Patent Publication Number: US-2021164680-A1

Title: Portable thermostat systems and methods

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/925,535, entitled “PORTABLE THERMOSTAT SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” filed Mar. 19, 2018, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/639,876, entitled “PORTABLE THERMOSTAT SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” filed Mar. 7, 2018, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. A wide range of applications exist for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. For example, residential, light commercial, commercial, and industrial systems are used to control temperatures and air quality in residences and buildings. Such systems often are dedicated to either heating or cooling, although systems are common that perform both of these functions. Very generally, these systems operate by implementing a thermal cycle in which fluids are heated and cooled to provide the desired temperature in a controlled space, typically the inside of a residence or building. Similar systems are used for vehicle heating and cooling, and as well as for general refrigeration. In many HVAC systems, the thermostat may be used to control a set-point temperature. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to a thermostat including a control base configured to couple with and support a portable thermostat, wherein the control base is configured to determine a measure of an environmental condition of a local environment of the control base and communication circuitry of the control base configured to communicate the measure to facilitate control of an HVAC system. 
     The present disclosure also relates to a control system configured to control operation of the HVAC system, a control base of the control system configured to determine a first state of a first local environment where the control base is located, and a portable thermostat of the control system configured to determine a second state of a second local environment where the portable thermostat is located, wherein the portable thermostat is configured to mount to the control base. 
     The present disclosure further relates to a heating and cooling system having a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system configured to condition a building according to a set-point temperature, a control base communicatively coupled to the HVAC system and comprising a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor, wherein the control base is configured to be disposed within a first environment of the building and is configured to receive data indicative of a temperature and a humidity level of a second environment of the building from a portable thermostat, wherein the first environment of the building is different than the second environment of the building and control the HVAC system based on the data indicative of the temperature and the humidity level of the second environment. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for building environmental management that may employ one or more HVAC units, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an HVAC unit of the HVAC system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a residential split heating and cooling system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a vapor compression system that may be used in an HVAC system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a heating and cooling system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a thermostat of the heating and cooling system of  FIG. 5 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a base of the heating and cooling system of  FIG. 5 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a base of the heating and cooling system of  FIG. 5 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a base of the heating and cooling system of  FIG. 5 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a thermostat of the heating and cooling system of  FIG. 5 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is directed to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems which may be controlled via a portable thermostat. Particularly, the portable thermostat may measure a temperature and humidity level of its local environment, which may change depending the location of the portable thermostat within a building. In this manner, the HVAC system may provide cooled or heated air to adjust a temperature of the local environment of the portable thermostat to match a set-point temperature. Indeed, a user may move the portable thermostat into a particular area or room of a building to accurately condition the particular area or room to a suitable comfort level. The portable thermostat may be mounted to a control base, which may be mounted to a wall of a building. A power supply of the portable thermostat may be charged when mounted to the control base. In certain embodiments, the control base may also serve as a thermostat that is capable of measuring a temperature and humidity level of its environment. In other words, the portably thermostat and the control base may both include thermostat functions that may adjust a condition setting of one or more rooms in the building. 
     Turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for building environmental management that may employ one or more HVAC units. In the illustrated embodiment, a building  10  is air conditioned by a system that includes an HVAC unit  12 . The building  10  may be a commercial structure or a residential structure. As shown, the HVAC unit  12  is disposed on the roof of the building  10 ; however, the HVAC unit  12  may be located in other equipment rooms or areas adjacent the building  10 . The HVAC unit  12  may be a single package unit containing other equipment, such as a blower, integrated air handler, and/or auxiliary heating unit. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit  12  may be part of a split HVAC system, such as the system shown in  FIG. 3 , which includes an outdoor HVAC unit  58  and an indoor HVAC unit  56 . 
