TREA

Self-programmable thermostat

Follow

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • RE45574
  • Patent Number
    RE45,574
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, July 17, 2012
    12 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, June 23, 2015
    9 years ago
Information
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 learnsthat is configured to learn from a user's manual temperature setting habitssettings and eventually programsprogram itself accordingly. If users begin changing their preferred temperature settings due to seasonal changes or other reasons, the thermostat continues learningThe thermostat may be configured to learn 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 weeka user's manual temperature settings over time.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention generally pertains to a room or building thermostat and more specifically to a method of programming such a thermostat, wherein the thermostat can in effect program itself for various daily and/or weekly temperature setpoints upon learning temperature setting habits of a user and can do such self-programming without ever knowing the actual time of day or day of the week.


BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART

Furnaces, air conditioners and other types of temperature conditioning units typically respond to a thermostat in controlling the air temperature of a room or other area of a building. Currently, thermostats can be classified as manual or programmable.


With manual thermostats, a user manually enters into the thermostat a desired temperature setpoint, and then thermostat controls the temperature conditioning unit to bring the actual room temperature to that setpoint. At various times throughout the day, the user might adjust the setpoint for comfort or to save energy. When operating in a heating mode, for instance, a user might lower the setpoint temperature at night and raise it again in the morning. Although manual thermostats are easy to understand and use, having to repeatedly adjust the setpoint manually can be a nuisance.


Programmable thermostats, on the other hand, can be programmed to automatically adjust the setpoint to predetermined temperatures at specified times. The specified times can initiate automatic setpoint adjustments that occur daily such as on Monday-Friday, or the adjustments might occur weekly on days such as every Saturday or Sunday. For a given day, programmable thermostats can also be programmed to make multiple setpoint adjustments throughout the day, such as at 8:00 AM and 11:00 PM on Saturday or at 6:00 AM and 10 PM on Monday through Friday. Such programming, however, can be confusing as it can involve several steps including: 1) synchronizing the thermostat's clock with the current time of day; 2) entering into the thermostat the current date or day of the week; and 3) entering various chosen days, times and setpoint temperatures. One or more of these steps may need to be repeated in the event of daylight savings time, electrical power interruption, change in user preferences, and various other reasons.


Consequently, there is a need for a thermostat that offers the simplicity of a manual thermostat while providing the convenience and versatility of a programmed thermostat.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide an essentially self-programmable thermostat for people that do not enjoy programming conventional programmable thermostats.


An object of some embodiments of the invention is to provide a programmable thermostat that does not rely on having to know the time of day, thus a user does not have to enter that.


Another object of some embodiments is to provide a programmable thermostat with both daily and weekly occurring settings, yet the thermostat does not rely on having to know the day of the week, thus a user does not have to enter that.


Another object of some embodiments is to provide a programmable thermostat that does not rely on onscreen menus for programming.


Another object of some embodiments is to provide a thermostat that effectively programs itself as it is being used as a manual thermostat.


Another object of some embodiments is to provide a thermostat that automatically switches from a manual mode to a programmed mode when it recognizes an opportunity to do so.


Another object of some embodiments is to provide a thermostat that automatically switches from a programmed mode to a manual mode simply by manually entering a new desired setpoint temperature.


Another object of some embodiments is to observe and learn the temperature setting habits of a user and automatically program a thermostat accordingly.


Another object of some embodiments is to provide a self-programming thermostat that not only learns a user's temperature setting habits, but if those habits or temperature-setting preferences change over time, the thermostat continues learning and will adapt to the new habits and setpoints as well.


Another object of some embodiments is to minimize the number of inputs and actions from which a user can choose, thereby simplifying the use of a thermostat.


Another object of some embodiments is to provide a thermostat that can effectively self-program virtually an infinite number of setpoint temperatures and times, rather than be limited to a select few number of preprogrammed settings.


Another object of some embodiments is to provide a simple way of clearing programmed settings of a thermostat.


One or more of these and/or other objects of the invention are provided by a thermostat and method that learns the manual temperature setting habits of a user and programs itself accordingly.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a thermostat controlling a temperature conditioning unit.



FIG. 2 shows an example of algorithm for a thermostat method.



FIG. 3 shows another example of algorithm for a thermostat method.





DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT


FIGS. 1-3 show a thermostat 10 and a method for automatically programming it. Initially, thermostat 10 might first appear and function as an ordinary manual thermostat. Thermostat 10, for instance, includes a manual input 12 (e.g., dial, keyboard, pointer, slider, potentiometer, pushbutton, etc.) that enables a user to manually enter a manual setpoint 14 that defines a manually entered setpoint temperature 16. The manually entered setpoint temperature 16 is the user's desired target temperature for a comfort zone 18. Upon comparing the manually entered setpoint temperature 16 to the comfort zone's actual temperature 20 (provided by a temperature sensor 22), thermostat 10 provides an output signal 24 that controls a temperature conditioning unit 26 (e.g., furnace, heater, air conditioner, heat pump, etc.) to heat or cool air 28 in comfort zone 18, thereby urging the comfort zone's actual temperature 20 toward the manually entered setpoint temperature 16.


A digital display 30 can be used for displaying the current setpoint temperature, and another display 32 can show the comfort zone's actual temperature. Displays 30 and 32 could be combined into a single display unit, wherein the combined display unit could show the current setpoint temperature and the zone's actual temperature simultaneously or in an alternating manner. Thermostat 10 might also include a selector switch 34 for manually switching between a cooling mode for cooling zone 18 and a heating mode for heating zone 18. Items such as display 30, selector switch 34, manual input 12, and output 24 are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. One or more of such items, for example, can be found in a model CT8775C manual thermostat provided by Honeywell Inc. of Golden Valley, Minn.


