Self-programmable thermostat
First Claim
1. A thermostat method for a temperature conditioning unit, wherein the temperature conditioning unit helps control a temperature of a comfort zone, the method comprising:
- receiving a first manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a first timestamp;
controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the first manually entered setpoint temperature;
receiving a second manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a second timestamp;
controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the second manually entered setpoint temperature;
receiving a third manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a third timestamp;
controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the third manually entered setpoint temperature;
identifying a learned setpoint temperature based on the first manually entered setpoint temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature, and third manually entered setpoint temperature; and
controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature; and
whereinthe first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp are based on a 24-hour timer and all lie within a predetermined range of each other based on the 24-hour timer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hybrid manual/programmable thermostat for a furnace or air conditioner offers the simplicity of a manual thermostat while providing the convenience and versatility of a programmable one. Initially, the hybrid thermostat appears to function as an ordinary manual thermostat; however, it privately observes and learns a user'"'"'s manual temperature setting habits and eventually programs itself accordingly. If users begin changing their preferred temperature settings due to seasonal changes or other reasons, the thermostat continues learning and will adapt to those changes as well. For ease of use, the thermostat does not require an onscreen menu as a user interface. In some embodiments, the thermostat can effectively program itself for temperature settings that are set to occur at particular times daily or just on weekends, yet the user is not required to enter the time of day or the day of the week.
272 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A thermostat method for a temperature conditioning unit, wherein the temperature conditioning unit helps control a temperature of a comfort zone, the method comprising:
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receiving a first manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a first timestamp; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the first manually entered setpoint temperature; receiving a second manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a second timestamp; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the second manually entered setpoint temperature; receiving a third manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a third timestamp; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the third manually entered setpoint temperature; identifying a learned setpoint temperature based on the first manually entered setpoint temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature, and third manually entered setpoint temperature; and controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature; and
whereinthe first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp are based on a 24-hour timer and all lie within a predetermined range of each other based on the 24-hour timer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A thermostat method for a temperature conditioning unit, wherein the temperature conditioning unit helps control a temperature of a comfort zone, the method comprising:
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receiving a first manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a first timestamp; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the first manually entered setpoint temperature; receiving a second manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a second timestamp; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the second manually entered setpoint temperature; receiving a third manually entered setpoint temperature, which is assigned a third timestamp; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the third manually entered setpoint temperature; identifying a learned setpoint temperature based on the first manually entered setpoint temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature, and third manually entered setpoint temperature; and controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature; and
whereinthe first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp are based on a 168-hour timer.
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6. A method for controlling a temperature conditioning unit of a building, comprising:
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receiving via a user interface a plurality of desired setpoints, wherein each desired setpoint comprises a temperature value and a time value; establishing a learned setpoint schedule based on the plurality of desired setpoints, the learned setpoint schedule comprises a plurality of discrete setpoints, wherein each discrete setpoint comprises a temperature value and a time value; providing control signals for controlling the temperature conditioning unit in accordance with the learned setpoint schedule; receiving via the user interface a subsequent desired setpoint while providing control signals for controlling the temperature conditioning unit in accordance with the learned setpoint schedule; and automatically updating the learned setpoint schedule based, at least in part, on the subsequent desired setpoint. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for controlling a temperature conditioning unit of a building, comprising:
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storing a learned setpoint schedule comprising a plurality of learned desired setpoints; controlling the temperature conditioning unit in accordance with the learned setpoint schedule; while controlling the temperature conditioning unit in accordance with the learned setpoint schedule, receiving via a user interface a subsequent desired setpoint; and automatically updating the learned setpoint schedule based, at least in part, on the subsequent desired setpoint. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for controlling a temperature conditioning unit of a building, comprising:
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storing a learned setpoint schedule comprising a plurality of learned desired setpoints; receiving via a user interface a plurality of desired setpoints, wherein each desired setpoint comprises a temperature value and a time value, and after receiving each of the plurality of desired setpoints, controlling the temperature conditioning unit in accordance with the temperature value of the corresponding desired setpoint; after receiving one of the plurality of desired setpoints, waiting for a time period to see if additional ones of the plurality of desired setpoints are received during the time period, and after the time period expires, updating the learned setpoint schedule based, at least in part, on one or more of the plurality of desired setpoints received during the time period; and controlling the temperature conditioning unit in accordance with the learned setpoint schedule. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for controlling a temperature conditioning unit of a building, comprising:
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storing a learned setpoint schedule comprising a plurality of learned desired setpoints; receiving via a user interface a plurality of desired setpoints that each comprise a temperature value and a time value; attempting to identify a pattern based, at least in part, on;
(1) one or more of the plurality of desired setpoints;
or (2) one or more of the plurality of discrete setpoints of the learned setpoint schedule and one or more of the plurality of desired setpoints;if a pattern is identified, establish a learned setpoint based at least in part on the identified pattern; and updating the learned setpoint schedule to include the learned setpoint.
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27. A method for controlling a temperature conditioning unit of a building, comprising:
without first manually activating a learn mode switch to enter a learning mode; receiving via a user interface a plurality of desired setpoints, wherein each of the plurality of desired setpoints comprises a temperature value and a time value; attempting to identify a pattern based, at least in part, on two or more of the plurality of desired setpoints, and if a pattern in identified, establish a learned setpoint based at least in part on the identified pattern; and updating a learned setpoint schedule to include the learned setpoint.
Specification