     The HVAC unit  12  is an air cooled device that implements a refrigeration cycle to provide conditioned air to the building  10 . Specifically, the HVAC unit  12  may include one or more heat exchangers across which an air flow is passed to condition the air flow before the air flow is supplied to the building. In the illustrated embodiment, the HVAC unit  12  is a rooftop unit (RTU) that conditions a supply air stream, such as environmental air and/or a return air flow from the building  10 . After the HVAC unit  12  conditions the air, the air is supplied to the building  10  via ductwork  14  extending throughout the building  10  from the HVAC unit  12 . For example, the ductwork  14  may extend to various individual floors or other sections of the building  10 . In certain embodiments, the HVAC unit  12  may be a heat pump that provides both heating and cooling to the building with one refrigeration circuit configured to operate in different modes. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit  12  may include one or more refrigeration circuits for cooling an air stream and a furnace for heating the air stream. 
     A control device  16 , one type of which may be a thermostat, may be used to designate the temperature of the conditioned air. The control device  16  also may be used to control the flow of air through the ductwork  14 . For example, the control device  16  may be used to regulate operation of one or more components of the HVAC unit  12  or other components, such as dampers and fans, within the building  10  that may control flow of air through and/or from the ductwork  14 . In some embodiments, other devices may be included in the system, such as pressure and/or temperature transducers or switches that sense the temperatures and pressures of the supply air, return air, and so forth. Moreover, the control device  16  may include computer systems that are integrated with or separate from other building control or monitoring systems, and even systems that are remote from the building  10 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the HVAC unit  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the HVAC unit  12  is a single package unit that may include one or more independent refrigeration circuits and components that are tested, charged, wired, piped, and ready for installation. The HVAC unit  12  may provide a variety of heating and/or cooling functions, such as cooling only, heating only, cooling with electric heat, cooling with dehumidification, cooling with gas heat, or cooling with a heat pump. As described above, the HVAC unit  12  may directly cool and/or heat an air stream provided to the building  10  to condition a space in the building  10 . 
     As shown in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 2 , a cabinet  24  encloses the HVAC unit  12  and provides structural support and protection to the internal components from environmental and other contaminants. In some embodiments, the cabinet  24  may be constructed of galvanized steel and insulated with aluminum foil faced insulation. Rails  26  may be joined to the bottom perimeter of the cabinet  24  and provide a foundation for the HVAC unit  12 . In certain embodiments, the rails  26  may provide access for a forklift and/or overhead rigging to facilitate installation and/or removal of the HVAC unit  12 . In some embodiments, the rails  26  may fit into “curbs” on the roof to enable the HVAC unit  12  to provide air to the ductwork  14  from the bottom of the HVAC unit  12  while blocking elements such as rain from leaking into the building  10 . 
     The HVAC unit  12  includes heat exchangers  28  and  30  in fluid communication with one or more refrigeration circuits. Tubes within the heat exchangers  28  and  30  may circulate refrigerant, such as R- 410 A, through the heat exchangers  28  and  30 . The tubes may be of various types, such as multichannel tubes, conventional copper or aluminum tubing, and so forth. Together, the heat exchangers  28  and  30  may implement a thermal cycle in which the refrigerant undergoes phase changes and/or temperature changes as it flows through the heat exchangers  28  and  30  to produce heated and/or cooled air. For example, the heat exchanger  28  may function as a condenser where heat is released from the refrigerant to ambient air, and the heat exchanger  30  may function as an evaporator where the refrigerant absorbs heat to cool an air stream. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit  12  may operate in a heat pump mode where the roles of the heat exchangers  28  and  30  may be reversed. That is, the heat exchanger  28  may function as an evaporator and the heat exchanger  30  may function as a condenser. In further embodiments, the HVAC unit  12  may include a furnace for heating the air stream that is supplied to the building  10 . While the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 2  shows the HVAC unit  12  having two of the heat exchangers  28  and  30 , in other embodiments, the HVAC unit  12  may include one heat exchanger or more than two heat exchangers. 
     The heat exchanger  30  is located within a compartment  31  that separates the heat exchanger  30  from the heat exchanger  28 . Fans  32  draw air from the environment through the heat exchanger  28 . Air may be heated and/or cooled as the air flows through the heat exchanger  28  before being released back to the environment surrounding the rooftop unit  12 . A blower assembly  34 , powered by a motor  36 , draws air through the heat exchanger  30  to heat or cool the air. The heated or cooled air may be directed to the building  10  by the ductwork  14 , which may be connected to the HVAC unit  12 . Before flowing through the heat exchanger  30 , the conditioned air flows through one or more filters  38  that may remove particulates and contaminants from the air. In certain embodiments, the filters  38  may be disposed on the air intake side of the heat exchanger  30  to prevent contaminants from contacting the heat exchanger  30 . 
