U.S. patent application number 15/204917 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-11 for climate control panel with non-planar display.
The applicant listed for this patent is Braeburn Systems LLC. Invention is credited to Glenn A. Moore, Daniel S. Poplawski, Ernest E. Soderlund.
Application Number | 20170131825 15/204917 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50824983 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170131825 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moore; Glenn A. ; et
al. |
May 11, 2017 |
Climate Control Panel With Non-Planar Display
Abstract
A control panel includes a current altering device for control
of peripheral devices and a display having a first segment, second
segment and third segment and the first and second segments are not
located in the same plane. The display includes at least one touch
sensitive segment to operate a peripheral control function. The
display includes alphanumeric display areas adjacent to first and
second segments. In an embodiment the display may have an arc shape
and the first segment is located at an apex of the arc of the
display in a first plane and a second segment is located in a
second plane.
Inventors: |
Moore; Glenn A.; (Geneva,
IL) ; Poplawski; Daniel S.; (Oswego, IL) ;
Soderlund; Ernest E.; (Hampshire, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Braeburn Systems LLC |
Montgomery |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50824983 |
Appl. No.: |
15/204917 |
Filed: |
July 7, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14097430 |
Dec 5, 2013 |
|
|
|
15204917 |
|
|
|
|
61733558 |
Dec 5, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/041 20130101;
G06F 3/04847 20130101; G06F 2203/04103 20130101; G06F 3/0412
20130101; G06F 3/04886 20130101; F24F 11/30 20180101; F24F 11/52
20180101; G06F 3/0416 20130101; G06F 2203/04102 20130101; G06F
3/04817 20130101; G09G 2380/02 20130101; G09G 3/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/041 20060101
G06F003/041; F24F 11/00 20060101 F24F011/00 |
Claims
1. A control panel comprising: a housing comprising circuitry and
electronic components for control of a peripheral device, the
housing comprising a face that defines an X-axis and Y-axis
defining a first plane, and a Z-axis defining a line extending
perpendicularly through the first plane of the housing, whereby the
perpendicular line extends upward out of the first plane of the
housing and downward through the back of the housing, the circuitry
controlling at least one current altering device for control of the
peripheral device; a display panel formed in an arc or other
non-planar shape, the display panel having at least one point
secured by the housing, the display panel connected to the
circuitry via a current carrying bridge member, the display panel
moveable in the Z-direction such that the display panel can be
fitted into the housing such that discrete surfaces of the display
panel will be visible to a user when viewed from the side of the
control panel and other surfaces will be out of view of the user,
the display panel having a first segment and second segment, the
first segment of the display comprising at least a first touch
sensitive area connected to the current altering device to adjust a
peripheral control function of at least one of heat, cool, fan,
temperature, time, ventilation and humidity, the second segment of
the display comprising at least one alphanumeric icon; wherein the
first and second segments are oriented out of the first plane and
in different locations on the display panel with respect to the
X-axis and Y-axis.
2. The control panel of claim 1, wherein the display panel is
formed in an arc and each of the first and second segments is
substantially arc shaped in cross-section and having a vertex
formed by the arc shape.
3. The control panel of claim 1, wherein the first segment
comprises function control buttons, the first segment comprising a
discrete display area with respect to the second segment, the
second segment oriented above the first segment in a substantially
different plane along the Z-axis.
4. The control panel of claim 1, wherein the display panel is
formed in an arc and the first and second segments are located in
different planes.
5. The control panel of claim 1, wherein the housing has an opening
formed therein for receiving the display panel, the opening formed
in the first plane, at least one of the first and second extending
out of the first plane of the housing.
6. The control panel of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first
and second segments extends to an exterior edge of the housing.
7. The control panel of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first
and second segments extends internally with respect to the
housing.
8. The control panel of claim 1, wherein the current altering
device is located externally with respect to the housing.
9. The control panel of claim 1, wherein the current altering
device comprises a relay that interrupts the current to the
peripheral device.
