Wireless user interface for an HVAC controller and method of operating the same

• US 8,376,242 B1
• Filed: 10/28/2004
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Uselton, Robert B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jiang, Chen Wen
• Application Number:
  US10/975,718
• Time in Patent Office: 3,036 Days
• Field of Search: 236/51, 236/47, 236/91.F, 700/276, 700/277, 700/278, 700/300, 165/208, 165/209
• US Class Current: 236/51
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00657 Remote control devices
• 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 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control

Abstract

A wireless user interface for an HVAC controller, a method of operating a wireless user interface for an HVAC controller and an HVAC system incorporating the wireless user interface or the method. In one embodiment, the wireless user interface includes: (1) a chassis having a display and at least one control button and containing a temperature sensor and wireless communication circuitry and (2) a microcontroller configured to cause the wireless communication circuitry to generate outbound data packets for wireless transmission to the HVAC controller containing temperature readings from the temperature sensor and when the at least one control button is pressed and receive inbound data packets from the HVAC controller that determine a content of the display.

Claims

1. A wireless user interface for an HVAC controller, comprising:

a chassis supporting wireless communication circuitry, a temperature sensor, at least one control button, a display, a photovoltaic panel and a rechargeable power source, said photovoltaic panel and said rechargeable power source cooperating to provide power to said wireless user interface; and

a microcontroller configured to cause said wireless communication circuitry to generate outbound data packets for wireless transmission to said HVAC controller that contain temperature readings from said temperature sensor and commands based on input provided via said at least said one control button and receive inbound data packets from said HVAC controller that determine a content of said display, wherein said microcontroller generates said outbound data packets only when prompted by receipt of one of said inbound data packets or when said at least one control button is pressed.

2. The wireless user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said display is a liquid crystal display configured to display graphics.

3. The wireless user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said HVAC controller is self-configuring and said inbound data packets include notifications of low power availability in said wireless user interface.

4. The wireless user interface as recited in claim 3 wherein said rechargeable power source is selected from the group consisting of:

a capacitor, and

a battery.

5. The wireless user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said wireless communication circuitry is Bluetooth circuitry.

6. The wireless user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said HVAC controller controls a plurality of zones and said wireless user interface corresponds to only one of said plurality of zones.

7. A method of operating a wireless user interface for an HVAC controller, comprising:

pressing at least one control button on a chassis having a display and containing a temperature sensor and wireless communication circuitry;

generating outbound data packets for wireless transmission to said HVAC controller containing temperature readings from said temperature sensor and when said at least one control button is pressed; and

receiving inbound data packets from said HVAC controller that determine a content of said display, wherein said generating is carried out only when prompted by receipt of one of said inbound data packets or when said at least one control button is pressed.

8. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein said display is a liquid crystal display configured to display graphics.

9. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein said chassis further has a photovoltaic panel and a rechargeable power source coupled thereto.

10. The method as recited in claim 9 wherein said rechargeable power source is selected from the group consisting of:

a capacitor, and

a battery.

11. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein said wireless communication circuitry is Bluetooth circuitry.

12. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein said HVAC controller controls a plurality of zones and said wireless user interface corresponds to only one of said plurality of zones.

13. An HVAC system, comprising:

an air handler having heating, ventilation and air conditioning capability;

an HVAC controller having a processor and memory and configured to provide commands selectively to activate said heating, ventilation and air conditioning capability; and

a wireless user interface for an HVAC controller, including;

a chassis having a display and at least one control button and containing a temperature sensor and wireless communication circuitry, and

a microcontroller configured to cause said wireless communication circuitry to generate outbound data packets for wireless transmission to said HVAC controller containing temperature readings from said temperature sensor and when said at least one control button is pressed and receive inbound data packets from said HVAC controller that determine a content of said display, said HVAC controller using said outbound data packets to calculate how said air handler is to be controlled, wherein said microcontroller generates said outbound data packets only when prompted by receipt of one of said inbound data packets or when said at least one control button is pressed.

14. The HVAC system as recited in claim 13 wherein said display is a liquid crystal display configured to display graphics.

15. The HVAC system as recited in claim 13 wherein said chassis further has a photovoltaic panel and a rechargeable power source coupled thereto and to said microcontroller.

16. The HVAC system as recited in claim 15 wherein said rechargeable power source is selected from the group consisting of:

a capacitor, and

a battery.

17. The HVAC system as recited in claim 13 wherein said wireless communication circuitry is Bluetooth circuitry.

18. The HVAC system as recited in claim 13 wherein said HVAC controller controls a plurality of zones and said wireless user interface corresponds to only one of said plurality of zones.