Electronically controlled programmable digital thermostat having variable threshold hysteresis with time

Claim 2

A thermostat system for controlling heating and cooling systems supplying an indoor area to maintain desired ambient temperatures during selected time periods in said area, said thermostat system comprising; (a) temperature sensing means including at least one temperature sensor for sensing the ambient temperature of said area and for providing a digital signal indicative thereof; (b) means for generating time signals; (c) digital circuit means having a plurality of input and output terminals, said digital circuit means being coupled to said time signal means and said temperature sensing means for receiving said time signals and for monitoring said ambient temperature, said digital circuit means including logic circuitry for storing digital coded information entered therein while said information is being processed, said digital circuit means being responsive to real time and ambient temperature and to said digital coded information for controlling the heating and cooling systems in accordance with an electronic threshold hysteresis temperature which is variable with time in discrete steps around said desired ambient temperature, said discrete steps successively approaching the ambient temperature; (d) data entry means coupled to said digital circuit means for entering said digital coded information into said digital circuit means; (e) display means for displaying desired parameters of time and temperature including information entered from said data entry means; and (f) electrically controllable switch means coupled to at least one of said output terminals for selectively activating and deactivating said heating and cooling systems in accordance with a signal from said digital processor means derived from a comparison of the ambient temperature with the electronic threshold hysteresis temperature.

Claim 3

A thermostat system for controlling heating and cooling systems supplying an indoor area to maintain desired ambient temperatures during selected time periods in said area, said thermostat system comprising; (a) temperature sensing means including at least one temperature sensor for sensing the ambient temperature of said area and for providing a digital signal indicative thereof; (b) means for generating time signals; (c) digital circuit means having a plurality of input and output terminals, said digital circuit means being coupled to said time signal means and said temperature sensing means for receiving said time signals and for monitoring said ambient temperature, said digital circuit means including logic circuitry for storing digital coded information entered therein while said information is being processed, said digital circuit means being responsive to real time and ambient temperature and to said digital coded information for controlling the heating and cooling systems in accordance with an electronic threshold hysteresis temperature which is variable with time in discrete steps around said desired ambient temperature, said logic circuitry produces a threshold hysteresis temperature characteristic which is a first value for a fixed period of time and changes to at least a second value unless the ambient temperature reaches said first value before such change to said second value which activates or deactivates said heating and cooling system causing said threshold hysteresis temperature to change to a first value of opposite polarity around said desired ambient temperature from said first value and remain at said first value of opposite polarity for a fixed period of time and then change to at least a second value of opposite polarity unless the ambient temperature reaches said first value of opposite polarity before such change to said at least second value of opposite polarity which again activates or deactivates said heating and cooling system; (d) entry means coupled to said digital circuit means for entering said digital coded information into said digital circuit means; (e) display means for displaying desired parameters of time and temperature including information entered from said data entry means; and (f) electrically controllable switch means coupled to at least one of said output terminals for selectively activating and deactivating said heating and cooling systems in accordance with a signal from said digital processor means derived from a comparison of the ambient temperature with the electronic threshold hysteresis temperature.

Claim 4

A thermostat system for controlling heating and cooling systems supplying an indoor area to maintain desired ambient temperatures during selected time periods in said area, said thermostat system comprising; (a) temperature sensing means including at least one temperature sensor for sensing the ambient temperature of said area and for providing a digital signal indicative thereof; (b) means for generating time signals; (c) digital circuit means having a plurality of input and output terminals, said digital circuit means being coupled to said time signal means and said temperature sensing means for receiving said time signals and for monitoring said ambient temperature, said digital circuit means including logic circuitry for storing digital coded information entered therein while said information is being processed, said digital circuit means being responsive to real time and ambient temperature and to said digital coded information for controlling the heating and cooling systems in accordance with an electronic threshold hysteresis temperature which is variable with time in discrete steps around said desired ambient temperature, said logic circuitry produces a threshold hysteresis temperature characteristic which is a first value for a fixed period of time and changes to at least a second value unless the ambient temperature reaches said first value before such change to said second value which activates or deactivates said heating and cooling system causing said threshold hysteresis temperature to change to a first value of opposite polarity around said desired ambient temperature from said first value and remain at said first value of opposite polarity for a fixed period of time and then change to at least a second value of opposite polarity unless the ambient temperature reaches said first value of opposite polarity before such change to said at least second value of opposite polarity which again activates or deactivates said heating and cooling system; (d) entry means coupled to said digital circuit means for entering said digital coded information into said digital circuit means; (e) display means for displaying desired parameters of time and temperature including information entered from said data entry means; and (f) electrically controllable switch means coupled to at least one of said output terminals for selectively activating and deactivating said heating and cooling systems in accordance with a signal from said digital processor means derived from a comparison of the ambient temperature with the electronic threshold hysteresis temperature.

Claim 5

A thermostat system according to claim 2 wherein said first temperature value is equal to said first temperature value of opposite polarity.

Claim 6

A thermostat system according to claim 3 wherein said equal value is in the range of 0° to 1° F.

Claim 7

A thermostat system according to claim 2 wherein said fixed period during the cool cycle is different from the fixed period during the heat cycle.

Claim 8

A thermostat system according to claim 5 wherein said fixed period during the cool cycle is approximately ten minutes and the fixed period during the heat cycle is approximately six minutes.

Claim 9

A thermostat system for controlling heating and cooling systems supplying an indoor area to maintain desired ambient temperatures during selected time periods in said area, said thermostat system comprising; (a) temperature sensing means including at least one temperature sensor for sensing the ambient temperature of said area and for providing a digital signal indicative thereof; (b) means for generating time signals; (c) digital circuit means having a plurality of input and output terminals, said digital circuit means being coupled to said time signal means and said temperature sensing means for receiving said time signals and for monitoring said ambient temperature, said digital circuit means including logic circuitry for storing digital coded information entered therein while said information is being processed, said digital circuit means being responsive to real time and ambient temperature and to said digital coded information for controlling the heating and cooling systems in accordance with an electronic threshold hysteresis temperature which is variable with time in discrete steps around said desired ambient temperature, said hysteresis temperature varying in a stairstep manner around said desired ambient temperature; (d) data entry means coupled to said digital circuit means for entering said digital coded information into said digital circuit means; (e) display means for displaying desired parameters of time and temperature including information entered from said data entry means; and (f) electrically controllable switch means coupled to at least one of said output terminals for selectively activating and deactivating said heating and cooling systems in accordance with a signal from said digital processor means derived from a comparison of the ambient temperature with the electronic threshold hysteresis temperature.

Claim 10

A thermostat system for controlling heating and cooling systems supplying an indoor area to maintain desired ambient temperatures during selected time periods in said area, said thermostat system comprising; (a) temperature sensing means including at least one temperature sensor for sensing the ambient temperature of said area and for providing a digital signal indicative thereof; (b) means for generating time signals; (c) digital circuit means having a plurality of input and output terminals, said digital circuit means being coupled to said time signal means and said temperature sensing means for receiving said time signals and for monitoring said ambient temperature, said digital circuit means including logic circuitry for storing digital coded information entered therein while said information is being processed, said digital circuit means being responsive to real time and ambient temperature and to said digital coded information for controlling the heating and cooling systems in accordance with an electronic threshold hysteresis temperature which is variable with time in discrete steps around said desired ambient temperature, said hysteresis temperature varying in a stairstep manner around said desired ambient temperature; (d) data entry means coupled to said digital circuit means for entering said digital coded information into said digital circuit means; (e) display means for displaying desired parameters of time and temperature including information entered from said data entry means; and (f) electrically controllable switch means coupled to at least one of said output terminals for selectively activating and deactivating said heating and cooling systems in accordance with a signal from said digital processor means derived from a comparison of the ambient temperature with the electronic threshold hysteresis temperature.

Claim 11

A thermostat system for controlling heating and cooling systems supplying an indoor area to maintain desired ambient temperatures during selected time periods in said area, said thermostat system comprising; (a) temperature sensing means including at least one temperature sensor for sensing the ambient temperature of said area and for providing a digital signal indicative thereof; (b) means for generating time signals; (c) digital circuit means having a plurality of input and output terminals, said digital circuit means being coupled to said time signal means and said temperature sensing means for receiving said time signals and for monitoring said ambient temperature, said digital circuit means including logic circuitry for storing digital coded information entered therein while said information is being processed, said digital circuit means being responsive to real time and ambient temperature and to said digital coded information for controlling the heating and cooling systems in accordance with an electronic threshold hysteresis temperature which is variable with time in discrete steps around said desired ambient temperature and including a second variable threshold hysteresis which varies in discrete steps around said desired ambient temperature and means for selecting either of said variable threshold hysteresis characteristics to control the ambient temperature; (d) data entry means coupled to said digital circuit means for entering said digital coded information into said digital circuit means; (e) display means for displaying desired parameters of time and temperature including information entered from said data entry means; and (f) electrically controllable switch means coupled to at least one of said output terminals for selectively activating and deactivating said heating and cooling systems in accordance with a signal from said digital processor means derived from a comparison of the ambient temperature with the electronic threshold hysteresis temperature.

Claim 12

A thermostat system for controlling heating and cooling systems supplying an indoor area to maintain desired ambient temperatures during selected time periods in said area, said thermostat system comprising; (a) temperature sensing means including at least one temperature sensor for sensing the ambient temperature of said area and for providing a digital signal indicative thereof; (b) means for generating time signals; (c) digital circuit means having a plurality of input and output terminals, said digital circuit means being coupled to said time signal means and said temperature sensing means for receiving said time signals and for monitoring said ambient temperature, said digital circuit means including logic circuitry for storing digital coded information entered therein while said information is being processed, said digital circuit means being responsive to real time and ambient temperature and to said digital coded information for controlling the heating and cooling systems in accordance with an electronic threshold hysteresis temperature which is variable with time in discrete steps around said desired ambient temperature and including a second variable threshold hysteresis which varies in discrete steps around said desired ambient temperature and means for selecting either of said variable threshold hysteresis characteristics to control the ambient temperature; (d) data entry means coupled to said digital circuit means for entering said digital coded information into said digital circuit means; (e) display means for displaying desired parameters of time and temperature including information entered from said data entry means; and (f) electrically controllable switch means coupled to at least one of said output terminals for selectively activating and deactivating said heating and cooling systems in accordance with a signal from said digital processor means derived from a comparison of the ambient temperature with the electronic threshold hysteresis temperature.

Claim 13

A thermostat system for controlling heating and cooling systems supplying an indoor area to maintain desired ambient temperatures during selected time periods in said area, said thermostat system comprising; (a) temperature sensing means including at least one temperature sensor for sensing the ambient temperature of said area and for providing a digital signal indicative thereof; (b) means for generating time signals; (c) digital processor means having a plurality of input and output terminals, said digital processor means being coupled to said time signal means and said temperature sensing means for receiving said time signals and for continually monitoring said ambient temperature, said digital processor means including a memory for storing digital coded information entered therein while said information is being processed, said digital processor means being responsive to real time and ambient temperature and to said digital coded information for controlling the heating and cooling systems in accordance with a stored instruction sequence which provides an electronic threshold hysteresis temperature which is variable with time in discrete steps around said desired ambient temperature, said electronic threshold hysteresis characteristic limits the cycling rate of the heating system in the range of five to eight cycles per hour and the cooling system in the range of two to five cycles per hour; (d) data entry means coupled to said digital processor means for entering said digital coded information into said digital processor means; (e) digital display means for displaying desired parameters of time and temperature including information entered from said data entry means; and (f) electrically controllable switch means coupled to at least one of said output terminals for selectively activating and deactivating said heating and cooling systems in accordance with a signal from said digital processor means derived from a comparison of the embient temperature with the electronic threshold hysteresis temperature.

Claim 14

A thermostat system for controlling heating and cooling systems supplying an indoor area to maintain desired ambient temperatures during selected time periods in said area, said thermostat system comprising; (a) temperature sensing means including at least one temperature sensor for sensing the ambient temperature of said area and for providing a digital signal indicative thereof; (b) means for generating time signals; (c) digital processor means having a plurality of input and output terminals, said digital processor means being coupled to said time signal means and said temperature sensing means for receiving said time signals and for continually monitoring said ambient temperature, said digital processor means including a memory for storing digital coded information entered therein while said information is being processed, said digital processor means being responsive to real time and ambient temperature and to said digital coded information for controlling the heating and cooling systems in accordance with a stored instruction sequence which provides an electronic threshold hysteresis temperature which is variable with time in discrete steps around said desired ambient temperature, said electronic threshold hysteresis characteristic limits the cycling rate of the heating system in the range of five to eight cycles per hour and the cooling system in the range of two to five cycles per hour; (d) data entry means coupled to said digital processor means for entering said digital coded information into said digital processor means; (e) digital display means for displaying desired parameters of time and temperature including information entered from said data entry means; and (f) electrically controllable switch means coupled to at least one of said output terminals for selectively activating and deactivating said heating and cooling systems in accordance with a signal from said digital processor means derived from a comparison of the embient temperature with the electronic threshold hysteresis temperature.

Claim 15

A thermostat system for controlling heating and cooling systems supplying an indoor area to maintain desired ambient temperatures during selected time periods in said area, said thermostat system comprising; (a) temperature sensing means including at least one temperature sensor for sensing the ambient temperature of said area and for providing a digital signal indicative thereof; (b) means for generating time signals; (c) digital processor means having a plurality of input and output terminals, said digital processor means being coupled to said time signal means and said temperature sensing means for receiving said time signals and for continually monitoring said ambient temperature, said digital processor means including a memory for storing digital coded information entered therein while said information is being processed, said digital processor means being responsive to real time and ambient temperature and to said digital coded information for controlling the heating and cooling systems in accordance with a stored instruction sequence which provides an electronic threshold hysteresis temperature which is variable with time in discrete steps around said desired ambient temperature, said discrete steps successively approach the ambient temperature; (d) data entry means coupled to said digital processor means for entering said digital coded information into said digital processor means; (e) digital display means for displaying desired parameters of time and temperature including information entered from said data entry means; and (f) electrically controllable switch means coupled to at least one of said output terminals for selectively activating and deactivating said heating and cooling systems in accordance with a signal from said digital processor means derived from a comparison of the ambient temperature with the electronic threshold hysteresis temperature.

Claim 16

A thermostat system for controlling heating and cooling systems supplying an indoor area to maintain desired ambient temperatures during selected time periods in said area, said thermostat system comprising; (a) temperature sensing means including at least one temperature sensor for sensing the ambient temperature of said area and for providing a digital signal indicative thereof; (b) means for generating time signals; (c) digital processor means having a plurality of input and output terminals, said digital processor means being coupled to said time signal means and said temperature sensing means for receiving said time signals and for continually monitoring said ambient temperature, said digital processor means including a memory for storing digital coded information entered therein while said information is being processed, said digital processor means being responsive to real time and ambient temperature and to said digital coded information for controlling the heating and cooling systems in accordance with a stored instruction sequence which provides an electronic threshold hysteresis temperature which is variable with time in discrete steps around said desired ambient temperature, said discrete steps successively approach the ambient temperature; (d) data entry means coupled to said digital processor means for entering said digital coded information into said digital processor means; (e) digital display means for displaying desired parameters of time and temperature including information entered from said data entry means; and (f) electrically controllable switch means coupled to at least one of said output terminals for selectively activating and deactivating said heating and cooling systems in accordance with a signal from said digital processor means derived from a comparison of the ambient temperature with the electronic threshold hysteresis temperature.

Claim 17

A thermostat system for controlling heating and cooling systems supplying an indoor area to maintain desired ambient temperatures during selected time periods in said area, said thermostat system comprising; (a) temperature sensing means including at least one temperature sensor for sensing the ambient temperature of said area and for providing a digital signal indicative thereof; (b) means for generating time signals; (c) digital processor means having a plurality of input and output terminals, said digital processor means being coupled to said time signal means and said temperature sensing means for receiving said time signals and for continually monitoring said ambient temperature, said digital processor means including a memory for storing digital coded information entered therein while said information is being processed, said digital processor means being responsive to real time and ambient temperature and to said digital coded information for controlling the heating and cooling systems in accordance with a stored instruction sequence which provides an electronic threshold hysteresis temperature which is variable with time in discrete steps around said desired ambient temperature, said memory produces a threshold hysteresis temperature characteristic which is a first value for a fixed period of time and changes to at least a second value unless the ambient temperature reaches said first value before such change to said second value which activates or deactivates said heating and cooling system causing said threshold hysteresis temperature to change to a first value of opposite polarity around said desired ambient temperature from said first value and remain at said first value of opposite polarity for a fixed period of time and then change to at least a second value of opposite polarity unless the ambient temperature reaches said first value of opposite polarity before such change to said at least second value of opposite polarity which again activates or deactivates said heating and cooling system; (d) data entry means coupled to said digital processor means for entering said digital coded information into said digital processor means; (e) digital display means for displaying desired parameters of time and temperature including information entered from said data entry means; and (f) electrically controllable switch means coupled to at least one of said output terminals for selectively activating and deactivating said heating and cooling systems in accordance with a signal from said digital processor means derived from a comparison of the ambient temperature with the electronic threshold hysteresis temperature.

Claim 18

A thermostat system for controlling heating and cooling systems supplying an indoor area to maintain desired ambient temperatures during selected time periods in said area, said thermostat system comprising; (a) temperature sensing means including at least one temperature sensor for sensing the ambient temperature of said area and for providing a digital signal indicative thereof; (b) means for generating time signals; (c) digital processor means having a plurality of input and output terminals, said digital processor means being coupled to said time signal means and said temperature sensing means for receiving said time signals and for continually monitoring said ambient temperature, said digital processor means including a memory for storing digital coded information entered therein while said information is being processed, said digital processor means being responsive to real time and ambient temperature and to said digital coded information for controlling the heating and cooling systems in accordance with a stored instruction sequence which provides an electronic threshold hysteresis temperature which is variable with time in discrete steps around said desired ambient temperature, said memory produces a threshold hysteresis temperature characteristic which is a first value for a fixed period of time and changes to at least a second value unless the ambient temperature reaches said first value before such change to said second value which activates or deactivates said heating and cooling system causing said threshold hysteresis temperature to change to a first value of opposite polarity around said desired ambient temperature from said first value and remain at said first value of opposite polarity for a fixed period of time and then change to at least a second value of opposite polarity unless the ambient temperature reaches said first value of opposite polarity before such change to said at least second value of opposite polarity which again activates or deactivates said heating and cooling system; (d) data entry means coupled to said digital processor means for entering said digital coded information into said digital processor means; (e) digital display means for displaying desired parameters of time and temperature including information entered from said data entry means; and (f) electrically controllable switch means coupled to at least one of said output terminals for selectively activating and deactivating said heating and cooling systems in accordance with a signal from said digital processor means derived from a comparison of the ambient temperature with the electronic threshold hysteresis temperature.

Claim 19

A thermostat system according to claim 11 wherein said first temperature value is equal to said first temperature value of opposite polarity.

Claim 20

A thermostat system according to claim 12 wherein said equal value is in the range of 0° to 1° F.

Claim 21

A thermostat system according to claim 11 wherein said fixed period during the cool cycle is different from the fixed period during the heat cycle.

Claim 22

A thermostat system according to claim 14 wherein said fixed period during the cool cycle is approximately ten minutes and the fixed period during the heat cycle is approximately six minutes.

Claim 23

A thermostat system for controlling heating and cooling systems supplying an indoor area to maintain desired ambient temperatures during selected time periods in said area, said thermostat system comprising; (a) temperature sensing means including at least one temperature sensor for sensing the ambient temperature of said area and for providing a digital signal indicative thereof; (b) means for generating time signals; (c) digital processor means having a plurality of input and output terminals, said digital processor means being coupled to said time signal means and said temperature sensing means for receiving said time signals and for continually monitoring said ambient temperature, said digital processor means including a memory for storing digital coded information entered therein while said information is being processed, said digital processor means being responsive to real time and ambient temperature and to said digital coded information for controlling the heating and cooling systems in accordance with a stored instruction sequence which provides an electronic threshold hysteresis temperature which is variable with time in discrete steps around said desired ambient temperature, said hysteresis temperature varying in a stairstep manner around said desired ambient temperature; (d) data entry means coupled to said digital processor means for entering said digital coded information into said digital processor means; (e) digital display means for displaying desired parameters of time and temperature including information entered from said data entry means; and (f) electrically controllable switch means coupled to at least one of said output terminals for selectively activating and deactivating said heating and cooling systems in accordance with a signal from said digital processor means derived from a comparison of the ambient temperature with the electronic threshold hysteresis temperature.

