HVAC CONTROLLER USER INTERFACES

• US 20100070089A1
• Filed: 09/15/2009
• Published: 03/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Slavens, Amanda L., Camichael, Grant E., Horn, Jeremiah M., Harrod, Gregory Ralph, Beers, Bradley A., Abaraw, Mimoun
• Application Number:
  US12/560,228
• Publication Number:
  US 20100070089A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/277
• 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. In certain embodiments, the graphical user interfaces may include slide bars for adjusting temperature set points. In certain embodiments, the graphical user interfaces may include selectable calendars for adjusting program schedules for the HVAC systems. In certain embodiments, the graphical user interfaces may include screens for adjusting a nightlight feature of the controller.

Claims

1. A control device comprising:

a communication interface suitable for operable connection to a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system;

a display capable of displaying a graphical element defining a range of temperature set points for the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system, and a moveable feature disposed on the graphical element;

a graphical user interface capable of receiving a user input that moves the moveable feature on the graphical element to select a temperature set point from the range of temperature set points; and

a processor capable of operating the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system based on the selected temperature set point.

2. The control device of claim 1, wherein the graphical element comprises a slide bar, and wherein the moveable feature comprises a slider.

3. The control device of claim 1, wherein the display comprises a touch screen for sensing the user input.

4. The control device of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a screen for selecting a zone controlled by the control device and wherein the processor is capable of applying the selected temperature set point to the selected zone independent of other zones controlled by the control device.

5. The control device of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a screen for selecting a schedule event controlled by the control device, and wherein the processor is capable of applying the selected temperature set point to the selected schedule event independent of other schedule events controlled by the control device.

6. A control device comprising:

a communication interface suitable for operable connection to a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system;

a display capable of displaying a slide bar defining a range of temperature set points for the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system, a first moveable feature disposed on the slide bar for selecting a cooling mode temperature set point, and a second moveable feature disposed on the slide bar for selecting a heating mode temperature set point;

a graphical user interface capable of receiving a first user input that moves the first moveable feature on the slide bar to select the cooling mode temperature set point and a second user input that moves the second moveable feature on the slide bar to select the heating mode temperature set point; and

a processor capable of applying the selected heating mode temperature set point and the selected cooling mode temperature set point to the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system.

7. The control device of claim 6, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a screen for selecting a zone controlled by the control device and wherein the processor is capable of applying the selected temperature set points to the selected zone independent of other zones controlled by the control device.

8. The control device of claim 6, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a screen for selecting a schedule event controlled by the control device, and wherein the processor is capable of applying the selected temperature set points to the selected schedule event independent of other schedule events controlled by the control device.

9. A control device comprising:

a communication interface suitable for operable connection to a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system;

a display capable of displaying a calendar with graphical elements for assigning an operating schedule to a period shown on the calendar;

a graphical user interface capable of receiving a user input that selects one or more of the graphical elements to assign the operating schedule to the period shown on the calendar; and

a processor capable of operating the heating, ventilating, air conditioning or cooling system in accordance with the operating schedule during the assigned period.

10. The control device of claim 9, wherein the display comprises a touch screen for sensing the user input.

11. The control device of claim 9, wherein the graphical elements comprise a first graphical element defining the beginning of the time period and a second graphical element defining the end of the period, and wherein the user input comprises dragging the first graphical element and the second graphical element to dates shown on the calendar.

12. The control device of claim 9, wherein the graphical elements represent years, seasons, days, or months, or a combination thereof.

13. The control device of claim 9, wherein the graphical user interface is capable of receiving another user input that defines the operating schedule for the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system.

14. The control device of claim 9, wherein the graphical user interface is capable of receiving another user input that selects the operating schedule from a plurality of displayed operating schedules.

15. The control device of claim 9, wherein the communication interface is capable of receiving a text message that assigns the operating schedule to the period shown on the calendar.

16. A control device comprising:

a communication interface suitable for operable connection to a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system;

a display with a backlight and capable of displaying user selectable graphical elements for assigning a schedule that adjusts an intensity of the backlight for a set period;

a graphical user interface capable of receiving a user input that selects the set period via the selectable graphical elements; and

a processor capable of operating the backlight at the adjusted intensity for the set period and capable of operating the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system through the communication interface.

17. The control device of claim 16, wherein the display comprises a touch screen for sensing the user input.

18. The control device of claim 16, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a virtual slide bar for selecting the reduced intensity.

19. The control device of claim 18, wherein the display is capable of displaying a slide bar defining a range of intensity settings and capable of displaying a movable feature disposed on the slide bar, and wherein the graphical user interface is capable of receiving another user input that moves the moveable feature along the slide bar to select the reduced intensity.

20. The control device of claim 16, wherein the graphical user interface comprises another selectable graphical element for selectively enabling the schedule.

21. A method, comprising:

receiving an adjusted set point for a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system;

determining whether the adjusted set point exceeds an over adjustment threshold;

operating the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system based on the adjusted set point in response to determining that the adjusted set point does not exceed the over adjustment threshold.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein determining whether the adjusted set point exceeds an over adjustment threshold comprises determining the difference between the adjusted set point and a current set point.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein determining whether the adjusted set point exceeds an over adjustment threshold comprises determining a set point adjustment frequency.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the adjusted set point comprises a temperature set point or a humidity set point.

25. A control device comprising:

a communication interface suitable for operable connection to a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system;

a graphical user interface comprising user selectable graphical elements for producing a virtual representation of a physical environment conditioned by the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system; and

a display capable of displaying the virtual representation.

26. The control device of claim 25, wherein the graphical user interface is capable of receiving a user input adjusting zones of the physical environment through the virtual representation and comprising a processor capable of operating the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system based on the adjusted zones.

27. A control device comprising:

a communication interface suitable for operable connection to a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system;

a graphical user interface comprising a user selectable graphical element for enabling a rapid heating and/or rapid cooling mode; and

a processor capable of overriding a current temperature setting to operate the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system at a maximum capacity in response to selection of the user selectable graphical element.