THERMOSTAT USER INTERFACE

• US 20140358293A1
• Filed: 08/19/2014
• Published: 12/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Fadell, Anthony M., Rogers, Matthew L., Sloo, David, Plitkins, Michael, Honjo, Shigefumi, Filson, John B., Matas, Michael J., Bould, Fred, Huppi, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 9,291,359 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/276
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/00 Control or safety arrangements
• 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 11/50 characterised by user interfaces or communication
• 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 11/62 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 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/70 Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/89 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/00 Control inputs relating to air properties
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 Occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/12 Position of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/14 Activity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/60 Energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0025 Living bodies ear thermometers G01J5/0011; detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/041 : Mountings in enclosures or in a particular environment
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/02 : Means for indicating or recording specially adapted for thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/26 : Testing of individual semiconductor devices testing or measuring during manufacture or treatment H01L22/00; testing of photovoltaic devices H02S50/10
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 : electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/19 : characterised by the use of electric means G05D23/1393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 : characterised by the use of a variable reference value
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1919 : characterised by the type of controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1932 : to control the temperature of a plurality of spaces
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/24 : the sensing element having a resistance varying with temperature, e.g. a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/2454 : using photoelectric elements
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/27 : with sensing element responsive to radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/275 : with sensing element expanding, contracting, or fusing in response to changes of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3231 : Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3265 : Power saving in display device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3287 : by switching off individual functional units in the computer system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 : Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 : Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 : Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 : Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0304 : Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042
• 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 3/042 : by opto-electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 : Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 : Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 : Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 : Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 20/00 : Machine learning
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/06 : Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being along the axis of angular movement
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 : in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 : in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 : Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 : End-user application control systems

Abstract

A thermostat user interface for a network-connected thermostat is described. The thermostat includes a frustum-shaped shell body having a circular cross-section and a sidewall extending between first and second ends, the second end being user-facing when the thermostat is wall-mounted; a circular rotatable ring being user rotatable for adjusting a setting of the thermostat; and a circular cover including a clear circular center portion surrounded by a painted outer portion. The clear circular center portion permits a corresponding circular portion of a non-circular dot-matrix color display element to be visible through the circular cover and the painted outer portion masks a remaining portion of the non-circular dot-matrix color display element so as to create a circular graphical user interface.

Claims

1. A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system, comprising:

a frustum-shaped shell body having a circular cross-section and a central axis generally perpendicular to a wall when the thermostat is wall-mounted, the frustum-shaped shell body including a sidewall that extends along a length of the central axis between first and second ends of the frustum-shaped shell body, the first end of the frustum-shaped shell body being wall-facing when the thermostat is wall-mounted, the second end of the frustum-shaped shell body being user-facing when the thermostat is wall-mounted, the first end of the frustum-shaped shell body having a first diameter and the second end of the frustum-shaped shell body having a second, larger diameter, the sidewall including inside and outside surfaces, the inside surface defining an interior for housing components of the thermostat;

a circular rotatable ring mounted proximate the second end of the frustum-shaped shell body, the circular rotatable ring including an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to the wall when the thermostat is wall-mounted, the circular rotatable ring configured to be user rotatable about the axis of rotation, wherein user rotation of the circular rotatable ring results in user input for adjusting a setting of the thermostat;

a circular cover mounted proximate the second end of the frustum-shaped shell body, the circular cover including a central axis generally perpendicular to the wall when the thermostat is wall-mounted, the circular cover includes a clear circular center portion surrounded by a painted outer portion; and

a non-circular dot-matrix color display element mounted at a location between the second end of the frustum-shaped shell body and the circular cover, the clear circular center portion of the circular cover permits a corresponding circular portion of the non-circular dot-matrix color display element to be visible through the circular cover and the painted outer portion of the circular cover masks a remaining portion of the non-circular dot-matrix color display element so as to create a circular graphical user interface, the non-circular dot-matrix color display element and the circular cover do not rotate with the circular rotatable ring;

a temperature sensor for use in determining an ambient air temperature;

a plurality of HVAC wire connectors configured for receiving a corresponding plurality of HVAC control wires associated with the HVAC system;

an audio-output device to output sound; and

a processing system provided in operative communication with the plurality of HVAC wire connectors, the circular rotatable ring, the non-circular dot-matrix color display element, and the temperature sensor, the processing system configured to;

cause the non-circular dot-matrix color display element to display a visually prominent digital numerical value representative of a temperature value, wherein the digital numerical value representative of the temperature value is viewable through the clear circular center portion of the circular cover;

cause the audio-output device to output synthesized audible ticks in correspondence with user rotation of the circular rotatable ring;

determine a user-selected setpoint temperature value based on user rotation of the circular rotatable ring;

send a control signal to the HVAC system via one or more of the plurality of HVAC wire connectors based at least in part on a comparison of a user-selected temperature value and the determined ambient air temperature;

indicate a status of the thermostat by causing the non-circular dot-matrix color display element to display an animated sweep of radial marks arcuately arranged on the non-circular dot-matrix color display element to correspond with a perimeter of the clear circular center portion of the circular cover; and

indicate an operation mode of the thermostat by causing the non-circular dot-matrix color display element to display orange-red colored elements when the thermostat is operating in a heating mode and bluish colored elements when the thermostat is operating in a cooling mode.

2. A thermostat according to claim 1 further comprising:

a wall-mountable back plate configured to detachably couple to the second end of the frustum-shaped shell body so as to provide electrical power to the processing system and the non-circular dot-matrix color display element, the back plate including;

wire connectors configured to connect to HVAC control wires so as to send a control signal from the processing system to the HVAC system;

labels associated with the wire connectors to aid thermostat installation; and

a bubble level to aid level wall mounting.

3. A thermostat according to claim 1 further comprising:

a motion sensor that detects user presence, wherein the processing system, upon receiving from the motion sensor a signal indicating user presence, activates the non-circular dot-matrix color display element.

4. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein a brightness of the non-circular dot-matrix color display element is user adjustable.

5. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the processing system is further configured to store in memory a user-selected thermostat name.

6. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein outputting synthesized audible ticks in correspondence with user rotation of the circular rotatable ring is a thermostat feature that can be turned on and off by a user.

7. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the non-circular dot-matrix color display element uses LCD technology.

8. In a thermostat for controlling an HVAC system, a method for interacting with a user of the thermostat, the method comprising:

detecting user presence at the thermostat, the thermostat including a frustum-shaped shell body having a circular cross-section and a central axis generally perpendicular to a wall when the thermostat is wall-mounted, the frustum-shaped shell body including a sidewall that extends along a length of the central axis between first and second ends of the frustum-shaped shell body, the first end of the frustum-shaped shell body being wall-facing when the thermostat is wall-mounted, the second end of the frustum-shaped shell body being user-facing when the thermostat is wall-mounted, the first end of the frustum-shaped shell body having a first diameter and the second end of the frustum-shaped shell body having a second, larger diameter, the sidewall including inside and outside surfaces, the inside surface defining an interior for housing components;

responsive to detecting user presence, activating a non-circular dot-matrix color display element mounted proximate the second end of the frustum-shaped shell body of the thermostat;

informing the user of an operational mode of the thermostat by displaying on the non-circular dot-matrix color display orange-red elements when the thermostat is in a heating mode and bluish elements when the thermostat is in a cooling mode;

indicating, via a circular graphical user interface, a temperature value by displaying a digital numerical value representative of the temperature value on a circular portion of the non-circular dot-matrix color display element that aligns with a clear circular center region of a circular cover, the circular cover includes a painted region that surrounds the clear circular center region and that masks a remaining portion of the non-circular dot-matrix color display element so as to create the circular graphical user interface;

enabling the user to select a setpoint temperature value by providing a circular rotatable ring mounted proximate the second end of a frustum-shaped shell body of the thermostat, the circular rotatable ring including an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to the wall when the thermostat is wall-mounted, the circular rotatable ring configured to be user rotatable about the axis of rotation, wherein user rotation of the circular rotatable ring results in user input for selecting the setpoint temperature value;

outputting synthesized audible ticks in correspondence with user rotation of the circular rotatable ring; and

determining a user-selected setpoint temperature value by tracking user rotation of the circular rotatable ring.

9. A method according to claim 8 further comprising:

indicating a status of the thermostat by causing the non-circular dot-matrix color display element to display an animated sweep of radial marks arcuately arranged on the non-circular dot-matrix color display element to correspond with a perimeter of the clear circular center portion of the circular cover.

10. A method according to claim 8 further comprising:

sending a control signal to the HVAC system based at least in part on a comparison of the user-selected temperature value and an ambient temperature measured by a temperature sensor of the thermostat.

11. A method according to claim 8 wherein the thermostat comprises:

a wall-mountable back plate configured to detachably couple to the second end of the frustum-shaped shell body so as to provide electrical power to the processing system and the non-circular dot-matrix color display element, the back plate including;

wire connectors configured to connect to HVAC control wires so as to send a control signal from the processing system to the HVAC system;

labels associated with the wire connectors to aid thermostat installation; and

a bubble level to aid level wall mounting.

12. A method according to claim 8 wherein the thermostat includes a motion sensor for detecting user presence, wherein the non-circular dot-matrix color display element is activated upon said detecting user presence.

13. A method according to claim 8 further comprising:

providing a user control for adjusting a brightness of the non-circular dot-matrix color display element.

14. A method according to claim 8 further comprising:

receiving a thermostat name assigned by a customer to the thermostat during installation.

15. A method according to claim 8 further comprising:

providing a user control for turning on and off the synthesized audible ticks that correspond with user rotation of the circular rotatable ring.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having executable instructions that, when executed by a processor of the thermostat, cause the thermostat to interface with a user thereof according to the method of claim 8.

17. In a thermostat for controlling an HVAC system, a method for interacting with a user of the thermostat, comprising:

displaying on a non-circular electronic display a plurality of radial marks arcuately arranged in alignment with a perimeter of a clear circular center region of a cover mounted near a user-facing end of a frustum-shaped shell body of the thermostat, the clear circular center region being surrounded by a painted outer region to mask portions of the non-circular electronic display;

displaying on the non-circular electronic display a numerical representation of a temperature value, the numerical representation displayed at a location that aligns with the clear circular center region of the circular cover mounted near the user-facing end of the frustum-shaped shell body of the thermostat;

displaying on the non-circular electronic display a color having a red and/or orange shade when the thermostat is calling for heating from the HVAC system; and

displaying on the non-circular electronic display a color having a bluish shade when the thermostat is calling for cooling from the HVAC system.

18. A method according to claim 17 further comprising receiving input from a user at least in part using a rotatable ring surrounding the electronic display, the input representing a change in a setpoint temperature of the thermostat.

19. A method according to claim 18 further comprising:

outputting synthesized audible ticks that correspond with user rotation of the rotatable ring.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having executable instructions that, when executed by a processor of the thermostat, cause the thermostat to interface with a user thereof according to the method of claim 17.