Abstract:
An electronic device that may be a thermostat includes a TN display configured to display at least one icon being interactive, and display information requested via the at least one icon. A control module of the electronic device is coupled to the TN display and is configured to receive a control command from the at least one icon and output the information to the TN display. A computer readable memory of the electronic device is coupled to the control module for storing at least a portion of the information.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/244,948, filed Oct. 22, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to an electronic device and, more particularly, to an electronic device having an interactive twisted nematic display. 
         [0003]    Electronic devices often include user interfaces or interactive LCD touch screens for operating any variety of systems supported by the electronic device. The LCD displays typically utilize high-cost components. Reducing costs of interactive displays while maintaining or improving operation and reliability is desirable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    An electronic device according to one, non-limiting, embodiment of the present disclosure includes a TN display configured to display at least one icon being interactive, and display information requested via the at least one icon; a control module coupled to the TN display and configured to receive a control command from the at least one icon and output the information to the TN display; and a computer readable memory coupled to the control module for storing at least a portion of the information. 
         [0005]    Additionally to the foregoing embodiment, the TN display is a touch screen. 
         [0006]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the electronic device is a thermostat. 
         [0007]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the TN display is a capacitive touch overlay. 
         [0008]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, at least a portion of the TN display is configured to display in a plurality of colors depending upon a given condition as directed by the control module. 
         [0009]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the TN display is configured to display the information in scrolling form. 
         [0010]    A HVAC thermostat according to another, non-limiting, embodiment includes a TN display configured to display an idle screen format and a home screen format, wherein the idle and home screen formats includes an interactive first icon configured to display a first set of data when selected upon the idle screen format and a second set of data on the home screen format when selected; and a control module coupled to the TN display and configured to switch between the idle and home screen formats upon command. 
         [0011]    Additionally to the foregoing embodiment, the idle screen format includes an interactive advance icon configured to advance the TN display to the home screen format when selected. 
         [0012]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the second set of data includes at least one of outside temperature, outside weather conditions, inside humidity, outside humidity, time of day, replace filter reminder message, system malfunction information, energy usage information, equipment status, and lock status of thermostat. 
         [0013]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the HVAC thermostat includes a computer readable storage medium coupled to the control module and configured to store at least a portion of the first and second sets of data. 
         [0014]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the first set of data includes at least one of a tutorial, dealer contact information and Wi-Fi registration information. 
         [0015]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the first icon is a pre-defined first segment of the TN display and the first set of data is display in a pre-defined second segment of the TN display. 
         [0016]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the second set of data is displayed in the second segment. 
         [0017]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the TN display is configured to display in a plurality of colors as directed by the control module. 
         [0018]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the first icon is a pre-defined first segment of the TN display, the first and second sets of data are displayed in a pre-defined second segment of the TN display, and the interactive advance icon is displayed in a pre-defined third segment of the TN display. 
         [0019]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the home screen format includes an interactive return icon configured to return the TN display to the idle screen format when selected. 
         [0020]    In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing embodiment, the interactive return icon is displayed in the pre-defined third segment of the TN display. 
         [0021]    The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the following description and drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    Various features will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the disclosed non-limiting embodiments. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a schematic of an electronic device; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a TN display of the electronic device illustrated in an idle screen format; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the TN display illustrated in a home screen format; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the TN display illustrated in an alert screen format. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an electronic device  20  as one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. As one example, the electronic device  20  may be a thermostat that may be used for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The HVAC system may be a forced air system, a hydronic system, a radiant system, a boiler system, or any other type of system used to control, for example, temperature and humidity within a building. It is further contemplated and understood that the thermostat  20  may be applied to appliances such as, for example, refrigeration units, ovens and similar equipment. 
         [0028]    The electronic device or thermostat  20  may include a control module  22 , a computer readable storage medium  24 , a data port  26  and an interactive twisted nematic (TN) display  28 . The control module  22  may include a computer processor and may be configured to control external components (not shown) of the HVAC system to adjust any of operating parameters including, for example, air temperature, humidity, air quality, and others. The control module  22  may be configured to control and/or set any number of HVAC functions or programs including, for example, temperature setpoints, humidity setpoints, HVAC schedules, trend logs, timers, environment sensing, and others. 
         [0029]    The storage medium  24  is configured to store information and data that may include the temperature and humidity setpoints, the HVAC schedules, trend logs, timers, environmental settings, geographical region, dealer or contractor information, Wi-Fi registrations information, service information (e.g. date of last filter change) and other data. The control module  22  is configured to retrieve and store information in the storage medium  24 . The storage medium  24  may be, for example, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, or any other suitable medium or combination of mediums. 
         [0030]    The data port  26  is configured to communicate with the control module  22 . Examples of such communication may include upload and download of data including values of seasonal data for a specific geographic region, HVAC dealer(s) and/or service contractor information, outdoor temperature and humidity received from external temperature sensors (not shown) and other data. The control module  22  may utilize the information stored in the storage medium  24  and cause various indications and alerts to be displayed on the TN display  28  in any variety of ways. 
