Thermostat display system providing adjustable backlight and indicators
First Claim
1. A thermostat for controlling heating and/or cooling equipment, comprising:
- a backlit user display screen for displaying operational information about the heating and/or cooling equipment controlled by the thermostat;
wherein the thermostat is configured to vary an illumination intensity of the backlit user display screen based on a user programmable illumination parameter;
wherein the thermostat includes an idle mode and an active mode, wherein when the thermostat is in the idle mode the illumination intensity of the backlit user display screen is based on a user programmable active mode parameter and when the thermostat is in the active mode the illumination intensity of the backlit user display screen is based on a user programmable idle mode parameter; and
wherein the user programmable active mode parameter is independent of the user programmable idle mode parameter such that the illumination intensity of the active mode may be varied to a lower illumination intensity than the illumination intensity of the idle mode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A user adjustable visual display system and method for a digital thermostat having a backlit user display screen and system operation indicators is provided. The system allows a user to programmatically vary the illumination intensity of the backlit user display screen and the operational indicators. The variance provided includes disabling of the backlight and operational indicators. The system utilizes a variable pulse width modulated (PWM) intensity control for the backlight and indicators. Alternatively, an adjustable current drive illumination control is used to control the backlight and indicators. The selection of the desired intensity is provided via a display settings menu accessed via the user display screen.
114 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A thermostat for controlling heating and/or cooling equipment, comprising:
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a backlit user display screen for displaying operational information about the heating and/or cooling equipment controlled by the thermostat; wherein the thermostat is configured to vary an illumination intensity of the backlit user display screen based on a user programmable illumination parameter; wherein the thermostat includes an idle mode and an active mode, wherein when the thermostat is in the idle mode the illumination intensity of the backlit user display screen is based on a user programmable active mode parameter and when the thermostat is in the active mode the illumination intensity of the backlit user display screen is based on a user programmable idle mode parameter; and wherein the user programmable active mode parameter is independent of the user programmable idle mode parameter such that the illumination intensity of the active mode may be varied to a lower illumination intensity than the illumination intensity of the idle mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A thermostat for controlling heating and/or cooling equipment, comprising:
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a backlit user display screen for displaying operational information about the heating and/or cooling equipment controlled by the thermostat; wherein the thermostat is configured to vary an illumination intensity of the backlit user display screen based on a user programmable illumination parameter; wherein the at least one user programmable operational mode illumination parameter includes at least one user programmable normal operation parameter and at least one user programmable erroneous operation parameter, and wherein the thermostat is configured to vary the illumination intensity of the backlit user display screen during normal operation based on the at least one user programmable normal operation parameter, and wherein the thermostat is configured to vary the illumination intensity of the backlit user display screen during erroneous operation based on the at least one user programmable erroneous operation parameter;
wherein the thermostat is configured to vary the illumination of the backlit user display screen when switching from the normal operation mode to the erroneous operation mode based on the user programmable normal operation parameter and the user programmable erroneous operation parameter without any manipulation of the thermostat by a user.
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Specification