Controller customization management system

• US 7,222,800 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2004
• Issued: 05/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Wruck, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NORMAN, MARC E
• Application Number:
  US10/859,665
• Publication Number:
  US 20050040250A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,090 Days
• Field of Search: 236/51, 236/94, 621/27, 165/11.1, 341/176, 348/734, 702/99, 702/183, 702/185, 709/212, 709/217
• US Class Current: 236/51
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 5/4492 containing special additives, e.g. grinding agents
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/38 Failure diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements

Abstract

A device and method that may be used at nearly any place to set and adjust a control system such as a thermostat, controller or computer having numerous parameters and options that may be selected for desired operation of an air management system. One may remotely, via a personal digital assistant or computer, configure, commission, select, set or adjust the parameters and options of a control system. The configuration information may be shared with other personal digital assistants in a wireless or non-wireless manner. Further, enhanced diagnostics and repair may be achieved with the sending of configuration information from one PDA or computer to a PDA or computer at a diagnostic and repair facility. New modifications and calibration may be provided for the configuration. Such added information and configuring may be sent back to the originating PDA or computer for the providing to the controller or thermostat.

Claims

1. A method for configuration transfer management, comprising:

providing a first configuration tool;

providing a second configuration tool, wherein the first and second configuration tools are adapted to configure a control algorithm of an HVAC controller;

providing an HVAC controller;

transferring a HVAC controller configuration from the HVAC controller to the first configuration tool;

transferring the HVAC controller configuration from the first configuration tool to the second configuration tool, wherein the transferring of the HVAC controller configuration is wireless;

transferring the HVAC controller configuration to at least another configuration tool;

providing a second controller;

transferring the HVAC controller configuration from the at least another configuration tool to the second controller;

wherein;

the HVAC controller is a thermostat; and

at least one of the configuration tools is a personal digital assistant.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transferring is via infrared light.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the transferring is via RF radiation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transferring is via at least partially a non-wireless medium.

5. A configuration system comprising:

an HVAC controller having a controller customization;

a first configuration tool having a first communication link with the controller;

a second configuration tool having a second communication link with the first configuration tool; and

wherein;

the HVAC controller can provide the controller customization to the first configuration tool;

the first configuration tool can provide the controller customization to the second configuration tool;

the second configuration tool can modify the controller customization into a second controller customization;

the second configuration tool can provide a second controller customization to the first configuration tool; and

the first configuration tool can provide the second controller customization to the controller.

6. The configuration system of claim 5, wherein:

the first controller customization may be diagnosed with a problem; and

the second controller customization may have the problem removed.

7. The configuration system of claim 6, wherein:

the first communication link is wireless and real-time; and

the second communication link is wireless and real-time.

8. The configuration system of claim 7, wherein the controller is a thermostat having a thermostat customization.

9. The configuration system of claim 8, further comprising at least another configuration tool having a communication link with the first configuration tool.

10. The configuration system of claim 9, wherein the configuration tools are personal digital assistants.

11. An HVAC configuration system comprising:

an HVAC controller having a controller customization;

a configuration tool having a communication link with the HVAC controller;

wherein;

the HVAC controller is adapted to provide a first controller customization to the configuration tool via the communication link;

the configuration tool is adapted to modify the controller customization into a second controller customization, wherein when the first controller customization is diagnosed with a problem, the second controller customization has the problem removed; and

the configuration tool is adapted to provide the second controller customization to the HVAC controller via the communication link.

12. The configuration system of claim 11, further comprising additional HVAC controllers having additional controller customizations, wherein the configuration tool is adapted to provide the second controller customization to the additional HVAC controllers.