Indoor air quality controllers and user interfaces

• US 8,219,249 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2009
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Harrod, Gregory Ralph, Beers, Bradley A., Carmichael, Grant E., Bentz, Jedidiah O.
• Primary Examiner(s): HARTMAN JR, RONALD D
• Application Number:
  US12/560,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20100070086A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,029 Days
• Field of Search: 700/276, 700/44, 700/54, 700/299, 621/50, 621/51, 621/55, 622/34
• 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: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/34 Graphical or visual programming
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/70 Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating

Abstract

Controllers for controlling heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and cooling (HVAC) systems are provided. The controllers include graphical user interfaces for user adjustment of system settings. The controllers also include communication interfaces for receiving climate data. In certain embodiments, the controllers govern operation of the HVAC systems based at least in part on the climate data. Further, the controllers may display information and alerts related to the climate data. The controllers also may govern operation of air treatment devices within the HVAC systems.

Claims

1. A method comprising a control device performing the following steps:

receiving weather forecast data;

adjusting, via a processor of the control device, an operating parameter of a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system based on the weather forecast data, wherein adjusting an operating parameter comprises adjusting a defrost cycle for a heat pump; and

operating the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system based on the adjusted operating parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving weather forecast data comprises receiving weather forecast data through a network communication interface.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving weather forecast data comprises receiving a really simple syndication (RSS) feed.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising adjusting a temperature set point of the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system based on the weather forecast data.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising processing the weather forecast data to identify the weather forecast data that corresponds to a specified geographical location.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising displaying the weather forecast data.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting a defrost cycle comprises adjusting a timing of the defrost cycle or a duration of the defrost cycle, or both.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting a defrost cycle comprises initiating the defrost cycle in response to receiving the weather forecast data, wherein the weather forecast data comprises a humid condition and a freezing temperature.

9. A method comprising a control device performing the following steps:

receiving weather forecast data;

adjusting, via a processor of the control device, an operating parameter of a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system based on the weather forecast data, wherein adjusting an operating parameter comprises adjusting a transition temperature for switching between a heat pump and a furnace; and

operating the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system based on the adjusted operating parameter.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein receiving weather forecast data comprises receiving weather forecast data through a really simple syndication (RSS) feed.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein receiving weather forecast data comprises receiving weather forecast data through a network communication interface.

12. The method of claim 9, comprising adjusting a temperature set point of the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system based on the weather forecast data.

13. The method of claim 9, comprising processing the weather forecast data to identify the weather forecast data that corresponds to a specified geographical location.

14. The method of claim 9, comprising displaying the weather forecast data.

15. A control device comprising:

means for receiving weather forecast data;

means for adjusting an operating parameter of a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system based on the weather forecast data, wherein the operating parameter comprises a defrost cycle for a heat pump; and

means for operating the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system based on the adjusted operating parameter.

16. The control device of claim 15, wherein the means for receiving weather forecast data comprises a really simple syndication (RSS) communication interface.

17. The control device of claim 15, wherein the means for receiving weather forecast data comprises a network communication interface.

18. The control device of claim 15, comprising a memory, wherein the means for adjusting an operating parameter comprises a processor configured to execute code stored within the memory.

19. The control device of claim 18, wherein the processor is configured to process the weather forecast data to identify the weather forecast data that corresponds to a specified geographical location.

20. The control device of claim 15, comprising a display configured to display the weather forecast data.

21. A control device comprising:

means for receiving weather forecast data;

means for adjusting an operating parameter of a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system based on the weather forecast data, wherein the operating parameter comprises a transition temperature for switching between a heat pump and a furnace; and

means for operating the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system based on the adjusted operating parameter.

22. The control device of claim 21, wherein the means for receiving weather forecast data comprises a really simple syndication (RSS) communication interface.

23. The control device of claim 21, wherein the means for receiving weather forecast data comprises a network communication interface.

24. The control device of claim 21, comprising a memory, wherein the means for adjusting an operating parameter comprises a processor configured to execute code stored within the memory.