USER CONTROL DEVICE WITH HOUSING CONTAINING ANGLED CIRCUIT BOARDS

A thermostat includes a housing with an interior volume, a display attached to the housing, a first circuit board positioned within the interior volume, a second circuit board positioned within the interior volume, wherein the first circuit board is positioned perpendicular to the second circuit board, processing electronics mounted to at least one of the first circuit board and the second circuit board, the processing electronics configured to operate the display, and a battery positioned within the interior volume and configured to provide power to the display and the processing electronics.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to user control devices and more particularly to thermostats for controlling a building or space's heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

A thermostat is, in general, a component of an HVAC control system. Traditional thermostats sense the temperature or other parameters (e.g., humidity) of a system and control components of the HVAC system in order to maintain a set point for the temperature or other parameter. A thermostat may be designed to control a heating or cooling system or an air conditioner. Thermostats are manufactured in many ways, and use a variety of sensors to measure temperature and other desired parameters of a system.

Conventional thermostats are configured for one-way communication to connected components, and to control HVAC systems by turning on or off certain components or by regulating flow. Each thermostat may include a temperature sensor and a user interface. The user interface typically includes display for presenting information to a user and one or more user interface elements for receiving input from a user. To control the temperature of a building or space, a user adjusts the set point via the thermostat's user interface.

SUMMARY

An illustrative thermostat includes a housing with an interior volume defined at least in part by a top surface and a rear surface. The thermostat also includes a display attached to the housing and a first circuit board within the interior volume. The first circuit board is parallel to the top surface. The thermostat also includes a second circuit board within the interior volume. The second circuit board is parallel to the rear surface. The thermostat further includes processing electronics mounted to the first circuit board, a temperature sensor mounted to the second circuit board, and a battery within the interior volume configured to provide power to the display, the processing electronics, and the temperature sensor.

In some embodiments of the thermostat, the first circuit board is configured to cause the display to display first information. In some embodiments, the display is touch-sensitive, and wherein the first circuit board is configured to receive second information from the display. In some embodiments, the second circuit board is configured to communicate with an external device. In an illustrative embodiment, the external device comprises a heater of a building. In an illustrative embodiment, the second circuit board is configured to communicate with the external device via terminals located on the rear surface of the housing. In an illustrative embodiment, the first circuit board and the second circuit board are in communication with one another, and the first circuit board is configured to control the external device via the second circuit board. In an illustrative embodiment, the second circuit board is configured to communicate information received from the external device to the first circuit board.

In some embodiments of the thermostat, the top surface and the rear surface are perpendicular to one another. In some embodiments, the thermostat also includes tangs that secure the battery to the first circuit board. In an illustrative embodiment, the tangs are configured to convey electrical power between the first circuit board and the battery. In an illustrative embodiment, the thermostat includes a removable tab located between the battery and one of the tangs, wherein the tab is non-conductive. In some embodiments, the battery is one of a AA battery or a AAA battery. In an alternative embodiment, the battery is a button cell battery.

In some embodiments of the thermostat, the top surface of the housing comprises a plurality of apertures that are configured to convey heat generated by the first circuit board to an atmosphere. In some embodiments, the top surface of the housing is comprised of a material that is configured to dissipate heat generated by the first circuit board to an atmosphere. In an embodiment, the material is a metal. In some embodiments, the first circuit board is mounted to the top surface of the housing, and the second circuit board is mounted to the rear surface of the housing. In some embodiments, the rear surface of the housing is parallel to a wall. In an embodiment, the rear surface of the housing is mounted to the wall.

One embodiment of the invention relates to a thermostat including a housing with an interior volume, a display attached to the housing, a first circuit board positioned within the interior volume, a second circuit board positioned within the interior volume, wherein the first circuit board is positioned perpendicular to the second circuit board, processing electronics mounted to at least one of the first circuit board and the second circuit board, the processing electronics configured to operate the display, and a battery positioned within the interior volume and configured to provide power to the display and the processing electronics.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a thermostat including a housing with an interior volume, a display attached to the housing, a first circuit board positioned within the interior volume, a second circuit board positioned within the interior volume, wherein the first circuit board is positioned at an angle to the second circuit board, processing electronics mounted to at least one of the first circuit board and the second circuit board, the processing electronics configured to operate the display, and a battery within the interior volume configured to provide power to the display and the processing electronics.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a thermostat including a housing with an interior volume, a display attached to the housing, a first circuit board positioned within the interior volume, a second circuit board positioned within the interior volume, wherein the first circuit board is positioned perpendicular to the second circuit board, a temperature sensor mounted on the second circuit board, and processing electronics mounted on a top surface of the first circuit board, the processing electronics configured to operate the display and receive an input from the temperature sensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the Figures, a multi-function user control device is shown, according to various exemplary embodiments. The user control device may be implanted as a thermostat to control a HVAC system. The user control device may be implemented as a smart hub and may be connected to any of a variety of controllable systems and devices. For example, the user control device may be connected to a home automation system, a building automation system, an HVAC system, a lighting system, a security system, an electrical system, a sprinkler system, a home entertainment system, and/or any other type of system that can be monitored or controlled via a user control device. The user control device may be implemented in any of a variety of environments (e.g., a home, a building, a classroom, a hotel, a healthcare facility, a vehicle, etc.) and used to monitor, control, and/or facilitate user interaction with controllable systems or devices in such environments. For example, the user control device may be a thermostat installed in a home or building (e.g., mounted on a wall).

The user control device includes a housing that contains electronic components and a touch-sensitive display for displaying visual media (e.g., information, text, graphics, etc.) to a user and receiving user inputs. The housing is selectively attached to a mounting plate to mount the user control device to a mounting surface such as a wall. The housing includes a display mount or support plate that supports the touch-sensitive display. The display mount is cantilevered vertically from the base of the housing such that the entire touch-sensitive display and the display mount are spaced a distance away from the wall when the user control device is attached to a wall. The touch-sensitive display, the display mount, and a protective cover for the display are not opaque (e.g., transparent or translucent), which minimizes the visible footprint of the user control device to a user relative to conventional opaque user control devices. The housing may also include one or more light sources. The light sources may be configured to emit light toward the wall, thereby creating lighting effects on the wall. The light sources may also emit light in alternative or additional directions.

The user control device can be equipped with one or more of a variety of sensors (e.g., temperature, humidity, air quality, proximity, light, vibration, motion, optical, audio, occupancy, power, security, etc.) configured to sense a variable state or condition of the environment in which the user control device is installed. The user control device may include a variety of user interface devices (e.g., a touch-sensitive panel, an electronic display, speakers, haptic feedback, microphone, ambient lighting, etc.) configured to facilitate user interaction with the user control device. The user control device may include a data communications interface configured to facilitate communications between the user control device and remote sensor units, a building automation system, a home automation system, HVAC equipment, mobile devices (e.g., via WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, LTE, LAA LTE, etc.), a communications network (e.g., a LAN, WAN, 802.11, the Internet, a cellular network, etc.), and/or any other systems or devices to which the user control device may be connected.

The user control device may be configured to function as a connected smart hub. For example, the user control device may be configured to receive voice commands from a user and control connected equipment in response to the voice commands. The user control device may be configured to connect to mobile devices (e.g., a user's phone, tablet, laptop, etc.) or other networked devices (e.g., a desktop computer) to allow remote monitoring and control of connected systems. The user control device may be configured to detect the occupancy of a room or space in which the user control device is installed and may perform a variety of occupancy-based control processes. The user control device may monitor the performance of connected equipment (e.g., HVAC equipment) and may perform diagnostics based on data received from the HVAC equipment.

The user control device may function as a wireless communications hub (e.g., a wireless router, an access point, etc.) and may be configured to bridge communications between various systems and devices. For example, the user control device may include a cellular communications transceiver, a modem, an Ethernet transceiver, or other communications hardware configured to communicate with an external communications network (e.g., a cellular network, a WAN, the Internet, etc.). The user control device may include a WiFi transceiver configured to communicate with nearby mobile devices. The user control device may be configured to bridge communications between mobile devices and external communications networks. This functionality allows the user control device to replace networking equipment (e.g., a modem, a wireless router, etc.) in building or vehicle and to provide Internet connectivity. For example, the user control device may function as a WiFi hotspot or a micro cell within a building or vehicle and may communicate with the Internet via an integrated Ethernet transceiver, a cellular transceiver (e.g., for locations not serviced by an Internet service provider), a coaxial cable, or other data communications hardware.

The user control device may receive weather forecasts from a weather service and severe weather alerts. The user control device may have ambient lighting components that emit specific light colors or patterns to indicate sever weather alerts or other alerts. The user control device may also receive utility rate information from a utility provider. The user control device may use the weather forecasts in conjunction with the utility rate information to optimize (e.g., minimize) the energy consumption of the home or building. In some embodiments, the user control device generates a utility bill forecast and recommends set point modifications to reduce energy consumption or energy cost. In some embodiments, the user control device receives energy consumption information for other homes/buildings from a remote system and compares the energy consumption of connected HVAC equipment to the energy consumption of the other homes/buildings.

FIGS. 1-18illustrate a multi-function user control device or thermostat100, according to an exemplary embodiment. The thermostat100is configured to be mounted on a wall (e.g., a vertical wall within a dwelling, home, building, etc.) or other suitable mounting location (e.g., a ledge, a control panel, or other surface of an object within a building space, furniture, a dashboard, a vehicle seat, or other vehicle surface, etc.).

As shown inFIG. 14, the thermostat100includes a housing102, a touch-sensitive display104, a protective cover106for the display104, a face plate or front cover108, a back plate or mounting plate110, one or more circuit boards, shown as circuit board112and circuit board114, a sensor lens or window116, and a molding or top cover118that covers a portion of the housing102. The assembled components of the thermostat100other than the mounting plate110and any fastener or other components used to fasten the mounting plate to the mounting location are referred to as the “thermostat body.”

