Heating, ventilation and air conditioning system user interface having adjustable fonts and method of operation thereof

• US 8,878,854 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2012
• Issued: 11/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bias, Larry S., Castillo, Daniel, DiFulgentiz, Bobby, Mlambo, Gabaza B., Vendt, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Broome, Said
• Assistant Examiner(s): BEARD, CHARLES LLOYD
• Application Number:
  US13/432,929
• Publication Number:
  US 20130147829A1
• Time in Patent Office: 951 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 345/471
• 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

Abstract

A user interface for use with an HVAC system, a method of providing service reminders on a single screen of a user interface of an HVAC system and an HVAC system incorporating the user interface or the method. The user interface includes a display configured to provide information to a user, a touchpad configured to accept input from the user, and a processor and memory coupled to the display and the touchpad and configured to drive the display, wherein the display further configured to provide a button that allows a user to adjust an attribute of text displayed on the display.

Claims

1. A user interface for use with an HVAC system, comprising:

a display configured to provide information to a user; and

a processor and memory coupled to said display and configured to drive said display, said display further configured to provide two or more buttons on one screen of said display that allow said user of said HVAC system to adjust an attribute of any text displayed on said display, wherein each of the two or more buttons provides a preview and selection of adjustment options.

2. The user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said attribute is selected from the group consisting of:

text emphasis,

text color, and

text effects.

3. The user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said attribute is text size and said button allows said user to adjust said text size subject to a minimum and maximum allowed size.

4. The user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said button allows said user to select a mode that is optimized for color-blindness.

5. The user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said button allows said user to select a mode that is optimized for distance.

6. The user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said button allows said user to select a mode that is optimized to minimize glare.

7. The user interface as recited in claim 1 wherein said button allows said user to select a mode that is optimized for nighttime viewing.

8. A method of configuring a display on a user interface of an HVAC system, comprising:

providing information to a user with a display;

accepting input from said user; and

allowing said user of said HVAC system to adjust, via two or more buttons on one screen of said display, an attribute of any text displayed on said display, wherein each of the two or more buttons provides a preview and selection of adjustment options.

9. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said attribute is selected from the group consisting of:

text emphasis,

text color, and

text effects.

10. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said attribute is text size and said button allows said user to adjust said text size subject to a minimum and maximum allowed size.

11. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said button allows said user to select a mode that is optimized for color-blindness.

12. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said button allows said user to select a mode that is optimized for distance.

13. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said button allows said user to select a mode that is optimized to minimize glare.

14. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said button allows said user to select a mode that is optimized for nighttime viewing.

15. An HVAC system, comprising:

a heat pump or a compressor having at least one stage;

at least one condenser coil;

an expansion valve;

at least one evaporator coil;

a loop of pipe interconnecting said heat pump or compressor, said at least one condenser coil, said expansion valve and said at least one evaporator coil and containing a refrigerant;

at least one fan configured to cause outdoor air and indoor air to blow over said at least one condenser coil and said least one evaporator coil; and

a user interface, including;

a display configured to provide information to a user,

a touchpad configured to accept input from said user, and

a processor and memory coupled to said display and said touchpad and configured to drive said display, said display further configured to provide two or more buttons on one screen of said display that allow said user of said HVAC system to adjust an attribute of any text displayed on said display, wherein each of the two or more buttons provides a preview and selection of adjustment options.

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

text emphasis,

text color, and

text effects.

17. The HVAC system as recited in claim 15 wherein said attribute is text size and said button allows said user to adjust said text size subject to a minimum and maximum allowed size.

18. The HVAC system as recited in claim 15 wherein said button allows said user to select a mode that is optimized for color-blindness.

19. The HVAC system as recited in claim 15 wherein said button allows said user to select a mode that is optimized for distance.

20. The HVAC system as recited in claim 15 wherein said button allows said user to select a mode that is optimized to minimize glare.

21. The HVAC system as recited in claim 15 wherein said button allows said user to select a mode that is optimized for nighttime viewing.