controls Ltd.
• Original Assignee: MMI Controls Ltd.
• Inventors: Poth, Robert J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,216,015 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/276
• 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 11/47 Responding to energy costs
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for a HVAC control system. An apparatus, includes: a microcontroller; a digital temperature sensor coupled to the microcontroller; a liquid crystal display coupled to the microcontroller; a set of cursor buttons coupled to the microcontroller; an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory coupled to the microcontroller; an upload capable connector coupled to the electronically erasable programmable read-only memory; a real time clock coupled to the microcontroller; and a back up power supply coupled to the real time clock.

Claims

1-11. -11. (Canceled)

12. An apparatus, comprising:

a microcontroller;

a digital temperature sensor coupled to the microcontroller;

a liquid crystal display coupled to the microcontroller;

a set of cursor buttons coupled to the microcontroller;

an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory coupled to the microcontroller;

an upload capable connector coupled to the electronically erasable programmable read-only memory;

a real time clock coupled to the microcontroller; and

a back up power supply coupled to the real time clock.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the electrically erasable programmable read-only memory includes a first data structure, the first data structure including a list of personal identification numbers.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first data structure includes a member selected from the group consisting of singly linked lists, hashes, arrays, sorted arrays, binary trees, stacks, heaps, queues, dequeues, doubly linked lists, tables, and circular linked lists.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the electrically erasable programmable read-only memory includes a second data structure, the second data structure including a list of time entries, each time entry associated with a personal identification number.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the second data structure includes a member selected from the group consisting of singly linked lists, hashes, arrays, sorted arrays, binary trees, stacks, heaps, queues, dequeues, doubly linked lists, tables, and circular linked lists.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the electrically erasable programmable read-only memory includes a third data structure, the third data structure including a calendar.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the third data structure includes a member selected from the group consisting of singly linked lists, hashes, tables, arrays, sorted arrays, binary trees, stacks, heaps, queues, dequeues, doubly linked lists, and circular linked lists.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the electrically erasable programmable read only memory includes a fourth data structure, the fourth data structure including a list of user types.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the fourth data structure includes a member selected from the group consisting of singly linked lists, hashes, arrays, sorted arrays, binary trees, stacks, heaps, queues, dequeues, doubly linked lists, tables, and circular linked lists.

21. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a wireless interface coupled to the upload capable connector.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a transceiver coupled to the wireless interface.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a repeater coupled to the transceiver.

24. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a serial interface, coupled to the upload capable connector.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a hand held personal data assistant coupled to the serial interface.

26. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising an auxiliary memory coupled to the microcontroller and the electrically erasable programmable read-only memory.

27. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising heating ventilation and air conditioning equipment coupled to the microcontroller.

28-30. -30. (Canceled)