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`US 20080099568Al
`
`c19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`Nicodem et al.
`
`c10) Pub. No.: US 2008/0099568 Al
`May 1, 2008
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) WIRELESS TEMPERATURE CONTROL
`SYSTEM
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Harry E. Nicodem, Riclnnond, IL
`(US); J. Steven Martin, McHenry,
`IL (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`VEDDER PRICE KAUFMAN & KAMMHOLZ
`222 N. LASALLE STREET
`CHICAGO, IL 60601
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`TONERHEAD, INC., McHenry,
`IL (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/554,694
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Oct. 31, 2006
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G0SD 23100
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. .......................................................... 236/51
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`
`An apparatus such as a wireless temperature control system
`or a method for controlling an HVAC unit from a central
`location may include a control transmitter for sending pro(cid:173)
`gramming data. One or more thermostats, each wired to an
`associated HVAC unit or units, have a wireless component for
`receiving the progrannning data from the control transmitter
`via a localized wireless network. The one or more thermostats
`of the system are not dependent upon the control transmitter
`or the localized wireless network for continued operation.
`Using this apparatus or method, a user may, among other
`things, transmit programming data to one or more HVAC
`units from one central location.
`
`214
`'----
`
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`
`ecobee, IPR2021-01052
`Ex.1011, Page 1 of 11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 1, 2008 Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 2008/0099568 Al
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`ecobee, IPR2021-01052
`Ex.1011, Page 2 of 11
`
`

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`214
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`
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`ecobee, IPR2021-01052
`Ex.1011, Page 3 of 11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 1, 2008 Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 2008/0099568 Al
`
`300
`
`START
`
`Transmitting
`programming data
`via a localized
`wireless network
`
`302
`
`Receiving programming
`data with a thermostat
`wired to an HVAC unit
`having a wireless component
`
`304
`
`Using the programming
`data for the operation
`of an HVAC unit
`
`306
`
`308
`
`END
`
`FIG. 3
`
`ecobee, IPR2021-01052
`Ex.1011, Page 4 of 11
`
`

`

`400
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`via a localized wireless network
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`
`ecobee, IPR2021-01052
`Ex.1011, Page 5 of 11
`
`

`

`US 2008/0099568 Al
`
`May 1, 2008
`
`1
`
`WIRELESS TEMPERATURE CONTROL
`SYSTEM
`
`FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
`
`[0001] The present apparatus and methods generally relate
`to a wireless temperature control system and a method which
`is used, for example, for controlling a heating, ventilation,
`and air conditioning ("HVAC") system over a localized wire(cid:173)
`less network from a central location, among other things.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0002] Heating,
`conditioning
`air
`and
`ventilation,
`("HVAC") units or systems are used to control climates
`within buildings. Furthermore, HVAC units may provide
`fresh air, may control humidity or odors, and may maintain
`pressure relationships between different spaces. These sys(cid:173)
`tems generally contain one or more thermostats wired to an
`HVAC unit and more recently include wireless thermostats.
`The systems also contain ductwork, such as air ducts and
`outlets, throughout a building to deliver air to the climate
`controlled areas of a building. Depending on factors such as
`the size of the building and desired climate control function(cid:173)
`ality, many buildings often contain more than one HVAC unit.
`If a user wishes to change the settings for an entire building in
`such cases, the user must change the settings for each HVAC
`unit by going from room to room or from area to area to
`change the settings on each different thermostat associated
`with each different HVAC system.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0003] One aspect of the claimed apparatus includes a con(cid:173)
`trol transmitter for sending programming data and a thermo(cid:173)
`stat wired to an HVAC unit, the thermostat having a wireless
`component for receiving programming data from the control
`transmitter via a localized wireless network. Furthermore,
`according to one embodiment of the claimed apparatus, the
`thermostat is not dependent upon the control transmitter or
`the localized wireless network for it to continue to operate as
`desired.
