Thermostat Audio Feedback for Passive Operation Confidence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermostats and temperature control devices lack the capability to provide user notifications or feedback on their operation, leading to unnecessary adjustments and decreased efficiency in temperature control processes.
Innovation Solution
An environmental control device equipped with a temperature sensor, audio module, input/output module, and processor that generates audible signals based on predefined events, providing user feedback on the device's operation and control routines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a thermostat is configured to operate passively with minimal user input, then the device requires little maintenance and configuration, but the user lacks feedback on whether the thermostat is operating correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing an audio output device that provides audible notifications to the user about thermostat operation status, events, and alerts. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining passive operation while adding information feedback through sound, allowing users to verify correct operation without requiring active configuration or monitoring.
2Device complexity
If the thermostat provides no notification to users about its operation, then the device remains simple and requires fewer components, but users make unnecessary adjustments reducing system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The audio feedback mechanism provides users with information about thermostat operation, preventing unnecessary adjustments and improving temperature control efficiency while adding only one primary component (audio output device) to the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio module acts as an intermediary between the thermostat's internal operations and the user, translating operational status into audible notifications that inform users without requiring them to physically interact with or monitor the device directly.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the thermostat operates without providing status updates, then energy consumption remains low, but user confidence in the system decreases leading to unnecessary modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The audio feedback system provides status updates and notifications about thermostat operation, building user confidence and reducing unnecessary modifications while consuming minimal energy through periodic rather than continuous operation of the audio module.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio output device operates periodically to provide notifications about specific events and status changes rather than continuously, maintaining low energy consumption while still providing sufficient feedback to build user confidence in system operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An environmental control device is disclosed and includes a temperature sensor, an audio module, an input/out module operatively connected to an environmental system, a memory module, and a processor in communication with the temperature sensor, the audio module, and the memory. The memory stores a control routine comprising processor executable instructions and an audio file associated with a predefined event related to the environmental system. The processor executable instructions are configured to receive a current state signal corresponding to one of a temperature sensor signal from the temperature sensor and an environmental system output signal from the input/output module,determine whether the current state signal corresponds to the predefined event, and generate, via the audio module, an audible signal based on the audio file in response to determining that the current state signal corresponds to the predefined event.