Building automation controller with configurable audio/visual cues

• US 10,649,418 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2014
• Issued: 05/12/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ademco Inc. (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ademco Inc. (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Quam, David, Weirich, Kevin, Ix
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, James J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Choi, Michael W
• Application Number:
  US14/565,349
• Publication Number:
  US 20150159902A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,981 Days
• Field of Search: 700278
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/005 the substrate is supporting also the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/13 comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• 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 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/526 giving audible indications
• 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 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/65 for selecting an operating mode
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0096 the lights guides being of the hollow type
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2614 HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/10 for surface mounting on a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/08 specially adapted for terminal emulation, e.g. Telnet
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/12 : Resilient or clamping means for holding component to structure

Abstract

An HVAC controller includes a user interface configured to accept inputs from a user and to display information to the user, and a controller configured to process inputs from the user interface and to provide the user interface with information to be displayed. An equipment connection may be connectable to one or more HVAC components and may be operably coupled to the controller. A network connection may be operably coupled to the controller and may provide the controller with access to outside information. The controller may output (via the user interface) a particular cue in response to information received from the equipment connection and/or the network connection, and wherein the particular cue is a cue that was previously selected and activated by the user.

Claims

1. An HVAC controller comprising:

a user interface configured to accept inputs from a user and to display information to the user;

a controller configured to process inputs from the user interface and to provide the user interface with information to be displayed, wherein the controller is configured to cause the user interface to present to the user an option to receive a particular cue and to receive, from the user via the user interface, a selection to activate the particular cue;

an equipment connection connectable to one or more HVAC components, the equipment connection operably coupled to the controller, wherein the particular cue indicates an operating condition of the equipment and wherein the operating condition comprises a heating operation or a cooling operation;

a network connection operably coupled to the controller, the network connection providing the controller with access to outside information;

wherein the controller is configured to output, via the user interface, the particular cue to indicate the operating condition of the equipment in response to information received from the equipment connection and/or the network connection; and

wherein the user interface comprises an annular illumination ring and, to output to the user interface the particular cue that indicates the operating condition of the equipment, the controller is configured to present, via the user interface, a first icon in a first color and cause the annular illumination ring to illuminate in the first color while the first icon is being displayed.

2. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein the particular cue is selected and downloaded to the HVAC controller via the network connection.

3. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein the particular cue comprises an audio cue.

4. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein the particular cue comprises a visual cue.

5. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein the network connection comprises a wireless connection.

6. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein the equipment connection comprises a wired connection.

7. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a touchscreen.

8. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein the annular illumination ring is configured to present a second icon in a second color, different than the first color, and cause the annular illumination ring to illuminate in the second color while the second icon is being displayed.

9. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a speaker.

10. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a vibrator.

11. A programmable thermostat comprising:

a controller configured to control an HVAC component;

a user interface operably connected to the controller;

an equipment connection connectable to the HVAC component, the equipment connection operably coupled to the controller;

a network connection operably coupled to the controller, the network connection providing the controller with outside information;

wherein the user interface is configured to permit a user to select a cue from a plurality of cues that the controller subsequently outputs in response to information received from the equipment connection and/or the network connection, wherein the selected cue indicates an operating condition of the equipment and wherein the operating condition comprises a heating operation or a cooling operation;

wherein the controller is configured to output to the user interface the selected cue to indicate the operating condition of the equipment in response to information received from the equipment connection and/or the network connection; and

wherein the user interface comprises an annular illumination ring and, to output to the user interface the selected cue that indicates the operating condition of the equipment, the controller is configured to present, via the user interface, a first icon in a first color and cause the annular illumination ring to illuminate in the first color while the first icon is being displayed.

12. The programmable thermostat of claim 11, wherein the selected cue includes an audio component.

13. The programmable thermostat of claim 11, wherein the selected cue includes a visual component.

14. The programmable thermostat of claim 11, wherein the selected cue informs a user that particular information has been received from the equipment connection and/or the network connection.

15. The programmable thermostat of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to present, via the user interface, a second icon in a second color, different than the first color, and cause the annular illumination ring to illuminate in the second color while the second icon is being displayed.