Controller interface with spparate schedule review mode

• US 20050116023A1
• Filed: 12/02/2003
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ademco Inc. (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Bergman, Gabriel A., Amundson, John B., Vick, Brent D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,706,923 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/376
• 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 11/41 Defrosting; Preventing freezing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/59 for presetting
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/66 Sleep mode
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2614 HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control

Abstract

A controller equipped with a user interface having a separate schedule review mode, including methods of accessing and/or programming such devices, are disclosed. The controller may include a user interface that can be utilized to initiate a scheduling routine having a separate schedule review mode for displaying one or more schedule parameters of the controller without initiating the editing mode. An illustrative method of accessing a schedule on a controller coupled to a user interface may include the steps of initializing a scheduling routine within the controller, initiating a schedule review mode within the controller, displaying one or more schedule parameters for at least one period on the user interface, and exiting the scheduling routine. One or more of the schedule parameters can be modified, if desired, by initiating a separate editing mode within the controller.

Claims

1. A method of accessing a schedule on a controller coupled to a user interface, comprising the steps of:

initiating a schedule review mode within the controller, said schedule review mode permitting read-only access to at least one schedule parameter in the schedule;

displaying one or more schedule parameters for at least one period on the user interface; and

exiting the schedule review mode.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

initiating an editing mode within the controller; and

modifying at least one schedule parameter of the schedule.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of initiating the schedule review mode occurs prior to the step of initiating the editing mode.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one period includes a wake period, leave period, return period, and sleep period.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more schedule parameters is selected from the group consisting of an event time parameter, a heat set point parameter, a cool set point parameter, a fan mode parameter, and a humidity level parameter.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a touch screen.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a display panel and keypad.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface is a menu-driven interface.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said schedule is a heating schedule.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said schedule is a cooling schedule.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said schedule is a venting schedule.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said controller is an HVAC controller.

13. A method of accessing and programming a schedule on a controller equipped with a user interface, comprising the steps of:

providing a scheduling routine within the controller, the scheduling routine including a separate schedule review mode and editing mode;

initiating the schedule review mode within the controller;

displaying one or more schedule parameters for at least one period on the user interface;

initiating the editing mode within the controller;

modifying at least one schedule parameter in the schedule; and

exiting the scheduling routine.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of initiating the schedule review mode occurs prior to the step of initiating the editing mode.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said at least one period includes a wake period, leave period, return period, and sleep period.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said one or more schedule parameters is selected from the group consisting of an event time parameter, a heat set point parameter, a cool set point parameter, a fan mode parameter, and a humidity level parameter.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the user interface comprises a touch screen.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the user interface comprises a display panel and keypad.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the user interface is a menu-driven interface.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein said schedule is a heating schedule.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein said schedule is a cooling schedule.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein said schedule is a venting schedule.

23. The method of claim 13, wherein said controller is an HVAC controller.

24. The method of claim 13, wherein said one or more schedule parameters are unmodifiable in the schedule review mode.

25. A programmable controller for use in controlling a system, the controller comprising:

a user interface; and

a processor configured to run a scheduling routine for modifying a schedule, the scheduling routine including a separate schedule review mode and editing mode;

wherein the schedule review mode is configured to permit the user to display one or more schedule parameters on the user interface without allowing the user to modify at least one of the schedule parameters without first initiating the editing mode.

26. The controller of claim 25, wherein the schedule review mode is initiated before the editing mode.

27. The controller of claim 25, wherein said schedule includes one or more periods.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein said one or more schedule parameters is selected from the group consisting of an event time parameter, a heat set point parameter, a cool set point parameter, a fan mode parameter, and a humidity level parameter.

30. The controller of claim 25, wherein the user interface comprises a touch screen.

31. The controller of claim 25, wherein the user interface comprises a display panel and keypad.

32. The controller of claim 25, wherein the user interface is a menu-driven interface.

33. The controller of claim 25, wherein said system is an HVAC system.

34. The controller of claim 25, wherein said system is a security system.

35. The controller of claim 25, wherein said system is a lighting system.

36. The controller of claim 25, wherein said system is a sprinkler or drip water system.

37. The controller of claim 25, wherein said system is an A/V system.

38. The controller of claim 25, wherein said one or more schedule parameters are unmodifiable in the schedule review mode.

28. The controller of claim 28, wherein said one or more periods include a wake period, leave period, return period, and sleep period.

39. A programmable controller for use in controlling a system, the controller comprising:

a user interface; and

a processor configured to run a scheduling routine for modifying a schedule, the scheduling routine including a separate schedule review mode and editing mode;

wherein the schedule review mode is configured to permit the read-only access to at least one schedule parameter in the schedule.

40. A computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program that when executed by a controller performs the steps of:

initiating a schedule review mode within a controller having scheduling capabilities, wherein the schedule review mode does not permit a user to modify at least one schedule parameter without entering an editing mode;

displaying one or more schedule parameters for at least one period on the user interface; and

exiting the schedule review mode.