10. The control panel of claim 1, wherein the first segment
comprises a touch sensitive area and the second segment comprises
an alphanumeric display area located adjacent the first
segment.
11. The control panel of claim 1 wherein the peripheral device
comprises one of a heat pump, air conditioner, furnace, boiler,
humidifier, fan and ventilation damper.
12. The control panel of claim 1, wherein the display is formed in
a non-planar shape and forms one of a concave arc, convex arc,
cube, octahedron, pentagonal prism, pyramid, tetrahedron,
triangular prism, truncated pyramid, stairs, cone, and mushroom
shape.
13. The control panel of claim 1, wherein the control panel further
comprises a frame member for supporting the display panel, the
frame member attached to the circuitry.
14. A thermostat comprising the control panel of claim 1.
15. The thermostat of claim 14, wherein the first and second
segments on the display panel are formed in a non-planar shape such
that a user's hand can adjust the operation of the control panel at
least along the Z-axis, whereby the control functions are
adjustable by touching the first and second segments.
16. The thermostat of claim 14, wherein the display panel is a
flexible display panel supported by the housing to attain the
desired shape.
17. The thermostat of claim 14, wherein the display panel is
supported by a frame connected to the circuitry.
18. A method of assembling a control panel, the method comprising
the steps of: providing a housing having circuitry comprising at
least one current altering device; forming a flexible display panel
in a non-planar shape, the flexible display panel comprising a
first segment and-a second segment, each segment comprising
functionality for adjusting the control panel; attaching a first
end of the flexible display panel to the circuitry via a bridge
member; manipulating the flexible display panel in the Z-direction
to orient the flexible display panel in a desired shape such that
discrete surfaces of the display panel will be visible to a user
when viewed from the side of the control panel and other surfaces
will be out of view, and such that the first segment is located
substantially in a first plane and the second segment is located
substantially in a second plane; and securing the flexible display
panel to the housing in order to maintain the flexible display in
the desired shape, wherein the first and second segments are
oriented to adjust the control functions by touching the first and
second segments.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein each of the first and second
segments comprises a touch sensitive pad for operation of the
control.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/097,430 filed on Dec. 5, 2013, which in
turn related to and claimed priority benefits from U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 61/733,558 having a filing date of Dec.
5, 2012. The present application expressly claims priority benefits
from the '558 provisional application. The '430 non-provisional
application and the '558 provisional application are each hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention pertains to a control such as a
thermostat, other household control, automotive control or
manufacturing equipment control and the use of a non-planar display
screen for such controls.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is common for controls to have LCD or LED display
monitors comprised of planar rigid layers of glass and display
layers including plasma display technology. Such display screens
include touch sensitive displays where a user may place his or her
finger on the glass surface to activate the controls and manipulate
the functioning of the devices to which the control is connected
electronically. The present invention improves upon such controls
by incorporating a flex display, such as an electronic paper
display technology; for example, a roll-up screen manufactured by
LG Displays Corp.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a control comprising a
housing including circuitry and electronic components for control
of a peripheral device, the circuitry controlling at least one
current altering device for the control of the peripheral device, a
display mounted on the housing connected to the circuitry via a
current carrying bridge member and the display having a first
segment, second segment and third segment wherein the first and
second segments are not located in the same plane. In an embodiment
the display may have an arc shape and is attached to the housing
adjacent to each side of the housing. In an embodiment the first
segment and the third segment are located in the same plane. In an
embodiment the first segment and third segment may be located in
different planes.
[0005] In an embodiment the invention includes a housing having an
opening for receiving the display and the opening formed in a first
plane and at least one of the first, second and third segments
extend externally beyond the first plane of the housing. In an
embodiment at least one of the first, second and third segments
extend to an exterior edge of the housing. In an embodiment at
least one of the first, second and third segments extend internally
into the housing. In an embodiment the current altering device is
located externally to the housing. In an embodiment the current
altering device may include a relay that interrupts the current to
the peripheral device. In an embodiment the current altering device
is a digital signal controller. In an embodiment the current
altering device is a radio transmitter.
[0006] In an embodiment the first segment of the display includes
at least one touch sensitive segment to operate at least one
peripheral function of heat, cool, fan, temperature, time,
ventilation, and humidity. In an embodiment the first segment of
the display includes at least one touch sensitive segment to
operate at least one peripheral control function of the non-English
equivalent translation of heat, cool, fan, temperature, time,
ventilation, and humidity. In an embodiment the first segment of
the display includes at least one touch sensitive segment connected
to the current altering device to operate at least one peripheral
control function of an icon equivalent of heat, cool, fan,
temperature, time, ventilation, and humidity.
[0007] In an embodiment the first segment is a touch sensitive area
and the second segment includes an alphanumeric display area
located adjacent to the first segment. In an embodiment the
peripheral device includes at least one of a heat pump, air
conditioner, furnace, boiler, humidifier and ventilation damper. In
an embodiment the control is a thermostat.
[0008] In an embodiment the display has a non-planar shape and
forms in part one of an arc, convex arc, concave arc, cube,
octahedron, pentagonal prism, pyramid, tetrahedron, triangular
prism, truncated pyramid, stairs, uneven stairs, cone, mushroom
shape. In an embodiment the display has an arc shape and the first
segment is located at an apex of the arc of the display in a first
plane and the first segment is located adjacent to the second
segment in a second plane and near a side edge of the housing. A
first segment is located in the first plane and a second touch
segment is located in the second plane. In an embodiment the
housing includes an arc shaped frame member to support the
display.
[0009] The invention further comprises a thermostat control
comprising a housing for containing circuitry and electronic
components for control of a peripheral device, the circuitry
controlling at least one current altering device for control of the
peripheral device, a display mounted on the housing, the display
having a bridge for connecting the circuitry, the display including
a first segment and a second segment and the display disposed in a
non-planar shape and configured so the user interaction with the
control in order to activate at least the first and second segments
is configured wherein at least one X-axis movement by a user's hand
is required during operation of the controls. In an embodiment the
housing includes a face that defines an X-axis and a Y-axis, and
the Z-axis that is defined by a line extending perpendicularly
through the face of the housing so that the perpendicular line
extends upward out of the face of the housing and downward through
the back of the housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention
will be apparent in the following detailed description read in
conjunction with the following drawing figures.
[0011] FIG. 1a is a flow diagram depicting the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 1b is a perspective view the control of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2a is a perspective view of the control of FIG. 1 with
the cover removed.
[0014] FIG. 2b is a perspective view of the invention depicting an
alternate embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the display of an alternate
embodiment of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 4a and b are a side view and a perspective view and an
alternate embodiment of the display invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a schematic representations of alternative
embodiments of the displays of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the control of an
alternative embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT(S)
[0019] FIG. 1a depicts a diagram of the present invention wherein
the control 100 is depicted including the display 10 including the
touchpad areas 13 which are connected through signal lines to
microprocessor 14 which are in turn controlled by switches 20 and
the microprocessor is linked to the HVAC system control relay 21
via signal lines. The control relays 21 are linked to peripheral
devices 30 such as a furnace, boiler, air conditioner, humidifier,
fan or ventilation damper. The switches 1 and 2 operate the HVAC
system control relays 21 and are controlled by microprocessor 14
which is linked to the display in order to provide feedback and
alter the alphanumeric icons on the display 10.
[0020] Turning to FIG. 1b, an embodiment of the present invention
is disclosed where a thermostat 100 includes a clam shell type
design with an upper housing 105 and lower housing 110 or base.
Display 120 is shown having a slight curvature protruding from the
upper panel 105. The display 120 (similar to other non-flexible
displays) includes means for displaying alphanumeric characters and
touch sensitive areas to provide means for an operator to use
fingertips or pointing device to control functions of the
electronics. In an embodiment, the display 120 may include a liquid
crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor (TFT)-LCD, an organic
Light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, a
three-dimensional (3D) display or a transparent display. A display
and electronics therefor may be provided, such as disclosed by LG
Electronics in U.S. patent application publication No.
2012/0329528, that is incorporated herein by reference. The
display, in this embodiment, includes icons for operation of the
thermostats functions such as fan, such as touchpad 125. Numeric
Icon 127 depicts a numeric icon as a control parameter for example,
the temperature. In an embodiment, the display 120 includes touch
sensitive capability and the operation of the thermostat 100 is
performed by touch pads 125 for example, to operate the fan mode.
The other touch pads on the display screen are also operative to
control the thermostat 100. As well, mechanical button 130 provides
for operation of the thermostat either in combination with the
touch pads on the display 120 or independently.
[0021] Turning to FIG. 2a the thermostat 100 depicted in FIG. 1 is
illustrated having the upper cover 105 removed. With the upper
cover 105 removed, the base 110 is depicted having a printed
circuit board 200 exposed therein. Components are mounted on the
printed circuit board 200, such as mechanical receptors 210, 212
upon which the mechanical button 130 (FIG. 1) is mounted in order
to operate up and down inputs for the control of the thermostat
100. Other components such as current altering devices including a
relay 21 or series of relays that control current to peripheral
devices 30 such as a heat pump, air conditioner, furnace, boiler,
humidifier, or ventilation damper (FIG. 1a). The relay 21 (FIG. 2a)
may interrupt current, decrease current or increase current
according to input from the microprocessor 14.
[0022] The flex display 120 is shown being connected to the printed
circuit board 200 via connection bridge 220. The flex display
screen 120 has a first end 221 and a second end 222. The display
has an arc shape that places numeric icon 127 at the apex in plane
X.sub.1. The numeric icon 127 may be located within a first segment
131 of the display that resides substantially in a first plane
X.sub.1. The first segment 131 may include touch sensitive
circuitry. A second segment 132 resides substantially in a second
plane X.sub.2 and includes touch pad buttons 125a "CLEAN" and 125b
"CONFIG." A third segment 133 also resides substantially in a
second plane X.sub.2 and includes touch sensitive buttons 125c
"SYSTEM" and 125 "FAN."
[0023] The flex display 120 connects to the printed circuit board
so that the first end 221 is tethered to the printed circuit board
220. In an embodiment, the second end 222 of the flex display 120
is loose. Using an operator's fingers grabbing the second end 222,
the flex display 120 can be pivoted and moved away from the face of
the thermostat in order to manipulate the flex display 120. In an
embodiment, other means of attaching the flex display 222 to the
housing may be implemented such as attachment using adhesive for
capturing the ends and edges 221, 222 or by using slots formed in
the upper housing 105 or the display may be constrained by other
means.
[0024] In an embodiment, both ends 221 and 222 of the display 120
may be secured to the housing of the thermostat 100. As depicted in
FIG. 2b, the flex display 120 is shaped having a slight radius.
This embodiment would enable a user of the thermostat 100 to view
the display from multiple angles. If viewing from a side away from
the center of the thermostat, the curvature of the display 120 may
allow for improved viewing of the display. The display depicted in
FIGS. 1b and 2a, b includes a clear base. However, in alternate
embodiments, the base may not be clear. As well, the display may be
backlit in an embodiment or in other embodiments, no backlighting
is necessary. Other shapes of the flex display will be discussed
below, including flex displays having multiple radiuses and
curvatures.
[0025] FIG. 2b depicts a perspective view of the present invention
which is similar to that depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2a. The display
120 is formed in an arc shape and maintains that form due to a
frame 230 provided beneath the display 120. The frame may be formed
of a polymer material and be formed in any of the myriad of shapes
including those depicted in the following figures.
[0026] By placing the frame 230 under the display 120 it provides a
ridged backstop to support the display 120 in the desired form.
Adhesives may be used to attach the display 120 to the frame 230.
Alternate embodiments of attaching the display 120 to the frame 230
may also be used. The frame 230 may likewise be attached the
printed circuit board 200 via known means such as adhesives and
fasteners. Thus it is understood that the display 120 is flexible
and may have undesired movement in its arc shape; but when the
frame 230 is placed under the display 120 it maintains the arc
shape and when a user depresses the display 120 with his or her
fingertip, the display 120 will not move downward away from the
user's fingertip and the frame 230 will maintain the display in the
desired non-planar orientation. The display 120 will be maintained
in a static shape according to the shape of the frame 230.
[0027] In an embodiment the frame 230 may incorporate components of
the printed circuit board 200 and in some instances the printed
circuit board may comprise the frame 230. For example, with respect
to FIG. 3 below, the cube shape of the display 120a may be
maintained by a cube shaped frame 230 formed within and the display
120a itself and may have the componentry and circuitry of the
printed circuit board so that the display itself defines the entire
electronic component where the display 120a forms the exterior of
the electronic component. In an alternate embodiment, the cube of
FIG. 3 may be mounted to a printed circuit board and the frame 230
contained within the cube shaped display 120a may be mounted to
that printed circuit board.
[0028] By manipulating the flex display 120 into different shapes
during manufacture of the control, the user interaction with the
control may be enhanced and allow for better interaction and
viewing capability with the display screen 120. For example, the
flex display 120 when being prepared in the factory may be set in
position to have an "S" shape. The first end 221 can extend
generally parallel to the printed circuit board 200 and at a
mid-point, the flex screen may be turned at a 90.degree.. angle
from the printed circuit board 200 and at a further point along the
flex screen 120 an additional 90.degree.. bend may be made to the
material and further along, an additional 90.degree.. bend may be
made to the material until the second end 222 extends out and away
from the face of the thermostat 100, so that the entire display 120
forms the shape of an "S". In this way, specific surfaces of the
display screen will be facing a user who is looking at the side of
the control 100 and other surfaces of the display will be out of
view and facing away from the viewer.
[0029] By having surfaces of the display that are both visible and
not visible to the user, placement of buttons or icons at certain
areas on the display may help to enhance user interaction with
certain types of controls. For example, by placing display icons in
non-visible locations and touch pad icons in visible locations, the
user may be required to manipulate the control 100 in order to
complete operations and alternate between visible and non-visible
surfaces of the flex display 120. Depending on the device being
controlled and the actual configuration of the control 100, these
surfaces of the flex display may increase security and help require
more precise user inputs to confirm operation of the control. While
the control depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 is for a thermostat, the
present invention may be applied to all types of controls,
including mobile devices such as, cell phones, smart phones,
personal digital assistants and remote control devices for
residential or manufacturing use and automotive displays.
[0030] Turning to FIG. 3 an alternative embodiment of the present
invention is shown where the flex display 120a has been manipulated
and shaped in a cube form. The base 100a may support a printed
circuit board therein which may be connected via a bridge, such as
discussed above, to the flex display 120a. A frame (not shown)
having a cube shape may extend from the PCB to support the display
120a.
[0031] The flex display may include icons 125a indicating buttons
to be operated for the control and numeric icon 127a such as, a
room temperature 72.degree.. Fahrenheit. In an embodiment, the flex
display 120a may have only display capabilities and mechanical
buttons linked to the microprocessor (not shown) may operate the
device. In an alternate embodiment, the flex display 120a may have
touch sensitive areas and the button icons 125a may be operated by
touching in the touch sensitive area designated by the rectangle
surrounding button icon 125a. Likewise, the numeric icon area 127a
may include touch sensitive regions which may allow for interaction
by a user. In an alternative embodiment, flex display 120a may be a
flex display on one or more sides and other sides may use
non-flexible displays or touchscreens.
[0032] FIG. 4a is a side elevation view and FIG. 4b is a
perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention. The
flex display 120b in FIG. 4a, b is formed in a conical shape. The
buttons 125b extend partially around the circumference of the
conical portion 120b of the display. Users may view the buttons
125b (e.g. "PROG") and numeric icon 127b from multiple angles. This
may improve the user interaction and lead to many benefits for the
operation and control of devices linked to the display 120b. For
example, if the flex display of FIG. 4 is mounted on a dashboard of
an automobile, a user may more easily locate that specific control
by recognizing the shape of the control with the user's fingers;
without taking the user's eyes off the road. Such shaped flex
display components 120b may be used for other types of equipment
such as, manufacturing machines and on other mobile devices.
[0033] FIG. 4b depicts a perspective view of the bottom of an
alternate embodiment of the control having a base 100b into which
the printed circuit board and other components may be mounted or
attached. The flex display area 120b includes icons or touch
sensitive areas such as numeric icon 127b where the numeric display
of 72.degree.. is depicted (FIG. 4a). A further alternate
embodiment is depicted in FIG. 4b showing the underside of the flex
display 120c mounted on the base 100b having a connection wire 128
extending from the base 100b.
[0034] It is intended by the present invention that the flex
display may have multiple shapes that may have uses in many
different applications. For example, FIG. 5 depicts other shapes to
which the flex display may be formed and applied in different
applications. The shapes depicted in FIG. 5 include a cube, fridge,
octahedron, simple fridge (HL), open fridge, pentagonal prism,
pyramid, pyramid 2, stairs, tetrahedron 2, triangular prism,
symphony hall, special shape, symphony hall (HL), truncated
pyramid, tetrahedron, table or uneven stairs. Other shapes not
depicted in FIG. 5 are also incorporated into the present invention
for which the flex display may be shaped for uses and other types
of control applications. By providing surfaces in different
orientations of the flex display, users may interact differently
with certain parts of the display and their inputs may be more
intuitively controlled by the software of the control system. In
particularly, the use of a non-planar display provides for user
interactions in the Z-axis. For example, turning to FIG. 1 the X-,
Y- and Z-axes are depicted where X represents movement of a user's
hand along the upper surface of the control moving from bottom to
top of the housing 105. The Y-axis represents movement of a user's
hand from left to right across the face of the housing 105. The
Z-axis is movement out of the page, e.g. elevated above the face of
the housing 125 and display 120. So by forming the display 120 in
modified non-planar shapes, a user's interaction will require more
Z-axis movements and touches and different elevations to enhance
user interactions. As well, where the display includes photographs
or videos, the alternate display surfaces of the shaped flex
display can produce more interesting and eye catching user
interactions which may be used to more intuitively interact with
the user in order to guide through the control process more
easily.
[0035] Turning to FIG. 6, an embodiment of the present invention is
disclosed where a thermostat 300 includes an edge to edge design
with an upper display 305 and lower housing 310 or base. Display
230 is shown having a curvature protruding from lower housing 310.
The display 305 includes means for displaying alphanumeric
characters and touch sensitive areas to provide means for an
operator to use fingertips to control functions of the electronics.
The display, in this embodiment, includes icons for operation of
the thermostats functions such as fan, such as touchpad 225.
Numeric Icon 227 depicts a numeric icon as a control parameter for
example, the temperature. In an embodiment, the display 305
includes touch sensitive capability and the operation of the
thermostat 300 is performed by touch pads 225 for example, to
operate the fan mode. The other touch pads on the display screen
are also operative to control the thermostat 300. This display 305
has touchpads 225 that reside in a different plane as compared to
the numeric icon 227 (as discussed previously with respect to FIG.
2a.
[0036] The present invention has been described in terms of
preferred embodiments. It will be understood by those skilled in
the art that the present invention may be embodied in others
specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention
disclosed and that examples in embodiments described herein are in
all respects illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the
art of the present invention will recognize that other embodiments
using the concepts described herein are all also possible. Further,
any reference to the claim elements in the singular, for example
using articles a, and, or, the, is not to be construed as limiting
the element to the singular.
* * * * *