Wireless Thermostat Schedule Switching for Easier Climate Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Climate control system users face challenges in programming and easily switching between different schedules for their thermostats or comfort controllers, as existing systems lack user-friendly and efficient methods for scheduling changes and reverting to previous settings.
Innovation Solution
A wireless-capable comfort controller that allows users to select and transmit different schedules for climate control systems using a computing device, enabling easy configuration and switching between various schedules, including heating and cooling configurations, through a user interface that supports multiple schedules and automatic changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually program schedules directly on the comfort controller, then the controller can operate autonomously, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex for users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computing device as an intermediary between the user and the comfort controller. The computing device provides a user interface that simplifies schedule creation and editing, then transmits the configured schedules wirelessly to the comfort controller. This mediator handles the complexity of schedule programming remotely, making the process easier and faster for users while maintaining full functionality on the controller.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the comfort controller stores multiple schedules locally, then switching between schedules is possible, but the controller's memory and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a schedule copying mechanism where the computing device stores multiple schedule configurations and can wirelessly transmit any of these schedules to the comfort controller. Instead of requiring the controller to permanently store all possible schedules, the system creates temporary copies as needed. The controller receives and executes the transmitted schedule, replacing or supplementing its local schedule storage, thereby reducing the controller's memory burden while maintaining versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system provides comprehensive scheduling options and configurations, then user customization is improved, but the user interface becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scheduling functionality into two separate segments: the computing device handles schedule creation, editing, and configuration through a comprehensive user interface, while the comfort controller handles schedule execution and wireless reception. This segmentation allows the full range of customization options to be available without burdening the controller's interface or the user with complex local programming. The computing device's interface can be updated and expanded independently without affecting the controller.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for facilitating scheduling of comfort controllers such as thermostats. In an exemplary embodiment, a comfort controller is operable to control a configuration of a climate control system for providing climate control in a structure. The comfort controller is operable in accordance with a user-selected one of a plurality of stored schedules for operation of the configuration, where the user-selected schedule is wirelessly received by and replaceable on the comfort controller.