Mountable touch thermostat using transparent screen technology

• US 11,216,020 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2016
• Issued: 01/04/2022
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Sinha, Sudhi, Ribbich, Joseph R., Ribbich, Michael L., Gaidish, Charles J., Cipolla, John Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Jules, Frantz F
• Assistant Examiner(s): Comings, Daniel C
• Application Number:
  US15/143,373
• Publication Number:
  US 20160327298A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,076 Days
• 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 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• 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 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/70 Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 characterised by the use of a variable reference value
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means

Abstract

A thermostat includes a transparent touch screen display, wherein the matter behind the display is visible in the non-active display portions and a control bar connected to one side of the transparent touch screen display. The control bar includes a housing, processing circuitry operably connected to the transparent touch screen display and configured to monitor and control building equipment, and a temperature sensor operably connected to the processing circuitry.

Claims

1. A thermostat comprising:

a transparent touch screen display, wherein matter behind the display is visible in non-active display portions to allow a user to view a wall the thermostat is mounted on through the transparent touch screen display; and

a control bar connected to one side of the transparent touch screen display, wherein the control bar comprises;

a housing;

processing circuitry operably connected to the transparent touch screen display and configured to monitor and control building equipment; and

a temperature sensor operably connected to the processing circuitry.

2. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the housing of the control bar is perpendicular to the transparent touch screen display.

3. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the transparent touch screen display is oriented vertically in a portrait orientation.

4. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the transparent touch screen display extends vertically from the control bar.

5. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the transparent touch screen display is oriented horizontally in a landscape orientation.

6. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the transparent touch screen display extends horizontally from the control bar.

7. The thermostat of claim 1, further comprising a second control bar connected to another side of the transparent touch screen display.

8. The thermostat of claim 7, wherein the second control bar is opposite the control bar.

9. The thermostat of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor operably connected to the processing circuitry, the at least one sensor from the group consisting of a humidity sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a smoke sensor, a proximity sensor, an ambient light sensor, and a biometric sensor.

10. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry comprises a processor and a memory, wherein the processor is configured to cause the transparent touch screen display to present a user interface for monitoring and controlling building equipment.

11. The thermostat of claim 10, wherein the building equipment comprises at least one system from the group consisting of an HVAC system, a lighting system, a blinds system, a projector system, and a lock system.

12. The thermostat of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to cause the transparent touch screen display to present an alarm message on the user interface.

13. The thermostat of claim 12, wherein the alarm message is from the group of consisting of a fire alarm, a tornado alarm, and a suspect alarm.

14. The thermostat of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to cause the transparent touch screen display to present an exit sign on the user interface.

15. The thermostat of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to provide customized controls based on an identity of the user.

16. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry comprises a circuit board that is perpendicular to the transparent touch screen display.

17. The thermostat of claim 16, wherein the circuit board is configured to be located inside of the wall that the thermostat is mounted on.

18. A user control device comprising:

a transparent display, wherein matter behind the display is visible in non-active display portions to allow a user to view a wall the user control device is mounted on through the transparent display;

a housing connected to one side of the transparent display; and

processing circuitry operably connected to the transparent display and configured to monitor and control building equipment.

19. The user control device of claim 18, further comprising at least one sensor from the group consisting of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a smoke sensor, an ambient light sensor, a proximity sensor, and a biometric sensor.

20. The user control device of claim 18, wherein the housing is perpendicular to the transparent display.

21. The user control device of claim 18, wherein the transparent display is oriented vertically in a portrait orientation.

22. The user control device of claim 18, wherein the transparent display extends vertically from the housing.

23. The user control device of claim 18, wherein the transparent display is oriented horizontally in a landscape orientation.

24. The user control device of claim 18, wherein the transparent display extends horizontally from the housing.

25. The user control device of claim 18, further comprising a second housing connected to another side of the transparent display.

26. The user control device of claim 18, wherein the processing circuitry comprises a circuit board that is perpendicular to the transparent display.