Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]    The disclosure pertains generally to controllers and more particularly to HVAC controllers such as thermostats that include a display panel. 
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]    Controllers are used on a wide variety of devices and systems for controlling various functions in homes and/or buildings and their related grounds. Some controllers have schedule programming that modifies device parameters such as set points as a function of date and/or time. Some such device or system controllers that utilize schedule programming for controlling various functions in homes and/or buildings and their related grounds include, for example, HVAC controllers, water heater controllers, water softener controllers, security system controllers, lawn sprinkler controllers, and lighting system controllers. 
         [0003]    HVAC controllers, for example, are employed to monitor and, if necessary, control various environmental conditions within a home, office, or other enclosed space. Such devices are useful, for example, in regulating any number of environmental conditions with a particular space including for example, temperature, humidity, venting, air quality, etc. The controller may include a microprocessor that interacts with other components in the system. For example, in many modern thermostats for use in the home, a controller unit equipped with temperature and/or humidity sensing capabilities may be provided to interact with a heater, blower, flue vent, air compressor, humidifier and/or other components, to control the temperature and humidity levels at various locations within the home. A sensor located within the controller unit and/or one or more remote sensors may be employed to sense when the temperature or humidity reaches a certain threshold level, causing the controller unit to send a signal to activate or deactivate one or more component in the system. 
         [0004]    The controller may be equipped with a user interface that allows the user to monitor and adjust the environmental conditions at one or more locations within the building. With more modern designs, the interface typically includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel inset within a housing that contains the microprocessor as well as other components of the controller. In some designs, the user interface may permit the user to program the controller to activate on a certain schedule determined by the user. For example, the interface may include a separate menu routine that permits the user to change the temperature at one or more times during a particular day. Once the settings for that day have been programmed, the user can then repeat the process to change the settings for the other remaining days. Such a schedule may help reduce energy consumption of the HVAC system by changing the set point to an energy saving set back temperature during certain times. 
         [0005]    Most structures are serviced by one or more utilities, such as an electric utility, a gas utility, a water utility and others. The expense of using these utility services continues to rise, particularly during peak demand periods. In order to better serve its customers, and in some cases to help reduce demand during peak or other periods, it would be advantageous for a utility to be able to directly and more efficiently communicate with its customers. 
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]    The present disclosure pertains generally to thermostats that are adapted to assist utilities in communicating with its customers. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a thermostat having a display, a controller and a receiver that is coupled to the controller. The receiver is adapted to receive messages from a utility, and the controller is adapted to display related display messages on the display. 
         [0007]    The above summary is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The Figures and Detailed Description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
         [0008]    The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  shows an illustrative but non-limiting HVAC control system. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows an illustrative but non-limiting example of a thermostat of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  shows an illustrative thermostat operating in accordance with its programming; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows the illustrative thermostat of  FIG. 3  after the current energy demand and/or current energy cost has reached a critical level; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  shows the illustrative thermostat of  FIG. 3  displaying a first stored or received message; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 6-7  shows the illustrative thermostat of  FIG. 5  displaying a second stored or received message; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  shows the illustrative thermostat of  FIG. 3  displaying a “Please Conserve” message received from a utility; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  shows the illustrative thermostat of  FIG. 3  displaying a “Storm Warning” message received from a utility or other source; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  show the illustrative thermostat of  FIG. 3  displaying information related to electrical consumption including historical electrical consumption information; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  show the illustrative thermostat of  FIG. 3  displaying information related to electrical costs including historical electrical cost information; 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  show the illustrative thermostat of  FIG. 3  displaying information related to water usage including historical water usage information; 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  show the illustrative thermostat of  FIG. 3  displaying information related to water usage costs including historical water usage cost information; 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  show the illustrative thermostat of  FIG. 3  displaying information related to gas usage including historical gas usage information; 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  show the illustrative thermostat of  FIG. 3  displaying information related to gas usage costs including historical gas usage cost information; 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is a flow diagram of an illustrative method in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  is a flow diagram of another illustrative method in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0025]    While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular illustrative embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]    The following description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings are numbered in like fashion. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Although examples of construction, dimensions, and materials may be illustrated for the various elements, those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the examples provided have suitable alternatives that may be utilized. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  shows an illustrative but non-limiting HVAC control system  10 . The illustrative HVAC control system  10  includes a thermostat  12  that may be adapted to interact with and control HVAC equipment  14 . HVAC equipment  14  may include one or more of cooling equipment  16 , heating equipment  18  and/or ventilation equipment  20 . In some cases, cooling equipment  16  and heating equipment  18  may, for example, be combined in a forced air system, or perhaps a heat pump system, particularly in residential and/or light commercial applications. In other cases, one or more of cooling equipment  16 , heating equipment  18  and/or ventilation equipment  20  may be distinct systems controlled by thermostat  12 . In some instances, it is contemplated that thermostat  12  may represent two or more distinct thermostats, each controlling different equipment within HVAC equipment  14 , and or different zones within a structure. 
         [0028]    In the illustrative embodiment, thermostat  12  may be adapted to interact and/or communicate with a utility  22 . Utility  22  may represent a utility company or another entity that produces or otherwise provides an energy source such as electricity, natural gas and the like, or provides another utility such as water and/or sewer service. Utility  22  may represent a utility company or other entity that provides a source of hot water that can be used for heating and/or any other desired use. Utility  22  may provide hot water from a geothermal source, or by heating water using biomass or even microwave energy. 
         [0029]    In some instances, thermostat  12  may receive signals from utility  22  via a communication network  24 . Communication network  24  may include wireless communication between utility  22  and thermostat  12 , using radio frequencies and the like. In some cases, communication network  24  may represent a hard-wired communication network between utility  22  and thermostat  12 , such as copper wiring, coaxial cable, CAT  5  cable, fiber optics, and the like. In some instances, especially if utility  22  provides electrical power to the building in which thermostat  12  is located, communication network  24  may represent signals sent over the power lines themselves. some cases, part of communication network  24  may be a wired and another part may be wireless. More generally, communication network  24  may be any suitable communication path between utility  22  or the like and thermostat  12 . 
         [0030]    In some instances, thermostat  12  may receive information from utility  22  pertaining to utility usage, utility usage history, current and/or historical rate information, and the like. Alternatively, or in addition, thermostat  12  may receive information from meter  26  pertaining to utility usage, utility usage history, current and/or historical rate information, and the like. In some cases, thermostat  12  may receive information from utility  22  and/or meter  26  pertaining to a current electrical rate, say in cents per kilowatt-hour. In some instances, thermostat  12  may receive information regarding a remaining balance on a prepaid account, or perhaps monthly garbage and/or sewer charges. 
         [0031]    Utility  22  and/or meter  26  may, for example provide information to thermostat  12  regarding a measure of utility usage. In some cases, the measure of utility usage may be related to current utility costs over a designated period of time (e.g. over a past year, a past month, a past week, a past day, a past hour, etc.), i.e., a current electrical cost over a designated period of time, a current gas cost over a designated period of time, a current water cost of a designated period or time and the like. In some instances, a measure of utility usage may include a quantity of utility usage, and thus utility  22  may provide thermostat  12  with information pertaining to how much energy (e.g. in KWH, which are kilowatt-hours), for example is currently being used over a designated period of time (e.g. over a past year, a past month, a past week, a past day, a past hour, schedule period, etc.). 
         [0032]    In some instances, utility  22  and/or meter  26  may provide messages relating to utility usage. For example, utility  22  may provide, via communication network  24 , one or more messages intended for a homeowner, facilities manager or the like. In some cases, if utility demand is high, utility  22  may provide one or more messages that permit or instruct thermostat  12  to display suggestions on how to save energy, water or other resource. For example, if utility energy demand is high or expected to be high, thermostat  12  may display one or more messages suggesting that the homeowner or facilities manager conserve energy by changing a temperature set point, or perhaps suggesting that they wait and run energy intensive appliances later in the day, when utility demand may be lower. Utility  22  may, in some instances, provide one or more messages that permit or instruct thermostat  12  to display information pertaining to current or expected weather, current or expected energy demand, current or expected pricing tiers, etc. 
         [0033]    In some cases, utility  22  and/or meter  26  may provide one or more messages that cause thermostat  12  to display information relating to utility billing. This may include utility billing history, current utility billing rates and/or current utility costs, and the like. Thermostat  12  may display information pertaining to a measure of utility usage during a first time period (e.g. a designated month such as the current month) and information pertaining to a measure of utility usage during a second time period (e.g. the designated month one year ago) that is different from the first time period. While not required, the first time period may occur temporally before the second time period. In some cases, controller  34  may compute a measure of utility usage that is consumed by the HVAC system of the building or other structure by monitoring the on-time of one or more HVAC system components  16 ,  18  and/or  20 . 
         [0034]    The first time period and the second time period may each, independently, be any desired length of time, and may be temporally separated by any desired time interval. In some cases, the first time period may immediately precede the second time period. The first time period may, if desired, be one or more months before the second time period. In some cases, the first time period may be about a year or more prior to the second time period. 
         [0035]    In some cases, the first time period and the second time period may each correspond to a one week (168 hours) time period, and the first time period may correspond to an immediately preceding week relative to the second time period. In some instances, the first time period and the second time period may each correspond to a one month time period. The first time period may be a one month time period that immediately precedes the second time period. In some cases, the first time period (e.g. June 2006) may be a one month time period that is about one year prior to the second time period (e.g. June 2007). 
         [0036]    In some cases, the indication of the measure of utility usage that is displayed for the first time period may include an indication of the cost of utility usage during the first time period, and the indication of the measure of utility usage that is displayed for the second time period includes an indication of the cost of utility usage during the second period of time. In some instances, the indication of the measure of utility usage that is displayed for the first time period includes an indication of the quantity of utility usage during the first period of time, and the indication of the measure of utility usage that is displayed for the second time period include an indication of the quantity of utility usage during the second period of time. 
         [0037]    In some embodiments, thermostat  12  may be adapted to interact and/or communicate with a meter  26  over a communication line  28 . Meter  26  may, for example, be adapted to measure and/or regulate a flow of energy or other resource (e.g. water) from utility  22 , and may also provide thermostat  12  with usage information via a wireless, wired, optical, or any other suitable communication path. In some instances, although direct communication therebetween is not expressly shown in  FIG. 1 , meter  26  may provide utility  22  with usage information. 
         [0038]    Communication line  28  may represent wireless communication between meter  26  and thermostat  12 . In some cases, communication line  28  may represent a hard-wired line between meter  26  and thermostat  12 , such as copper wiring, coaxial cable, CAT  5  cable, fiber optic cable, and the like. In some instances, although not expressly illustrated in  FIG. 1 , it is contemplated that meter  26  may also communicate with utility  22 , and may receive utility rate information and the like from utility  22 , but this is not required in all embodiments. 
         [0039]    The preceding discussion describes communication that may occur between utility  22  and thermostat  12  and/or between meter  26  and thermostat  12 . In order to accommodate this communication, thermostat  12  may include a receiver and/or transceiver  30  that permits thermostat  12  to communicate with utility  22  via communication network  24  and/or to communicate with meter  26  via communication line  28 . As noted, one or both of communication network  24  and/or communication line  28  may be wired or wireless. In some cases, communication network  24  may, for example, include a wireless paging system, and receiver and/or transceiver  30  may be a load control receiver that uses, for example, a 900 MHz paging technology such as the FLEX® paging technology available from Motorola. One such load control receiver is available from Cannon Technologies, located in Wayzata, Minn., although it is contemplated that any suitable communication equipment may be used, as desired. 
         [0040]    Thermostat  12  may include a user interface  32  that may be adapted to accept information from a user as well as to provide information to the user. In some cases, user interface  32  may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) as well as a keypad or similar entry device. In some instances, user interface  32  may include a touch screen LCD that provides both functions. 
         [0041]    Thermostat  12  may include a controller  34  that is adapted to oversee the aforementioned communications between thermostat  12  and utility  22  and/or meter  26 . Controller  34  may regulate information that is solicited and/or displayed on user interface  32 . Controller  34  may be adapted to implement a control algorithm that is adapted to at least partially control one or more components of HVAC equipment  14 . Thermostat  12  may include a memory block  36  that can be used to store operating parameters, utility usage history and the like. 
         [0042]    Thermostat  12  may include a sensor  38 , which may be located within thermostat  12  as well as one or more external sensors  40 , as desired. Each of sensors  38  and  40  may be any type of sensor, or may represent multiple sensors, such as temperature sensors, humidity sensors and the like. External sensors  40  may be hard wired to thermostat  12 , or may communicate wirelessly, as desired. 
         [0043]      FIG. 2  shows an illustrative but non-limiting example of a thermostat  42  that may be considered as representing thermostat  12  ( FIG. 1 ), but showing additional detail regarding user interface  32 . Thermostat  42  includes a thermostat housing  44  and an LCD display  46  that is visible from outside thermostat housing  44 . Thermostat housing  44  may be formed of any suitable material and having any suitable dimensions. In some cases, thermostat housing  44  is stamped or molded from a polymeric material. In some cases, LCD display  46  is a touch screen LCD, but this is not required in all embodiments. 
         [0044]    LCD display  46  may be considered as including a first region  48  and a second region  50 . In the illustrative embodiment, first region  48  includes an array of pixels  52  that are arranged into a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns to form an array of pixels that is suitable for displaying alphanumeric characters such as text in a dot matrix format. In some cases, one or more of pixels  52  may be square or round fixed segment pixels. For example, first region  48  may include an array of pixels  52  that are arranged into 7 rows and a total of 125 columns. To more clearly illustrate the individual pixels, pixels  52  are schematically illustrated in  FIG. 2  as unlit. 
         [0045]    First region  48  may be constructed using either fixed segment type LCD display or a graphic type LCD display. When first region  48  is constructed as a fixed segment LCD display, a number of relatively small fixed segments dots are provided, and in some cases, may be arranged into character blocks, with each character block having, for example, 5×7 dots. In some cases, each character block can be addressed separately and can form numbers, letters and a limited number of symbols. In other cases, each fixed segment dot can be addressed separately. When first region  48  is constructed as a graphics type LCD display, a relatively larger number of pixels are arranged in rows and columns, and each pixel can typically be individually addressed. 
         [0046]    In an illustrative but non-limiting example, first region  48  may include or be formed as fixed segment LCD display, and may include a total of 25 5×7 characters, for a total of 875 individual pixels  52 . Each pixel  52  may be square and may be 0.5 millimeters by 0.5 millimeters in size. There may be a small gap between adjacent pixels  52 . In some cases, there may be a 0.05 millimeter gap between adjacent pixels  52 . These pixels  52  may be formed as part of the fixed segment mask used in fabricating the fixed segment LCD display. 
         [0047]    In some cases, first region  48  may be used to display messages and other similar text. Controller  34  may be coupled to user interface  32  and may be adapted to display a message including two or more text characters in first region  48  using the array of fixed segment pixels  52 . If desired, controller  34  may be adapted to scroll messages across at least part of first region  48 . This may be useful in displaying messages that are too long to simultaneously fit in their entirety within first region  48 . Scrolling may also be useful in attracting attention to messages being displayed within first region  48 . In some cases, a message may be flashed, i.e., repeatedly turned on and off, within first region  48  to draw attention to the particular message. 
         [0048]    In some cases, display  46  may include a left arrow icon  54  and/or a right arrow icon  56 , which may be used to scroll through a long message, or perhaps to scroll through multiple messages. Left arrow icon  54  and right arrow icon  56  may be constructed as fixed segment icons, and may not be considered part of first region  48 , even though they are located within an upper portion of display  46 . In some embodiments, pressing right arrow icon  56  may cause controller  34  ( FIG. 1 ) to display another message, if another message is available, or to cause a message to scroll, Pressing left arrow icon  54  may cause controller  34  to display a previous message or to cause a message to scroll. 
         [0049]    Second region  50  of user display  46  may include a plurality of fixed segment graphical icons. At least some of the fixed segment graphical icons within second region  50  may be or may include a word, a perimeter boundary and/or a word within a perimeter boundary. In some instances, LCD display  46  is a touch screen LCD, and one or more of the fixed segment graphical icons may coincide with one or more touch sensitive buttons. 
         [0050]    For example, second region  50  may include a message icon  58 . If thermostat  42  has received or otherwise generated a text message to be displayed within first region  48 , controller  34  ( FIG. 1 ) may flash message icon  58  and/or may illuminate the “VIEW” text within message icon  58 . The “VIEW” text may be formed as part of a fixed segment graphical icon, if desired. Message icon  58  may coincide with a touch sensitive button or portion of LCD display  46 . In some cases, message icon  58  may include a fixed segment perimeter boundary  59 . 
         [0051]    Pressing message icon  58  may cause controller  34  to proceed with displaying and/or scrolling one or more messages within first region  48  of display  46  using the array of fixed segment pixels  52 . In some cases, once the message has been displayed, the “DELETE” text within message icon  58  may be illuminated, although this is not required. Pressing message icon  58  at this stage may cause controller  34  to delete the message that has been displayed or is currently being displayed. Second region  50  may include an “EXIT” icon  60 . Pressing EXIT icon  60  instead of message icon  58  may cause controller  34  to return to a previous screen without deleting the displayed message or messages. Example messages are shown and discussed with respect to subsequent Figures. 
         [0052]    Fixed segment LCD displays are often configured to display Arabic numbers (0-9) using seven segments. In contrast, fourteen segments are often needed to display other characters such as the Roman alphabet, measurement units and other symbols. In some instances, second region  50  of display  46  may include a set  62  of fixed segments that are configured to display numbers. In particular cases, set  62  may be configured to display utility usage data including utility usage quantity data and/or utility usage cost data. In some cases, set  62  may include a total of five fixed segment numbers  64 , with each fixed segment number  64  having a total of seven distinct bar segments  66 . 
         [0053]    Similarly, second region  50  of display  46  may include a set  68  of fixed segments that are configured to display numbers. In some cases, set  68  may be configured to display historical utility usage data including historical utility usage quantity and/or historical utility usage cost data. In some cases, set  68  may include a total of five fixed segment numbers  70 , with each fixed segment number  70  having a total of seven distinct bar segments  72 . 
         [0054]    In some instances, second region  50  of display  46  may include a TIER icon  74  that may include one or more of a CRITICAL fixed segment  76 , a HIGH fixed segment  78 , a MEDIUM fixed segment  80  and/or a LOW fixed segment  82 . In some cases, utility  22  ( FIG. 1 ) may provide a signal to thermostat  42  informing thermostat  42  that current energy costs and/or current energy demand has reached a particular tier or level. For example, if energy demand and/or energy cost is low, the LOW fixed segment  82  may be illuminated. The other fixed segments may be illuminated in accordance with the energy demand and/or energy cost data provided by utility  22 . In some situations, TIER icon  74  may not be illuminated. 
         [0055]    If the current energy demand and/or current energy costs reach a critical level, controller  34  ( FIG. 1 ) may illuminate CRITICAL fixed segment  76 . In some cases, when the current energy demand and/or current energy costs reaches a certain level (e.g. high or critical), a SAVING icon  84  may be illuminated or even flash indicating that controller  34  has altered a temperature set point in accordance with the energy demand information provided by utility  22  ( FIG. 1 ). In some cases, SAVING icon  84  may be illuminated irrespective of the current tier level. 
         [0056]    In some instances, utility  22  may, in response to energy demand and/or energy cost data, may determine how temperature set points are to be altered. A customer may, for example, sign a contract permitting utility  22  to alter temperature set points and/or to determine temperature differentials as necessary and/or appropriate. If utility  22  determines that a particular tier level has been reached, utility  22  may send a signal to thermostat  42  temporarily altering a temperature set point, either by providing a temporary temperature set point or by providing a temperature differential that can be applied to the temperature set point specified by the current schedule under which thermostat  42  is otherwise operating. The contract may permit utility  22  to send a signal to thermostat  42  instructing thermostat  42  to shut down HVAC equipment  14  ( FIG. 1 ) for a length of time that may be predetermined and/or may be calculated based, for example, on current energy demand and/or current energy rates. 
         [0057]    In some instances, for example, utility  22  may provide a signal to thermostat  42  instructing thermostat  42  to change to a temporary temperature set point. The temporary set point may vary, depending on the current energy tier. For example, utility  22  may suggest or require, based at least in part on the contract signed by the owner, a heating temperature set point of 70° F. for a low energy cost, 65° F. for a medium energy cost, 60° F. for a high energy cost, and 50° F. for a critical energy cost. Utility  22  may suggest or require, based at least in part on the contract, a cooling temperature set point of 72° F. for a low energy cost, 77° F. for a medium energy cost, 82° F. for a high energy cost, 86° F. for a critical energy cost. These temperatures are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit or define in any way or manner. In some cases, utility  22  may provide thermostat  42  with the heating and cooling temperature set point values corresponding to each tier level. 
         [0058]    Controller  34  ( FIG. 1 ) may issue a control signal to HVAC equipment  14  for operating cooling equipment  16  and/or heating equipment  18  when the temperature is different than the temperature set point associated with the acceptable energy cost level. In the above example, when the current energy price is high, the control signal may issue control information for operating heating equipment  18  when the temperature fell to 60° F. or below. For cooling equipment  16 , the control signal would issue control information for operating cooling equipment  16  when the temperature rose to or above 82° F. Additionally, the receiver and/or transceiver  30  may receive information from the utility(s) for an energy (and/or water) bill for usage of energy (and/or water) during a time period. In some cases, the user may authorize payment of the energy (and/or water) bill and have the authorization transmitted to utility  22  via the thermostat  12 . 
         [0059]    In some instances, utility  22  may send a signal instructing thermostat  42  to temporarily change its temperature set point by a particular temperature differential that depends on tier level. For example, utility  22  may provide a signal including a temperature differential or offset of 0° F. for a low energy cost, a temperature differential or offset of 2° F. for a medium energy cost, a temperature differential or offset of 6° F. for a high energy cost and a temperature differential or offset of 10° F. for a high energy costs. 
         [0060]    If, for example, the current temperature set point for heating is set at 68° F. and the energy demand reaches the critical level, thermostat  42  may temporarily operate with a temperature set point of 58° F. (68° F.-10° F.). If for example, the current temperature set point for cooling is set at 76° F. and the energy demand reaches the high level, thermostat  42  may temporarily operate with a temperature set point of 86° F. (76° F.+10° F.). 
         [0061]    Depending on the specifics of the contract between the owner and utility  22 , in some cases the owner may be able to override the temporary temperature set points provided by the utility. In some cases, the owner may not be permitted to make any changes, and in fact thermostat  42  may be instructed to not accept set point changes while utility  22  is providing a temporary temperature set point and/or a temperature differential to thermostat  42 . 
         [0062]    In some cases, it is contemplated that a homeowner, a facilities manager and/or an installer may program thermostat  42  with information pertaining to how temperature set points are to be altered in response to various energy demand and/or energy cost levels provided by utility  22 . In some cases, setback information that has been programmed into thermostat  42  may be based at least in part upon which time period (WAKE, LEAVE, RETURN, SLEEP) thermostat  42  is currently operating under. 
         [0063]      FIG. 3  shows the illustrative thermostat  42  operating in accordance with its programming. On second region  50  of display  46 , controller  34  ( FIG. 1 ) is displaying a current inside temperature value  86  and a current temperature set point  88 . If message icon  58  is blinking or otherwise illuminated, pressing message icon  58  may cause one or more messages to be displayed, as will be illustrated subsequently. 
         [0064]    As TIER icon  74  is indicating that the current energy demand and/or current energy cost is at a medium level, the illustrative thermostat  42  may continue to operate in accordance with its schedule, as indicated by the “Following Schedule” fixed segment icon  90 . It can be seen that as the temperature set point  88  is higher than the current temperature value  86 , the heat is currently operational. 
         [0065]    In  FIG. 4 , TIER icon  74  is indicating that the current energy demand and/or current energy cost has reached a critical level  76 . While current inside temperature value  86  remains constant at 66° F., it can be seen that the temperature set point  88  has dropped from the 72° F. value shown in  FIG. 3  to a savings temperature value of 58 20  F., and the heat has thus shut off. In some cases, controller  34  monitors the communication with utility  22 . In some cases, if the communication is broken or otherwise not functioning properly for some reason, thermostat  42  may return to its normal schedule until such time as communication is reestablished. 
         [0066]    Returning to  FIG. 3 , assume for illustrative purposes that message icon  58  is blinking or is otherwise illuminated. In the illustrative embodiment, pressing message icon  58  will cause controller  34  ( FIG. 1 ) to display stored or received messages, as shown in  FIG. 5 . First region  48  of display  46  can be seen as displaying a message “Good Morning!”. Because there is more than one message to display (two, in this example), the message includes “½” in front of the message, and right arrow icon  56  is illuminated. Pressing right arrow icon  56  may cause controller  34  to display the second message, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . It can be seen that once the message has been viewed, message icon  58  changes from illuminating the VIEW fixed segment icon to illuminating the DELETE fixed segment icon. 
         [0067]    In this particular example, the second message is “2 Honeywell UtilityPRO Helps You to Save Energy”, which is too large to display within the 25 character blocks forming first region  48 . Thus, controller  34  ( FIG. 1 ) may scroll the message. This can be seen by comparing  FIGS. 6 and 7 , In  FIG. 6 , first region  48  includes “2 Honeywell UtilityPRO He”, which is the first 25 characters of the message while in  FIG. 7 , first region  48  includes “O Helps You to Save Energy”, which represents the last 25 characters of the message. These are screen captures illustrating how text fits within first region  48 . While the message is broken over two Figures, it will be understood that the message actually scrolls smoothly across first region  48  of display  46 . In some cases, it is contemplated that text may be scrolled vertically, rather than horizontally. 
         [0068]    Because a second or subsequent message is being displayed, it can be seen that left arrow icon  54  is illuminated, so that a user may move back to the previous message. In some cases, if only one message is available or otherwise appropriate for display, neither left arrow icon  54  nor right arrow icon  56  may be illuminated. 
         [0069]    A wide variety of messages may be displayed. For example, as shown in  FIG. 8 , first region  48  of display  46  may, in response to a signal from utility  22  ( FIG. 1 ), display a message reading “Please Conserve!” This message may be displayed when, for example, the utility demand is high or expected to be high. Similar messages may suggest that the person refrain from running energy intensive appliances such as washing machines until the energy demand drops Another illustrative message is seen in  FIG. 9 , in which first region  48  of display  46  displays a message reading “Storm Warning”, perhaps in response to utility  22  forwarding a signal from the local weather authorities, or perhaps the local weather authorities are equipped to broadcast a warning signal directly to receiver and/or transceiver  30  ( FIG. 1 ). It is contemplated that at least some of the messages may be targeted toward certain customers. For example, a tornado warning message may only be sent to those thermostats that are within the geographic region that is currently under a tornado warning. In another example, an ozone or UV warning message may only be sent to those thermostats that are within the geographic region that is currently experiencing high ozone or UV. Likewise, if the demand for energy is particularly high or expected to be high for only some of a utility&#39;s customers or part of the utility&#39;s grid, a message may be directed to only those thermostats that correspond to those customers (e.g. a unique message to a particular group of customers). 
         [0070]    It is also contemplated that promotional messages may be sent to certain thermostats. For example, messages that inform users of certain promotional or other events or services, such as sales at local stores, may be provided. Tips on saving energy and/or the maintenance of equipment may also be provided. In some cases, a water utility may have certain restrictions on water usage, such as limiting the watering of lawns to ever other day. In some cases, the water utility may send a message to the thermostat to notify the user of the water restrictions. In some cases, the water utility may send a message indicating that watering of lawns is prohibited for the customer on a particularly day (e.g. today) or during some other time period. 
         [0071]    In some cases, thermostat  42  may be adapted to provide a user with information regarding current and/or historical energy consumption data and corresponding energy costs. For example,  FIGS. 10-15  illustrative this feature. Returning briefly to  FIG. 3 , in which thermostat  42  is operating in accordance with its schedule, it can be seen that lower region  50  of display  46  includes a USAGE icon  92 . In the illustrative embodiment, pressing USAGE icon  92  brings the user to the screen shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0072]    In  FIG. 10 , controller  34  ( FIG. 1 ) is displaying information pertaining to electrical consumption. In particular, controller  34  is instructing first region  48  of display  46  to display “ELECTRICITY IN KWH”, so that the user can put into context the numerical data displayed within second region  50  of display  46  using set  62  of fixed segments and set  68  of fixed segments. Set  62  is displaying a value for the amount of electricity used thus far this month while set  68  is being used to display a value for the corresponding time period last year. Fixed segment icon  94  informs the user of the current time period while fixed segment icon  96  informs the user of the corresponding historical time period. As discussed above, other time periods may also be chosen or otherwise selected or displayed, as desired. 
         [0073]    Pressing right arrow icon  56  brings the user to  FIG. 11 , in which controller  34  ( FIG. 1 ) is displaying information regarding electrical costs, while instead pressing EXIT button  60  would return the user to  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 11 , first region  48  of display  46  now reads “ELECTRICITY BILL”. Fixed segment icon  98 , representing a dollar sign, provides additional context for the information being displayed. In some cases, fixed segment icon  98  may be omitted, if desired. 
         [0074]    Set  62  is being used by controller  34  to display the electrical bill to date for the month while set  68  is being used by controller  34  to provide the corresponding historical data. Pressing left arrow icon  54  would return the user to the screen shown in  FIG. 10  while pressing right arrow icon  56  will bring the user to the screen shown in  FIG. 12 . Pressing EXIT button  60  would return the user to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0075]    In  FIG. 12 , controller  34  ( FIG. 1 ) is displaying information pertaining to water consumption. In particular, controller  34  is instructing first region  48  of display  46  to display “WATER USAGE IN KGAL”, so that the user can put into context the numerical data displayed within second region  50  of display  46  using set  62  of fixed segments and set  68  of fixed segments. Set  62  is displaying a value for the amount of water used thus far this month while set  68  is being used to display a value for the corresponding time period last year. Fixed segment icon  94  informs the user of the current time period while fixed segment icon  96  informs the user of the corresponding historical time period. As discussed above, other time periods may also be chosen or otherwise selected or displayed. 