     The HVAC unit  12  also may include other equipment for implementing the thermal cycle. Compressors  42  increase the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant before the refrigerant enters the heat exchanger  28 . The compressors  42  may be any suitable type of compressors, such as scroll compressors, rotary compressors, screw compressors, or reciprocating compressors. In some embodiments, the compressors  42  may include a pair of hermetic direct drive compressors arranged in a dual stage configuration  44 . However, in other embodiments, any number of the compressors  42  may be provided to achieve various stages of heating and/or cooling. As may be appreciated, additional equipment and devices may be included in the HVAC unit  12 , such as a solid-core filter drier, a drain pan, a disconnect switch, an economizer, pressure switches, phase monitors, and humidity sensors, among other things. 
     The HVAC unit  12  may receive power through a terminal block  46 . For example, a high voltage power source may be connected to the terminal block  46  to power the equipment. The operation of the HVAC unit  12  may be governed or regulated by a control board  48 . The control board  48  may include control circuitry connected to a thermostat, sensors, and alarms. One or more of these components may be referred to herein separately or collectively as the control device  16 . The control circuitry may be configured to control operation of the equipment, provide alarms, and monitor safety switches. Wiring  49  may connect the control board  48  and the terminal block  46  to the equipment of the HVAC unit  12 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a residential heating and cooling system  50 , also in accordance with present techniques. The residential heating and cooling system  50  may provide heated and cooled air to a residential structure, as well as provide outside air for ventilation and provide improved indoor air quality (IAQ) through devices such as ultraviolet lights and air filters. In the illustrated embodiment, the residential heating and cooling system  50  is a split HVAC system. In general, a residence  52  conditioned by a split HVAC system may include refrigerant conduits  54  that operatively couple the indoor unit  56  to the outdoor unit  58 . The indoor unit  56  may be positioned in a utility room, an attic, a basement, and so forth. The outdoor unit  58  is typically situated adjacent to a side of residence  52  and is covered by a shroud to protect the system components and to prevent leaves and other debris or contaminants from entering the unit. The refrigerant conduits  54  transfer refrigerant between the indoor unit  56  and the outdoor unit  58 , typically transferring primarily liquid refrigerant in one direction and primarily vaporized refrigerant in an opposite direction. 
     When the system shown in  FIG. 3  is operating as an air conditioner, a heat exchanger  60  in the outdoor unit  58  serves as a condenser for re-condensing vaporized refrigerant flowing from the indoor unit  56  to the outdoor unit  58  via one of the refrigerant conduits  54 . In these applications, a heat exchanger  62  of the indoor unit functions as an evaporator. Specifically, the heat exchanger  62  receives liquid refrigerant, which may be expanded by an expansion device, and evaporates the refrigerant before returning it to the outdoor unit  58 . 
     The outdoor unit  58  draws environmental air through the heat exchanger  60  using a fan  64  and expels the air above the outdoor unit  58 . When operating as an air conditioner, the air is heated by the heat exchanger  60  within the outdoor unit  58  and exits the unit at a temperature higher than it entered. The indoor unit  56  includes a blower or fan  66  that directs air through or across the indoor heat exchanger  62 , where the air is cooled when the system is operating in air conditioning mode. Thereafter, the air is passed through ductwork  68  that directs the air to the residence  52 . The overall system operates to maintain a desired temperature as set by a system controller. When the temperature sensed inside the residence  52  is higher than the set point on the thermostat, or the set point plus a small amount, the residential heating and cooling system  50  may become operative to refrigerate additional air for circulation through the residence  52 . When the temperature reaches the set point, or the set point minus a small amount, the residential heating and cooling system  50  may stop the refrigeration cycle temporarily. 
     The residential heating and cooling system  50  may also operate as a heat pump. When operating as a heat pump, the roles of heat exchangers  60  and  62  are reversed. That is, the heat exchanger  60  of the outdoor unit  58  will serve as an evaporator to evaporate refrigerant and thereby cool air entering the outdoor unit  58  as the air passes over outdoor the heat exchanger  60 . The indoor heat exchanger  62  will receive a stream of air blown over it and will heat the air by condensing the refrigerant. 
     In some embodiments, the indoor unit  56  may include a furnace system  70 . For example, the indoor unit  56  may include the furnace system  70  when the residential heating and cooling system  50  is not configured to operate as a heat pump. The furnace system  70  may include a burner assembly and heat exchanger, among other components, inside the indoor unit  56 . Fuel is provided to the burner assembly of the furnace  70  where it is mixed with air and combusted to form combustion products. The combustion products may pass through tubes or piping in a heat exchanger, separate from heat exchanger  62 , such that air directed by the blower  66  passes over the tubes or pipes and extracts heat from the combustion products. The heated air may then be routed from the furnace system  70  to the ductwork  68  for heating the residence  52 . 
       FIG. 4  is an embodiment of a vapor compression system  72  that can be used in any of the systems described above. The vapor compression system  72  may circulate a refrigerant through a circuit starting with a compressor  74 . The circuit may also include a condenser  76 , an expansion valve(s) or device(s)  78 , and an evaporator  80 . The vapor compression system  72  may further include a control panel  82  that has an analog to digital (A/D) converter  84 , a microprocessor  86 , a non-volatile memory  88 , and/or an interface board  90 . The control panel  82  and its components may function to regulate operation of the vapor compression system  72  based on feedback from an operator, from sensors of the vapor compression system  72  that detect operating conditions, and so forth. 
     In some embodiments, the vapor compression system  72  may use one or more of a variable speed drive (VSDs)  92 , a motor  94 , the compressor  74 , the condenser  76 , the expansion valve or device  78 , and/or the evaporator  80 . The motor  94  may drive the compressor  74  and may be powered by the variable speed drive (VSD)  92 . The VSD  92  receives alternating current (AC) power having a particular fixed line voltage and fixed line frequency from an AC power source, and provides power having a variable voltage and frequency to the motor  94 . In other embodiments, the motor  94  may be powered directly from an AC or direct current (DC) power source. The motor  94  may include any type of electric motor that can be powered by a VSD or directly from an AC or DC power source, such as a switched reluctance motor, an induction motor, an electronically commutated permanent magnet motor, or another suitable motor. 
     The compressor  74  compresses a refrigerant vapor and delivers the vapor to the condenser  76  through a discharge passage. In some embodiments, the compressor  74  may be a centrifugal compressor. The refrigerant vapor delivered by the compressor  74  to the condenser  76  may transfer heat to a fluid passing across the condenser  76 , such as ambient or environmental air  96 . The refrigerant vapor may condense to a refrigerant liquid in the condenser  76  as a result of thermal heat transfer with the environmental air  96 . The liquid refrigerant from the condenser  76  may flow through the expansion device  78  to the evaporator  80 . 
     The liquid refrigerant delivered to the evaporator  80  may absorb heat from another air stream, such as a supply air stream  98  provided to the building  10  or the residence  52 . For example, the supply air stream  98  may include ambient or environmental air, return air from a building, or a combination of the two. The liquid refrigerant in the evaporator  80  may undergo a phase change from the liquid refrigerant to a refrigerant vapor. In this manner, the evaporator  38  may reduce the temperature of the supply air stream  98  via thermal heat transfer with the refrigerant. Thereafter, the vapor refrigerant exits the evaporator  80  and returns to the compressor  74  by a suction line to complete the cycle. 
     In some embodiments, the vapor compression system  72  may further include a reheat coil in addition to the evaporator  80 . For example, the reheat coil may be positioned downstream of the evaporator relative to the supply air stream  98  and may reheat the supply air stream  98  when the supply air stream  98  is overcooled to remove humidity from the supply air stream  98  before the supply air stream  98  is directed to the building  10  or the residence  52 . 
     It should be appreciated that any of the features described herein may be incorporated with the HVAC unit  12 , the residential heating and cooling system  50 , or other HVAC systems. Additionally, while the features disclosed herein are described in the context of embodiments that directly heat and cool a supply air stream provided to a building or other load, embodiments of the present disclosure may be applicable to other HVAC systems as well. For example, the features described herein may be applied to mechanical cooling systems, free cooling systems, chiller systems, or other heat pump or refrigeration applications. 
     As discussed below, a thermostat, such as the control device  16  may be removable from a base and may include temperature and humidity sensors. That is, the thermostat may be portable and may measure the temperature and humidity of its local environment. In this manner, the thermostat may communicate with an HVAC system, such as the HVAC unit  12 , the heating and cooling system  50 , and/or the vapor compression system  72  to supply conditioned air to a building, such as the building  12 . 
     To illustrate,  FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a heating and cooling system  100  that may utilize a thermostat  102 , such as a portable thermostat, to control an HVAC system  104  through a control base  106 . As discussed herein, the thermostat  102  may be portable, such that it may be moved about a building, such as the building  10  or the residence  52 , or may be mounted to the control base  106 . The control base  106  may be stationary and mounted to a wall of the building  10  or residence  52 . In certain embodiments, the building  10  or residence  52  may include multiple control bases  106 , and the thermostat  102  may be configured to mount to each of the control bases  106 . The HVAC system  104  may be any suitable HVAC system configured to supply conditioned air, heated air, and/or dehumidified air. For example, the HVAC system  104  may include the HVAC unit  12 , the heating and cooling system  50 , and/or the vapor compression system  72 . Overall, the HVAC system  104  may supply the conditioned and/or heated air to climatize a local environment of the thermostat  102  and/or the control base  106  to match a set-point temperature. In certain embodiments, the HVAC system  104  may include multiple HVAC units  12  and/or multiple heating and cooling systems  50  and/or vapor compression systems  72 , and the thermostat  102  and control base  106  may be able to control one or more of the HVAC units  12 , heating and cooling systems  50 , and/or vapor compression systems  72  based on a location of the thermostat  102  and control base  106 . 
     Generally, the thermostat  102  may be portable and configured to measure a state or condition, such as a temperature and humidity level, of its local environment, such that the HVAC system  104  may be operated to provide conditioned air based on the local environment of the thermostat  102  and a set-point temperature. Indeed, the thermostat  102  may include a temperature sensor  108  and a humidity sensor  110  configured to measure a temperature and humidity level, respectively, of its local environment. The thermostat  102  may further include an operator interface  112 , such as a touch screen, a graphical user interface (GUI), buttons, knobs, dials, slides, or any combination thereof. The operator interface  112  may provide a system for a user to adjust various settings, such as a mode of the HVAC system  104 , a set-point temperature, and a schedule. As used herein, the mode of the HVAC system  104  may refer to whether the HVAC system  104  is in a heating mode, a cooling mode, an automatic mode, such as switching, without user input, between heating and cooling based on a measured temperature relative to the set-point temperature, and an off mode. The schedule may refer to certain set-point temperatures or modes that are set to occur during certain days and/or times of day. For example, a user may edit the schedule, such that a first set-point temperature is used for a first portion of the day, and a second set-point temperature is used for a second portion of the day. In certain embodiments, the control base  106  may also include a temperature sensor  114  and a humidity sensor  116  configured to measure a temperature and humidity level, respectively, of its local environment. The control base  106  may further include controls  118  to provide a system for a user to adjust various settings such as a mode of operation of the HVAC system  104  and a set-point temperature. Indeed, in some embodiments, a user may control a mode, a set-point temperature, and a schedule of the HVAC system  104  through the thermostat  102  and/or the control base  106 . 
     The HVAC system  104  may supply conditioned or heated air according to a local environment of either the thermostat  102  or the control base  106 . That is, the thermostat  102  or the control base  106  may act as a primary device to which the HVAC system  104  bases its operation. For example, a user may select, from either the operator interface  112  of the thermostat  102  or the controls  118  of the control base  106 , whether the thermostat  102  or the control base  106  is the primary device. 
