Abstract: A thermostat includes a front housing, a rear housing interoperably coupled to the front housing, at least one sensor integrated with the front housing, a display integrated with the front housing, and processing circuitry interoperably coupled to the at least one sensor and the display. The display is a touch-screen display and is configured to demonstrate a user-interface screen. The user-interface screen comprises a horseshoe-shaped temperature scale, a heat set-point control, and a cool set-point control. The heat set-point control and the cool set-point control are positioned on the horseshoe-shaped temperature scale. The horseshoe-shaped temperature scale can be adjusted by dragging at least one of the heat set-point control and the cool set-point control along circumferential edges of the horseshoe-shaped temperature scale.

Abstract: A home environment system includes a programmable thermostat and at least one server configured to communicate with the programmable thermostat via a wireless network. The at least one server is configured to receive information regarding work performed on at least one component of an HVAC system, generate a first report regarding the work performed, receive information regarding subsequent work performed on the at least one component of the HVAC system, generate a second report regarding the subsequent work performed, and perform a comparison between the first report and the second report. The at least one server is further configured to generate a comparison report that indicates differences between the first report and the second report and forward the generated comparison report to at least one of the programmable thermostat and at least one communication device.

Abstract: A protective patella guard adapted for use with a knee brace having upper and lower frame members. The protective patella guard including an upper cup element coupled to the upper frame member, a lower cup element coupled to the lower frame member, and an intermediate cup element operatively coupled to the upper cup element and lower cup element. The patella guard is transitional between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein a degree of overlap between the upper cup element, the lower cup element, and the intermediate cup element decreases as the patella guard transitions from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: A heating ventilation and cooling system includes a cooling source and/or a heating source, and a controller. The cooling and/or heating sources are configured to respectively cool and heat an enclosed space. The controller is configured to receive an apparent temperature set point. The controller is further configure to operate the cooling and/or heating sources to maintain an absolute air temperature that is different from the apparent temperature set point.

Abstract: A thermostat includes a front housing, a rear housing interoperably coupled to the front housing, at least one sensor integrated with the front housing, a display integrated with the front housing, and processing circuitry interoperably coupled to the at least one sensor and the display. The processing circuitry is configured to periodically activate the at least one sensor, receive data from the at least one sensor and determine, from the received data, whether movement has occurred. Responsive to a determination that the movement has occurred, determine whether the movement is by a human and responsive to a determination that the movement was not by the human, adjust display attributes.

Abstract: A home environment system includes a programmable thermostat and at least one server configured to communicate with the programmable thermostat via a wireless network. The at least one server is configured to receive information regarding work performed on at least one component of an HVAC system, generate a first report regarding the work performed, receive information regarding subsequent work performed on the at least one component of the HVAC system, generate a second report regarding the subsequent work performed, and perform a comparison between the first report and the second report. The at least one server is further configured to generate a comparison report that indicates differences between the first report and the second report and forward the generated comparison report to at least one of the programmable thermostat and at least one communication device.

Abstract: A thermostat includes a front housing, a rear housing interoperably coupled to the front housing, at least one sensor integrated with the front housing, a display integrated with the front housing, and processing circuitry interoperably coupled to the at least one sensor and the display. The display is a touch-screen display and is configured to demonstrate a user-interface screen. The user-interface screen comprises a horseshoe-shaped temperature scale, a heat set-point control, and a cool set-point control. The heat set-point control and the cool set-point control are positioned on the horseshoe-shaped temperature scale. The horseshoe-shaped temperature scale can be adjusted by dragging at least one of the heat set-point control and the cool set-point control along circumferential edges of the horseshoe-shaped temperature scale.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an HVAC system that includes first and second controllers. The first controller is configured to control a first demand unit to maintain a setpoint temperature of a first portion of a conditioned space. A second HVAC controller is configured to control a second demand unit to maintain a setpoint temperature of a second portion of the conditioned space. The control provided by the second controller is dependent on a load metric of the first demand unit.

Abstract: Provided is a knee brace configured to be easily adjustable to conform to the size of the wearer's limb. Along these lines, the knee brace includes at least one adjustable cuff and an adjustment member coupled to the adjustable cuff for effectuating adjustment of the cuff. The adjustment member is exteriorly positioned relative to the cuff to allow the adjustment member to apply a compressing force upon the cuff to tighten the cuff on the wearer's limb.

Abstract: A protective patella guard adapted for use with a knee brace having upper and lower frame members. The protective patella guard including an upper cup element coupled to the upper frame member, a lower cup element coupled to the lower frame member, and an intermediate cup element operatively coupled to the upper cup element and lower cup element. The patella guard is transitional between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein a degree of overlap between the upper cup element, the lower cup element, and the intermediate cup element decreases as the patella guard transitions from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a mobile device for operating a HVAC unit is provided. The mobile device is configured to provide a graphical user interface to the HVAC unit. The mobile device is further configured to receive user input for performing a function of the HVAC unit and to instruct the HVAC unit to perform the function.

Abstract: Provided is a brace including upper and lower frame members and upper and lower cuff members. An upper adjuster is coupled to the upper frame member and upper cuff member and is configured to enable selective adjustment of the distance between the upper frame member and the upper cuff member. An upper connector is coupled to the upper frame member and the upper cuff member and is configured to enable selective engagement between the upper frame member and the upper cuff member. A lower adjuster is coupled to the lower frame member and the lower cuff member and is configured to enable selective adjustment of the distance between the lower frame member and the lower cuff member. A lower connector is coupled to the lower frame member and the lower cuff member and is configured to enable selective engagement between the lower frame member and the lower cuff member.

Abstract: A user interface for use with an HVAC system, a method of providing service reminders on a single screen of a user interface of an HVAC system and an HVAC system incorporating the user interface or the method. The user interface includes a display configured to provide information to a user, a touchpad configured to accept input from the user, and a processor and memory coupled to the display and the touchpad and configured to drive the display, wherein the display further configured to provide a button that allows a user to adjust an attribute of text displayed on the display.

Abstract: A controller for a zoned HVAC system and interface screens for controlling a zoned HVAC system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the controller includes: (1) a processor configured to direct operation of the HVAC system according to operating data for zones thereof and (2) a display configured to provide a zone dashboard screen including a zone information area for each of the zones, wherein each the zone information area has a defined shape and is configured to provide operating data for a single one of the zones and receive a user input that selects the single one of the zones for the processor to control.

Abstract: Provided herein is an HVAC controller that receives blower volumes for different operating modes per HVAC zones, a HVAC system including the same and a method of operating the controller. In one embodiment, the controller includes: (1) an interface configured to receive blower volumes for each zone of the HVAC system that correspond to operating modes thereof of the HVAC system, wherein the blower volumes are received via a single graphical user interface and (2) a processor configured to direct operation of a circulation fan of the HVAC system based on at least one of the blower volumes.

Abstract: A low energy environmental sensor is provided herein that is configured to receive user inputs from movement of the sensor itself. A method of operating a rocking environmental sensor is also provided. In one embodiment, the rocking environmental sensor includes: (1) a base having a fulcrum point and (2) a face including a first movement initiator area and a second movement initiator area configured to cause the face to toggle with respect to the fulcrum point and complete a signaling path indicating a user input.

Abstract: Provided is a knee brace configured to be easily adjustable to conform to the size of the wearer's limb. Along these lines, the knee brace includes at least one adjustable cuff and an adjustment member coupled to the adjustable cuff for effectuating adjustment of the cuff. The adjustment member is exteriorly positioned relative to the cuff to allow the adjustment member to apply a compressing force upon the cuff to tighten the cuff on the wearer's limb.