Controller interface with separate schedule review mode
View Patent ↗A controller equipped with a user interface having a separate schedule review mode, including methods of accessing and/or programming such devices, are disclosed. The controller may include a user interface that can be utilized to initiate a scheduling routine having a separate schedule review mode for displaying one or more schedule parameters of the controller without initiating the editing mode. An illustrative method of accessing a schedule on a controller coupled to a user interface may include the steps of initializing a scheduling routine within the controller, initiating a schedule review mode within the controller, displaying one or more schedule parameters for at least one period on the user interface, and exiting the scheduling routine. One or more of the schedule parameters can be modified, if desired, by initiating a separate editing mode within the controller.
1. A method of accessing a schedule on an HVAC controller having a user interface, wherein the HVAC controller is configured to directly communicate with and control one or more pieces of HVAC equipment in accordance with a programmable schedule, the method comprising:
manually initiating a schedule review mode within the HVAC controller, said schedule review mode permitting viewing access only and not permitting editing access to at least two schedule parameters in the schedule,
while in the schedule review mode, manually selecting via the user interface of the HVAC controller any of the two or more schedule parameters;
in response to the manually selecting step, displaying the manually selected schedule parameters via the user interface without first having to wait for other schedule parameters to be automatically sequentially displayed on the user interface of the HVAC controller;
exiting the schedule review mode; and
operating the HVAC controller in accordance with the schedule.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
initiating an editing mode within the HVAC controller; and
while in the editing mode, modifying at least one schedule parameter of the schedule resulting in a modified schedule, wherein the schedule review mode must be exited before the editing mode is initiated; and
operating the HVAC controller in accordance with the modified schedule.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of initiating the schedule review mode occurs prior to the step of initiating the editing mode.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said schedule includes at least two time periods, with one or more schedule parameters corresponding to each of the at least two time periods, at least one of the time periods corresponding to a wake period, a leave period, a return period, or a sleep period.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said two or more schedule parameters includes one or more of an event time parameter, a heat set point parameter, a cool set point parameter, a fan mode parameter, and a humidity level parameter.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user interface of the HVAC controller comprises a touch screen.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user interface of the HVAC controller comprises a display panel and keypad.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user interface of the HVAC controller is a menu-driven interface.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said schedule is a heating schedule.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein said schedule is a cooling schedule.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein said schedule is a venting schedule.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein said controller is an HVAC thermostat mountable to a wall of a building or other structure.