Although thermostat 10 can operate as a regular manual thermostat by controlling unit 26 as a function of a differential between the actual zone temperature and the most recently entered manual setpoint temperature, thermostat 10 includes a microprocessor 36 (e.g., computer, CPU, firmware programmed chip, etc.) that enables thermostat 10 to observe the temperature setting habits of the user (e.g., person that manually enters setpoint temperatures into the thermostat). After several manual settings, microprocessor 36 may learn the user's preferred setpoint temperatures and timestamps them with the aide of a timer 38. With one or more learned setpoint temperatures and timestamps 48, microprocessor 36 can begin anticipating the user's desires and automatically adjust the thermostat's setpoint temperatures accordingly. Thus, thermostat 10 can begin operating as a programmed thermostat, rather than just a manual one.


Since a user's desired temperature setpoints and time preferences might change for various reasons, any manually entered setpoint temperature 16 overrides the currently active setpoint temperature regardless of whether the current setpoint temperature was manually entered or was automatically activated as a learned setpoint temperature. Once overridden, another learned setpoint temperature might later be activated at a learned time to return thermostat 10 back to its programmed mode. Thus, thermostat 10 is somewhat of a hybrid manual/programmable thermostat in that it can shift automatically between manual and programmed operation.


To assign timestamps 48 to manually entered setpoint temperatures, timer 38 can actually comprise one or more timers and/or counters. In some embodiments, for example, timer 38 includes a continuously running daily or 24-hour timer that resets itself every 24 hours. The time increments can be in minutes, seconds, or any preferred unit. In some cases, timer 38 is a continuously operating weekly or 168-hour timer that resets itself every seven days. The increments can be in days, hours, minutes, seconds, or any preferred unit. The weekly timer could also be a seven-increment counter that indexes one increment every 24 hours in response to a daily or 24-hour timer. Timer 38, however, is not necessarily synchronized with the actual time of day or day of the week. Such synchronization preferably is not required; otherwise the user might have to manually enter or set the correct time and day of the week.


In the case where timer 36 comprises a weekly timer in the form of a 7-increment counter triggered by each 24-hour cycle of a daily timer, timestamp 48 might a be a two-part number such as (X and Y) wherein X cycles from 1 to 7 as a weekly timer, and Y cycles from 0 to 1,439 (1,440 minutes per day) as a daily timer. In this case, a timestamp 48 might be (3 and 700) to indicate 700 minutes elapsed during day-3. Whether day-3 represents Monday, Tuesday or some other day is immaterial, and whether the 700-minute represents 2:00 AM, 7:30 PM or some other time of day is also immaterial. As one way to provide a programmable thermostat that can operate independently of an actual time of day clock and to provide thermostat 10 with other functionality, microprocessor 36 can be firmware programmed to execute one or more of the following rules:



Rule-1—Upon receiving a manually entered setpoint temperature, microprocessor assigns an (X and Y) timestamp 48 to the manually entered setpoint temperature, wherein the timestamp indicates when the setpoint temperature was entered relative to other timestamps. The manually entered setpoint temperature and its timestamp 48 are stored in memory for later reference.



Rule-2—Microprocessor 36 looks for patterns of manual setpoints, wherein each manual setpoint has a manually entered setpoint temperature and a timestamp 48.


A daily pattern, for example, can be defined as three consecutive days in which a series of three similar manually entered setpoint temperatures (e.g., within a predetermined deviation of perhaps 2° F. or 5° F. of each other) have similar daily timestamps 48 (e.g., each Y-value being within a predetermined deviation of perhaps 90 minutes of each other). Such a daily pattern can then be assigned a learned daily setpoint temperature and a learned daily time. The learned daily setpoint temperature could be, for example, an average of the three similar manually entered setpoints temperatures or the most recent of the three. The learned daily time could be, for example, 20 minutes before the three similar timestamps. For future automatic settings, the 20 minutes might allow microprocessor 36 to activate the learned daily setpoint temperature before the user would normally want to adjust the setpoint.


A weekly pattern, for example, can be defined as three manual setpoints spaced 7 days apart (e.g., same X-value after one complete 7-day cycle) in which three similar manually entered setpoint temperatures (e.g., within 2° F. or 5° F. of each other) have similar timestamps 48 (e.g., each Y-value being within 90 minutes of each other). Such a weekly pattern can then be assigned a learned weekly setpoint temperature and a learned weekly time. The learned weekly setpoint temperature could be, for example, an average of the three similar manually entered setpoints temperatures spaced 7 days apart or the most recent of the three. The learned time could be, for example, 20 minutes before the three similar timestamps.



Rule-3—Automatically activate a learned daily setpoint temperature at its learned daily time (at its assigned Y-value), whereby thermostat 10 controls unit 26 based on the learned daily setpoint temperature and continues to do so until interrupted by one of the following: a) the user enters a manually entered setpoint temperature (adjusts the temp), b) another learned daily setpoint temperature becomes activated at its learned daily time, or c) a learned weekly setpoint temperature becomes activated at its learned weekly time.



Rule-4—Automatically activate a learned weekly setpoint temperature at its learned weekly time (at its assigned X and Y values), whereby thermostat 10 controls unit 26 based on the learned weekly setpoint temperature and continues to do so until interrupted by one of the following: a) the user enters a manually entered setpoint temperature (adjusts the temp), b) a learned daily setpoint temperature becomes activated at its learned daily time (but see Rule-5), or c) another learned weekly setpoint temperature becomes activated at its learned weekly time.



