Controller interface with separate schedule review mode

Abstract

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 . An HVAC controller comprising:
 a touch screen display;   a memory for storing a programmable schedule, the programmable schedule defined by two or more programmable schedule parameters;   a controller coupled to the touch screen display and the memory, the controller configured to:   display a schedule review button on the touch screen display;   enter a schedule review mode when the schedule review button is touched by a user, wherein while in the schedule review mode, one or more of the programmable schedule parameters of the programmable schedule are displayed on the touch screen display, and a user is permitting viewing access only and not permitting editing access to one or more of the programmable schedule parameters of the programmable schedule that are displayed on the touch screen display;   display a schedule editing button on the touch screen display; and   enter a schedule editing mode when the schedule editing mode button is touched by a user, wherein while in the schedule editing mode, one or more of the programmable schedule parameters of the programmable schedule are displayed on the touch screen display, and a user is permitted editing access to one or more of the programmable schedule parameters of the programmable schedule by touching one or more parameter change touch regions on the touch screen display, resulting in one or more changed programmable schedule parameters.   
     
     
         2 . The HVAC controller of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to save the one or more changed programmable schedule parameters to the memory. 
     
     
         3 . The HVAC controller of  claim 1 , wherein the schedule review mode is exited before the schedule editing mode is entered. 
     
     
         4 . The HVAC controller of  claim 1 , wherein said programmable schedule includes at least two days, wherein each of the at least two days includes at least two time periods with one or more schedule parameters corresponding to each of the at least two time periods. 
     
     
         5 . The HVAC controller of  claim 4 , wherein while in the schedule editing mode, the controller is configured to allow a user to select one or more days of the programmable schedule by touching one or more day selection touch regions on the touch screen display so that the one or more changed programmable schedule parameters can be applied to each of the selected days. 
     
     
         6 . The HVAC controller of  claim 4 , wherein while in the schedule editing mode, the controller is configured to display one or more programmable schedule parameters of at least one time period for the one or more selected days of the programmable schedule. 
     
     
         7 . The HVAC controller of  claim 6 , wherein while in the schedule editing mode, the controller is configured to allow a user to select a first time period, and to then make changes to one or more of the programmable schedule parameters that correspond to the first time period for the one or more selected days. 
     
     
         8 . The HVAC controller of  claim 7 , wherein while in the schedule editing mode, the controller is configured to allow a user to select a second time period, and to then make changes to one or more of the programmable schedule parameters that correspond to the second time period for the one or more selected days. 
     
     
         9 . The HVAC controller of  claim 1 , wherein the programmable schedule includes a heating schedule, and wherein the two or more programmable schedule parameters include a time related parameter and a temperature related parameter. 
     
     
         10 . The HVAC controller of  claim 1 , wherein the programmable schedule includes a cooling schedule, and wherein the two or more programmable schedule parameters include a time related parameter and a temperature related parameter. 
     
     
         11 . The HVAC controller of  claim 1 , wherein the HVAC controller is a thermostat that includes local temperature sensor coupled to the controller. 
     
     
         12 . A method of accessing and programming a programmable schedule on an HVAC controller equipped with a touch screen display, the programmable schedule defined by two or more programmable schedule parameters, comprising:
 providing a scheduling routine within the HVAC controller, the scheduling routine including a schedule review mode and a separate schedule editing mode;   entering the schedule review mode within the HAC controller by touching a schedule review button on the touch screen display, wherein while in the schedule review mode, one or more of the programmable schedule parameters of the programmable schedule are displayed on the touch screen display, and a user is permitting viewing access only and not permitting editing access to one or more of the programmable schedule parameters;   entering the schedule editing mode within the HVAC controller by touching a schedule editing button on the touch screen display, wherein while in the schedule editing mode, one or more of the programmable schedule parameters of the programmable schedule are displayed on the touch screen display, and a user is permitted editing access to one or more of the programmable schedule parameters of the programmable schedule by touching one or more parameter change touch regions on the touch screen display;   while in the editing mode, touching one or more parameter change touch regions on the touch screen display, resulting in one or more changed programmable schedule parameters; and   saving the one or more changed programmable schedule parameters to a memory of the HVAC controller.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the schedule review mode is exited before the schedule editing mode is entered. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said programmable schedule includes at least two days, wherein each of the at least two days includes at least two time periods with one or more schedule parameters corresponding to each of the at least two time periods. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein while in the schedule editing mode, allowing a user to select one or more days of the programmable schedule by touching one or more day selection touch regions on the touch screen display. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein while in the schedule editing mode, displaying one or more programmable schedule parameters of at least one time period for the one or more selected days of the programmable schedule. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein while in the schedule editing mode, allow a user to select a first time period, and to then make changes to one or more of the programmable schedule parameters that correspond to the first time period for the one or more selected days. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein while in the schedule editing mode, allowing a user to select a second time period, and to then make changes to one or more of the programmable schedule parameters that correspond to the second time period for the one or more selected days. 
     
     
         19 . An HVAC controller for use in controlling an HVAC system, the HVAC controller comprising:
 a memory for storing a programmable schedule, the programmable schedule defined by two or more programmable schedule parameters;   a user interface; and   a processor configured to run a scheduling routine for modifying a programmable schedule of the HVAC controller, the scheduling routine including a schedule review mode and a separate schedule editing mode;   wherein while in the schedule review mode, a user is permitting viewing access only and not permitting editing access to the programmable schedule parameters of the programmable schedule; and   while in the schedule editing mode, a user is permitted editing access to one or more of the programmable schedule parameters of the programmable schedule.   
     
     
         20 . The HVAC controller of  claim 19 , wherein the user interface includes a touch screen display.