Patent ID: 7364093
Filing Date: 2008-04-29
Classification: G05D

Abstract:
1. A thermostat for controlling the operation of one or more systems and restricting operation to a desired level, the thermostat comprising: a receiver means for receiving signals transmitted by a utility provider, to provide the thermostat with usage rate schedule signal information; a memory means for storing the transmitted usage rate schedule information, and a plurality of control set points for each system for each of the usage rate schedule periods; and a processor that looks up the appropriate stored control set point for each system for the current usage rate schedule period, and controls each system using the appropriate set point to maintain a desired operating level for each system during each usage rate schedule period, wherein when the receiver means receives a signal transmitted by a utility provider requesting the thermostat to enter into a curtailment mode of operation, the thermostat responsively discontinues operation of one or more systems for a first predetermined time period, and wherein the thermostat further comprises a second predetermined time period following the first time period, during which the thermostat looks up a control set point corresponding to the curtailment mode of operation for one or more systems and uses the control set point to control the operation of one or more systems.