Abstract:
Building control systems that include a user interface that is configured to help manage relatively large amounts of building control data in an efficient and intuitive manner. In some cases, subsets of building control information can be associated with display elements such as windows or tabs, which can then be pinned to provide a convenient way to selectively display only certain building control information. In some cases, a pinned display element may display one or more building control parameters, which in some cases, can be user selectable and/or updated over time.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]    This disclosure relates generally to building control systems, and more particularly to the user interface of a building control system. 
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]    Building control systems may provide a large amount of data pertaining to HVAC equipment, security alarms, refrigeration monitoring and/or the like. In some instances, building control systems may provide such information for a large number of sites that can be within different portions of a building or within different buildings. The buildings may even be geographically scattered. Individuals charged with operating these building control systems, such as alarm managers or building superintendents, for example, may have to monitor events at multiple sites and/or diagnose and/or fix a large number of potential problems in a short amount of time. 
         [0003]    It will be appreciated that the amount of information presented to the individual may become overwhelming. There is a need for a building control system that provides the individual with organizational tools that help manage the relatively large amounts of building control data in an efficient and intuitive manner. 
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]    This disclosure relates generally to building control systems, and more particularly to building control systems that include a user interface that is configured to help manage relatively large amounts of building control data in an efficient and intuitive manner. 
         [0005]    In an illustrative but non-limiting example, a building control system may include a building control program that has access to building control information, and can display at least selected building control information on a display via a user interface. Sometimes through interaction with the user interface, a first set of building control information may be associated with a first display element on the display. The first display element may correspond to, for example, a window, a tab, an icon or any other suitable display element. Likewise, a second set of building control information may be associated with a second display element. The second display element may correspond to, for example, a window, a tab, an icon or any other suitable display element. In some cases, the first set of building control information may correspond to, for example, one or more building control parameters from a first geographic site or location, and the second set of building control information may correspond to one or more building control parameters from a second geographic site or location, but this is not required. The first set of building control information may be displayed when the first display element is selected for display, and the second set of building control information may be displayed when the second display element is selected for display. It is contemplated that additional sets of building control information may be associated with other corresponding display elements, as desired. 
         [0006]    To help manage the building control information in an efficient and intuitive manner via the user interface, the first display element and/or the second display element may be pinned to in a corresponding pin display element that may be displayed on the display. In some cases, the pin display element may include, for example, a link to the corresponding display element such that when the pin display element is selected, the corresponding display element is again displayed on the display. In some cases, the pin display element may display a value of at least one building control parameter that is associated with the subset of building control information of the corresponding display element. When so provided, the value of the at least one building control parameter that is displayed in the pin display element may be automatically updated over time via updated received building control information. In some cases, the user can select which building control parameter value(s) is displayed in the pin display element. 
         [0007]    The pin display element may provide a convenient way to “pin” the first display element and/or the second display element on the screen. The first (or other) display element may be pinned when, for example, the user does not wish to display the first (or other) display element, but wants to maintain easy access to the first (or other) display element such as when subsequent monitoring of the corresponding building control information is anticipated or desired. In some cases, and when the pin display element also displays a value of at least one building control parameter that is associated with the subset of building control information of the first (or other) display element, the user may still be able to monitor the value of at least some of the building control parameters without having to display the first (or other) display element on the display. 
         [0008]    The above summary is not intended to describe each and every disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the disclosure. The Description that follows more particularly exemplify the various illustrative embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0009]    The following description should be read with reference to the drawings. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an illustrative but non-limiting building control system; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 2 through 4  are diagrammatic views of illustrative displays that may be generated by the building control system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 5 through 7  are screen captures of illustrative displays that may be generated via the building control system of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0013]      FIGS. 8 through 12  are flow diagrams showing illustrative methods that may be carried out using the building control system of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
       [0014]    While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular illustrative embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
       DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]    The following description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings are numbered in like fashion. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Although examples of construction, dimensions, and materials are illustrated for the various elements, those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the examples provided have suitable alternatives that may be utilized. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an illustrative but non-limiting building control system  10 . The illustrative building control system  10  may include a program module  12  and a display module  14 . In some instances, program module  12  represents software that is running on a computer such as a server, or perhaps a general purpose computer such as a desktop, laptop or workstation. Display module  14  may represent a display device such as an LCD display, a CRT monitor, or the like, that is connected to the computer facilitating program module  12 . In some cases, display module  14  may be a distinct computer that is located remotely from the computer facilitating program module  12 , but may also be disposed proximate the aforementioned computer. In some instances, display module  14  may represent a remote computer display, via a thin client (such as Microsoft Internet Explorer™ or equivalent) that can display information provided over a network from program module  12 . 
         [0017]    Building control system  10  may include a few or even up to thousands of building control devices. For illustrative purposes, building control system  10  is shown here with a first building control device  16 , a second building control device  18  and an N th  building control device  20 , where N is an integer higher than two, and may be as high as several or even many thousands. Each building control device  16 ,  18 ,  20  can be seen as being in communication with program module  12 . Communication with each building control device  16 ,  18 ,  20  may be accomplished in any suitable manner. In some cases, at least some of the building control devices  16 ,  18 ,  20  may be in communication with program module  12  over a network such as a telephone network, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) or even the Internet. In some instances, it is contemplated that at least some of the building control devices  16 ,  18 ,  20  may be in wireless communication with program module  12 . The building control devices may be the same or different, and in some cases, may represent a wide variety of different devices. Illustrative but non-limiting examples include thermostats, other HVAC controllers, security alarm controllers, motion sensors, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, high temperature limit sensors and/or any other suitable device. 
         [0018]    Building control system  10  may be configured to assist a user in viewing and/or organizing a potentially substantial amount of building control information that may be obtained from one or more of building control devices  16 ,  18  and  20 . For example, program module  12  may create or otherwise provide graphical and/or alphanumerical display elements that may be associated with particular building control information. The display elements may be display windows, tabs, icons and the like. In some instances, program module  12  may permit the user to “pin” a display element and its associated building control information when, for example, the user does not wish to display the associate building control information, but still wants to maintain easy access to the associated building control information such as when subsequent monitoring of the information is anticipated or desired. If and/or when the user wants once again display the associated building control information, they may do so by simply selecting a corresponding pinned display element. 
         [0019]    In one example, program module  12  may associate a first set of building control information (e.g. certain building control information from a first site) with a first display element and may associate a second set of building control information (e.g. certain building control information from a second site) with a second display element. In some cases, additional display elements may be associated with additional sets of building control information. If the first display element has been selected, such as by clicking on the first display element, the first set of building control information may be displayed via display module  14 . If the second display element is selected, the second set of building control information may be displayed via display module  14 . 
         [0020]    It will be appreciated that reference to a first display element and a second display element is merely illustrative, as there may be tens, hundreds or even thousands of potential display elements assigned to a similar number of distinct sets of building control information. Moreover, a first display element may be considered as referring to a particular display element (assigned to a particular set of building control information) while a second display element may be considered as referring to a subsequent particular display element (assigned to a subsequent particular set of building control information). 
         [0021]    In some instances, a user may view tens, hundreds or even thousands of individual display elements pertaining to distinct sets or subsets of building control information. A user may, for example, wish to track one or more building control parameters at a particular site even while viewing other building control information, perhaps from other sites. For example, a particular subset of building control information may include a temperature sensor value at a particular site that is outside or nearly outside an expected temperature range. A user may wish to monitor the aberrant temperature value while still traversing through other display elements of building control information of the same or another site.  FIGS. 2 through 4  provide a diagrammatic view of illustrative displays that may be displayed via display module  14  ( FIG. 1 ) and that are configured to help the user track and/or monitor certain building control information. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows an illustrative display  22  that may be displayed by display module  14  ( FIG. 1 ). The illustrative display  22  includes a display window  24  and several tabs arrayed along the top of display window  24 . It will be appreciated that this is merely illustrative, as the tabs, when provided, could be displayed along the bottom, side surface or any other part of the display window  24 . As illustrated, there is a SITE ONE tab  26 , a SITE TWO tab  28  and a SITE THREE tab  30 , while in other instances there may be fewer or perhaps more tabs displayed. It is to be understood that reference to one, two and so on is not intended to be strictly interpreted as building site numbers, or building control device numbers, but rather as generally referring to adjacent, sequentially or otherwise organized and/or referenced building control data. It will be appreciated that each of the tabs may be assigned to a particular building control device such as building control device  16 ,  18  or  20  ( FIG. 1 ), groups of building control devices such those located at particular building sites, and/or any other building control data. More generally, tabs  26 ,  28 ,  30  and  32  are non-limiting examples of the aforementioned first and second display elements. 
