Learning Thermostat Control Without Time or Date Programming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional programmable thermostats require users to manually set and synchronize time and date, which can be cumbersome and confusing, especially when preferences change or during events like daylight savings time, leading to a need for a simpler, self-programmable solution that learns user habits without relying on time or day settings.
Innovation Solution
A thermostat equipped with a microprocessor that learns user temperature setting habits by observing manual inputs and automatically adjusts settings, allowing it to switch between manual and programmed modes without requiring users to enter time or day information, using a system of timestamps and rules to anticipate and adapt to user preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a programmable thermostat is used to automatically adjust setpoints at specified times, then convenience and energy savings are improved, but device complexity and programming difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat observes and learns user temperature adjustment patterns automatically without requiring manual programming. The system self-programs by detecting when users manually adjust temperatures and creating automatic setpoints based on these observed behaviors, eliminating the need for complex user programming while maintaining automated convenience
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors user interactions with the thermostat and uses this feedback to refine and update its learned patterns. By observing repeated manual adjustments and adapting to changes in user preferences, the thermostat maintains accurate automated control without requiring re-programming by the user
2Measurement precision
If conventional programmable thermostats require time and date synchronization, then accurate scheduling is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to multiple programming steps
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat automatically determines the current time by monitoring the frequency of user interactions and inferring day boundaries from patterns of temperature adjustments. This self-determined timebase eliminates the need for manual clock setting while maintaining accurate scheduling capability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using the clock time to control temperature settings, the system inverts the approach by using temperature adjustment patterns to determine the current time and day. The thermostat learns which days of the week correspond to specific user behaviors and uses this learned temporal information for scheduling
3Adaptability or versatility
If a thermostat provides multiple preprogrammed settings, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat transitions from static preprogrammed settings to dynamic learned patterns that adapt continuously based on user behavior. The system evolves its control strategy over time by observing changes in user preferences and automatically adjusting its programmed responses to match current habits
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid manual/programmable thermostat for a furnace or air conditioner offers the simplicity of a manual thermostat while providing the convenience and versatility of a programmable one. Initially, the hybrid thermostat appears to function as an ordinary manual thermostat; however, it privately observes and learnsthat is configured to learn from a user's manual temperature setting habitssettings and eventually programsprogram itself accordingly. If users begin changing their preferred temperature settings due to seasonal changes or other reasons, the thermostat continues learningThe thermostat may be configured to learn and will adapt to those changes as well. For ease of use, the thermostat does not require an onscreen menu as a user interface. In some embodiments, the thermostat can effectively program itself for temperature settings that are set to occur at particular times daily or just on weekends, yet the user is not required to enter the time of day or the day of the weeka user's manual temperature settings over time.