Programmable controller with saving changes indication

• US 7,274,972 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2003
• Issued: 09/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ademco Inc. (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Bergman, Gabriel A., Amundson, John B., Finch, Heidi J., Vick, Brent D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard; Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Garland; Steven R.
• Application Number:
  US10/726,174
• Publication Number:
  US 20050119793A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,393 Days
• Field of Search: 700/276, 700/17, 700/16, 700/83, 700/87, 236/46.R, 236/51, 236/94, 236/91.D, 236/91.R, 704/275, 715/708, 360/69, 165/267, 340/825.72, 345/702
• 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 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/59 for presetting
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23178 Display status of currently selected controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23472 Confirmation of user for the selection of a program setting
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1904 variable in time

Abstract

A programmable controller such as an HVAC controller that provides a confirmation message to a user indicating that a parameter that has been modified by the user has been or will be saved. Such a confirmation message may help assure a user that their program modifications have been accepted and/or saved by the controller, thereby reducing the anxiety some users feel when programming such controllers.

Claims

1. A method of modifying one or more parameters of a programmable HVAC controller, the HVAC controller having a user interface, the method comprising the steps of:

accepting a first input from a user via the user interface to modify at least one of the one or more parameters, wherein the at least one of the one or more parameters includes a time setting, and wherein the time setting includes a start time for one or more of a wake period, a leave period, a return period, or a sleep period;

accepting a second input from the user via the user interface that indicates to the HVAC controller that parameter modification is complete;

after the second input is accepted, providing to the user via the user interface a visually perceptible word or phrase that explicitly indicates that the at least one modified parameter has been, is being or will be saved; and

saving the at least one modified parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises an alpha numeric display.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a keypad.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a touch screen.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the HVAC controller operates a heating schedule.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the HVAC controller operates a cooling schedule.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the HVAC controller operates a ventilating schedule.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising an initial step of displaying a plurality of parameters and allowing the user to select one or more parameters for modification via the user interface.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein displaying the plurality of parameters comprises displaying the parameters on an alpha numeric display.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the allowing step of allowing the user to select at least one of the parameters for modification comprises accepting an input via the user interface.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the allowing step of allowing the user to select at least one of the parameters for modification comprises accepting an input from a touch screen or a keypad.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the accepting step of accepting a second input from the user includes the user touching a button of the user interface.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the accepting step of accepting the first input from the user includes the user touching one or more buttons of the user interface in a sequence to modify at least one of the one or more parameters.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein another of the one or more parameters comprises a temperature setpoint.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein another of the one or more parameters comprises a humidity setpoint.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein at least selected ones of the one or more parameters comprises in combination a time setting and a temperature setting.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing step of providing the visually perceptible word or phrase to the user via the user interface that the at least one modified parameter has been, is being, or will be saved comprises providing the visually perceptible word or phrase after the at least one modified parameter has been saved.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the visually perceptible word or phrase comprises a text message on an alpha numeric display or a touch screen.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the visually perceptible word or phrase comprises a graphical message or icon on a graphical display.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the modified parameters is displayed in combination with the word or phrase.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing step of providing the visually perceptible word or phrase to the user via the user interface that the one or more modified parameters has been, is being, or will be saved comprises displaying in combination the word or phrase and at least one of the modified parameters.

22. A method of modifying one or more parameters of a programmable HVAC controller, the HVAC controller having a user interface, the method comprising the steps of:

accepting a first input from a user via the user interface to modify at least one of the one or more parameters, wherein the at least one of the one or more parameters includes a day setting;

accepting a second input from the user via the user interface that indicates to the HVAC controller that parameter modification is complete;

after the second input is accepted, providing to the user via the user interface a visually perceptible word or phrase that explicitly indicates that the at least one modified parameter has been, is being or will be saved; and

saving the at least one modified parameter.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the day setting is displayed in combination with the word or phrase.

24. A method of modifying one or more parameters of a programmable HVAC controller, the HVAC controller having a user interface, the method comprising the steps of:

accepting a first input from a user via the user interface to modify at least one of the one or more parameters, wherein at least selected ones of the one or more parameters comprises in combination a time setting and a fan setting;

accepting a second input from the user via the user interface that indicates to the HVAC controller that parameter modification is complete;

after the second input is accepted, providing to the user via the user interface a visually perceptible word or phrase that explicitly indicates that the at least one modified parameter has been, is being or will be saved; and

saving the at least one modified parameter.

25. A method of modifying one or more parameters of a programmable HVAC controller, the HVAC controller having a user interface, the method comprising the steps of:

accepting a first input from a user via the user interface to modify at least one of the one or more parameters, wherein at least selected ones of the one or more parameters comprises in combination a time setting and an equipment selection setting;

accepting a second input from the user via the user interface that indicates to the HVAC controller that parameter modification is complete;

after the second input is accepted, providing to the user via the user interface a visually preceptible word or phrase that explicitly indicates that the at least one modified parameter has been, is being or will be saved; and

saving the at least one modified parameter.

26. A method of modifying one or more parameters of a programmable HVAC controller, the HVAC controller having a user interface, the method comprising the steps of:

accepting a first input from a user via the user interface to modify at least one of the one or more parameters, wherein at least selected ones of the parameters comprise in combination a time setting and an equipment on/off setting;

accepting a second input from the user via the user interface that indicates to the HVAC controller that parameter modification is complete;

after the second input is accepted, providing to the user via the user interface a visually perceptible word or phrase that explicitly indicates that the at least one modified parameter has been, is being or will be saved; and

saving the at least one modified parameter.

27. A method of modifying one or more parameters of a programmable HVAC controller, the HVAC controller having a user interface, the method comprising the steps of:

accepting a first input from a user via the user interface to modify at least one of the one or more parameters;

accepting a second input from the user via the user interface that indicates to the HVAC controller that parameter modification is complete;

after the second input is accepted, providing to the user via the user interface a visually perceptible word or phrase that explicitly indicates that the at least one modified parameter has been, is being or will be saved;

saving the at least one modified parameter; and

wherein the providing step of providing the visually perceptible word or phrase to the user via the user interface that the at least one modified parameter has been, is being, or will be saved comprises providing the visually perceptible word or phrase before saving the at least one modified parameter.

28. A method of modifying one or more parameters of a programmable HVAC controller, the HVAC controller having a user interface, the method comprising the steps of:

accepting a first input from a user via the user interface to modify at least one of the one or more parameters;

accepting a second input from the user via the user interface that indicates to the HVAC controller that parameter modification is complete;

after the second input is accepted, providing to the user via the user interface a visually perceptible word or phrase that explicitly indicates that the at least one modified parameter has been, is being or will be saved;

saving the at least one modified parameter; and

wherein the providing step of providing the visually perceptible word or phrase to the user via the user interface that the at least one modified parameter has been, is being, or will be saved comprises providing the visually perceptible word or phrase simultaneously with saving the at least one modified parameter.

29. An HVAC controller comprising one or more control parameters, a memory and a user interface, the HVAC controller configured to:

accept a first input from a user via the user interface to modify one or more of the control parameters of the HVAC controller, wherein the one or more control parameters comprises in combination a time setting and a fan setting;

accept a second input from the user via the user interface that indicates to the HVAC controller that parameter modification is complete;

after the HVAC controller accepts the second input, provide a visually perceptible confirmation message to the user via the user interface that includes a word or phrase that explicitly indicates the one or more modified control parameters has been, is being, or will be saved; and

save the modified one or more control parameter of the HVAC controller to the memory.

30. The HVAC controller of claim 29, wherein the interface comprises at least one of an alpha numeric display, a touch screen and a keypad.

31. The HVAC controller of claim 29, wherein the interface comprises at least one of a graphical display, a touch screen and a keypad.

32. The HVAC controller of claim 29, wherein the HVAC controller comprises a thermostat.

33. The HVAC controller of claim 29, further configured to display a plurality of control parameters and to permit the user, via the interface, to select a parameter for modification.

34. The HVAC controller of claim 29, wherein the HVAC controller accepts the first input from a keypad or touch screen to allow the user to modify the one or more of the control parameters of the HVAC controller.

35. The HVAC controller of claim 29, wherein the user interface of the HVAC controller includes a button that is touched by the user to accept the second input to indicate to the HVAC controller that parameter modification is complete.

36. The HVAC controller of claim 29, wherein the one or more control parameters further comprises a temperature setpoint.

37. The HVAC controller of claim 29, wherein the one or more control parameters further comprises a humidity setpoint.

38. The HVAC controller of claim 29, wherein the one or more control parameters further comprises in combination a time setting and a temperature setting.

39. The HVAC controller of claim 29, wherein the one or more control parameters further comprises in combination a time setting and a humidity setting.

40. The HVAC controller of claim 29, wherein the visual perceptible confirmation message comprises a text message on an alpha numeric display or a touch screen.

41. The HVAC controller of claim 29, wherein the visually perceptible confirmation message comprises a graphical message or icon on a graphical display.

42. An HVAC controller comprising one or more control parameters, a memory and a user interface, the HVAC controller configured to:

accept a first input from a user via the user interface to modify one or more of the control parameters of the HVAC controller, wherein the one or more control parameters comprises in combination a time setting and an equipment selection setting;

accept a second input from the user via the user interface that indicates to the HVAC controller that parameter modification is complete;

after the HVAC controller accepts the second input, provide a visually perceptible confirmation message to the user via the user interface that includes a word or phrase that explicitly indicates the one or more modified control parameters has been, is being, or will be saved; and

save the modified one or more control parameter of the HVAC controller to the memory.

43. An HVAC controller comprising one or more control parameters, a memory and a user interface, the HVAC controller configured to:

accept a first input from a user via the user interface to modify one or more of the control parameters of the HVAC controller, wherein the one or more control parameters comprises in combination a time setting and an equipment on/off setting;

accept a second input from the user via the user interface that indicates to the HVAC controller that parameter modification is complete;

after the HVAC controller accepts the second input, provide a visually perceptible confirmation message to the user via the user interface that includes a word or phrase that explicitly indicates the one or more modified control parameters has been, is being, or will be saved; and

save the modified one or more control parameter of the HVAC controller to the memory.

44. A method of modifying one or more parameters of a programmable HVAC controller schedule, the HVAC controller having a user interface that includes a display, the method comprising the steps of:

displaying one or more parameters on the display;

allowing a user to modify at least one of the one or more parameters via the user interface;

displaying at least one of the one or more modified parameters on the display;

saving the at least one modified parameter; and

providing a confirmation message that includes one or more words displayed on the display that conveys to the user that the one or more modified parameters has been, is being, or will be saved, and also displaying in combination with the confirmation message, at least one day of a week of the HVAC controller schedule that corresponds to the at least one modified parameter.

45. The method of claim 44 further comprising the step of allowing a user to indicate via the user interface that parameter modification is complete prior to providing the confirmation message.

46. The method of claim 44 wherein the confirmation message is provided at the same time that the one or more modified parameters are displayed.

47. The method of claim 44 wherein the confirmation message is provided on the display for at least one second.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein the confirmation message is provided on the display for at least five seconds.

49. The method of claim 44 wherein the confirmation message further includes one or more icons displayed on the display that conveys to the user that the one or more modified parameters has been, is being, or will be saved.

50. A method of modifying one or more parameters of a programmable HVAC controller schedule, the HVAC controller having a user interface that includes a display, the method comprising the steps of:

displaying one or more parameters on the display;

allowing a user to modify at least one of the one or more parameters via the user interface;

displaying at least one of the one or more modified parameters on the display;

saving the at least one modified parameter; and

providing a confirmation message on the display that notifies the user that the one or more modified parameters has been, is being, or will be saved, and also displaying in combination with the confirmation message, at least one day of a week of the HVAC controller schedule that corresponds to the at least one modified parameter, wherein the confirmation message includes the message “

Saving Changes”

.

51. A method of modifying one or more parameters of a programmable HVAC controller schedule, the HVAC controller having a user interface that includes a display, the method comprising the steps of:

displaying one or more parameters on the display;

allowing a user to modify at least one of the one or more parameters via the user interface;

displaying at least one of the one or more modified parameters on the display;

saving the at least one modified parameter; and

providing a confirmation message on the display that notifies the user that the one or more modified parameters has been, is being, or will be saved, and also displaying in combination with the confirmation message, at least one day of a week of the HVAC controller schedule that corresponds to the at least one modified parameter, wherein at least one of the one or more modified parameters are not displayed at the same time as the confirmation message.

52. The method of claim 51 wherein none of the one or more modified parameters are displayed at the same time as the confirmation message.

53. A method of modifying one or more parameters of a programmable HVAC controller schedule, the HVAC controller having a user interface, the method comprising the steps of:

accepting one or more parameter changing inputs from a user via the user interface to modify at least one of the one or more parameters;

after each parameter changing inputs is accepted, not providing an indication to the user via the user interface that indicates the one or more modified parameters have been or will be saved;

accepting a parameter modification complete input from the user via the user interface that indicates to the HVAC controller that parameter modification is complete; and

after the parameter modification complete input is accepted, displaying a confirmation message to the user on a display of the user interface that indicates the one or more modified parameters has been, is being, or will be saved, and also displaying on the display in combination with the confirmation message, at least one day of a week of the HVAC controller schedule that corresponds to at least one modified parameter;

wherein when the confirmation message is displayed on the display, only the confirmation message and the at least one day of the week that corresponds to the at least one modified parameter are displayed on the display.