HVAC Thermostat Touch Interface for Safer Remote Setpoint Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Remote control of HVAC systems faces challenges in providing user-friendly interfaces while minimizing network traffic and protecting equipment from excessive wear, particularly due to repeated on/off commands and sudden temperature changes, which can lead to energy waste and equipment malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface on a touchscreen device that allows users to adjust thermostat setpoints using a circular control member, with features like touch and drag gestures and a 'come to my finger' mode, which reduces sudden changes and minimizes network traffic by introducing delays before transmitting changes, thereby protecting HVAC equipment and enhancing user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If repeated on/off commands are sent to HVAC equipment during short time intervals, then the user perceives a high degree of control and responsiveness, but excessive wear, damage, and malfunction of HVAC equipment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting user input gestures and validating them before actually sending commands to the HVAC equipment. The gesture recognition system processes user intentions in advance, determining whether the input represents a deliberate control action or accidental input, thereby preventing premature or harmful commands from reaching the equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between the user interface and HVAC equipment control. This intermediary system analyzes gesture patterns, determines user intent, and filters commands before transmission to the thermostat and HVAC equipment, preventing direct transmission of potentially harmful repeated on/off commands while maintaining responsive user control.
2Speed
If rapid temperature setpoint changes are allowed, then the user experience is responsive and immediate, but sudden unintended changes occur that degrade user perception of quality and may waste energy
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring temperature setpoint changes and comparing them against predefined thresholds and rates of change. When rapid changes are detected, the system provides feedback through gesture validation logic that determines whether the change represents genuine user intent or accidental input, thereby controlling the actual temperature adjustment speed to prevent energy-wasting sudden changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamic control to temperature adjustments by adapting the rate and magnitude of setpoint changes based on gesture characteristics and system state. The system dynamically adjusts temperature modification parameters, allowing faster changes when user intent is clear while slowing or preventing changes when gestures suggest accidental input, thereby optimizing both responsiveness and energy efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If network traffic is increased to provide real-time control updates, then the user interface is more responsive and up-to-date, but battery consumption increases and risk of data corruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by transmitting control commands and status updates at optimized intervals rather than continuously. Network communication is triggered by validated user gestures and system state changes, with periodic synchronization occurring only when necessary, thereby maintaining interface responsiveness while significantly reducing battery consumption compared to continuous real-time updates.
4Speed
If the fan is turned on/off frequently in response to temperature changes, then the HVAC system responds quickly to user commands, but excessive inductive load cycling occurs that can damage the fan motor
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation of temperature adjustment commands before transmitting them to the HVAC equipment. By analyzing gesture patterns and determining genuine user intent in advance, the system prevents spurious or repeated commands that would cause frequent fan cycling, thereby protecting the fan motor from excessive inductive load cycling while maintaining responsive HVAC operation for deliberate user commands.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for interactively and graphically interfacing with a user on an HVAC system controlled by a thermostat. The user interface is implemented on a touch screen display on a remote wirelessly connected device such as smartphone or a tablet PC. The interface displays a screen that mimics the display on the thermostat including allowing one or more input methods that are analogous to input methods used on the thermostat. Touch screen gestures such as touch and drag, touch and hold and tapping are used in an intuitive way. The user experience is enhanced by allowing large-scale changes while reducing the risk of sudden unintended changes. The control signals are judiciously tailored to protect the HVAC equipment from unwarranted over-controlling, reduce unnecessary network traffic, and prevent the waste of energy.