Method and apparatus for self-programmable temperature and usage control for hot water heaters
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater comprising the steps of:
- receiving a plurality of user entered selections;
receiving an ON/OFF signal from a water meter indicating an ON/OFF state of water into the hot water heater;
utilizing said ON/OFF signal to detect an idle period representing no water usage;
detecting idle periods of a set time duration;
responsive to an idle period start time, automatically setting a control temperature to a lower than normal temperature for an idle mode;
responsive to an idle period end time, automatically setting said control temperature to a normal temperature;
detecting and storing a number of idle days of no water usage;
automatically entering a vacation mode responsive to a predefined number of idle days of no water usage and automatically setting said control temperature to a vacation temperature; and
responsive to detecting an end of said detected no water usage, automatically setting said control temperature to said normal temperature.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater. A plurality of user entered selections are received. Idle periods of a set time duration are detected and stored. Responsive to an idle period start time, a control temperature is set to a lower than normal temperature. Responsive to an idle period end time, the control temperature is set to a normal temperature. A sleep mode is automatically started responsive to idle times, and a vacation mode is automatically started responsive to an identified number of days of no water usage. In the sleep mode, the control temperature is set to a lower than normal temperature. In the vacation mode, the control temperature is set to a substantially lower than normal temperature or the water heater is turned off. The user entered selections can include a normal temperature, a sleep temperature for the idle periods, and a vacation temperature. The user entered selections can include the set time duration for idle periods and the number of days of no water usage for the vacation mode. The user entered selections can include manual overrides of idle periods, auto control and learning mode.
108 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater comprising the steps of:
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receiving a plurality of user entered selections;
receiving an ON/OFF signal from a water meter indicating an ON/OFF state of water into the hot water heater;
utilizing said ON/OFF signal to detect an idle period representing no water usage;
detecting idle periods of a set time duration;
responsive to an idle period start time, automatically setting a control temperature to a lower than normal temperature for an idle mode;
responsive to an idle period end time, automatically setting said control temperature to a normal temperature;
detecting and storing a number of idle days of no water usage;
automatically entering a vacation mode responsive to a predefined number of idle days of no water usage and automatically setting said control temperature to a vacation temperature; and
responsive to detecting an end of said detected no water usage, automatically setting said control temperature to said normal temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. Apparatus for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater comprising:
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a central processor unit;
a clock coupled to said central processor unit for sending predefined events to said central processor unit;
a user interface control coupled to said central processor unit for receiving a plurality of user entered selections;
a water meter signal indicating an ON/OFF state of water into the hot water heater coupled to said central processor unit;
said central processor unit arranged for detecting idle periods of a set time duration utilizing said water meter signal to detect an idle period;
said idle period representing no water usage;
for detecting and for storing a number of idle days of no water usage;
responsive to an idle period start time, for automatically setting a control temperature to a lower than normal temperature for an idle mode; and
responsive to an idle period end time, for automatically setting said control temperature to a normal temperature;
responsive to a predefined number of idle days of no water usage, for automatically entering a vacation mode and for automatically setting said control temperature to a vacation temperature; and
responsive to detecting an end of said detected no water usage, for automatically setting said control temperature to said normal temperature and for resetting said number of idle days of no water usage to zero.- View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer program product for implementing self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater control system including a central processor unit, said computer program product including a plurality of computer executable instructions stored on a computer readable medium, wherein said instructions, when executed by said central processor unit, cause the central processor unit to perform the steps of:
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receiving a plurality of user entered selections;
receiving a water meter signal indicating an ON/OFF state of water into the hot water heater to detect an idle period;
said idle period representing no water usage;
detecting idle periods of a set time duration;
storing said detected idle periods in a weekly table;
responsive to an idle period start time in said weekly table, automatically setting a control temperature to a lower than normal temperature for an idle mode;
responsive to an idle period end time in said weekly table, automatically setting said control temperature to a normal temperature;
detecting and storing a number of idle days of no water usage;
automatically entering a vacation mode responsive to a predefined number of idle days of no water usage and automatically setting said control temperature to a vacation temperature; and
responsive to detecting an end of said detected no water usage, automatically setting said control temperature to said normal temperature. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification