GB2503021A

GB2503021A - Room temperature monitor

Info

Publication number: GB2503021A
Application number: GB1210608.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Parker
Original assignee: STARSPOT Ltd
Current assignee: STARSPOT Ltd
Priority date: 2012-06-14
Filing date: 2012-06-14
Publication date: 2013-12-18
Also published as: WO2013186557A2; WO2013186557A3; GB201210608D0

Abstract

A battery operated room temperature monitor device, in particular for elderly people, comprises a temperature sensor, a display 102 and a means for drawing attention to the display. The means for drawing attention to the display may be a flashing display, a display back light and/or an audio alert. In an example the display backlight may be arranged to automatically flash when the temperature in the room drops below a recommended level to alert the user to the low temperature. The display back light is switched off when the temperature is above the recommended level. The room temperature monitor may optionally include one or more further indicators of room temperature such as a text indicator 202. The display backlight may be optionally arranged to flash at different rates dependent on the room temperature. The temperature sensor may be located remote from the display.

Description

ROOM TEMPERATURE MONITOR

BACKGROUND

There is a link between cold temperatures, for example during the winter months, and an increased risk of death compared to the risk of death during periods of warmer temperatures. Old people are particularly at risk. Two factors appear to have physiological importance, one is the age related decline in the efficiency of cold-defence mechanisms and the other is a reduced ability to detect temperature change. Therefore old people often do not feel the cold until their body temperature falls to a level which may be dangerous to health.

Studies have shown that there is a desirable temperature range of above about 16 to 21°C in the home to reduce the risk of increased death associated with cold. For older people 21°C is regarded as good temperature for living areas, for example living rooms, whereas 18°C is regarded as an acceptable temperature. Temperatures below 16°C may be considered to be detrimental to health. Various monitoring devices, such as thermometers, can be used to draw attention to the fact that a room temperature has dropped below a safe threshold.

Similar issues may arise if the room temperature is too high.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a device for monitoring room temperature comprising, a temperature sensor arranged to measure room temperature, a display, and a means for drawing user attention to the display, the device display may be arranged to provide a first temperature indicator comprising a numerical temperature value corresponding to the measured room temperature, the means for drawing user attention to the display may be triggered if the temperature drops below a first specified temperature threshold level.

Therefore a user of the device can be quickly alerted to the fact that the temperature has dropped below a specified level and if the room temperature has not dropped below this threshold the device battery is not run down by unnecessary activation of additional features.

The means for drawing attention to the display may be a display back light which may arranged to flash at a first specified rate if the measured room temperature drops below a first specified temperature threshold value, the display back light may be turned off if the measured room temperature is above the first specified temperature threshold value.

If the measured room temperature drops below a second specified temperature threshold value, the display back light may be arranged to flash at a second specified rate wherein the second specified temperature threshold value may be lower than the first specified temperature threshold value.

The display may be further arranged to provide a secondary temperature indicator which indicates the relationship between the measured room temperature and the risk to the health of the room occupants; the secondary temperature indicator may be dependent on at least one of; the first specified temperature threshold value, the second specified temperature threshold value and a third specified temperature threshold value; wherein the third temperature threshold value is higher than the first specified temperature threshold value.

At a temperature below the first specified temperature threshold value the secondary temperature indicator may display a first text indicator. At a temperature below the second specified temperature threshold value the secondary temperature indicator may display a second text indicator. At a temperature above the first specified temperature threshold value and below the third specified temperature threshold value the temperature indicator may display a third text indicator. At a temperature above the third temperature threshold value the secondary temperature indicator may display a fourth text indicator.

If the measured room temperature drops below the second specified temperature threshold value, the display may be further arranged to provide an additional indicator that the room temperature is below the second specified temperature threshold value. The first specified temperature threshold value may be 18 degrees Celsius, the second specified temperature threshold value may be 16 degrees Celsius, the third specified temperature threshold value may be 21 degrees Celsius.

The first temperature indicator and the secondary temperature indicator may be provided in a large format. The means for drawing user attention to the display may comprise an audible alarm.

The means for drawing user attention to the display may be a means for arranging the display to flash. The temperature sensor may be a solid state temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may be located remote from the display. The device may further comprise a battery.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising a device for monitoring room temperature according to a first aspect of the invention.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Many of the attendant features will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

The preferred features may be combined as appropriate, as would be apparent to a skilled person, and may be combined with any of the aspects of the examples described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present description will be better understood from the following detailed description read in light of the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of example room temperature monitoring device; Figure 2 is a first example schematic diagram of a display of the room temperature monitoring device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a second example schematic diagram of a display of the room temperature monitoring device of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a third example schematic diagram of a display of the room temperature monitoring device of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a fourth example schematic diagram of a display of the room temperature monitoring device of Figure 1; Like reference numerals are used to designate like pads in the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Users may use thermometers or other temperature monitoring devices to monitor room temperature, however, they may forget to check the temperature displayed on a monitoring device or may not check the temperature often enough. In addition many thermometers are hard to read, particularly for the visually impaired. In an example a room temperature monitoring device may attempt to draw a user's attention to the fact that a room temperature is unacceptably low thereby negating the need to check the device regularly.

A device is herein described which alerts a user to an unacceptable room temperature by flashing or pulsing the back light for a display of the temperature monitoring device; because the device display is automatically lit up and flashing the user can be alerted if the room temperature is low without being required to constantly check the device. Furthermore, because the display is not constantly lit, and is not lit at all if the temperature is at an acceptable level, and by flashing the back light to draw attention to the display, rather than having back light continuously lit, the battery life of the device can be extended. For example, flashing the back light so that it is only illuminated for 10% of the time will extended the battery life by approximately 10 times, compared to having the back light continuously on.

Therefore the device can run for an extended period of time on a relatively small battery.

Reducing the size of the battery required to power the device for an extended period of time may reduce the cost of the device to produce and weight of the device.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example room temperature monitoring device 100. The room temperature monitoring device may be comprised of a display 102. In an example the display 102 may be a Liquid Crystal Display. Liquid Crystal Displays are low cost, low energy and relatively robust therefore very suitable for this type of application. However, any other type of suitable display may be used. The display may be back lit using a back light 104 which may be located at the side or at the rear of the display. The device may comprise an audio alert 110. In an example the temperature monitoring device may be provided as a kit of parts comprising any of; a power supply, a display and a temperature sensor.

Control circuitry 106 is arranged to receive inputs from a temperature sensor 108, which may be a solid state temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may be integrated with the display or situated at a remote location and in communication with the device. In an example the temperature sensor may be in wireless communication with the device. In an example the temperature sensor may be a solid state temperature sensor. The device may comprise a power supply 112 e.g. a battery.

Figure 2 is a first example schematic diagram of the display of the room temperature monitoring device. The control circuitry 106 is arranged to control the display 102 according to the input from the temperature sensor 108 to provide a first temperature indicator 200 comprising a temperature value corresponding to the room temperature measured by the temperature sensor 108. In an example the temperature value may be displayed in 0.1°C increments. The temperature value may be displayed in degrees Celsius or degrees Fahrenheit. In an example, means may be provided for the user to switch between different temperature scales. The control circuitry 106 may also be arranged to control the display 102 according to the input from the temperature sensor to provide a secondary temperature indicator 202 which indicates the relationship between the measured room temperature and the risk to the health of the room occupants. The secondary temperature indicator may be a text indicator of the room temperature. The display may alternatively or additionally be arranged to flash if the room temperature drops below the first specified temperature threshold value.

The control circuitry 106 may be further arranged to control activation of the back light 104. The display back light may be arranged to flash at a first specified rate if the measured room temperature drops below a first specified temperature threshold value. The first specified temperature threshold value may be about 18°C. In an example the back light may be illuminated for about 0.5 seconds every 5 seconds. The secondary temperature indicator may be arranged to display a first text indicator if the temperature drops below the first threshold value. The first specified temperature threshold value of the room temperature may be the minimum temperature regarded as appropriate for occupied areas. In an example the display and the backlight may flash on and off at the same frequency.

In an example, if the room temperature drops below 18°C (if 18°C is the minimum level regarded as suitable for occupied areas) e.g. if the room temperature is in the range 16-18°C the control circuitry activates the back light 104 of the display 102 to turn on and off. The display 102 may alternatively or additionally be arranged to flash on and off. The user's attention may therefore be drawn to the display and to the fact that the temperature has dropped below a suitable threshold value. The secondary temperature indicator 202 may be arranged to display the word "COOL" to alert the user to the fact that temperatures below the first specified temperature threshold value are unacceptable for occupied areas.

Figure 3 is a second example schematic of the display of the room temperature monitoring device. If the measured room temperature drops below a second specified temperature threshold value the display back light 104 (not shown) may be arranged to flash at a second specified rate.

The second specified temperature threshold value of the room temperature may be the temperature below which the health of an elderly person or a person with a chronic illness may be considered to be at risk. The threshold temperature below which health risks may be posed may be about 16°C, for example. Below the second threshold temperature value the rate (e.g. frequency) at which the back light may be arranged to flash may be increased relative to the rate it is arranged to flash between the first and second specified temperature threshold values. For example the back light may be illuminated for about 0.2 seconds every 2 seconds. In another example the rate may be doubled. Below the second specified temperature threshold value the display may alternatively or additionally flash on and off to draw the user's attention to the display.

The change in frequency may draw the user's attention to the fact that the room temperature is below a safe threshold level.

The secondary temperature indicator 202 may be arranged to display a second text indicator if the temperature drops below the second specified temperature threshold value. In addition, if the temperature drops below the specified second temperature threshold value the control circuitry 106 may be arranged to control the display 102 according to the temperature input to provide an additional indicator 300 that the room temperature is below a safe threshold. The additional indicator 300 may also be arranged to flash to alert the user to the fact that the room temperature is below a safe threshold. In an example the additional temperature indicator may be arranged to flash once per second. In an example the additional indicator 300 may be a graphical indicator, e.g. a snowflake.

In an example, if the room temperature drops below 16°C (if 16°C is the minimum temperature regarded as safe) the display and/or the back light may flash on and off at an increased frequency, thereby drawing attention to the fact that the temperature may be considered to be at a dangerous level for certain people. The secondary temperature indicator may be altered to display the word "COLD" to alert the user to the fact the temperature may now be considered to be hazardous to health. The additional indicator may display a snowflake or other commonly recognized graphical indicator which may flash to alert the user to the dangerous room temperature.

Figure 4 is a third example schematic of the display of the room temperature monitoring device. If the measured room temperature rises above the first specified temperature threshold value and is below the third specified temperature threshold value the display back light 104 is turned off. In an example the range between the first specified temperature the third specified temperature threshold value may be about 18 -21°C. Therefore the power supply is not drained by the display being lit unnecessarily. In an example the temperature monitoring device may additionally comprise a button or switch to enable the user to activate the back light temporarily, for example if they wish to view the display in low light conditions. Above the first specified temperature threshold value and below the third specified temperature threshold value the temperature indicator may display a third text indicator.

In an example the secondary temperature indicator may be altered to read "OK" to alert the user to the fact that the room temperature is a suitable temperature for occupied areas. Therefore, no action needs to be taken. However, as noted above a higher temperature may be preferable for rooms in which a user is spending a significant amount of time, e.g. living rooms. If the device is displaying "OK" instead of "GOOD" in an area such as a living room this may prompt the user to increase the heating in these areas or to wear an extra jumper or a blanket.

Figure 5 is a fourth example schematic of the display of the room temperature monitoring device.

If the measured room temperature rises above the third specified temperature threshold value the display back light 104 is turned off. In an example the third specified temperature threshold value is about 21°C. Above the third specified temperature threshold value the temperature indicator may display a fourth text indicator. In an example, when the temperature is above the third specified temperature threshold value the secondary temperature indicator may be altered to read "GOOD" to alert the user to the fact that no action needs to be taken to increase the room temperature.

The display may include additional indicators, e.g. a low battery indicator. In an embodiment, if the battery is low, the low battery indicator may be displayed. In an example if the battery is low the back light may be unable to flash. However, the LCD display may be arranged to flash without the back light. In an example, the LCD display may be arranged to flash without the back light in order to alert the user to the fact that the battery is low, in another example the LCD may be arranged to flash without the back light to alert the user to the fact the temperature is too low.

In various examples the temperature monitoring device may comprise various features to improve the user friendliness of the device, in particular the user friendliness of the device for older people. The device may incorporate various features which improve the usability for the elderly or the disabled. For example the first and second temperature indicators on the display may be in a large type format or a simplified font to increase readability for users with poor eyesight. For example the type format may be at least 16 point. The font may be a simplified font designed for easy reading e.g. a Sans Serif font.

The temperature monitoring device may comprise audio alerts for the visually impaired. For example, if the room temperature drops below the first specified temperature threshold value the device may sound an alert at a first pitch or volume. If the temperature drops below the second specified temperature threshold value the device may sound an alert at a second pitch or volume.

The device may further have a simple user interface which requires minimal user input. This may be particularly suitable for devices that are to be used by elderly people. The audio alerts may be used in combination with, or as an alternative to, a back lit display.

In various examples the back light may be a coloured back light. The colour of the back light may be used to indicate the temperature. For example the back light may be blue to indicate that the room temperature is too low. In another example the temperature monitoring device may incorporate a plurality of different coloured back lights which are arranged to flash dependent on the temperature.

In an embodiment the temperature monitoring device may incorporate features to warn users that the room temperature is too high (as excessive room temperatures may also pose a risk to health). For example, above a fourth specified room temperature threshold, which is higher than the third specified room temperature threshold, the secondary temperature indicator may read "WARM" and the control circuitry may arrange the back light to flash on and off. In an example the fourth temperature threshold value may be about 25°C.

In an example the temperature monitoring device may incorporate a second back light in a different colour, e.g. red. When the temperature is too low the first back light, e.g. a blue back light, may flash to alert the user to the fact that the temperature is too low and when the temperature is too high the second back light, e.g. a red back light, may flash to alert the user to the fact the temperature is too high.

The embodiments described herein with reference to Figures 1-5 refer to example configurations and are not intended to be limiting.

Any range or device value given herein may be extended or altered without losing the effect sought as will be apparent to the skilled person.

It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages.

As will be appreciated, the temperature ranges given, while corresponding to present medical advice, are examples only. The ranges could be different or smaller, perhaps providing more than four states of recommended actions.

Any reference to an item refers to one or more of those items. The term comprising is used herein to mean including the method blocks or elements identified, but that such blocks or elements do not comprise an exclusive list and a method or apparatus may contain additional blocks or elements.

It will be understood that the above description of a preferred embodiment is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. Although various embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A device (100) for monitoring room temperature comprising: a temperature sensor (108) arranged to measure room temperature; a display (102); and a means (104, 110) for drawing user attention to the display; wherein the display (102) is arranged to provide a first temperature indicator (200) comprising a numerical temperature value corresponding to the measured room temperature; and the means for drawing user attention (104, 110) to the display is triggered if the temperature drops below a first specified temperature threshold level.
2. A device according to claim I wherein the means for drawing attention to the display is a display back light (104) that is arranged to flash at a first specified rate if the measured room temperature drops below a first specified temperature threshold value; and the display back light (104) is turned off if the measured room temperature is above the first specified temperature threshold value.
3. A device according to claim 2 wherein if the measured room temperature drops below a second specified temperature threshold value, the display back light (104) is arranged to flash at a second specified rate.
4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the display (102) is further arranged to provide a secondary temperature indicator (202) which indicates the relationship between the measured room temperature and the risk to the health of the room occupants; the secondary temperature indicator dependent on the temperature of the room.
5. A device according to claim 4 wherein at a temperature below the first specified temperature threshold value the secondary temperature indicator (202) displays a first text indicator; 6 A device according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein at a temperature below the second specified temperature threshold value the secondary temperature indicator (202) displays a second text indicator; 7. A device according to any of claims 4-6 wherein at a temperature above the first specified temperature threshold value and below a third specified temperature threshold value the temperature indicator (202) displays a third text indicator.8. A device according to any of claims 4-7 wherein at a temperature above the third temperature threshold value the secondary temperature indicator (202) displays a fourth text indicator.9. A device according to any of claims 3-10 wherein if the measured room temperature drops below the second specified temperature threshold value, the display is further arranged to provide an additional indicator (300) that the room temperature is below a safe threshold.10. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the first specified temperature threshold value is 18 degrees Celsius; the second specified temperature threshold value is 16 degrees Celsius; and the third specified temperature threshold value is 21 degrees Celsius.11. A device according to any of claims 2-10 wherein the first temperature indicator (200) and the secondary temperature (202) indicator are provided in a large type format.12. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the means for drawing user attention to the display comprises means for arranging the display (102) to flash.13. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the means for drawing user attention to the display comprises an audible alarm (110).14 A device according to any preceding claim wherein the temperature sensor (108) is a solid state temperature sensor.15. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the temperature sensor (108) is located remote from the display (102).16. A device according to any preceding claim further comprising a battery (112).17. A kit of parts comprising a battery operated device for monitoring room temperature (100) according to any of claims 1-14.18. A device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.