User friendly interface for control unit
US8918219B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 7, 2011 |
| Grant date | Dec 23, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 11, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF24F2221/32
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A user-friendly programmable thermostat is described that includes a central electronic display surrounded by a ring that can be rotated and pressed inwardly to provide user input in a simple and elegant fashion. The current temperature and setpoint are graphically displayed as prominent tick marks. Different colors and intensities can be displayed to indicate currently active HVAC functions and an amount of heating or cooling required to reach a target temperature. The setpoint can be altered by user rotation of the ring. The schedule can be displayed and altered by virtue of rotations and inward pressings of the ring. Initial device set up and installation, the viewing of device operation, the editing of various settings, and the viewing of historical energy usage information are made simple and elegant by virtue of the described form factor, display modalities, and user input modalities of the device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.