Graphical user interface system for a thermal comfort controller

Abstract

A graphical user interface system for a thermal comfort controller. The user interface system has a central processing unit coupled to a memory and a touch sensitive display unit. The memory stores a temperature schedule data structure and perhaps a temperature history data structure. The temperature schedule data structure is made up of at least one set-point. The temperature history data structure is made up of at least one Actual-Temperature-Point. The display presents the set-points and/or the Actual-Temperature-Points. One representation of the display is a graphical step-function. The user uses a finger or stylus to program the set-points by pointing and dragging a portion of the step-function.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer for use in controlling a remotely located thermostat using a remotely located mobile handheld computing unit, the computer comprising:
 an interface for operatively communicating with a remotely located mobile handheld computing unit and for also operatively communicating with a remotely located thermostat;   a controller operatively coupled to the interface, the controller configured to:
 send a temperature setting of the remotely located thermostat to the remotely located mobile handheld computing unit via the interface; 
 receive a changed temperature settings from the mobile handheld computing unit via the interface; and 
 send one or more instructions to the remotely located thermostat to implement the changed temperature setting. 
   
     
     
         2 . The computer of  claim 1  further comprising a memory for storing one or more temperature settings, and wherein the controller is configured to synchronize the one or more temperature settings with the remotely located mobile handheld computing unit via the interface. 
     
     
         3 . The computer of  claim 1 , further comprises a non-transitory memory for storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the computer, causes the controller of the computer to:
 send the temperature setting of the remotely located thermostat to the remotely located mobile handheld computing unit via the interface;   receive the changed temperature settings from the mobile handheld computing unit via the interface; and   send the one or more instructions to the remotely located thermostat to implement the changed temperature setting.   
     
     
         4 . The computer of  claim 1  wherein the remotely located mobile handheld computing unit comprises a cellular mobile phone. 
     
     
         5 . The computer of  claim 1 , wherein the remotely located mobile handheld computing unit comprises a handheld personal digital assistant. 
     
     
         6 . The computer of  claim 3 , wherein the temperature setting is part of a set-point of a programmable schedule that includes a desired temperature and a desired time. 
     
     
         7 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions which, when executed by a mobile handheld computing unit that includes a cellular communication feature and a user interface with a display, causes the mobile handheld computing unit to perform the following:
 establish a communication link between the mobile handheld computing unit and a remotely located computer, at least part of the communication link established using the cellular communication feature of the mobile handheld computing unit;   receive a temperature setting of a remotely located thermostat from the remotely located computer via the established communication link;   display the temperature setting on the display of the mobile handheld computing unit;   accept an input via the user interface of the mobile handheld computing unit to change the temperature setting that is displayed on the display of the mobile handheld computing unit, resulting in a changed temperature setting; and   communicate the changed temperature setting from the mobile handheld computing unit to the remotely located computer across the established communication link for subsequent use by the remotely located thermostat.   
     
     
         8 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 7 , wherein the mobile handheld computing unit comprises a cellular mobile phone. 
     
     
         9 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the display is a touch screen display. 
     
     
         10 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein the input is received and accepted via the touch screen display. 
     
     
         11 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 10 , which further causes the mobile handheld computing unit to display a temperature control on the display of the mobile handheld computing unit, wherein manipulation of the temperature control changes the temperature setting. 
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 7 , wherein the mobile handheld computing unit comprises a handheld personal digital assistant. 
     
     
         13 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 7 , wherein the temperature setting is part of a set-point of a programmable schedule that includes a desired temperature and a desired time. 
     
     
         14 . A method for operating a mobile handheld computing unit that includes a cellular communication feature and a user interface with a display, the method comprising:
 establishing a communication link between the mobile handheld computing unit and a remotely located computer, at least part of the communication link established using the cellular communication feature of the mobile handheld computing unit;   receiving a temperature setting of a remotely located thermostat from the remotely located computer via the established communication link;   displaying the temperature setting on the display of the mobile handheld computing unit;   accepting an input via the user interface of the mobile handheld computing unit to change the temperature setting that is displayed on the display of the mobile handheld computing unit, resulting in a changed temperature setting; and   communicating the changed temperature setting from the mobile handheld computing unit to the remotely located computer across the established communication link for subsequent use by the remotely located thermostat.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the mobile handheld computing unit comprises a cellular mobile phone. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the display is a touch screen display. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the input is received and accepted via the touch screen display. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 displaying a temperature control on the display of the mobile handheld computing unit; and   receiving a manipulation of the temperature control via the user interface of the mobile handheld computing unit in order to change the temperature setting that is displayed on the display of the mobile handheld computing unit, resulting in the changed temperature setting.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the mobile handheld computing unit comprises a handheld personal digital assistant. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the temperature setting is part of a set-point of a programmable schedule that includes a desired temperature and a desired time.