Projection display thermostat
OwnerRandall L. Moreyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thermostat is provided with an image projection capability that allows images concerning the operation of the thermostat to be projected onto a surface in the vicinity of the thermostat. The image projection is preferably accomplished by directing an internally generated image to an image enlargement device which thereafter projects an enlarged image onto the surface in the vicinity of the thermostat. The surface that receives the projected image is preferably defined by a screen affixed to the wall that the thermostat is mounted to.
Claims21
A thermostat having programmable features that may be selectively programmed by a person entering information concerning the programmable features into the thermostat, said thermostat comprising:
- at least one depressible key for entering information into the thermostat concerning at least one programmable feature;
- a processor within said thermostat, said processor being operative to generate at least one image relating to the programmable feature;
- image projection apparatus for projecting the image generated by said processor onto a surface in the immediate vicinity of the thermostat whereby the person entering information concerning programmable features may view the projected image.
Projection apparatus for projecting information concerning the operation of a thermostat onto a surface in the vicinity of the thermostat, said apparatus comprising:
- a processor located within the thermostat, said processor being operative to generate at least one image relating to the operation of the thermostat:
- and
- image projection means responsive to said processor so as to project an image relating to the operation of the thermostat generated by said processor onto the surface in the vicinity of the thermostat wherein said image projection means comprises:
- a device for forming the image on a medium;
- and
- image redirecting means which redirects the image formed on the medium onto the surface in the immediate vicinity of the thermostat.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.