`[0004] Another embodiment of a wireless temperature con(cid:173)
`trol system also includes a second thermostat wired to a
`second HVAC unit, the second thermostat having a second
`wireless component for receiving programming data from the
`control transmitter for continued operation. Furthermore,
`according to this embodiment of the claimed apparatus, the
`thermostat is not dependent upon the control transmitter or
`the localized wireless network for it to continue to operate as
`desired.
`[0005] Yet another embodiment of the claimed apparatus
`further includes a thermostat operably coupled to a second
`thermostat.
`[0006] Another embodiment of a wireless temperature con(cid:173)
`trol system further includes a personal computer to provide
`programming data to the control transmitter.
`[0007] Yet another embodiment of a wireless temperature
`control system further includes one or more wireless sensors
`operably coupled to a thermostat.
`[0008] Another embodiment of the claimed apparatus fur(cid:173)
`ther includes a control receiver that receives reporting data
`from a wireless component of a thermostat via a localized
`wireless network. In yet another embodiment of the claimed
`apparatus, one or more wireless sensors transmit sensor data
`via a localized wireless network to a control receiver.
`
`[0009] Another embodiment of a wireless temperature con(cid:173)
`trol system may also include a thermostat storing program(cid:173)
`ming data in a nonvoliatile memory.
`[0010]
`In still another embodiment of the claimed appara(cid:173)
`tus, a wireless temperature control system may include one or
`more override buttons such that a user may override program(cid:173)
`ming data.
`[0011] A method for controlling an HVAC unit from a
`central location includes transmitting programming data via a
`localized wireless network; receiving the programming data
`with a thermostat wired to an HVAC unit having a wireless
`component; and using the programming data for the opera(cid:173)
`tion of the HVAC unit. The method may also include entering
`the programming data into a personal computer.
`[0012]
`In another embodiment, a method for controlling an
`HVAC unit from a central location may additionally include a
`second thermostat wired to a second HVAC unit having a
`second wireless component that also receives programming
`data. This embodiment of the method may also include trans(cid:173)
`mitting thermostat data from the thermostat to the second
`thermostat.
`[0013] The method for controlling an HVAC unit from a
`central location may also include using one or more wireless
`sensors to generate sensing data, transmitting the sensing data
`from the wireless sensors via a localized wireless network,
`and receiving the sensing data with a thermostat. In yet
`another embodiment of this method, the method may include
`sensing data with a control receiver.
`[0014] A method for controlling an HVAC unit from a
`central location may also include receiving reporting data
`from a thermostat with a control receiver via a localized
`wireless network.
`[0015]
`In yet another embodiment, a method for control(cid:173)
`ling an HVAC unit from a central location may also include
`storing programming data in a nonvolatile memory.
`[0016] A method for controlling an HVAC unit from a
`central location may also include overriding programming
`data with one or more override buttons.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0017] FIG. 1 is a wireless temperature control system.
`[0018] FIG. 2 is another wireless temperature control sys(cid:173)
`tem including additional example devices in the system.
`[0019] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a method for con(cid:173)
`trolling an HVAC unit from a central location.
`[0020] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a method for con(cid:173)
`trolling an HVAC unit from a central location including addi(cid:173)
`tional, optional steps.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0021] The present apparatus and method generally relate
`to programming an array of thermostats for heating, ventila(cid:173)
`tion, and air conditioning ("HVAC") units or systems from a
`central location. The following detailed description is of
`example embodiments of the presently claimed apparatus and
`method with references to the accompanying drawings. Such
`description is intended to be illustrative and not limiting with
`respect to the scope of the present apparatus and method.
`Such embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable
`one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the subject apparatus
`and method, and it will be understood that other embodiments
`may be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope
`of the embodiments described herein.
`
`ecobee, IPR2021-01052
`Ex.1011, Page 6 of 11
`
`

`

`US 2008/0099568 Al
`
`May 1, 2008
`
`2
`
`[0022] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a wireless tem(cid:173)
`perature control system 100. In this embodiment, a control
`transmitter 102 sends programming data via a localized wire(cid:173)
`less network 104. The control transmitter 102, as one skilled
`in the art will appreciate, is a device that utilizes the radio
`frequency ("RF") spectrum for communicating with other
`devices. Accordingly, the control transmitter may contain,
`among other things, an antenna, possibly internal or external;
`and a power source, which as one skilled in the art may
`appreciate, could be a battery, an AC current source; a com(cid:173)
`puter via a USB connection, or any other suitable power
`supply now known or later developed.
`[0023] The control transmitter 102 may transmit or send
`data, such as programming data, over a wireless network 104,
`which may be a localized wireless network. The wireless
`network 104 may be any suitable wireless network as known
`to one skilled in the art. For example, it may be based on the
`IEE 802.11 standards (the "Wi-Fi" standard); the IEE 802.
`15.1 standard ("Bluetooth"), the IEE 802.15.4 standard
`("ZigBee"), or any other suitable network now known or later
`developed. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, how(cid:173)
`ever, the ZigBee specification is intended to yield simpler,
`cheaper, and more power-efficient devices. It is further under(cid:173)
`stood that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate
`how the different components utilizing the localized wireless
`network 104 communicate and successfully transmit data.
`For example, depending on the protocol used, each thermo(cid:173)
`stat's wireless component 112 may be assigned a unique
`serial number to distinguish it from other devices using the
`localized area network 104. Further note that the localized
`wireless network 104 is not directed point-to-point as the
`figures may suggest. Instead, the lines depicting the localized
`area network 104 are shown in the figures only to help one
`understand how some of the components could be operably
`connected via the localized wireless network 104. Thus, the
`shown operable connections may not be the only operable
`connections in the system.
`[0024] A thermostat 106 wired 108 to an HVAC unit 110
`contains a wireless component 112 for receiving data from
`the control transmitter 102. The data may include, for
`example, programming data. As one skilled in the art will
`appreciate, this programming data may include set points,
`time periods, and other settings for a thermostat 106. This
`programming data may be associated with only one thermo(cid:173)
`stat 106 or with more than one thermostat, as discussed below.
`Additionally, note that the wireless component 112 of the
`thermostat 106 may include a transmitter, a receiver, an
`antenna, a power source, and any other suitable components
`necessary for transmitting and/or receiving data over a wire(cid:173)
`less network 104. It is to be understood that the wireless
`component may contain different components depending
`upon its function in the chosen embodiment. For example, in
`an embodiment where the thermostat only receives data, the
`wireless component may or may not include a transmitter
`because only a receiver ( and other necessary components for
`receiving, such as a power source and an antenna) is neces(cid:173)
`sary. Alternatively, for example, if the thermostat both
`receives data and transmits data, as discussed below in other
`embodiments, the wireless component 112 may also include
`a transmitter. It should be further understood that although
`this wireless component 112 is depicted as part of the ther(cid:173)
`mostat 106, the wireless component may be in any suitable
`location, which, for example, may be operably connected to,
`but not included within, the thermostat 106 itself.
`
`[0025] As already noted, the thermostat 106 is wired 108 to
`an HVAC unit 110. As one skilled in the art will appreciate,
`the thermostat 106 may actually communicate with the
`HVAC unit 110 via wireless means, thereby eliminating the
`need for the depicted wires 108. In this particular embodi(cid:173)
`ment, however, the thermostat 106 is wired 108 to the HVAC
`unit 110 such that, if so desired, one may implement the
`described apparatus or method by replacing a traditional ther(cid:173)
`mostat wired 108 to an HVAC unit 110 with a thermostat 106
`having a wireless component 112.
`[0026] The thermostat 106 contains all the functionality
`and operations of a normal thermostat. Therefore, for
`example, a user may be able to view current set points, view
`current temperatures, change current set points, view time
`periods, change time periods, enter a temporary mode of
`operation, and, among other things, resume a programmed
`mode of operation based on predefined or default set points.
`The thermostat 106 may also include a temperature sensor, a
`temperature indicator, a humidity sensor, relays to control
`single or dual stage HVAC units, run indicators (LEDs or
`equivalents, for example), and other features as one skilled in
`the art would appreciate. The thermostat 106 could be pow(cid:173)
`ered by replaceable batteries, rechargeable batteries using the
`24-voltAC typically found in an HVAC unit 110 to recharge
`the batteries, or a high capacity capacitor using the 24-voltAC
`to charge the capacitor. The HVAC unit 110 is a heating,
`ventilation, and air conditioning unit as commonly known
`and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.
`[0027]
`It should be understood that in this embodiment, the
`thermostat 106 is not dependent upon the control transmitter
`102 or the localized wireless network 104 for continued
`operation. This means, for example, that a user could install
`the thermostat 106 having a wireless component 112 and
`never implement a localized wireless network 104 for the
`HVAC unit 110 to operate. Alternatively, a user may use a
`control transmitter 102 and a localized wireless network 104
`to send programming data to the thermostat 106 and then
`remove the control transmitter 102 and localized wireless
`network 104. In such a case, the thermostat 106 and HVAC
`unit 110 will continue to function based on the set points, time
`periods, and other information contained in the programming
`data. The user could, however, use the thermostat 106 to
`program different set points, time periods, and other data to
`control the functionality of the HVAC unit 110.
`[0028] Turning now to FIG. 2, another embodiment of a
`wireless temperature control system 200 is shown. Similar to
`FIG. 1, this embodiment includes a control transmitter 102, a
`localized wireless network 104, a thermostat 106 having a
`wireless component 112, and an HVAC unit 110 that is wired
`108 to the thermostat 106. As one of ordinary skill in the art
`will appreciate, the additional components illustrated in FIG.
`2 may be added collectively or individually, either now or at
`a time in the future. That is, different components with dif(cid:173)
`ferent functionality may be added at different times depend(cid:173)
`ing on the desired functionality, all while maintaining the
`present spirit and scope of the device as illustrated and
`described. Furthermore, although FIG. 2 contains several
`components with the same reference numbers, the compo(cid:173)
`nents may be more or less complex than those illustrated in
`FIG. 1, again, dependent upon desired functionality of the
`system.
`[0029] For example, FIG. 2, among other things, shows the
`control transmitter 102 operably coupled via the localized
`wireless network 104 to a second thermostat 206 having a
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`ecobee, IPR2021-01052
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`second wireless component 212. The second thermostat 206
`is wired 208 to a second HVAC unit 210. This second ther(cid:173)
`mostat 206, second wireless component 212, and second
`HVAC unit 210 function similarly to the thermostat 106,
`wireless component 112, and HVAC unit 110, as described
`above. For example, the second wireless component 212 may
`receive data, such as programming data, from the control
`transmitter 102 via the localized wireless network 104 for
`continued operation. Also similarly, the second thermostat
`206 is not dependent upon the control transmitter 102 or the
`localized wireless network 104, as further described above in
`relation to thermostat 106.
`[0030] One optional feature of this embodiment is that ther(cid:173)
`mostat 106, by using the wireless component 112, and second
`thermostat 206, by using the second wireless component 212,
`may optionally be operably coupled to each other via the
`localized wireless network 104.As one ofordinary skill in the
`art will appreciate, this feature may allow data sharing and
`more complex logic such that, among other things, HVAC
`unit 110 and second HVAC unit 210 may operate based on the
`operating state of or other data from the other HVAC unit. As
`yet another example, the sharing of data may allow one ther(cid:173)
`mostat to update another thermostat with more current data,
`such as set points, if, for example, the other thermostat was
`unable to receive programming data at the time the control
`transmitter 102 sent it. It is readily apparent to one ofordinary
`skill in the art that in order for thermostat 106 to be operably
`coupled to second thermostat 206 via the localized wireless
`network 104 that the wireless component 112 and second
`wireless component 212 must contain not only a receiver, but
`also a transmitter. Furthermore, as one of ordinary skill in the
`art would appreciate, the wireless temperature control system
`200 could include several additional HVAC units and ther(cid:173)
`mostats, limited only to the capacity of the controlled envi(cid:173)
`ronment and the capabilities of the localized wireless net(cid:173)
`work.
`[0031] Yet another optional feature of the system 200 is a
`personal computer 214, used for, among other things, provid(cid:173)
`ing data, such as programming data, to the control transmitter
`102. Personal computer 214 may be located in a central
`location. Note that "central location" does not mean that the
`location must be central in relation to other components of the
`apparatus or system. Instead, "central location" is used to
`describe that instead of needing to go to several locations to
`control multiple HVAC units, a user may go to one, i.e.,
`central, location to control one or more HVAC systems. Fur(cid:173)
`thermore, a system may even contain more than one "central
`locations." As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the com(cid:173)
`puter may include a processor coupled to a memory compo(cid:173)
`nent that stores at least one application. The personal com(cid:173)
`puter 214 may comprise virtually any type of computing
`platform, including, but not limited to, a desktop personal
`computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a digital
`assistant, or a computer-equipped kiosk. In yet another
`embodiment, the personal computer 214 may be embodied in
`a phone or the like. As one of ordinary skill in the art will
`recognize, the processor may be any conventional micropro(cid:173)
`cessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, or combina(cid:173)
`tions thereof or the like that are capable of executing instruc(cid:173)
`tions stored in memory. The memory may comprise any
`combination of volatile or non-volatile memory known in the
`art. The memory comprises one or more applications which
`typically comprise stored instructions capable of execution
`by the processor.
`
`[0032] The personal computer 214, in the context of this
`device, provides data, such as programming data, to the con(cid:173)
`trol transmitter 102. The personal computer 214 may be oper(cid:173)
`ably connected to the control transmitter 102 in any number
`of ways as known by one of ordinary skill in the art. For
`example, a Universal Serial Bus ("USB") interface may be
`used; a Firewire (IEEE 1394) interface may be used; a wire(cid:173)
`less network may be used; an RS-232 serial interface may be
`used; or any other suitable means now known or later devel(cid:173)
`oped may be used to provide data to the control transmitter
`102.
`[0033] For example, a user may input data into a personal
`computer 214 via a control program. The user may input set
`points and time periods into the control program's user inter(cid:173)
`face for all thermostats in a system. The data may optionally
`be stored in a database. After the user enters all data, the
`control program may provide the programming data to the
`control transmitter so the control transmitter may transmit the
`data, such as programming data, to one or more components,
`such as thermostats, in the system, which could include ther(cid:173)
`mostats operating separate, independent HVAC units. Since
`all HVAC units and associated thermostats may operate inde(cid:173)
`pendently of the localized wireless network 104, the control
`transmitter 102, and the personal computer 214, any or all of
`these may be shut down and the HVAC units, such as HVAC
`units 110 and 210 may continue to operate and function, i.e.,
`they operate autonomously. If desired, however, the personal
`computer 214 and other components may remain in operation
`for system monitoring, as discussed below.
`[0034] Another optional feature of the shown embodiment
`includes one or more wireless sensors 216, 218, 220, and 222.
`It should be understood that there may be more or fewer
`wireless sensors than those shown, and it is a matter of pref(cid:173)
`erence and desired functionality, as understood by one of
`ordinary skill in the art, as to how many wireless sensors to
`use, if any at all, and what function they serve in the system.
`These wireless sensors 216, 218, 220, and 222, as known to
`one of ordinary skill in the art, may measure, among other
`things, air temperatures, such as outside air temperatures,
`room temperatures, and/or air duct temperatures. Wireless
`sensors 216, 218, 220, and 222 may also be able to measure
`other environmental characteristics, such as humidity. Some(cid:173)
`what similarly, the system may also include controllers, such
`as wireless controllers, that may control components of the
`system, such as fans, dampers, or other components of the
`system as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
`[0035] Wireless sensors 216, 218, 220, and 222 may be
`operably coupled to a thermostat, for example, via the local(cid:173)
`ized wireless network 104. As shown in FIG. 2, for example,
`wireless sensors 216 and 218 are operably connected to ther(cid:173)
`mostat 106 via localized wireless network 104 and wireless
`component 112. Similarly, wireless sensors 220 and 222 are
`operably connected to second thermostat 206 via localized
`wireless network 104 and second wireless component 212. As
`one or ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, wireless sen(cid:173)
`sors 216, 218, 220, and 222 may report, for example, an
`outside air temperature so that a thermostat and HVAC unit
`may adjust operation based upon programming data or other
`incorporated logic.
