Abstract:
The invention involves a system for the control of the temperature of a medium within a space by utilizing a temperature-modifying device. It may include a programmable controller connected for controlling a thermal output of the temperature-modifying device to achieve the desired temperature, and an interface connected for providing information to and from the programmable controller, the interface having at least one substantially linearly moveable member with at least a position for setting a program within the programmable controller and setting the programmable controller to control the temperature-modifying device.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     The field of the invention is that of temperature control systems for controlling a system for heating and/or cooling a medium to maintain a predetermined set point temperature, and more particularly to programmable thermostats that have multiple program settings.  
         [0002]     It has been a longstanding problem in the water and air temperature control systems used in homes and offices to efficiently regulate the ambient temperature to maintain the desired level, while minimizing the amount of energy expended by the heating/cooling apparatus. The temperature control needs of a home or office are not constant over time and may, in fact, vary substantially depending on the time of day or day of the week. Historically, thermostats were highly inefficient in this regard due to the fact that only one set point temperature could be maintained.  
         [0003]     In response to this, digital and programmable thermostats were developed, which allowed for the programming of one or more set points for the thermostat, such as based upon the time of day or day of the week. Many of these thermostats utilize a microprocessor into which the user inputs the desired temperature setting information by way of a keypad or complex arrangement of buttons and switches. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,460,125 and 4,319,711 disclose a programmable wall thermostat that uses a keypad for setting the program, setting the clock, operating the thermostat, and switching therebetween. Likewise, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,337,822, 4,277,784, and 4,264,034 all disclose a digital thermostat that uses a complex arrangement of a plurality of switches and sliding members for determining these settings.  
         [0004]     These thermostats have the distinct disadvantage that they are cumbersome to program and are complicated to use. This often results in an improper setting of the thermostat and, consequently, an inefficient use of the heating/cooling apparatus. Moreover, it often occurs that the users are unaware that they have improperly programmed the thermostat or that they have not finished the programming of the thermostat and that the thermostat is not properly controlling temperature. Again, this results in an inefficient use of the heating/cooling apparatus.  
         [0005]     Therefore, a thermostat is needed which allows users to easily select among different functionality, such as setting one or more programs for various set point temperatures, setting the program clock, and operating the thermostat, while simultaneously assuring individuals that they have programmed the thermostat correctly and have, in fact, controlled the thermostat to its desired operating condition.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Embodiments of the invention include a system for the control of the temperature of a medium within a space by utilizing a temperature-modifying device. These may include a programmable controller connected for controlling a thermal output of the temperature-modifying device to achieve the desired temperature, and an interface connected for providing information to and from the programmable controller, the interface having at least one substantially linearly moveable member with at least a position for setting a program within the programmable controller and setting the programmable controller to control the temperature-modifying device.  
         [0007]     These embodiments preferably include the ability to select from among a plurality of programs, such as weekday program, a weekend program, and a daily program, and may be used with any temperature-modifying device, such as HVAC systems, geothermal systems, gas furnaces, natural gas furnaces, electric furnaces, gas water heaters, and electric water heaters.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a programmable thermostat.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2 ( a ) is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2 ( b ) is a cut-open rear elevation of a preferred embodiment.  
         [0011]     FIGS.  3 ( a )-( b ) are a schematic of a preferred embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0012]     The invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of preferred embodiments of the invention; which, however, should not be taken to limit the invention to a specific embodiment but are for explanation and understanding.  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  contains a block diagram of an embodiment of a programmable thermostat. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the invention is not limited thereto and may comprise any device or configuration of components capable of operating in the manner of the invention. In the preferred embodiment disclosed herein, information regarding the desired set point temperature, date, or time for each program is inputted to thermostat  101  by the user through input device  102  in interface  103 . Interface  103  is connected to programming device  104  of controller  105  in such a way that programming device  104  receives information inputted at input device  102 , and preferably displays this information on display device  106 .  
         [0014]     Programming device  104  also controls the operation of the temperature-modifying device  107 , which is typically a heating/cooling system for the medium whose temperature is being controlled, such as heating ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”) systems, geothermal systems, gas, natural gas, or electric furnaces or water heaters, etc. Programmable device  104  preferably stores the information received from input device  102  in memory  108 , along with an algorithm or program for operating temperature-modifying device  107  in accordance with this information.  
         [0015]     Programming device  104  may comprise any device capable of operating in the manner of the invention, such as a logic circuit on a logic board, a microprocessor, or other integrated circuit. Similarly, memory  108  may comprise electronic memory, such as RAM, SRAM, or DRAM, and the like, in an integrated circuit, such as a PROM, EPROM, or EEPROM and the like. Memory  108  may also form part of programming device  104 . Display device  106  is also not particularly limited and may comprise, for example, an electronic display, such as an LCD, LED, and the like. Input device  102  may include pressure sensitive buttons, keypads, or any other device or arrangement of devices that are capable of entering the appropriate information. The interoperation of such devices is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0016]     A comparison device  109  is preferably used to compare ambient temperature of the medium to be controlled with the desired control temperature, as determined by programming device  104  and stored in memory  108 . Comparison device  109  may detect the current ambient temperature by using a conventional temperature-sensing device, such as a thermistor, thermocouple, or other type of temperature transducer.  
         [0017]     A clock  110  is connected with connected with programming device  104  in order to provide time related information thereto for use in connection with the operation of programming device  104  and its program of temperature control. Time related information from clock  110  may also be stored in memory  108  and shown on display  106 . Clock  110  may comprise any device for providing time related information, such as a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), crystal oscillator, and the like, along with associated circuitry. The time related information provided by clock  110  is not limited and may comprise, for example, chronological time information, such as year, month, day, hour, minutes, and/or seconds, or synchronization information for programming device  104  (which may be used to calculate this information). Clock  110  may also form a part of programming device  104 .  
         [0018]     The operation of controller  105  and/or interface  103  is preferably powered by power supply  111 . Power supply  111  is not particularly limited, but may comprise any source of power capable of operating controller  105  and interface  103 , such as household current (e.g., 120 v AC at 60 Hz), or one or more batteries (e.g., 9 v DC).  
         [0019]     FIGS.  2 ( a )-( b ) are drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the invention is not limited thereto and may comprise any device or configuration of components capable of operating in the manner of the invention.  
         [0020]     In one embodiment, a programmable thermostat  150  includes a substantially linearly moveable member, such as a sliding switch  151  may be used as part of input device  102  in interface  103  ( FIG. 1 ). Sliding switch  151  may include a plurality of selectable positions to allow the user to more easily determine which information is being inputted to controller  105  and what aspect of controller  105  is being programmed. Sliding switch  151  may include selectable positions for setting at least one program and possibly a plurality of such programs, such as a weekday program, a weekend program, (or one or more daily programs, such as Saturday or Sunday, or any day of the week), and positions for setting the date/time of clock  110 , and a position for running or operating the thermostat.  
         [0021]     By moving sliding switch  151  to one of the setting positions, the thermostat user can input data via the pressure sensitive buttons  152 . This information may be used by programming device  104  ( FIG. 1 ) to generate the appropriate program or set the appropriate date/time related information. Sliding switches  153  may be used to designate whether the thermostat is in a heating mode or a cooling mode, such as when operating an HVAC system as a temperature modifying device, or to designate whether an air handler or fan is continuously in operation or turned on and off automatically.  
         [0022]     The use of a substantially linearly moveable member provides significant advantages over conventional programmable thermostats in providing for an intuitive separation of programming functions, which, in turn, allows the user to better organize the operation of the thermostat. Although a preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS.  2 ( a )-( b ), other equivalent devices will be  
         [0023]     The controller may be implemented as a logic circuit on logic board  154 , which is electrically connected to an LCD display  155 . Sliding switch  151  and pressure sensitive buttons  152  are electrically connected to logic board  154  by electrical contacts  156 . Power may be supplied to the system via batteries  157  (in this example, two 1.5 v AA batteries, although not limited thereto), which are electrically connected to logic board  154  by battery housing  158 .  
         [0024]     A schematic a preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIGS.  3 ( a )-( b ). As shown in FIGS.  3 ( a )-( b ), a microprocessor is powered by a DC power board, and, in turn, powers an LCD display. The microprocessor has a plurality of outputs to individual segments on the LCD display for outputting information thereto to be viewed by the user. The microprocessor also includes the plurality of inputs/outputs to a temperature modifying device and to a series of switches (e.g., next, hold, down, and up). One of these switches SW 2 , is selectable in this example, between a weekday program, a weekend program, date and time selection, and running or operating the thermostat. By selecting one of these positions in SW 2 , the user may designate which aspect of the program of temperature control may be inputted into the microprocessor using the remaining switches. Of course, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that this is only one possible embodiment of the invention and is not eluded thereto.  
         [0025]     While the invention as disclosed herein has been described in relation to specific embodiments thereof, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed herein, but only as set forth in the appended claims. It will be appreciated that various components known to those of skill in the art may be substituted for those described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, the input device may include a pressure keypad or a series of contact switches instead of the pressure switches disclosed herein. The display device may also include an LED display or other illuminated display mechanisms, or any of a number of conventional mechanical display mechanisms such as gauges or the like. The invention may be used in connection with any device that controls temperature.