Adjustable display resolution for thermostat

• US 20070045443A1
• Filed: 08/31/2005
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Invensys Systems Incorporated (Invensys PLC)
• Original Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Chapman, John, Gray, Tony
• Granted Patent: US 7,624,931 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/94
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 5/203 using electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays

Abstract

A visual display system for use with a digital thermostat is provided. The visual display system provides an adjustable display resolution for the temperature readout provided thereon. This adjustable display resolution may be changed as desired by a user via a resolution adjustment menu. The display resolution may be adjusted to display the temperature information in tenths of degrees, half degrees, whole degrees, etc. as desired by a user. Such a display system accommodates different display resolution requirements of different original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers who may desire different displayed resolutions without having to manufacture and stock different models.

Claims

1. A digital thermostat, comprising:

a user display screen; and

a temperature display screen displayed on the user display screen, the temperature display screen including a display of a current temperature having a user adjustable temperature display resolution.

2. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the user adjustable temperature display resolution is set to a tenth of a degree.

3. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the user adjustable temperature display resolution is set to a half of a degree.

4. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the user adjustable temperature display resolution is set to a whole degree.

5. The thermostat of claim 1, further comprising a display resolution menu including thereon a plurality of selectable temperature display resolutions, and wherein the resolution of the display of the current temperature on the temperature display screen is dependent on which one of the plurality of selectable temperature display resolutions is selected.

6. The thermostat of claim 5, wherein the plurality of selectable temperature display resolutions comprises a tenth of a degree, a half of a degree, and a whole degree.

7. The thermostat of claim 5, wherein the display resolution menu is accessible from a user preferences menu, the user preferences menu indicating a current setting of the temperature display resolution.

8. The thermostat of claim 7, wherein the user preferences menu is accessible from a main menu having at least a user preferences selectable item provided thereon.

9. The thermostat of claim 8, wherein the main menu is accessible from the temperature display screen having at least a menu selectable item provided thereon.

10. The thermostat of claim 5, further comprising:

a user function selection means for inputting a user selection associated with a function indicated on the user display screen;

a user scrolling means for allowing a user to scroll among available items and parameters displayed on the user display screen; and

wherein the display resolution menu includes an accept function in proximity to the user function selection means; and

wherein activation of the user scrolling means changes which one of the selectable temperature display resolutions is highlighted; and

wherein activation of the user function selection means changes the temperature display resolution to that which is highlighted at the time of activation.

11. The thermostat of claim 5, wherein the display resolution menu is accessible only to an OEM customer.

12. The thermostat of claim 5, wherein the display resolution menu is accessible only to service personnel.

13. A method of alleviating customer complaints regarding perceived digital thermostat inaccuracy, comprising the steps of:

displaying temperature information using a first display resolution;

allowing a user to change the first display resolution to a second display resolution; and

thereafter

displaying the temperature information using the second display resolution.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

allowing a user to change the second display resolution to a third display resolution; and

thereafter

displaying the temperature information using the third display resolution.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of displaying temperature information using the first display resolution comprises the step of displaying temperature information using a tenth of a degree display resolution.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of displaying temperature information using the second display resolution comprises the step of displaying temperature information using a half of a degree display resolution.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of displaying temperature information using the second display resolution comprises the step of displaying temperature information using a whole degree display resolution.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of displaying temperature information using the first display resolution comprises the step of displaying temperature information using a half of a degree display resolution.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of displaying temperature information using the first display resolution comprises the step of displaying temperature information using a whole degree display resolution.

20. A method of displaying temperature information on a digital thermostat, comprising the steps of:

displaying the temperature information using a preset display resolution;

receiving a user input requesting to change the preset display resolution;

displaying a display resolution menu having a plurality of selectable display resolutions provided thereon;

receiving a user selection of one of the plurality of selectable display resolutions; and

displaying the temperature information using the one of the plurality of selectable display resolutions selected by the user.