Configurable multi-level thermostat backlighting
AssigneeCarrier Corporation
InventorsJerry L. Proffitt, Michael Roher, William F. Van Ostrand
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thermostat includes a display and an illumination device that is configurable to illuminate the display in a partial illumination mode and a full illumination mode. In the partial illumination mode the illumination device generates a light intensity sufficient to review the settings of the thermostat without generating heat of a sufficient amount to disrupt thermostat measurements. The full illuminated condition is actuated upon interaction with the thermostat. Once interaction with the thermostat is completed the illumination device thermostat returns to the partially illuminated condition.
Claims13
A thermostat assembly comprising:
- a display for communicating information;
- an illumination device for illuminating said display, said illumination device actuatable between a non-illuminated mode, a partially illuminated mode and a fully illuminated mode;
- a controller operating said illumination device according to one of said non-illuminated mode, said fully illuminated mode;
- and said partially illuminated mode;
- and
- a user interface for adjusting a thermostat parameter including a means for setting a desired illumination mode, wherein operation of said illumination device in said partially illuminated mode comprises changing from a partial light level to a full light level in response to actuation of said user interface, and returning to said partial light level responsive to a desired event.
A method of illuminating a thermostat comprising the steps of:
- a. selecting between a partially illuminated mode and a fully illuminated mode of an illumination device for illuminating a display, wherein the illumination device and the display are components of the thermostat;
- and
- b. illuminating said display according to said partially illuminated mode by illuminating the display at a partial light level below a full light level, increasing the light level to the full light level responsive to user interaction with a user interface, and returning to the partial light level after a desired event.
A system control panel assembly comprising:
- a display means for displaying information relating to operation of a system;
- an illumination means for illuminating said display means according to a non-illumination mode, a partially illuminated mode and a fully illuminated mode;
- a control means for adjusting said illumination means between said non-illuminated mode, said fully illuminated mode, and said partially illuminated mode;
- and
- a user interface for adjusting a control panel parameter including a means for setting a desired illumination mode, wherein said partially illuminated mode comprises operation of said display means by changing from a partial light level to a full light level in response to actuation of said user interface, and returning to a partial light level that is less than said full light level after a desired period of inaction of said user interface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.