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 8, the housing102includes a base or main portion120and a cantilevered plate or display mount122extending from the front of the base120. The base120defines a pocket or volume124that the circuit boards112and114are located within. The volume124is defined by a front wall126, two side walls128and130, a top wall132, and a bottom wall134, and is closed by the mounting plate110when the thermostat body is attached to the mounting plate110. The front wall126connects the top wall132to the bottom wall134. The two side walls128and130connect the top wall132to the bottom wall134. The bottom wall134angles downward from the vertical front wall126at an angel of about 45 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle is greater or smaller (e.g., between 30 degrees and 60 degrees. In other embodiments, the bottom wall or a portion of the bottom wall is curved. In other embodiments, the base120of the housing102is substantially square or rectangular in cross-section. In other embodiments, the front wall is omitted and an angled or curved bottom wall connects directly to the top wall (e.g., resulting in a housing that is triangular in cross-section). In some embodiments, the front wall is omitted and the volume124is open to the front of the base120, thereby allowing front facing access to the interior of the base120.

As shown inFIG. 8, the top wall132of the base120has two sections136and138with section138recessed from section136(e.g., thinner, having a smaller vertical dimension, having a smaller height, etc.). The section138receives a portion of the top cover118so that the top surface of the top cover118is flush with the top surface of the section136of the top wall132as shown inFIG. 8.

As shown inFIGS. 8 and 12, a portion of the front wall126extends past the top wall132to form a display mount122(back plate, mounting plate). The display mount122is cantilevered from the base120. The display mount122provides a mounting surface142for attaching the display104to the housing102. The display mount122has a height144(measured from the top surface of the top wall132, which is the top surface of the section136in the illustrated embodiment, to a top or free end145, a width146measured from a first or left side148to a second or right side150, and a thickness148measured from the front or mounting surface142to a rear or back surface152. The mounting surface142is spaced apart or recessed from the front surface of the portion of the front wall126that forms the base120by a thickness149to form a ledge151to support the bottom edges of the touch-sensitive display104and the protective cover106. The thickness149is the same as the thickness of the touch-sensitive display104to that the ledge151supports the bottom of the display104.

As illustrated, the display mount122extends upwardly in a cantilevered fashion from the base120so that the display mount122is located above the base in the normal operating position of the thermostat. In alternative embodiments, the display mount extends downwardly in a cantilevered fashion from the base so that the display mount is located below the base in the normal operating position of the thermostat.

The display mount122may be configured as a landscape display with the width146greater than the height144(as shown inFIGS. 1-18), as a portrait display with the width146less than the height144(as shown inFIGS. 26-28), or as a square display with the width146equal to the height144. The top surface of the top wall132and the top side145of the display mount122are parallel to one another. The left side148and the right side150are parallel to one another. The mounting surface142and the back surface152are parallel to one another. The top side145is perpendicular to the left side148and the right side150. In some embodiments, the display mount122is arranged with the four sides not arranged in a rectangle or square (e.g., a parallelogram, a rhombus, a trapezoid, etc.) in shapes with more or fewer than four sides (e.g., a triangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, etc.), as a circle, as an oval or ellipse, or other shape suitable for mounting a display.

As shown inFIGS. 8, 10, and 13, a rear or back face154of the base120of the housing102is defined by the ends of the top wall132, the side walls128and130, and the bottom wall134located opposite the front wall126. The rear face154is arranged vertically and is planar to facilitate mounting the thermostat body to a vertical wall. As shown inFIG. 8, the back surface152of the display mount122is spaced apart from the rear face154of the base120by a horizontal distance156. As illustrated, the horizontal distance156is constant over the height144of the display mount so that the back surface152of the display mount122is parallel to the rear face154of the base120. The mounting surface142of the display mount122is perpendicular to the top surface of the top wall132. The back surface152of the display mount122is perpendicular to the top surface of the top wall132. In other embodiments the horizontal distance156may decrease from the top wall132of the base to the top side145of the display mount122so that the display mount122angles toward the wall. In other embodiments the horizontal distance156may increase from the top wall132of the base to the top side145of the display mount122so that the display mount122angles away from the wall. As illustrated, the display mount122is a portion of the front wall126(i.e., the portion extending upward from the top surface of the top wall132) to the freestanding top end145. In other embodiments, the display mount122is a separate structure from the front wall126. As illustrated, the display mount122is positioned at the front of the base120so that the mounting surface142and the front surface of the front wall126are coplanar. In other embodiments, the display mount122is positioned between the front of the base120and the rear face154of the base120, but is spaced apart from the rear face154by the horizontal distance156(i.e., the back surface152of the display mount122is not coplanar with the rear face154of the base120).

As shown inFIG. 8, the touch-sensitive display104is attached to the mounting surface142of the display mount122(e.g., by adhesive or other appropriate fastening techniques). The protective cover106is attached to front surface of the display104to protect the display104from impacts and other damage. The protective cover106is transparent so as to not impair the display function of the touch-sensitive display104. In some embodiments, the protective cover106is omitted. In other embodiments, the protective cover is an integral component of the display104.

As shown inFIGS. 8 and 14, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing102is a single integrally formed component that includes both the base120and the display mount122. Forming the housing102as a single integral component helps the thermostat100withstand the torque applied about the connecting point between the display mount122and the base120when a user pushes on the touch-sensitive display screen104. The relatively large thickness148of the display mount122also helps withstand this torque.

As shown inFIGS. 8 and 14, the touch-sensitive display104may be a touchscreen or other type of electronic display configured to present information to a user in a visual format (e.g., as text, graphics, etc.) and receive input from a user (e.g., via a touch-sensitive panel). For example, the touch-sensitive display104may include a touch-sensitive panel layered on top of an electronic visual display. A user can provide inputs through simple or multi-touch gestures by touching the display104with one or more fingers and/or with a stylus or pen. The touch-sensitive display104can use any of a variety of touch-sensing technologies to receive user inputs, such as capacitive sensing (e.g., surface capacitance, projected capacitance, mutual capacitance, self-capacitance, etc.), resistive sensing, surface acoustic wave, infrared grid, infrared acrylic projection, optical imaging, dispersive signal technology, acoustic pulse recognition, or other touch-sensitive technologies known in the art. Many of these technologies allow for multi-touch responsiveness of display104allowing registration of touch in two or even more locations at once. The display may use any of a variety of display technologies such as light emitting diode (LED), organic light-emitting diode (OLED), liquid-crystal display (LCD), organic light-emitting transistor (OLET), surface-conduction electron-emitter display (SED), field emission display (FED), digital light processing (DLP), liquid crystal on silicon (LCoC), or any other display technologies known in the art. In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive display104is configured to present visual media (e.g., text, graphics, etc.) without requiring a backlight.

As shown inFIG. 14, the touch-sensitive display104, the protective cover106, and the display mount122(collectively, the “display assembly”) are not opaque, which allows the surface behind display assembly to be seen through the display assembly by a user operating or observing the thermostat100. In embodiments omitting the protective cover106or in which a protective cover is an integral component of the touch-sensitive display104, the “display assembly” consists of the touch-sensitive display104and the display mount122. Not opaque means that at least some visible light is able to pass through the component and includes transparent and translucent components. For example, when the thermostat100is mounted on a wall, the wall is visible through the display assembly. This allows the thermostat to blend in to its surroundings when not in use (e.g. when no visual media is being displayed on the touch screen display). In the illustrated embodiment, the entire housing102is not opaque. In other embodiments, only the display mount122portion of the housing is not opaque. The housing102may be formed from a variety of materials (e.g., polymers including acrylics, metals, composite materials, laminates, etc.)

As shown inFIGS. 8 and 14, the housing102may contain various electronic components, including one or more sensors, components configured to perform control functions (e.g., circuit boards, processing circuits, memory, a processor, etc.), components configured to facilitate communications (e.g., a WiFi transceiver, a cellular transceiver, a communications interface, etc.), and components configured to provide a visual display via the touch-sensitive display104(e.g., a video card or module, etc.).

The sensors may include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a motion or occupancy sensor (e.g., a passive infrared sensor), an air quality sensor (e.g., carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, allergens, smoke, etc.), a proximity sensor (e.g., a thermopile to detect the presence of a human and/or NFC, RFID, Bluetooth, sensors to detect the presence of a mobile device, etc.), a camera, a microphone, a light sensor, a vibration sensor, or any other type of sensor configured to measure a variable state or condition of the environment in which the thermostat100is installed. In some embodiments, the proximity sensor is used to turn on the display104to present visual media when the user is close to the thermostat100and turn off the display104when the user is not close to the thermostat100, leading to less power usage and longer display life. Some sensors such as a proximity sensor, a motion sensor, a camera, a light sensor, or an optical sensor may positioned within the housing102to monitor the space near the thermostat100through the sensor lens116. The lens116is not opaque and allows at least the frequencies of light necessary for the particular sensor to function to pass therethrough, allowing the sensor to “see” or “look” through the lens116.

In other embodiments, one or more sensors may be located external to the housing102and may provide input to the thermostat100via a data communications link. For example, one or more sensors may be installed in a gang box behind the thermostat100, installed in a separate gang box mounted within the same wall to which the thermostat100is mounted, or otherwise located throughout the room or space monitored or controlled by the thermostat100(e.g., in a wall, in a ceiling panel, in an open volume of the room or space, in a duct providing airflow to the room or space or receiving airflow from the room or space, etc.). This allows the thermostat100to monitor the input from a variety of sensors positioned at disparate locations. For example, a humidity sensor may be positioned in a wall and configured to measure the humidity within the wall (e.g., to detect water leakage or burst pipes).

