FILTER CHANGE ALERT SYSTEM FOR AN HVAC SYSTEM
First Claim
1. An HVAC controller for controlling an HVAC system, the HVAC system having an air filter, the HVAC controller comprising:
- a controller;
a memory coupled to the controller;
a display coupled to the controller;
wherein the controller is programmed to;
receive a measured value that is related to an amount of flow restriction presented by the air filter in the HVAC system;
compare the received measured value to a pre-determined threshold value stored in the memory; and
implement a three-level user alert system in which the controller displays on the display of the HVAC controller a first status indicator when the received measured value that is related to the amount of flow restriction presented by the air filter in the HVAC system is less than the pre-determined threshold value, a second status indicator when the measured value that is related to the amount of flow restriction presented by the air filter in the HVAC system is at least equal to the pre-determined threshold value but only for a predetermined amount of time after the measured value is detected to be at least equal to the pre-determined threshold value, and a third status indicator after the measured value that is related to the amount of flow restriction presented by the air filter in the HVAC system remains at least equal to the pre-determined value for more than the predetermined amount of time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for indicating a status of an air filter of an HVAC system may include receiving a measure that is related to an amount of flow restriction presented by the air filter in an HVAC system, using the measure to determine whether the air filter does not need replacing, the air filter needs to be replaced soon, or the air filter should be replaced now, and displaying on a display of an HVAC controller an air filter status indicator, wherein the air filter status indicator includes a stop-light metaphor. In one example, the air filter status indicator may display a green color when the air filter does not need replacing, display a yellow color when the air filter needs to be replaced soon, and display a red color when the air filter should be replaced now. In some cases, the air filter status indicator may also include a qualitative term indicative of the current status of the air filter.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An HVAC controller for controlling an HVAC system, the HVAC system having an air filter, the HVAC controller comprising:
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a controller; a memory coupled to the controller; a display coupled to the controller; wherein the controller is programmed to; receive a measured value that is related to an amount of flow restriction presented by the air filter in the HVAC system; compare the received measured value to a pre-determined threshold value stored in the memory; and implement a three-level user alert system in which the controller displays on the display of the HVAC controller a first status indicator when the received measured value that is related to the amount of flow restriction presented by the air filter in the HVAC system is less than the pre-determined threshold value, a second status indicator when the measured value that is related to the amount of flow restriction presented by the air filter in the HVAC system is at least equal to the pre-determined threshold value but only for a predetermined amount of time after the measured value is detected to be at least equal to the pre-determined threshold value, and a third status indicator after the measured value that is related to the amount of flow restriction presented by the air filter in the HVAC system remains at least equal to the pre-determined value for more than the predetermined amount of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An HVAC controller for controlling an HVAC system, the HVAC system having an air filter, the HVAC controller comprising:
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a controller; a memory coupled to the controller; a display coupled to the controller; wherein the controller is programmed to; receive a measure that is related to an amount of flow restriction presented by the air filter in the HVAC system; using the measure that is related to the amount of flow restriction presented by the air filter in the HVAC system to determine whether the air filter does not need replacing, the air filter needs to be replaced soon, or the air filter should be replaced now; and display on the display of the HVAC controller an air filter status indicator, wherein the air filter status indicator includes a stop-light metaphor, where the air filter status indicator displays a green color when the air filter does not need replacing, displays a yellow color when the air filter needs to be replaced soon, and displays a red color when the air filter should be replaced now. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 20)
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17. A method of indicating a status of an air filter on an HVAC controller that includes a display, the method comprising:
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receiving a measure that is related to an amount of flow restriction presented by an air filter in an HVAC system; using the measure that is related to the amount of flow restriction presented by the air filter in the HVAC system to determine whether the air filter does not need replacing, the air filter needs to be replaced soon, or the air filter should be replaced now; and displaying on the display of the HVAC controller an air filter status indicator, wherein the air filter status indicator includes a stop-light metaphor, where the air filter status indicator displays a green color when the air filter does not need replacing, displays a yellow color when the air filter needs to be replaced soon, and displays a red color when the air filter should be replaced now. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification