Controller system user interface
First Claim
1. A programmable thermostat having a programmable schedule, comprising:
- a controller;
a display coupled to the controller;
a first soft key coupled to the controller, the first soft key including a first button situated below but adjacent to the display, and the controller displaying a first indication in a first region of the display adjacent the first button, wherein the first indication indicates a current function of the first button;
a second soft key coupled to the controller, the second soft key including a second button situated below but adjacent to the display, and the controller displaying a second indication in a second region of the display adjacent the second button, wherein the second indication indicates a current function of the second button;
a third soft key coupled to the controller, the third soft key including a third button situated below but adjacent to the display, and the controller displaying a third indication in a third region of the display adjacent the third button, wherein the third indication indicates a current function of the third button;
a first parameter adjustment button coupled to the controller, the first parameter adjustment button situated to the right of the display, the first parameter adjustment button for increasing a parameter value of the programmable thermostat;
a second parameter adjustment button coupled to the controller, the second parameter adjustment button situated to the right of the display and below the first parameter adjustment button, the second parameter adjustment button for decreasing a parameter value of the programmable thermostat;
the controller programmed such that one or more of the first soft key, the second soft key, the third soft key, the first parameter adjustment button and the second parameter adjustment button are used to program the programmable schedule of the programmable thermostat;
a hold button coupled to the controller, the hold button situated to the right of the display, wherein the hold button causes the controller to override the programmable schedule of the programmable thermostat and hold a particular hold temperature set point; and
wherein, after the hold button is actuated and causes the controller to override the programmable schedule, the controller causes the first indication in the first region of the display adjacent the first button to change from a first label to a run schedule label.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A thermostat system having dedicated informational regions in a display and associated buttons or softkeys for sequential operation. The system may maximize utilization of a sectioned display and buttons for system navigation. The informational, selection and/or action design takes into consideration operational button groupings for straightforward comfort settings as well as editing of the clock, day-of-week, schedules, and so forth. Sections, regions or areas of the display may indicate immediate button operations. The changeable information in the regions associated with the softkeys or buttons may provide sequential operation of the thermostat system. The system may have multiple schedules and setpoints for heating and cooling comfort setting flexibility. A combining of individual schedules may be automatically selected. Also, there may be a system switch mode, for example, between heat and cool, where the schedules may be individually edited. Scheduling may be informational and/or action item and option key driven.
277 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A programmable thermostat having a programmable schedule, comprising:
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a controller; a display coupled to the controller; a first soft key coupled to the controller, the first soft key including a first button situated below but adjacent to the display, and the controller displaying a first indication in a first region of the display adjacent the first button, wherein the first indication indicates a current function of the first button; a second soft key coupled to the controller, the second soft key including a second button situated below but adjacent to the display, and the controller displaying a second indication in a second region of the display adjacent the second button, wherein the second indication indicates a current function of the second button; a third soft key coupled to the controller, the third soft key including a third button situated below but adjacent to the display, and the controller displaying a third indication in a third region of the display adjacent the third button, wherein the third indication indicates a current function of the third button; a first parameter adjustment button coupled to the controller, the first parameter adjustment button situated to the right of the display, the first parameter adjustment button for increasing a parameter value of the programmable thermostat; a second parameter adjustment button coupled to the controller, the second parameter adjustment button situated to the right of the display and below the first parameter adjustment button, the second parameter adjustment button for decreasing a parameter value of the programmable thermostat; the controller programmed such that one or more of the first soft key, the second soft key, the third soft key, the first parameter adjustment button and the second parameter adjustment button are used to program the programmable schedule of the programmable thermostat; a hold button coupled to the controller, the hold button situated to the right of the display, wherein the hold button causes the controller to override the programmable schedule of the programmable thermostat and hold a particular hold temperature set point; and wherein, after the hold button is actuated and causes the controller to override the programmable schedule, the controller causes the first indication in the first region of the display adjacent the first button to change from a first label to a run schedule label. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A programmable thermostat having a programmable schedule, comprising:
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a controller; a display coupled to the controller; at least three buttons positioned laterally adjacent to the display, wherein each of the at least three buttons is coupled to the controller; the controller is programmed to display a first indication in a first region of the display adjacent a first button of the at least three buttons, wherein the first indication indicates a current function of the first button; the controller is programmed to display a second indication in a second region of the display adjacent a second button of the at least three buttons, wherein the second indication indicates a current function of the second button; the controller is programmed to display a third indication in a third region of the display adjacent a third button of the at least three buttons, wherein the third indication indicates a current function of the third button; at least two parameter adjustment buttons positioned adjacent to the display, wherein each of the at least two parameter adjustment buttons is coupled to the controller, and wherein the at least two parameter adjustment buttons are used to adjust parameter values of the programmable thermostat; the controller programmed such that the at least three buttons and the at least two parameter adjustment buttons are used to program the programmable schedule of the programmable thermostat; a hold button positioned adjacent to the display, wherein the hold button is coupled to the controller, and wherein the hold button causes the controller to at least temporarily override the programmable schedule of the programmable thermostat and hold a particular hold temperature set point for at least a period of time; and wherein, after the hold button causes the controller to override the programmable schedule, the controller causes the first indication in the first region of the display adjacent the first button to signify a run schedule function. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for operating a programmable thermostat having a programmable schedule, comprising:
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displaying a first indication in a first region of a display adjacent a first button, wherein the first indication indicates a current function of the first button, wherein the first button is situated adjacent to the first region of the display; displaying a second indication in a second region of the display adjacent a second button, wherein the second indication indicates a current function of the second button, wherein the second button is situated adjacent to the second region of the display; activating a hold button, wherein the hold button is situated adjacent to the display, and wherein the hold button causes the programmable schedule of the programmable thermostat to be overridden and to hold a particular hold temperature set point; and after the hold button is activated, changing the first indication in the first region of the display from a first label to a second label. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification