12) United States Patent
`Shah
`
`USOO6621507 B1
`10) Patent No.:
`US 6,621.507 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Sep. 16, 2003
`
`9
`
`9
`
`(54) MULTIPLE LANGUAGE USER INTERFACE
`FOR THERMAL COMFORT CONTROLLER
`
`(75) Inventor: Dipak J. Shah, Eden Prairie, MN (US)
`(73) Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.,
`Morristown, NJ (US)
`-
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 473 days.
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/706,077
`(22) Filed:
`Nov. 3, 2000
`9
`(51) Int. Cl." ................................................ G06F 15/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................ 345/764; 345/808; 34.5/762
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 345/764, 835,
`345/784, 839, 788, 808, 797, 762
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2/1992 Launey et al.
`1/1998 Bassett et al.
`10/1998 Eisenbrandt et al.
`12/1998 West et al.
`
`5,086,385 A
`5,706,191 A
`5,818,428 A
`5,845,259 A
`
`5,886,697 A 3/1999 Naughton et al.
`6,098893. A 8/2000 Berglund et al.
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3/2000
`1984.0 552 A1
`DE
`9/1989
`O 332 957 A1
`EP
`2/2000
`O 978 692 A2
`EP
`Primary Examiner-Cao (Kevin) Nguyen
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A multiple language user interface System for a thermal
`comfort controller. The user interface System has a central
`processing unit coupled to a memory, a language Selector
`and a touch Sensitive display unit. The memory can Store at
`least one user interface object and at least one control
`algorithm. In Some embodiments, the user interface System
`also has a network interface for connecting to the Internet or
`other network. In some embodiments, the first time the user
`interface System is powered-up after installation, a first Set
`of user interface objects are displayed on the display unit and
`the user Selects a preferred language. Once a preferred
`language is chosen, user interface objects can be loaded into
`the memory and the display unit will display the user
`interface objects in the preferred language. In Some
`embodiments, control algorithms are loaded into memory.
`13 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
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`— 905
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`- - 200
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`910
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`Program
`Review
`Schedules Schedules
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`Manual
`Select
`Language Controls
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`A.
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`The time is: 8:54 p.m.
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`The temperature is: 73F
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`920
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`8O
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`T
`g 70
`65
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`o
`in 60
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`55
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`O: OO 6:00 12: OO 18:00 24 : 00
`IME
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`
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`915
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`915
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`915
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`700
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`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1010
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 1
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 2003
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
`
`US 6,621,507 B1
`
`Figure 1
`
`Display Unit
`
`Central Processing
`Unit
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`
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`950
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`200
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`800
`TO
`Heating/
`Cooling
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`NetWork interface
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`100
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`300
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`400
`Memory
`User Interface Object(s)
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`5OO
`Control Algorithm(s)
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`- 600
`Initial Interface Object(s)
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`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1010
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 2
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 2003
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
`
`US 6,621,507 B1
`
`Figure 2
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`
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`
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`200
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`
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`The time is: 8:54 p.m.
`The temperature is: 73
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`
`so
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`Program
`Schedules
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`Review
`Schedules
`
`Select
`Language
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`Manual
`Controls
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`920
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`
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`75
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`7 O
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`65
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`60
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`55
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`O: OO 6: OO
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`12: OO 18 : 00
`TIME
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`24: OO
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`915
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`915
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`915
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`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1010
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 3
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`

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`1
`MULTIPLE LANGUAGE USER INTERFACE
`FOR THERMAL COMFORT CONTROLLER
`
`US 6,621.507 B1
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to thermostats and other
`thermal comfort controllers and particularly to a multiple
`language user interface for Such thermal comfort controllers.
`Current thermal comfort controllers, or thermostats, have
`a limited user interface which typically includes a number of
`data input buttons and a Small display. Hereinafter, the term
`thermostat will be used to reference a general comfort
`control device and is not to be limiting in any way. For
`example, in addition to traditional thermoStats, the present
`Such control device could be a humidistat or used for venting
`control. AS is well known, thermostats often have setback
`capabilities which involves a programmed temperature
`Schedule. For example, a temperature Schedule could be
`programmed So that in the winter months, a house is warmed
`to 72 degrees automatically at 6:00 a.m. when the family
`awakes, cools to 60 degrees during the day while the family
`is at work and at School, re-warms to 72 degrees at 4:00 p.m.
`and then cools a final time to 60 degrees after 11:00 p.m.,
`while the family is sleeping. Such a schedule of lower
`temperatures during off-peak hourS Saves energy costs.
`A Schedule of Set back temperatures is one example of a
`control algorithm that can be used by the comfort controller.
`Of course, such control algorithms will be different for
`different climates. The control algorithms also vary based on
`personal preferences. Some people like their homes warmer
`in the winter than other people do.
`Programmable comfort controllers have been trouble
`Some in the past because users often do not understand how
`to correctly program the controllers. For people whose first
`language is not English, or for people travelling to a foreign
`country and Staying in a hotel or other housing, program
`ming comfort controllers can be even more difficult because
`the buttons, controls, and displays on the controllers are
`usually labeled with English words.
`What is needed in the art is a user interface for a
`thermostat in which the temperature Schedule is more easily
`programmed. To make the programming easier, users should
`be able to choose a preferred language and then View the
`Switches, etc. on the comfort controller in the chosen pre
`ferred language. In addition, to make programming and
`using the controllers easier, different control algorithms
`should be available to the user to choose from. The different
`control algorithms might be programmed during
`manufacturing, or loaded over the Internet or other network
`after installation.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`This invention can be regarded as a multiple language
`user interface system for thermal comfort controllers. The
`user interface System includes a central processing unit, a
`memory, a display with a touch-Sensitive Screen used for
`input, and a language Selector. Some embodiments also
`include a network interface. The memory can Store at least
`one control algorithm and at least one user interface object.
`The language Selector is used to choose a preferred lan
`guage. Once a preferred language is chosen, the display unit
`uses the user interface objects in the memory that match the
`preferred language. In this way, the controls, labels, etc. that
`are presented to the user on the display unit are in the user's
`preferred language. In one embodiment, when the comfort
`controller is first powered-up after installation, the user may
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`be asked to Select the preferred language and then the user
`interface objects may be loaded. In Some embodiments, the
`user interface objects are loaded from the Internet. Control
`algorithms may also be loaded So that the user can choose
`from one that is Suited for the user's climate and personal
`preferences.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a user interface System for
`a thermal comfort controller, in accordance with the present
`invention.
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the user interface System
`in an embodiment with a stylus, in accordance with the
`present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention is a multiple language user inter
`face System for a thermostat or other comfort controller.
`Throughout the drawings, an attempt has been made to label
`corresponding elements with the same reference numbers.
`The reference numbers include:
`
`Reference Number
`
`Description
`
`1OO
`2OO
`3OO
`400
`500
`6OO
`700
`8OO
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`905
`910
`915
`92O
`950
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`Central Processing Unit
`Display Unit
`Memory
`User Interface Object(s)
`Control Algorithm(s)
`Initial Interface Object(s)
`Stylus
`Conduits to Heating/Cooling Devices,
`Thermostat, etc.
`Additional Controls
`Other Data
`Buttons
`Labels
`Network Interface
`
`Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of
`one embodiment of the user interface System for a comfort
`controller. The user interface System includes a central
`processing unit 100. This central processing unit 100 is
`coupled to a display unit 200, a network interface 950, and
`a memory 300. The display unit 200 has a touch-sensitive
`Screen which allows the user to input data without the need
`for a keyboard or mouse. The memory 300 can store one or
`more user interface objects 400 and one or more control
`algorithms 500. In some embodiments, the memory 300 can
`also store one or more initial interface objects 600. The user
`interface system also has conduits 800 to the heating/cooling
`devices or thermostats thereof So that user interface System
`cam communicate with the thermostat or other comfort
`controller.
`The display unit 200 includes a graphical display/touch
`Sensitive Screen. This configuration provides for very flex
`ible graphical display of information along with a very user
`friendly data input mechanism. The display unit 200 may be
`very similar to the touch Screen display used in a hand-held
`personal digital assistant ("PDA"), such as a Palm brand
`PDA manufactured by 3Com, a Jornada brand PDA manu
`factured by Hewlett Packard, etc. Of course the graphical
`user interface System could also be manufactured to be
`integrated with a thermostat itself. In Such an embodiment,
`a touch-sensitive LCD display is coupled with the thermo
`Stat's existing central processing unit and RAM.
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`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1010
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`3
`The control algorithms 500 are programmed or selected
`by the user. One such control algorithm 500 would be a
`Set-point Schedule containing a list of times associated to a
`list of temperatures. The thermal controller Sets-up or Sets
`back the temperature according to Such a set-point Schedule.
`For example, a Set-point Schedule could be configured to
`adjust the temperature to 60 degrees at 6:00 a.m., then to 67
`degrees at 6:30 a.m., and up to 73 degrees at 8:00 a.m., etc.
`FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one possible embodi
`ment of the user interface system with a stylus 700. In FIG.
`2, the user interface System has been installed as an integral
`element of the thermostat wall unit. The display unit 200 of
`the user interface System displays the graphical representa
`tion of the Set-point temperature Schedule. These graphical
`representations are presented as a graph in which one axis
`denotes time and the other axis denotes temperatures. The
`graph is labeled 920. Other data 910 is also displayed,
`including the time and temperature. Of course, other data
`could also be displayed, Such as the current date, day of the
`week, indoor and/or outdoor relative humidity, etc.
`The display unit 200 can also be configured with addi
`tional controls 905, which could, for example, Switch the
`display between Fahrenheit and Celsius for the temperature,
`between Standard and military time, and between showing a
`Single day's Schedule verSuS showing a week's Schedule.
`The additional controls 905 are labeled. In FIG. 2, there is
`a control to review the Schedules, one to program new
`Schedules, and one to manually control the heating or
`cooling of the house. In addition to the additional controls
`905 programmed and displayed on display unit 200, physi
`cal buttons 915 of the thermostat could be programmed to be
`used for working with the user interface System as well. This
`is similar to the operation of a PDA.
`There is also an additional control 905 in FIG. 2 which
`allows the user to Select a preferred language. Once a
`preferred language is chosen, the display unit uses user
`interface objects 400 in the memory to correctly display all
`of the textual information in the preferred language. For
`example, in FIG. 2, if a language other than English was
`chosen, the additional controls 905, the display information
`910, and the labels 920 would be redisplayed in the chosen
`language. This makes the comfort controller easier to use by
`Someone for whom English is not his or her first language.
`In one embodiment of the invention, the comfort control
`ler would be installed without any user interface objects,
`initial interface objects, or control algorithms Stored in
`memory. When first powered-up after installation, the com
`fort controller is programmed to load the initial interface
`objects 600 via the network interface 950. For example, the
`comfort controller could retrieve the initial interface objects
`600 from a web page on the Internet. Or the comfort
`controller's network interface 950 could include a modem
`connected to a phone line. In Such an embodiment, the initial
`interface objects 600 can be downloaded as files. The initial
`interface objects 600 are presented on the display unit 200
`and request the user to choose a preferred language. Once
`the preferred language is chosen, the proper user interface
`objects 400 are then downloaded. In another embodiment,
`the comfort controller can be connected via the network
`interface 950 to a PDA, laptop computer, or similar device
`carried by the comfort controller installer. The installer's
`PDA or computer can have libraries of control algorithms,
`initial interface objects, and user interface objects accessible
`from memory which can be transferred by a cable, infra-red
`port, radio-frequency port or other communication method.
`Of course, because memory is now So economical Some
`embodiments of the current invention are shipped from the
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`manufacturer with the initial interface objects and many
`language versions of the user interface objects 400 already
`Stored in memory 300. If enough languages are Stored in
`memory 300, the network interface 950 is not necessary.
`Otherwise, it is only necessary if the preferred language is
`one that does not already have user interface objects 400 in
`memory 300.
`Likewise, Some embodiments are shipped with control
`algorithms 500 already stored in memory. The user can pick
`and choose from these algorithms or can choose to down
`load updated or additional control algorithms 500 via the
`network interface 950.
`The graphical representations, controls and other data that
`are displayed on display unit 200 are managed by a com
`puter program stored in memory 300. The computer pro
`gram could be written in any computer language. Possible
`computer languages to use include C, Java, and Visual
`Basic.
`There are many ways in which the user interface System
`can work with the thermal comfort controller. The user
`interface System would probably be integrated into a thermal
`comfort control System and installed on a wall much like
`current programmable thermostats. However, if the user
`interface System is configured on a hand-held PDA, the
`user-interface could communicate with the thermal comfort
`controller via the PDA's infra-red sensor. Or, the PDA could
`be Synchronized with a personal computer and the personal
`computer could Set the appropriate instructions to the ther
`mal comfort controller. Or, the PDA could use a cellular/
`mobile phone feature to telephone the controller (i.e.,
`thermostat, personal computer,
`From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident
`that there are a number of changes, adaptations and modi
`fications of the present invention which come within the
`province of those skilled in the art. However, it is intended
`that all Such variations not departing from the Spirit of the
`invention be considered as within the Scope thereof.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A user interface System for a programmable comfort
`controller, comprising:
`a central processing unit;
`a memory capable of Storing at least one user interface
`object and at least one control algorithm, the memory
`coupled to the central processing unit;
`a display unit with a touch-Sensitive Screen, coupled to the
`central processing unit, for graphically displaying the
`user interface objects and for allowing a user to pro
`gram the control algorithms, and
`a language Selector which allows a preferred language of
`a user to be Selected, So that the display unit can display
`the user interface objects that are in the preferred
`language.
`2. The user interface System of claim 1, further compris
`ing a network interface for connecting to a network, the
`network interface coupled to the central processing unit.
`3. The user interface system of claim 1, further compris
`ing at least one initial interface object, Stored in the memory,
`the initial interface objects used by the language Selector in
`allowing the preferred language to be Selected.
`4. The user interface system of claim 2, wherein the
`network interface connects the user interface System to the
`Internet.
`5. The user interface system of claim 2, wherein the
`network interface connects the user interface System to a
`telephony network.
`6. The user interface system of claim 2, wherein the
`network interface connects the user interface System to a
`cellular telephony network.
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1010
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 5
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`US 6,621.507 B1
`
`S
`7. The user interface system of claim 2, wherein the
`network interface uses infra-red coupling to connect the user
`interface System to the network.
`8. The user interface system of claim 2, wherein the
`network interface useS radio frequency coupling to connect
`the user interface System to the network.
`9. A method for programming a thermal comfort control
`ler with a user interface System having a central processing
`unit, a memory capable of Storing at least one user interface
`object and at least one control algorithm, a display unit with
`a touch-Sensitive Screen for graphically displaying the user
`interface objects and for allowing a user to program the
`control algorithms, and a language Selector which allows a
`preferred language of a user to be Selected So that the display
`unit can display the user interface objects that are in the
`preferred language, wherein the memory, the language
`Selector and the display unit are coupled to the central
`processing unit, the method comprising:
`loading at least one initial interface object into the
`memory, for use by the language Selector;
`displaying the initial interface objects to request the user
`to choose a language;
`Selecting a preferred language with the language Selector;
`and
`loading at least one user interface object into the memory,
`for use by the display unit in displaying user interface
`objects that are in the preferred language.
`
`6
`10. The method for programming a thermal comfort
`controller from claim 9, further comprising loading at least
`one control algorithm into the memory.
`11. The method for programming a thermal comfort
`controller from claim 9, wherein the step of loading at least
`one initial interface object is initiated when the thermal
`comfort controller is first powered-up after being installed.
`12. The method for programming a thermal comfort
`controller from claim 9, wherein the step of loading at least
`one user interface object into the memory accesses the
`Internet.
`13. An interactive display unit, comprising:
`a central processing unit;
`a memory capable of Storing at least one user interface
`object and at least one control algorithm, the memory
`coupled to the central processing unit;
`a display unit with a touch-Sensitive Screen, coupled to the
`central processing unit, for graphically displaying the
`user interface objects and for allowing a user to pro
`gram the control algorithms, and
`a language Selector which allows a preferred language of
`a user to be Selected, So that the display unit can display
`the user interface objects that are in the preferred
`language.
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`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1010
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 6
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