Claim 24

A thermostat system for controlling heating and cooling systems supplying an indoor area to maintain desired ambient temperatures during selected time periods in said area, said thermostat system comprising; (a) temperature sensing means including at least one temperature sensor for sensing the ambient temperature of said area and for providing a digital signal indicative thereof; (b) means for generating time signals; (c) digital processor means having a plurality of input and output terminals, said digital processor means being coupled to said time signal means and said temperature sensing means for receiving said time signals and for continually monitoring said ambient temperature, said digital processor means including a memory for storing digital coded information entered therein while said information is being processed, said digital processor means being responsive to real time and ambient temperature and to said digital coded information for controlling the heating and cooling systems in accordance with a stored instruction sequence which provides an electronic threshold hysteresis temperature which is variable with time in discrete steps around said desired ambient temperature, said hysteresis temperature varying in a stairstep manner around said desired ambient temperature; (d) data entry means coupled to said digital processor means for entering said digital coded information into said digital processor means; (e) digital display means for displaying desired parameters of time and temperature including information entered from said data entry means; and (f) electrically controllable switch means coupled to at least one of said output terminals for selectively activating and deactivating said heating and cooling systems in accordance with a signal from said digital processor means derived from a comparison of the ambient temperature with the electronic threshold hysteresis temperature.

Claim 25

A thermostat system for controlling heating and cooling systems supplying an indoor area to maintain desired ambient temperatures during selected time periods in said area, said thermostat system comprising; (a) temperature sensing means including at least one temperature sensor for sensing the ambient temperature of said area and for providing a digital signal indicative thereof; (b) means for generating time signals; (c) digital processor means having a plurality of input and output terminals, said digital processor means being coupled to said time signal means and said temperature sensing means for receiving said time signals and for continually monitoring said ambient temperature, said digital processor means including a memory for storing digital coded information entered therein while said information is being processed, said digital processor means being responsive to real time and ambient temperature and to said digital coded information for controlling the heating and cooling systems in accordance with a stored instruction sequence which provides an electronic threshold hysteresis temperature which is variable with time in discrete steps around said desired ambient temperature and including a second variable threshold hysteresis which varies in discrete steps around said desired ambient temperature and means for selecting either of said variable threshold hysteresis characteristics to control the ambient temperature; (d) data entry means coupled to said digital processor means for entering said digital coded information into said digital processor means; (e) digital display means for displaying desired parameters of time and temperature including information entered from said data entry means; and (f) electrically controllable switch means coupled to at least one of said output terminals for selectively activating and deactivating said heating and cooling systems in accordance with a signal from said digital processor means derived from a comparison of the ambient temperature with the electronic threshold hysteresis temperature.

Claim 26

A thermostat system for controlling heating and cooling systems supplying an indoor area to maintain desired ambient temperatures during selected time periods in said area, said thermostat system comprising; (a) temperature sensing means including at least one temperature sensor for sensing the ambient temperature of said area and for providing a digital signal indicative thereof; (b) means for generating time signals; (c) digital processor means having a plurality of input and output terminals, said digital processor means being coupled to said time signal means and said temperature sensing means for receiving said time signals and for continually monitoring said ambient temperature, said digital processor means including a memory for storing digital coded information entered therein while said information is being processed, said digital processor means being responsive to real time and ambient temperature and to said digital coded information for controlling the heating and cooling systems in accordance with a stored instruction sequence which provides an electronic threshold hysteresis temperature which is variable with time in discrete steps around said desired ambient temperature and including a second variable threshold hysteresis which varies in discrete steps around said desired ambient temperature and means for selecting either of said variable threshold hysteresis characteristics to control the ambient temperature; (d) data entry means coupled to said digital processor means for entering said digital coded information into said digital processor means; (e) digital display means for displaying desired parameters of time and temperature including information entered from said data entry means; and (f) electrically controllable switch means coupled to at least one of said output terminals for selectively activating and deactivating said heating and cooling systems in accordance with a signal from said digital processor means derived from a comparison of the ambient temperature with the electronic threshold hysteresis temperature.