Integrating sensing systems into thermostat housing in manners facilitating compact and visually pleasing physical characteristics thereof

• US 8,766,194 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2013
• Issued: 07/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Nest Labs Incorporated (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Filson, John Benjamin, Daniels, Eric B., Huppi, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): TANINGCO, MARCUS H
• Application Number:
  US14/038,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20140027645A1
• Time in Patent Office: 278 Days
• Field of Search: 250/349
• US Class Current: 250/349
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/00 Control or safety arrangements
• 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: F24F 11/50 characterised by user interfaces or communication
• 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 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/70 Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/89 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/00 Control inputs relating to air properties
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 Occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/12 Position of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/14 Activity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/60 Energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0025 Living bodies ear thermometers G01J5/0011; detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/041 : Mountings in enclosures or in a particular environment
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/02 : Means for indicating or recording specially adapted for thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/26 : Testing of individual semiconductor devices testing or measuring during manufacture or treatment H01L22/00; testing of photovoltaic devices H02S50/10
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 : electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/19 : characterised by the use of electric means G05D23/1393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 : characterised by the use of a variable reference value
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1919 : characterised by the type of controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1932 : to control the temperature of a plurality of spaces
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/24 : the sensing element having a resistance varying with temperature, e.g. a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/2454 : using photoelectric elements
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/27 : with sensing element responsive to radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/275 : with sensing element expanding, contracting, or fusing in response to changes of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3231 : Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3265 : Power saving in display device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3287 : by switching off individual functional units in the computer system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 : Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 : Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 : Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 : Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0304 : Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 : with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/042 : by opto-electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 : Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 : Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 : Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 : Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 20/00 : Machine learning
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/06 : Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being along the axis of angular movement
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 : in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 : in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 : Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 : End-user application control systems

Abstract

An occupancy sensing electronic thermostat is described that includes a thermostat body, an electronic display that is viewable by a user in front of the thermostat, a passive infrared sensor for measuring infrared energy and an infrared energy directing element formed integrally with a front surface of the thermostat body. The passive infrared sensor may be positioned behind the infrared energy directing element such that infrared energy is directed thereonto by the infrared energy directing element. The thermostat may also include a temperature sensor and a microprocessor programmed to detect occupancy based on measurements from the passive infrared sensor.

Claims

1. An occupancy sensing electronic thermostat comprising:

a thermostat body;

an electronic display that is viewable by a user in front of the thermostat;

a passive infrared sensor for measuring infrared energy;

an infrared energy directing element formed integrally with a front surface of the thermostat body and extending across only a portion of the front surface of the thermostat body, said passive infrared sensor being positioned behind said infrared energy directing element such that infrared energy is directed thereonto by said infrared energy directing element;

a first temperature sensor in thermal communication with the front surface of the thermostat body for making temperature measurements used for a calculating an ambient temperature;

a second temperature sensor positioned within the thermostat body in a location closer than the first temperature sensor to one or more heat generating components within the thermostat body, wherein the calculation of ambient temperature is based at least in part on a comparison between measurements from the first and second temperature sensors; and

a microprocessor programmed to detect occupancy based at least in part on measurements made by the passive infrared sensor.

2. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the first temperature sensor is in thermal communication with the front surface of the thermostat body using thermal grease.

3. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the first temperature sensor is located behind the infrared energy directing element.

4. A thermostat according to claim 1 further comprising a second passive infrared sensor for measuring infrared energy, the infrared energy directing element being shaped and the second passive infrared sensor being positioned such that it is provided with a substantially downwardly directed field of view when the thermostat is wall mounted, and the microprocessor being further programmed to detect an approaching user that will likely directly interact with the thermostat based at least in part on the measurements made by the second passive infrared sensor.

5. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the passive infrared sensor, the first temperature sensor, and the second temperature sensor are located in a common chamber of the thermostat body.

6. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the passive infrared sensor, the first temperature sensor, and the second temperature sensor are located behind the infrared energy directing element.

7. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the infrared energy directing element comprises a smooth outer surface that extends across only a portion of a curved exterior front surface of the thermostat body, the infrared energy directing element being shaped and curved so as to conform to and form a part of the curved exterior front surface of the thermostat body.

8. A thermostat according to claim 1 further comprising a mechanically rotatable annular ring surrounding the electronic display and the infrared energy directing element, the annular ring being rotatable around a front-to-back axis of the thermostat, and said annular ring is inwardly pressable along a direction of the front-to-back axis.

