HVAC CONTROLLER THAT SELECTIVELY REPLACES OPERATING INFORMATION ON A DISPLAY WITH SYSTEM STATUS INFORMATION

• US 20120116593A1
• Filed: 05/09/2011
• Published: 05/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ademco Inc. (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Amundson, John, Boll, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 8,876,013 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/276
• 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 11/62 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 11/65 for selecting an operating mode
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 characterised by the use of a variable reference value
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means

Abstract

An HVAC controller is described that is configured to be more intuitive and user friendly to program and operate than convention HVAC controllers. In some instances, the HVAC controller may include a touch screen interface that provides greater flexibility in displaying information to the user and/or soliciting information from the user.

Claims

1. An HVAC controller configured to control one or more components of an HVAC system, the HVAC controller comprising:

a touch screen dot matrix display;

a controller in communication with the touch screen dot matrix display;

the controller is programmed to operate an algorithm that at least partially controls one or more components of an HVAC system;

the controller is programmed to display two or more separate screens on the touch screen dot matrix display in response to user interaction with the touch screen dot matrix display, including a home screen, wherein the home screen is automatically displayed after no user interaction is sensed for a period of time, the home screen includes a first display region and a second display region, wherein the first display region displays a first set of information and the second display region displays a second set of information; and

the controller is programmed to detect an occurrence of one or more system events, and if detected, replace the second set of information in the second display region of the home screen with one or more messages, while still displaying the first set of information in the first display region of the home screen.

2. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein the one or more messages include an informational message.

3. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein the one or more messages include an equipment message.

4. The HVAC controller of claim 3, wherein the equipment message informs a user that one or more components of the HVAC system is malfunctioning.

5. The HVAC controller of claim 3, wherein the equipment message includes an equipment maintenance message.

6. The HVAC controller of claim 5, wherein the equipment maintenance message pertains to one or more of an air filter change, an air filter cleaning, a humidifier pad change and a UV lamp replacement.

7. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein the second set of information includes one or more of a date, a time, an equipment status and an outdoor weather parameter.

8. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein the first set of information includes one or more of a current indoor temperature, a temperature set point, an indoor humidity reading and schedule information.

9. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein once the controller detects the occurrence of one or more system events, the controller defines at least part of the second display region as an information button on the touch screen dot matrix display, wherein when the information button is touched, more information is displayed on the touch screen dot matrix display that relates to the one or more detected system events.

10. The HVAC controller of claim 9, wherein the more information is displayed, at least in part, in the first region of the touch screen dot matrix display.

11. The HVAC controller of claim 9, wherein when the information button is touched, a notification screen is displayed which provides the more information that relates to the one or more detected system events.

12. The HVAC controller of claim 11, wherein the notification screen includes a scroll feature that allows a user to scroll through one or more messages.

13. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein the controller is further programmed to display a menu driven user interface on the touch screen dot matrix display that includes the home screen and at least one another screen.

14. An HVAC controller configured to control one or more components of an HVAC system, the HVAC controller comprising:

a touch screen dot matrix display;

a controller in communication with the touch screen dot matrix display;

the controller programmed to operate an algorithm that at least partially controls one or more components of an HVAC system;

the controller is programmed to display two or more separate screens on the touch screen dot matrix display in response to user interaction with the touch screen dot matrix display, including a home screen, wherein the home screen is automatically displayed after no user interaction is sensed for a period of time; and

the controller is programmed to detect an occurrence of one or more system events, and if detected, displays an information button, wherein when the information button is touched, the controller displays additional information on the touch screen dot matrix display that is related to the detected system event.

15. The HVAC controller of claim 14, wherein the controller displays a plurality of parameters on the home screen, and wherein the information button replaces at least one of the plurality of parameters on the home screen.

16. The HVAC controller of claim 15, wherein the at least one of the plurality of parameters that are replaced by the information button on the home screen includes one or more of a date, a time, an equipment status and an outdoor weather parameter.

17. The HVAC controller of claim 14, wherein the information button includes a message that describes the detected one or more system events.

18. The HVAC controller of claim 14, wherein when the information button is touched, the controller displays the additional information on a screen that is separate from the home screen.

19. A method for alerting a user of a thermostat to a system event, comprising:

displaying one or more parameters on a home screen of a display of a thermostat, wherein the home screen is automatically displayed after no user interaction with the thermostat is sensed for a period of time; and

detecting a system event, and in response to the detection of the system event, displaying information including an information button in place of at least part of the home screen, wherein when the information button is activated by a user, displaying further information on the display of the thermostat.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the information that is displayed in response to the detection of the system event includes a message that describes the detected system event.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the information that is displayed in response to the detection of the system event replaces at least one of the one or more parameters on the home screen.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein when the information button is activated by the user, the further information is displayed on a screen that is separate from the home screen.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the further information includes information related to a dealer.