Thermostat Network-Based Software Update for HVAC Device Compatibility

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Thermostats often require software updates to communicate with new HVAC control devices, but conventional methods, such as using SD cards or USB drives, are inefficient and may fail, leading to communication issues.

Innovation Solution

A thermostat with a processing circuit and communications interface that determines if a software update is needed, retrieves it from an HVAC device or a server, and installs it, with user permission and error handling to ensure proper communication with HVAC devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If software updates are manually loaded via SD card or USB flash drive, then the thermostat can be updated, but the process is inefficient and may fail leading to communication issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware update efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The thermostat system performs self-updating by automatically detecting new HVAC devices, determining software version mismatches, retrieving required software updates from the HVAC device or external server, and installing updates without user intervention. This eliminates manual loading via SD cards or USB drives while ensuring communication reliability through automated compatibility verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system proactively identifies software version incompatibilities before they cause communication failures. When a new HVAC device is detected, the thermostat preemptively checks for required software updates, retrieves them in advance, and installs them before communication attempts, preventing potential communication issues rather than reacting to failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the thermostat automatically retrieves and installs software updates from HVAC devices, then communication compatibility is ensured, but user control and permission management are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication compatibilityVSAvoiduser control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback loop where the thermostat notifies users of detected software version mismatches and requested updates through the user interface. Users provide explicit permission before updates are retrieved and installed. This maintains adaptability by ensuring compatibility while preserving user control through informed consent and approval mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If the thermostat uses conventional software update methods with storage devices, then the process is simple, but it requires user intervention and may fail

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate process complexityVSAvoidupdate automation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical update methods (physical SD cards or USB flash drives that require manual insertion and loading) with an electronic/network-based system. The thermostat communicates with HVAC devices and external servers through the HVAC network to automatically retrieve software updates, eliminating the need for physical storage devices and manual user actions while increasing automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10430175B2Thermostat with software update features

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 JOHNSON CONTROLS LIGHT COMMERCIAL IP GMBH

AI summary

A thermostat for a building includes a communications interface communicably coupled to an HVAC network and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configure to determine that a HVAC device is connected to the HVAC network and retrieve a software update from the HVAC device via the communications interface and install the software update in response to a determination that the thermostat must install the software update in order to be configured to communicate with the HVAC device.