The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 05, 2015
Filed:
Oct. 06, 2011
Daniel Adam Warren, San Francisco, CA (US);
Grant M. Erickson, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Andrea Mucignat, San Francisco, CA (US);
Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Jr., Palo Alto, CA (US);
Joseph Adam Ruff, San Jose, CA (US);
Joseph E. Palmer, San Jose, CA (US);
Shigefumi Honjo, Santa Cruz, CA (US);
Daniel Adam Warren, San Francisco, CA (US);
Grant M. Erickson, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Andrea Mucignat, San Francisco, CA (US);
Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Jr., Palo Alto, CA (US);
Joseph Adam Ruff, San Jose, CA (US);
Joseph E. Palmer, San Jose, CA (US);
Shigefumi Honjo, Santa Cruz, CA (US);
Google Inc., Mountain View, CA (US);
Abstract
In a multi-sensing, wirelessly communicating learning thermostat that uses power-harvesting to charge an internal battery, methods are disclosed for ensuring that the battery does not become depleted or damaged while at the same time ensuring selected levels of thermostat functionality. Battery charge status is monitored to determine whether the present rate of power usage needs to be stemmed. If the present rate of power usage needs to be stemmed, then a progression of performance levels and/or functionalities are scaled back according to a predetermined progressive power conservation algorithm. In a less preferred embodiment, there is a simple progressive shutdown of functionalities turned off in sequence until the desired amount of discharge stemming is reached. Battery charge preservation measures are also described for cases when an interruption of external supply power used to recharge the battery is detected.