GB2416880A

GB2416880A - Central heating programming by means of a numerical sequence

Info

Publication number: GB2416880A
Application number: GB0424518A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Griffith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-08-06
Filing date: 2004-11-05
Publication date: 2006-02-08
Also published as: GB0424518D0

Abstract

An input device for a central heating programmer in which the input is a continuously inputted sequence of numerals representing, for example, day, programming period, ON/OFF times.

Description

Central Heating Control Unit 2416880 1. ProDosed Practical Solution This

document is the full specification of a central heating control unit for both the heating and hot water supply. The purpose of this device is to provide a reliable collection of means through which almost anyone can implement the required daily program times, and be able to do so even while having little or no expertise with such devices. This is seldom the case with many existing control units as they frequently require a good technical understanding of how the actual device itself works to achieve the aim, and due to the fact that the few buttons present may also be used for more than one operation, which can hinder the unwary.

The proposed device is equipped with a few function keys, a numerical keypad, an L.C.D.

display, a few system L.E.D.'s, and an internal microprocessor-based controller to input, display, and execute the program selections chosen by a user of the system. The core system works by taking In a complete numerical representation of the day, program session, and program times in a single sequence thus avoiding the use of multi-modal buttons. The outcome of the approach used by this system design enables the user to firmly put the focus much more on the requirement, rather than the struggle with the device to achieve the aim.

The menu system also has its own distinctive group of coded sequences, and a user guidance 'walk-through' mode, to represent additional means to set the system. The numerical sequence can also be presented to the system by any of the defined options or other unspecified methods, the effect on the system ultimately being the same in all cases.

The following tables illustrate how the required numerical sequence should be formulated and presented to the system.

Day Digit Monday 1 Tuesday 2 Wednesday 3 Thursday 4 Friday 5 Saturday 6 Sunday 7 I Program | Digit l Session 1 1 Session 2 2 The days of the week are counted in a sequence started by using a 1 for Monday and ending on a 7 for Sunday with the first digit, and then using a 1 for the first program session and a 2 for the second program session with the second digit. In the example now given adding these two digits together, the selections for first Monday Session would be entered as 11, while the selections for second Monday Session would be entered as 12.

Start Hour Digits End Hour Digits 06:30 0630 09:05 0905 17:15 1715 22:30 2230 The selection hour and minute times are entered by using a full set of four digits for each of the start and end hour settings The values for all the given digits make up the total composition of the required numerical input sequence used for standard operations, hence when utilising the time examples in the table above, and combining these with the prior given day and program digits, the following conditions arise: Monday, Program Session 1, 06:30 to 09:05 converts to: 1106300905 Monday, Program Session 2, 17:15 to 22:30 converts to: 1217152230 Page I Central Heating Control Unit 1.1. 24-Hour Clock Inout Selection Required Setting Day/Program Start Hour End Hour Monday Program 1 - 06:30 to 09:05 11 0630 0905 Monday Program 2 - 17:15 to 22:30 12 1715 2230 Tuesday Program 1 07:00 to 14:00 21 0700 1400 Tuesday Program 2 - 16:30 to 21:00 22 1630 2100 Wednesday Program 1 - 06:25 to 08:15 31 0625 0815 Wednesday Program 2 - 17:00 to 22:30 32 1700 2230 Thursday Program 1 - 06:35 to 15:50 41 0635 1550 Thursday Program 2 - 17:10 to 23:45 42 1710 2345 Friday Program 1 04:40 to 12:30 51 0440 1230 Friday Program 2 - 20:20 to 23:25 52 2020 2325 Saturday Program 1 - 07:00 to 09:55 61 0700 0955 Saturday Program 2 20:00 to 00:00 62 2000 0000 Sunday Program 1 - 06:45 to 09:00 71 0645 0900 Sunday Program 2 - 15:00 to 20:30 72 1500 2030 1.2. 12-Hour Clock InrJut Selection Required Setting Day/Program Start Hour End Hour Monday Program 1 - 6:30 am to 9:05 am 11 0630 0905 Monday Program 2 - 5:15 pm to 10:30 pm 12 0515 1030 Tuesday Program 1 - 7:00 am to 2:00 pm 21 0700 0200 Tuesday Program 2 - 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm 22 0430 0900 Wednesday Program 1 6:25 am to 8:15 am 31 0625 0815 Wednesday Program 2 - 5:00 pm to 10:30 pm 32 0500 1030 Thursday Program 1 - 6:35 am to 3:50 pm 41 0635 0350 Thursday Program 2 - 5:10 pm to 11:45 pm 42 510 1145 Friday Program 1 - 4:40 am to 12:30 pm 51 440 1230 Friday Program 2 - 8:20 pm to 11:25 pm 52 820 1125 Saturday Program 1 - 7:00 am to 9:55 am 61 700 955 Saturday Program 2 8:00 pm to 12:00 pm 62 800 1200 Sunday Program 1 - 6:45 am to 9:00 am 71 645 900 Sunday Program 2 - 3:00 pm to 8:30 pm 72 300 830 Notes: 1. The default system clock mode is set to 24-hour operation, but this can be altered by the user within the system main menu, (seepage 5). In the 12-hour mode, the leading hour zero is not necessary and can be omitted on input, but the system will recognise this and resolve the number string length back to ten digits. The system also recognises that the hours composed of lesser numbers actually represent afternoon time settings when they pass through the mid-day time boundary, or those too that are also present in the second program session times.

2. The system does also allow a single program session to be used within the entire day too. This is achieved by the user declining to set a second program session when prompted to do so by the system. The system will ask the user to set the first program session and then proceed to ask to set the second program session, but only if the first program session selection is chosen at the onset.

3. The program session times given in the tables are Just a set of random samples chosen to demonstrate normal working operations. All other allowable bmes also follow the same pattern.

Page 2 Central Heating Control Unit 2. Svstem Type - Knowledge in the World The actual system operation is largely self-explanatory and could thus therefore be regarded as a 'knowledge in the world' type system. Although this may not be true in the strictest sense of the meaning, the system is both intuitive and flexible enough to be learned easily.

The system is also designed to accommodate users with different levels of capability and has Input modes of operation that support the novice, intermediate, and expert user alike. The numerical sequences for each user type, as defined in the table below, shows how this can be achieved by using the integral system keypad to present the alternatives User Mode Rationale Result Novice User In this mode, the user Is expected to enter the whole 1217152230 number sequence unbroken, and then finally close this 7106450900 by pressing the enter key. The user can use either 24425101145 hour or 12-hour clock input sequences. In the 12-hour clock mode, each leading hour zero can be omitted. 514401230 Overall keystrokes required: 9/10/11 31625815 Intermediate User In this mode, the user is more familiar with systems, 12-17-22 can reliably Input a smaller number sequence split by 71-06-09 the (-) key, and does not need to close. The user can 42 05 11 use either 24-hour or 12-hour clock numeric input sequences, and three separate program sessions, but 51-04-12 minutes are not supported! 31-06-08 Overall keystrokes required: 8 23-11-12 Expert User In this mode, the user is able to input an even shorter #1250 number sequence incorporating an access code, and #7169 does not need to close. The (0) and (*) keys represent #425* 10.00 and 11.00 am/pm respectively; the (#) key represents 12.00 am/pm. The user can use three #514# separate program sessions, and a 12-hour clock input #3168 sequence only, but minutes are not supported! #23*# Overall keystrokes required: 5 Exceptions The (*) symbol is actually combined with the (-) key. #2172 The expert user should be able to differentiate quite #2249 easily, however the system will display the correct #23*# symbol. A lesser number for pm is also evident here.

Note: The Intermediate and expert modes both allow the direct use of a third session, but the novice mode can only do so by changing the safety format value, (see page 5).

2.1. TIDS and Mnemonics! Novice User: "No dash, no hash, just enter" example 7106450900 Intermediate User: "A dash, then another dash" example 71-06-09 Expert User: "Just use the hash" example #7169 Note: The words above in underline are those keys available on the device and keypad.

Page 3 Central Heating Control Unit 3. Svstem Functions These tables show how the display, system keys, heating controls, menu system, and error functions are organised. The system displays the day and the on/off times of the new program for a short period once set, provides both audible and visual feedback, and shows the current time and indicates the presence of an active program session, (see Fig 3) The system will not allow an invalid option or accept the input of a prohibited program sequence.

The system will also prompt the user to set the time and date on first use, or immediately after a full reset, and the multiple-language version will prompt to set the local language too.

All changes to the state of the system are relayed back to the display for a period of up to fifteen seconds if they are non-critcal. During the user input of each digit in the numerical sequence, the system will also live real-time echo the actual day, program session and time settings. This will allow the user to visually verify the current selection, and provide an instant opportunity to correct an error if entered, (see Fig 4) . The system Will also wait until a required response is acknowledged by the user, and all of the digits present at that time will remain on the display until the input sequence is completed, cleared or corrected.

3.1. Displav Functions L.C.D. Display Details Standard Display all the current day/time and program starVend session settings simultaneously Verification Check Display the desired selection settings User Input Mode Display the numerical sequence on input Menu Mode Display the menu function current settings Errors Blink the current input setting I System Failure Turn on all digits permanently 3.2. Svstem/Kevpad Functions Operation Action Visual Action Audible Action Success Feedback provided L.E.D flashes Green Single Bleep Failure Feedback provided L.E.D. turns Red until Dual Tone the corrective action is taken Fault on system Invoke S.O.S. L.E.D. flashes Red to Repeating tone to S.O.S. pattern, L.C.D. S.O.S. pattern, but numerals all stay on once an hour only Clear DigiVError Clear Key L.E.D. flashes Green Single Bleep Clear Program Day/Program Digits, L.E.D. flashes Green Single Bleep Session then the (#) Key, else use all zeros Clear All Day Day Digit, then the L.E.D. flashes Green Single Bleep (#) Key twice, else use all zeros Clear All Set The (#) Key thrice, L.E.D. flashes Red, Continuous Bleep Programs/Reset else use all zeros L.C.D. numerals all the system blink, both continually View Program Day/Program Digits, L.E.D. turns Yellow until Double Bleep Set (Settings are then the Enter Key the action is completed echoed to screen) Page 4 Central Heating Control Unit 3.3. Menu Functions All other system functions, not used directly to program the device, are grouped together under a single menu structure. The menu system is organised as a collective hierarchy of functions at one level, each with their own separate values at another level, (see Figs. 5, & 6).

The use of this system type will also facilitate room for further expansion, with the capability to add other menu options at a later time by way of system program updates. The system will go into this menu when the outer main menu key is pressed in any direction.

Menu Function Action Visual Action | Audible Action Central Heating Press the main Menu Key L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep Values: up/down to the function, Green Off/Auto/P1/P2/(P3) then left/right for the value Hot Water Press the main Menu Key L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep Values: up/down to the function, Green Off/Auto/P1/P2/(P3) then left/right for the value Hour Format Press the main Menu Key L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep Values: up/down to the function, Green 12/24 then left/right for the value Quick Format Press the main Menu Key L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep Values: up/down to the function, Green Off/On then left/right for the value Safety Format Press the main Menu Key L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep Values: up/down to the function, Green Off/On then left/right for the value Sound Format Press the main Menu Key L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep Values: up/down to the function, Green Off/On then left/right for the value Clock Set Menu Press the main Menu Key L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep up/down to the function, Green Options: then press the enter key, Hours/Minutes/Seconds then the menu key Day/Month/Year left/right for the value Water Set Menu Press the main Menu Key L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep up/down to the function, Green Values: then press the enter key, Pumned/Gravty then left/right as above Notes: 1. The outer main menu key can pivot on an axis for a total of four actions, up/down/left/right. A menu function is selected by pressing the key in either the up or down direction moving through to the desired function. The selected function will then move among the values present by pressing the key in either the left or right direction, (see Fig 5). The system will then accept all of the changes completed by the user and close with a single press of the enter key. The system clock settings and water settings are set by pressing the enter key while on the desired function to step into a lower menu, and then setting the values in the same manner as above, (see Fig 6).

2. The safety format set to off effectively removes the 'system brake' and allows the direct use of three program sessions in a single day for the novice mode of operation.

The system choices for the program digit are then enlarged to three settings, P1, P2, and P3 to facilitate the additional program session This functionality has been integrated in recognition of the fact that some people may be employed using shift work patterns and would therefore require this additional flexibility within the system.

