Patent ID: 6824069
Filing Date: 2004-11-30
Classification: G05D

Abstract:
A programmable thermostat system for controlling space conditioning equipment comprising:A) a temperature sensor for providing an electrical signal indicative of the temperature of a conditioned space in which the temperature sensor is situated; B) a transparent touch pad juxtaposed over a liquid crystal display to constitute a touch screen for interactive interface with a user; C) a processor, said processor including: 1) a central processing unit; 2) a real time clock; 3) a memory coupled to said central processing unit for storing program and data information; and 4) an input/output unit coupled between said processor and said touch screen for carrying out information transfer therebetween, said input/output unit further including: a) a sensor input coupled to said temperature sensor for receiving said electrical signal therefrom; and b) a control output coupled to the space conditioning equipment for issuing control signals thereto; and D) a program stored in said memory for causing said central processing unit to communicate through said input/output unit to selectively: 1)a) establish on said liquid crystal display a representation of at least one button at a first predetermined position on the liquid crystal display; 1)b) read the position on the touch pad juxtaposed with said first predetermined position on the liquid crystal display to determine if the representation of said at least one button has been touched; and 1)c) if said at least one representation of a button has been touched, making a predetermined response thereto; and 2)a) periodically read said electrical signal from said temperature sensor; 2)b) in response to the value of the electrical signal read in step D)2)a) determining if at least one control signal to the space conditioning equipment is required in order to maintain the temperature in the conditioned space within a predetermined range; and 2)c) if it determined in step D)2)b) that said at least one signal is required, issuing said at least one control signal.