Touch Membrane Thermostat Interface for Simpler Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch-screen thermostats often confuse users with numerous icons, leading to apprehension and reduced energy savings due to difficulty in programming.
Innovation Solution
A programmable touch-screen thermostat featuring a touch-sensitive transparent membrane with membrane switches and a microprocessor, displaying user-friendly icons that allow users to easily adjust temperature and schedule settings through intuitive icons like time forward, time backward, temperature-up, and temperature-down icons, simplifying the programming process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a touch screen display is used to increase display size and provide more buttons, then the display capability and input options are improved, but the user interface becomes more complex and confusing with numerous different icons that users must analyze
Solution Approach 1:
The touch screen interface is segmented into multiple hierarchical levels or screens. The first screen presents only essential icons (system, fan, up, down), while additional functions are accessed through sequential screens that appear only when needed. This segmentation reduces the cognitive load on users by presenting information in manageable portions rather than all at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the interface by using sequential screens that appear and disappear based on user interaction. Instead of displaying all icons simultaneously on one screen, the interface transitions through multiple screens over time, with each screen containing a subset of relevant icons. This dimensional approach allows the system to maintain a large display area while managing complexity through time-based presentation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If numerous different icons are displayed to provide more functionality, then the versatility and programming options are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to user apprehension and difficulty in determining the necessary series of icons to press
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing on-screen guidance that appears before the user needs to make a programming decision. The system displays instructional information or highlights the next icon to press, allowing users to understand the required sequence of actions before attempting to program the thermostat. This preliminary guidance reduces user apprehension and makes the programming process more accessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface provides continuous feedback to users about their programming progress and the correct sequence of icons to press. When a user touches an icon, the system responds by displaying the next relevant screen or providing visual confirmation that the correct action was taken. This feedback mechanism helps users understand the programming sequence and reduces errors, making the system easier to operate despite its versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of icons are displayed to enable comprehensive programming, then the functionality is improved, but the loss of information increases as users struggle to determine the correct sequence of icons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element in the form of on-screen instructional displays that mediate between the user and the complex icon sequence. These instructional displays act as a bridge, translating the complex programming requirements into simple, step-by-step visual guidance. The intermediary provides users with the information they need about the correct sequence of icons without requiring them to remember or analyze all icons simultaneously, thus preventing information loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A thermostat is provided that comprises a touch-sensitive transparent membrane adapted to be affixed over a display, where the transparent membrane has a plurality of membrane switches. The thermostat comprises a microprocessor in communication with the plurality of membrane switches, and has a memory for storing a program for controlling the operation of the climate control system. The thermostat further comprises a display device responsive to the microprocessor for displaying a first screen having at least a first user-interface icon associated with at least one membrane switch, where in response to the user touching the membrane switch associated with the first user-interface icon the display device displays a second screen having at least a run user-interface icon and a schedule user-interface icon.