Page 5 Central Heating Control Unit 3. The safety format set to off also allows the existing program sessions to be overwritten when the system uses the location copy features.

4. The quick format changes the behaviour of the Central Heating Override and Hot Water Override keys, and turning the quick format off will stop the quick override function successive action, (see below). The heating or hot water now activate for a single hour override with the first key press, and then turn this off with another press off the key. In this mode, the system will also suspend an active program with a single press of either function key, and then allow the function to resume again using the program times originally set. The other function will continue to work unchanged.

5. The actions with an underline present are the ones that the cursor will default to, unless overridden by a new user navigation and selection with the menu key 6. A single press of the clear key will move the system out of the menu function mode and back to the normal display screen.

3.4. Central Heating and Hot Water Functions These operations are designed to invoke an immediate action to turn on, or turn off, either the central heating or hot water supply. The keys have a multiple action that will follow the quick format setting that is present in the menu, and the default setting is defined below.

Ke Function Action Visual Action Audible Action

Y

C.H. Override Multiple presses of L.E.D. flashes Green, Single Bleep Quick Set Mode the C.H. Key with no and the Red Function pause, will represent L.E.D. turns on the total number of permanently when active quick hours set C.H. Override Hold the C.H. Key for L.E.D. flashes Green, Single Bleep - All Day Mode more than three and the Red Function seconds to invoke L.E. D. turns on permanently when active C.H. Override Press the C.H. Key L E. D. flashes Green, Single Bleep - Clear again to clear after a and the Red Function pause L.E.D. turns off H.W. Override Multiple presses of L.E.D. flashes Green, Single Bleep - Quick Set Mode the H.W. Key with no and the Red Function pause, will represent L.E.D. turns on the total number of permanently when active quick hours set H.W. Override Hold the H.W. Key L.E.D. flashes Green, Single Bleep - All Day Mode for more than three and the Red Function seconds to invoke L.E.D. turns on permanently when active H.W. Overnde Press the H.W. Key L.E.D. flashes Green, Single Bleep - Clear again to clear after a and the Red Function pause L.E.D. turns off Note: The quick set or clear function will also cancel any program either waiting or active in the same period, but the program will revert to the original settings on the next cycle. This is an independent action, so the C.H. and H.W. will need to be set separately if required.

Page 6 Central Heating Control Unit 3.5. System Checks The system will automatically recognise the user input mode depending on the state of the first set of digits presented. The system must therefore invoke the necessary integral system program rules to validate both the composition and the remainder of the numerical sequence as it is being offered by the user. This will help to prevent the input of codes and sequences that are not desired by rejecting those that do not comply with the requirements.

The table below illustrates the checks that are made by the system, with this particular example predominantly reflecting the novice input mode of operation.

Validation Position Check Prohibited Input Reason Digit 1 8-9 There are only seven days so these - Day Digit numbers are excluded, but the system will also allow the use of the (*) Key, and the (#) Key Digit 2 3-9 There are only two sessions so these - Session Program Digit numbers are excluded, but the system will also allow the use of the (*) Key, and the (#) Key. This will change (4_9) when three sessions are present Digit 3 3-9 To allow only those numerals within a - First Start Hour Digit 12/24 hour format, but the system will also allow the use of the (-) Key, and the (#) Key Digit 4 # To allow only those numerals within a - Second Start Hour Digit 12/24 hour format, but the system will also allow the use of the (*) Key Digit 5 6-9, - To allow only those numerals within a - First Start Minute Digit 60 minute format, but the system will also allow the use of the (#) Key Digit 6 To allow only those numerals within a - Second Start Minute Digit 60 minute format, but the system will also allow the use of the (-) Key Digit 7 3-9, #, To allow only those numerals within a First End Hour Digit 12/24 hour format Digit 8 #, - To allow only those numerals within a - Second End Hour Digit 12/24 hour format Digit 9 6-9, #, To allow only those numerals within a - First End Minute Digit 60 minute format Digit 10 #, - To allow only those numerals within a - Second End Minute Digit 60 minute format Validation Mode Check Action Novice Mode In the 12-hour format, the total number string length can be eight, nine or ten digits, but only if the respective leading zero hour digit(s) is, (are) omitted Intermediate Mode - Additional check A check on the total string if a dash is present on the third digit, but not present in the sixth digit Expert Mode - Additional checks The second/third digits must exclude 8-9, and 4-9 respectively Page 7 Central Heating Control Unit 4. Failsafe Operations These defined options allow the device to be conditioned into certain operational states by accepting alternative numerical sequences directly from the integral keypad, rather than making use of the standard menu input methods provided.