As shown inFIGS. 5, 7, and 8, the circuit boards112and114may include one or more sensors (e.g., a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, etc.), communications electronics, a processing circuit, and/or other electronics configured to facilitate the functions of the thermostat100.FIG. 8illustrates a thermostat100with perpendicularly arranged circuit boards according to an illustrative embodiment. The thermostat100includes a circuit board112and a circuit board114. Attached to the circuit board112is a battery tang181and a battery166. In alternative embodiments, additional, fewer, and/or different elements may be used.

As shown inFIG. 8, the circuit boards112and114are arranged in a perpendicular manner. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 8, the circuit board112is in a horizontal position with respect to the ground, and the circuit board114is in a vertical position with respect to the ground when the thermostat100is in its normal operating position. The circuit boards112and114are positioned within the interior volume124of the housing102. In an illustrative embodiment, the circuit board112is mounted to an inside surface of the top of the housing102and the circuit board114is mounted to an inside surface of the rear of the housing102. In other embodiments, the circuit boards112and114are attached to other appropriate locations within the housing (e.g., to the side walls).

In an illustrative embodiment, the battery166is located within the housing102. The embodiment shown inFIGS. 8 and 8Aincludes a pair of battery tangs or mounting tabs181that extend outward from the circuit board112. The two battery tangs181on located on opposite ends of the battery166to secure the battery within the interior volume124of the housing102. In some embodiments the battery tangs181are biased toward one another (e.g., as a natural property of the material forming the battery tangs, by a separate spring, etc.) so that the battery166is securely held between the two tangs181. For example, the battery166can be a cylindrical battery such as a standard size AA or AAA battery. In alternative embodiments, any suitable size or shape of battery166can be used, such as button-cell batteries. Each of the two battery tangs181can be configured to touch and make electrical connection with a respective terminal of the battery166. The two battery tangs181support and secure the battery166within the housing102. For example, the battery tangs181can be made of a conductive material such as brass, steel, copper, etc. Alternatively, appropriate battery sockets, receivers, etc. may be used in place of the pair of battery tangs181. The battery166is positioned within the 90 degree angle formed by the perpendicularly arranged circuit boards112and114. This arrangement of perpendicular circuit boards112and114with the battery located within the angle formed by the circuit boards112and114maximizes the use of the interior volume124within the housing102. The thermostat100requires a relatively large amount of electronic components. By maximizing the use of the space available in the interior volume124to accommodate these electronic components, the exterior volume of the housing102is able to be minimized, enabling the thermostat100to be relatively small. A relatively small thermostat100provides the user with a wide variety of locations that the thermostat100can be mounted to (e.g., between two adjacent doors). Alternatively, the circuit boards112and114may be arranged an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to one another as long as the smaller angle allows the battery166to be positioned within the angle formed by the two circuit boards.

The battery tangs181are used to convey electrical power from the battery166to the other power-consuming components of the thermostat100such as the touch-sensitive screen display104, the circuit boards112and114, sensors, lights, etc. In an illustrative embodiment, the thermostat100includes a connection to an external power source such as from an electrical grid. In such an embodiment, the battery166can be used to supply power to the thermostat100when the external power source fails or does not provide power to the thermostat100(e.g., during installation of the thermostat100). In an illustrative embodiment, the battery166can be recharged using the external power source when the external power source provides power to the thermostat100.

As shown inFIGS. 8B and 8C, in alternative embodiments, the battery tangs181can be attached to the vertically-arranged printed circuit board114rather than to the horizontally-arranged printed circuit board112as shown inFIGS. 8 and 8A. The battery166can provide power to both printed circuit boards112and114. For example, as shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B, an electrical connection is made (e.g., via wires) between the printed circuit boards112and114such that electrical power is provided to the both circuit boards112and114from the battery166.

As shown inFIG. 8, the circuit board112can be configured to be parallel to the top surface of the top cover118. The top cover118can include several apertures174. In an illustrative embodiment, the apertures174extend through the housing102. Heat produced by operating the circuit board112can be dissipated to the atmosphere through the apertures174. For example, the circuit board112can be a processing or power board and the circuit board114can be an input/output (I/O) board. In an illustrative embodiment, the circuit board112can be a processing board that communicates with the display104, sensors of the thermostat100, etc. The circuit board114can be an I/O board that is configured to facilitate communications between the circuit board114and external equipment or devices such as an HVAC system, external dampers, external sensors, etc.

In such an example, the circuit board112creates a majority or most of the heat within the housing102. The heat can dissipate upwards through the apertures174. The top cover118can be made of a material that helps to dissipate the heat created by the circuit boards112and114, such as aluminum. In an illustrative embodiment, the heat dissipation through the apertures174is passive. In alternative embodiments, the heat dissipation can be active. For example, the thermostat100can include one or more fans to circulate air (or any other fluid) across the circuit boards112and114to more effectively transfer heat from the circuit boards112and114to the atmosphere.

