Thermostat configuration wizard

• US 20070045441A1
• Filed: 08/31/2005
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Ashworth, Nicholas, Chapman, John
• Application Number:
  US11/215,926
• Publication Number:
  US 20070045441A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/94
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 5/203 using electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 characterised by the use of a variable reference value

Abstract

A thermostat setup configuration wizard is provided that sequences a user through each of the required setup parameters to properly setup the thermostat for operation. The setup configuration wizard runs only upon initial power application to the thermostat, and is not reinitiated upon the return of power after a power loss in the home. The wizard utilizes a number of display screens that sequences a user through each of the available parameters, and allows the user to sequence through available options for each parameter. The wizard provides for navigation features that allow a user to move forward or back in the setup sequence as desired. The configuration wizard also sequences a user through the profile programming of the thermostat.

Claims

1. A digital thermostat, comprising:

a processor;

a user display screen; and

wherein the processor is programmed to display a setup wizard introduction screen on the user display screen upon initial power application to the thermostat.

2. The thermostat of claim 1, further comprising:

a user function selection means for inputting a user selection associated with a function indicated on the user display screen; and

wherein the setup wizard introduction screen includes a yes function and a no function to allow a user to initiate a setup wizard or not, respectively.

3. The thermostat of claim 2, further comprising:

a user scrolling means for allowing a user to scroll among available items and parameters; and

wherein the processor is programmed to display a sequence of setup screens having a plurality of available parameters for user selection on the user display screen to allow a user to setup the digital thermostat.

4. The thermostat of claim 3, wherein one of the sequence of setup screens comprises a language selection screen including a plurality of languages available for selection via the user scrolling means.

5. The thermostat of claim 3, wherein the sequence of setup screens comprise at least one set time screen including time parameters to be set by a user via the user scrolling means.

6. The thermostat of claim 3, wherein the sequence of setup screens comprise at least one set date screen including date parameters to be set by a user via the user scrolling means.

7. The thermostat of claim 3, wherein one of the sequence of setup screens comprises a daylight savings time adjust screen including a plurality of daylight savings time options available for selection via the user scrolling means.

8. The thermostat of claim 3, wherein one of the sequence of setup screens comprises a temperature scale selection screen including a plurality of temperature scales available for selection via the user scrolling means.

9. The thermostat of claim 3, wherein the setup screens comprise at least one service reminder interval setup screen including a time interval parameter available for setting via the user scrolling means.

10. The thermostat of claim 3, wherein one of the sequence of setup screens comprises a contractor contact information setup screen including at least one field for entering service contractor contact information.

11. The thermostat of claim 3, wherein each of the setup screens include navigation functions that may be accessed via the user function selection means, the navigation functions causing the processor to display one of a previous or next setup screen in the sequence.

12. The thermostat of claim 3, wherein the setup screens comprise at least one user profile programming screen including programming parameters to control operation of the thermostat.

13. A method of configuring a digital thermostat, comprising the steps of:

displaying a sequence of parameters that may be varied by a user;

receiving a user input regarding a preference for each of the sequence of parameters; and

operating the thermostat in accordance with the preference for each of the sequence of parameters.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of displaying the sequence of parameters that may be varied by the user comprises the step of displaying a sequence of screens each containing at least one of the parameter that may be varied set to a default value.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

displaying a setup wizard introduction screen containing a user selectable option to initiate or cancel prior to the step of displaying the sequence of parameters.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of checking to see if a setup wizard has been run before the step of displaying the setup wizard introduction screen.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of checking to see if a setup wizard has been run comprises the step of checking the sequence of parameters to see if at least one is set to a value other than a default value.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of checking to see if a setup wizard has been run comprises the step of checking a configuration wizard flag in non-volatile memory.

19. A method of configuring a digital thermostat, comprising the steps of:

determining that the thermostat has not previously been configured;

determining that a user wishes to configure the thermostat;

providing a user with a sequence of configuration parameters that may be changed; and

receiving a user preference for each of the sequence of configuration parameters.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of providing the user with the sequence of configuration parameters that may be changed comprises the step of displaying a plurality of natural language prompts.