4.1. Default Menu Proarams This set of operations is designed to help a user to set the menu options by making use of these coded sequences. This will assist those who are unable to set these options using the menu system provided. The table below shows the format required for this operation Function Digit Digit Digit Digit Central Heating - Off 1 0 Central Heating - Auto * * 1 1 Central Heating- P1 Only 1 2 Central Heating - P2 Only * 1 3 Hot Water - Off 2 0 Hot Water - Auto 2 1 Hot Water - P1 Only 2 2 Hot Water - P2 Only * 2 3 Hour Format- 12 Hour 3 0 Hour Format- 24 Hour * * 3 1 Quick Format- Off 4 0 Quick Format- On * 4 1 Safety Format- Off 5 0 Safety Format- On 5 1 Sound Format - Off 6 0 Sound Format - On 6 1 Water Mode - Pumped * * 7 0 Water Mode - Gravity 7

Example

The code to set the central heating to auto would be: **11 The use of this coded sequence followed by the enter key will activate the selected program.

4.2. Default Timer Proarams This code sequence is used to force the device to operate using a pre-defined set of program selections. The main purpose of this exercise is to provide emergency heating to a distressed user who is unable to make the unit work, although it is also quite conceivable that some might prefer this method as a standard mode of operation The defined programs should be composed of those days and times having been established by survey as being the mean amongst domestic households. There could also be more than one selection available depending on the household operation, current season, or the severity of the weather. The table below shows the format required for this operation.

Function Digit Digit Digit Digit Program 1 # # 0 1 Program 2 # # 0 2 Program 3 0 3

Example

The code to select the default Program 1, would be: ##01 The use of this coded sequence followed by the enter key will activate the selected program.

Page 8 Central Heating Control Unit 5. User Guidance ODerations In recognition of the fact that some people may find it difficult to work with any kind of numbers at all, this alternative menu can also provide a series of on-screen guidance prompts, with all of the available options present on the screen for each of the required settings, (see Figs. 7, 8, 9, & 10). This will effectively help to guide a novice user through the selections to program the unit as desired. The on-screen prompts set underlying numerical sequences in the background without the user actually knowing that this has taken place.

A complete set of choices for each selection is produced and presented to the user. The user has to first press the inner menu key to go into this mode, and then navigate the system choices provided by moving the outer menu key left/right or up/down to the desired choice, and then press the enter key to Invoke the selection, or use the clear key to go back a step.

5.1. Set Mode Menu Action Action Visual Action Audible Action User Guidance Mode Press the smaller Inner L.E.D. turns Yellow Double Bleep Menu Key until the action is completed Do you wish to Set or Press the outer Menu L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep Display? Key- Left/Right, then Green Values: SeVDisplay press the Enter Key Please select the Press the outer Menu L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep Day Key- Left/Right, then Green Action: Display the press the Enter Key Day setting on entry Copy settings from Press the outer Menu L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep the previous Day? Key- Left/Right, then Green press the Enter Key. A Yes also moves directly Values: Yes/No on to the next Day Which Session do Press the outer Menu L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep you wish to set? Key - Left/Right, then Green Values: P11P21(P3) press the Enter Key Please set the Start Press the outer Menu L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep Hour Key- Up/Down, or Green Values: Left/Right, then press the (see Fig 8) Enter Key Please also set the Press the outer Menu L E.D. flashes Single Bleep Minutes Key- LefVRight, then Green Values: press the Enter Key (see Fig. 9) Please set the End Press the outer Menu L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep Hour Key- Up/Down, or Green Values: Left/Right, then press the (as with Fig 8) Enter Key Please also set the Press the outer Menu L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep Minutes KeyLeft/Right, then Green Values: press the Enter Key (as with Fig 9) *Do you wish to set Press the outer Menu L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep the next Session? Key - Left/Right, then Green Values: Yes/No press the Enter Key Page 9 Central Heating Control Unit Continued.

