Thermostat with configurable service contact information and reminder timers

• US 7,000,849 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2003
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Invensys Systems Incorporated (Invensys PLC)
• Original Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Ashworth, Nicholas, Chapman, John G.
• Primary Examiner(s): NORMAN, MARC E
• Application Number:
  US10/713,292
• Publication Number:
  US 20050103875A1
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 236/94, 236/46.R, 621/25, 621/26, 621/27, 621/57, 621/58
• US Class Current: 236/94
• 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 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 characterised by the use of a variable reference value
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting

Abstract

A field programmable or configurable thermostat for an HVAC system is provided. The configurable thermostat allows field programmability of service contact information, including name and contact telephone number information for the installer or service person. The system reminders and service intervals may be provided based upon calendar time or run time, and may be adjusted to particular periods by the service person in the field. Soft keys whose function is described on various changing menus allow service person to navigate through the various display and information entry screens. Scrolling or selection keys are used in one embodiment to vary the information on appropriate screens. Alternate embodiments utilize touch screens, alphanumeric keypads, etc., for the entry and editing of such information.

Claims

1. A field-programmable thermostat for use in an HVAC system that includes at least one remotely located HVAC component, comprising:

a user display screen;

a user function selection means for inputting a user selection associated with a function indicated on the user display screen;

a user scrolling means for allowing a user to scroll among available items and parameters; and

wherein the thermostat automatically displays a service reminder screen on the user display for the at least one remotely located HVAC component at the expiration of a reminder interval, the service reminder screen including at least one field for displaying a name of a service organization and a contact telephone number.

2. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the reminder interval is user settable via the user scrolling means to one of a run time and a calendar time.

3. The thermostat of claim 2, wherein a period of the reminder interval is user settable via the user scrolling means.

4. The thermostat of claim 3, wherein the period of the reminder interval is individually user settable for each of the at least one remotely located HVAC component of an HVAC system.

5. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the name of the service organization and the contact telephone number are programmable by a service person during servicing and installation of the thermostat via the user function selection means and the user scrolling means.

6. The thermostat of claim 5, wherein the name of the service organization and the contact telephone number are editable by a service person during servicing and installation of the thermostat via the user function selection means and the user scrolling means.

7. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the user function selection means comprises a pair of soft keys located in proximity to the user display screen.

8. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the user scrolling means comprises a pair of selection keys.

9. The thermostat of claim 1, further comprising a visual indicator that is activated when the reminder message is displayed on the user display.

10. The thermostat of claim 9,

wherein the visual indication comprises illumination of a back lighting of the user display.

11. The thermostat of claim 10, wherein the back lighting of the user display is cycled at a given rate.

12. The thermostat of claim 10, wherein the back lighting of the user display is terminated after a period of time.

13. The thermostat of claim 1, further comprising an audible indicator that is activated when the reminder message is displayed on the user display.

14. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein a reset function is provided on the user display when the service reminder message is displayed, the service reminder message being reset for the reminder interval upon user selection of the reset function via the user function selection means.

15. A field-programmable thermostat for use in an HVAC system that includes at least one remotely located HVAC component, comprising:

a user display screen;

a user function selection means for inputting a user selection associated with a function indicated on the user display screen;

a user scrolling means for allowing a user to scroll among available items and parameters;

wherein the thermostat automatically displays a service reminder screen on the user display for the at least one remotely located HVAC component at the expiration of a reminder interval, the service reminder screen including at least one field for displaying a name of a service organization and a contact telephone number; and

wherein a delay function is provided on the user display when the service reminder message is displayed, the service reminder message being delayed for a predetermined period upon user selection of the delay function via the user function selection means.

16. A thermostat for use in an HVAC system having at least one remotely located HVAC appliance, comprising a user display, and a service reminder screen displayed automatically on the user display, the service reminder screen including a first field containing information identifying a name of a service organization and a second field containing information identifying a contact telephone number associated with the service organization identified in the first field.

17. The thermostat of claim 16, further comprising means for entering the information identifying the name of the service organization in the first field and the contact telephone number associated therewith in the second field during installation and servicing of at least one of the thermostat and the at least one HVAC appliance.

18. The thermostat of claim 16, further comprising an installer settings screen from which a service person can set a reminder period to one of calendar time and run time.

19. The thermostat of claim 18, wherein the information in the first field identifying the name of the service organization and the information in the second field identifying the contact telephone number associated therewith is editable via the means for entering the information from the installer settings screen.

20. A digital thermostat, comprising:

a user display screen;

a pair of soft keys located in proximity to the display screen, the function of the soft keys being indicated on the user display screen in proximity thereto;

a pair of selection keys for scrolling through available items on the user display screen; and

a service reminder screen automatically displayed on the user display screen upon the expiration of a field-programmed time interval of one of calendar time and run time, the service reminder screen including at least one field for containing contact information including a name of a service organization.