Importance

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Abstract

A thermostat system for controlling activation of a temperature management system is operable in an energy-savings mode for enhancing energy savings and in a comfort mode for enhancing comfort, where the operating mode is selectable by a user. The thermostat system has operating mode control circuitry which includes (1) a manual mode control operable to cause the operating mode control circuit to switch between the energy-savings and the comfort states when pressed by the user, (2) a wireless receiver for receiving a wireless mode switching signal that causes the operating mode switching circuitry to switch between the energy-savings and the comfort states, and (3) telephone communication circuitry for receiving a telephonic mode switching signal that causes the operating mode switching circuitry to switch between the energy-savings and the comfort states. Thus, the present invention offers at least three convenient ways for the user to switch between energy-savings and comfort modes of operation. A temperature sensor senses the temperature of the air space and produces a sensed temperature signal based on the temperature of the air space. A controller produces an under-temperature signal when the sensed temperature signal indicates that the temperature is less than a minimum temperature and an over-temperature signal when the sensed temperature signal indicates that the temperature is greater than a maximum temperature. When the under-temperature or over-temperature signal is produced, the telephone communication circuitry places a telephone call to a telephone number of a designated receiving telephone to give a warning concerning the over- or under-temperature condition.

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First Claim