SPECIAL PURPOSE CONTROLLER INTERFACE WITH INSTRUCTION AREA
First Claim
1. A temperature controller, comprising:
- a controller coupled to one or more pieces of HVAC equipment remote from the temperature controller that can affect the temperature of an inside space, the controller having a control algorithm for controlling the one or more pieces of HIVAC equipment to control the temperature of the inside space, the control algorithm having a number of programmable control parameters; and
a user interface coupled to the controller, the user interface adapted to non-contemporaneously display two or more programming menus on a display that each solicit from a user changes to one or more of the programmable control parameters, each of the two or more programming menus providing one or more user instructions for aiding the user in using the corresponding programming menu, the one or more user instructions for each of the two or more programming menus being displayed in a common region of the display.
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Abstract
A temperature controller for controlling the temperature of an inside space that is serviced by one or more pieces of HVAC equipment. The temperature controller may include a controller having a control algorithm for controlling one or more pieces of HVAC equipment as well as a user interface that may be configured to display a hierarchical menu structure and to permit a user to traverse the menu structure. The user interface may be configured to display breadcrumbs that provide an indication to the user of the current location within a hierarchical menu structure, and in some cases, provide instructional information in a designated or common display area that helps instruct the user in using a particular menu or menu option. These and other features may help make the special purpose controller more intuitive to set up, program and operate.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A temperature controller, comprising:
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a controller coupled to one or more pieces of HVAC equipment remote from the temperature controller that can affect the temperature of an inside space, the controller having a control algorithm for controlling the one or more pieces of HIVAC equipment to control the temperature of the inside space, the control algorithm having a number of programmable control parameters; and a user interface coupled to the controller, the user interface adapted to non-contemporaneously display two or more programming menus on a display that each solicit from a user changes to one or more of the programmable control parameters, each of the two or more programming menus providing one or more user instructions for aiding the user in using the corresponding programming menu, the one or more user instructions for each of the two or more programming menus being displayed in a common region of the display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A temperature controller, comprising:
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a controller, the controller having a control algorithm for controlling one or more pieces of HVAC equipment remote from the temperature controller, the control algorithm having a number of programmable control parameters; and a user interface coupled to the controller, the user interface adapted to non-contemporaneously display two or more programming menus on a display that each solicit from a user changes to one or more of the programmable control parameters, each of the two or more programming menus providing one or more user instructions for aiding the user in using the corresponding programming menu, the one or more user instructions for each of the two or more programming menus being displayed in a common region of the display and in a common format. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A thermostat, comprising:
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a controller, the controller having a control algorithm for controlling one or more HVAC component, the control algorithm having a number of programmable control parameters; and a user interface coupled to the controller, the user interface adapted to non-contemporaneously display two or more programming menus on a display that each solicit from a user changes to one or more of the programmable control parameters, each of the two or more programming menus providing one or more user instructions for aiding the user in using the corresponding programming menu, the one or more user instructions for each of the two or more programming menus being displayed in a common region of the display and in a common format. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification