# US 2014/0207258 A1 · Low energy environmental sensor that receives inputs via movement thereof, and a method of operating a rocking environmental sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0207258 A1 - Document ID: US20140207258A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/931,175 - Filed: 2013-06-28 - Published: 2014-07-24 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-21 - Assignees: Lennox Industries Inc. - Applicants: Lennox Industries Inc. - Inventors: Robert Anthony DiFulgentiz, III; Larry S. Bias; Thomas Gerard Pavlak; Kyle Golden; Takeshi Sakai; Daniel Castillo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140207258A1 ## CPC - F24F 11/89: Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices - F24F 11/30: for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring - F24F 11/46: Improving electric energy efficiency or saving - F24F 11/52: Indication arrangements, e.g. displays - H01H 23/24: with two operating positions - F24F 2110/00: Control inputs relating to air properties - F24F 2120/20: Feedback from users - H01H 23/00: Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button - H01H 2300/03: Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring - Y02B 90/20: Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector (smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00) - Y04S 20/14: Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers - 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) - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS - Y04S: SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS ## Abstract A low energy environmental sensor is provided herein that is configured to receive user inputs from movement of the sensor itself. A method of operating a rocking environmental sensor is also provided. In one embodiment, the rocking environmental sensor includes: (1) a base having a fulcrum point and (2) a face including a first movement initiator area and a second movement initiator area configured to cause the face to toggle with respect to the fulcrum point and complete a signaling path indicating a user input. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rocking environmental sensor, comprising: a base having a fulcrum point; and a face including a first movement initiator area and a second movement initiator area configured to cause said face to toggle with respect to said fulcrum point and complete a signaling path indicating a user input. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The rocking sensor as recited in claim 1 wherein said base includes sides that define a volume and said face fits within said volume. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The rocking sensor as recited in claim 1 wherein said base includes first and second directional contacts, wherein either one of said first or second directional contact is used as part of said signaling path. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The rocking sensor as recited in claim 1 wherein said face includes an increase contact and a decrease contact that are positioned to complete said signaling path depending on a direction of said toggle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The rocking sensor as recited in claim 1 wherein said face further includes a first design and a second design that indicates directions of said toggle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The rocking sensor as recited in claim 1 wherein said face further includes an electronic ink display. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The rocking sensor as recited in claim 1 wherein said face further includes a fulcrum connector that cooperates with said fulcrum point to create a fulcrum. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The rocking sensor as recited in claim 1 wherein said face does not include a button or touchscreen configured to receive a user input. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The rocking sensor as recited in claim 1 further comprising a processor configured to direct operation of said rocking sensor based on said user input received via said toggle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The rocking sensor as recited in claim 9 wherein said processor is configured to generate a control signal to increase or decrease a setting of a HVAC system. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The rocking sensor as recited in claim 9 wherein said processor is configured to interpret a series of inputs received via said signaling path to perform a predetermined function. ### Claim 12 An environmental sensor for use with a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system, comprising: a processor configured to direct operation of said sensor based on a user input; and a rocking input system, including: a first component having a fulcrum point; and a second component including a first movement initiator area and a second movement initiator area configured to cause said second component to toggle with respect to said fulcrum point and complete a signaling path indicating said user input. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The environmental sensor as recited in claim 12 wherein said first component is further configured to receive a mounting bracket configured to affix said sensor to a fixed structure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The environmental sensor as recited in claim 12 wherein said second component includes a low energy display. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The environmental sensor as recited in claim 12 wherein said processor is configured to increase or decrease an environmental setting for a zone of said HVAC system based on said user input. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The environmental sensor as recited in claim 12 wherein said processor is configured to perform a designated function in response to receiving a series of user inputs via said rocking input system. ### Claim 17 A method of operating an environmental sensor employable in a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising: receiving a user input via movement of said environmental sensor; generating a control signal in response to said user input; and performing a function in response to said control signal. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method as recited in claim 17 wherein said method is a method of testing said sensor during manufacturing thereof. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method as recited in claim 17 wherein said generating is performed by a processor of said sensor. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method as recited in claim 17 wherein said function is directing operation of HVAC equipment.