`[0036] Yet another optional feature of the embodiment
`shown in FIG. 2 is a control receiver 224. In FIG. 2, control
`receiver 224 is shown connected to control transmitter 102.
`While a control receiver 224 may be combined with a control
`transmitter 102, perhaps to form a transceiver, it should be
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`understood that a control receiver 224 may be separate and
`independent of the control transmitter 102.
`[0037] A control receiver 224 may receive data from dif(cid:173)
`ferent components of the system. For example, control
`receiver 224 may receive reporting data from a wireless com(cid:173)
`ponent 112, 212 of a thermostat 106, 206 via a localized
`wireless network 104. Reporting data may include, among
`other things, data related to the current set points, a history of
`temperature readings, humidity readings, system operation
`times, override data, or other information commonly associ(cid:173)
`ated with HVAC units. This data may be obtained, for
`example, by the thermostat itself or by additional compo(cid:173)
`nents, such as wireless or wired sensors now known or later
`developed. Such reporting data may be used by a personal
`computer 214 to log data or to, perhaps, make system adjust(cid:173)
`ments by sending new data to the control transmitter 102 to
`send to different components of the system 200. Alterna(cid:173)
`tively, it should be understood that these functions may be
`accomplished with components known to one of ordinary
`skill in the art other than a personal computer 214. It should
`also be understood that this feature of the system is expand(cid:173)
`able under the principles known to one of ordinary skill in the
`art and as further described throughout. For example, FIG. 2
`does not show wireless component 112 operably coupled to
`control receiver 224 via the localized wireless network 104.
`As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, however,
`this feature could easily be added to the system 200 as
`described within.
`[0038] The control receiver224 may also receive data, such
`as sensor data, from wireless sensors 220, 222 via localized
`wireless network 104. Similar to the reporting data, the con(cid:173)
`trol receiver 224 may use sensor data and send it to a personal
`computer 214 to log the data or to, perhaps, make system
`adjustments by sending new data to the control transmitter
`102 to send to different components of the system 200. It
`should also be understood that this feature of the system is
`expandable under the principles known to one of ordinary
`skill in the art and as further described throughout. For
`example, FIG. 2 does not depict wireless sensors 216 or 218
`transmitting or sending data, such as reporting data, to control
`receiver 224. As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate,
`however, this functionality could be added to the system 200.
`It is further understood, among other things, that other com(cid:173)
`ponents may transmit and/or receive data from other compo(cid:173)
`nents via the localized wireless network 104 or through wired
`connections. For example, it is possible for wireless sensor
`216 to transmit and/or receive data to/from wireless sensor
`222 (not shown).
`[0039] As one of ordinary skill in the art will further appre(cid:173)
`ciate, thermostats 106 and 206 may store data, such as pro(cid:173)
`gramming data, in a nonvolatile memory. Non-volatile
`memory may include, for example, read-only memory
`(ROM), programmable memory (PROM), erasable PROMs
`(EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), flash
`memory, magnetic storage devices ( e.g., hard disks, floppy
`disks, magnetic tape), optical disc drives, or any other suitable
`non-volatile memory now known or later developed.
`[0040] Still yet another optional feature of a system 200 are
`override buttons (not shown). Override buttons are buttons
`that allow a user to override, permanently or temporarily,
`programming data in a thermostat. For example, in system
`200, a thermostat 106 may have programming data stored in
`non-volatile memory that keeps a room or portion of a build(cid:173)
`ing at one pre