HVAC Wall Module Display Layout Sharing for User Customization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building automation systems lack user customization options for wall modules, limiting user control over displayed information and not allowing for seamless transfer or sharing of customized settings between modules or across systems.
Innovation Solution
The development of wall modules with touch screen displays and controllers that allow users to customize the arrangement and content of information displayed, with the ability to transmit and store these settings remotely, enabling sharing and retrieval across the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wall modules use fixed display configurations, then device complexity is reduced, but user customization capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements copying by storing display configuration data in a centralized database and replicating these configurations to multiple wall modules on demand. When a user customizes a wall module's display, the modified configuration is saved and can be automatically copied to other modules, eliminating the need to manually reconfigure each module individually while maintaining full customization capability across the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing wall modules with universal communication interfaces and standardized display configuration formats that work across different module instances. The modules can universally accept and apply configuration data from the database, and the system can serve multiple functions including local customization, remote configuration management, and automated configuration propagation across the entire wall module fleet.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wall module configurations are stored locally only, then data security is improved, but configuration transfer capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary centralized database that mediates between wall modules and configuration data. The database serves as a secure repository where configuration data is stored with controlled access permissions. Wall modules can request and receive configuration data through authenticated communication channels, enabling secure configuration transfer across the system while maintaining data security through centralized control and access management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing display configuration data in the centralized database before it is needed by wall modules. Configuration templates and user preferences are prepared in advance and can be quickly deployed to multiple modules when needed, enabling rapid configuration transfer without compromising security since the data is already in a controlled, stored state ready for authorized distribution.
3Ease of operation
If wall modules require manual reconfiguration after replacement, then ease of operation is reduced, but system reliability is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by automatically retrieving stored configuration data from the centralized database and copying it to replacement wall modules. When a wall module is replaced, the system can automatically download the appropriate configuration from the database and apply it to the new module, eliminating manual reconfiguration steps and reducing the time required for module replacement while maintaining system reliability through verified configuration deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring and storing all necessary display arrangements and parameters in the centralized database before module replacement occurs. The configuration data is prepared in advance and can be instantly deployed to replacement modules, eliminating the need for manual reconfiguration after replacement and significantly reducing the time and effort required for maintenance operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If wall modules display standardized information only, then device complexity is reduced, but information presentation flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements copying by storing standardized display configuration templates in the centralized database and automatically copying these templates to wall modules. The templates define standardized information arrangements that can be consistently applied across multiple modules. Users can also create customized configurations that are copied and distributed, providing flexibility while maintaining consistency through the copying mechanism rather than requiring complex local configuration management at each module.
Data Source
AI summary
A wall module for controlling a temperature in a building space includes a housing and a temperature sensor disposed within the housing. A touch screen display is mounted relative to the housing and a controller is configured to control what is displayed on the touch screen display and to accept inputs received via the touch screen display. A communication port is operatively coupled to the controller for communicating with an HVAC controller that is remote from the wall module. The controller is configured to permit a user to alter a display arrangement of information displayed on the touch screen display, and to transmit the altered display arrangement to the HVAC controller such that the HVAC controller can subsequently provide the altered display arrangement back to the wall module and/or share the altered display arrangement with other wall modules.