Thermostat display system providing adjustable backlight and indicators

• US 7,460,933 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2005
• Issued: 12/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Chapman, John Gilman Jr., Catlin, George N, Hockensmith, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): VON BUHR, MARIA N
• Application Number:
  US11/216,405
• Publication Number:
  US 20070045430A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 700/300, 345/102, 236/91.D, 236/91.R, 236/94, 324/417, D10/50
• US Class Current: 700/300
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 characterised by the use of a variable reference value
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0606 Manual adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0626 for control of overall brightness
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3406 Control of illumination source illumination devices structurally associated with liquid crystal cells G02F1/1336

Abstract

A user adjustable visual display system and method for a digital thermostat having a backlit user display screen and system operation indicators is provided. The system allows a user to programmatically vary the illumination intensity of the backlit user display screen and the operational indicators. The variance provided includes disabling of the backlight and operational indicators. The system utilizes a variable pulse width modulated (PWM) intensity control for the backlight and indicators. Alternatively, an adjustable current drive illumination control is used to control the backlight and indicators. The selection of the desired intensity is provided via a display settings menu accessed via the user display screen.

Claims

1. A thermostat for controlling heating and/or cooling equipment, comprising:

a backlit user display screen for displaying operational information about the heating and/or cooling equipment controlled by the thermostat;

wherein the thermostat is configured to vary an illumination intensity of the backlit user display screen based on a user programmable illumination parameter;

wherein the thermostat includes an idle mode and an active mode, wherein when the thermostat is in the idle mode the illumination intensity of the backlit user display screen is based on a user programmable active mode parameter and when the thermostat is in the active mode the illumination intensity of the backlit user display screen is based on a user programmable idle mode parameter; and

wherein the user programmable active mode parameter is independent of the user programmable idle mode parameter such that the illumination intensity of the active mode may be varied to a lower illumination intensity than the illumination intensity of the idle mode.

2. The thermostat of claim 1, further comprising a display settings menu displayed on the backlit user display screen, the display settings menu including at least one user programmable operational mode illumination parameter, and wherein the thermostat is configured to vary the illumination intensity of the backlit user display screen during at least one operational mode based on the user programmable operational mode illumination parameter.

3. The thermostat of claim 2, further comprising:

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 one of the at least one user programmable operational mode illumination parameters are highlighted via the user scrolling means and selected via the user function selection means for programming.

4. The thermostat of claim 3, further comprising a parameter setting menu for a selected one of the at least one user programmable operational mode illumination parameters, and wherein a value of the user programmable operational mode illumination parameter is settable via the user scrolling means.

5. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the user programmable illumination parameter is set to off, and wherein the thermostat is configured to turn off illumination of the backlit user display screen.

6. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the thermostat is configured to pulse width modulate the illumination of the backlit user display screen at a duty cycle based on the user programmable illumination parameter.

7. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the thermostat is configured to vary the current supplied to the backlit user display screen to control the illumination thereof based on the user programmable illumination parameter.

8. The thermostat of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one indicator separated from and spaced apart from the backlit user display screen; and

wherein the thermostat is configured to vary an illumination intensity of the at least one indicator based on the user programmable illumination parameter.

9. The thermostat of claim 8, wherein the at least one indicator is a light emitting diode (LED) indicator.

10. The thermostat of claim 9, wherein the thermostat is configured to pulse width modulate the illumination of the at least one LED indicator at a duty cycle based on the user programmable illumination parameter.

11. The thermostat of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one indicator separated from and spaced apart from the backlit user display screen; and

wherein the thermostat is configured to vary an illumination intensity of the at least one indicator based on a user programmable indicator illumination parameter, different than the user programmable illumination parameter.

12. The thermostat of claim 11, wherein the at least one indicator is a light emitting diode (LED) indicator.

13. The thermostat of claim 12, wherein the thermostat is configured to pulse width modulate the illumination of the at least one LED indicator at a duty cycle based on the user programmable indicator illumination parameter.

14. A thermostat for controlling heating and/or cooling equipment, comprising:

a backlit user display screen for displaying operational information about the heating and/or cooling equipment controlled by the thermostat;

wherein the thermostat is configured to vary an illumination intensity of the backlit user display screen based on a user programmable illumination parameter;

wherein the at least one user programmable operational mode illumination parameter includes at least one user programmable normal operation parameter and at least one user programmable erroneous operation parameter, and wherein the thermostat is configured to vary the illumination intensity of the backlit user display screen during normal operation based on the at least one user programmable normal operation parameter, and wherein the thermostat is configured to vary the illumination intensity of the backlit user display screen during erroneous operation based on the at least one user programmable erroneous operation parameter;

wherein the thermostat is configured to vary the illumination of the backlit user display screen when switching from the normal operation mode to the erroneous operation mode based on the user programmable normal operation parameter and the user programmable erroneous operation parameter without any manipulation of the thermostat by a user.