Memory recovery scheme and data structure in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning network

• US 8,463,443 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2009
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Grohman, Wojciech, Hadzidedic, Darko
• Primary Examiner(s): Padmanabhan, Kavita
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rapp, Chad
• Application Number:
  US12/603,528
• Publication Number:
  US 20100106815A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,329 Days
• Field of Search: 700/20, 700/83, 700/276, 700/277, 700/278, 700/299, 700/300, 236/1.C, 236/91.D
• US Class Current: 700/276
• 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 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/54 using one central controller connected to several sub-controllers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values

Abstract

The disclosure provides systems and methods for conveying information between a communicating first device and a second coupled device of a HVAC network. In various embodiments, the method comprises checking a subnet of the HVAC network for both communicating device and a non-communicating device by the communicating first device. The method also comprises determining whether the second coupled device in a non-communicating device. The method further comprises allowing an installer to set parameters of the non-communicating device through employment of a manifest list of features used by the non-communicating device that is accessible by the communicating device.

Claims

1. A method for conveying information between a communicating first device and a second device coupled to said communicating first device of a HVAC network, comprising:

checking a subnet of said HVAC network for a second device by said communicating first device;

determining whether said second device is a non-communicating device; and

allowing an installer to set internal parameters of said second device through employment of said first communicating device if said second device is said non-communicating device;

wherein said first communicating device is a HVAC component device providing at least one service in response to a control unit.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said non-communicating device is a device that communicates through said first communicating device during an installation instead of directly with an installer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said first communicating device conveys said internal parameters to said second, non-communicating, device after said installer sets said parameters into said communicating.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said internal parameters mimic parameters employed in said non-communicating second device to said installer.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said first communicating device and said second device are coupled to a subnetwork of said HVAC that is controlled by an active subnet controller.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said second device is an outdoor unit.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said internal parameters are associated with subnet communications of said second device.

8. An HVAC system, comprising:

a first communicating device; and

a second device coupled to said first communicating device;

wherein said first device is configured to determine if said second device is a non-communicating device and allow an installer to set internal parameters for said non-communicating device, and said first device is a HVAC component device providing at least one service in response to a control unit.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said non-communicating device is a device that communicates through said first communicating device during an installation instead of directly with an installer.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said first communicating device is configured to convey said parameters to said second non-communicating device after said installer sets said internal parameters into said first communicating device.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein said internal parameters mimic parameters employed in said non-communicating second device.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein said first communicating device and said second device are coupled to a subnetwork of said HVAC, said subnet controlled by an active subnet controller.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein said second device is an outdoor unit.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein said internal parameters are associated with subnet communications of said second device.

15. An HVAC system, comprising:

a first communicating device; and

a second device coupled to said first communicating device;

wherein said first device is configured to determine if said second device is a non-communicating device and allow an installer to set internal parameters for said non-communicating device, wherein said installer sets said internal parameters through employment of an Internet, and said first device is a HVAC component device providing at least one service in response to a control unit.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said non-communicating device is a device that communicates through said first communicating device during an installation instead of directly with an installer.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein said first communicating device is configured to convey said internal parameters to said second non-communicating device after said installer sets said internal parameters into said first communicating device.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein said internal parameters mimic parameters employed in said non-communicating second device.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein said first communicating device and said second device are coupled to a subnetwork of said HVAC, said subnet controlled by an active subnet controller.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein said internal parameters are associated with subnet communications of said second device.