Abstract:
The invention provides a thermostat control display having a programming function button, day of the week icons, a table for displaying time and temperature parameters and a graphical highlight pattern that links the table and the day of the week icons. The button, icons and table comprise touch sensitive areas adapted to activate a predetermined display response. Upon selection of a day of the week icon the graphical highlight pattern will be extended to surround the selected day of the week icon so that the table depicting temperature and time parameters to be assigned to the selected day of the week are visually linked to the selected day of the week.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention claims priority to Provisional Application No. 62/012,630 filed Jun. 16, 2014. 
     
    
       [0002]    The present invention pertains to a programmer for an electronic control device, such as a building environmental control or thermostat and in particular, a graphical user interface for an application (“app”) for programming a control device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    HVAC control systems are used to control the environment within a building and are more frequently linked via the internet for web-enabled building control. The internet connection allows receipt of instructions from a remote and/or mobile device. Use of remote devices to control building environment systems can be complicated to program. Many wireless network communication protocols exist, such as Bluetooth, DSRC, EnOcean, IrDA, Redlink, RFC, Wi-Fi or Zigbee®. These wireless network communications can provide a link to components such as routers, hubs, sensors, computers, mobile phones or tablets and thermostats. A multitude of software and graphical user interfaces may be used to attempt to set-up and control the systems. All of this complexity can lead to layers of technical problems for the system&#39;s owners/principal users. In particular, many users have difficulty with set-up procedures when there are a multitude of instructions and set-point parameters to adjust. 
         [0004]    Smartphones are more commonly being used to interface and control household items such as alarms, appliances and thermostats. While use of a smartphone allows more flexibility for the user to make adjustments and control items from remote locations, such phone user interfaces can be difficult to use and navigate. The present invention resolves such issues. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention provides for a building environment control display comprising a programming function button, day of a week icons, a table for displaying time and temperature parameters and a graphical highlight pattern that links the table and the day of the week icons. The button, icons and table may comprise touch sensitive areas adapted to activate a predetermined display response. Upon selection of a day of the week icon the graphical highlight pattern may be extended to surround the selected day of the week icon, so that the table depicting temperature and time parameters to be assigned to the selected day of the week may be visually linked to the selected day of the week. The day of the week icon may be displayed having an indicia that is the same or similar to an indicia of the graphical highlight pattern. 
         [0006]    The table may have a generally rectangular shape and the day of the week icons may be aligned generally adjacent to a side of the table and the graphical highlight pattern may be disposed between the side of the table and the selected day of the week icon. The day of the week icon may have a geometric shape and upon selection of the day of the week icon the graphical highlight pattern may be modified to surround at least on one side, the day of the week icon in order to provide a bubble. The geometric shape may be a circle and a portion of the geometric shape and a portion of the bubble may form concentric radiuses. A group of day of the week icons may be arranged side-by-side may be paired together by the graphical highlight pattern and surrounds each of the day of the week icons within the bubble. The bubble encompasses the table and the selected day of the week icon(s). Data may be displayed on the table and may be modified while the bubble remains static. 
         [0007]    The data displayed on the table may alternate between time and temperature parameters while the graphical highlight pattern remains static and surrounds the selected days of week icons, so that the settings for time and temperature may be programmed simultaneously for the selected days of week by sequentially selecting set-points for a time duration followed by a set point for temperature, or vice versa. A regrouping button may provide for regrouping a first and second group of day of the week icons, whereby a display having the first group denoted by a first indicia and the second group denoted by a second indicia is regrouped to a third group of day of the week icons denoted by a third indicia and the table having a modified graphical highlight pattern linked to the third group of day of the week icons that were regrouped. A help button may be provided that is synchronized with a mode setting of the control, whereby a predetermined help screen based on the mode setting is automatically selected at the time the help button is selected. 
         [0008]    Upon selection of a Fan Mode a first help screen may be displayed upon selection of a Home Mode a second help screen may be displayed. Upon selecting a Programming Mode a third help screen may be displayed. And upon selection of a System Mode a fourth help screen may be displayed. 
         [0009]    A graphical highlight pattern may be provided that alters the display indicia of an icon in order to provide a graphical feature denoting the activation of the icon so that a user can be prompted to touch the icon in order to progress through a programming routine. The graphical highlight pattern may include an outline circumscribing the pertinent icon, the outline begin displayed when a previous programming function is selected on the display. 
         [0010]    The outline may circumscribe an increment and decrement button and the outline may be displayed as a result of selection of either a time or temperature icon on the table and the outline continues to be displayed around the icon until the incrementing or decrementing for the particular time of temperature icon is complete. 
         [0011]    The graphical highlight pattern may include a contrasting background displayed behind or adjacent to the particular segment of the time or temperature icon from the table. The table includes time of day segments including Morning, Day, Evening or Night segments, or Occupied and Unoccupied. Each segment including an icon for time, heat temperature and cool temperature and the contrasting background displayed behind or adjacent the time, heat temperature and cool temperature alphanumeric icons for the selected segment when any one of the time, heat temperature, cool temperature or time of day segments are selected. The table may be arranged having rows that designate the time of day segments and the table is arranged having columns that designate time, heat temperature and cool temperature. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment, the invention provides a method of programming a thermostat comprising the steps of selecting a programming function via activation of a graphical interface, selecting at least one day of a week icon as a first group of day of the week icons, selecting from a table either a time or temperature icon in order to set either the time or temperature set-point for the selected day of the week icon that is displayed having a first graphical highlight pattern that automatically links the table with the selected day of the week icons. The steps may further comprise selecting a second group of day of the week icons and selecting either a time or temperature setting for the selected second group of day of the week icons that are linked to the table by a second graphical highlight pattern having a different pattern than the first graphical highlight pattern. 
         [0013]    The method may further comprise regrouping the first and second group of day of the week icons whereby a display having the first group denoted by a first indicia and the second group denoted by a second indicia selecting a regrouped set of day of the week icons denoted by a third indicia selecting a regroup button and displaying the table having a modified graphical highlight pattern linked to the regrouped set of day of the week icons. The first and second indicia may comprise the color of the geometric shape surrounding the alphanumeric symbol for each day of the week and the third indicia comprises the color of the alphanumeric symbol for each day of the week. The control may include Fan, Home, Programming and System Mode functions and while in Fan Mode, selecting the Help function will display a predetermined help page specified for the Fan Mode, while in Home Mode, selecting the Help function will display a predetermined second help page specified for the Home Mode, while in Programming Mode, selecting the Help function will display a predetermined third help page specified for the Programming Mode and while in System Mode, selecting the Help function will display a predetermined fourth help page specified for the System Mode will be displayed. 
         [0014]    In a further embodiment a method of presenting input icons on a thermostat display may comprise the steps of displaying a programming function button, displaying a plurality of day icons to be selected for establishing set-points, displaying a table adjacent to the selected group of day icons, the table displaying temperature and time parameters, displaying a first graphical highlight pattern that links the table to the first group of day icons. The method may further comprise the steps displaying a second group of day icons to be selected for establishing set-points and displaying a second graphical highlight pattern to link the table to the second group of day icons. The method may further comprise the steps of displaying a mode function icon, displaying a presently selected mode, automatically displaying a predetermined help screen based on the presently selected mode. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment, the control may include Fan, Home, Programming and System Mode functions and while in Fan Mode, selecting the Help function will display a predetermined help page specified for the Fan Mode, while in Home Mode, selecting the Help function will display a predetermined second help page specified for the Home Mode, while in Programming Mode, selecting the Help function will display a predetermined third help page specified for the Programming Mode and while in System Mode, selecting the Help function will display a predetermined fourth help page specified for the System Mode will be displayed. The method may further comprise the steps of displaying the graphical highlight pattern based on a geometric shape of the day of the week icons and modifying the graphical highlight pattern to surround at least on one side, the day of the week icon, and the surrounding portion of the graphical highlight pattern co-linear with the geometric shape at that portion based upon selection of the day of the week icons. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIGS. 1-6  depict screen shots of a programming app for controlling a climate control system; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 7-10  depict screen shots of help screens for an app for a climate control system; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram of the climate control system of the present invention; and 
           [0019]      FIGS. 12-20  are screen shots of an app for controlling a climate control of an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternate forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail, it should be understood that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. The intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]      FIGS. 1-20  depict embodiments of an invention for programming a building environment control system. Each of the  FIGS. 1-9  depict a smartphone  5  housing display screen  7  and the pertinent display screen for operation and control of a thermostat. However, it is to be understood that the display depicted in each of these figures could also be a display that is provided directly on a thermostat or other appliance. In an embodiment, the display screens are pages that are displayed by an app loaded on to a cell phone, as is known by traditional means. Also, the programming and control of the app on a smartphone allows for communication with a remote thermostat or other appliance via well-known wireless connections, or Wi-Fi or other wireless communication standards such as CDMA2000/IMT-2000, or IEEE 802.12. 
         [0022]    It is to be understood that each of the icons and “buttons” are touchpads provided on the graphical user interface (GUI) display of the smartphone device  5 , or the thermostat itself. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention may be used on a device that is not touchscreen capable and by using a mouse or other means of activating the icon and selecting using a click of the keyboard or mouse, the operation of the invention will correspond to the descriptions below. 
         [0023]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , a home page is displayed, which is designated by the icon  10  for a home. The navigation bar  12  includes the icons for home  10 , system mode (heating, cooling)  14 , fan mode  16 , programming mode (programming)  18  and help (“?”)  20 . 
         [0024]    The display in the home mode also includes icons for the fan  22 . In  FIG. 1  the fan is depicted as being in auto mode. An icon for heat  24  is depicted in the on mode. A temperature set point icon  26  is shown with a set point of 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Outdoor temperature icon  28  depicts the outdoor temperature as being 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Thermostat identification text  30  indicates that the display is in the “Home mode for the family room thermostat.” Room temperature icon  32  depicts the room temperature is currently at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. A humidity icon  34  currently indicates 40% humidity. In the center of the display the “up” adjustment icon  40  is used to increment the setting upward. The “down” icon  42  is used to decrement the setting information. The hold button  44  is generally used to hold the settings at their current setting parameter. 