Menu Action Action Visual Action Audible Action Which CH mode do Press the outer Menu L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep you require? Key- LefVRight, then Green Values: press the Enter Key Off/Auto/P1 /P2/(P3) Which HW mode do Press the outer Menu L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep you require? KeyLefVR'ght, then Green Values: press the Enter Key Off/Auto/P1 /P2/(P3) Copy settings to the Press the outer Menu L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep remaining Days? Key- LefVRight, then Green press the Enter Key.

A Yes will also exit the Values: Yes/No menu Continue to next Press the outer Menu L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep Day? Key- LefVRight, then Green press the Enter Key.

A No will exit the menu Values: Yes/No Copy settings from A Yes will move to the L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep the previous Day? next day, A No will Green continue with the Values: Yes/No selection settings Note: This mode is effectively a large program loop that is used to set the programs and modify any of the existing settings. The programme will continue to run for as long as all of the available settings and days of the week are being set by the user.

5.2. DisnIaY Mode Menu Action Action Visual Action Audible Action User Guidance Mode Press the smaller Inner L.E.D. turns Yellow Double Bleep Menu Key until the action is completed Do you wish to Set or Press the outer Menu L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep Display? Key- LefVRight, then Green Values: SeVDisplay press the Enter Key Please select the Press the outer Menu L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep Day Key- Up/Down, or Green Action: Show all the LefVRight, then press the program sessions on Enter Key the screen Continue to the next Press the outer Menu L.E.D. flashes Single Bleep Day? Key- LefVRight, then Green press the Enter Key.

A No will exit the menu, A Yes will continue, and Values: Yes/No so on Note: This mode Is used to perform a visual check of the programs and settings that have been previously set by the user. Corrections can only be made by leaving this mode and entering the set mode, as defined above in the previous tables.

Page 10 Central Heating Control Unit Additional Notes.

1. This mode of operation is achieved by the utilisation of a collection of look-up type conversion tables, to transform the set of on-screen selections chosen by the user into their corresponding numerals and respective digit locations. A typical example of this is when the system shows all the days of the week and then asks which program session is required, the user choosing Sunday then the first session would be equal to setting numerals 7+1, this being equal to number string 71 as set by the system.

2. The selections completed using the set mode input technique will present the same actual ten digit numerical sequence for the program selections as previously defined, along with the separate default system codes necessary to set both the central heating and hot water modes, (i.e. 7106450900 + **l l + **21, - as given earlier in the previous examples, (see pages 2, & 8).

3 Once the first program session start and end times have been entered by the user, the system will also prompt the user to set the second program session to avoid having to go through the full sequence of events again from the very beginning another time This option only appears if the first program session is selected and the user will be prompted to add an additional set of times for the second program session, and the system program sequence will then continue as normal. When this completed action occurs, the system is presented with a separate full code sequence for each program session. The system also includes the third program session for this reasoning if the main menu safety format mode option has been disabled, and once again setting the second program session prompts the user to set the third.

4. In the case of the selection minutes, the choices will be restricted to showing only the settings for 00, 15, 30, and 45 minutes. This is a necessary restriction to avoid too much clutter being present on thescreen with the many extra interim numbers.

5. The copy all function will also present the new selections to the remaining day locations, but will only do so from the present location to the end of the week, (i.e. if the copy all function is set on a Wednesday - the Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday locations would also inherit the same settings, while Monday and Tuesday would remain as they were). This function also follows the menu safety format behaviour setting and will not overwrite any existing program sessions if the safety format value is set to on, (see pages 5, & 6). The single copy function will only copy the program settings already present from the previous day.

6. The system will only allow the use of the outer menu key, the enter key, and the clear key during this set of operations. The clear key will take the user back to the previous step with a single press, and then out of the menu system altogether with a second press of the key.

7. The values present in the menu system with an underline present are the ones that the cursor will default to on each option, unless the user chooses to navigate and select another value The system will also present the third program session selection options, (displayed as P3), if the menu safety function has been disabled by the user.

8. The multiple-language version of the system will present all messages, display functions, menu options, and show the system prompting in the chosen local language set by the user at the point of intialisation; however the default language for the system is shipped as International English. The package contents will also include a user manual with sections for each of the major different languages, and also a full set of dedicated language decals to change the instruction label for the keypad cover panel and the main logo. Page

Central Heating Control Unit 6. System Considerations (See Figs 1,&2forlayoutl) This control unit should have a wiring configuration to make it directly replaceable with existing units, and be of a size to make it compatible with existing mounting brackets. The unit will contain a printed circuit board with a microprocessor and the necessary support and control elements to execute the commands and switch live mains voltage circuits. The unit should also have a replaceable Lithium-ion battery to retain all settings in the absence of mains power for a minimum period of 24 hours 12 Key numerical pad, hidden behind a small hinged pull-out panel. Standard layout- (0 to 9) Keys, (*) and (#) Keys. The (*) Key should also have a red (-) symbol present 4 Keys for Menu (x2), Enter, and Clear. The Main Menu Key has a 4-way push pivot action, and there is also a small key at the centre. The Enter key is singular action.

The Clear Key removes the last digit input with a single press, then removes all remaining digits with a second press, and will also exit the menu or reset an error 2 Keys for Central Heating and Hot Water Override, each with an integrated Red L.E D. to indicate the operational state of the function A multi-function Liquid Crystal Display (L.C.D.), capable of displaying a full numerical sequence set, and an array of smaller characters, words and legends A single tri-colour Light Emitting Diode (L.E.D.) to provide visual system feedback to the user, (Red/Yellow/Green) Integral speaker and microphone components, with perforations present through to the device outer casing to enable them to be accessible to the user An external facing memory card slot, either Compact Flash (CF) or Secure Digital (SD) or both, to store settings or transfer programs/alterations to the unit Built-in validation checks for each digit and logic is used to automatically reject or override conflicting times. Confirmation will also be required when deleting existing programs or re-setting the device back to its factory state The values from any program sessions set by the user will automatically replicate to the remaining days that have no other program sessions present from that point on.

With the menu safety format set to off, all remaining day program sessions to the end of the week will be overwritten when the replication occurs The system can also be set for either pumped or gravity fed hot water operation. The default value is pumped, but this can only be set once after a full system reset 7. Defined Options Option 1 - advanced program functions, such as forward day and month calendar programming, achieved by adding additional digit pre-fixes. This would be encoded on a personal computer using a custom application, with the program data being written to the local Compact Flash (CF)/Secure Digital (SD) card. This can then be transferred to the device card slot, and then ultimately used to update the system Option 2 - use voice tags to recall pre-set programs, or provide full speech recognition support to program the device by using a set of learnable commands, and/or use synthesised voice feedback for selection program verification Option 3 - split the unit into a base uniVremote separate configuration. The base unit would only have C.H. and H.W. override keys and Infra Red (JR) receivers present, while the remote control handset component becomes free to roam Option 4 - add a computer interface l/O (Input, Output). Choose from any of Internet Browser (Network), Universal Serial Bus (USB) or Firewire interfaces. Publish the accepted data input formats, the full specifications and all supported functions Option 5 - consider using a Barcode Chart selection scheme and a suitable Barcode Wand to input data directly to the unit Option 6 consider using an L.E. D or Fluorescent display to represent the numbers.

These displays may look 'old-fashioned' but they have the advantage of being visible at a much greater distance, and in the dark too Page 12 Central Heating Control Unit Guide to the Figures 8. Annendix Finure 1 This is the outer view of the device, comprising of those parts that are visible. Key:

1. Liquid Crystal Display (L.C.D.) 2. Keypad Cover Panel, (will swing open on a right-sided vertical hinge) 3. System Light Emitting Diode (L.E.D.) 4. Outer Case Cover, (composed of hardened plastic materials) 5. Enter Key 6. Clear Key 7. Hot Water Key (H.W.) 8. Function Light Emitting Diode (L.E.D.) 9. Menu Key (Outer) 10. Menu Key (Inner) 11. Central Heating Key (C.H.) 12. Function Light Emitting Diode (L.E.D.) Fiqure 2 This Is an inner view of the device, comprising of those parts that are not immediately visible. Key:

1 3. Speaker 14. Numerical Keypad, (visible behind the cover panel only) 15. Compact Flash/Secure Digital Slot (CF/SD) 16. InpuVOutput Options (I/O) 17. Printed Circuit Board, (c/w additional discreet components) 18. Microphone Fiqures 3 - 10 These figures are each just a sample system menu screen shot to show how they are intended to be displayed, and are visible on the Liquid Crystal Display, (Fig. 1, Key Number 1).

