Mountable touch thermostat using transparent screen technology

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current thermostats lack integrated functionality, aesthetics, and advanced features such as NFC capability, transparent displays, fire/security messaging, custom messaging, and location-based security, which are essential for enhanced building control and user experience.

Innovation Solution

The proposed HVAC control system incorporates a processor with memory, a network connection, and a transparent touch screen display connected to various sensors, including temperature, humidity, CO2, CO, smoke, and biometric sensors, with NFC or RFID integration for occupancy tracking and authorization, providing a comprehensive control solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional thermostat design is used, then the device structure is simple, but the integrated functionality and aesthetics are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegrated functionalityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional components (transparent display screen, NFC/RFID communication circuit, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, CO2 sensor, CO sensor, smoke sensor, ambient light sensor, biometric sensor, and processing circuitry) into a single integrated thermostat device, enabling enhanced functionality while maintaining a unified aesthetic design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermostat is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: temperature control, occupancy detection via NFC/RFID, environmental monitoring (humidity, CO2, CO, smoke, light), biometric authentication, and transparent display, making it a universal building control device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If electronics and circuitry are placed close to the temperature sensor, then the device structure is compact, but the temperature sensor is affected by heat from the electronics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidtemperature measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the temperature sensor from the main electronics housing and places it in a separate control bar that extends outward, isolating it from heat generated by the electronics and circuitry while maintaining a compact overall device structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The control bar acts as an intermediary structure that physically separates the temperature sensor from the heat-generating electronics, allowing the sensor to accurately measure ambient temperature without being influenced by internal heat sources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Illumination intensity

If a transparent display screen is used, then the aesthetics and visibility are improved, but the display cannot show information in all conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay visibilityVSAvoiddisplay information display reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an ambient light sensor to dynamically detect lighting conditions and automatically adjusts the display brightness and content, ensuring reliable information display across varying environmental conditions while maintaining the aesthetic benefits of the transparent display

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3292456B1Mountable touch thermostat using transparent screen technology
Publication Date: 2020.12.16 JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY CO
  • EP3292456B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3292456B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3292456B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A thermostat includes a transparent touch screen display, wherein the matter behind the display is visible in the non-active display portions and a control bar connected to one side of the transparent touch screen display. The control bar includes a housing, processing circuitry operably connected to the transparent touch screen display and configured to monitor and control building equipment, and a temperature sensor operably connected to the processing circuitry.