Thermostat Color-Tunable Backlighting for Readability and Décor
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Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC thermostatic controllers face challenges in providing an easily readable display while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance, as large displays required for readability compromise the device's size and aesthetics, particularly for users with impaired vision and in decorative settings.
Innovation Solution
A thermostat with a translucent housing that uses manually adjustable LED lighting to change color, allowing users to customize the display's appearance to match the surrounding décor, by controlling the hue, brightness, and saturation of red, green, and blue LEDs, or using filters like color wheels and polarizing filters to achieve a full spectrum of colors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the display size is increased to improve readability, then the readability is improved, but the housing size increases which compromises aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the housing translucent and using variable color lighting to illuminate the display. This allows the display to be more visible and readable without physically increasing the housing size, as the light dynamically enhances the visual output within the same physical boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color changes by incorporating a variable color light source that can change the color of light emitted from within the housing. This enhances readability through contrast and visual distinction while maintaining aesthetic appeal through color variation, resolving the contradiction between readable display and compact housing.
2Ease of operation
If permanent illumination is used to improve readability, then the readability is improved, but the aesthetic appeal deteriorates due to distracting constant light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing variable illumination that can be adjusted in intensity and color. The illumination is not permanent or fixed but can be modified to suit different conditions, providing readability when needed while maintaining aesthetic appeal by reducing or changing illumination in other contexts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by allowing the light intensity and color parameters to be varied. This enables the system to optimize for readability when required while maintaining aesthetic appeal during normal operation, resolving the contradiction between permanent illumination and aesthetic versatility.
3Ease of operation
If large numerals and text are used to improve readability for impaired vision, then the readability is improved, but the housing size increases which compromises aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using variable color illumination to enhance the visibility of display elements. This dynamic lighting approach allows information to be presented clearly for users with impaired vision without requiring physically larger numerals or text, thus maintaining a compact housing size while improving accessibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables an aesthetically pleasing and easily readable thermostat that complements the architectural space, accommodating various lighting conditions and user preferences, including impaired vision, without compromising the device's size or aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
the light source comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED) for displaying a plurality of colors
Implementation Method 2
Instead of controlling light emitted from light sources electronically, the invention also contemplates filtering the light and manually adjusting the filtering to provide the desired aesthetics. For example, a manually adjustable color wheel filter may cooperate with a light source of unchanging spectrum.
Implementation Method 3
the thermostat includes a housing having at least a portion thereof illuminated by a light that changes color via a manual input. Preferably, at least a portion of the housing is translucent to the light.
Implementation Method 4
Or a variable polarizing filter may cooperate with the light source.
Data Source
AI summary
The thermostat includes a housing having at least a portion thereof illuminated by a light that changes color via a manual input. The light illuminates the display for easy readability while the variable color of the light allows a user to match the appearance of the thermostat to best complement the surrounding décor. User input elements provide for the manual adjustment of one or more characteristics of the light, such as visible color of the light. The light source comprises at least one LED for displaying a plurality of colors. In this case, to change the color of the light illuminating the translucent portion of the housing or backlighting the display, electronics within the thermostat control the drive signals to the LED in order to operate the LED to provide the desired color. The invention also contemplates filtering the light and manually adjusting the filtering to provide the desired aesthetics.