Thermostat system with remote data averaging

Abstract

A thermostat system according to the invention includes: a central control device (typically a programmable thermostat with a processor having: a CPU, real time clock and a memory for storing a control program and data information), multiple rooms comprising a conditioned space, environmental control equipment, and multiple environmental sensors capable of sensing an environmental condition (such as temperature, humidity, or other condition). The sensors are associated with transmission means, which control transmission of sensor signals, and occupancy sensors. Each sensor measures a local environmental condition. Occupancy sensors comprise infrared or other motion sensors, light detection sensors, door opening sensors, and other such sensors that detect the presence of humans in a room of the conditioned space where its associated sensor is located. Space conditioning equipment is activated by comparison of a setpoint to a control value averaged from values of environmental conditions in occupied rooms.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to the art of thermostats and, more particularly, to a thermostat system incorporating a central control device receiving remote environmental sensing data from remote sensors.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Thermostats have been used for many years as a temperature sensitive switch which controls heating and / or cooling equipment for conditioning a space in which the thermostat, or a temperature sensor connected to the thermostat, is placed. In the well known manner, a simple thermostat can be adjusted to establish a temperature set point such that, when the temperature in the conditioned space reaches the set point, the thermostat interacts with the heating and / or / cooling equipment to take suitable action to heat or cool the conditioned space as may be appropriate for the season.[0003]Modern thermostat systems, which take advantage of the ongoing rapid advances in electronic technology and circuit integration, have many features w...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]In one form of the invention, transmission means enables transmission of environmental sensor signals to the central control device only upon input of signals from the occupancy detector. In another form of the invention, transmission means provide continuous transmissions from environmental sensor signals to a central control device, albeit where such signals are associated with indications of occupancy or non-occupancy of a room where the sensor is located sensing occupancy of a room or an area of a large room. Such remote sensor signals are transmitted to the central control device and stored in its memory as a table of data indicating environmental conditions only in occupied rooms. The values of this table are averaged in one of several selected modes to yield a control value. This control value more accurately reflects the desired environmental conditions of the rooms where user's are present. Alternately, all sensor data may be stored at the central control device and associated with indications of occupancy or non-occupancy of a room where the sensor is located and a time of the sensing of the environmental condition and occupancy status of the room.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, zone control requires dedicated equipment for the zone or duct dampers or deflectors to direct conditioned air to the zone rooms.

This requires complexity and additional cost to the system.

The control value established by prior art thermostat systems can easily over- or under-condition a room where a user most desires environmental control.

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