         [0023]    SITE ONE tab  26  can be seen to be highlighted, indicating that it has been selected via the user interface. As a result, and in the illustrative embodiment, display window  24  includes text, icons, graphs, and/or any other suitable building control information that is related, assigned or otherwise associated with the SITE ONE tab  26 . It will be appreciated that one may select another tab simply by clicking on or otherwise selecting the desired tab, which will cause program module  12  to display via display module  14  the appropriate information within display window  24 . In the illustrative embodiment, display window  24  includes a PIN THIS SCREEN check box  34 . A user may click this box to pin the display element  26  to a pin display element, which in some cases, may be a reduced-size version of display window  24  as shown and described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0024]    In some cases, clicking on PIN THIS SCREEN check box  34  of  FIG. 2  may cause building control system  10  ( FIG. 1 ) to display a screen  36 , as seen in  FIG. 3 . While shown as a separate display, it will be appreciated that display  36  may represent a pop-up box that may float on display window  24  ( FIG. 2 ). In some cases, display  36  may be embedded in the previously displayed display, or may replace the previously displayed display. 
         [0025]    Display  36  may include a text box  38  that instructs the user to select one or more parameters to display within the pin display element. Depending on the specific nature of the building control information, these parameters may be temperature values, alarm status, equipment performance, and the like, and may be context specific. Illustrative display  36  also includes check boxes that permit the user to select one or more parameters to display in the pin display element. As illustrated, display  36  includes a Parameter One check box  40 , a Parameter Two check box  42 , a Parameter Three check box  44  and a Parameter Four check box  46 . In this particular example, the user has selected Parameter Three to be displayed, as they have clicked on Parameter Three check box  44 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  provides an illustrative display  48  that may be displayed by display module  14  ( FIG. 1 ) after the PIN THIS SCREEN check box  34  of  FIG. 2  has been selected. The illustrative display  48  includes a display window  50  that includes, as previously discussed, SITE ONE tab  26 , SITE TWO tab  28  and SITE THREE tab  30 . In this instance, it can be seen that SITE TWO tab  28  has now been selected. As a result, building control system  10  ( FIG. 1 ) provides via display module  14  ( FIG. 1 ) building control information that pertains to building control information that is associated with SITE TWO tab  28 . Also, building control system  10  ( FIG. 1 ) also is displaying a pin display element  54  that has resulted from the user selections previously discussed with respect to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0027]    The illustrative pin display element  54  includes a graphical and/or alphanumeric indication  56  that identifies the building control information represented by pin display element  54 . Pin display element  54  may also include a graphical and/or alphanumeric indication  58  that identifies the parameter(s) being shown as well as a current parameter value  60 . In some instances, parameter value  60  may represent real-time data, as parameter value  60  may be continually updated by the building control system  10 . In some cases, parameter value  60  may be updated once per second, once per minute, or any other desired interval, depending perhaps on the criticality of the parameter being displayed, bandwidth considerations between the particular building control device and the building control system  10 , the anticipated rate of change of the particular parameter, and/or other considerations as desired. While a single parameter value  60  is shown in  FIG. 4 , it will be appreciated that pin display element  54  may display the values of several different parameters. Also, while parameter value  60  is generically shown as a two digit value, it is contemplated that the parameter value(s) may be displayed in any suitable form including numerically, graphically, textually (e.g. on, off, high, low, etc.), or in any other suitable form. Pin display element  54  may be considered as displaying at least some of the information or data that was previously displayed in the display from which pin display element  54  was created. For example, pin display element  54  may include information or data that was displayed on display  22  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0028]    In the illustrative embodiment, pin display element  54  includes a button  64  that, if clicked or otherwise selected, may cause building control system  10  ( FIG. 1 ) to reopen or otherwise display window  24  ( FIG. 2 ). In some cases, pin display element  54  may also include a termination button  62  that, if clicked or otherwise selected, may close pin display element  54  and/or close display window  24 . While a single pin display element  54  is illustrated in  FIG. 4 , it will be appreciated that in some cases a user may open or create a number of different pin display elements, with each pin display element tied or otherwise associated with a particular set or subset of building control information and/or a particular building control device, as desired. In some cases, each pin display element may float atop whichever display is being displayed. Also, and in some instances, a user may be able to arrange the pin display elements on the display by dragging the individual pin display elements to desired locations on the display. In some cases, the various pin display elements may be docked in a docking element, similar to the docking elements described in co-pending application filed on the even date herewith, titled “BUILDING CONTROL SYSTEM USER INTERFACE WITH DOCKING FEATURE”, having attorney docket number 1161. 1377101, which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0029]    In some cases, building control system  10  ( FIG. 1 ) may include provisions that permit a user to pin, either simultaneously or sequentially, each of the displays presently displayed by display module  14  ( FIG. 1 ). In some instances, building control system  10  may include provisions that permit a user to close or otherwise delete and or all of the currently displayed pin display elements. The number of pin display elements that may be displayed at the same time may be a function of available space on whatever computer monitor or other display is being used to display the pin display elements. In some cases, the number of permitted displayed pin display elements may be a user-settable parameter or may even be built into building control system  10 . 
         [0030]      FIGS. 5 through 7  are illustrative but non-limiting screen captures showing displays that may be generated via building control system  10  ( FIG. 1 ).  FIG. 5  shows a display  66  that includes a tabbed display  68 . Tabbed display  68  may, as illustrated, include an identifying tab  70  as well as an information display region  72 . It can be seen that illustrative display  66  also includes a non-selected identifying tab  74 . Information display region  72  may provide information pertaining to the building site or building control device or parameters represented by identifying tab  70 . Display  66  also includes a PIN THIS SCREEN check box  76 . While a check box  76  is shown, it is contemplated that any mechanism may be used to activate the pin feature. In the illustrative embodiment, clicking on PIN THIS SCREEN check box  76  may cause building control system  10  ( FIG. 1 ) to display a display  78 , as seen in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0031]    While display  78  is illustrated as floating over display  66 , it will be appreciated that in some cases, display  78  may be displayed instead of display window  68 . In the illustrative embodiment, display  78  provides the user with an opportunity to select which parameter or parameters will be displayed in the resulting pin display element. As illustrated, the user may select between a Temp Set Point check box  80 , an Over Ride Log check box  82  and a Schedule Change Log check box  84 . In some instances, the user may be able to adjust how each of the selected parameters is/are displayed, using pull-down menus  86 ,  88  and  90 , respectively. A selection box  92  may in some cases provide additional options, choices and the like. 
         [0032]    In some cases, display  78  may include one or more of a HELP button  94 , a SAVE button  96  and a CLOSE button  98 . Clicking or otherwise selecting HELP button  94  may gain context-specific information to help guide the user. Pressing CLOSE button  98  may essentially cancel the pin feature while pressing SAVE button  96  may cause building control system  10  ( FIG. 1 ) to save the information entered by the user and create the pin display element. 
         [0033]      FIG. 7  shows an illustrative pin display element that may result from a user, with reference to  FIG. 5 , clicking or otherwise selecting SAVE button  96 . In particular,  FIG. 7  shows an illustrative display  100  that includes a display window  102 . An illustrative pin display element  104  can be seen as floating on display window  102 , but as described above, the pin display element  104  may be displayed in any suitable manner. Pin display element  104  shows several parameters  106 , as previously selected with respect to  FIG. 6 . Also, illustrative pin display element  104  includes a button  104  that, if clicked or is otherwise selected, may cause building control system  10  ( FIG. 1 ) to restore display window  68  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Pin display element  104  may also include a button  106  that, if clicked or is otherwise selected, may cause building control system  10  to remove pin display element  104 . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 8 through 12  are flow diagrams showing illustrative methods that may be carried out using building control system  10  ( FIG. 1 ). In some cases, building control system  10  or at least some aspects thereof may be manifested on a computer such as a server or a general purpose computer such as a desktop or a laptop. In some instances, display module  14  ( FIG. 1 ) may be manifested via a thin client on a general purpose computer. 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 8 , control begins at block  112 , where a first set of building control information is associated with a first display element. The first set of building control information may, for example, pertain to information provided by a particular building control device or particular building control site, but this is not required. At block  114 , a second set of building control information is associated with a second display element. The second set of building control information may, for example, pertain to information provided by a particular building control device or particular building control site, but this is not required. The first and second display elements may, for example, be a window, tab, icon or any other suitable display element that can be displayed on a display via display module  14  ( FIG. 1 ), and may include a graphical and/or alphanumeric identification of the building control information that is represented by the particular display element. It will be appreciated that one or more of the blocks described herein may be processed in any order, or even simultaneously. 
         [0036]    Control passes to block  116 , where building control system  10  ( FIG. 1 ) displays the first set of building control information when the first display element has been selected for display. If the second display element has been selected for display, building control system  10  may display the second set of building control information, as seen at block  118 . In some instances, as shown at block  120 , the first display element may be pinned in a first pin display element in which the first pin display element is displayed via display module  14  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 9 , control begins at block  112 , where a first set of building control information is associated with a first display element. At block  114 , a second set of building control information is associated with a second display element. In some cases, each set of building control information pertains to a particular building control device, a particular set of building control devices, a particular building site, one or more building control parameters or alarms, or any other set or group of building control information. Control passes to block  116 , where building control system  10  ( FIG. 1 ) displays the first set of building control information when the first display element has been selected for display and displays the second set of building control information, as seen at block  118 , if the second display element has been selected for display. In some instances, as shown at block  120 , the first display element may be pinned in a first pin display element such that the first pin display element is displayed via display module  14  ( FIG. 1 ). Also, and as shown at block  122 , the second display element may be pinned in a second pin display element such that the second pin display element is displayed via display module  14 . In some instances, each pin display element may provide an indication of which of the first display element or the second display element the pinned display element corresponds. When a pinned display element is selected, the corresponding first or second display element may again be displayed on the display. 
         [0038]    In  FIG. 10 , control begins at block  112 , where a first set of building control information is associated with a first display element. At block  114 , a second set of building control information is associated with a second display element. In some cases, each set of building control information pertains to a particular building control device, a particular set of building control devices, a particular building site, one or more building control parameters or alarms, or any other set or group of building control information. Control passes to block  116 , where building control system  10  ( FIG. 1 ) displays the first set of building control information when the first display element has been selected for display and displays the second set of building control information, as seen at block  118 , when the second display element has been selected for display. 
         [0039]    In some instances, as shown at block  120 , the first display element may be pinned in a first pin display element such that the first pin display element is displayed via display module  14  ( FIG. 1 ). As seen at block  124 , in some instances a user may interact with the first pin display element to unpin the first display element, causing the first display element to be displayed on the display via display module  14 . 
         [0040]    In  FIG. 11 , control begins at block  112 , where a first set of building control information is associated with a first display element. At block  114 , a second set of building control information is associated with a second display element. In some cases, each set of building control information pertains to a particular building control device, a particular set of building control devices, a particular building site, one or more building control parameters or alarms, or any other set or group of building control information. Control passes to block  116 , where building control system  10  ( FIG. 1 ) displays the first set of building control information when the first display element has been selected for display and displays the second set of building control information, as seen at block  118 , when the second display element has been selected for display. In some instances, as shown at block  120 , the first display element may be pinned in a first pin display element such that the first pin display element is displayed via display module  14  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0041]    Control passes to block  126 , where building control system  10  ( FIG. 1 ) displays a value of at least one building control parameter in the first pin display element. In some cases, the building control parameter that is displayed may be associated with the first set of building control information to which the first display element is assigned. In some instances, as seen at block  128 , the user may be permitted to select the building control parameter or parameters that will be displayed in the first pin display element, although this is not required. In some instances, the displayed building parameter may be updated over time via updated received building control information from the building control system. 
         [0042]    In  FIG. 12 , control begins at block  130 , where a first display is displayed that includes building control information relating to a first customer site. A second display is displayed that includes building control information relating to a second customer site, as seen at block  132 . Control passes to block  134 , where a pin display element is displayed that includes updating information from the first customer site. The first display may be regained by interacting with the pin display element. 
         [0043]    In some instances, the first customer site and the second customer site may be within a single building. In other cases, the first customer site and the second customer site may be in different buildings. The building control information may, for example, include one or more of HVAC information or security alarm information. The updating information that is displayed on the pin display element may, in some cases, be user-selectable. In some cases, the pin display element may be smaller than the first display and may display less information than the first display. In some instances, the pin display element may float over at least one of the first display and the second display, but this is not required. 
         [0044]    The disclosure should not be considered limited to the particular examples described above, but rather should be understood to cover all aspects of the invention as set out in the attached claims. Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures to which the invention can be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of the instant specification.