In an illustrative embodiment, the top cover118is made of a thermally conductive material to more effectively dissipate heat from the circuit boards112and114to the atmosphere. In an illustrative embodiment, the circuit board112is thermally connected to the top cover118. For example, one or more heat sinks can be used to transfer heat from the circuit board112(or specific components on the circuit board112such as a processing chip) through the top cover118and to the atmosphere. In some embodiments, the top cover118can be thermally connected to the top cover118to dissipate heat through the top cover118.

As shown inFIG. 8, the circuit board112includes processing electronics164. The processing electronics can create heat, which can be dissipated through the top cover118. The circuit board114includes a temperature sensor162. The temperature sensor162can be used, for example, to determine the ambient temperature of the room that the thermostat100is installed in. For example, air can flow into and out of the inside volume of the housing102and the temperature sensor162can determine the temperature of the air. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 8, heat generated by the processing electronics164can be dissipated away from the temperature sensor162. In such an embodiment, the heat generated by the processing electronics164does not affect the temperature sensor162or does not cause the temperature sensor162to measure a temperature that is more than the ambient temperature of the room. In some instances, the processing electronics164are located on the top of the circuit board112such that the circuit board112is between the processing electronics164and the temperature sensor162. Thus, the body of the circuit board112itself is a thermal barrier between the heat generated by the processing electronics164and the temperature sensor162with the bottom surface of the circuit board112positioned between the processing electronics164and the temperature sensor162. This helps to limit the influence of heat generated by the thermostat100itself on the temperature readings of the temperature sensor162and thereby allows the temperature sensor162to better detect the true temperature of the space the thermostat100is located in.

In an embodiment in which the circuit board114includes I/O circuitry, the circuit board114can be connected to the terminals168. In such an embodiment, the circuit board114can communicate with external devices via the terminals168. For example, the circuit board114can operate relays, detect discrete or digital signals, input or output analog signals, etc. As shown inFIG. 5, the terminals168can be arranged along a vertical plane, and the circuit board114can be parallel to the vertical plane.

As shown inFIG. 8B, the thermostat100can include a removable tab183that interrupts or blocks electrical power transfer between the circuit boards112and114and the battery166. The removable tab183is removably placed between the battery166and one of the battery tangs181and is non-conductive such that while the removable tab183is between the battery166and the battery tang181, the battery166is not electrically connected to the circuit board112or the circuit board114(or any other electrical device of the thermostat100). The removable tab183can extend from the battery tang181to outside of the housing102. In an illustrative embodiment, the removable tab183is graspable by a user without having to open the housing102. For example, an end of the removable tab183extends between the seam between the housing102and the front cover108or through an opening formed in one of the housing102and the front cover108. Alternatively, the user can remove the front cover108to access the removable tab183. Once the thermostat100is ready to be installed, a customer or user can remove the tab183by pulling the tab183, thereby removing the tab183from between the battery tang181and the battery166, without dislodging the battery166from between the tangs181and freeing the battery166to provide power to the thermostat100. Once powered on, the thermostat100can, for example, provide installation instructions to the user. For example, the instructions can instruct the user on how to wire the thermostat100(e.g., to provide external power to the thermostat100).

In some embodiments, the circuit board112functions at least in part as a sensor board and has one or more sensors, including a proximity sensor158, a motion or occupancy sensor160, and a temperature sensor162. In some embodiments, the circuit board114functions at least in part as control board and includes processing electronics164, a power supply or battery166, and input terminals168for receiving wiring from the HVAC system to be controlled by the thermostat. The processing electronics164are coupled (e.g., by a cable or wiring harness) to the touch-sensitive display104to receive user inputs from the display104and provide outputs to control the display104to control operation of the display104. In some embodiments, the power supply166is rechargeable. In some embodiments, the power supply166can be replaced by the user. The processing electronics can include a processor and memory device. Processor can be implemented as a general purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable electronic processing components. Memory device (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device, etc.) is one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage, etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present application. Memory device may be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. Memory device may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present application. According to an exemplary embodiment, memory device is communicably connected to processor via processing circuit and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by processing circuit and/or processor) one or more processes described herein. In some embodiments, the electronic components are found on a single circuit board, are variously distributed among the two circuit boards112and114, or are variously distributed among more than two circuit boards.

As shown inFIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 14, the front cover108covers the portion of the front wall126located below the display mount122, the bottom wall134, and portions of the two side walls128and130of the housing102. The front cover108may be formed from a variety of materials (e.g., polymers including acrylics, metals, composite materials, laminates, etc.). The front cover108includes a front wall170and a bottom wall172that correspond to or match the front wall126and the bottom wall134of the housing102. In the illustrated embodiment, the front cover108is removably attached to the housing102(e.g., by magnets, by a snap-fit connection, by screws or other mechanical fasteners). Removably attaching the front cover108allows the end-user to customize the appearance of the thermostat100by allowing him to select amongst front covers made of different materials or having different color or finishes. In some embodiments, the front cover108is attached to the housing102by a hinge. In some embodiments, the front cover108is omitted and the aperture for the sensor lens is formed in the housing. As shown inFIG. 8, the front cover108and the protective cover106combine to form a continuous or flush front surface of the thermostat100.

