User interface screens for zoned hvac systems, a controller employing the screens and a method of operating a zoned hvac system

Abstract

A controller for a zoned HVAC system and interface screens for controlling a zoned HVAC system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the controller includes: (1) a processor configured to direct operation of the HVAC system according to operating data for zones thereof and (2) a display configured to provide a zone dashboard screen including a zone information area for each of the zones, wherein each the zone information area has a defined shape and is configured to provide operating data for a single one of the zones and receive a user input that selects the single one of the zones for the processor to control.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A controller for a zoned HVAC system, comprising:
 a processor configured to direct operation of said HVAC system according to operating data for zones thereof; and   a display configured to provide a zone dashboard screen including a zone information area for each of said zones, wherein each said zone information area has a defined shape and is configured to provide operating data for a single one of said zones and receive a user input that selects said single one of said zones for said processor to control.   
     
     
         2 . The controller as recited in  claim 1  wherein said processor is further configured to direct said display to provide a home page screen for said single zone in response to receiving said user input, said home page screen configured to receive inputs for adjusting at least some of said operating data for said single zone. 
     
     
         3 . The controller as recited in  claim 2  wherein said home page screen is configured to receive an input for an away mode directed only to said single zone. 
     
     
         4 . The controller as recited in  claim 3  wherein said operating data includes heating and cooling set points and said processor is configured to direct operation of said single zone based on said heating and cooling set points and a status of said away mode. 
     
     
         5 . The controller as recited in  claim 2  wherein said home page screen is further configured to receive a scrolling input and said processor is configured to direct said display to provide a home page screen for another one of said zones in response to said home page screen. 
     
     
         6 . The controller as recited in  claim 1  wherein said zone dashboard screen indicates which of said zones is in an away mode. 
     
     
         7 . The controller as recited in  claim 1  wherein said zone dashboard screen includes a unique zone identifier that corresponds to said zone information area. 
     
     
         8 . The controller as recited in  claim 1  wherein said controller is a thermostat of said HVAC system. 
     
     
         9 . The controller as recited in  claim 1  wherein said controller is a non-HVAC component configured to be wirelessly coupled to a control unit of said HVAC system. 
     
     
         10 . The controller as recited in  claim 2  wherein said home page screen further includes a zone dashboard invoker configured to receive a user input to display said zone dashboard screen, said processor configured to direct said display to provide said zone dashboard screen in response to activation of said zone dashboard invoker via said user input. 
     
     
         11 . A computer program product having a series of operating instruction stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium that directs operation of a processor when initiated thereby to provide interface screens on a display for interacting with a zoned HVAC system, said interface screens including a zone dashboard screen comprising:
 zone information areas for zones of said HVAC system, wherein each one of said zone information areas has a defined shape, is configured to provide operating data therein for a single one of said zones and is configured to receive a user input invoking a home page screen for said single one of said zones.   
     
     
         12 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 11  wherein said interface screens further comprise home page screens including said home page screen, wherein each of said home page screens is configured to receive inputs for adjusting at least some of said operating data for said single zone. 
     
     
         13 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 11  wherein said zone dashboard screen further includes an away mode indicator for said each one of said zones. 
     
     
         14 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 11  wherein said zone dashboard screen includes a unique zone identifier that corresponds to said zone information area. 
     
     
         15 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 11  wherein each of said home page screens includes current environmental data for said corresponding zone. 
     
     
         16 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 12  wherein each of said home page screens includes a cooling set point indicator and a heating set point indicator that visually provides cooling and heating set points for said corresponding zone. 
     
     
         17 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 15  wherein each of said home page screens includes a set point changer configured to increase or decrease said cooling and heating set points in response to user input. 
     
     
         18 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 11  wherein each of said home page screens includes zone status indicators and outdoor environmental data. 
     
     
         19 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 11  wherein each of said home page screens includes a zone dashboard invoker and is configured to receive a scrolling input that invokes a home page screen for another one of said zones. 
     
     
         20 . A graphical user interface for a zoned HVAC system, comprising:
 zone identifiers that textually identify different zones of said zoned HVAC system; and   zone information areas for said zones of said zoned HVAC system, wherein each one of said zone information areas has a defined shape, is configured to provide operating data therein for a single one of said zones and is configured to receive a user input invoking a home page screen for said single one of said zones.