         [0025]    The invention is discussed further with respect to the selection of the programming function identified by icon  18 . Turning to  FIG. 2 , when the programming icon  18  on the navigation bar  12  is selected, a graphical interface selection cue appears around the programming icon  18 . It can be seen that the graphical interface cue  50   b  surrounds the programming (calendar) icon  18 . In a preferred embodiment, the cue  50   b  will be a lighter color than the rest of the control bar  12 . Upon selecting the programming icon  18 , the graphical interface cue  50   a  ( FIG. 1 ) was eliminated from the area surrounding the home icon  10  and a cue is displayed at the programming icon  18 . The main display of  FIG. 2  depicts day of the week icons  61 - 67 , representing the days of the week, Monday through Sunday. Also provided is an enter button 70  and cancel button  72 . 
         [0026]    By selecting a single day of the week for example, Wednesday; the user can schedule that single day by pressing the “W” icon  63  and then selecting group  90 . Turning to  FIG. 3 , it can be seen that the display changes to the setting mode and includes a table  70 . The table  70  generally includes timing and set point temperature data for the user to customize the settings for the control program to operate the thermostat. In an alternate embodiment, the table  70  may be formatted in different ways and organized having different sequences of data from the display depicted in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  provides an example of a table format  70 , which includes four segmented time periods providing a row for morning, day, evening and night. Following the row for the fourth segment of the day is a time setting row, the heat temperature mode, the cool temperature mode and the fan mode. Each of these functions can be adjusted when the user touches on each alphanumeric display in order to adjust each in turn. 
         [0027]    The table  70  is surrounded by a graphical highlight  72 . In the embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 3 , the highlight is a darker color than the main display area. In an embodiment, the graphical highlight  72  may be a color, such as orange. The graphical highlight  72  is linked to the icon for Wednesday  63 . As in the previous step, the user had selected solely Wednesday as the day to be programmed and the graphical highlight  72  is linked the table to that sole selected day. In an embodiment, the graphical highlight  72  is a “bubble” that expands to encompass the Wednesday “W” icon  63 . The “bubble” encompasses the table  70  that is being programmed for the day Wednesday. The bubble/graphical highlight provides a clear representation to the user which day of the week is being scheduled. In an alternate embodiment, the graphical highlight  72  linking the table to the day icon  63  could be an arrow or some other graphical indication that the day icon is linked with the table. The linking area  72   a  between the main graphical highlight  72  is the link to the day icon  63 . 
         [0028]    By way of another example, we will return to  FIG. 2  where the seven day icons  61 - 67  appear. In another phase of programming, a user may wish to select multiple days for programming simultaneously. For example the user may select Monday, Tuesday and Friday as being days that should be programmed in a similar fashion. For example, for someone who works from home on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. By selecting the “M,” “T” and “F” icons  61 ,  62 ,  65  the app will provide a display of  FIG. 4 . The table  70  is depicted in  FIG. 4 , surrounded by graphical highlight  72   c  which includes graphical highlight linking area  72   d  and  72   e  which link the table to the Monday, Tuesday, Friday icons  61 ,  62 ,  65 . By use of the graphical highlight  72   c, d, e  the user is constantly reminded that the programming being made by adjustments of the table  70  are adjustments that will be uniform for the 3 days of the week: Monday, Tuesday and Friday. 
         [0029]    Upon display of the table  70 , any of the parameters may be programmed by touching the alphanumeric displays. Turning to  FIG. 5  it can be seen that the “NIGHT” function  74  has been selected because a graphical highlight  76 , has been placed over the icon for “NIGHT”. By displaying the graphical highlight  76  with the icon for “NIGHT”  74 , the user is reminded that the night portion (or bottom row) of the table is being programmed. In an embodiment, the graphical highlight  76  has darker shading than the other four segmented portions of the day. For example, the icons for “MORN” “DAY” “EVE” have a contrasting background and the “NIGHT” graphical highlight is darker or a different color. It is noted that during the programming function, while the user may select a different time of day (e.g. MORN DAY EVE NIGHT), the graphical highlight  72  will continuously remain around the table and link to the day icons that were previously selected for the multiple programming step. 
         [0030]    Selecting the “NIGHT” icon  74  will lead to the display of  FIG. 6  where the time icon  80  is displayed. In this embodiment, the time icon  80  is designating 10:00 p.m. and facilitates editing and programming of the “Night” portion of the table  70 . Although the table  70  has been replaced with the night time icon  80 , the previous graphical highlight  72   c  continues to be displayed including the linking portion  72   d  that links the graphical highlight  72   c  to the multiple day icons: Monday Tuesday and Friday,  61 ,  62  and  65 . The up/down buttons  82 ,  84  may be used to increment or decrement the time setting and allow the user to make the adjustments for the proper heat and cool settings at the proper time of day. Such programming will continue by selecting different portions from the table  70 , until each of the desired settings at each of the times of day have been completed for the multiple day selection: Monday Tuesday and Friday. 
         [0031]    Once the first group of days have had the heat and/or cool settings selected, the user will be returned to the main programming page as shown in  FIG. 2 , by selecting the Programming button  18 . At that time the user may decide to complete the programming, for example by selecting Saturday and Sunday to schedule with uniform settings. It will be understood that during those programming functions the graphical highlight will link to the Saturday and Sunday icons  66 ,  67 . Likewise, in order to complete the programming for a full week, the Thursday icon  64  will be depressed to provide for the programming on that day. As discussed above, the graphical highlight icon will link the table to the Thursday icon  64  during completion of the programming. 
         [0032]    Turning to  FIGS. 1 and 9-10 , the feature of the “Help” button  20  will be discussed. The present invention provides preselected help screens based on a previous function selection by the user. For example, when in the Home mode, as shown in  FIG. 1 , if the Home icon  10  is selected, when a user subsequently selects Help mode by selecting the Help (“?”) icon  20 , the Home mode help screen  101  ( FIG. 10 ) will automatically be displayed. The Home screen help display in  FIG. 10 , will depict specific instructions regarding help for the user regarding only the home mode. The direct display of the home screen help page  101  saves the user steps of having to scroll through the menu of alternate help pages. By displaying a specific help page based on the user&#39;s previous selection of the home mode much time savings is gained. 
         [0033]    In another example, if the user is in the programming mode  18 , and then selects the Help icon  20 , the programming help screen  103  is depicted ( FIG. 9 ). The programming help screen is limited to providing help instructions focused solely on the programming mode. 
         [0034]    Further, if the user is in Fan Mode having selected the fan icon  16 , and then selects the Help mode by selecting Help icon  20 , the fan help screen  107  depicted in  FIG. 7  will appear. The fan help screen provides help instructions solely related to the fan mode. 
         [0035]    Finally, should the user be in the System mode after selecting the system icon  14 , and subsequently selects the help icon  20 , the System Help screen  105  displayed in  FIG. 8 . The System help screen  105  provides help instructions solely related to the System mode  14 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 11  depicts the network environment in which the invention operates. In an embodiment, the smartphone  5  links through the internet cloud (e.g. third party servers) to a (Wi-Fi) router  220  to a thermostat  210 . The thermostat controls an HVAC system (and its relays)  211 . The thermostat includes a mechanical, digital or analog switch  209 , a microprocessor  214 , display screen  212 , touch pad area of the display  212  and a transceiver  215 . These components operate the thermostat as is well known in the thermostat industry. Likewise, these components, in an alternate embodiment may control a humidifier, HVAC system, air damper, building environment control or climate control. Each of the above discussed operations ( FIGS. 1-10 ) are carried-out by the microprocessor  214  receiving instructions from the smartphone  5 . 
         [0037]    An alternate embodiment of the invention will be described with respect to  FIGS. 12-20 .  FIGS. 12-20  depict screen shots of the graphical user interface of the control display system. In an embodiment the control display system is an app loaded on a smartphone device  5  and each of the Figures for  12 - 20  depict a series of screen shots that illustrate the operation and programming of the climate control, building environment control, thermostat or humidifier of the present invention. Many of the features discussed with respect to  FIGS. 12-20  are similar to the features and icons discussed previously with respect to  FIGS. 1-9 . For example, turning to  FIG. 12  the smartphone  5  includes a navigation bar  12  which includes icons for Home  10 , System Mode (heating, cooling)  14 , Fan Mode  16 , Programming Mode  18  and Help (“?”)  20 . The display also includes icons for a Fan  22  (shown in auto mode) Heat  24  (ON mode) temperature set point icon  26  (72 degrees Fahrenheit) outdoor temperature icon  28  (75 degrees Fahrenheit) thermostat identification  30  (“family room thermostat”) room temperature icon  32  (currently at 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and humidity icon  34  (currently 40% humidity). 
         [0038]    The alternate embodiment described in  FIGS. 12-20  also includes a Help button on the Navigation bar  12 . The Help button  20  operates in the same way as discussed with respect to previous embodiments for  FIGS. 5-7  above and will automatically generate a screen describing help guidance with respect to the operation being undertaken by the user at the time the Help button  20  is selected. 
         [0039]    The invention is discussed further with respect to the selection of the programming function identified by icon  18 . In  FIG. 12  the Home Mode has been selected as indicated by the light color of  50   a , in contrast to the rest of the navigation bar  12 . Turning to  FIG. 13 , selection of the Programming Mode occurs by pressing Programming icon  18  and  50   b  will be modified to a light color in contrast to the rest of the navigation bar  12 .  50   b  provides a graphical interface cue that identifies to the user of the control display that the Programming Mode has been selected. In particular, the graphical interface cue  50   a  was eliminated from the area surrounding Home icon  10  and the graphical interface cue  50   b  is displayed at the Programming icon  18 . By selecting the Programming mode  18 , the main screen also is modified from that depicted in  FIG. 12 ; to display the table  70 . In an embodiment the table generally depicts timing and set point temperature data to manually customize the settings for the control program to operate a thermostat, humidifier, climate controller or building environment control (hereinafter “climate control”). 
         [0040]    In an embodiment, the table  70  is separated into: Time, Heat, Cool, Fan columns and each column is divided into rows for Morning, Day, Evening, Night (“MORN,” “DAY,” “EVE,” “NIGHT”). However the invention could allow for any organization of alpha numeric symbols on a table that allow for programming of a climate control. 
         [0041]    As depicted in  FIG. 13  the table  70  includes a graphical highlight  72 . In the embodiment depicted the graphical highlight  72  is provided in a manner to contrast with the main display area  74 . For example the graphical highlight pattern may be darker then the main display area  74 . In an alternate embodiment, the graphical highlight pattern  72  maybe a different color than the main display area  74  or other icons displayed on the main display area  74 . 
         [0042]    In  FIG. 13  the graphical highlight pattern  72  is linked to the day of the week icon for Monday (“M”). A linking area  72   a  is provided between the main graphical highlight pattern  72  and the icon for Monday  61 . The icon for the day of the week is a circle with the alpha numeric “M” provided within the circle. The linking area  72   a  surrounds the circle icon  61  and connects to the graphical highlight pattern  72 . As a result of the linking of the day of the week icon  61  to the graphical highlight pattern  72  a user can quickly understand that the set point adjustments that can be accomplished using the table  70  will affect the operation of the climate control on Mondays. In addition, the graphical highlight pattern  72  may have the same color as the day of the week icon  61 . For example, the graphical highlight pattern  72  and the day of the week icon  61  may both be navy blue. These colors for the day of the week icon  61  and the graphical highlight pattern  72  are in contrast to the other day of the week icons and the main display area  74  and other buttons in the main display area  74  of the control. 