As shown inFIGS. 6-8, the sensor lens116is positioned within an aperture or opening171formed through the bottom wall134of the front cover108and through the bottom wall134of the base120of the housing102. As illustrated, the aperture171is three-sided with the open side located at the rear face154of the housing102. This positions the lens116and the aperture171near the lower end of the front cover108and near the lower end of the housing102. In some embodiments, the lens116and the aperture171are positioned near the upper end of the front cover108and near the upper end of the housing102(e.g., near the display assembly). The lens116may be secured in the aperture171by a friction or snap fit, adhesive, or other appropriate fastening technique. In some embodiments, the thermostat100includes multiple sensor lenses located in corresponding apertures in the front cover108or in corresponding apertures in the housing102or the top cover118.

As shown inFIG. 14, the top cover118is removably attached to the housing102. The top cover118include a top wall119and two side walls121and123that are cantilevered downward form the top wall119. The top wall119of the top cover118covers a portion of the top wall132of the base120and the two sidewalls121and123of the top cover118cover portions of the two side walls128and130of the base120. The top cover118includes multiple apertures or openings174that allow increased air flow to the housing102, which may aid in cooling the electronic components located within the housing102. In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures174are a series of relatively small circular perforations. In other embodiments, the apertures174may be larger, different shapes, and/or formed as slots or louvers. The top cover118may be formed from a variety of materials (e.g., polymers including acrylics, metals, composite materials, laminates, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the top cover118is removably attached to the housing102(e.g., by magnets, by a snap-fit connection, by screws or other mechanical fasteners). Removably attaching the top cover118allows the end-user to customize the appearance of the thermostat100by allowing him to select amongst top covers made of different materials or having different color or finishes. In some embodiments, the top cover118is attached to the housing102by a hinge. In some embodiments, the top cover118is omitted from the thermostat100.

As shown inFIGS. 4, 8, and 14, the mounting plate110includes a main portion or base176and four attachment tabs178that extend perpendicularly away from the base176. As shown inFIG. 4, the mounting plate110includes a rear surface177that is configured to placed flush against the wall200or other surface that thermostat100is to be mounted to. The base176includes an aperture or opening180that is and configured to allow control wiring from the HVAC system to be controlled by the thermostat100to pass through the mounting plate110and to be connected to the input terminals168located within the housing102. As illustrated, the aperture180is centrally located in the base176. Two fastener apertures or openings182and184are formed through the base176and are spaced apart from one another. Each aperture182and184allows a screw186or other mechanical fastener to pass through the base176to attach the mounting plate110to a wall or other mounting location. As illustrated, the aperture182is circular and the aperture184is an elongated slot. The elongated slot allows the user to pivot the mounting plate110relative to the mounting holes in the wall to level the mounting plate110horizontally before tightening the fasteners to fix the mounting plate110in place on the wall. In some embodiments the apertures182and184are spaced apart by a standard thermostat mounting distance so that the thermostat100can be used to replace an existing thermostat without having to drill new mounting holes into the wall that the thermostat100is being attached to.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 14, the attachment tabs178are arranged to extend into the volume124within the base120of the housing102. Each tab178includes an aperture or opening188for receiving a screw or other fastener to attach the housing102to the mounting plate110. As shown inFIG. 5, the housing102includes corresponding apertures or openings190formed in the top wall132and the bottom wall134to allow the fastener to extend through the housing102to the attachment tab. One or both of each pair of apertures188and190may be threaded for use with a threaded fastener. The apertures190in the top wall132are covered by the top cover118and the apertures190in the bottom wall134are covered by the front cover108. In some embodiments, the attachment tabs178are replaced by snap-fit connections, spring-biased arms, or other attachment structures suitable for attaching the housing102to the mounting plate110. As shown inFIG. 8, when the housing102is attached to the mounting plate110, the mounting plate110is positioned within the volume124formed in the interior of the housing102with the rear surface177of the mounting plate176flush with the rear face154of the base120of the housing102. This covers the mounting plate110from view by an observer or user of the thermostat100.

As shown inFIGS. 17-18, the thermostat100is attached to a wall200. The display assembly (e.g., the touch-sensitive display104, the protective cover106, and the display mount122) are not opaque, which allows a user or observer to see the wall200through the display assembly. When no visual media is being displayed on the touch-sensitive display104, the display assembly may blend in to its surroundings, reducing its visual impact on the wall200and the space surrounding the wall200. For example, an observer sees the color of a painted wall200through the display assembly with only the opaque components of the thermostat100(e.g., the front cover108and the top cover118) obscuring or covering the observer's view of the wall200. This has less of a visual impact in terms of opaque components covering the wall, than a conventional thermostat where the entirety of the thermostat is opaque. The visual impact can further be reduced by matching the color of the front cover108and the top cover118to the color of the wall.

As shown inFIGS. 16 and 18, the display assembly is spaced apart from the wall200with the back surface152of the display mount122spaced apart from the wall200by the horizontal distance156, leaving a gap202between the display mount122and the wall200. In conventional thermostats there is no gap between the display assembly and the wall like the gap202which is filled with the ambient atmosphere found near the thermostat100. Conventional thermostats are flush mounted with the wall so that the total perimeter or substantially the total perimeter of the thermostat is in contact with the wall or a mounting plate having a total perimeter the same or larger than the total perimeter of the thermostat is in contact with the wall. In contrast as shown inFIG. 13for the thermostat100, the perimeter204of the rear face154of the base120of the housing102that is in contact with the wall200is much less than total perimeter206of the housing102(i.e., the combined perimeter of the back surface152of the display mount122and the perimeter204of the rear face154of the base120). The gap202and the reduced perimeter204contacting the wall200each help the temperature sensor162of the thermostat read conditions as close to the ambient conditions of the room as possible by separating the temperature sensor from wall200, which can frequently be at a lower temperature than ambient conditions in the room. The gap202and the reduced perimeter204contacting the wall200also help to improve airflow around the touch-screen display104, thereby dissipating heat that would be transferred to the housing and other components of a conventional thermostat.

Referring toFIGS. 19-20, an alternative exemplary embodiment of the thermostat100is illustrated. Standoffs or projections208extend outward from the back surface152of the display mount and are configured to contact the wall200that the thermostat100is mounted to. The standoffs208may be part of a single integrally formed housing102or may be separate components attached to the display mount (e.g., by adhesive, mechanical fasteners, heat staking or other appropriate attachment technique). The standoffs208help to withstand the torque applied about the connecting point between the display mount122and the base120when a user pushes on the touch-sensitive display screen104. In the illustrated embodiments, three standoffs208are provided. In other embodiments, more or fewer standoffs are provided.

Referring toFIGS. 21-24, the thermostat100may include one or more light sources210(e.g., light emitting diodes) configured to provide ambient lighting and/or other lighting effects associated with the thermostat100.FIGS. 21-22illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the thermostat100with a display mount122that includes a waveguide212to direct light from the light sources210within the display mount122. As illustrated, the waveguide212forms a frame around three sides of the display mount122(the top, left, and right sides). The waveguide212may include one or more optical fibers located within or attached to the display mount122.FIGS. 23-24illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the thermostat100with multiple light sources210provided in the section136of the top wall132of the base120of the housing102. In some embodiments, the light sources210, with the waveguide212or without the wave guide (FIG. 23), are configured to emit light toward the wall or other surface that the thermostat100is mounted to. When white light is directed toward the wall, the display assembly (e.g., the touch-sensitive display104, the protective cover106, and the display mount122) appears to be more transparent to the user, further helping the display assembly blend in to its background. The light sources210may also be controlled to provide notices or alerts to a user (e.g., yellow for alerts or warnings, red for emergencies, etc.). Steady or flashing light may also provide different notices or alerts to a user (e.g., flashing light indicating an alert that has not been acknowledged by the user and solid light to indicate an alert that has been acknowledged by the user. The light sources210may be controllable by the user (e.g., the color, brightness, or other characteristics of light) to provide user-desired mood or ambient lighting.

FIG. 25illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the thermostat100having the ability to receive a variety of interchangeable modules or components. The housing102includes an aperture or opening214for receiving a module216, which electrically connects to one of the circuit boards112and114or other electronic component to provide additional functionality to the thermostat100. The various modules216allow the user to upgrade or customize the thermostat100to include features of the user's choosing. For example, the thermostat100may include any of the features of the modular thermostat described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/260,141 filed Nov. 25, 2015, and any of the features of the thermostat described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/275,199, filed Jan. 5, 2016, the entireties of each of which are incorporated by reference herein. The modules216may include communication transceivers (e.g., ZIGBEE, ZWAVE, near field communication, cellular, etc.), additional sensors, an additional power supply, or other electronic components. In some embodiments, the thermostat100provides for the use of more than one module216and includes the corresponding apertures214in the housing102. A wired port218(e.g., a USB port) may be provided to allow external wired communication and or power supply to and from the electronic components of the thermostat100. An aperture220may be provided to allow access to a reset button located within the housing to allow a user to insert a device (e.g., pen, paperclip, etc.) to manually power down and restart the thermostat100.

FIGS. 26-28illustrate a multi-function user control device or thermostat300, according to an exemplary embodiment. The thermostat300is substantially similar to the thermostat300. Components similar to those of the thermostat100are numbered in the 300s instead of the 100s. The thermostat300includes a portrait display assembly in which the touch-sensitive display302, the display mount322, and the protective cover306(if included separate from the display302) have a height344greater than the width346.

The construction and arrangement of the systems and methods as shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.). For example, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” etc.) are used to describe the orientation of various elements relative to one another with the user control device in its normal operating position as illustrated in the drawings.