DYNAMIC DEVICE-ASSOCIATED FEEDBACK INDICATIVE OF RESPONSIBLE DEVICE USAGE

• US 20130024799A1
• Filed: 09/30/2012
• Published: 01/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Nest Labs Incorporated (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Matsuoka, Yoky, Sloo, David, Fadell, Anthony Michael, Rogers, Matthew Lee, MATAS, Michael James, Fisher, Evan J., Pitkins, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,850,348 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/771
• 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 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/47 Responding to energy costs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/59 for presetting
• 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 11/89 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/00 Control inputs relating to users or occupants
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/20 Feedback from users
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/409 characterised by using manual data input [MDI] or by using control panel, e.g. controlling functions with the panel; characterised by control panel details or by setting parameters G05B19/408, G05B19/4093 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2614 HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 characterised by the use of a variable reference value
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 : Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0613 : The adjustment depending on the type of the information to be displayed
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/37 : Details of the operation on graphic patterns G09G5/38 takes precedence

Abstract

Methods and devices for controlling a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by a thermostat are provided. Input can be received from a user via a thermostat, the input being indicative of an adjustment of an HVAC-related setting. On a real-time basis, the HVAC-related setting that is being adjusted can be compared against a feedback criterion designed to indicate a circumstance under which feedback is to be presented to the user. The circumstance can be indicative of an achievement of a HVAC-related setting of a predetermined responsibility level with respect to an energy usage of the HVAC system. Upon a real-time determination that the feedback criterion is satisfied, visual feedback can be caused to be presented to the user in real-time. The real-time feedback can include a visual icon having a visual appeal corresponding to a desirability of the satisfaction of the feedback criterion.

Claims

1. A thermostat for controlling the operation of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the thermostat comprising:

a housing;

a user-interface component coupled to the housing and including a mechanically movable input component and an electronic display, and being configured to receive an input from a user, the input being indicative of an adjustment of an HVAC-related setting, the input comprising a continuous mechanical movement of the mechanically movable input component according to which the HVAC-related setting is correspondingly adjusted;

a processing component coupled to the user-interface component and configured to;

compare on a real-time basis the HVAC-related setting that is being adjusted against a feedback criterion, the feedback criterion being designed to indicate a circumstance under which feedback is to be presented to the user, the circumstance being indicative of an achievement of an HVAC-related setting of a predetermined responsibility level with respect to an energy usage of the HVAC system controlled by the thermostat,

determine, in real-time and based on the comparison, whether the feedback criterion is satisfied, and

upon a determination that the feedback criterion is satisfied, cause visual feedback to be presented to the user in real-time, the real-time feedback comprising a visual icon having a visual appeal corresponding to a desirability of the satisfaction of the feedback criterion.

2. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the one or more intelligent components are further configured to:

determine an intensity of the visual icon, the intensity being indicative of a degree to which behavior by the user is desirable with respect to responsible energy usage of the HVAC system controlled by the thermostat or a degree to which behavior by the user approaches a threshold measure of desirability with respect to responsible energy usage of the HVAC system controlled by the thermostat, and

upon determining that the feedback criterion is satisfied, cause the visual feedback to be presented to the user in real-time at the determined intensity such that the intensity of the visual feedback is caused to vary across as the movement is received.

3. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the mechanically movable input component comprises a rotatable ring.

4. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the HVAC-related setting comprises a setpoint temperature.

5. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the feedback criterion comprises a relative feedback criterion such that feedback is to be provided upon detecting that the setting has been adjusted by at least threshold amount relative to a corresponding scheduled setting that is being overridden by the input from the user.

6. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the processing component is further configured to, upon detecting a communication from a remote device, send the HVAC-related setting to be received at the remote device to allow the remote device to provide real-time feedback responsive to the input.

7. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein:

the mechanically movable input component is further configured to receive a second input from the user, the second input being indicative of an adjustment of a second HVAC-related setting, and

the one or more intelligent components are further configured to;

compare on a real-time basis the second HVAC-related setting that is being adjusted against a second feedback criterion, the second feedback criterion being designed to indicate a circumstance under which feedback is to be presented to the user, the circumstance being indicative of an achievement of a second HVAC-related setting of a second predetermined responsibility level with respect to a second energy usage of the HVAC system controlled by the thermostat,

determine, in real-time and based on the comparison, whether the second feedback criterion is satisfied, and

upon a determination that the second feedback criterion is satisfied, cause visual feedback to be presented to the user in real-time, the real-time feedback comprising a visual icon having a visual appeal corresponding to a desirability of the satisfaction of the feedback criterion.

8. The thermostat of claim 7, wherein the second setting comprises a threshold for using a high-energy using device.

9. A method for control of an HVAC system by a thermostat, the thermostat comprising one or more intelligent components and a display, the method comprising:

receiving an input from a user, the input being indicative of an adjustment of an HVAC-related setting, the input being virtual or physical movement of a part of the thermostat, such that a movement of the part of thermostat corresponds to an adjustment of the HVAC-related setting;

comparing on a real-time basis the HVAC-related setting that is being adjusted against a feedback criterion, the feedback criterion being designed to indicate a circumstance under which feedback is to be presented to the user, the circumstance being indicative of an achievement of a HVAC-related setting of a predetermined responsibility level with respect to an energy usage of the HVAC system controlled by the thermostat;

determining, in real-time and based on the comparison, whether the feedback criterion is satisfied; and

upon a determination that the feedback criterion is satisfied, causing visual feedback to be presented to the user in real-time, the real-time feedback comprising a visual icon having a visual appeal corresponding to a desirability of the satisfaction of the feedback criterion.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

determining an intensity of the visual icon, the intensity being indicative of a degree to which behavior by the user is desirable with respect to responsible energy usage of the HVAC system controlled by the thermostat or a degree to which behavior by the user approaches a threshold measure of desirability with respect to responsible energy usage of the HVAC system controlled by the thermostat, and

upon determining that the feedback criterion is satisfied, causing the visual feedback to be presented to the user in real-time at the determined intensity such that the intensity of the visual feedback is caused to vary across as the movement is received.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein comparing the HVAC setting that is being adjusted against the feedback criterion comprises comparing the HVAC setting to an absolute threshold identified in the feedback criterion.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving, at a central server controlling a virtual interface coupled to the thermostat, the HVAC-related setting from the thermostat;

comparing, at the central server, the HVAC-related setting against the feedback criterion;

determining, at the central server based on the server-performed comparison, whether the feedback criterion is satisfied; and

upon a determination that the feedback criterion is satisfied, cause visual feedback to be presented to the user in real-time on a display of a remote device, the real-time feedback comprising a same or different visual icon.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving a second input from the user, the second input being indicative of an adjustment of a second HVAC-related setting;

comparing on a real-time basis the second HVAC-related setting that is being adjusted against a second feedback criterion, the second feedback criterion being designed to indicate a circumstance under which feedback is to be presented to the user, the circumstance being indicative of an achievement of a second HVAC-related setting of a second predetermined responsibility level with respect to a second energy usage of the HVAC system controlled by the thermostat;

determining, in real-time and based on the comparison, whether the second feedback criterion is satisfied; and

upon a determination that the second feedback criterion is satisfied, causing visual feedback to be presented to the user in real-time, the real-time feedback comprising a same or different visual icon.

14. A thermostat system for controlling the operation of an HVAC system, the thermostat system comprising:

a user-interface component including a mechanically movable input component and an electronic display, and being configured to receive an input from a user, the input being indicative of an adjustment of an HVAC-related setting, the input comprising a non-discrete mechanical movement of the mechanically movable input component according to which the HVAC-related setting is correspondingly adjusted; and

one or more intelligent components coupled to the user-interface component configured to;

determine the HVAC-related setting based on the detected movement of the user-interface component;

compare on a real-time basis the HVAC-related setting that is being adjusted against a feedback criterion, the feedback criterion being designed to indicate a circumstance under which feedback is to be presented to the user, the circumstance being indicative of an achievement of a HVAC-related setting of a predetermined responsibility level with respect to an energy usage of the HVAC system controlled by the thermostat,

determine, in real-time and based on the comparison, whether the feedback criterion is satisfied, and

upon a determination that the feedback criterion is satisfied, cause visual feedback to be presented to the user in real-time, the real-time feedback comprising a visual icon having a visual appeal corresponding to a desirability of the satisfaction of the feedback criterion.

15. The thermostat system of claim 14, wherein the one or more intelligent components are further configured to:

determine an intensity of the visual icon, the intensity being indicative of a degree to which behavior by the user is desirable with respect to responsible energy usage of the HVAC system controlled by the thermostat system or a degree to which behavior by the user approaches a threshold measure of desirability with respect to responsible energy usage of the HVAC system controlled by the thermostat system, and

upon determining that the feedback criterion is satisfied, cause the visual feedback to be presented to the user in real-time at the determined intensity such that the intensity of the visual feedback is caused to vary across as the movement is detected.

16. The thermostat system of claim 14, wherein the mechanically movable input component comprises a rotatable ring.

17. The thermostat system of claim 14, wherein the HVAC-related setting comprises a setpoint temperature.

18. The thermostat system of claim 17, wherein a numerical representation with n significant figures of the setpoint temperature is presented on the electronic display and wherein comparing the HVAC-related setting that is being adjusted against the feedback criterion comparing the determined HVAC-related setting to a threshold, the determined HVAC-related setting having m significant figures, n being less than m.

19. The thermostat system of claim 14, wherein the feedback criterion comprises a relative feedback criterion such that feedback is to be provided upon detecting that the setting has been adjusted by at least threshold amount relative to a corresponding scheduled setting that is being overridden by the input from the user.

20. The thermostat system of claim 14, further comprising a communications component configured to transmit information indicative of the adjusted setting to a central server, the central server being configured to:

compare on a real-time basis the HVAC-related setting that is being adjusted against the feedback criterion,

determine, in real-time and based on the comparison, whether the feedback criterion is satisfied, and

upon a determination that the feedback criterion is satisfied, cause visual feedback to be presented via a web-based interface in real-time, the real-time feedback comprising a same or different visual icon.