     The thermostat  102  may also include a battery  117 , or other suitable energy storage device. The battery  117  may be charged via the control base  106  when the thermostat  102  is mounted to the control base  106  and/or may be charged via a power cord. Indeed, the thermostat  102  may further include a charging port  119  which may receive power through the power cord from a power grid, for example. Further, in certain embodiments, the control base  106  may, upon input from a user, activate an alarm  115  within the thermostat  102 , thereby notifying a user of its location. 
     In certain embodiments, the location of the thermostat  102  may be determined via coordination and/or communication between the thermostat  102  and multiple control bases  106  and/or via coordination and/or communication with multiple control bases  106 . For example, the residence  52  may include multiple control bases  106 , such as a first control base on a first level of the residence  52  and a second control base on a second level of the residence  52 . The first and second control bases  106  may communicate with one another and/or with the thermostat  102  via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, a wired connection, other wireless connection, or other suitable connection. Via this communication, the location of the thermostat  102  may be determined. For example, communication between the first and second control bases  106  and the thermostat  106  may indicate that the thermostat  102  is located on the first floor or the second floor. This determination may then be displayed on a respective display or operator interface of each of the control bases  106  and thermostat  102 . 
     Further, the thermostat  102  may include a controller  120 , which may employ a processor  121 , which may represent one or more processors, such as an application-specific processor. The controller  120  may also include a memory device  122  for storing instructions executable by the processor  121  to perform the methods and control actions described herein for the heating and cooling system  100 . The processor  121  may include one or more processing devices, and the memory  122  may include one or more tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable media. By way of example, such machine-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by the processor  121  or by any general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. The control base  106  may also include a controller  124  having a processor  126  and a memory device  128 , which may have similar features as described above with regard to the processor  121  and the memory device  122  of the controller  120 . 
     As discussed herein, the thermostat  102  and/or the control base  106  may measure and determine a state of their respective local environments via their respective sensors  108 ,  110 ,  114 ,  116  and their respective controllers  120 ,  124 . Further, the thermostat  102  and/or the control base  106  may communicate the state or condition of their respective local environment to the HVAC system  104 , which may in turn supply air based on a set-point temperature and/or a selected mode of operation relative to the state or condition of the particular local environment. In certain embodiments, the thermostat  102  may communicate with the HVAC system  104  through the control base  106 . To this end, the thermostat  102 , the control base  106 , and the HVAC system  104  may be communicatively coupled through a communication system  140 . In some embodiments, the communication system  140  may communicate through a wireless network, such as wireless local area networks [WLAN], wireless wide area networks [WWAN], near field communication [NFC], or Bluetooth. In some embodiments, the communication system  140  may communicate through a wired network such as local area networks [LAN], or wide area networks [WAN]. For example, in some embodiments, the thermostat  102  may communicate with the control base  106  through a wireless network, while the control base  106  may communicate with the HVAC system  104  through a wired network. In one embodiment, when the thermostat  102  is mounted to the control base  106 , the control base  106  may function as a client. 
     Further, in certain embodiments, the HVAC system  104  may operate based on input from a mobile device  144 , such as a computer, a smart phone, a tablet, and so forth. For example, through the mobile device  144 , a user may select a set-point temperature, and a mode from an application installed on the mobile device  144 . The user may also utilize the mobile device  144  to select either the thermostat  102  or the control base  106  the primary device. As mentioned above, the primary device may be the device, such as the thermostat  102  or the control base  106 , having a local environment to which the HVAC system  104  supplies conditioned air to meet the set-point temperature. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the thermostat  102 . As mentioned above, the thermostat  102  may include the operator interface  112 . The thermostat  102  may also include the charging port  119  configured to receive power from an external source to power the battery  117  ( FIG. 5 ) and/or power various elements of the thermostat  102 , such as the controller  120 , the operator interface  112 , or the sensors  108 ,  110 . In certain embodiments, charging port  119  may accept/draw power through a universal serial bus (USB), a micro USB, charging pins, or any combination thereof. Indeed, the charging port  180  may be coupled to a power source such as direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) power source. 
     As shown, the operator interface  112  may provide for selection and display of a location  182 , selection and display of a set-point temperature  184 , selection and display of a mode  186 , and display of an actual temperature  188 . The location  182  may refer to a location within the building  10  or residence  52  and may be associated with a preset set-point temperature. For example, a user may select, or input, a location within the building  10  or residence  52 , such as master bedroom, bathroom, second bedroom, and so forth, and further select, or input, a set-point temperature to be associated with the selected location. Data indicative of the location and the associated set-point temperature may be saved in the memory  122  for later recall. In this manner, as the thermostat  102  is moved from one room to another, the user may select the room in which the thermostat  102  is located and the set-point temperature that the user previously associated with the room will become the set-point temperature. That is, the HVAC system  104  may provide conditioned air according to the set-point temperature of the location  182  and the actual temperature  188  of the local environment. 
     In embodiments where the HVAC system  104  includes multiple HVAC units  12 , heating and cooling systems  50 , and/or vapor compressions systems  72 , the thermostat  102  may be configured to select or control which of the multiple HVAC units  12 , heating and cooling systems  50 , and/or vapor compressions systems  72  is adjusted based on the location or changing location of the thermostat  102 . For example, if the thermostat  102  is moved from a first floor of the residence  52  that is conditioned by a first heating and cooling system to a second floor of the residence  52  that is conditioned by a second heating and cooling system, the thermostat  102  may discontinue adjustment of the first heating and cooling system operation and being adjustment of the second heating and cooling system operation. 
     As discussed herein, the set-point temperature  184  is the temperature to which the HVAC system  104  climatizes the building. That is, the HVAC system  104  may provide heated or cooled air such that an actual temperature, such as the actual temperature  188 , of a local environment of the thermostat  102  and/or the control base  106  substantially matches the set-point temperature  184 . In certain embodiments, the set-point temperature  184  may be adjusted by a user through controls  190  of the operator interface  112 . As shown, the controls  190  may be buttons, or portions of a touch screen that allow the user to increase or decrease the set-point temperature  184 . However, in certain embodiments, the controls  190  may be a dial, a sliding scale, or any other suitable type of actuator. 
     Further, the mode  186  may indicate the mode of operation of the HVAC system  104 . For example, the HVAC system  104  may be set to a cooling mode in which the HVAC system  104  is configured to supply cool air, a heating mode in which the HVAC system  104  is configured to supply heated air, an off mode in which the HVAC system  104  is configured to discontinue a supply of conditioned air, or an automatic mode in which the HVAC system  104  is configured to automatically switch between the heating mode and the cooling mode based on the set-point temperature  184  relative to the actual temperature  188  of the local environment. 
     In certain embodiments, the thermostat  102  may also include an indicator  192 , which may indicate whether the thermostat  102  or the control base  106  is the primary device controlling operation the HVAC system  104 . Indeed, in certain embodiments, the indicator  192  may display a word, such as ‘primary’, a symbol, a light, a flashing light, or any other suitable visual display that communicates whether the thermostat  102  or the base  106  is the primary device. As mentioned above, the primary device may be the device to which the HVAC system  104  responds when providing conditioned air to the building  10  or residence  52 . That is, the HVAC system  104  may provide heated or cooled air such that the local environment of the primary device substantially matches the set-point temperature. 
     The thermostat  102  may also include a selection option that the user may utilize to switch between the thermostat  102  and the control base  106  as the primary device. Indeed, in certain embodiments, each of the location  182 , the set-point temperature  184 , the mode  186 , the actual temperature  188 , and the indicator  192  may be selected through an appropriate icon on the user interface  112  and adjusted by selection of an appropriate item from a drop-down menu that appears upon selection of the appropriate icon. As shown on the user interface  112 , the appropriate icon may be a visual representation of the location  182 , of the set-point temperature  184 , of the mode  186 , of the actual temperature  188 , or of the indicator  192 . 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the control base  106 . As discussed above, the control base  106  may include the controls  118  that adjust a set-point temperature and a mode of the HVAC system  104  based on input from a user. Indeed, the controls  118  may include buttons, a sliding scale, a touch screen, membrane switches, or any other suitable selection mechanism. In certain embodiments, the controls  118  of the control base  106  may be flush with an external surface of the base  106 . In certain embodiments, the control base  106  may include a display  200  that may show the set-point temperature, the actual temperature of its local environment, and the mode of the HVAC system  104 . The display  200  may include a graphical user interface (GUI) and/or physical indicators disposed on a surface of the control base  106  such as decals or paint. 
     In some embodiments, the control base  106  may not include the controls  118  and/or the display  200 . In such embodiments, the control base  106  may serve as a device on which the thermostat  102  mounts and charges, and through which the thermostat  102  and mobile device  144  communicate with the HVAC system  104 . The control base  106  may still measure temperature and humidity levels of its local environment. However, the set-point temperature, mode of the HVAC system  104 , and actual temperature may be displayed and/or configured from the mobile device  144  and/or the thermostat  102 . 
       FIG. 8  is a top-perspective view of the control base  106 . As shown, the control base  106  may include connector element  210 , such as a ridge or slot which may interact with a corresponding slot or ridge, respectively, of the thermostat  102 . In certain embodiments, the connector element  210  may include a clip, such as a spring clip. In certain embodiments, the control base  106  may be coupled to a wall  212 , such as drywall, of the building. Further, the control base  106  may include magnets  214 , which may couple to corresponding magnets on the thermostat. In other embodiments, the base  106  and/or the thermostat  102  may include other features to enable secure engagement between the control base  106  and the thermostat  102  when the thermostat  102  is mounted to the control base  106 . For example, the control base  106  and/or the thermostat  102  may include snap-fitting features or interference fit features. 
       FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of the control base  106 . As shown, the control base  106  may be coupled to the wall  212  of the building. The control base  106  may also include contact points  216  to charge the thermostat  102  when the thermostat  102  is mounted to the control base  106 . Particularly, the battery  117  may be charged through the contact points  216  when the thermostat  102  is mounted to the control base  106 . 
       FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of the thermostat  102 . The thermostat  102  may be mounted onto the control base  106  via a depression  220  disposed within a rear side  222  of the thermostat  102 . Indeed, the shape of the control base  106  may substantially match the shape of the depression  220 , such that the control base  106  is disposed within the depression  220  while the thermostat  102  is mounted to the control base  106 . The magnets  214  disposed within the control base  106  may couple, via magnetic attraction, to the magnets  214  disposed within the thermostat  102  when the thermostat  102  is mounted to the control base  106 . The thermostat  102  may further include a support device  224 , such as a kickstand. The support device  224  may be flush with an external surface of the rear side  222  of the thermostat  102  while in a first position and may rotate outward about a hinge  226  to a second position. While the support device  224  is in the second position, the support device  224  may support the thermostat  102  in a substantially up-right position or a tilted position while the thermostat  102  is supported by a surface, such as a table. The support device  224  may also include a finger hold or recess  228 , which may provide for a user too easily grip actuate the support device  224  between the first position and the leaned-back position. 
     Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to providing systems and methods for a portable thermostat, which may be mounted to a base that is disposed on an interior wall of a building. Indeed, the thermostat may be equipped with sensors to measure a state, such as a temperature and a humidity level, of its local environment. In this manner, the thermostat may be moved between various areas, or rooms, of the building and communicate the state of an area of the various areas to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system so that the HVAC system may supply heated or cooled air to climatize the area according to a set-point temperature. Therefore, a user may carry the thermostat to whichever room of the building that the user wants to accurately match the set-point temperature. The base may also serve as a thermostat that senses a state of its local environment. That is, the base may communicate the state of its local environment to the HVAC system so that the HVAC system may supply heated or cooled air to climatize the local environment of the base according to the pre-set temperature. 
     While only certain features and embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art, such as variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, such as temperatures or pressures, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, and so forth, without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of the exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not have been described, such as those unrelated to the presently contemplated best mode of carrying out the present disclosure, or those unrelated to enabling the claimed embodiments. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation specific decisions may be made. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation.