Patent US6988671B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6988671B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Programmable thermostat incorporating air quality protection
Assignee: Johnson Controls Inc
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Filing: 2003-09-08
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Granted: 2006-01-24
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Expires: 2023-09-08
Abstract
Abstract The invention is directed to programmable temperature control in which a controller may be programmed to control a thermal output of said temperature-modifying device, and to operate an air circulating system independently of the temperature-modifying device. The apparatus may incorporate a user input for entering air handling information to program the air circulating system to operate at predetermined intervals. The controller may be further programmed to receive air filtration information from the user input and to generate air filtration output information. The system may also be programmed to receive information regarding a characteristic of the air circulating system from an sensor for use in calculating the air filtration output information.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael R. DeLuca
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:24
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/30; F24F11/32; F24F11/39; F24F11/50; F24F11/52; F24F11/523; F24F11/56; F24F11/62; F24F11/63; F24F8/00; F24F8/10; G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1902; G05D23/1904; F24F2110/00; F24F2110/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A programmable temperature control apparatus for the control of temperature in communication with a temperature-modifying device and an air circulating system, said programmable temperature control apparatus comprising: a controller programmed to control a thermal output of said temperature-modifying device to achieve a desired temperature, and to operate said air circulating system independently of said temperature-modifying device such that air circulates through the system at selected intervals sufficient to prevent buildup and growth of allergens within the system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A programmable temperature control apparatus for the control of temperature in communication with a temperature-modifying device and an air circulating system, said programmable temperature control apparatus comprising: a controller programmed to control a thermal output of said temperature-modifying device to achieve a desired temperature, and to operate said air circulating system independently of said temperature-modifying device such that air circulates through the system at selected intervals sufficient to prevent buildup and growth of allergens within the system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a user-operable input connected for entering air handling information to program said air circulating system to operate at predetermined intervals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said air handling information comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of operating periods and ON time during said operating periods.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said ON time may be set between 9 and 60 minutes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said ON time may be set in increments of 3 minutes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a user-operable input connected for entering air filtration information used by said controller to generate air filtration output information and a display for displaying said air filtration output information during said control of said thermal output of said temperature-modifying device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said air filtration control information comprises a air filter usage period that is one or more selected from the group consisting of 0 days, 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, and 120 days.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said air filtration output information comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of how much time remains in said air filter usage period, what percentage of said air filter usage period remains, and whether said air filter should be checked.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said time is represented in days.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said percentage is represented using a bar indicator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said air filtration output information is calculated using a formula based upon user-inputted filter information and operation of said air circulating system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor for sensing at least one characteristic of said air circulating system and communicating said characteristic information based thereon to said controller; and wherein said controller is further programmed to generate air filtration output information using said characteristic information and a display for displaying said air filtration output information during said control of said thermal output of said temperature-modifying device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said characteristic of said air circulating system comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of air pressure, air flow, air heat loss, fan usage, fan current draw, and fan power usage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said sensor includes a reset button for resetting said characteristic information.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said sensor is located proximate said filter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said characteristic of said air circulating system comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of air pressure, air flow, air heat loss, fan usage, fan current draw, and fan power usage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said sensor communicates with said controller using one or more selected from the group consisting of radio frequency communication, infrared communication, low voltage cabling, and household power lines.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said sensor is configured to determine at least a portion of said air filtration output information from said characteristic of said air circulating system.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of operating an air circulating system in communication with a programmable temperature control system, said method comprising the step of causing a controller programmed to control a thermal output of a temperature-modifying device to achieve a desired temperature and to independently operate said air circulating system under programmed operation such that air circulates through the system at selected intervals sufficient to prevent buildup and growth of allergens within the system.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of operating an air circulating system in communication with a programmable temperature control system, said method comprising the step of causing a controller programmed to control a thermal output of a temperature-modifying device to achieve a desired temperature and to independently operate said air circulating system under programmed operation such that air circulates through the system at selected intervals sufficient to prevent buildup and growth of allergens within the system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
74 words
A temperature control apparatus for the control of temperature in communication with a temperature-modifying device and an air circulating system, said temperature control apparatus comprising: a controller to control a thermal output of said temperature-modifying device to achieve a desired temperature, and to operate said air circulating system independently of said temperature-modifying device such that air circulates through the system at selected intervals sufficient to prevent buildup and growth of allergens within the system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
74 words
A temperature control apparatus for the control of temperature in communication with a temperature-modifying device and an air circulating system, said temperature control apparatus comprising: a controller to control a thermal output of said temperature-modifying device to achieve a desired temperature, and to operate said air circulating system independently of said temperature-modifying device such that air circulates through the system at selected intervals sufficient to prevent buildup and growth of allergens within the system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 20 , further comprising a user-operable input connected for entering air handling information to program said air circulating system to operate at predetermined intervals.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 20 , further comprising a user-operable input connected for entering air filtration information used by said controller to generate air filtration output information and a display for displaying said air filtration output information during said control of said thermal output of said temperature-modifying device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein said air filtration output information comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of how much time remains in said air filter usage period, what percentage of said air filter usage period remains, and whether said air filter should be checked.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein said air filtration output information is calculated using a formula based upon user-inputted filter information and operation of said air circulating system.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus of claim 20 , further comprising at least one sensor for sensing at least one characteristic of said air circulating system and communicating said characteristic information based thereon to said controller; and wherein said controller is further programmed to generate air filtration output information using said characteristic information and a display for displaying said air filtration output information during said control of said thermal output of said temperature-modifying device.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein said characteristic of said air circulating system comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of air pressure, air flow, air heat loss, fan usage, fan current draw, and fan power usage.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of operating an air circulating system in communication with a temperature control system, said method comprising the step of causing a controller to control a thermal output of a temperature-modifying device to achieve a desired temperature and to independently operate said air circulating system under programmed operation such that air circulates through the system at selected intervals sufficient to prevent buildup and growth of allergens within the system.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of operating an air circulating system in communication with a temperature control system, said method comprising the step of causing a controller to control a thermal output of a temperature-modifying device to achieve a desired temperature and to independently operate said air circulating system under programmed operation such that air circulates through the system at selected intervals sufficient to prevent buildup and growth of allergens within the system.
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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) | 2009-01-23 | 2009-07-25 | 2010-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-01-23 | 2013-07-25 | 2014-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-01-23 | 2017-07-25 | 2018-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |