Controller interface with dynamic schedule display

• US 20050149233A1
• Filed: 01/07/2004
• Published: 07/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ademco Inc. (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Metz, Stephen V.
• Granted Patent: US 7,142,948 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/276
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23122 Display on off time chart for different events

Abstract

A controller includes a programmable schedule and a user interface, adapted and configured to illustratively display at least a portion of the programmable schedule along a time axis and a current time indicator positioned to indicate the current time along the time axis. A method is also described including the steps of: operating a programmable controller having a scheduled current set point and a scheduled future set point; and providing a message indicating a time of the scheduled future set point change.

Claims

1. A controller comprising:

a programmable schedule; and

a user interface, adapted and configured to illustratively display at least a portion of the programmable schedule along a time axis and a current time indicator positioned to indicate the current time along the time axis.

2. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the current time indicator is superimposed on the time axis.

3. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the current time indicator is superimposed on the programmable schedule.

4. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the current time indicator is superimposed on the time axis and on the programmable schedule.

5. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the programmable schedule is a line graph.

6. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the programmable schedule is a block bar graph.

7. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the time axis shows a 1 or more hour period.

8. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the current time indicator moves along the time axis relative to the programmable schedule.

9. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the programmable schedule moves along the time axis relative to the current time indicator.

10. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the programmable schedule is displayed with an associated schedule name and program parameter.

11. A method comprising the steps of:

operating a programmable controller having a scheduled current set point and a scheduled future set point; and

providing a message indicating a time of the scheduled future set point change.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the providing a message occurs within a predetermined time of the scheduled future set point change.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the providing a message occurs within an hour of the scheduled future set point change.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the providing a message occurs within 20 minutes or more of the scheduled future set point change.

15. A controller comprising:

a programmable controller having a user interface, scheduled current set point and a scheduled future set point; and

a message provided via the user interface, the message indicating a time of the scheduled future set point change.

16. A method comprising the steps of:

operating a programmable controller to cause an HVAC system to change an environmental condition of an inside space from a first initial set point to a second desired set point, the HVAC system achieving the change in the environmental condition to the second desired set point in an amount of time; and

providing a message during the amount of time indicating when the desired second set point is anticipated to be achieved in the inside space.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising entering a third over-controlling set point and still providing a message during the amount of time indicating when the desired second set point is anticipated to be achieved in the inside space.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the providing a message comprises providing a message of a duration of time until the desired second set point is anticipated to be achieved in the inside space.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the providing a message comprises providing a message of a time of day when the desired second set point is anticipated to be achieved in the inside space.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein the providing a message comprises providing a message of when the desired second set point is anticipated to be achieved in the inside space and what the desired second set point is.

21. A controller comprising:

a programmable controller arranged and configured to cause an HVAC system to change an environmental condition of an inside space from a first initial set point to a second desired set point, the HVAC system achieving the change in the environmental condition to the second desired set point in an amount of time; and

a message displayed during the amount of time indicating when the desired second set point is anticipated to be achieved in the inside space.

22. A method comprising the steps of:

operating a programmable controller to cause an HVAC system to change an environmental condition of an inside space from a first initial set point to a second desired set point, the HVAC system achieving the change in the environmental condition to the second desired set point in an amount of time;

allowing a user to change the set point to a third over-controlling set point; and

informing the user that changing the set point to the third over-controlling set point will not decrease the amount of time needed to achieve the second desired set point.