Hvac graphical user interface with visual obscurity and methods of use thereof

Abstract

An HVAC controller operable in an occupied mode and an unoccupied mode and includes a touch-responsive display. The controller displays an informational region having non-interactive user interface elements, a control region having interactive user-interface elements and an override region having an occupied status display and an occupancy override control having an override state and a non-override state. The visual properties of the variable opacity region is manipulated to guide the user during use of the HVAC controller.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus for control of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system with an HVAC controller, the apparatus comprising:
 a memory including a set of executable instructions; and   a processor configured to access the memory, and execute the set of executable instructions to cause the apparatus to at least:   display a graphical user interface (GUI) that enables a user to specify one or more operational settings of the HVAC system, and apply the one or more operational settings to the HVAC controller;   display a dialog box that enables the user to select one or more additional HVAC controllers, and further apply the one or more operational settings to the one or more additional HVAC controllers; and   send the one or more operational settings to the one or more additional HVAC controllers to cause the one or more additional HVAC controllers to operate according to the one or more operational settings.   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the apparatus is remote from the HVAC controller, and the processor is configured to execute the set of executable instructions to cause the apparatus to further send the one or more operational settings to the HVAC controller to cause the HVAC controller to operate according to the one or more operational settings. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the apparatus is caused to send the one or more operational settings to a cloud service from which the one or more operational settings are pushed to the HVAC controller and the one or more additional HVAC controllers. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the apparatus is caused to display the GUI to enable the user to specify the one or more operational settings that include a temperature setpoint of the HVAC system. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the HVAC controller has modes of operation, and the GUI is displayed to enable the user to specify the one or more operational settings for respective ones of the modes of operation. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the apparatus is caused to display the GUI to enable the user to generate a schedule with periods of operation of the HVAC controller for which the one or more operational settings are specified, and the user is further enabled to apply the schedule to the HVAC controller and the one or more additional HVAC controllers. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the set of executable instructions to cause the apparatus to further temporarily shade the GUI outside of the dialog box when the dialog box is displayed. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the apparatus is caused to display the dialog box in which the one or more additional HVAC controllers are identified, and that includes graphical control elements for user selection of the one or more additional HVAC controllers. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the one or more HVAC controllers are a plurality of additional HVAC controllers, and the apparatus is caused to display the dialog box in which the plurality of additional HVAC controllers are identified in groups that also include graphical control elements for use selection of one or more of the groups. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the one or more HVAC controllers are a plurality of additional HVAC controllers, and the apparatus is caused to display the dialog box in which one or more of the plurality of additional HVAC controllers are identified but unselectable for application of the one or more operational settings. 
     
     
         35 . A method for control of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system with an HVAC controller, the method comprising:
 displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) that enables a user to specify one or more operational settings of the HVAC system, and apply the one or more operational settings to the HVAC controller;   displaying a dialog box that enables the user to select one or more additional HVAC controllers, and further apply the one or more operational settings to the one or more additional HVAC controllers; and   sending the one or more operational settings to the one or more additional HVAC controllers to cause the one or more additional HVAC controllers to operate according to the one or more operational settings.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the method further comprises sending the one or more operational settings to the HVAC controller to cause the HVAC controller to operate according to the one or more operational settings. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the one or more operational settings are sent to a cloud service from which the one or more operational settings are pushed to the HVAC controller and the one or more additional HVAC controllers. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the GUI is displayed to enable the user to specify the one or more operational settings that include a temperature setpoint of the HVAC system. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the HVAC controller has modes of operation, and the GUI is displayed to enable the user to specify the one or more operational settings for respective ones of the modes of operation. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the GUI is displayed to enable the user to generate a schedule with periods of operation of the HVAC controller for which the one or more operational settings are specified, and the user is further enabled to apply the schedule to the HVAC controller and the one or more additional HVAC controllers. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the method further comprises temporarily shading the GUI outside of the dialog box when the dialog box is displayed. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the dialog box is displayed in which the one or more additional HVAC controllers are identified, and that includes graphical control elements for user selection of the one or more additional HVAC controllers. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the one or more HVAC controllers are a plurality of additional HVAC controllers, and the dialog box is displayed in which the plurality of additional HVAC controllers are identified in groups that also include graphical control elements for use selection of one or more of the groups. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the one or more HVAC controllers are a plurality of additional HVAC controllers, and the dialog box is displayed in which one or more of the plurality of additional HVAC controllers are identified but unselectable for application of the one or more operational settings.