Abstract: A thermostat includes a microprocessor operatively coupled to and adapted to control a HVAC system. The thermostat also includes a wireless transceiver operatively coupled to the microprocessor and adapted to communicate with wireless routers. The thermostat is adapted to be placed into a listen mode, connect with a remote input device in a direct wireless connection while in the listen mode, receive a Wi-Fi password from the remote input device for accessing a first Wi-Fi wireless network over the direct wireless connection, be disconnected from the remote input device after the Wi-Fi password is received, detect a set of available networks accessible over the wireless transceiver, attempt to login to the set of available networks with the Wi-Fi password, successfully connect to the first Wi-Fi wireless network using the Wi-Fi password, and transmit device information of the thermostat over the first Wi-Fi wireless network to a cloud server.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inputting a code to a thermostat comprising the following steps, providing a thermostat having a display panel and a receiver for receiving signals from a local router, the local router configured to receive signals via the internet from a remote input device (RID), transmitting a register command to the local router, transmitting new user information to the local router and the thermostat receiving a serial number from the local router and the thermostat synchronizing with the RID without requiring any direct inputs to the display panel of the thermostat. The RID may verify the service set identifier (SSID).

Abstract: A control panel includes a current altering device for control of peripheral devices and a display having a first segment, second segment and third segment and the first and second segments are not located in the same plane. The display includes at least one touch sensitive segment to operate a peripheral control function. The display includes alphanumeric display areas adjacent to first and second segments. In an embodiment the display may have an arc shape and the first segment is located at an apex of the arc of the display in a first plane and a second segment is located in a second plane.

Abstract: A control panel includes a current altering device for control of peripheral devices and a display having a first segment, second segment and third segment and the first and second segments are not located in the same plane. The display includes at least one touch sensitive segment to operate a peripheral control function. The display includes alphanumeric display areas adjacent to first and second segments. In an embodiment the display may have an arc shape and the first segment is located at an apex of the arc of the display in a first plane and a second segment is located in a second plane.

Abstract: A control panel includes a current altering device for control of peripheral devices and a display having a first segment, second segment and third segment and the first and second segments are not located in the same plane. The display includes at least one touch sensitive segment to operate a peripheral control function. The display includes alphanumeric display areas adjacent to first and second segments. In an embodiment the display may have an arc shape and the first segment is located at an apex of the arc of the display in a first plane and a second segment is located in a second plane.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inputting a code to a thermostat comprising the following steps, providing a thermostat having a display panel and a receiver for receiving signals from a local router, the local router configured to receive signals via the internet from a remote wireless device (RID), transmitting a register command to the local router, transmitting new user information to the local router and the thermostat receiving a serial number from the local router and the thermostat synchronizing with the RID without requiring any direct inputs to the display panel of the thermostat. The RID may verify the service set identifier (SSID).

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inputting a code to a thermostat comprising the following steps, providing a thermostat having a display panel and a receiver for receiving signals from a local router, the local router configured to receive signals via the internet from a remote wireless device (RID), transmitting a register command to the local router, transmitting new user information to the local router and the thermostat receiving network information from the RID and the thermostat synchronizing with the RID without requiring any direct code inputs to the display panel of the thermostat.

Abstract: The invention provides for a controller such as a thermostat for an HVAC system having a housing having a circuit board and a display screen, the display screen having at least one alpha-numeric icon and a group of touch pads having at least two displayable touch pads. A microprocessor provided for controlling the display screen. A sole mechanical button or switch is mounted in the housing and the button has a first end and second end and a touch surface extending between the first end and second end. The sole mechanical button signals the microprocessor in order to adjust the alpha-numeric icon(s), so that the combination of inputs received by the microprocessor from the group of touch pads and sole mechanical button provide for each and every adjustment required for all of the operational functions of the controller. The mechanical button may be a rocker switch. The controller may also include a navigation button.

Abstract: The invention provides for a controller such as a thermostat for an HVAC system having a housing having a circuit board and a display screen, the display screen having at least one alpha-numeric icon and a group of touch pads having at least two displayable touch pads. A microprocessor provided for controlling the display screen. A sole mechanical button or switch is mounted in the housing and the button has a first end and second end and a touch surface extending between the first end and second end. The sole mechanical button signals the microprocessor in order to adjust the alpha-numeric icon(s), so that the combination of inputs received by the microprocessor from the group of touch pads and sole mechanical button provide for each and every adjustment required for all of the operational functions of the controller. The mechanical button may be a rocker switch. The controller may also include a navigation button.

Abstract: A control is provided that includes a current altering device for control of peripheral devices and a display having a first segment, second segment and third segment and the first and second segments are not located in the same plane. The display includes at least one touch sensitive segment to operate a peripheral control function. The display includes alphanumeric display areas adjacent to first and second segments. In an embodiment the display may have an arc shape and the first segment is located at an apex of the arc of the display in a first plane and a second segment is located in a second plane.

Abstract: The invention provides for a controller such as a thermostat for an HVAC system having a housing having a circuit board and a display screen, the display screen having at least one alpha-numeric icon and a group of touch pads having at least two displayable touch pads. A microprocessor is provided for controlling the display screen. A sole mechanical button or switch is mounted in the housing and the button has a first end and second end and a touch surface extending between the first end and second end. The sole mechanical button signals the microprocessor in order to adjust the alpha-numeric icon(s), so that the combination of inputs received by the microprocessor from the group of touch pads and sole mechanical button provide for each and every adjustment required for all of the operational functions of the controller. The mechanical button may be a rocker switch. The controller may also include a navigation button.

Abstract: The invention provides for a controller such as a thermostat for an air handler including a housing having a circuit board and a display screen, the display screen having at least one alpha-numeric icon and a group of touch sensitive areas having at least two displayable touch sensitive areas. A microprocessor provided for the display screen. A sole mechanical button or switch is mounted in the housing and the button has a first end and second end and a touch surface extending between the first end and second end. The sole mechanical button signals the microprocessor in order to adjust the alpha-numeric icon, so that the combination of inputs received by the microprocessor from the group of touch pad sensitive areas and sole mechanical button provide for each and every adjustment required for all of the operational functions of the controller. The mechanical button may be a rocker switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a controller for an HVAC system comprising a controller assembly including a main housing having a mounting plate for mounting the controller assembly to a building wall, the mounting plate having at least one side and a back surface for facing the building wall when mounted thereto, a sheet receiving slot disposed in the back surface and the slot having a side opening in the side of the mounting plate, the slot configured for receiving an instruction sheet through the side opening in order to allow insertion and removal of the instruction from the slot.

Abstract: The invention provides for a controller such as a thermostat for an HVAC system comprising a housing having a circuit board and a display screen, the display screen having at least one alpha-numeric icon and a group of touch pads comprising at least two displayable touch pads. A microprocessor is provided for controlling the display screen. A sole mechanical button or switch is mounted in the housing and the button has a first end and second end and a touch surface extending between the first end and second end. The sole mechanical button signals the microprocessor in order to adjust the alpha-numeric icon(s), so that the combination of inputs received by the microprocessor from the group of touch pads and sole mechanical button provide for each and every adjustment required for all of the operational functions of the controller. The mechanical button may be a rocker switch. The controller may also include a navigation button.

Abstract: The invention provides for a controller such as a thermostat for an air handler comprising a housing having a circuit board and a display screen, the display screen having at least one alpha-numeric icon and a group of touch sensitive areas comprising at least two displayable touch sensitive areas. A microprocessor provided for the display screen. A sole mechanical button or switch is mounted in the housing and the button has a first end and second end and a touch surface extending between the first end and second end. The sole mechanical button signals the microprocessor in order to adjust the alpha-numeric icon, so that the combination of inputs received by the microprocessor from the group of touch pad sensitive areas and sole mechanical button provide for each and every adjustment required for all of the operational functions of the controller. The mechanical button may be a rocker switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a control for activating and deactivating heating, cooling and fan recirculate modes having an interval timer switchable between a timer on (TON) state and a timer off (TOFF) state, both the TON and TOFF state durations are variable according to comparisons between room temperature and a set point temperature of the control and the control activating the fan recirculate mode when the room temperature deviates from the set point temperature of the control. An interval spacer is provided to prevent back to back fan on states.

Abstract: A rotary disk humidifier of the type that has multiple parallel spaced disks rotatably mounted in a water reservoir in a housing with controls for maintaining the water level in the housing to obtain an optimum wetted disk area above the water level exposed to air flow to achieve optimum humidification. At one theoretical extreme, the water level is at or above the center of rotation of disks decreasing the area of the disks exposed to free air flow through the housing. At the other theoretical extreme with the water level just at or slightly above the outer diameter of the disks, there is a grossly insufficient wetted area of the disk to approach the optimum area. Between those extremes there is a mathematical optimal range of the ratio inner wetted diameter of the disk Ri to the outside wetted diameter of the disk Ro (or the average outer diameter of the disk—the disk may not be circular) of about 0.30.

Abstract: A dangerous condition warning device issues an alarm when a sensed dangerous condition exceeds a predetermined status and has an associated card carrying imprinted protocol and instruction information which is intended to be permanently linked with the device for future reference. The card has first and second generally parallel side edges and a third edge including a tab and is fabricated from a durable and flexible material. A device housing is detachably attachable to a supporting surface for operational mounting. The housing includes a base member having an outside surface including a rear facing portion disposed adjacent the supporting surface when the device is installed for normal operation and a label area in the rear facing portion. The label area includes first and second generally parallel, mutually facing slots suitably spaced apart to retain the card when the first and second side edges of the card are inserted therein.

Abstract: A dangerous condition warning device for issuing an alarm when a dangerous condition is sensed incorporates a circuit including a replaceable dangerous condition sensor, a processor coupled to the sensor for periodically determining the ambient concentration of a potentially dangerous substance (e.g., CO) and a horn to issue alarm signals if indicated, the processor also periodically checking the integrity of the sensor, and the device incorporates sensor placement apparatus for facilitating removing and correctly replacing a sensor of suspect integrity. The sensor has an outer periphery and a reduced dimension portion employed as first and second electrodes. The sensor placement apparatus includes a sensor receptacle; a first contact member positioned to contact the reduced dimension portion of the sensor when the sensor is correctly emplaced and to electrically connect to the outer periphery of the sensor when the sensor is incorrectly emplaced.

Abstract: A support assembly for supporting two poppel-type actuation switches at a housing, such as a radiotelephone handset housing. The actuation switches are positioned beneath a support body of the support assembly and maintained in a desired orientation relative to such support body by pawl arms which extend beneath the support body. Post members extend beneath the support body to abut against membranes of the respective actuation switches. The support body is affixed to the housing by way of retaining arms positioned to extend beneath the support body midway along the length thereof while permitting limited pivotal movement about rocker arms positioned at sides of the support body responsive to twisting moments applied to the support body. The twisting moments applied to the support body are transmitted to the poppel-type switches by way of the post members form the actuation forces to actuate the poppel-type switches supported thereat.