         [0031]    The TN display  28  may be configured to display one or more operating parameters of the control module  20 , one or more environmental parameters, service reminders, and other information. Environmental parameters may include, but are not limited to, indoor temperature and humidity, and outdoor temperature and humidity. The TN display  28  is interactive and may be of an LCD display and/or a touch screen with a capacitive touch overlay. The TN display  28  includes predefined artwork in predefined segments of the display. The various segments may be lit in any one of a plurality of colors at any given moment (e.g., eight colors), and as directed by the control module  22 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , the visualization of the TN display  28  may include an idle screen format  30  (see  FIG. 2 ), a home screen format  32  (see  FIG. 3 ), and an alert screen format  34  (see  FIG. 4 ). The idle screen format  30  is generally the default screen. That is, the screen which is typically viewed by the user during normal HVAC system operation and when the user is not attempting to perform any tasks with the thermostat  20 . All three formats  30 ,  32 ,  34  may display the real-time interior temperature  36  within a pre-defined segment  38  of the TN display  28 , and may further display other indications  40  each within their respective segments  42  of the TN display. Each segment  38 ,  42  includes predefined artwork each having a plurality of elements configured to illuminate as commanded by the control module  22 . The artwork is arranged such that the segment is capable of illuminating specific combinations of elements to create the desired visual character or shape. 
         [0033]    The idle screen format  30  includes an interactive information icon  44  (e.g. an encircled “i”) located within a segment  46  of the TN display  28 , and an interactive advance icon  48  (e.g. an encircled “go” with an arrow symbol pointing outward) located within a segment  50  of the TN display  28 . In operation, when the user touches the segment  46  having the information icon  44  a variety of information or data  52  may be revealed in another segment  54  of the TN display  28 . For example, touching segment  46  may reveal weather conditions (e.g., sunny, rainy, cloudy, snow, etc.) and/or outside temperature in segment  54  (i.e., illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). Touching segment  46  may reveal yet other data  52  such as the health of system components (e.g., air filters), inside or outside humidity, time of day, system malfunction information, energy usage information, equipment status (e.g., HP, AC, furnace, fan, etc.), lock status of thermostat, Wi-Fi registration information, and others. Via the control module  22 , the segment  54  may be capable of scrolling through the aforementioned data  52 . For example, the scrolling function of segment  54  may be achieved by a continuous user touch upon segment  46 , and release of segment  46  may stop the scrolling feature. In one embodiment, the scrolling function of segment  54  may be automatic with a fixed or user-adjustable scroll rate. 
         [0034]    Segment  50  that illustrates the advance icon  48  may be configured (i.e., via the control module  22 ) to advance the TN display  28  from the idle screen format  30  to the home screen format  32  when the segment  50  is touched by the user. When in the home screen format  32 , an interactive return icon  56  (e.g., a circle with an arrow pointing inward) may be illustrated in the segment  50  instead of the advance icon  48 . When the segment  50  with the return icon  56  is touched, the home screen format  32  may return to the idle screen format  30 . When in the home screen format  32 , a help icon  58  (e.g., an encircled question mark symbol) may be illustrated in the segment  46  instead of the information icon  44 . When the segment  46  with the help icon  58  is touched, the segment  54  of the TN display  28  may provide the same data  52  illustrated in the idle screen format  30  or may provide other data  55  strategically available (i.e. logically arranged) under the home screen format  32 . Data  55  may initially include the “welcome” illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Touching of the help icon  58  may provide instructional data  55 . That is, data  55  orientated under the home screen format  32  may include instructions on how to operate and/or change values and/or setpoints in various modes. Data  55  may also include a learning demonstration or tutorial. 
         [0035]    The alert screen format  34  may appear as commanded by the control module  22 . For example, the need to replace an air filter may cause the control module  22  to alert the user. When in the alert screen format  34 , a second information icon  60  may be illustrated in the segment  46  instead of the first information icon  44 . The visual difference between the two icons  44 ,  60  may be a difference in color (e.g. green to red). When the segment  46  with the information icon  60  is touched, the segment  54  of the TN display  28  may provide data  62  that may be different from data  52  and data  55 . For example, data  62  may initially include a “filter” alert illustrated in red (i.e. as oppose to the color green used for data  52 ,  55 ). The term “filter” would alert the user that a problem with the HVAC system involves an issue with the air filter. By touching segment  46  now illustrating a red information icon  60 , additional data  62  may be revealed in segment  54  that may be more descriptive of what the HVAC system problem is. Data  64  may also include other information such as service information, contact information for a local service repairman, and other data. It is contemplated and understood that data  52 ,  55 ,  62  and other data may be provided in any combination and distributed amongst any of the screen formats  30 ,  32 ,  34  with segment  54  as may make logical sense. 
         [0036]    The present disclosure offers the benefit of a relatively inexpensive TN display relative to other LCD displays. Moreover, the present TN display offers real-time, on-display help and training of thermostat features by, at least in-part, utilizing a scrolling bar or TN segment  54  to preserve TN display surface area. Users utilizing thermostat  20  may not have a need to resort to a separate manual to learn how to operate the thermostat. 
         [0037]    While the present disclosure is described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In addition, various modifications may be applied to adapt the teachings of the present disclosure to particular situations, applications, and/or materials, without departing from the essential scope thereof. The present disclosure is thus not limited to the particular examples disclosed herein, but includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.