User interfaces for HVAC schedule display and modification on smartphone or other space-limited touchscreen device

• US 10,145,577 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2014
• Issued: 12/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Bruck, Timo A., Sloo, David, Knieper, Clemens M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Young, Kevin L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jiang, Haimei
• Application Number:
  US14/530,497
• Publication Number:
  US 20150058779A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,495 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/59 for presetting
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2221/32 preventing human errors during the installation, use or maintenance, e.g. goofy proof
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1904 variable in time
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence

Abstract

A novel small format touch screen user interface for displaying, adding and editing program setpoints is described. When editing a setpoint the user'"'"'s input is constrained such that the user can only alter one parameter (either time or temperature). As soon as the user begins to drag a setpoint icon in either a horizontal (i.e. adjusting time), or vertical (i.e. adjusting temperature), the other parameter is constrained. Additionally, the disclosed user interface includes displaying information as to how the setpoint was most recently added or adjusted. For example the display can be used to indicate whether a setpoint was added or adjusted (1) on the thermostat itself; (2) by an automated learning algorithm; (3) by a user on a web client; or (4) by a user using a mobile client (such as a smart phone or tablet PC). Further, the name of the particular device is also displayed if known.

Claims

1. A method of interactively and graphically displaying programmed setpoint information to a user of an HVAC system controlled by a thermostat, the method comprising:

receiving and storing, by a mobile device, information indicating that a first setpoint change in a setpoint schedule was made on a user interface of the thermostat;

receiving and storing, by the mobile device, information indicating that a second setpoint change in the setpoint schedule was made by a first identified user;

displaying, on a display of the mobile device, a graphical daily summary of thermostat information for each of a plurality of days, the graphical daily summary including at least a first setpoint icon representing the first setpoint and a second setpoint icon representing the second setpoint;

receiving, by the mobile device, a selection of the displayed first setpoint icon;

displaying, on the display of the mobile device, information indicating that the first setpoint was changed by the user interface of the thermostat;

receiving, by the mobile device, a selection of the displayed second setpoint icon; and

displaying, on the display of the mobile device, information indicating that the second setpoint was changed by the first identified user.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of predefined ways in which setpoints can be generated and/or adjusted includes one or more of the following selected from a group consisting of:

by a user on the thermostat, by a user on the mobile device, by a user using a web application, and by an automated learning algorithm.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein a way in which the first setpoint was generated and/or adjusted is by a user on a mobile device, and the displayed information indicating the way in which the first setpoint was generated and/or adjusted includes an identification of a name associated with the mobile device.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the graphical daily summary includes a displayed away symbol indicating the thermostat activated an away mode, the method further comprising in response to receiving a selection of the displayed away symbol, displaying information indicating to the user whether the away mode was initiated by a user or automatically.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the mobile device comprises a smart phone.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the mobile device comprises a tablet computer.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the mobile device comprises part of personal computer system running a web-based application.

8. A non-transitory electronic storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:

receiving and storing, by a mobile device, information indicating that a first setpoint change in a setpoint schedule was made on a user interface of a thermostat;

receiving and storing, by the mobile device, information indicating that a second setpoint change in the setpoint schedule was made by a first identified user;

displaying, on a display of the mobile device, a graphical daily summary of thermostat information for each of a plurality of days, the graphical daily summary including at least a first setpoint icon representing the first setpoint and a second setpoint icon representing the second setpoint;

receiving, by the mobile device, a selection of the displayed first setpoint icon;

displaying, on the display of the mobile device, information indicating that the first setpoint was changed by the user interface of the thermostat;

receiving, by the mobile device, a selection of the displayed second setpoint icon; and

displaying, on the display of the mobile device, information indicating that the second setpoint was changed by the first identified user.

9. The non-transitory electronic storage medium of claim 8 wherein a plurality of predefined ways in which setpoints can be generated and/or adjusted includes one or more of the following selected from a group consisting of:

by a user on the thermostat, by a user on the mobile device, by a user using a web application, and by an automated learning algorithm.

10. The non-transitory electronic storage medium of claim 9 wherein a way in which the first setpoint was generated and/or adjusted is by a user on a mobile device, and the displayed information indicating the way in which the first setpoint was generated and/or adjusted includes an identification of a name associated with the mobile device.

11. The non-transitory electronic storage medium of claim 8 wherein the graphical daily summary includes a displayed away symbol indicating the thermostat activated an away mode, wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processors to, in response to receiving a selection of the displayed away symbol, displaying information indicating to the user whether the away mode was initiated by a user or automatically.

12. The non-transitory electronic storage medium of claim 8 wherein the mobile device comprises a smart phone.

13. The non-transitory electronic storage medium of claim 8 wherein the mobile device comprises a tablet computer.

14. The non-transitory electronic storage medium of claim 8 wherein the mobile device comprises part of personal computer system running a web-based application.

15. A system comprising:

one or more processors;

a display device;

one or more memories comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising;

receiving and storing, by a mobile device, information indicating that a first setpoint change in a setpoint schedule was made on a user interface of a thermostat;

receiving and storing, by the mobile device, information indicating that a second setpoint change in the setpoint schedule was made by a first identified user;

displaying, on a display of the mobile device, a graphical daily summary of thermostat information for each of a plurality of days, the graphical daily summary including at least a first setpoint icon representing the first setpoint and a second setpoint icon representing the second setpoint;

receiving, by the mobile device, a selection of the displayed first setpoint icon;

displaying, on the display of the mobile device, information indicating that the first setpoint was changed by the user interface of the thermostat;

receiving, by the mobile device, a selection of the displayed second setpoint icon; and

displaying, on the display of the mobile device, information indicating that the second setpoint was changed by the first identified user.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein a plurality of predefined ways in which setpoints can be generated and/or adjusted includes one or more of the following selected from a group consisting of:

by a user on the thermostat, by a user on the mobile device, by a user using a web application, and by an automated learning algorithm.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein a way in which the first setpoint was generated and/or adjusted is by a user on a mobile device, and the displayed information indicating the way in which the first setpoint was generated and/or adjusted includes an identification of a name associated with the mobile device.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the graphical daily summary includes a displayed away symbol indicating the thermostat activated an away mode, wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processors to, in response to receiving a selection of the displayed away symbol, displaying information indicating to the user whether the away mode was initiated by a user or automatically.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the mobile device comprises a smart phone.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein the mobile device comprises part of personal computer system running a web-based application.