Graphical highlight for programming a control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face complexity in programming HVAC control systems due to numerous wireless communication protocols and software interfaces, making it difficult to set up and control building environment systems, especially with remote access through smartphones.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface for a smartphone app that includes a programming function button, day of the week icons, a table for displaying time and temperature parameters, and a graphical highlight pattern linking the table to the selected day, allowing users to visually associate settings for time and temperature across multiple days with a regrouping feature and mode-specific help screens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a smartphone app interface is used to control HVAC systems, then remote access and flexibility are improved, but the complexity of programming and navigation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The programming interface is segmented into distinct functional areas: day selection icons, parameter tables for time/temperature settings, and graphical highlight patterns. This segmentation allows users to interact with one aspect at a time rather than overwhelming them with all controls simultaneously, reducing perceived complexity while maintaining remote access capability
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical highlight pattern acts as an intermediary visual element that connects the selected day icon with the corresponding parameter table. This intermediary provides clear visual guidance on which parameters will be modified, reducing user confusion and programming difficulty while preserving the flexibility of remote control
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wireless communication protocols are supported, then system compatibility and versatility are improved, but the complexity of setup and configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex wireless protocol configuration is extracted and separated from the user-facing interface. The smartphone app handles protocol selection and configuration in the background, presenting users with a simplified graphical interface that does not expose the underlying protocol complexity, thus maintaining versatility while reducing setup complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting and configuring appropriate wireless protocols without requiring users to manually select or understand protocol specifications. The app handles protocol compatibility autonomously, reducing setup complexity while maintaining broad system compatibility
3Extent of automation
If detailed programming options are provided, then control precision and functionality are improved, but the number of parameters to adjust increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface dynamically adapts based on user selections. When a user selects a day icon, the graphical highlight pattern dynamically highlights only the relevant parameter table, and further selection of specific parameters (time, temperature) dynamically updates which controls are active. This dynamic behavior allows detailed programming capability while reducing the apparent number of parameters at any given moment
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a thermostat control display having a programming function button, day of the week icons, a table for displaying time and temperature parameters and a graphical highlight pattern that links the table and the day of the week icons. The button, icons and table comprise touch sensitive areas adapted to activate a predetermined display response. Upon selection of a day of the week icon the graphical highlight pattern will be extended to surround the selected day of the week icon so that the table depicting temperature and time parameters to be assigned to the selected day of the week are visually linked to the selected day of the week.