Hvac controller user interfaces

Abstract

Controllers for controlling heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and cooling (HVAC) systems are provided. The controllers include graphical user interfaces for user adjustment of system settings. In certain embodiments, the graphical user interfaces may include slide bars for adjusting temperature set points. In certain embodiments, the graphical user interfaces may include selectable calendars for adjusting program schedules for the HVAC systems. In certain embodiments, the graphical user interfaces may include screens for adjusting a nightlight feature of the controller.

1 . A control device comprising:
 a communication interface suitable for operable connection to a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system;   a display with a backlight and capable of displaying user selectable graphical elements for assigning a schedule that adjusts an intensity of the backlight for a set period;   a graphical user interface capable of receiving a user input that selects the set period via the selectable graphical elements; and   a processor capable of operating the backlight at the adjusted intensity for the set period and capable of operating the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system through the communication interface.   
     
     
         2 . The control device of  claim 1 , wherein the display comprises a touch screen for sensing the user input. 
     
     
         3 . The control device of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical user interface comprises a virtual slide bar for selecting the reduced intensity. 
     
     
         4 . The control device of  claim 3 , wherein the display is capable of displaying a slide bar defining a range of intensity settings and capable of displaying a movable feature disposed on the slide bar, and wherein the graphical user interface is capable of receiving another user input that moves the moveable feature along the slide bar to select the reduced intensity. 
     
     
         5 . The control device of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical user interface comprises another selectable graphical element for selectively enabling the schedule. 
     
     
         6 . A method, comprising:
 receiving an adjusted set point for a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system;   determining whether the adjusted set point exceeds an over adjustment threshold;   operating the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system based on the adjusted set point in response to determining that the adjusted set point does not exceed the over adjustment threshold.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein determining whether the adjusted set point exceeds an over adjustment threshold comprises determining the difference between the adjusted set point and a current set point. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein determining whether the adjusted set point exceeds an over adjustment threshold comprises determining a set point adjustment frequency. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the adjusted set point comprises a temperature set point or a humidity set point. 
     
     
         10 . A control device comprising:
 a communication interface suitable for operable connection to a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system;   a graphical user interface comprising user selectable graphical elements for producing a virtual representation of a physical environment conditioned by the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system; and   a display capable of displaying the virtual representation.   
     
     
         11 . The control device of  claim 10 , wherein the graphical user interface is capable of receiving a user input adjusting zones of the physical environment through the virtual representation and comprising a processor capable of operating the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system based on the adjusted zones. 
     
     
         12 . A control device comprising:
 a communication interface suitable for operable connection to a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system;   a graphical user interface comprising a user selectable graphical element for enabling a rapid heating and/or rapid cooling mode; and   a processor capable of overriding a current temperature setting to operate the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system at a maximum capacity in response to selection of the user selectable graphical element.