         [0043]    The regroup function of the present invention will now be described with respect to  FIGS. 13-15 . With respect to  FIG. 13 , upon selection of the Regroup Days button  69 , the display will be altered from the screen-shot depicted in  FIG. 13  and adjusted to the screen-shot in  FIG. 14 . In  FIG. 14 , the table has been eliminated and the day of the week icons are presented as M, T, W, TH, F, SA, SU  61 - 67 . Also displayed are the Group button  68 , the Done button  80  and Cancel button  82 . In an embodiment, the day of the week icons  61 - 67  are displayed having graphical characteristics that distinguish each of the seven (7) day of the week icons. In an embodiment, each of the day of the week icons  61 - 67  may be a different color. In an alternate embodiment, each of the day of the week icons  61 - 67  may have a different geometric shape. By distinguishing each of the day of the week icons  61 - 67  using a distinct graphic highlight, it is easier for a user to distinguish between each of the seven (7) days. As indicated on the display of  FIG. 14  of the smart phone  5 , the user is prompted to “select one or more days to group.” As was discussed with respect to  FIG. 13  the previous grouping was for each of the days of the week separately. For example, each day of the week was to be programmed using the table  70  for each day of the week. Such a cumbersome and slow process would require modification to seven different data input tables  70  to accommodate the programming of the set points for each individual day of the week. However, the present invention provides for the grouping of days of the week to shorten the programming time, so that the table  70  may be used a single time to program multiple days of the week that are grouped together with a single programming operation. 
         [0044]    Turning to  FIG. 15 , days of the week icons  61 - 64  depict that Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday icons have been selected. In this embodiment, the selection of day of the week icons  61 - 64  has occurred by displaying a first indicia to denote a 1 st  group. For example, the day of the week icons  61 - 64  may have a shading surrounding the icon that is a different intensity than the remaining day of the week icons  65 - 67 . And in another embodiment, the indicia for the first group selected  61 - 64  may be a different color than the remaining day of the week icons  65 - 67 . In an embodiment, the first indicia may be the color orange and each of the geometric shapes for the day of the week icon  61 - 64  may be orange and the second indicia for day of the week icon  65  may be red. The third indicia for the day of the week icons  66  and  67  may be green. Therefore, with screen shot of  FIG. 15  it may be understood that the first indicia indicate that the first group of day of the week icons Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday  61 - 64  will be programmed separately from the Friday day of the week icon that has a second indicia for the icon  65 . The third indicia identifying Saturday and Sunday denotes as a third group for programming those day of the week icons  66 - 67 . 
         [0045]    In order to begin the operation of grouping of the day of the week icons, the Group button  68  is depressed ( FIG. 14 ). Thereafter the preferred day of the week icons  61 - 67  are depressed to select a group of days of the week that are to be programmed together. Following the selection of the groupings of the day of the weeks the Done button  80  is selected. In a case where a mistake is made or the user has changed their preference, the Cancel button  82  may be used to start over. After selecting the Cancel button  82  the user would select the Group button  68  and then select the day of the week icons  61 - 67  preferred to be organized into groups. Once the Regrouping or Grouping has been accomplished, the user selects the Done button  80 . 
         [0046]    Turning to  FIG. 16 , the Regrouped or Grouped day of the week icons and the programming table are clearly denoted by the graphical highlight pattern  72 . The graphical highlight linking area  72   c ,  72   d  links the graphical highlight pattern  72  of the table  70  to the grouped day of the week icons  61 ,  62 ,  63 ,  64 . Just as the user had selected in the previous step (as shown in  FIG. 15 ) the day of the week icons  61 - 64  will be programmed together. The graphic highlight pattern  72  is indicating such grouping and the use of the table  70  to program simultaneously Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday can be easily accomplished and understood by the user based on the display of  FIG. 16 . By selecting the alphanumeric icons displayed on the table  70 , the user can modify the set point times and temperatures rapidly for each of the days of the week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday using a single adjustment operation. The graphical highlight linking areas  72   c  and  72   d , link the group of day of the week icons  61 - 64  to the table and the graphical highlight pattern/bubble  72 . The processor of the smartphone that operates the app will automatically link the selected day of the week icons with the bubble of the graphical highlight pattern. 
         [0047]    Turning back to  FIG. 13 , it is made clear when comparing the graphical highlight pattern  72  in  FIG. 13  with the graphical highlight pattern  72  in  FIG. 16 , that the pattern has been altered and the concept of a free-flowing bubble that moves and adjusts with respect to the selected day of the week icon or other icon. The bubble in  FIG. 13  merely connects to the day of the week icon  61  for Monday. The bubble in  FIG. 16  has been adjusted to expand and connect to the four day of the week icons  61 - 64  for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. 
         [0048]    The term “bubble” can be used to describe a graphical highlight pattern that adjusts to surround a table of any geometric shape and link to a geometric shape of a day of the week icon or other icon. For example, in  FIG. 16  the day of the week icons are circles. Therefore it is understood that the bubble  72 , when surrounding the day of the week icon  61  presented by a circle, forms a concentric radius adjacent to the day of the week icon  61 . For example, the day of the week icon  61  circle, may be considered as the face of the clock. At the 11:00 position the bubble and the portion of the circle forming the icon for the day of the week (Monday) form concentric radiuses at that portion (11:00). Likewise for the day of the week icon  64  for Thursday at the 2:00 position for the circle surrounding the day of the week icon  64  and the bubble at that portion form concentric radiuses at the linking area  72   c.    
         [0049]    As the days of the week that have been grouped in  FIG. 16  are consecutive days Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday it is understood that the bubble has a straight line when extending from the first day of the week icon  61  to the fourth day of the week icon  64 . As the linking area  72   d  links the day of the week icon which are aligned generally adjacent to a side of the table  70  the graphical highlight pattern provides a linking area that extends along the side of the table  70  forming connecting area  72   c  and  72   d  as depicted in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0050]    In contrast, turning back to  FIG. 13 , the bubble that surrounds the day of the week icon  61  has a concentric radius going around the circle for the icon  61  that extends from the 11:00 to the 2:00 position for the icon  61 . Since only a single day of the week icon  61  was selected and the linking area  72   a  for the bubble  72  only surrounds the first day of the week icon  61  ( FIG. 13 ) and none of the other day of the week icons are grouped with the first day of the week icon  61 , the bubble  72  forms a tighter shadow pattern around the single selected day of the week icon  61  at the linking area  72   a  (as compared to  FIG. 16 ). 
         [0051]    The operation of the adjustment of the set point temperature and times for the climate control are achieved by modifying the data in the table  70 . While the modification of the time and temperature settings in the table  70  occur, the bubble  72  remains static as the operation for changing the time and temperature continue to occur for each of the four days of the week Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday with respect to the grouping provided by  FIG. 16 . In an alternate embodiment the table may be modified and alternate between time and temperature parameters. 
         [0052]    Turning to  FIG. 17 , the process of adjusting the set points for time and temperature will be discussed. As shown in  FIG. 17  the day of the week selection from  FIG. 16  have been regrouped. Instead of a first group of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday as shown in  FIG. 16  the second group is Monday, Tuesday, Friday as shown in  FIG. 17 . It can be seen that the graphic highlight pattern  72  is linked to the day of week icons  61 ,  62  and  65 . The linking area  72   d  provides for the day of the week icons  61 ,  62  to be linked with the graphic highlight pattern  72 . The linking portion  72   e  links the day of the week icon  65  with the graphic highlight pattern  72 . 
         [0053]    The bubble  72  clearly encompasses Monday, Tuesday, Friday as the group of day of the week icons  61 ,  62 ,  65  that are being programmed, the user can quickly program that grouping of days of the week by selecting alphanumeric icons on the table  70 . For example, if the user would like to adjust the cooling set point for night time segment, the icon  90  is selected on the table  70 . By pressing on the alphanumeric ( 70 ) under the column Cool in the row Night the selecting of the icon  90  results in a graphical highlight pattern to identify the segment of the table being adjusted. 
         [0054]    Turning to  FIG. 18 , it can be seen that the Night segment (row) of the table  70  has a graphical highlight pattern  91 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 18 , the segment of the table  70  has been provided with a contrasting background as compared to the other portions of the table. In particular, the row for Night has been provided as a white color, defining the graphical highlight pattern  91  for that section of the table. In addition, the graphical highlight pattern has omitted the alphanumeric data except for the Selected icon. As the user previously selected icon  90  to adjust the temperature for the cooling function at night, the other alphanumeric icons for the Night segment of the table  70  had been suppressed and covered by the graphical highlight pattern  91 . 
         [0055]    An additional graphical highlight pattern  93  is displayed on the screen to designate the next step a user needs to take to decrement or increment the set point. In an embodiment the graphical highlight pattern  93  is an outline that circumscribes the increment and decrement buttons  40 ,  42 . In an embodiment, the graphical highlight pattern  91  is similar to the graphical highlight pattern  93 , in that they are the same color. 
         [0056]    So for example, as shown in example 18, the first graphical highlight pattern  91  is white and the second graphical highlight pattern  93  is a white outline. The use of the dual graphical highlight patterns on the display  5 , easily allow the programmer to understand that the selected icon  90  may be decremented or incremented by using the buttons  40 ,  42  as they have been highlighted by the use of the second graphical highlight pattern  93 . The up arrow  40  increments the temperature set point  90  and the down arrow  42  decrements the temperature set point  90 . 
         [0057]    Turning to  FIG. 19 , it can be seen that the set point of 70 degrees has been altered to 72 degrees and the new icon  92  appears in the Night segment of the table that is highlighted by the graphical highlight pattern  91 . The set point of 72 degrees was adjusted by touching the up arrow  40  twice. Once the user is satisfied that 72 degrees is the desired set point for the cool function at night, the Save button  97  is pressed. As shown in  FIG. 20 , a pop-up window appears indicating that the building environment control is saving the changes. The user then selects the OK button  98  in order to advance to the next programming step. It is to be understood that the sequence of modifying the alphanumeric data in the table  70  is repeated for each of the set point time and temperatures that the user desires to be modified and that each of those set point adjustments will occur for all three days Monday, Tuesday and Friday (as that is the grouping that was selected as shown in  FIG. 19 ). 
         [0058]      FIG. 19  also depicts Saturday and Sunday day of the week icons  66 ,  67  being grouped together, as they have the same color or shading indicia to indicate they are in a group. And upon selection of one of the day of the week icons  66  or  67 , the bubble of the table  70  will adjust to link to the Saturday and Sunday day of the week icons  66 ,  67  and programming of those days as a group may occur as discussed above. Thereafter, the programming of the other days of the week may occur for Wednesday (icon  63 ,  FIG. 14 ) by itself by using the adjustment of the alphanumeric data on the table  70 . And finally Thursday (icon  64 ,  FIG. 14 ) set points may be adjusted according to the above discussed process. 
         [0059]    The following programming code, in one embodiment, provides for the rendering of the graphical highlight pattern of the present invention. This code is only an example and many other means of coding for the graphical highlight pattern are known to those of skill in the art to support the present invention. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 //Braeburn day group and color in day_selection 
               
               
                 //program_review 
               
               
                 //modify the style when click “day” in program_review page 
               
               
                 function review_select_day( ) 
               
               
                 { 
               
               
                  $(‘.col_14jia’).on(myclick, function( ) { 
               
               
                   if ($(this).hasClass(‘day_select’)) 
               
               
                    return false; 
               
               
                   if ($(‘#period0’).length &gt; 0) { 
               
               
                    build_program_review(this.id); 
               
               
                   } 
               
               
                   if ($(‘#txt_dpc_program_change_value’).length &gt; 0) { 
               
               
                    console.log(“test_before temp id = ” + this.id); 
               
               
                    AC.clearDayProgramChangeData( ); 
               
               
                    //AC.alertCleanScheduleData(this.id); 
               
               
                    //return false; 
               
               
                    // build_day_program_change(this.id, ‘time’); 
               
               
                   } 
               
               
                   var old_select = $(‘.day_select’); 
               
               
                   var day_table = $(‘.day_table’); 
               
               
                   if (old_select.length &gt; 0) { 
               
               
                    var old_day = old_select.data(‘day’); 
               
               
                    var old_color = get_day_color(old_day); 
               
               
                    var old_day_select = old_select.find(‘.day_default’); 
               
               
                    //old_day_select.css(‘background-color’, ‘#fff’); 
               
               
                    old_day_select.css(‘color’, ‘#221e1f’); 
               
               
                    old_day_select.prev( ).removeClass(‘day_default_bg_white’); 
               
               
                    //old_day_select.css(‘border-color’, old_color); 
               
               
                    $(‘.day_radius’).removeClass(‘radius_top radius_top_left radius_top_right 
               
               
                 radius_top_left_right radius_bottom_left radius_bottom_right radius_bottom_left_right’); 
               
               
                    $(‘.day_radius0’).removeClass(‘radius_left radius_right’); 
               
               
                    $(‘.day_radius’).css(‘background-color’, ‘transparent’); 
               
               
                    $(‘.day_radius0’).css(‘background-color’, ‘transparent’); 
               
               
                    $(‘.day_radius1’).css(‘background-color’, ‘transparent’); 
               
               
                    day_table.removeClass(‘header_radius_top_right header_radius_top_left’); 
               
               
                    old_select.removeClass(‘day_select’); 
               
               
                   } 
               
               
                   var new_day = $(this).data(‘day’); 
               
               
                   if ($(‘#day_program_change_nowvalue’).length &gt; 0) { 
               
               
                    change_program_review_up_down_color(new_day, 1); 
               
               
                   } else { 
               
               
                    change_program_review_up_down_color(new_day, ”); 
               
               
                   } 
               
               
                   if ($(‘#period0’).length &gt; 0) { 
               
               
                    build_program_review(this.id); 
               
               
                   } 
               
               
                   if ($(‘#txt_dpc_program_change_value’).length &gt; 0) { 
               
               
                    // build_day_program_change(this.id, ‘time’); 
               
               
                   } 
               
               
                   var new_color = get_day_color(new_day); 
               
               
                   var new_select = $(“.col_14jia[data-day=“ + new_day + ”]”); 
               
               
                   var new_day_select = new_select.find(‘.day_default’); 
               
               
                   //new_day_select.css(‘background-color’, new_color); 
               
               
                   new_day_select.css(‘color’, ‘#fff’); 
               
               
                   new_day_select.prev( ).addClass(‘day_default_bg_white’); 
               
               
                   //new_day_select.css(‘border-color’, ‘#fff’); 
               
               
                   new_select.addClass(‘day_select’); 
               
               
                   day_table.css(‘background-color’, new_color); 
               
               
                   var i = 0, body_background_color = ‘#3ABAE0’; 
               
               
                   new_select.each(function(j) { 
               
               
                    var current = $(this); 
               
               
                    var prev = current.prev( ); 
               
               
                    var next = current.next( ); 
               
               
                    if (prev.hasClass(‘day_select’) &amp;&amp; next.hasClass(‘day_select’)) { 
               
               
                     current.find(‘.day_radius’).addClass(‘radius_top’); 
               
               
                    } 
               
               
                    if (prev.hasClass(‘day_select’) &amp;&amp; !next.hasClass(‘day_select’)) { 
               
               
                     current.find(‘.day_radius’).addClass(‘radius_top_right’); 
               
               
                     next.find(‘.day_radius’).addClass(‘radius_bottom_left’); 
               
               
                     next.find(‘.day_radius’).css(‘background-color’, body_background_color); 
               
               
                     next.find(‘.day_radius0’).css(‘background-color’, new_color); 
               
               
                     //next.find(‘.day_radius1’).css(‘background-color’, body_background_color); 
               
               
                    } 
               
               
                    if (!prev.hasClass(‘day_select’) &amp;&amp; next.hasClass(‘day_select’)) { 
               
               
                     current.find(‘.day_radius’).addClass(‘radius_top_left’); 
               
               
                     prev.find(‘.day_radius’).addClass(‘radius_bottom_right’); 
               
               
                     prev.find(‘.day_radius’).css(‘background-color’, body_background_color); 
               
               
                     prev.find(‘.day_radius0’).css(‘background-color’, new_color); 
               
               
                     //prev.find(‘.day_radius1’).css(‘background-color’, body_background_color); 
               
               
                    } 
               
               
                    if (!prev.hasClass(‘day_select’) &amp;&amp; !next.hasClass(‘day_select’)) { 
               
               
                     current.find(‘.day_radius’).addClass(‘radius_top_left_right’); 
               
               
                     prev.find(‘.day_radius’).addClass(‘radius_bottom_right’); 
               
               
                     next.find(‘.day_radius’).addClass(‘radius_bottom_left’); 
               
               
                     prev.find(‘.day_radius’).css(‘background-color’, body_background_color); 
               
               
                     prev.find(‘.day_radius0’).css(‘background-color’, new_color); 
               
               
                     //prev.find(‘.day_radius1’).css(‘background-color’, body_background_color); 
               
               
                     next.find(‘.day_radius’).css(‘background-color’, body_background_color); 
               
               
                     next.find(‘.day_radius0’).css(‘background-color’, new_color); 
               
               
                     //next.find(‘.day_radius1’).css(‘background-color’, body_background_color); 
               
               
                    } 
               
               
                    if (prev.find(‘.day_radius’).hasClass(‘radius_bottom_left radius_bottom_right’)) { 
               
               
                     prev.find(‘.day_radius’).removeClass(‘radius_bottom_left radius_bottom_right’); 
               
               
                     prev.find(‘.day_radius’).addClass(‘radius_bottom_left_right’); 
               
               
                    } 
               
               
                    if (current.attr(‘id’) === ‘day_2’ &amp;&amp; !prev.hasClass(‘day_select’)) { 
               
               
                     prev.find(‘.day_radius1’).addClass(‘day_radius1_50left’); 
               
               
                     prev.find(‘.day_radius1’).css(‘background-color’, body_background_color); 
               
               
                    } 
               
               
                    if (current.attr(‘id’) === ‘day_6’ &amp;&amp; !next.hasClass(‘day_select’)) { 
               
               
                     next.find(‘.day_radius1’).addClass(‘day_radius1_50right’); 
               
               
                     next.find(‘.day_radius1’).css(‘background-color’, body_background_color); 
               
               
                    } 
               
               
                    if (i === 0 &amp;&amp; prev.length === 0) { 
               
               
                     current.find(‘.day_radius0’).addClass(‘radius_left’); 
               
               
                     day_table.addClass(‘header_radius_top_right’); 
               
               
                    } 
               
               
                    if (i === j &amp;&amp; next.length === 0) { 
               
               
                     current.find(‘.day_radius0’).addClass(‘radius_right’); 
               
               
                     day_table.addClass(‘header_radius_top_left’); 
               
               
                    } 
               
               
                    current.find(‘.day_radius’).css(‘background-color’, new_color); 
               
               
                    current.find(‘.day_radius0’).css(‘background-color’, new_color); 
               
               
                    i += 1; 
               
               
                   }); 
               
               
                  }); 
               
               
                 } 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0060]    Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.