Mountable touch thermostat using transparent screen technology

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11216020-B2
Application number	US-201615143373-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 29, 2016
Priority date	May 4, 2015
Publication date	Jan 4, 2022
Grant date	Jan 4, 2022

Abstract

A thermostat includes a transparent touch screen display, wherein the matter behind the display is visible in the non-active display portions and a control bar connected to one side of the transparent touch screen display. The control bar includes a housing, processing circuitry operably connected to the transparent touch screen display and configured to monitor and control building equipment, and a temperature sensor operably connected to the processing circuitry.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A thermostat comprising:
a transparent touch screen display, wherein matter behind the display is visible in non-active display portions to allow a user to view a wall the thermostat is mounted on through the transparent touch screen display; and
a control bar connected to one side of the transparent touch screen display, wherein the control bar comprises:
a housing;
processing circuitry operably connected to the transparent touch screen display and configured to monitor and control building equipment; and
a temperature sensor operably connected to the processing circuitry.

2. The thermostat of claim 1 , wherein the housing of the control bar is perpendicular to the transparent touch screen display.

3. The thermostat of claim 1 , wherein the transparent touch screen display is oriented vertically in a portrait orientation.

4. The thermostat of claim 1 , wherein the transparent touch screen display extends vertically from the control bar.

5. The thermostat of claim 1 , wherein the transparent touch screen display is oriented horizontally in a landscape orientation.

6. The thermostat of claim 1 , wherein the transparent touch screen display extends horizontally from the control bar.

7. The thermostat of claim 1 , further comprising a second control bar connected to another side of the transparent touch screen display.

8. The thermostat of claim 7 , wherein the second control bar is opposite the control bar.

9. The thermostat of claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor operably connected to the processing circuitry, the at least one sensor from the group consisting of a humidity sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a smoke sensor, a proximity sensor, an ambient light sensor, and a biometric sensor.

10. The thermostat of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry comprises a processor and a memory, wherein the processor is configured to cause the transparent touch screen display to present a user interface for monitoring and controlling building equipment.

11. The thermostat of claim 10 , wherein the building equipment comprises at least one system from the group consisting of an HVAC system, a lighting system, a blinds system, a projector system, and a lock system.

12. The thermostat of claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to cause the transparent touch screen display to present an alarm message on the user interface.

13. The thermostat of claim 12 , wherein the alarm message is from the group of consisting of a fire alarm, a tornado alarm, and a suspect alarm.

14. The thermostat of claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to cause the transparent touch screen display to present an exit sign on the user interface.

15. The thermostat of claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to provide customized controls based on an identity of the user.

16. The thermostat of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry comprises a circuit board that is perpendicular to the transparent touch screen display.

17. The thermostat of claim 16 , wherein the circuit board is configured to be located inside of the wall that the thermostat is mounted on.

18. A user control device comprising:
a transparent display, wherein matter behind the display is visible in non-active display portions to allow a user to view a wall the user control device is mounted on through the transparent display;
a housing connected to one side of the transparent display; and
processing circuitry operably connected to the transparent display and configured to monitor and control building equipment.

19. The user control device of claim 18 , further comprising at least one sensor from the group consisting of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a smoke sensor, an ambient light sensor, a proximity sensor, and a biometric sensor.

20. The user control device of claim 18 , wherein the housing is perpendicular to the transparent display.

21. The user control device of claim 18 , wherein the transparent display is oriented vertically in a portrait orientation.

22. The user control device of claim 18 , wherein the transparent display extends vertically from the housing.

23. The user control device of claim 18 , wherein the transparent display is oriented horizontally in a landscape orientation.

24. The user control device of claim 18 , wherein the transparent display extends horizontally from the housing.

25. The user control device of claim 18 , further comprising a second housing connected to another side of the transparent display.

26. The user control device of claim 18 , wherein the processing circuitry comprises a circuit board that is perpendicular to the transparent display.

Assignees

• Johnson Controls Tech Co
• Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP

Inventors

• Sinha Sudhi
• Ribbich Joseph R
• Ribbich Michael L
• Gaidish Charles J
• Cipolla John Peter

Classifications

• G05D23/1917 Primary

  using digital means · CPC title

• F24F11/523 Primary

  for displaying temperature data · CPC title

• F24F11/52

  Indication arrangements, e.g. displays · CPC title

• F24F11/63

  Electronic processing · CPC title

• F24F11/30 Primary

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