The display formats may need to be altered slightly to conform to the constraints that may be imposed by the capabilities of the current available Liquid Crystal Display technology.

Notes: 1. The outer dimensions of the device are approx. 1 35mm x 88mm x 33mm (W x H x D).

2. All major internal components are mounted on the printed circuit board. This board also contains the supportive and passive components necessary to enable the device to function as intended.

3. The menu function options, (Figs 5, & 6), would need to scroll vertically through the display to be viewed if the main number segments are fixed at a larger height, as the menu function options could then only begin on the line below this. As an alternative, the menu function options could also be split across the screen to enable them all to be present, thus allowing the user to cycle among them.

Page 1 3

Claims

Page 14 CLAIMS 1. This central heating control device uses a numerical representation of the day, program session, and program times as a basis for interpretation where the standard format is a ten digit numerical sequence, with the first two digits being used for the day and session, and a set of four digits for each of the start and end program times. 2. This scheme is extended to twelve digits to include the month and week digits, by using these as a prefix to the number sequence for the advanced calendar programming features, and shorter user input sequences are also resolved to the full ten digits. 3. The device has an integrated menu-driven user guidance mode to provide visual assistance in the form of on-screen scripted prompts, with each presentation having a full array of available values for an option. 4. The proposed device is equipped with a few function keys, a numerical keypad, an LCD display, a few system LED's, and an internal microprocessor-based controller to input, display, and execute the program selections chosen by a user of the system. 5. The device can also be equipped with voice command support to interpret user commands, and to control system functions. 6. The device can also be equipped with Barcode support to interpret standard barcodes using a suitable wand and program selection chart. 7. The device is also capable of being set by a multitude of external means inclusive of an embedded web browser, and several other commercially available interfaces such as Network, USE, CF/SD, or Firewire. Amendments to the clanns have been filed as follows CLAIMS

1. A central heating control device using a numerical representation of the day, program session, and program times as a basis of interpretation in the form of a singular ten digit sequence, with the first two digits being used for the day and the program session, and the next eight digits being the start and end program times respectively.

2. A central heating control device as in claim 1 not withstanding the fact that it would also be possible on input to truncate the total number of digits that represent the start and end times by omitting hour or minute digits, or allow the use of an access code in the form of the hash key, or the use of the hash key and the aste,isk key to also represent the eleventh and twelfth hours. Having done so, the system would actually then resolve the input given back to the corresponding full ten digit number sequence.

3. A central heating control device as in claim 1 wherein the number scheme is extended to twelve digits by including two leading week digits, and using these as a prefix to the original ten digit number sequence to support the advanced calendar programming features.

4. A central heating control device as in claim 1 wherein the device has an integrated menu-driven user guidance mode to provide visual assistance in the form of on- screen scripted prompts, ultimately setting the ten digit numerical sequence previously defined, and those of the shorter numerical sequences comprised of four digits to represent menu options, and starting with a double asterisk.

5. A central heating control device as in claim 1 wherein the proposed device is equipped with a few function keys, a numerical keypad, an LCD display, a few system LED's, and an internal microprocessor-based controller to input, display, and execute the program selections chosen by a user of the system.

6. A central heating control device as in claim 1 wherein the device can also be equipped with voice command support to interpret user commands, and also to control system functions.

7. A central heating control device as in claim 1 wherein the device can also be equipped with Barcode support to interpret standard barcodes using a suitable wand and program selection chart.

8. A central heating control device as in claim 1 wherein the device is also capable of being set by external means such as various computer interfaces, provided that the required ten digit sequence is delivered in the manner previous described.