Rule-5—A weekly pattern overrides or supersedes a daily pattern if their assigned timestamps 48 are within a predetermined period of each other such as, for example, within three hours of each other based on the Y-values of their timestamps.



Rule-6—If a user enters a manually entered setpoint temperature, thermostat 10 controls unit 26 in response to the manually entered setpoint temperature and continues to do so until interrupted by one of the following: a) the user enters another manually entered setpoint temperature (adjusts the temp), b) a learned daily setpoint temperature becomes activated at its learned daily time, or c) a learned weekly setpoint temperature becomes activated at its learned weekly time.



Rule-7—If a user enters two manually entered setpoint temperatures within a predetermined short period of each other, e.g., within 90 minutes of each other, the first of the two manual entries is disregarded as being erroneous and is not to be considered as part of any learned pattern.



Rule-8—If a learned daily setpoint temperature is activated at a learned time and is soon interrupted by the user entering a manually entered setpoint temperature within a predetermined short period (e.g., within 3 hours), and this occurs a predetermined number of days in a row (e.g., 3 days in a row as indicated by the X-value of timer 38), then the daily pattern associated with the learned daily setpoint temperature is erased from the memory.



Rule-9—If a learned weekly setpoint temperature is activated at a learned time and is soon interrupted by the user entering a manually entered setpoint temperature within a predetermined short period (e.g., within 3 hours), and this occurs a predetermined number of weeks in a row (e.g., 2 weeks in a row as indicated by an additional counter that counts the cycles of the X-value of timer 38), then the weekly pattern associated with the learned weekly setpoint temperature is erased from the memory.



Rule-10—Actuating switch 34 between cool and heat or actuating some other manual input can be used for erasing the entire collection of learned data.


Rules 1-10 might be summarized more concisely but perhaps less accurately as follows:


1) Assign timestamps 48 to every manually entered setpoint temperature.


2) Identify daily patterns (similar manually entered temperatures and times 3 days in a row), and identify weekly patterns (3 similar manually entered temperatures and times each spaced a week apart). Based on those patterns, establish learned setpoint temperatures and learned times.


3) Activate learned daily setpoints at learned times, and keep them active until the activated setpoint is overridden by the next learned setpoint or interrupted by a manually entered setpoint.


4) Activate learned weekly setpoints at learned times, and keep them active until the activated setpoint is overridden by the next learned setpoint or interrupted by a manually entered setpoint.


5) If a learned weekly setpoint and a learned daily setpoint are set to occur near the same time on given day, the learned daily setpoint is ignored on that day because the day is probably a Saturday or Sunday.


6) Whenever the user manually adjusts the temperature, the manually entered setpoint temperature always overrides the currently active setting. The manually entered setpoint remains active until it is interrupted by a subsequent manual or learned setting.


7) If a user repeatedly tweaks or adjusts the temperature within a short period, only the last manually entered setpoint temperature is used for learning purposes, as the other settings are assumed to be trial-and-error mistakes by the user.


8) If a user has to repeatedly correct a learned daily setpoint (e.g., correct it 3 days in a row), that learned setpoint is deleted and no longer used. Using 3 days as the cutoff avoids deleting a good daily pattern due to 2 days of corrections over a weekend.


9) If a user has to repeatedly correct a learned weekly setpoint (e.g., correct it 2 weeks in a row), that learned setpoint is deleted and no longer used.


10) Switching between heating and cooling, for at least 5 seconds or so, deletes the entire collection of learned data.


To execute one or more of the aforementioned rules, microprocessor 36 could operate under the control of various algorithms, such as, for example, an algorithm 40 of FIG. 2, an algorithm 42 of FIG. 3, a combination of algorithms 40 and 42, or another algorithm altogether.


Referring to the example of FIG. 2, a block 44 represents receiving a plurality of manual setpoints 14 that are manually entered at various points in time over a period, each of the manual setpoints 14 provides a manually entered setpoint temperature 16 that in block 46 becomes associated with a timestamp 48 via timer 38. Timer 38 can run independently or irrespective of the actual time of day and irrespective of the actual day of the week. In blocks 50 and 52, thermostat 10 controls unit 26 as a function of a differential between the actual zone temperature 20 and a currently active manually entered setpoint. In block 54, microprocessor 36 recognizes patterns with the manually entered setpoints. Based on the patterns, in block 56 microprocessor 10 establishes learned setpoint temperatures and corresponding learned times. In block 58, some time after controlling unit 26 in response to the manually entered setpoint temperatures (block 50), automatically switching at the learned time to controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature. This might continue until interrupted by block 60, wherein microprocessor 36 encounters another recognized pattern or upon receiving another manual setpoint, at which point unit 26 is controlled in response thereto.


Referring to the example of FIG. 3, a block 62 represents microprocessor 36 receiving temperature feedback signal 20 from temperature sensor 22. Sensor 22 could be incorporated within thermostat 10, as shown in FIG. 1, or sensor 22 could be installed at some other location to sense the room temperature such as the temperature of air 28 entering unit 26. Blocks 64, 66 and 68 represent microprocessor 36 sequentially receiving first, second and third manually entered setpoint temperatures. Blocks 70, 72 and 74 represent thermostat 10 controlling unit 26 at sequential periods in response to a differential between the comfort zone temperature and the various manually entered setpoint temperatures. Block 76 represents assigning timestamps 48 to the various manually entered setpoint temperatures. A block 78 represents microprocessor 36 identifying a learned setpoint temperature based on the first, second and third manually entered setpoint temperatures. In block 80, thermostat 10 controls unit 26 in response to a differential between the learned setpoint temperature and the actual zone temperature. Block 82 represents subsequently receiving a fourth manually entered setpoint temperature. Block 84 represents controlling unit 26 in response to the fourth manually entered setpoint temperature. Some time after that, thermostat 10 returns to controlling unit 26 in response to the learned setpoint temperature, as indicated by block 86.


