Controller with programmable reset switch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current building control systems, such as HVAC controllers, lack advanced features for user customization and efficient operation, particularly in responding to user-initiated actions through programmable reset buttons, which limits their adaptability and functionality.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a building controller with a housing containing accessible inputs and outputs, a programmable reset button, and a memory that stores instructions for actions to be taken upon button activation, allowing for customizable control signals and programmable actions through a function block engine that executes predefined functions when the button is actuated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a building controller uses a fixed reset button function, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability and user customization capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The reset button is transformed from a single fixed function to a multi-functional programmable interface. The same physical button can execute different actions (reset, alarm, test, custom functions) based on programmable instructions stored in memory, allowing one component to serve multiple purposes and significantly improving adaptability without adding multiple physical buttons or switches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a function block engine that executes pre-programmed instructions stored in memory. Instead of hardwiring different reset functions into separate physical circuits, the system copies the reset button's function definition into programmable code blocks that can be stored, modified, and executed flexibly, separating the physical interface from the functional implementation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a building controller allows user programming of reset actions, then user interaction and customization are enhanced, but the ease of operation decreases due to programming requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service programming capabilities where users can configure custom reset actions through the controller's interface without requiring external programming equipment or complex code writing. The function block engine allows users to select and configure predefined or custom actions through a user-friendly interface, enabling end-users to program their own customized reset functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller includes pre-configured function blocks and default programming templates that provide common reset actions (reset alarm, reset test, reset maintenance). These preliminary programming configurations allow users to quickly deploy standard functions without extensive programming, while still enabling custom programming when needed, thus reducing the operational barrier for most users.
Data Source
AI summary
A building controller includes a housing, a plurality of inputs, a plurality of outputs and a programmable reset button. A memory stores programmable instructions pertaining to the programmable reset button. A controller is operably coupled to the memory, the plurality of inputs, the plurality of outputs, and the programmable reset button. The controller is configured to receive signals from the plurality of inputs and to provide control signals to the plurality of outputs that are based at least in part on the received signals from the plurality of inputs. The controller is further configured to implement one or more actions that are based upon the programmed instructions pertaining to the programmable reset button that are stored in the memory when the programmable reset button is activated by a user.