HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM USER INTERFACE HAVING AN INTEGRATED SCREEN/HOUSING SKIN AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF

• US 20130147723A1
• Filed: 03/28/2012
• Published: 06/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Bobby Difulgentiz
• Inventors: Bias, Larry S., Castillo, Daniel, Mlambo, Gabaza B., Vendt, Stephen J., Difulgentiz, Bobby
• Application Number:
  US13/432,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20130147723A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• 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 11/50 characterised by user interfaces or communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2221/26 improving the aesthetic appearance

Abstract

A user interface for use with an HVAC system, a method of providing an integrated screen/housing skin for a user interface of an HVAC system and an HVAC system incorporating the user interface or the method. In one embodiment, the user interface includes: (1) a display configured to provide information to a user, (2) a housing skin at least partially surrounding the display and (3) a processor and memory coupled to the display and the touchpad and configured to drive the display, the display further configured alternatively to display a first screen containing information regarding the HVAC system and a second screen that matches the housing skin such that the housing skin and the second screen appear to form a cohesive image.

Claims

1. A user interface for use with an HVAC system, comprising:

a display configured to provide information to a user;

a housing skin at least partially surrounding said display; and

a processor and memory coupled to said display and said touchpad and configured to drive said display, said display further configured alternatively to display a first screen containing information regarding said HVAC system and a second screen that matches said housing skin such that said housing skin and said second screen appear to form a cohesive image.

2. The user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said housing skin is adhesively bonded to a bezel of said user interface.

3. The user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said housing skin is contoured to allow said housing skin to be snapped in place over a bezel of said user interface.

4. The user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said housing skin replaces a bezel of said user interface.

5. The user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said display is further configured to display said second screen when said user interface is inactive for a predetermined period of time.

6. The user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said display is further configured to display said second screen upon an explicit user command.

7. The user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein a pattern of said housing skin registers with a pattern of said second screen both horizontally and vertically.

8. A method of providing an integrated screen/housing skin for a user interface of an HVAC system, comprising:

causing a housing skin at least partially to surround a display of said user interface;

displaying a first screen on a display of said user interface that contains information regarding said HVAC system; and

alternatively displaying a second screen on said display that matches said housing skin such that said housing skin and said second screen appear to form a cohesive image.

9. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said causing comprises adhesively bonding said housing skin to a bezel of said user interface.

10. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said housing skin is contoured, said causing comprising snapping said housing skin in place over a bezel of said user interface.

11. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said causing comprises replacing a bezel of said user interface with said housing skin.

12. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said alternatively displaying comprises alternatively displaying said second screen when said user interface is inactive for a predetermined period of time.

13. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said alternatively displaying comprises alternatively displaying said second screen upon an explicit user command.

14. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein a pattern of said housing skin registers with a pattern of said second screen both horizontally and vertically.

15. An HVAC system, comprising:

a heat pump or a compressor having at least one stage;

at least one condenser coil;

an expansion valve;

at least one evaporator coil;

a loop of pipe interconnecting said heat pump or compressor, said at least one condenser coil, said expansion valve and said at least one evaporator coil and containing a refrigerant;

at least one fan configured to cause outdoor air and indoor air to blow over said at least one condenser coil and said least one evaporator coil; and

a user interface, including;

a display configured to provide information to a user,

a housing skin at least partially surrounding said display, and

a processor and memory coupled to said display and said touchpad and configured to drive said display, said display further configured alternatively to display a first screen containing information regarding said HVAC system and a second screen that matches said housing skin such that said housing skin and said second screen appear to form a cohesive image.

16. The HVAC system as recited in claim 15 wherein said housing skin is adhesively bonded to a bezel of said user interface.

17. The HVAC system as recited in claim 15 wherein said housing skin is contoured to allow said housing skin to be snapped in place over a bezel of said user interface.

18. The HVAC system as recited in claim 15 wherein said housing skin replaces a bezel of said user interface.

19. The HVAC system as recited in claim 15 wherein said display is further configured to display said second screen when said user interface is inactive for a predetermined period of time.

20. The HVAC system as recited in claim 15 wherein said display is further configured to display said second screen upon an explicit user command.

21. The HVAC system as recited in claim 15 wherein a pattern of said housing skin registers with a pattern of said second screen both horizontally and vertically.

22. An HVAC user interface customization kit, comprising:

a precut housing skin configured to be coupled to a user interface and at least partially surround a display thereof; and

a picture configured to be transferred to said user interface and employed as a second screen that matches said housing skin such that said housing skin and said second screen appear to form a cohesive image.

23. The customization kit as recited in claim 22 wherein said housing skin is adhesively bonded to a bezel of said user interface.

24. The customization kit as recited in claim 22 wherein said housing skin is contoured to allow said housing skin to be snapped in place over a bezel of said user interface.

25. The customization kit as recited in claim 22 wherein said housing skin replaces a bezel of said user interface.