SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONFIGURING A SCHEDULE

• US 20150168933A1
• Filed: 10/14/2014
• Published: 06/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trane International Inc. (Trane Technologies plc)
• Original Assignee: Trane International Inc. (Trane Technologies plc)
• Inventors: Brown, Gregory S., Mutchnik, Karl J., KLEIN, KIT W., Kathiresan, Rucky Paul
• Granted Patent: US 10,162,319 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23258 GUI graphical user interface, icon, function bloc editor, labview
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25419 Scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means

Abstract

A control device includes a graphical user interface for an automated schedule. The automated schedule may include multiple schedule periods. Schedule parameters may be adjusted by selecting a portion of one of the schedule periods, for example, on a touchscreen display. The control device may be a thermostat to control temperature in a building.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

configuring an automated schedule with a graphical user interface (GUI); and

allowing synchronization of a set of control operations to a control device in response to the automated schedule,

wherein configuring includes selecting a series of available schedule options and defining a plurality of schedule periods each having a set of schedule parameters,

wherein the set of schedule parameters includes at least one of a day, a start time, a next period start time, an upper threshold, and a lower threshold,

wherein the GUI includes a selectable top portion for displaying and editing the upper threshold, a middle portion for displaying a duration between the start time and the next period start time, and a selectable bottom portion for displaying and editing the lower threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

controlling, with the control device, operation of one of a control lock, a light, a sensor, an appliance, a camera, a garage door opener, a supply water valve, a sprinkler water valve, a pool pump, pool equipment, a water heater, an economizer, and a wireless relay or contact based on the automated schedule.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the control device is a thermostat.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein synchronization includes a heating operation and a cooling operation.

5. An automated schedule configuration method including a graphical user interface (GUI), comprising:

configuring a plurality of schedule periods using a schedule period interface having a substantially rectangular shape and a start time interface;

selecting an edit mode for adjusting schedule parameters by selecting one of a portion of the schedule period interface and the start time interface,

wherein the schedule parameters include a day, a start time, a next period start time, an upper threshold, and a lower threshold,

wherein the schedule period interface includes a selectable top portion for displaying and editing the upper threshold, a middle portion for displaying a duration between the start time and the next period start time, and a selectable bottom portion for displaying and editing the lower threshold.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the GUI further includes a period management interface including a top control for adding a period and a bottom control for deleting a selected schedule period.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the GUI further includes a variable control interface including a first control configured to allow a user to return to a home screen interface, a second control configured to allow the user to copy at least one of the schedule periods, a third control configured to allow the user to paste the previously copied at least one schedule period, and a fourth control configured to allow the user to return to a previous screen interface.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the GUI further includes a setting adjustment interlace including a top control for increasing a setting of the edit mode, a middle portion for displaying a mode setting description, and a lower control for decreasing the setting of the edit mode.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the GUI further includes a top banner including a display indicating the mode setting.

10. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

controlling operation of one of a control lock, a light, a sensor, an appliance, a camera, a garage door opener, a supply water valve, a sprinkler water valve, a pool pump, pool equipment, a water heater, an economizer, and a wireless relay or contact based on the schedule periods.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein the start time interface includes a selectable start time display and a selectable start time edge.

12. The method of claim 5, wherein the schedule period interface width is proportional to the duration of the period with respect to the amount of total time in a day.

13. The method of claim 5, wherein the schedule period interface height is proportional to the difference between the upper threshold and the lower threshold, wherein the schedule period interface height is configured to increase when the difference increases and decrease when the difference decreases.

14. A system, comprising:

a computing device including a graphical user interface (GUI);

a cloud application; and

a control device;

wherein the GUI displays a plurality of user defined schedule periods for configuring automated temperature settings on the computing device;

wherein the computing device is in communication with the cloud application; and

wherein the cloud application is in communication with the control device,

wherein the automated temperature settings include a day, a start time, a next period start time, an upper threshold, and a lower threshold,

wherein the GUI includes a selectable top portion for displaying and editing the upper threshold, a middle portion for displaying a duration between the start time and the next period start time, and a selectable bottom portion for displaying and editing the lower threshold.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the computing device is external to the control device.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the computing device is internal to the control device.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the control device is a thermostat.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the GUI further includes a variable control interface including a first control configured to allow a user to return to a home screen interface, a second control configured to allow the user to copy at least one of the schedule periods, a third control configured to allow the user to paste the previously copied at least one schedule period, and a fourth control configured to allow the user to return to a previous screen interface.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the GUI further includes a setting adjustment interface including a top control for increasing a setting of an edit mode, a middle portion for displaying a mode setting description, and a lower control for decreasing the setting of the edit mode.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein a height of the schedule periods is proportional to the difference between the upper threshold and the lower threshold, wherein the height of the schedule periods is configured to increase when the difference increase and decrease when the difference decreases.