System and method for integrating sensors in thermostats

• US 8,961,005 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2014
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Huppi, Brian, Filson, John B., Bould, Fred, Sloo, David, Rogers, Matthew L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caputo, Lisa
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, JAMEL E
• Application Number:
  US14/251,452
• Publication Number:
  US 20140222367A1
• Time in Patent Office: 319 Days
• Field of Search: 374/121, 236/51, 236/46, 382/109
• US Class Current: 374/121
• 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 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 Occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/02 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/08 Protective devices, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/16 Special arrangements for conducting heat from the object to the sensitive element
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/00 Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 17/00 Measuring quantity of heat measuring temperature by calorimetry G01K3/00 - G01K11/00; specially adapted for measuring thermal properties of materials, e.g. specific heat, heat of combustion G01N
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/00 Prospecting or detecting by optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 characterised by the use of a variable reference value

Abstract

Provided according to one or more embodiments is a thermostat having a housing, the housing including a forward-facing surface, the thermostat comprising a passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor disposed inside the housing for sensing occupancy in the vicinity of the thermostat. The PIR motion sensor has a radiation receiving surface and is able to detect the lateral movement of an occupant in front of the forward-facing surface of the housing. The thermostat further comprises a grille member having one or more openings and included along the forward-facing surface of the housing, the grille member being placed over the radiation receiving surface of the PIR motion sensor. The grille member is configured and dimensioned to visually conceal and protect the PIR motion sensor disposed inside the housing, the visual concealment promoting a visually pleasing quality of the thermostat, while at the same time permitting the PIR motion sensor to effectively detect the lateral movement of the occupant. In one embodiment, the grille member openings are slit-like openings oriented along a substantially horizontal direction.

Claims

1. A thermostat, comprising:

a backplate unit configured for fixable mounting on a surface; and

a head unit that is removably attachable to said backplate unit, the head unit including a cover member having a forward-facing surface;

said head unit further including;

a first processor;

a first temperature sensor disposed in direct conductive thermal communication with a rearward-facing surface of said cover member; and

a second temperature sensor disposed within said head unit and positioned rearward of said first temperature sensor;

said backplate unit including;

a second processor; and

a third temperature sensor;

wherein at least one of said first and second processors are configured to compute an ambient temperature based on temperature readings from at least two of said three temperature sensors.

2. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the cover member is an elongate member.

3. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the cover member covers a passive infrared (PIR) sensor, the cover member being configured to pass infrared radiation to a receiving surface of the PIR sensor.

4. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein said backplate unit is operable as a standalone thermostat upon removal of said head unit.

5. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein said first temperature sensor is disposed in direct conductive thermal communication with said rearward-facing surface of said cover member by using a thermal paste.

6. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein said ambient temperature is computed using an algorithm configured to compensate for internal heating of the thermostat.

7. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein said ambient temperature is computed based on temperature readings from said first temperature sensor and said second temperature sensor.

8. A method of integrating temperature sensors in a thermostat, comprising:

providing a head unit, the head unit including a cover member having a forward-facing surface and further including a first processor;

positioning a first temperature sensor within said head unit so as to be in direct thermal communication with a rearward-facing surface of said cover member;

positioning a second temperature sensor within said head unit rearward of said first temperature sensor;

providing a backplate unit configured for fixable mounting on a surface, the backplate unit having a second processor;

positioning a third temperature sensor within said backplate unit; and

removably attaching said head unit to said backplate unit;

wherein at least one of said first and second processors are configured to compute an ambient temperature based on temperature readings from at least two of said three temperature sensors.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the cover member is an elongate member.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising positioning a passive infrared (PIR) sensor rearward of said cover member so that said cover member covers said PIR sensor, said cover member being configured to pass infrared radiation to a receiving surface of the PIR sensor.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said backplate unit is operable as a standalone thermostat upon removal of said head unit.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising applying a thermal paste between said first temperature sensor and said rearward-facing surface of said cover member to position said first temperature sensor in direct thermal communication with said rearward-facing surface of said cover member.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein said ambient temperature is computed using an algorithm configured to compensate for heating of components within said head unit and/or said backplate unit.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein said ambient temperature is computed based on temperature readings from said first temperature sensor and said second temperature sensor.

15. A method of measuring an ambient temperature of an enclosure with a thermostat, the method comprising:

providing a head unit, the head unit including;

a cover member having a forward-facing surface;

a first processor;

a first temperature sensor in direct thermal communication with a rearward-facing surface of said cover member; and

a second temperature sensor positioned rearward of said first temperature sensor;

providing a backplate unit, the backplate unit including;

a second processor; and

a third temperature sensor;

mounting said backplate unit on a surface of the enclosure;

removably attaching said head unit to said backplate unit;

receiving temperature readings from at least two of said three temperature sensors; and

computing, via at least one of said first and second processors, the ambient temperature of the enclosure based on said received temperature readings.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein receiving temperature readings comprises receiving temperature readings from said first temperature sensor and said second temperature sensor.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said head unit further includes a passive infrared (PIR) sensor positioned rearward of said cover member, said cover member covering said PIR sensor and being configured to pass infrared radiation to a receiving surface of the PIR sensor.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said backplate unit is operable as a standalone thermostat upon removal of said head unit.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein said head unit further includes a thermal paste disposed between said first temperature sensor and said rearward-facing surface of said cover member.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein said ambient temperature is computed using an algorithm configured to compensate for heating of components of said thermostat.