Interview programming for an HVAC controller

• US 8,606,409 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2012
• Issued: 12/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ademco Inc. (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Amundson, John B., Finch, Heidi J., Vick, Brent D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shechtman, Sean P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GARLAND, STEVEN R
• Application Number:
  US13/434,806
• Publication Number:
  US 20120191258A1
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 700/276, 165/11.1, 236/94, 236/49.3
• US Class Current: 700/278
• 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 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2614 HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1904 variable in time
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 Object-oriented database structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

Methods are disclosed for facilitating installation and configuration of a programmable HVAC controller. In one example, a guided programming routine can be activated by a user, which then guides a user through two or more screens that are designed to collect sufficient information from the user to generate and/or update at least some of the installation parameters of the HVAC controller for a particular HVAC installation.

Claims

1. A thermostat for controlling the HVAC equipment of an HVAC system, the thermostat comprising:

a memory for storing configuration information;

a temperature sensor;

a user interface including a display that is physically part of the thermostat; and

a controller in communication with the memory, the temperature sensor and the user interface, the controller comprising programming to;

provide a guided programming sequence of two or more screens on the display of the thermostat from a first screen to a last screen, the particular sequence of two or more screens is determined by the controller, the two or more screens prompting the user to provide configuration information that is related to the particular HVAC equipment of an HVAC system that is to be controlled by the thermostat, wherein at least one screen of the two or more screens includes two or more selectable options simultaneously displayed on the screen, wherein each of the two or more selectable options correspond to a different HVAC equipment type;

accept two or more responses from the user via the two or more screens;

provide a single screen that allows a user to identify a lower temperature limit and an upper temperature limit, and accept a response;

modify configuration information in the memory based, at least in part, on the accepted responses from the user; and

use the modified configuration information when controlling the HVAC system.

2. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein one of the two or more selectable options that correspond to a different HVAC equipment type is a default HVAC equipment type and is initially highlighted for selection.

3. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein one of the two or more selectable options corresponds to an electric heater.

4. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein one of the two or more selectable options corresponds to a heating device.

5. The thermostat of claim 4, wherein the heating device is any one of a boiler, furnace, heat pump, or electric heater.