Thermostat for conveying expected thermal responses to users
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermostats rely on numerical inputs and lack a visual representation of expected thermal responses, making it difficult for users to understand how room temperatures will change over time and how quickly these changes will occur, which hampers energy conservation efforts.
Innovation Solution
A thermostat that calculates and displays expected thermal responses in a graphical format, using wave curves and colors to convey information about temperature changes and energy consumption, allowing users to easily visualize and understand HVAC system performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If thermostats use numerical indicators to display temperature and system operation, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot visually understand expected thermal responses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy (graphical representation) of the thermal response data that mirrors the numerical information. The display shows a visual approximation of temperature changes over time, allowing users to understand thermal responses intuitively without adding complex hardware. The graphical display is a visual copy of the expected thermal behavior, making abstract numerical data concrete and understandable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/numerical display system with a visual/graphical display system. Instead of showing only numbers that require cognitive interpretation, the system uses graphical representations (such as waveforms or progress bars) that visually convey thermal response information, substituting numerical indication with visual indication to improve user comprehension.
2Ease of operation
If thermostats provide detailed numerical information about HVAC operation, then the loss of information is minimized, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to information overload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified visual copy of the essential HVAC performance information. Rather than presenting raw numerical data about temperature changes, energy consumption, and system operation, the system generates graphical representations that capture the key thermal response patterns. This visual copy retains the critical information about expected temperature changes while eliminating the complexity of detailed numerical data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color variations to encode different levels of information about HVAC performance and thermal responses. By using color gradients or color-coded graphical elements, the system conveys multiple dimensions of information (such as temperature magnitude, rate of change, energy consumption) through visual intensity or hue variations, allowing users to grasp complex HVAC performance data at a glance without information overload.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A method and apparatus for summarizing and conveying expected thermal responses is described. Expected thermal responses of a room or an entire structure are calculated based on thermostat setpoints. The expected thermal responses are summarized into an expected thermal response visualization and displayed to a user for easy understanding of current, and future, temperature expectations before or as a room or entire structure is heated or cooled.