Interactive electronic thermostat with installation assistance
US5065813A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 9, 1988 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D23/1917
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An interactive electronic thermostat operates to communicate with an installed through an audible or visual display and keypad to instruct the installer to perform tasks and enter observations to effect proper connections at the thermostat of heater/air conditioner wires in spite of the absence of labels identifying the functions of those wires. The thermostat requires entry of coded indicia representing operator-observed conditions in the system in response to displayed instructions carried out by the operator. Control circuits are automatically assigned functional tasks in response to the operator-observed conditions entered into the system. Different program routines are invoked depending upon the number of system wires and the type of heater/air conditioner being controlled. Under appropriate circumstances, messages are displayed informing the operator/homeowner that the thermostat is incompatible, or has no advantageous use, with the heater/air conditioner. In one embodiment the installer need only connect the wires to the thermostat terminals one time; the thermostat reconfigures its internal connection paths in response to installer-entered indicia to assure proper control o…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.