9. An occupancy sensing electronic thermostat comprising:

a thermostat body;

an electronic display that is viewable by a user in front of the thermostat;

a passive infrared sensor for measuring infrared energy;

an infrared energy directing element formed integrally with a front surface of the thermostat body and extending across only a portion of the front surface of the thermostat body, said passive infrared sensor being positioned behind said infrared energy directing element such that infrared energy is directed thereonto by said infrared energy directing element;

a microprocessor programmed to detect occupancy based at least in part on measurements made by the passive infrared sensor; and

a mechanically rotatable user interface component surrounding the electronic display and the infrared energy directing element, the mechanically rotatable user interface component being rotatable around a front-to-back axis of the thermostat, and said mechanically rotatable user interface component being inwardly pressable along a direction of the front-to-back axis.

10. An occupancy sensing electronic thermostat comprising:

a thermostat body;

an electronic display that is viewable by a user in front of the thermostat;

a passive infrared sensor for measuring infrared energy;

an infrared energy directing element formed integrally with a front surface of the thermostat body and extending across only a portion of the front surface of the thermostat body, said passive infrared sensor being positioned behind said infrared energy directing element such that infrared energy is directed thereonto by said infrared energy directing element;

a microprocessor programmed to detect occupancy based at least in part on measurements made by the passive infrared sensor; and

a second passive infrared sensor for measuring infrared energy, the infrared energy directing element being shaped and the second passive infrared sensor being positioned such that it is provided with a substantially downwardly directed field of view when the thermostat is wall mounted, and the microprocessor being further programmed to detect an approaching user that will likely directly interact with the thermostat based at least in part on the measurements made by the second passive infrared sensor.

11. A thermostat according to claim 10 wherein a state of one or more processors within the thermostat is changed from an inactive state to an active state based on detections by the microprocessor of an approaching user, thereby enhancing responsiveness to a user while conserving energy at times when user interaction is unlikely.

12. A thermostat according to claim 10 wherein the second passive infrared sensor mounted above the passive infrared sensor, and the second passive infrared sensor is tilted downwards so as to enhance detection of an approaching user.

13. A thermostat according to claim 10 wherein an exterior front surface of the thermostat is substantially free of vents and grilles.

14. An occupancy sensing electronic thermostat comprising:

a thermostat body;

an electronic display that is viewable by a user in front of the thermostat;

a passive infrared sensor mounted within the thermostat so as to measure infrared energy tending to indicate a user is likely to interact with the thermostat;

an infrared energy directing element formed integrally with a front surface of the thermostat body and extending across only a portion of the front surface of the thermostat body, said passive infrared sensor being positioned behind said infrared energy directing element such that infrared energy is directed thereonto by said infrared energy directing element; and

one or more energy consuming thermostat components that have active and inactive states, the one or more components consuming less energy in the inactive states than in the active states, wherein the transition from inactive to active states is based at least in part on measurements from the passive infrared sensor.

15. A thermostat according to claim 14 further comprising a first temperature sensor that is in thermal communication with the front surface of the thermostat body.

16. A thermostat according to claim 15 wherein the first temperature sensor is in thermal communication with the front surface of the thermostat body using thermal grease.

17. A thermostat according to claim 15 wherein the first temperature sensor is located behind the infrared energy directing element.

18. A thermostat according to claim 16 further comprising:

a second passive infrared sensor for measuring infrared energy, the infrared energy directing element being shaped and the second passive infrared sensor being positioned such that it is provided with a substantially downwardly directed field of view when the thermostat is wall mounted, and

a microprocessor being programmed to detect an approaching user that will likely directly interact with thermostat based at least in part on the measurements made by the second passive infrared sensor.

19. A thermostat according to claim 14 wherein the infrared energy directing element comprises a smooth outer surface that extends across only a portion of a curved exterior front surface of the thermostat body, the infrared energy directing element being shaped and curved so as to conform to and form a part of the curved exterior front surface of the thermostat body.

20. A thermostat according to claim 14 further comprising a mechanically rotatable annular ring surrounding the electronic display and the infrared energy directing element, the annular ring being rotatable around a front-to-back axis of the thermostat, and said annular ring is inwardly pressable along a direction of the front-to-back axis.