Configurable multi-level thermostat backlighting

• US 7,287,709 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2004
• Issued: 10/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carrier Corporation (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Carrier Corporation (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Van Ostrand, William F., Proffitt, Jerry L., Roher, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): NORMAN, MARC E
• Application Number:
  US10/946,380
• Publication Number:
  US 20060060658A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,134 Days
• Field of Search: 621/25, 621/26, 621/27, 621/29, 621/30, 236/94, 165/11.1, 165/11.2, 340/468, 340/469, 340/815.75
• US Class Current: 236/94
• 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 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2614 HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 characterised by the use of a variable reference value
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0606 Manual adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/062 Adjustment of illumination source parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0626 for control of overall brightness
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3406 Control of illumination source illumination devices structurally associated with liquid crystal cells G02F1/1336

Abstract

A thermostat includes a display and an illumination device that is configurable to illuminate the display in a partial illumination mode and a full illumination mode. In the partial illumination mode the illumination device generates a light intensity sufficient to review the settings of the thermostat without generating heat of a sufficient amount to disrupt thermostat measurements. The full illuminated condition is actuated upon interaction with the thermostat. Once interaction with the thermostat is completed the illumination device thermostat returns to the partially illuminated condition.

Claims

1. A thermostat assembly comprising:

a display for communicating information;

an illumination device for illuminating said display, said illumination device actuatable between a non-illuminated mode, a partially illuminated mode and a fully illuminated mode;

a controller operating said illumination device according to one of said non-illuminated mode, said fully illuminated mode; and

said partially illuminated mode; and

a user interface for adjusting a thermostat parameter including a means for setting a desired illumination mode, wherein operation of said illumination device in said partially illuminated mode comprises changing from a partial light level to a full light level in response to actuation of said user interface, and returning to said partial light level responsive to a desired event.

2. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said display comprises a liquid crystal display device.

3. The assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said illumination device comprises a backlight.

4. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said full light level continues for a desired time after actuation of said user interface.

5. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said partially illuminated mode comprises partially illuminating said display without activation of said user interface.

6. The assembly as recited in claim 1, including a lumens sensor for sensing a light level.

7. The assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein said illumination device illuminates said display responsive to a light level detected by said lumens sensor.

8. A method of illuminating a thermostat comprising the steps of:

a. selecting between a partially illuminated mode and a fully illuminated mode of an illumination device for illuminating a display, wherein the illumination device and the display are components of the thermostat; and

b. illuminating said display according to said partially illuminated mode by illuminating the display at a partial light level below a full light level, increasing the light level to the full light level responsive to user interaction with a user interface, and returning to the partial light level after a desired event.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein said desired event comprises no interaction with said user interface for a desired wait period.

10. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein said fully illuminated mode comprises no illumination of said display until interaction with said user interface, full illumination during interaction with said user interface and resuming no illumination of said display responsive to no interaction with said user interface for a desired wait period.

11. The method as recited in claim 8, including the step of detecting a light level surrounding said thermostat, and illuminating said display responsive to a detected light level.

12. A system control panel assembly comprising:

a display means for displaying information relating to operation of a system;

an illumination means for illuminating said display means according to a non-illumination mode, a partially illuminated mode and a fully illuminated mode;

a control means for adjusting said illumination means between said non-illuminated mode, said fully illuminated mode, and said partially illuminated mode; and

a user interface for adjusting a control panel parameter including a means for setting a desired illumination mode, wherein said partially illuminated mode comprises operation of said display means by changing from a partial light level to a full light level in response to actuation of said user interface, and returning to a partial light level that is less than said full light level after a desired period of inaction of said user interface.

13. The assembly as recited in claim 12, including a light sensing means for providing information indicative of light conditions surrounding said display means.