U.S. patent application number 10/453027 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-23 for graphical user interface system for a thermal comfort controller.
Invention is credited to Dipak J. Shah.
Application Number | 20070198099 10/453027 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24801894 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070198099 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Shah; Dipak J. |
August 23, 2007 |
GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE SYSTEM FOR A THERMAL COMFORT
CONTROLLER
Abstract
A graphical user interface system for a thermal comfort
controller. The user interface system has a central processing unit
coupled to a memory and a touch sensitive display unit. The memory
stores a temperature schedule data structure and perhaps a
temperature history data structure. The temperature schedule data
structure is made up of at least one set-point. The temperature
history data structure is made up of at least one
Actual-Temperature-Point. The display presents the set-points
and/or the Actual-Temperature-Points. One representation of the
display is a graphical step-function. The user uses a finger or
stylus to program the set-points by pointing and dragging a portion
of the step-function.
Inventors: |
Shah; Dipak J.; (Eden
Prairie, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
101 COLUMBIA ROAD
P O BOX 2245
MORRISTOWN
NJ
07962-2245
US
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Prior
Publication: |
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Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20030208282 A1 |
November 6, 2003 |
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Family ID: |
24801894 |
Appl. No.: |
10/453027 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09697633 |
Oct 26, 2000 |
6595430 |
|
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10453027 |
Jun 3, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
700/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23N 5/20 20130101; G06F
3/04883 20130101; F23N 5/203 20130101; G05B 2219/23377 20130101;
Y10S 715/97 20130101; G05B 2219/23197 20130101; G05B 15/02
20130101; F24F 11/30 20180101; G05B 2219/25403 20130101; G05B
2219/23385 20130101; F24F 11/58 20180101; F24F 2110/10 20180101;
G06F 3/04847 20130101; G05D 23/1904 20130101; G05B 2219/2614
20130101; F23N 2223/04 20200101; F23N 2223/38 20200101; G05B
2219/24055 20130101; G05B 19/102 20130101; G05B 2219/25419
20130101; F24F 11/62 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/001 |
International
Class: |
G05B 15/00 20060101
G05B015/00 |
Claims
1. A user interface system for a programmable comfort controller,
comprising: a central processing unit; a memory means for storing a
temperature schedule data structure, having at least one set-point,
where the set-points each associate a desired temperature to a
desired time, the memory means coupled to the central processing
unit; and a display unit with a touch-sensitive screen, coupled to
the central processing unit, for graphically displaying the
set-point and for allowing a user to program the set-point.
2. The user interface system of claim 1, further comprising a
stylus for allowing a user to program the set-points on the display
unit.
3. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the display unit
displays the set-points as a step-function.
4. The user interface system of claim 3, wherein the step-function
is displayed in a graphical manner on the display unit with a first
axis for denoting time, and a second axis for denoting
temperature.
5. The user interface system of claim 1, further comprising: a
temperature history data structure, having at least one
Actual-Temperature-Point, where the Actual-Temperature-Points
associate an actual-temperature to an actual-time; wherein the
display unit can display the Actual-Temperature-Points as a
graphical function.
6. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein the display unit
displays a current time and a current temperature.
7. The user interface system of claim 1, further comprising at
least one additional control for causing the display unit to
display the set-points as a list of times and temperatures.
8. The user interface system of claim 1, further comprising at
least one additional control for causing the display unit to
display a set-point as a clock and a temperature control.
9. A method for programming a thermal comfort controller with a
user interface system having a central processing unit, a memory
means for storing a temperature schedule data structure having at
least one set-point, where the set-points each associate a desired
temperature to a desired time, and a display unit with a
touch-sensitive screen, the memory means and the display unit both
coupled to the central processing unit, the method comprising:
graphically displaying the set-points on the display unit; choosing
the at least one set-point from the temperature schedule data
structure; entering a set-time for the at least one set-point on
the display unit, entering a set-temperature for the at least one
set-point on the display unit; and updating the at least one
set-point in the temperature schedule data structure with the
set-time and the set-temperature.
10. The method for programming a thermal comfort controller from
claim 9, wherein the step of graphically displaying, the set-points
are displayed as a step-function with a first axis for denoting
time, and a second axis for denoting temperature.
11. The method for programming a thermal comfort controller from
claim 10, wherein the step of entering the set-time comprises
dragging a first graphical line of the step-function from its
current location on the step-function to a new position relative to
the first axis.
12. The method for programming a thermal comfort controller from
claim 10, wherein the step of entering the set-temperature
comprises dragging a second graphical line of the step-function
from its current location on the step-function to a new position
relative to the second axis.
13. The method for programming a thermal comfort controller from
claim 10, wherein the user interface further comprises a stylus for
allowing a user to program the set-points on the display unit.
14. The method for programming a thermal comfort controller from
claim 10, further comprising: providing a temperature history data
structure having at least one Actual-Temperature-Point, where the
Actual-Temperature-Points each associate an actual temperature to
an actual time; graphically displaying the temperature history data
structure; and wherein the memory means stores the temperature
history data structure.
15. A thermostat for controlling the temperature within a
controlled space by controlling heating/cooling equipment according
to a programmed temperature set-point schedule, the thermostat
comprising: a graphical user interface system for graphically
presenting the temperature set-point schedule and for allowing the
user to input data to adjust the temperature set-point
schedule.
16. The thermostat from claim 15, wherein the user interface system
displays the set-points as a step-function.
17. The thermostat from claim 15, wherein the user interface system
graphically presents a temperature history.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to thermostats and other
thermal comfort controllers and particularly to a graphical user
interface for such thermal comfort controllers.
[0002] Current thermal comfort controllers, or thermostats, have a
limited user interface which typically includes a number of data
input buttons and a small display. Hereinafter, the term thermostat
will be used to reference a general comfort control device and is
not to be limiting in any way. For example, in addition to
traditional thermostats, the present such control device could be a
humidistat or used for venting control. As is well known,
thermostats often have setback capabilities which involves a
programmed temperature schedule. Such a schedule is made up of a
series of time-scheduled set-points. Each set-point includes a
desired temperature and a desired time. Once programmed with this
temperature schedule, the controller sets-up or sets-back the
temperature accordingly. For example, a temperature schedule could
be programmed so that in the winter months, a house is warmed to 72
degrees automatically at 6:00 a.m. when the family awakes, cools to
60 degrees during the day while the family is at work and at
school, re-warms to 72 degrees at 4:00 p.m. and then cools a final
time to 60 degrees after 11:00 p.m., while the family is sleeping.
Such a schedule of lower temperatures during off-peak hours saves
energy costs.
[0003] It is well known that users have difficulty using the
current form of a user interface for thermostats because such an
interface is not intuitive and is somewhat complicated to use.
Therefore, users either do not utilize the energy saving
programmable functions of the controller, or they do not change the
schedule that is programmed by either the installer or that is the
factory default setting.
[0004] Another limitation of the current user interfaces for
thermostats is that once programmed, the temperature schedule
cannot be easily reviewed. Usually, the display is configured to
show one set-point at a time in a numerical manner. Using the input
buttons, the user must `page forward` to the next set-point in the
schedule or `page backward` to the previous set-point.
[0005] Although the user can, with difficulty, determine the
temperature schedule that is programmed into the controller, the
user cannot determine how closely this temperature schedule was
followed. Of course, when a new set-point determines that the
controller should either raise or lower the temperature in a house
or other building, the temperature does not immediately change to
that new temperature. It can take some time for the room or
building to warm up or cool down to the desired temperature. The
thermostat typically tracks this information to allow adjustment to
be easily made. At present, the user has no way of viewing this
information and no way of correlating the temperature schedule with
actual house temperatures.
[0006] What is needed in the art is a user interface for a
thermostat in which the temperature schedule is more easily
programmed. The user interface should display a more user friendly
representation of the schedule so that the user can review an
entire day's schedule all at once. The user interface should also
easily display alternative schedules, such as a weekend and weekday
schedule. Further, the graphical representation should itself be
the intuitive means to programming the schedule. The user interface
should also be able to compare the temperature schedule against the
actual historical temperature over a period of time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] This invention can be regarded as a graphical user interface
system for thermal comfort controllers. In some embodiments, the
user interface system is mounted on the wall as part of a
thermostat. In other embodiments, the user interface system is a
hand held computing unit which interfaces with a thermostat located
elsewhere. The user interface system includes a central processing
unit, a memory and a display with a touch-sensitive screen used for
input. The memory stores at least one temperature schedule. The
temperature schedule has at least one set-point, which associates a
desired temperature to a desired time. The display graphically
represents the temperature schedule and allows the user to easily
and intuitively program the temperature schedule. The temperature
schedule may be displayed as a step-function graph, as a listing of
set-points, or as a clock and temperature control (such as a dial).
In some embodiments, the display can also graphically represent the
actual temperature history compared to the desired temperature
schedule. In other embodiments, the temperature schedule can be
displayed and changed in other graphical ways, such as with slider
or scroll bar controls.
[0008] Several objects and advantages of the present invention
include: the temperature schedule is more easily programmed than in
past user interfaces; the step-function or other display is more
informative and intuitive; historical data can be displayed to the
user; and multiple schedules can be programmed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a user interface system for a
thermal comfort controller.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the user interface system in
an embodiment with a stylus.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention is a user interface system for a
thermostat or other comfort controller. Throughout the drawings, an
attempt has been made to label corresponding elements with the same
reference numbers. The reference numbers include: TABLE-US-00001
Reference Number Description 100 Central Processing Unit 200
Display Unit 205 Axis denoting Time 210 Axis denoting Temperature
215 Graphical Representation of Temperature Schedule 220 Graphical
Representation of Temperature History 225 Other Data 230 Additional
Controls 235 Buttons 240 Stylus 300 Memory 400 Temperature Schedule
Data Structure 500 Temperature History Data Structure 600 Set-Point
700 Actual-Temperature-Point 800 Conduits to Heating/Cooling
Devices or Thermo- stat
[0012] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the
user interface system for a comfort contoller. The user interface
system includes a central processing unit 100. This central
processing unit 100 is coupled to a display unit 200 and a memory
300. The display unit 200 has a touch-sensitive screen which allows
the user to input data without the need for a keyboard or mouse.
The memory 300 includes a temperature schedule data structure 400,
which is made up of one or more set-points 600. The memory 300 may
also include a temperature history data structure 500, which is
made up of one or more Actual-Temperature-Points 700.
[0013] As previously mentioned, the display unit 200 includes a
graphical display/touch sensitive screen. This configuration will
provide for very flexible graphical display of information along
with a very user friendly data input mechanism. The display unit
200 may be very similar to the touch screen display used in a
hand-held personal digital assistant ("PDA"), such as a Palm brand
PDA manufactured by 3Com, a Jornada brand PDA manufactured by
Hewlett Packard, etc. Of course the graphical user interface system
could also be manufactured to be integrated with a thermostat
itself. In such an embodiment, a touch-sensitive LCD display is
coupled with the thermostat's existing central processing unit and
RAM.
[0014] The temperature schedule data structure 400 and temperature
history data structure 500 are data structures configured and
maintained within memory 300. For example, the temperature schedule
data structure 400 and temperature history data structure 500 could
be simple two-dimensional arrays in which a series of times are
associated to corresponding temperatures. In FIG. 1, temperature
schedule data structure 400 has been configured to adjust the
temperature to 60 degrees at 6:00 a.m. (see 600.1), then to 67
degrees at 6:30 (see 600.2), and up to 73 degrees at 8:00 a.m. (see
600.3) etc. Temperature history data structure 500 is shown to
store the information that at 6:00 a.m. the actual temperature was
60 degrees (see 700.1), and by 6:30 a.m., the temperature had risen
to 69 degrees (see 700.2).
[0015] Of course, the temperature schedule data structure 400 and
temperature history data structure 500 could also be more advanced
data structures capable of organizing more data. For example, the
temperature schedule data structure 400 could be configured to
allow more than one schedule to be programmed. One schedule could
be assigned to run from Monday through Friday while a second
schedule could be assigned to run on Saturdays and Sundays.
Alternately, different schedules could be assigned for each day of
the week. Different schedules could be devised and stored for the
summer months and winter months as well.
[0016] Temperature history data structure 500 could be configured
to store more information, including historical information over a
period of several days, weeks, or months. The data could be
aggregated to show the average temperatures by time, day, or
season. A person skilled in the art of computer programming could
readily devise these data structures.
[0017] The user interface system also has conduits 800 to the
heating/cooling devices or thermostats thereof so that user
interface system can communicate with the thermostat or other
comfort controller.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one possible embodiment
of the user interface system. In FIG. 2, the user interface system
has been installed as an integral element of the thermostat wall
unit. The display unit 200 of the user interface system displays
the graphical representation of the temperature schedule 215 as
well as the graphical representation of the temperature history
graph 220. These graphical representations are presented as a graph
in which one axis denotes time 205 and the other axis denotes
temperatures 210. The graphical representation of the temperature
schedule 215 is shown in FIG. 2 as a step function. Other data 225
is also displayed, which could be the current date, day of the
week, time, indoor and/or outdoor relative humidity, indoor and/or
outdoor temperature, etc. The display unit 200 could also represent
the temperature schedule or history schedule in formats other than
a function on a graph. For example, the temperature schedule could
be shown as a listing of set-points. Or, the graph could be shown
as a bar chart in which the length of the bars indicate the
temperature.
[0019] The display unit 200 can also be configured with additional
controls 230, which could, for example, switch the display between
Fahrenheit and Celsius for the temperature, between standard and
military time, and between showing a single day's schedule versus
showing a week's schedule. In addition to the controls programmed
and displayed on display unit 200, physical buttons of the
thermostat 235 could be programmed to be used for working with the
user interface system as well. This is similar to the operation of
a PDA.
[0020] The graphical representations, controls and other data that
are displayed on display unit 200 is accomplished by a computer
program stored in memory 300. The computer program could be written
in any computer language. Possible computer languages to use
include C, Java, and Visual Basic.
[0021] The operation of the user interface system is more intuitive
than previous user interfaces for other thermal comfort
controllers. The various set-points 600 can displayed on the
display unit 200 in a graphical format 215, such as in a
step-function, bar chart, etc. In the step-function embodiment,
which is shown in FIG. 2, each line portion of the step-function
line corresponds to a set-point in the temperature schedule data
structure 400. Because the display unit 200 is touch-sensitive, the
user can use a finger or stylus 240 to "point-and-drag" any one of
the vertical lines of the step-function, representing a time of
day, to a different value to indicate a new time at which to change
the temperature. Similarly, the user can use a finger or stylus 240
to "point-and-drag" any one of the horizontal lines, representing a
temperature, to a different value to indicate a new temperature to
be maintained by the controller during that time period. When the
user changes the graphical representation of the temperature
schedule 215, central processing unit 100 modifies the temperature
schedule data structure 400 to reflect these changes.
[0022] In some embodiments, the buttons 235 or additional controls
230 can be configured so that the user can perform additional
programming. For example, one of the buttons 235 or additional
controls 230 might cause an alternate schedule to be
displayed--such as one for the weekend--which the user can program.
Or, pressing one of the buttons 235 or additional controls 230
might cause the temperature history 500 to be displayed by the
display unit 200.
[0023] In other embodiments of the present invention, the
temperature schedule 215 could be displayed in other formats.
Again, the step-function shown in FIG. 2 is just one of several
ways to graphically display the temperature schedule 215. It could
also be shown as a list of set-points, showing the time and
temperature for each set-point. Or, a scroll bar or slider bar
control could be displayed in which the user simply adjusts the
control to adjust the temperature. In such an embodiment, time
could be displayed as a digital or analog clock, and the user could
modify such a clock control along with the temperature control in
order to modify an existing or create a new set-point.
[0024] There are many ways in which the user interface system can
work with the thermal comfort controller. The user interface system
would probably be integrated into a thermal comfort control system
and installed on a wall much like current programmable thermostats.
However, if the user interface system is configured on a hand-held
PDA, the user-interface could communicate with the thermal comfort
controller via the PDA's infra-red sensor. Or, the PDA could be
synchronized with a personal computer and the personal computer
could set the appropriate instructions to the thermal comfort
controller. Or, the PDA could use a cellular/mobile phone feature
to telephone the controller (i.e., thermostat, personal computer,
etc.) to exchange pertinent and relevant data.
[0025] From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident
that there are a number of changes, adaptations and modifications
of the present invention which come within the province of those
skilled in the art. However, it is intended that all such
variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be
considered as within the scope thereof.
* * * * *