         [0076]    Pressing right arrow icon  56  brings the user to  FIG. 13 , in which controller  34  ( FIG. 1 ) is displaying information regarding water costs, while instead pressing EXIT button  60  would return the user to  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 13 , first region  48  of display  46  now reads “WATER BILL”. Fixed segment icon  98 , representing a dollar sign, provides additional context for the information being displayed. In some cases, fixed segment icon  98  may be omitted, if desired. 
         [0077]    Set  62  is being used by controller  34  to display the water bill to date for the month while set  68  is being used by controller  34  to provide the corresponding historical data. Pressing left arrow icon  54  would return the user to the screen shown in  FIG. 12  while pressing right arrow icon  56  will bring the user to the screen shown in  FIG. 14 . Pressing EXIT button  60  would return the user to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0078]    In  FIG. 14 , controller  34  ( FIG. 1 ) is displaying information pertaining to gas consumption. In particular, controller  34  is instructing first region  48  of display  46  to display “GAS USAGE IN CCF”, so that the user can put into context the numerical data displayed within second region  50  of display  46  using set  62  of fixed segments and set  68  of fixed segments. Set  62  is displaying a value for the amount of gas used thus far this month while set  68  is being used to display a value for the corresponding time period last year. Fixed segment icon  94  informs the user of the current time period while fixed segment icon  96  informs the user of the corresponding historical time period. As discussed above, other time periods may also be chosen or otherwise selected or displayed. 
         [0079]    Pressing right arrow icon  56  brings the user to  FIG. 15 , in which controller  34  ( FIG. 1 ) is displaying information regarding gas costs, while instead pressing EXIT button  60  would return the user to  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 15 , first region  48  of display  46  now reads “GAS BILL”. Fixed segment icon  98 , representing a dollar sign, provides additional context for the information being displayed. In some cases, fixed segment icon  98  may be omitted, if desired. 
         [0080]    Set  62  is being used by controller  34  to display the water bill to date for the month while set  68  is being used by controller  34  to provide the corresponding historical data. Pressing left arrow icon  54  would return the user to the screen shown in  FIG. 14  while pressing right arrow icon  56  will return the user to the screen shown in  FIG. 10 , unless thermostat  42  is equipped to display additional consumption or cost data. Pressing EXIT button  60  would return the user to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0081]      FIGS. 16 and 17  are flow diagrams illustrating methods that may be carried out using thermostat  42  ( FIG. 2 ). In  FIG. 16 , control begins at block  100 , where thermostat  42  receives a message from utility  22  ( FIG. 1 ). The message received from utility  22  may be related to energy demand, current and/or past energy costs, energy conservation, weather alerts, promotional and/or advertisements and the like. At block  102 , controller  34  ( FIG. 1 ) displays on display  46  an indication of a measure of utility usage during a first time period. At block  104 , controller  34  displays on display  46  an indication of a measure of utility usage during a second time period. In some cases, the first time period may predate the second time period, but this is not required. 
         [0082]    In  FIG. 17 , control begins at block  100 , where thermostat  42  ( FIG. 2 ) receives a message from utility  22  ( FIG. 1 ). At block  106 , controller  34  ( FIG. 1 ) displays on display  46  an indication of a measure of utility usage during a period of time, Control passes to block  108 , where controller  34  displays on display  46  one or more display messages that are related to the message received from utility  22 . These messages may pertain to energy demand, current energy costs, energy conservation, weather alerts, advertisements and the like. 
         [0083]    In some cases, the indication of the measure of utility usage during the period of time may be displayed on display  46  at the same time or nearly the same time as the one or more messages arc displayed on display  46 . In some cases, they are not displayed simultaneously. 
         [0084]    The present invention should not be considered limited to the particular examples described above, but rather should be understood to cover all aspects of the invention as fairly set out in the attached claims. Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures to which the present invention can be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art to which the present invention is directed upon review of the instant specification.

Technology Category: 2