HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM USER INTERFACE HAVING A ONE-TOUCH AWAY FEATURE AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF

• US 20130151016A1
• 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: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bias, Larry S., Castillo, Daniel, DiFulgentiz, Bobby, Mlambo, Gabaza B., Vendt, Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US13/432,524
• Publication Number:
  US 20130151016A1
• 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 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/65 for selecting an operating mode

Abstract

A user interface for use with an HVAC system, a method of controlling 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 touchpad configured to accept input from the user and (3) a processor and memory coupled to the display and the touchpad and configured to drive the display and process the input, the display further configured to display a most-often displayed screen including a one-touch away button and place the HVAC system into an energy-saving operating mode based on a single press of the one-touch away button.

Claims

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

a display configured to provide information to a user;

and

a processor and memory coupled to said display and configured to drive said display, said display further configured to display a most-often displayed screen including a one-touch away button and place said HVAC system into an energy-saving operating mode based on a single press of said one-touch away button.

2. The user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said display is further configured to cause said HVAC system to return to a normal mode based on a single press of said one-touch away button.

3. The user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said most-often displayed screen is a home screen.

4. The user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said one-touch away button is located toward one corner of said most-often displayed screen.

5. The user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said one-touch away button can be accessed remotely by an application running on one of:

a Smartphone,

a tablet, and

a personal computer.

6. The user interface as recited in claim 1 further comprising an HVAC system interface.

7. The user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said user interface is a thermostat.

8. A method of controlling an HVAC system, comprising:

providing information to a user with a display;

accepting input from said user and

displaying a most-often displayed screen including a one-touch away button on said display; and

placing said HVAC system into an energy-saving operating mode based on a single press of said one-touch away button.

9. The method as recited in claim 8 further comprising causing said HVAC system to return to a normal mode based on a single press of said one-touch away button.

10. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said most-often displayed screen is a home screen.

11. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said one-touch away button is located toward one corner of said most-often displayed screen.

12. The method as recited in claim 8 further comprising gaining access to said one-touch away button with an application running on one of:

a Smartphone,

a tablet, and

a personal computer.

13. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said user interface is a thermostat.

14. 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 touchpad configured to accept input from said user, and

a processor and memory coupled to said display and said touchpad and configured to drive said display and process said input, said display further configured to display a most-often displayed screen including a one-touch away button and place said HVAC system into an energy-saving operating mode based on a single press of said one-touch away button.

15. The HVAC system as recited in claim 14 wherein said display is further configured to cause said HVAC system to return to a normal mode based on a single press of said one-touch away button.

16. The HVAC system as recited in claim 14 wherein said most-often displayed screen is a home screen.

17. The HVAC system as recited in claim 14 wherein said one-touch away button is located toward one corner of said most-often displayed screen.

18. The HVAC system as recited in claim 14 wherein said one-touch away button can be accessed remotely by an application running on one of:

a Smartphone,

a tablet, and

a personal computer.

19. The HVAC system as recited in claim 14 wherein said user interface further includes an HVAC system interface.

20. The HVAC system as recited in claim 14 wherein said user interface is a thermostat.