US6164374A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermostat having a multiple color signal capability with single indicator opening
Assignee: Emerson Electric Co
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Filing: 1998-07-02
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Granted: 2000-12-26
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Expires: 2018-07-02
Abstract
Abstract A thermostat for operating a climate control system, the thermostat comprising a base, a bi-color LED on the base capable of producing at least two distinct illuminated signals, and a cover for the base, the cover having a single signal opening which is aligned with the bi-color LED when the cover is on the base to provide at least two distinct lighted signals in a thermostat through a single signal opening in the cover.
Inventors
- 👤 William D. Rhodes
- 👤 Bartholomew L. Toth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:17
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A thermostat for operating a climate control system, the thermostat comprising at least one LED capable of producing at least two differently colored signals indicative of the status of the climate control system, a cover enclosing at least one LED and having a single viewing opening enabling at least two differently colored signals to be viewed through the single viewing opening in the cover.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
A thermostat for operating a climate control system, the thermostat comprising at least one LED capable of producing at least two differently colored signals indicative of the status of the climate control system, a cover enclosing at least one LED and having a single viewing opening enabling at least two differently colored signals to be viewed through the single viewing opening in the cover.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the at least one LED comprises a bi-color LED.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the at least one LED comprises at least two LED's.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
A thermostat for operating a climate control system, the thermostat comprising a base, a light source on the base for providing at least two differently colored signal lights indicative of the status of the climate control system; a cover having a single indicator opening; and a light guide for transmitting the light from the light source to the indicator opening in the cover.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
A thermostat for operating a climate control system, the thermostat comprising a base, a light source on the base for providing at least two differently colored signal lights indicative of the status of the climate control system; a cover having a single indicator opening; and a light guide for transmitting the light from the light source to the indicator opening in the cover.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The thermostat according to claim 4 wherein the light source comprises a bi-color LED.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A thermostat for operating a climate control system, the thermostat comprising a base, a bi-color LED on the base capable of producing at least two distinctly colored illuminated signals, and a cover for the base, the cover having a single signal opening which is aligned with the bi-color LED when the cover is on the base.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
A thermostat for operating a climate control system, the thermostat comprising a base, a bi-color LED on the base capable of producing at least two distinctly colored illuminated signals, and a cover for the base, the cover having a single signal opening which is aligned with the bi-color LED when the cover is on the base.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
120 words
A thermostat for operating a climate control system and producing at least two distinctly colored illuminated signals indicating non-coincident operating conditions of the climate control system, the thermostat comprising a base, a bi-color LED on the base capable of producing at least two distinctly colored illuminated signals, a circuit connectable to the climate control system for operating a bi-color LED to produce a first illuminated signal of a first color upon the occurrence of a first condition, and a second illuminated signal of a second color upon the occurrence of a second condition; and a cover for the base, the cover having a single signal opening which is aligned with the bi-color LED when the cover is on the base.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
120 words
A thermostat for operating a climate control system and producing at least two distinctly colored illuminated signals indicating non-coincident operating conditions of the climate control system, the thermostat comprising a base, a bi-color LED on the base capable of producing at least two distinctly colored illuminated signals, a circuit connectable to the climate control system for operating a bi-color LED to produce a first illuminated signal of a first color upon the occurrence of a first condition, and a second illuminated signal of a second color upon the occurrence of a second condition; and a cover for the base, the cover having a single signal opening which is aligned with the bi-color LED when the cover is on the base.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
The thermostat according to claim 7 wherein the bi-color LED comprises two LED's, and is capable of producing at least three distinctly colored illuminated signals, a first signal when one of the LED's is energized, a second signal when the other of the LED's is energized, and a third signal when both of the LED's are energized.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
The thermostat according to claim 8 wherein the thermostat produces at least three distinctly colored illuminated signals, the circuit energizing one of the LED's upon the occurrence of a first condition in the climate control system, energizing the other of the LED's upon the occurrence of a second condition in the climate control system, and energizing both of the LED's upon the occurrence of a third condition in the climate control system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The thermostat according to claim 9 wherein the bi-color LED produces a green light when one of the LED's is lit, a red light when the other of the LED's is lit, and a yellow light when both of the LED's are lit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
The thermostat according to claim 10 wherein the climate control system comprises a heat pump including a compressor, an auxiliary heater, and an emergency heater and wherein the circuit drives the bi-color LED to produce a green light when the compressor is operating; to produce a yellow light when the auxiliary heater is operating; and to produce red light when the emergency heater is operating.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The thermostat according to claim 11 wherein the circuit drives the bi-color LED to produce a blinking red light in the event of a climate control system malfunction.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-12-26 | 2004-06-26 | 2004-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-26 | 2008-06-26 | 2008-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-26 | 2012-06-26 | 2012-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |