Building automation controller with configurable audio/visual cues

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10649418-B2
Application number	US-201414565349-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 9, 2014
Priority date	Dec 11, 2013
Publication date	May 12, 2020
Grant date	May 12, 2020

Abstract

An HVAC controller includes a user interface configured to accept inputs from a user and to display information to the user, and a controller configured to process inputs from the user interface and to provide the user interface with information to be displayed. An equipment connection may be connectable to one or more HVAC components and may be operably coupled to the controller. A network connection may be operably coupled to the controller and may provide the controller with access to outside information. The controller may output (via the user interface) a particular cue in response to information received from the equipment connection and/or the network connection, and wherein the particular cue is a cue that was previously selected and activated by the user.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An HVAC controller comprising:
a user interface configured to accept inputs from a user and to display information to the user;
a controller configured to process inputs from the user interface and to provide the user interface with information to be displayed, wherein the controller is configured to cause the user interface to present to the user an option to receive a particular cue and to receive, from the user via the user interface, a selection to activate the particular cue;
an equipment connection connectable to one or more HVAC components, the equipment connection operably coupled to the controller, wherein the particular cue indicates an operating condition of the equipment and wherein the operating condition comprises a heating operation or a cooling operation;
a network connection operably coupled to the controller, the network connection providing the controller with access to outside information;
wherein the controller is configured to output, via the user interface, the particular cue to indicate the operating condition of the equipment in response to information received from the equipment connection and/or the network connection; and
wherein the user interface comprises an annular illumination ring and, to output to the user interface the particular cue that indicates the operating condition of the equipment, the controller is configured to present, via the user interface, a first icon in a first color and cause the annular illumination ring to illuminate in the first color while the first icon is being displayed.

2. The HVAC controller of claim 1 , wherein the particular cue is selected and downloaded to the HVAC controller via the network connection.

3. The HVAC controller of claim 1 , wherein the particular cue comprises an audio cue.

4. The HVAC controller of claim 1 , wherein the particular cue comprises a visual cue.

5. The HVAC controller of claim 1 , wherein the network connection comprises a wireless connection.

6. The HVAC controller of claim 1 , wherein the equipment connection comprises a wired connection.

7. The HVAC controller of claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a touchscreen.

8. The HVAC controller of claim 1 , wherein the annular illumination ring is configured to present a second icon in a second color, different than the first color, and cause the annular illumination ring to illuminate in the second color while the second icon is being displayed.

9. The HVAC controller of claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a speaker.

10. The HVAC controller of claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a vibrator.

11. A programmable thermostat comprising:
a controller configured to control an HVAC component;
a user interface operably connected to the controller;
an equipment connection connectable to the HVAC component, the equipment connection operably coupled to the controller;
a network connection operably coupled to the controller, the network connection providing the controller with outside information;
wherein the user interface is configured to permit a user to select a cue from a plurality of cues that the controller subsequently outputs in response to information received from the equipment connection and/or the network connection, wherein the selected cue indicates an operating condition of the equipment and wherein the operating condition comprises a heating operation or a cooling operation;
wherein the controller is configured to output to the user interface the selected cue to indicate the operating condition of the equipment in response to information received from the equipment connection and/or the network connection; and
wherein the user interface comprises an annular illumination ring and, to output to the user interface the selected cue that indicates the operating condition of the equipment, the controller is configured to present, via the user interface, a first icon in a first color and cause the annular illumination ring to illuminate in the first color while the first icon is being displayed.

12. The programmable thermostat of claim 11 , wherein the selected cue includes an audio component.

13. The programmable thermostat of claim 11 , wherein the selected cue includes a visual component.

14. The programmable thermostat of claim 11 , wherein the selected cue informs a user that particular information has been received from the equipment connection and/or the network connection.

15. The programmable thermostat of claim 11 , wherein the controller is configured to present, via the user interface, a second icon in a second color, different than the first color, and cause the annular illumination ring to illuminate in the second color while the second icon is being displayed.

Assignees

• Ademco Inc

Inventors

• Quam David
• Weirich Kevin
• Ix

Classifications

• F24F11/30

  for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring · CPC title

• F24F11/62

  characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values · CPC title

• F24F11/52

  Indication arrangements, e.g. displays · CPC title

• H04L12/2818

  from a device located outside both the home and the home network (access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007) · CPC title

• H04L67/025

  for remote control or remote monitoring of applications · CPC title