Method and apparatus for configuring an HVAC controller
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An HVAC controller configured to control one or more components of an HVAC system, the HVAC controller comprising:
- a housing;
a display secured relative to the housing;
a data port accessible from outside the housing, the data port configured to interact with an external memory device;
a controller in communication with the display and the data port, the controller configured to operate an algorithm that at least partially controls the one or more components of the HVAC system, the algorithm being configurable; and
wherein the controller is configured to read the external memory device via the data port, and to display on the display of the HVAC controller a display element for at least some of one or more configurations stored on the external memory device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An HVAC controller is described that is configured to be more intuitive and user friendly to program and operate than convention HVAC controllers. In some instances, the HVAC controller may include a touch screen interface that provides greater flexibility in displaying information to the user and/or soliciting information from the user.
333 Citations
31 Claims
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1. An HVAC controller configured to control one or more components of an HVAC system, the HVAC controller comprising:
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a housing; a display secured relative to the housing; a data port accessible from outside the housing, the data port configured to interact with an external memory device; a controller in communication with the display and the data port, the controller configured to operate an algorithm that at least partially controls the one or more components of the HVAC system, the algorithm being configurable; and wherein the controller is configured to read the external memory device via the data port, and to display on the display of the HVAC controller a display element for at least some of one or more configurations stored on the external memory device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An HVAC controller configured to control one or more components of an HVAC system, the HVAC controller comprising:
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a housing; a display secured relative to the housing; a data port configured to interact with an external memory device; a controller in communication with the display and the data port, the controller configured to operate an algorithm that at least partially controls the one or more components of the HVAC system, the algorithm being configurable, the external memory device is not required to be accessed for the controller to operate the algorithm that at least partially controls the one or more components of the HVAC system; wherein the controller is configured to read the external memory device via the data port, and to display on the display of the HVAC controller a display element for each of one or more compatible configurations stored on the external memory device; and the controller further configured to allow a user to preview on the display a number of operating parameters of a selected configuration before deciding if the selected configuration should be loaded into the memory and used by the algorithm of the controller during operation. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for configuring a HVAC controller having a data port and a user interface including a display, comprising:
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reading an external memory device via the data port; displaying on the display of the HVAC controller a display element for each of one or more configurations stored on the external memory device; selecting a particular one of the displayed configurations via the user interface; and loading the selected configuration into an internal memory of the HVAC controller for use by the HVAC controller during operation. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A thermostat configured to control one or more components of an HVAC system, the thermostat comprising:
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a controller configured to operate an algorithm that at least partially controls the one or more components of the HVAC system in accordance with a predetermined configuration, the predetermined configuration including a plurality of operating parameters; a touch screen LCD display secured relative to a housing; a wireless data port configured to wirelessly interact with a portable memory device storing two or more configurations via a wireless communication link; and wherein, the controller only displays one or more of the configurations stored on the portable memory device that are suitable for the thermostat. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. A method of configuring a programmable thermostat, the programmable thermostat including a controller, an internal memory, a user interface including a display, and a data port, the method comprising steps of:
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reading a portable memory device via the data port, the portable memory device storing two or more configurations, one or more of the stored configurations being suitable for the programmable thermostat; displaying the one or more of the stored configurations that are suitable for the programmable thermostat on the display; selecting a stored configuration via the user interface; and transferring the stored configuration into the internal memory of the controller for use by the controller during operation of the programmable thermostat. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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Specification