USER FRIENDLY INTERFACE

• US 20160170626A1
• Filed: 02/23/2016
• Published: 06/16/2016
• 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 9,720,585 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 wall-mounted device for sensing an environmental condition in a home environment and tracking time based on user input, said device comprising:

a body having a circular cross-section and a central axis, said central axis extending generally perpendicular to a wall when said device is wall-mounted, said body further having a wall-facing rear surface and a user-facing front surface;

an outer ring that laterally surrounds said body to form a circular lateral periphery of said device, said outer ring having an axis of rotation generally parallel to said central axis of said body, said outer ring being user-rotatable about said axis of rotation, said outer ring having inner and outer surfaces, said inner surface facing radially inward toward said central axis of said body;

a circular circuit board at least partially disposed within said body;

an optical sensor mounted on said circular circuit board, said optical sensor directed away from said central axis of said body and toward said inner surface of said outer ring, said optical sensor being configured to detect movement of said inner surface of said outer ring and output corresponding electrical signals;

a user-facing circular display component disposed within said body and configured to display information;

a user input component formed by at least said user-facing circular display component and said outer ring, said user input component being configured to be inwardly pressable along a direction generally parallel to said central axis of said body;

at least one environmental sensing component at least partially disposed within said body and configured to detect at least one environmental condition;

a communication component at least partially disposed within said body and configured for providing wired or wireless sensing or control-related communications; and

a processing system in operative communication with said at least one environmental sensing component, said communication component, and said user input component, said processing system being programmed to interpret said electrical signals outputted by said optical sensor and determine therefrom a rotational input;

wherein said processing system and said user input component are collectively configured such that each of a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation is provided, said first and second modes of operation being in effect at different times,

wherein, during said first mode of operation, an arrangement of selectable menu items is displayed on said user-facing circular display component, said rotational input causing different ones of said selectable menu items to become visually highlighted, a user selection of one of said selectable menu items being established by an inward pressing of said user input component while that selectable menu item is visually highlighted, and

wherein, during said second mode of operation, visual information is displayed on said user-facing circular display component that is representative of a time value or a value representative of the environmental condition.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said processing system and said user input component are collectively configured such that:

said inward pressing, during said second mode of operation, invokes said first mode of operation such that said arrangement of selectable menu items is displayed.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein,

after establishing said user selection of the one of said selectable menu items, said rotational input causes different ones of a range of count-down time values to be displayed via said user-facing circular display component;

and

said inward pressing while one of said range of count-down time values is displayed starts a count-down.

4. A device according to claim 1 further comprising:

a wall-mountable back plate configured to detachably couple to said wall-facing rear surface so as to provide electrical power to said device.

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

6. A device according to claim 1 further comprising:

a motion sensor that detects user presence, wherein said processing system, upon receiving from said motion sensor a signal indicating user presence, activates said user-facing circular display component.

7. A device according to claim 1 further comprising:

an audio device for outputting synthesized information that corresponds to said at least one environmental condition detected by said at least one environmental sensing component.

8. A device according to claim 1 further comprising:

a rechargeable battery component for providing power to at least said processing system and said user input component.

9. A method for using a wall-mounted device for sensing an environmental condition in a home environment and tracking time based on user input, said method comprising:

detecting a rotational input motion of an outer ring that laterally surrounds a body of said device so as to form a circular lateral periphery of said device, said body having a circular cross-section and a central axis, said central axis extending generally perpendicular to a wall when said device is wall-mounted, said body further having a wall-facing rear surface and a user-facing front surface, said outer ring having an axis of rotation generally extending generally parallel to said central axis of said body, said outer ring being user-rotatable about said axis of rotation for enabling said rotational input motion, said device having a user-facing circular display component, said user-facing circular display component and said outer ring forming a user input component, said user input component being configured to be inwardly pressable along a direction generally perpendicular to said rotational input motion, wherein at least one environmental sensing component is at least partially disposed within said body of said device, wherein said device includes a communication component configured for providing wired or wireless sensing or control-related communications, wherein said device includes a processing system in operative communication with said at least one environmental sensing component, said communication component, and said user input component, wherein said processing system and said user input component are collectively configured such that each of a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation is provided, said first and second modes of operation being in effect at different times;

during said first mode of operation,

highlighting, based on said rotational input motion, respective ones of an arrangement of selectable menu items displayed on said user-facing circular display component;

establishing a user selection of one of said selectable menu items upon detecting an inward pressing of said user input component while the one of said selectable menu items is highlighted; and

during said second mode of operation,

displaying, via said user-facing circular display component, visual information that is representative of a time value or a value representative of the environmental condition.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said processing system and said user input component are collectively configured such that:

said inward pressing, during said second mode of operation, invokes said first mode of operation such that the arrangement of selectable menu items is displayed.

11. A method according to claim 9 wherein,

after establishing said user selection of the one of said selectable menu items, displaying, based on said rotational input motion, respective ones of a range of count-down time values;

and

starting a count-down upon detecting said inward pressing while one of said range of count-down time values is displayed.

12. A method according to claim 9 wherein said device further comprises:

a rechargeable battery component for providing power to at least said processing system and said user input component; and

a wall-mountable back plate configured to detachably couple to said wall-facing rear surface so as to provide electrical power to said device for charging said rechargeable battery component.

13. A method according to claim 9 wherein said processing system is further configured to store in memory a user-selected device name.

14. A method according to claim 9 wherein said device further comprises:

an audio device for outputting synthesized information that corresponds to said at least one environmental condition detected by said at least one environmental sensing component.

15. A wall-mounted device for sensing an environmental condition in a home environment and tracking time based on user input, said device comprising:

a body having a circular cross-section and a central axis, said central axis extending generally perpendicular to a wall when said device is wall-mounted, said body having a sidewall that at least partially extends along a length of said central axis between first and second ends of said body, said sidewall having inside and outside surfaces, said inside surface at least partially defining an interior area of said body, said first end of said body being wall-facing when said device is wall-mounted, said second end of said body being user-facing when said device is wall-mounted;

an outer ring surrounding at least a portion of said sidewall of said body, said outer ring having an axis of rotation that extends generally parallel to said central axis of said body, said outer ring being configured to be rotatable generally about said axis of rotation, said outer ring having an inner surface that faces said outside surface of said sidewall of said body, said inner surface of said outer ring having a textured portion;

a circular circuit board at least partially disposed within said interior area of said body;

an optical sensor mounted on said circular circuit board, said optical sensor directed away from said central axis of said body and toward said inner surface of said outer ring, said optical sensor being configured to detect movement of said texture portion of said inner surface and output corresponding electrical signals;

a user-facing circular display component at least partially disposed within said interior area of said body and configured to display information;

a user input component being formed by said user-facing circular display component and said outer ring, said user input component being configured to be inwardly pressable along a direction generally parallel to said central axis of said body;

at least one environmental sensing component at least partially disposed within said interior area of said body and configured to detect at least one environmental condition;

a communication component at least partially disposed within said interior area of said body and configured for providing wired or wireless sensing or control-related communications;

a processing system in operative communication with said at least one environmental sensing component, said communication component, and said user input component, said processing system being programmed to interpret said electrical signals outputted by said optical sensor and determine therefrom a rotational input;

wherein said processing system and said user input component are collectively configured such that each of a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation is provided, said first and second modes of operation being in effect at different times,

wherein, during said first mode of operation, an arrangement of selectable menu items is displayed on said user-facing circular display component, said rotational input causing different ones of said selectable menu items to become visually highlighted, a user selection of one of said selectable menu items being established by an inward pressing of said user input component while that selectable menu item is visually highlighted, and

wherein, during said second mode of operation, visual information is displayed on said user-facing circular display component that is representative of a time value or a value representative of the environmental condition.

16. A device according to claim 15 wherein said processing system and said user input component are collectively configured such that:

said inward pressing, during said second mode of operation, invokes said first mode of operation such that said arrangement of selectable menu items is displayed.

17. A device according to claim 15 wherein,

after establishing said user selection of the one of said selectable menu items, said rotational input causes respective ones of a range of count-down time values to be displayed via said user-facing circular display component;

and

said inward pressing, while one of said range of count-down time values is displayed, starts a count-down.

18. A device according to claim 15 further comprising:

a rechargeable battery component for providing power to at least said processing system and said user input component; and

a wall-mountable back plate configured to detachably couple to said first end of said body so as to provide electrical power for charging said rechargeable battery component.

19. A device according to claim 15 wherein said processing system is further configured to store in memory a user-selected device name.

20. A device according to claim 15 further comprising:

an audio device for outputting synthesized information that corresponds to said at least one environmental condition detected by said at least one environmental sensing component.