Universal Apparatus and Method for Configurably Controlling a Heating or Cooling System

Abstract

A system for controlling the operation of a heating or cooling system includes a system controller, a memory in which system parameter information relating to the heating or cooling system is stored, and a communication device through which the system controller is configured to transmit and receive signals to/from at least one component controller. The system controller is configured to receive via the communication device a data signal from the at least one component controller that includes information relating to operational parameters for at least one system component installed in the heating and cooling system. The system controller is configured to store in the memory the received operational parameters corresponding to the at least one system component. The stored operational parameters may be retrievable for communication to a replacement component controller in the event that the at least one component controller is replaced.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for controlling the operation of a heating and/or cooling system, comprising:
 a first controller having a memory in which system parameter information relating to the heating and/or cooling system is stored, said system parameter information including at least one parameter relating to operation of at least one specific heating and/or cooling system component;   a communication device through which the first controller is configured to transmit signals to and/or receive signals from at least one second controller;   at least one other memory in which the system parameter information is stored, the system parameter information being retrievable from the at least one other memory for communication to a replacement controller in the event that the first controller is replaced; and   an input interface configured to permit input of system parameter information for storage in the memory of the first controller and in the at least one other memory.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the input interface is further configured to permit the input of system parameter information in response to user input to one of the at least one second controller. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the system parameter information is input for storage in the memory of the first controller and in the at least one other memory in response to user input via a menu. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second controllers comprises one or more of the following: a system controller, a component controller for controlling at least one component of the heating and/or cooling system, a furnace controller, an air conditioner controller, a blower motor controller, and a thermostat. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first controller comprises a system controller, and the at least one second controller comprises at least one component controller for controlling at least one component of the heating and/or cooling system, the at least one component controller including the at least one other memory such that the system parameter information stored in the at least one other memory is retrievable for communication to a replacement system controller in the event that the system controller is replaced. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one second controller comprises a system controller, and the first controller comprises a component controller for controlling at least one component of the heating and/or cooling system, the system controller including the at least one other memory such that the system parameter information stored in the at least one other memory is retrievable for communication to a replacement component controller in the event that the component controller is replaced. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further configured to detect an installation of a memory in which the stored system parameter information is absent and to copy the stored system parameter information thereto. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the input interface is configured to permit input of system parameter information by one or more of the following: a controller manufacturer, and a user of the system. 
     
     
         9 . A system for controlling the operation of a heating and/or cooling system, comprising:
 a first controller of the heating and/or cooling system, the first controller communicatively connected with at least one second controller of the heating and/or cooling system, the first controller having at least a first memory for storing system parameter information relating to the heating and/or cooling system, the system parameter information including at least one parameter relating to operation of at least one specific heating and/or cooling system component;   a second memory for storing the system parameter information to thereby retain the system parameter information in the event that the first controller or one of the at least one second controller requires replacement, the system parameter information being retrievable from the at least one first memory or second memory for communication to a replacement controller; and   an input interface of the heating and/or cooling system, the input interface configured to permit input of at least a portion of the system parameter information relating to the heating and/or cooling system, for storage in the second memory and/or the first memory.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the input interface is further configured to permit the input of system parameter information in response to user input to one of the controllers. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the system parameter information is input for storage in at least the first memory of the first controller and in the second memory in response to user input via a menu. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein each of the first and second controllers comprises one or more of the following: a system controller, a component controller for controlling at least one component of the heating and/or cooling system, a furnace controller, an air conditioner controller, a blower motor controller, and a thermostat. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the input interface is provided on one of the controllers. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the one of the controllers comprises one or more of the following: a system controller, a furnace controller, an air conditioner controller, and a thermostat. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the input interface is configured to permit input of system parameter information by one or more of the following: a controller manufacturer, and a user of the system. 
     
     
         16 . A method of configuring one or more controllers for use in a heating and/or cooling system, the method comprising:
 installing at least first and second controllers in the heating and/or cooling system;   establishing communication between the first and second controllers; and   using an input interface, inputting system parameter information to a memory of the first controller, the system parameter information including at least one parameter relating to operation of at least one specific heating and/or cooling system component;   wherein the first controller communicates at least some of the system parameter information to a memory of the second controller for storage therein, and for retrieval therefrom and communication to a replacement controller in the event of replacement of the first controller.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein inputting system parameter information to a memory of the first controller comprises using a menu. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein inputting system parameter information to a memory of the first controller is performed by one or more of the following: a controller manufacturer, and a user of the system. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein each of the first and second controllers includes one or more of the following: a system controller, a component controller for controlling at least one component of the heating and/or cooling system, a furnace controller, an air conditioner controller, a blower motor controller, and a thermostat. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first controller detects an installation of a memory in which the stored system parameter information is absent and copies the stored system parameter information thereto.