HVAC Controller Screen Generation Using External Server Templates

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional HVAC controllers require firmware updates to change screen displays, which consume power and memory, and limit the flexibility in navigating information, making them less efficient compared to systems that can update screens without updating firmware.

Innovation Solution

An HVAC controller system with a touch screen display and an external server that generates carousel screens by populating templates with information from various sources, allowing for dynamic screen updates without modifying the controller's firmware, enabling horizontal and vertical navigation of screens for improved user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If firmware updates are used to change screen displays, then the display content can be updated, but power and memory are consumed and flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen display flexibilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the screen content generation function from the HVAC controller firmware and relocates it to an external server. The controller only maintains display templates and receives content data, while the external server dynamically generates and updates screen content based on system state and user preferences, eliminating the need for firmware updates and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an external server as an intermediary between the HVAC controller and the display content. This mediator dynamically generates screen content based on system data and user preferences, allowing flexible screen updates without modifying the controller firmware or consuming its power resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If firmware updates are used to change screen displays, then the display content can be updated, but memory space is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen display flexibilityVSAvoidmemory space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the screen content generation function from the HVAC controller firmware and relocates it to an external server. The controller only maintains display templates and receives content data, while the external server dynamically generates and updates screen content based on system state and user preferences, eliminating the need for firmware updates and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses template copying where a base display template is maintained in the controller and dynamically populated with content data from the external server. This allows multiple screen variations without storing multiple complete screen configurations in firmware, conserving memory space while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If traditional firmware-based screen updates are used, then screen content can be changed, but navigation flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen navigationVSAvoidfirmware update complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the screen content generation function from the HVAC controller firmware and relocates it to an external server. The controller only maintains display templates and receives content data, while the external server dynamically generates and updates screen content based on system state and user preferences, eliminating the need for firmware updates and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic screen content generation where the external server continuously updates screen displays based on real-time system state, user preferences, and contextual information. This dynamic approach allows flexible navigation and screen transitions without requiring complex firmware logic or updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11162699B1Generating screens for display by HVAC controller using templates

Publication Date: 2021.11.02 RESIDEO LLC

AI summary

In some examples, a system controls a set of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) components in order to regulate one or more parameters of a building. The system includes an HVAC controller device including a dial and a touch screen display. Additionally, the system includes an external server configured to communicate with the HVAC controller via a communication link. The external server is configured to receive data which indicates a set of information from one or more devices. Additionally, the external server is configured to generate, based on the set of information and a set of screen templates stored in a memory of the external server, a screen for display by the touch screen display without updating firmware of the HVAC controller device, and output, to the HVAC controller device, the screen for display by the touch screen display.