User interfaces for schedule display and modification on smartphone or other space-limited touchscreen device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing a remote user interface for programmable thermostats on space-limited devices like smartphones is challenging due to difficulties in making programming changes, such as adding, editing, or deleting setpoints, while maintaining comfort and energy efficiency in HVAC systems.
Innovation Solution
A method involving interactive and graphical user interfaces on small format touch-screen devices, where setpoints are displayed as icons on a two-dimensional plot, allowing users to adjust temperature or time by touch motions, with constraints to prevent accidental changes and indicators for unadjusted axes, and displaying information on setpoint generation methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a remote user interface is provided on a smartphone or space-limited touch screen device, then user accessibility and convenience are improved, but the interface becomes difficult to use for programming changes and information display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional one-dimensional linear schedule display into a two-dimensional graphical plot where the x-axis represents time and the y-axis represents temperature. Setpoints are displayed as icons positioned according to their time and temperature values. This dimensional transformation allows users to visually comprehend and adjust HVAC schedules more intuitively on space-limited devices, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and interface complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple setpoints are displayed and editable on a small screen, then comprehensive control is improved, but accidental changes and user confusion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment constraints based on user interaction context. When a user touches a setpoint icon, the system dynamically determines which parameters can be adjusted based on the current state and user intent. For example, if the system is in temperature adjustment mode, only temperature changes are permitted; if in time adjustment mode, only time changes are allowed. This dynamic constraint mechanism provides comprehensive control while preventing accidental changes to unintended parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that inform users about the current adjustment mode and available options. The interface provides visual feedback to indicate which parameters can be modified and which are constrained, helping users understand the system state and avoid accidental changes while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities.
3Loss of information
If detailed setpoint information is displayed, then information completeness is improved, but screen space requirements and visual clutter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a two-dimensional plot to encode multiple pieces of information efficiently. Each setpoint icon's position simultaneously conveys time (x-axis) and temperature (y-axis) information, eliminating the need for separate displays of these parameters. This dimensional encoding allows comprehensive setpoint information to be presented in a compact visual format that fits on small screens without clutter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color coding to convey additional information about setpoints. Different colors can indicate various types of setpoints, their status, or other relevant attributes. This use of color as an information carrier allows more data to be communicated visually without increasing the physical screen space required, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and screen space utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A novel small format touch screen user interface for displaying, adding and editing program setpoints is described. When editing a setpoint the user's input is constrained such that the user can only alter one parameter. As soon as the user begins to drag a setpoint icon in either a horizontal (e.g. adjusting time), or vertical (e.g. adjusting temperature), the other parameter is constrained. Additionally, the disclosed user interface includes displaying information as to how the setpoint was most recently added or adjusted. For example the display can be used to indicate whether a setpoint was added or adjusted on the control device itself; by an automated learning algorithm; by a user on a web client; by a user using a mobile device, and so forth. Further, the name of the particular device may be displayed.