Controller with programmable service event display mode

• US 7,225,054 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2003
• Issued: 05/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ademco Inc. (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Stoner, Marcus D., Amundson, John B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham; Thomas K.
• Application Number:
  US10/726,243
• Publication Number:
  US 20050119794A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• Field of Search: 700/276, 700/86, 700/17, 700/83, 700/296, 165/238, 165/239, 165/289, 236/91.F, 236/99.E
• 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 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 characterised by the use of a variable reference value

Abstract

Controllers and systems for displaying servicing information via a display unit are disclosed. A controller in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention may include an interface for programming a service event display mode in the controller, and a display unit configured to display servicing information when a service event is detected by the controller. An event such as the triggering of a service indicator or the expiration of an equipment service event timer may cause the controller to display servicing information on the display unit, informing the user that servicing may be necessary or is recommended.

Claims

1. An HVAC controller for use in controlling one or more components of an HVAC system, the HVAC controller comprising:

a controller configured to control one or more components of the HVAC system during normal operation of the HVAC system, said controller adapted to determine if one or more service events occurred for one or more of the components of the HVAC system, wherein said controller makes the determination without first requiring a prompting by a user of the controller; and

a display unit configured to display servicing information when a service event is determined by the controller.

2. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein said servicing information includes a graphical representation of a logo.

3. The HVAC controller of claim 2 wherein said servicing information includes a telephone number.

4. The HVAC controller of claim 1 wherein said servicing information includes a service event code.

5. The HVAC controller of claim 1 wherein said servicing information includes a description of the service event.

6. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein said controller determines if a service event occurred by receiving a service event indicator from at least one of said one or more components.

7. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein said controller determines if a service event occurred by determining if an equipment service event timer expired.

8. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein said one or more components are one or more of a heating unit, a cooling unit, a ventilation unit, a filtration unit, a UV lamp unit, a humidifying/dehumidifying unit, a local sensor, and a remote sensor.

9. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein said display unit comprises a touch screen.

10. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein said display unit comprises an LCD panel.

11. The HVAC controller of claim 1 further comprising a data input port coupled to the controller for uploading data to the controller.

12. The HVAC controller of claim 11 wherein the controller is adapted to receive a graphical representation of a logo via the data input port, and wherein the display unit is configured to display the logo when a service event is determined by the controller.

13. The HVAC controller of claim 12 wherein the data input port is a wired port.

14. The HVAC controller of claim 12 wherein the data input port is a wireless port.

15. The HVAC controller of claim 1 wherein the controller determines if one or more service events occurred for one or more the components of the HVAC system by polling at least selected components of the HVAC system.

16. The HVAC controller of claim 1 wherein at least some of the components of the HVAC system communicate with the controller over a network.

17. The HVAC controller of claim 1 wherein at least some of the components of the HVAC system communicate with the controller via an I/O interface.

18. A programmable controller for use in controlling one or more components of a system, the controller comprising:

a controller configured to control one or more of the components of the system during normal operation of the system, said controller adapted to automatically determine if one or more service events occurred for one or more components of the system; and

a display unit in communication with the controller and configured to display a logo when a service event is determined by the controller.

19. The controller of claim 18, wherein said display unit is configured to display a telephone number when a service event is determined by the controller.

20. The controller of claim 18, wherein said display unit is configured to display a service event code when a service event is determined by the controller.

21. The controller of claim 18, wherein said display unit is configured to display a description of the service event when a service event is determined by the controller.

22. The controller of claim 18, wherein said system includes an HVAC system.

23. The controller of claim 22, wherein said one or more components are one or more of a heating unit, a cooling unit, a ventilation unit, a filtration unit, a UV lamp unit, a humidifying/dehumidifying unit, a local sensor, and a remote sensor.

24. The controller of claim 18, wherein said system includes a security system.

25. The controller of claim 18, wherein said system includes a lighting system.

26. The controller of claim 18, wherein said system includes a sprinkler or drip water system.

27. The HVAC system of claim 26, wherein said one or more components are one or more of a heating unit, a cooling unit, a ventilation unit, a filtration unit, a UV lamp unit, a humidifying/dehumidifying unit, and a remote sensor.

28. The controller of claim 18, wherein said display unit comprises a touch screen.

29. The controller of claim 18, wherein said display unit comprises an LCD panel.

30. An HVAC system, comprising:

one or more components for regulating a set of environmental conditions within a structure, and

a controller operatively connected to said one or more components and configured to control one or more of the components during normal operation of the HVAC system, said controller including display means for displaying servicing information when a service event is automatically detected by the controller.

31. The HVAC system of claim 30, wherein said servicing information includes a logo and telephone number.

32. The HVAC system of claim 30, wherein said service event comprises a service indicator from at least one of said one or more components.

33. The HVAC system of claim 30, wherein said service event comprises an expired equipment service event timer.

34. An HVAC system, comprising:

one or more components for regulating a set of environmental conditions within a structure, and

an HVAC controller operatively connected to said one or more components, said HVAC controller configured to control one or more of the components during normal operation of the HVAC system, said HVAC controller including an interface for programming a service event display mode in the HVAC controller, and display means for displaying servicing information when a service event is detected in at least one of said one or more components by the HVAC controller, wherein the HVAC controller detects a service event without having to be prompted by a user via the interface.

35. An HVAC controller for use in controlling one or more components of an HVAC system, the HVAC controller comprising:

a controller configured to control the one or more components of the HVAC system during normal operation of the HVAC system, said controller adapted to automatically determine if one or more service events occurred for one or more the components of the HVAC system; and

notifying means for notifying a service provider when a service event is determined by the controller.

36. The HVAC controller of claim 35 wherein the service provider is one of a contractor, a service referral organization, a utility, a retailer, or a manufacturer.

37. The HVAC controller of claim 35 wherein the notifying means notifies a different service provider for two different service events.

38. A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system having one or more HVAC components, the thermostat comprising;

a housing;

a display secured relative to the housing;

a controller, situated in the housing, in communication with the display;

the controller adapted to control the HVAC system; and

the controller further adapted to determine if one or more service events occurred for one or more of the components of the HVAC system without requiring prompting from a user via a user interface of the controller.

39. A method for using a thermostat to alert a user of service events that correspond to the operation of one or more HVAC components, the method comprising;

using the thermostat to monitor the operation of one or more HVAC components over the lifetime of the thermostat;

automatically detecting a service event related to the operation of one or more of the HVAC components; and

alerting the user of the detected service event via the thermostat.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein said monitoring the operation of one or more HVAC components is reoccurring or continuous.