Although the invention is described with respect to a preferred embodiment, modifications thereto will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the invention, therefore, is to be determined by reference to the following claims:

Claims
  • 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; andcontrolling 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.
  • 2. The thermostat method of claim 1, wherein first manually entered setpoint temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature, and third manually entered setpoint temperature all lie within 5° F. of each other.
  • 3. The thermostat method of claim 1, further comprising: after controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature, receiving a fourth manually entered setpoint temperature; andafter receiving the fourth manually entered setpoint temperature, controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the fourth manually entered setpoint temperature.
  • 4. The thermostat method of claim 3, further comprising: after controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the fourth manually entered setpoint temperature, returning to controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature.
  • 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: 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; andcontrolling 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 and all lie within a predetermined range of each other based on the 168-hour timer.
  • 6. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning unit 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;controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature; andwherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp are based on a daily pattern and all lie within a predetermined range of each other based on the daily pattern; andwherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp all lie within 90 minutes of each other based on the daily pattern.
  • 7. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning unit 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;controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature;wherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp are based on a daily pattern and all lie within a predetermined range of each other based on the daily pattern; andwherein the controlling step controls the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature at a learned setpoint time, wherein the learned setpoint time is based on the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and/or the third timestamp on the daily pattern.
  • 8. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning unit 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;controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature;wherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp are based on a daily pattern and all lie within a predetermined range of each other based on the daily pattern; andwherein the controlling step controls the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature at a learned setpoint time, wherein the learned setpoint time is set before the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp on the daily pattern.
  • 9. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning unit 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 an average of the first manually entered setpoint temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature and the third manually entered setpoint temperature;controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature; andwherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp all lie within a predetermined range of each other based on a daily pattern.
  • 10. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning unit 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/or the third manually entered setpoint temperature if the first manually entered setpoint temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature, and the third manually entered setpoint temperature all fall within a temperature range that is less than 5 degrees F.;controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature; andwherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp all lie within a predetermined range of each other based on a daily pattern.
  • 11. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning unit 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;controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature;wherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp are based on a weekly pattern and all lie within a predetermined range of each other based on the weekly pattern; andwherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp all lie within 90 minutes of each other based on the weekly pattern.
  • 12. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning unit 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;controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature;wherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp are based on a weekly pattern and all lie within a predetermined range of each other based on the weekly pattern; andwherein the controlling step controls the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature at a learned setpoint time, wherein the learned setpoint time is based on the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and/or the third timestamp on the weekly pattern.
