Abstract:
Portable Digital Thermostat, consist of a base unit suitable for wall mounting in a location suitable for such purpose in a manner similar to a conventional thermostat. Included in the system is a conventional rechargeable battery powered remote control unit that incorporates all aspects of a modern digital thermostat, including programming functions, clock, displays, controls and sensors. Designed to promote energy conservation and climate control where needed, this invention allow repositioning of the remote control unit any where within the building. The remote control unit allows automatic control of the HVAC system based on the temperature at any selected location without the hassle of rewiring and repositioning the base unit.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/756,448, filed 2013 Jan. 24 by the present inventor. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
         [0003]    Description of Attached Appendix Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to digital thermostats, more specifically to portable programmable digital thermostats used in heating ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems which allows the user to relocate the said thermostat anywhere in the house without rewiring the system. 
         [0005]    Digital thermostats are commonly used in residential, commercial and industrial buildings to control the operation of an HVAC system. Typically these thermostats are mounted on a wall and connected by electrical circuitry to the controller located within the HVAC unit. The location of the thermostat is chosen at the time of the construction and based on information available to the installer at that time. Sensors located within the thermostat measures the ambient temperature and compare it to the set temperature to determine if it is time to turn the unit on or off. 
         [0006]    Newer homes are significantly larger than older homes and typically have many rooms that are unoccupied. In an effort to save on the cost of heating and air conditioning a typical homeowner will shut off the vents in these rooms and close the doors to these rooms when they are not in use. If the thermostat is located in one of the rooms that are unoccupied, then the home owner is unable to turn off the vents in the said room. He is also unable to maintain the temperature in the room which is frequently used to his comfort level since the system is controlled by the thermostat in another room or area. The permanent location of the thermostat may also be questionable at a later date based on location of furniture, drapes and other items which effect air movement around the thermostat. Moving the position of the thermostat to a different room or area based on the occupancy of the room or the décor is both expensive and difficult. In the current age of energy efficiency and responsible energy usage, a system that controls the comfort level where it is needed the most is ideal. 
         [0007]    A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly to the claims of this invention; however the following references are considered related: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 4336902 
                 A 
                 1982-06-29 
                 Neal 
               
               
                 4353502 
                 A 
                 1982-10-12 
                 Myers 
               
               
                 4433719 
                 A 
                 1984-02-28 
                 Cherry et al. 
               
               
                 4682648 
                 A 
                 1987-07-28 
                 Fried 
               
               
                 4969508 
                 A 
                 1990-11-30 
                 Tate et al. 
               
               
                 5224353 
                 A 
                 1993-07-06 
                 Nagasawa 
               
               
                 5272477 
                 A 
                 1993-12-21 
                 Tashima et al. 
               
               
                 5361982 
                 A 
                 1994-11-08 
                 Liebl et al. 
               
               
                 6394359 
                 B1 
                 2002-05-28 
                 Morgan 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0008]    Of some relevance is U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,359 issued to Morgan. The invention if the &#39;359 reference is a remote control thermostat which gives the user the ability to change the preset temperature over radio frequency signals. Although there is a temperature sensor in the remote control unit, it is only used to measure and display the ambient temperature at the remote control unit. The HVAC system is still controlled based on the temperature sensor within the base unit located on the wall and connected to electrical circuits to the HVAC controller. This invention does not provide the ability to automatically control the comfort level in the room which is frequently occupied which help conserve energy and improve occupant comfort. 
         [0009]    Of considerable relevance is U.S. Pat. No. 4,433,719 issued to Cherry et al. The invention of the &#39;719 reference is a portable analog thermostat which controls the heating and cooling cycle over radio frequency signals. This invention is neither programmable nor digital and lacks the ability to control the heating and cooling cycles based on time of day or day of the week. This invention is also powered by a conventional battery and will render the system useless if the battery is completely discharged. There is also the possibility of misplacing the remote which affects the ability to control the HVAC system. The present invention eliminates these problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The primary object of the present invention is to provide a portable and programmable digital remote control thermostat. 
         [0011]    Another object of the present invention is to use the existing wiring and location available within the building for the base unit, similar to a conventional thermostat. 
         [0012]    Another object of the present invention is to provide full control of the thermostat using the remote control unit. 
         [0013]    A further object of the present invention is to control the HVAC unit for anywhere within the building. 
         [0014]    Yet another object of the present invention is to control the HVAC unit based on the temperature measured at the remote control unit. 
         [0015]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to conserve energy by minimizing heating and cooling rooms that are unoccupied. 
         [0016]    Another object of the present invention is to use conventional rechargeable batteries in the remote control unit. 
         [0017]    Another object of the present invention is to provide the ability to recharge the remote control unit when it is placed in the wall mounted base unit or on the remote battery charging station. 
         [0018]    A further object of the present invention is to provide the ability to locate a misplaced remote control unit from the wall mounted base. 
         [0019]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a flip-up stand to place the remote control unit on a table or other flat surface. 
         [0020]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an alert if the battery in the remote control unit is running low. 
         [0021]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an alert if the remote control unit is unable to communicate with the base unit. 
         [0022]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an alert if system troubles are identified with the HVAC system or the thermostat. 
         [0023]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. 
         [0024]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a Portable Digital Thermostat, briefly described here, consist of a base unit suitable for wall mounting in a location suitable for such purpose in a manner similar to a conventional thermostat. Included in the system is a rechargeable battery powered remote control unit that incorporates all aspects of a modern digital thermostat, including programming functions, clock, displays, controls and sensors. Designed to promote energy conservation and climate control where needed, this invention allow repositioning of the remote control unit any where within the building. The remote control unit allows automatic control of the HVAC system based on the temperature at any selected location without the hassle of rewiring and repositioning the base unit. The remote control unit communicates wirelessly with the base unit. A buzzer is available in the remote control unit to alert the user of its inability to communicate to the base, trouble detected in the system, or to locate a misplaced remote with the push button located on the base unit. Also included in this system is a remote battery charging station that can be used to recharge the battery present in the remote control unit and a flip-up stand on the remote control unit to position it upright on a table. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the remote control unit and the wall mountable base unit, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the remote control unit installed in the wall mountable base unit, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is an elevation view of the rear of the remote control unit and the wall mountable base unit, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the remote control unit installed in the remote charging station, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of the operations of the portable digital thermostat according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is an elevation view of the front of the remote control unit, according to the additional embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is an elevation view of the rear of the remote control unit, according to the additional embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0032]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Drawings - Reference Numerals 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 101 
                 base unit 
               
               
                 102 
                 remote control unit 
               
               
                 103 
                 display 
               
               
                 104 
                 battery charging terminal 
               
               
                 105 
                 battery charging contact 
               
               
                 106 
                 multipurpose keypad 
               
               
                 107 
                 ridge or tongue 
               
               
                 108 
                 slot or groove 
               
               
                 109 
                 buzzer 
               
               
                 110 
                 flip stand 
               
               
                 111 
                 remote charging station 
               
               
                 112 
                 remote locator 
               
               
                 113 
                 touch sensitive display 
               
               
                 114 
                 wall mount 
               
               
                 213 
                 first functional block 
               
               
                 214 
                 first operational block 
               
               
                 215 
                 second functional block 
               
               
                 216 
                 third operational block 
               
               
                 217 
                 third functional block 
               
               
                 218 
                 forth functional block 
               
               
                 219 
                 forth operational block 
               
               
                 220 
                 fifth operational block 
               
               
                 221 
                 sixth operational block 
               
               
                 222 
                 fifth functional block 
               
               
                 223 
                 seventh operational block 
               
               
                 224 
                 eighth operational block 
               
               
                 225 
                 ninth operational block 
               
               
                 226 
                 sixth functional block 
               
               
                 227 
                 seventh functional block 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0033]    Detailed description of the preferred embodiment is provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. 
         [0034]    In accordance with the present invention,  FIG. 1  show a perspective view of the portable remote control unit  102  and a wall mountable base unit  101  which can be mounted on the wall instead of a conventional thermostat using existing wiring. The base unit  101  is similar to a conventional wall mountable thermostat but without the temperature sensing function, and user switches necessary to program the thermostat and to control the temperature. Base unit  101  is equipped with a transceiver that connects and communicates wirelessly over the air to the remote control unit  102 . Remote control unit  102  has the temperature sensing circuitry along with user controls available in a conventional digital programmable thermostat. Remote control unit  102  is equipped with a transceiver that connects and communicates wirelessly over the air to the base unit  101 . The remote control unit  102  will measure and compare the ambient temperature to the preset temperature set by the user in real-time. If the ambient temperature is above or below the set temperature, the remote control unit  102  will communicate with the base unit to raise or lower the temperature to maintain the desired temperature at the remote control unit. The remote control unit  102  and the base unit  101  is equipped with a display  103  which shows the day, date and time, ambient temperature, set temperature and other parameters. The base unit  101  has two battery charging terminals  104  which are recessed within the groove  108  to prevent accidental shorting of terminals. The remote control unit  102  has two battery charging contacts  105  which come in contact with the battery charging terminals  104  when the remote control unit is installed in the base unit  101 . The base unit  101  has a groove  108  or slot and the remote control unit  102  has a ridge  109  or tongue. This ensures that the remote control unit  102  is installed easily and securely on the base unit  101 . The remote control unit  102  is equipped with a keypad  106  which is used to program the thermostat and to override a preset setting. Individual heating and cooling schedules can be entered using the keypad  106 , as well as configuring the current date and time. The entries are stored within the remote control unit  102 . The remote control thermostat  102  is also equipped with a buzzer  109  that can be activated by a single key  112  located on the base unit  101 . This audible buzzer  109  is activated remotely to locate a lost or misplaced remote control unit  102 . The buzzer  109  is also used to generate an alert tone if the battery is low, the base unit cannot be reached over the air, or if errors condition is detected with the HVAC unit or the thermostat. 
         [0035]    In accordance with the present invention,  FIG. 2  is a front view of the remote control unit  102  installed in the wall mountable base unit  101 . The remote control unit  102  is placed on the base unit  101  to charge its internal rechargeable batteries. It can also be placed on the base unit  101  if the location of the thermostat is ideal at the location where electrical wiring from the HVAC unit is available. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of the remote control unit  102  and the wall mountable base unit  101 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. This figure illustrates the two battery charging contacts  105  which come in contact with the battery charging terminals  104  when the remote control unit  102  is installed in the base unit  101 . It also shows the flip stand  110  which is used to place the unit on any flat surface. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the remote control unit  102  installed in the remote charging station  111 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The remote charging station  111  helps to charge the remote control unit  102  without returning it to the base unit  101 . Leaving the unit on the remote charging station  111  will ensure that the internal rechargeable batteries are always charged. This charging station is powered by a power supply connected to any standard wall outlet. 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram describing the operation of the portable digital thermometer. This flow diagram depicts of logical operation of the remote control unit  102 . The process begins with the functional block  213 , when the remote control unit  102  is tuned on. The system performs a power-on self check where the software and all hardware elements are checked. The next operational block  214  is when the software checks to see if the remote control unit  102  was previously configured and that an active program was selected. On a positive feedback, the control is transferred to the next operation block  216  where the unit checks to see if local keypad  106  entries or a command over the air from the base unit  101  was received. If an entry or a command is detected, the remote control unit  102  analyses the information provided and takes the necessary action. On a negative feedback, the system checks the mode selected and loads the appropriate preset schedule in the functional block  215 . In the next functional block  218  the ambient temperature at the remote control unit  102  is measured, and is compared against the set temperature in the next operational block  219 . If the difference in temperature is less than the configured acceptable swing, the logical flow is transferred to the operational block  214  and the process continues. Any active heating or cooling cycle is terminated at this point. On a positive feedback, if the temperature difference is greater than the configured acceptable swing, the control goes to operational block  220  where the operational mode is checked. If the system is in manual mode, logical control is transferred to the operational block  223  where it is determined if the system is in heating mode or cooling mode. If the system is in Auto mode, then the logical control is passed to the operation block  221  where the decision to switch the mode is made depending on the difference in temperature. If the measured temperature is higher than the set temperature by a substantial margin and if the system is in heating mode, the mode is switched from heat to cool automatically in the functional block  222 . If on the other hand, the measured temperature is lower than the set temperature by a substantial margin and if the system is in cooling mode, the mode is switched from cool to heat automatically in the functional block  222 . Logical control is now transferred to the operational block  223  where it is determined if the system is in heating mode or cooling mode. If the system is in cooling mode and the measured temperature is higher than the set temperature as measured by the operational block  225 , the cooling system is activated in the functional block  227 . If the system is in heating mode and the measured temperature is higher than the set temperature as measured by the operational block  224 , the heating system is activated in the functional block  226 . 
       Operation 
       [0039]    The occupant of the home or building only needs to carry the remote control thermostat into a room where he spends most of the time. The thermostat will measure the ambient air temperature and will instruct the base unit to turn on the heating system or the cooling system if the measured temperature differs from the set temperature. 
         [0040]    While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
       ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENT 
       [0041]    In accordance with the present invention,  FIG. 6  describes an alternate embodiment where the keypad  106  and display  103  is replaced with a touch sensitive display  113 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 7  is a rear view of the remote control unit  102  showing the wall mount mechanism  114  so the remote control unit  102  can be mounted on the wall similar to a conventional thermostat. 
       ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT 
       [0043]    In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed typical preferred embodiments or implementation of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purposes of limiting the scope of the invention. 
       ADVANTAGES 
       [0044]    The present invention allows a homeowner or tenant to reposition the HVAC thermostat any where within his home or building without rewiring the system. The thermostat can be moved because the room is currently unoccupied or as a result of changes in décor and modifications of the room. This device helps conserve electricity by maintaining the comfort level where it is necessary. 
       CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION AND SCOPE 
       [0045]    Accordingly, the reader will see that the portable digital thermostat allows the homeowner or tenant to reposition the HVAC thermostat based on occupancy. Furthermore, the portable digital thermostat has the additional advantages in that:
       It permits the user to reposition the thermostat without rewiring the system. The base unit can be connected to the HVAC system using the existing wiring, identical to a conventional thermostat.   It offers full control of the thermostat from the remote control unit. The user has the ability to reprogram the thermostat as well as override settings remotely from anywhere within the building   It conserves energy by maintaining the comfort level where needed.   It uses conventional rechargeable batteries in the remote control unit that can be charged when the remote control unit is placed in the base or the charging station.   The remote control unit can be wall mounted like a conventional thermostat or placed on a flat surface such as a table.   It provides the ability to locate a lost or misplaced remote and also provide audible alerts if the unit cannot communicate wirelessly to the base units or if errors are detected in the HVAC system.       
 
         [0052]    Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiment but as merely providing illustrations of one of several embodiments. Thus the scope of the embodiment should be determined by the appended claims and legal equivalents, rather than the examples given.