Indication of low battery voltage condition by altering of temperature setpoint
First Claim
1. In a digital thermostat powered solely by battery means,means for establishing a desired temperature setpoint;
- means for detecting a low voltage condition of the battery means, which low voltage condition is adequate for enabling operation of the thermostat; and
means for establishing an altered temperature setpoint in response to said low voltage condition.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a digital thermostat powered solely by batteries, when the battery voltage drops to a predetermined value, the thermostat effects a visual indication of the existence of a low voltage condition. If the batteries are not replaced within a predetermined time period thereafter, and the battery voltage remains adequate to operate the thermostat, the temperature setpoint is automatically altered by being lowered, if in the heating mode, or being raised, if in the cooling mode. The change in room temperature resulting from the change in temperature setpoint should prompt the user to replace the batteries. By proper manipulation of user operable means, the user can subsequently cancel the altered temperature setpoint and re-establish the desired temperature setpoint so as to provide for normal thermostat operation for a predetermined time period during which the batteries can be replaced.
224 Citations
9 Claims
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1. In a digital thermostat powered solely by battery means,
means for establishing a desired temperature setpoint; -
means for detecting a low voltage condition of the battery means, which low voltage condition is adequate for enabling operation of the thermostat; and means for establishing an altered temperature setpoint in response to said low voltage condition. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. In a digital thermostat powered solely by battery means and operable for controlling heating and/or cooling apparatus,
means for establishing desired temperature setpoints in a time-temperature schedule; -
means for detecting a low voltage condition of the battery means, which low voltage condition is adequate for enabling operation of the thermostat; means for visually indicating, for a first predetermined time period, existence of said low voltage condition; and means for establishing altered temperature setpoints after expiration of said first predetermined time period while said low voltage condition exists. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. In a digital thermostat powered solely by battery means,
a microcomputer; -
user operable means connected to said microcomputer for establishing desired setpoint temperatures in a time-temperature schedule; and circuit means connected to said microcomputer for detecting a low voltage condition of the battery means, which low voltage condition is adequate for enabling operation of the thermostat, said microcomputer being programmed to effect establishing of altered temperature setpoints in response to said low voltage condition. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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Specification