  • 13. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning unit 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;controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature;wherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp are based on a weekly pattern and all lie within a predetermined range of each other based on the weekly pattern; andwherein the controlling step controls the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature at a learned setpoint time, wherein the learned setpoint time is set before the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp on the weekly pattern.
  • 14. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning unit 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 the third manually entered setpoint temperature;controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature; andwherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp all lie within a predetermined range of each other based on a weekly pattern.
  • 15. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning unit 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 an average of the first manually entered setpoint temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature and the third manually entered setpoint temperature;controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature; andwherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp all lie within a predetermined range of each other based on a weekly pattern.
  • 16. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning unit 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;controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature;wherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp are based on a weekly pattern and all lie within a predetermined range of each other based on the weekly pattern; andwherein the identifying step identifies a learned setpoint temperature when the first manually entered setpoint temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature, and third manually entered setpoint temperature are within a predetermined deviation from one another.
  • 17. A method for a temperature controller, wherein the temperature controller helps control a temperature conditioning unit 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/or the third manually entered setpoint temperature if the first manually entered setpoint temperature, the second manually entered setpoint temperature, and the third manually entered setpoint temperature all fall within a temperature range that is less than 5 degrees F.;controlling the temperature conditioning unit in response to the learned setpoint temperature; andwherein the first timestamp, the second timestamp, and the third timestamp all lie within a predetermined range of each other based on a weekly pattern.
US Referenced Citations (272)
Number Name Date Kind
2202008 Ittner May 1940 A
4032867 Engeler et al. Jun 1977 A
4223831 Szarka Sep 1980 A
4316577 Adams et al. Feb 1982 A
4335847 Levine Jun 1982 A
4350966 Nelson Sep 1982 A
4408711 Levine Oct 1983 A
4467178 Swindle Aug 1984 A
4469274 Levine Sep 1984 A
4531064 Levine Jul 1985 A
4595430 Baker Jun 1986 A
4615380 Beckey Oct 1986 A
4621336 Brown Nov 1986 A
4669654 Levine et al. Jun 1987 A
4674027 Beckey Jun 1987 A
4685614 Levine Aug 1987 A
4751961 Levine et al. Jun 1988 A
4768706 Parfitt Sep 1988 A
5005365 Lynch Apr 1991 A
5056712 Enck Oct 1991 A
5088645 Bell Feb 1992 A
5115967 Wedekind May 1992 A
5165465 Kenet Nov 1992 A
5170935 Federspiel et al. Dec 1992 A
5192020 Shah Mar 1993 A
5192874 Adams Mar 1993 A
5211332 Adams May 1993 A
5224649 Brown Jul 1993 A
5238184 Adams Aug 1993 A
5240178 Dewolf et al. Aug 1993 A
5255975 Adams Oct 1993 A
5270952 Adams et al. Dec 1993 A
5294047 Schwer Mar 1994 A
5303612 Odom et al. Apr 1994 A
5361983 Bird Nov 1994 A
5395042 Riley et al. Mar 1995 A
5476221 Seymour et al. Dec 1995 A
5482209 Cochran et al. Jan 1996 A
5485954 Guy et al. Jan 1996 A
5499196 Pacheco Mar 1996 A
5555927 Shah Sep 1996 A
5603451 Helander et al. Feb 1997 A
5611484 Uhrich Mar 1997 A
5627531 Posso et al. May 1997 A
5673850 Uptegraph et al. Oct 1997 A
5690277 Flood Nov 1997 A
5720176 Manson et al. Feb 1998 A
5808602 Sellers et al. Sep 1998 A
5902183 D'Souza May 1999 A
5909378 De Milleville et al. Jun 1999 A
5931378 Schramm et al. Aug 1999 A
5943917 Truong et al. Aug 1999 A
5977964 Williams et al. Nov 1999 A
6062482 Gauthier et al. May 2000 A
6098893 Berglund et al. Aug 2000 A
6164374 Rhodes et al. Dec 2000 A
6206295 LaCoste Mar 2001 B1
6209794 Webster et al. Apr 2001 B1
6211921 Cherian et al. Apr 2001 B1
6213404 Dushane et al. Apr 2001 B1
6216956 Ehlers et al. Apr 2001 B1
6222191 Myron et al. Apr 2001 B1
6286764 Garvey et al. Sep 2001 B1
6298285 Addink et al. Oct 2001 B1
6349883 Simmons et al. Feb 2002 B1
6351693 Monie et al. Feb 2002 B1
6356204 Guindi et al. Mar 2002 B1
6375087 Day et al. Apr 2002 B1
6453687 Sharood et al. Sep 2002 B2
6502758 Cottrell Jan 2003 B2
6519509 Nierlich et al. Feb 2003 B1
6636197 Goldenberg et al. Oct 2003 B1
6641055 Tiernan Nov 2003 B1
6644557 Jacobs Nov 2003 B1
6645066 Gutta et al. Nov 2003 B2
6726112 Ho Apr 2004 B1
6741158 Engler et al. May 2004 B2
6769482 Wagner et al. Aug 2004 B2
6814299 Carey Nov 2004 B1
6824069 Rosen Nov 2004 B2
6851621 Wacker Feb 2005 B1
D506150 Backlund et al. Jun 2005 S
D506689 Backlund et al. Jun 2005 S
6951306 DeLuca Oct 2005 B2
7000849 Ashworth et al. Feb 2006 B2
7014336 Ducharme et al. Mar 2006 B1
7024336 Salsbury Apr 2006 B2
7028912 Rosen Apr 2006 B1
7035805 Miller Apr 2006 B1
7055759 Wacker et al. Jun 2006 B2
7083109 Pouchak Aug 2006 B2
7108194 Hankins, II Sep 2006 B1
7109970 Miller Sep 2006 B1
7111788 Reponen Sep 2006 B2
7114554 Bergman et al. Oct 2006 B2
7117129 Bash et al. Oct 2006 B1
7140551 de Pauw et al. Nov 2006 B2
7141748 Tanaka et al. Nov 2006 B2
7142948 Metz Nov 2006 B2
7146348 Geib et al. Dec 2006 B2
7152806 Rosen Dec 2006 B1
7156318 Rosen Jan 2007 B1
7159789 Schwendinger et al. Jan 2007 B2
7159790 Schwendinger et al. Jan 2007 B2
7181317 Amundson et al. Feb 2007 B2
7222494 Peterson et al. May 2007 B2
7222800 Wruck May 2007 B2
7225054 Amundson et al. May 2007 B2
7258280 Wolfson Aug 2007 B2
7264175 Schwendinger et al. Sep 2007 B2
7274972 Amundson et al. Sep 2007 B2
7287709 Proffitt et al. Oct 2007 B2
7299996 Garrett et al. Nov 2007 B2
7302642 Smith et al. Nov 2007 B2
7333880 Brewster et al. Feb 2008 B2
7379997 Ehlers et al. May 2008 B2
RE40437 Rosen Jul 2008 E
7434742 Mueller et al. Oct 2008 B2
7451937 Flood et al. Nov 2008 B2
7455240 Chapman, Jr. et al. Nov 2008 B2
7469550 Chapman, Jr. et al. Dec 2008 B2
7509753 Nicosia et al. Mar 2009 B2
7552030 Guralnik et al. Jun 2009 B2
7558648 Hoglund et al. Jul 2009 B2
7584899 de Pauw et al. Sep 2009 B2
7596431 Forman et al. Sep 2009 B1
7600694 Helt et al. Oct 2009 B2
7614567 Chapman, Jr. et al. Nov 2009 B2
7624931 Chapman, Jr. et al. Dec 2009 B2
7634504 Amundson Dec 2009 B2
7641126 Schultz et al. Jan 2010 B2
7643908 Quirino et al. Jan 2010 B2
7644869 Hoglund et al. Jan 2010 B2
7667163 Ashworth et al. Feb 2010 B2
7693582 Bergman et al. Apr 2010 B2
7702424 Cannon et al. Apr 2010 B2
7703694 Mueller et al. Apr 2010 B2
7778734 Oswald et al. Aug 2010 B2
7784291 Butler et al. Aug 2010 B2
7784704 Harter Aug 2010 B2
7802618 Simon et al. Sep 2010 B2
7845576 Siddaramanna et al. Dec 2010 B2
7848900 Steinberg et al. Dec 2010 B2
7854389 Ahmed Dec 2010 B2
7904830 Hoglund et al. Mar 2011 B2
7913825 Boyer Mar 2011 B2
7949615 Ehlers et al. May 2011 B2
8010237 Cheung et al. Aug 2011 B2
8019567 Steinberg et al. Sep 2011 B2
8042048 Wilson et al. Oct 2011 B2
8063775 Reed et al. Nov 2011 B2
8078330 Brickfield et al. Dec 2011 B2
8090477 Steinberg Jan 2012 B1
8131497 Steinberg et al. Mar 2012 B2
8180492 Steinberg May 2012 B2
8219250 Dempster et al. Jul 2012 B2
8239922 Sullivan et al. Aug 2012 B2
8280536 Fadell et al. Oct 2012 B1
8442695 Imes et al. May 2013 B2
8452457 Matsuoka et al. May 2013 B2
8510255 Fadell et al. Aug 2013 B2
20020005435 Cottrell Jan 2002 A1
20030034898 Shamoon et al. Feb 2003 A1
20030040842 Poth Feb 2003 A1
20030042320 Decker Mar 2003 A1
20040027271 Schuster et al. Feb 2004 A1
20040034484 Solomita, Jr. et al. Feb 2004 A1
20040055446 Robbin et al. Mar 2004 A1
20040149478 Staiger Aug 2004 A1
20040249479 Shorrock Dec 2004 A1
20040256472 DeLuca Dec 2004 A1
20040260427 Wimsatt Dec 2004 A1
20040262410 Hull Dec 2004 A1
20050040247 Pouchak Feb 2005 A1
20050119766 Amundson et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050128067 Zakrewski Jun 2005 A1
20050189429 Breeden Sep 2005 A1
20050204997 Fournier Sep 2005 A1
20050280421 Yomoda Dec 2005 A1
20060079983 Willis Apr 2006 A1
20060186214 Simon et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060196953 Simon et al. Sep 2006 A1
20070045430 Chapman et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070045433 Chapman et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070045444 Gray Mar 2007 A1
20070050732 Chapman Mar 2007 A1
20070057079 Stark Mar 2007 A1
20070158442 Chapman et al. Jul 2007 A1
20070158444 Naujok et al. Jul 2007 A1
20070173978 Fein Jul 2007 A1
20070225867 Moorer et al. Sep 2007 A1
20070227721 Springer et al. Oct 2007 A1
20070228183 Kennedy et al. Oct 2007 A1
20070241203 Wagner et al. Oct 2007 A1
20070257120 Chapman et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070278320 Lunacek et al. Dec 2007 A1
20080006709 Ashworth et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080015742 Kulyk et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080054082 Evans et al. Mar 2008 A1
20080191045 Harter Aug 2008 A1
20080219227 Michaelis Sep 2008 A1
20080223136 Yakabe et al. Sep 2008 A1
20080245480 Knight et al. Oct 2008 A1
20080290183 Laberge et al. Nov 2008 A1
20080317292 Baker et al. Dec 2008 A1
20090001180 Siddaramanna et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090057424 Sullivan et al. Mar 2009 A1
20090112335 Mehta et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090140056 Leen Jun 2009 A1
20090140057 Leen Jun 2009 A1
20090143916 Boll et al. Jun 2009 A1
20090171862 Harrod et al. Jul 2009 A1
20090195349 Frader-Thompson et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090215534 Wilson et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090216380 Kolk Aug 2009 A1
20090254225 Boucher et al. Oct 2009 A1
20090259713 Blumrich et al. Oct 2009 A1
20090271042 Voysey Oct 2009 A1
