# US 11,907,038 B2 · Temperature control device with automatically adjustable backlighting > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,907,038 B2 - Document ID: US11907038B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/891,599 - Filed: 2022-08-19 - Published: 2022-12-08 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2015-05-26 - Assignees: Lutron Technology Company LLC - Applicants: Lutron Technology Company LLC - Inventors: Jason C. Killo; Donald R. Mosebrook; James P. Steiner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11907038B2 ## CPC - G06F 1/3234: Power saving characterised by the action undertaken - F24F 11/30: for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring - F24F 11/523: for displaying temperature data - F24F 11/56: Remote control - F24F 11/61: using timers - F24F 11/66: Sleep mode - G05D 23/1902: {characterised by the use of a variable reference value} - G06F 3/04847: Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials - G09G 3/2003: {Display of colours (specific for liquid crystal displays G09G3/3607)} - F24F 11/46: Improving electric energy efficiency or saving - F24F 11/52: Indication arrangements, e.g. displays - F24F 2110/10: Temperature - F24F 2120/00: Control inputs relating to users or occupants - G05B 2219/2614: HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control - G09G 2320/0626: for control of overall brightness - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES - G09G: ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION (arrangements for transferring data between digital computers and displays G06F3/14; static indicating arrangements comprising an association of a number of separate sources or light control cells G09F9/00; static indicating arrangements comprising integral associations of a number of light sources H01J, H01K, H10H, H05B33/12; scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission, details thereof H04N1/00) - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) ## Abstract A temperature control device (e.g., a thermostat) may be configured to control an internal heat-generating electrical load so as to accurately measure a present temperature in a space around the temperature control device. The temperature control device may comprise a temperature sensing circuit configured to generate a temperature control signal indicating the present temperature in the space, and a control circuit configured to receive the temperature control signal and to control the internal electrical load. The control circuit may be configured to energize the internal electrical load in an awake state and to cause the internal electrical load to consume less power in an idle state. The control circuit may be configured to control the internal electrical load to a first energy level (e.g., a first intensity) during the awake state and to a second energy level (e.g., second intensity) that is less than the first during the idle state. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A temperature control device comprising: a display; and a processor configured to: determine a temperature in a space around the temperature control device; and operate the display in an awake state where the display is illuminated; wherein the temperature is not determined when in the awake state. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The temperature control device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to operate the display in an idle state where the display is not illuminated. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The temperature control device of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to determine the temperature during the idle state. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The temperature control device of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a state of a flag in order to determine whether the temperature control device is operating in the idle state. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The temperature control device of claim 4, wherein the processor is further configured to: receive data from a temperature sensor; and when the state of the flag indicates the temperature control device is operating in the idle state, to store the data in memory. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The temperature control device of claim 5, wherein the stored temperature sensor data is a present temperature in the space. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The temperature control device of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to compare the setpoint temperature to the present temperature in the space, and based on the comparison, control an HVAC system associated with the space. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The temperature control device of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to, after entering the idle state from the active state, wait before periodically storing data from the temperature sensor in memory to allow a temperature inside of the temperature control device to decrease to a steady state temperature. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The temperature control device of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to determine an ambient light level in the space and compare the ambient light level to an ambient light threshold. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The temperature control device of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to backlight the display of the temperature control device when the ambient light level in the space is at least one of less than or equal to the ambient light threshold. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The temperature control device of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to set the state of the flag to indicate the temperature control device is operating in the awake state in response to an actuation of a button on the temperature control device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The temperature control device of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to start a timer after actuation of the button, whereupon, on expiry of the timer, the processor is further configured set the state of the flag to indicate the temperature control device is operating in the idle state. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The temperature control device of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to determine an ambient light level in the space. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The temperature control device of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to illuminate the display of the temperature control device with greater intensity at higher ambient light levels. ### Claim 15 (depends on 4) The temperature control device of claim 4, wherein the processor is further configured to: receive data from a temperature sensor; and when the state of the flag indicates the temperature control device is operating in the awake state, not to store the data in memory. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The temperature control device of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to compare a setpoint temperature to a temperature which was previously detected and stored in memory when the temperature control device was last in the idle state, and based on the comparison, control an HVAC system associated with the space. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The temperature control device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to store a setpoint temperature input by a user. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The temperature control device of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to compare the setpoint temperature to a present temperature determined in the space, and based on the comparison, control an HVAC system associated with the space. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The temperature control device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to detect an occupancy condition in the space and to control an HVAC system associated with the space based on the detected occupancy condition. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The temperature control device of claim 1, further comprising a lens for detecting at least one of ambient light or occupancy of the space.