Smart Thermostat Dial Interface With Delayed Setpoint Control
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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 equipment damage and energy waste.
Innovation Solution
A user-friendly graphical user interface for HVAC systems featuring a ring-shaped control member on a touchscreen device, allowing users to adjust temperature setpoints through intuitive gestures, such as touch and drag or touch and hold, with a delay mechanism to reduce network traffic and prevent rapid cycling of HVAC components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If repeated on/off commands are sent to HVAC equipment for rapid temperature adjustment, then user control responsiveness is improved, but equipment wear and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a delay mechanism that waits for a predetermined time period before executing the on/off command. This preliminary waiting action prevents immediate repeated cycling by filtering out rapid successive commands, thereby protecting equipment from excessive wear while still allowing users to control temperature adjustments within reasonable timeframes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If frequent temperature setpoint changes are transmitted over the network, then user-friendliness and control flexibility are improved, but network traffic and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a delay mechanism that waits for a predetermined time period before transmitting the temperature setpoint change command over the network. This preliminary waiting action filters out frequent rapid changes, reducing unnecessary network traffic and energy consumption while still allowing users to make meaningful temperature adjustments within reasonable timeframes.
3Ease of operation
If immediate temperature setpoint changes are implemented, then user perceived control is improved, but risk of sudden unintended changes and energy waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a delay mechanism that waits for a predetermined time period before implementing the temperature setpoint change. This preliminary waiting action allows users to reconsider or cancel sudden changes, preventing unintended temperature adjustments and associated energy waste while still providing a responsive user experience for deliberate control actions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system including a thermostat user interface for a network-connected thermostat is described. The system includes a thermostat including a frustum-shaped shell body having a circular cross-section and a circular rotatable ring, which is user rotatable for adjusting a setting of the thermostat. The system further includes a client application that is operable on a touch-screen device separate from the thermostat, that displays a graphical representation of a circular dial, that detects a user-input motion proximate the graphical representation, that determines a user-selected setpoint temperature value based on the user-input motion, that displays a numerical representation of the user-selected setpoint temperature value, and that wirelessly transmits to the thermostat data representative of the user-selected setpoint temperature.