20090283603 Peterson et al. Nov 2009 A1
20090312999 Kasztenny et al. Dec 2009 A1
20100019051 Rosen Jan 2010 A1
20100025483 Hoeynck et al. Feb 2010 A1
20100026229 Williams Feb 2010 A1
20100052576 Steiner et al. Mar 2010 A1
20100070084 Steinberg et al. Mar 2010 A1
20100070085 Harrod et al. Mar 2010 A1
20100070086 Harrod et al. Mar 2010 A1
20100070089 Harrod et al. Mar 2010 A1
20100070096 Rauscher et al. Mar 2010 A1
20100070234 Steinberg et al. Mar 2010 A1
20100070907 Harrod et al. Mar 2010 A1
20100084482 Kennedy et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100106305 Pavlak et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100107070 Devineni et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100107076 Grohman et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100198425 Donovan Aug 2010 A1
20100211224 Keeling et al. Aug 2010 A1
20100262298 Johnson et al. Oct 2010 A1
20100262299 Cheung et al. Oct 2010 A1
20100280667 Steinberg Nov 2010 A1
20100289643 Trundle et al. Nov 2010 A1
20100308119 Steinberg et al. Dec 2010 A1
20100318227 Steinberg et al. Dec 2010 A1
20100324437 Freeman et al. Dec 2010 A1
20100327766 Recker et al. Dec 2010 A1
20110015798 Golden et al. Jan 2011 A1
20110015802 Imes Jan 2011 A1
20110035060 Oswald Feb 2011 A1
20110046756 Park Feb 2011 A1
20110046782 Fixell Feb 2011 A1
20110046792 Imes et al. Feb 2011 A1
20110046805 Bedros et al. Feb 2011 A1
20110046806 Nagel et al. Feb 2011 A1
20110054710 Imes et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110077896 Steinberg et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110153089 Tiemann et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110173542 Imes et al. Jul 2011 A1
20110185895 Freen Aug 2011 A1
20110196539 Nair et al. Aug 2011 A1
20110224838 Imes et al. Sep 2011 A1
20110288905 Mrakas Nov 2011 A1
20110307103 Cheung et al. Dec 2011 A1
20120065935 Steinberg et al. Mar 2012 A1
20120066168 Fadell et al. Mar 2012 A1
20120085831 Kopp Apr 2012 A1
20120131504 Fadell et al. May 2012 A1
20120158350 Steinberg et al. Jun 2012 A1
20120165993 Whitehouse Jun 2012 A1
20120221151 Steinberg Aug 2012 A1
20120245740 Raestik et al. Sep 2012 A1
20130103622 Matsuoka et al. Apr 2013 A1
20130274928 Matsuoka et al. Oct 2013 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (5)
Number Date Country
2202008 Oct 1998 CA
0196069 Oct 1986 EP
S59-106311 Jun 1984 JP
H1-252850 Oct 1989 JP
2011072332 Jun 2011 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (69)
Entry
Erickson, et al. “Energy Efficient Building Environment Control Strategies Using Real-Time Occupancy Measurement,” ACM Workshop on Embedded Sensing Systems for Energy Efficiency in Buildings, 2009, pp. 19-24.
Allen, R., et al., “Real-Time Earthquake Detection and Hazard Assessment by Alarms Across California,” Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 36, L00B08, pp. 1-6, 2009.
Honeywell, “Prestige Product Data,” Honeywell Internaitonal Inc., 2012, 126 pages.
Nordman, B., et al., “Using Existing Networks for Energy Purposes,” In Proceesing of the First ACM Workshop on Embedded Sensing Systems for Energy-Efficiency in Buildings, ACM, 2009, 2 pages.
Cisco Systems, White Paper, “Wi-Fi Based Real-Time Location Tracking: Solutions and Technology,” Cisco Systems, Inc., 2006, 6 pages.
White Rodgers Model 1F81-261 Installation and Operatinf Instructions, White-Rodgers, Emerson Electric Co., 2010, 8 pages.
Mozer, M., et al., “The Neurothermostat: Predictive Optimal Control of Residential Heating Systems,” Adv. In Neural Info. Proc. Systems 9, pp. 953-959, Cambrdige, MA MIT Press, 1997.
Scott, J., et al., “PreHeat: Controlling Home Heating Using Occupancy Prediction,” In Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Ubiquitous Computing, pp. 281-291, ACM, 2011.
Melfi, R., et al., “Measuring Building Occupancy Using Existing Network Infrastructure,” In Green Computing Conference and Workships (IGCC), 2011 International, pp. 1-8, IEEE, 2011.
Akhlaghinia, M., et al., “Occupancy Monitoring in Intelligent Environment Through Integrated Wireless Localizing Agents,” In 2009 IEEE Symposium on intelligent Agetns, Piscataway, NJ, USA, vol. 30, 2009, 7 pages.
Aprilaire Electronic Thermostats, “User's Manual Installation and Programming,” Dec. 2000.
Braeburn, “Premier Series Programmable Thermostats,” pp. 1-20, 2011.
Braeburn, “Premier Series Universal Auto Changeover 5300,” pp. 1-15, 2009.
Carrier, “SYSTXCCUIZ01-V Infinity Control Installation Instructions,” pp. 1-20, 2012.
Carrier, “TB-PAC TB-PHP Base Series Programmable Thermostats Installation Instructions,” 8 pages, 2012.
Davis, Gray, “Buildings End-Use energy Efficiency; Alternatives to Compressor Cooling,” California Energy Commission, 80 pages, Jan. 2000.
Deleeuw, Scott., “Ecobee WiFi enabled Smart Thermostat Part 2: The Features review,” pp. 1-7, Dec. 2, 2011.
Ecobee, “Smart Si Thermostat User Manual,” 44 pages, 2012. EB-SmartSiUM-01rev1.
Ecobee, “Smart Thermostat User's Manual,” 20 pages, 2010. UM-STAT-106-R4.
Fountain, M. et al., “Comfort control for short-term occupancy,” Center for the Built Environment, UC Berkeley, 15 pages, Publicized Jan. 14, 1994.
Goa, Ge et al., “The Self-Programming Thermostat: Optimizing Setback Schedules based on Home Occupancy Patterns,” BuildSys—09, 6 pages, Nov. 3, 2009.
Honeywell, “Installation Guide VisionPRO TH8000 Series,” pp. 1-11, 2012. 69-2693-01.
Honeywell, “Operating Manual FocusPRO TH6000 Series,” pp. 1-24, 2011. 69-1921EFS-03.
Honeywell, “Perfect Climate Comfort Center control systems,” pp. 1-44, 2001. 68-0173-3.
Honeywell, “T8611G Chronotherm IV Deluxe Programmable Heat Pump Thermostat Installation Instructions,” pp. 1-24, 1997. 69-1406-1.
Honeywell, “THX9321 Prestige 2.0 and THX9421 Prestige IAQ 2.0 with EIM,” 160 pages, 2012. 68-0311-02.
Lennox, “homeowner's manual ConfortSense 5000 Series.”
Lennox, “Homeowner's Manual icomfort Touch Thermostat,” pp. 1-20, Dec. 2010. 506053-01.
Lennox, “Owner's Guide, ComfortSense 5000 Series Models L5711U and L5732U Programmable Touch Screen Thermostats,” p. 1-32, Feb. 2008. 506067-01.
Lu, Jiakang et al., “The Smart Thermostat: Using Occupancy Sensors to Save Energy in Homes,” 14 pages, SenSys '10, Nov. 3-5, 2010.
LuxPro, “Instruction Manual LuxPro PSPU732T.” 48 pages, Before 2013. PSPU732T Manual.
Network Thermostat, “Nex/X WiFi Thermostat,” 2 pages, 2013.
Robertshaw, “9620 Digital Programmable Thermostat User's Manual,” pp. 1-14, 2001. 110-732E.
Robertshaw, “9801i2, 9825i2 Deluxe Programmable Thermostats,” pp. 1-36, Jul. 17, 2006.
Trane, “ComfortLink II Installation Guide”, pp. 1-20, Mar. 2011. 18-HD64D1-1.
Trane, “TCONT600AF11MA Programmable Comfort Control, Installation Instructions,” pp. 1-14, 2006. Pub. No. 18-HD25D20-3.
Trane, “Trane communicating Thermostats for Fan Coil Control, User Guide,” pp. 1-32, May 2011. BAS-SVU12A-EN.
Trane, “Trane communicating Thermostats for Heat Pump Control,” pp. 1-32, May 2011. BAS-SVU10A-EN.
Venstar, “Residential Thermostat T5800 Owner's Manual and Installation Instructions”, Revision 5b, 63 pages, before 2013. P/N88-860.
Washington State University Extension Energy Program, “Electric Heat Lock Out on Heat Pumps,” pp. 1-3, Apr. 2010.
White Rodgers, “Emerson Blue Wireless Comfort Interface 1F98EZ-1621,” Emerson Climate Technologies, 28 pages, before 2013. Part No. 37/7236-A.
Bay Controls LLC. “Bayweb Thermostat Model BW-WT2 Owner's Manual,” Revision 1.8, 31 pages. Nov 2, 2011. Document # BW-WT4-2DOC.
Honeywell, “CT8775A,C The Digital Round(™) Non-Programmable thermostats,” Honeywell International Inc. 20 pages, 2004. 69-1676-1.
Mozer, “The Neural Network House: An Environment that Adapts to its Inhabitants,” University of Colorado Department of Computer Science. AAA1. pp. 110-114. 1998. AAA1 Techinical Report SS98-02-017.
Mozer, “Lessons from an Adaptive House,” University of Colorado Department of Computer Science. 58 pages. http://www.cs.colorado.edu/˜mozer/adaptive-house, downloaded Nov. 7, 2011.
“Nest Learning Thermostat Efficiency Simulation White PAper,” 22 pages, Oct. 21, 2011. 6 sections.
“Quad Six Magic-Stat(®) Thermostat MS2000 Manual 88-610M—0—001986,” 40 pages, 1986. 090051B 88610M.
Ecobee, “Introducing the new Smart Si Thermostat,” 7 pages, prior to Jul. 17, 2012.
Ecobee, “Smart Thermostat,” 6 pages, 2011.
Lennox, “Homeowner's Manual ComfortSense 5000 Series,” 32 pages, Feb. 2008.
Lennox, “Homeowner's Manual ComfortSense 7000 Series,” pp. 1-15, May 2009.
Venstar, “Commercial Thermostats T2900, Owner's Manual,” pp. 1-26.2, Apr. 2008.
VisionPRO TH8000 Series Installation Guide, Honeywell International Inc., 2012, 12 pages.
VisionPRO Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat Model TH8320WF, Honeywell Internaitonal Inc., 2012, 48 pages.
Braeburn, “Braeburn Premier Series Programmable Thermostats, Model 5200,” 11 pages, 2011.
Braeburn, “Braeburn Premier Series Universal Auto Changeover Up to 3 Heat/2 Cool Heat Pump, or 2 Heat/2 Cool Conventional Thermostat, Model 5300, Installer Guide,” 10 pages, 2009.
http://ambientdevices-myshopify.com/products/energy-joule, “Ambient Devices—Energy Joule,” 1 page, printed Dec. 4, 2013.
http://www.icy.nl/en/consumer/products/clever-thermostat-pro, “Clever Thermostat Pro-ICY,” Overview, 1 page, printed Dec. 4, 2013.
http://ambientdevices.com/about/energy-devices, “Ambient Products,” 2 pages, 2013.
Honeywell, “VisionPro TH8000 Series Touchscreen Programmable Thermostat,” Operating Manual, 32 pages, 2011.
http://www.icy.nl/en/consumerproducts/clever-thermostat, “The Clever Thermostat—ICY,” 1 page, printed Dec. 4, 2013.
http://www.icy.nl/en/consumerproducts/clever-thermostat, “The Clever Thermostat—ICY,” Features, 1 page, printed Dec. 4, 2013.
ICY, “ICY Timer Thermostat Connection to District Heating, Honeywell VC8015 en VC8615,” 1 page, downloaded Dec. 4, 2013.
“ICY 18xx Timer-Thermostats,” User Manual and Installation Guide, 1 page, 2009.
http://www.icy.nl/en/consumerproducts/clever-thermostat, “The Clever Thermostat—ICY,” Overview, 1 page, printed Dec. 4, 2013.
http://www.duurzaamthuis.nl/review-slimme-thermostat-icy, “Review Slimme Thermostaat ICY,” 5 pages, Feb. 17, 2011.
Network Thermostat, “Network Thermostat RP32-WiFi, Wi-Fi Thermostat,” 2 pages, 2012.
Network Thermostat, “Network Thermostat RP32 Universal Programmable Communicating Thermostat, Installation and Programming Instructions,” 6 pages, downloaded Dec. 5, 2013.
California Energy Commision, “Buildings End-Use Energy Efficiency, Alternatives to Compressor Cooling,” 80 pages, Jan. 2000.
Reissues (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 11704414 Feb 2007 US
Child 13551543 US