Thermostat with reconfigurable input/output ports

Abstract

A method and system for reconfiguring a thermostat for use with an HVAC system includes providing at least one output port, pre-configuring the at least one output port for a function, and reconfiguring the at least one output port for an alternate function via a processor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thermostat for use with an HVAC system, the thermostat comprising:
 at least one output port, wherein the at least one output port is pre-configured for a function; and   a processor to reconfigure the at least one output port for an alternate function.   
     
     
         2 . The thermostat of  claim 1 , wherein the alternate function can be selected remotely or locally. 
     
     
         3 . The thermostat of  claim 2 , wherein the alternate function is selected remotely in response to a user request. 
     
     
         4 . The thermostat of  claim 3 , wherein the user request includes a current configuration description. 
     
     
         5 . The thermostat of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one output port is reconfigured in response to an HVAC system component connected to the at least one output port. 
     
     
         6 . The thermostat of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one output port is an input/output port not associated with the HVAC system. 
     
     
         7 . The thermostat of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one input/output port is connected to a peripheral not associated with the HVAC system. 
     
     
         8 . The thermostat of  claim 7 , wherein the peripheral is selected from a group consisting of: a motion sensor, a door sensor, a window sensor, a water sensor, a baby monitor, and a sump pump overflow sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The thermostat of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one input/output port is automatically reconfigured in response to the peripheral connected to the at least one input/output port. 
     
     
         10 . The thermostat of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one input port, wherein the at least one input port is pre-configured for an input function and the processor is to reconfigure the at least one input port for an alternate input function. 
     
     
         11 . A method to reconfigure a thermostat for use with an HVAC system, the method comprising:
 providing at least one output port;   pre-configuring the at least one output port for a function; and   reconfiguring the at least one output port for an alternate function via a processor.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising selecting the alternate function remotely or locally. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the alternate function is selected remotely in response to a user request. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising submitting a current configuration description with the user request. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising reconfiguring the at least one output port in response to an HVAC system component connected to the at least one output port. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one output port is an input/output port not associated with the HVAC system. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising connecting the at least one input/output port to a peripheral not associated with the HVAC system. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the peripheral is selected from a group consisting of: a motion sensor, a door sensor, a window sensor, a water sensor, a baby monitor, and a sump pump overflow sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising automatically reconfiguring the at least one input/output port in response to the peripheral connected to the at least one input/output port. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 providing at least one input port;   preconfiguring the at least one input port for an input function; and   reconfiguring the at least one input port for an alternate input function via the processor.