Patent Application
20130151014
This application is directed, in general, to a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and, more specifically, to an HVAC system having a user interface, such as a thermostat.
Users interact with HVAC systems through user interfaces. The most common user interface employed today is the thermostat. The most basic thermostats feature one or more dials, switches or levers and allow users to set temperatures. More elaborate thermostats feature a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, perhaps even of the touchscreen variety, and allow users to program their HVAC systems for automatic temperature settings, configure and maintain their HVAC systems and records of historical operation data, allowing the users to gauge the performance and efficiency of their HVAC systems.
Thermostats necessarily include both temperature sensors and control circuitry within their housings. Some user interfaces do not qualify as thermostats, because while they communicate with temperature sensors and control circuitry, they do not include both within their housings.
One aspect provides a user interface. In one embodiment, the user interface includes: (1) a display configured to provide information to a user, (2) a touchpad configured to accept input from the user, (3) a processor and memory coupled to the display and the touchpad and configured to drive the display and (4) at least one socket coupled to the processor and configured to receive a media card.
Another aspect provides a method of upgrading memory of a user interface of an HVAC system. In one embodiment, the method includes: (1) storing a version of firmware for the user interface in a media card and (2) providing a socket in the user interface configured to receive the media card.
Yet another aspect provides an HVAC system. In one embodiment, the HVAC system includes: (1) a heat pump or a compressor having at least one stage, (2) at least one condenser coil, (3) an expansion valve, (4) at least one evaporator coil, (5) a loop of pipe interconnecting the heat pump or compressor, the at least one condenser coil, the expansion valve and the at least one evaporator coil and containing a refrigerant, (6) at least one fan configured to cause outdoor air and indoor air to blow over the at least one condenser coil and the least one evaporator coil and (7) a user interface, including: (7a) a display configured to provide information to a user, (7b) a touchpad configured to accept input from the user, (7c) a processor and memory coupled to the display and the touchpad and configured to drive the display and (7d) at least one socket coupled to the processor and configured to receive a media card.
Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Although unreferenced, the screen 220 shown in
Some conventional user interfaces (e.g., thermostats) have embedded NAND flash, or other memory media, that are soldered directly to their printed circuit boards (PCBs). Others use flash memory that is embedded in their microprocessors. To upgrade the size of the memory in the field (while installed at the customer) would require the memory device to be un-soldered or the user interface to be replace or sent back to the manufacturer to be reworked.
Unlike a conventional user interface, a flash media card, embodied in secure digital (SD), SDHC (SD high capacity), micro-SD media cards, or any other industry-standard case style or form factor (such as are commonly found in the consumer market), can be used to upgrade a user interface for an HVAC systems that is constructed according to the principles of this disclosure.
In one embodiment, the user interface includes at least one socket configured to receive a media card.
In another embodiment, one or more additional sockets are configured to receive another media card or other media cards. In yet another alternative embodiment, one or more additional media cards are soldered directly to the PCB. In still another embodiment, the PCB layout accommodates one or more additional sockets and one or more additional cards. In various embodiments, the media card is a standard or micro flash card. In other embodiments, the media card is another conventional or later-developed type or form factor of media card.
With this feature, new firmware can be implemented in the field without the need for special connection “dongles” or special tools because all the dealer needs to do is remove the memory card and install a new memory card with the new firmware. If the SD card fails, the dealer could purchase the readily available SD card and program the card and replace the damaged card without returning the user interface back to the manufacturer. Some SD cards have their own built in memory checkers and controllers so they can “write around” bad sections of memory. Traditional memory devices have to use the microprocessor and special algorithms to accomplish this feature.
In one embodiment, the memory card allows different versions of the firmware to be saved. In a more specific embodiment, several different versions of the firmware may be saved, namely the factory-original version firmware, current version firmware and just-upgraded version firmware (perhaps only until it is confirmed to be a valid copy and eligible for use in lieu of the current version firmware), which provides the ability to revert back to the earlier, “current” version firware or the factory version firmware without hampering the operation of the user interface. If a user were to put a traditional memory device to this use, much larger memory sizes and memory mapping would be required, making the user interface more expensive.
This feature allows the firmware to be replaced easily. During the development phase, it is much easier for trying out new versions of firmware. In the field, the dealer can remove the SD card without any special tools. This feature eliminates the need for the unit to be returned to the manufacturer to get new firmware upgrades.
This feature is expected to have a lower manufacturing cost. SD cards can be programmed in multiple banks. The embedded memories are more expensive if they are programmed off the production line or add to the production time if programmed after they are installed in the device.
This feature provides a future path for upgrading the size of the memory. Increasing the size of the embedded memory devices may require the footprint to change which could require a new board design and increase time to market.
This feature is expected to provide a lower cost than embedded solutions. Because of the consumer demand for SD type memory devices, the high volumes and competitive pressures drive the cost of the SD card lower. This feature can also minimizes obsolescence of memory devices. The SD cards are governed by a standards body, which controls the form, fit and function. There are some many uses for the SD cards for which the memory industry will provide backwards compatible devices.
Those skilled in the art to which this application relates will appreciate that other and further additions, deletions, substitutions and modifications may be made to the described embodiments.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/569,859, filed by Bias, et al., on Dec. 13, 2011, entitled “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning System User Interface Having One or More of One-Touch Away Feature, Adjustable Fonts, Proportional Animation Graphics, Service Reminders on a Single Screen, Separate Programming and Manual Mode Screens, Integrated Screen/Housing Skin, Low-Profile Housing, Secure Functional Upgrade Feature and Remote Platform Access Application Associated Therewith,” commonly assigned with this application and incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61569859 | Dec 2011 | US |
