Abstract: An HVAC controller including a controller and a display operatively coupled to the controller. The display may include a first region and a second region. The first region of the display may have an array of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns for displaying an image in a dot matrix format. The second region of the display may have a plurality of predefined fixed segment graphical icons. The controller may be configured to display one or more programmable options of the HVAC controller in the first region of the display for selection by a user, where the programmable options may be used to set settings that are capable of controlling subsequent operations and/or functionality of the HVAC controller. The controller may be configured to selectively animate one or more of the programmable options displayed in the first region.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring an air filter installed in an HVAC system may include operating the HVAC system in an air filter monitoring mode such as, for example, a fan only mode, and measuring, for example, a differential pressure across the air filter when the HVAC system is operating in the air filter monitoring mode. The method may include evaluating a status of the air filter using, for example, the measured differential pressure value, and in some cases, display the status on a display of an HVAC controller.

Abstract: A mobile wireless device (e.g. smart phone) may be used to remotely control an HVAC system. A program code stored in the memory of the mobile wireless device may cause the mobile wireless device to store geographic information in the memory of the mobile wireless device, monitor a location of the mobile wireless device, and compare the stored geographic information to the location of the mobile wireless device. If the comparison meets predetermined criteria, the program code may cause the mobile wireless device to transmit a command either directly or indirectly to an HVAC controller, causing the HVAC controller to transition from a first operating state having a first temperature setpoint to a second operating state having a second temperature setpoint.

Abstract: An electronic sub-assembly for an HVAC Controller includes a touch screen display and a printed circuit board. The touch screen display including a viewing side and a non-viewing side. A conductive trace is disposed on the viewing side of the touch screen display adjacent a perimeter of the touch screen display. The printed circuit board, which includes a grounding feature, is positioned adjacent the non-viewing side of the touch screen display. A connector is in electrical communication with the conductive trace and the grounding feature of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An HVAC Controller may include a first sub-assembly and a second sub-assembly releasably engageble with the first sub-assembly. The first sub-assembly may include a first housing and a printed circuit board capable of being secured relative to the first housing and capable of providing one or more signals. The second sub-assembly may include a second housing and a second printed circuit board capable of being secured relative to the second housing and capable of receiving the one or more signals from the first printed circuit boards when the first sub-assembly is releasably engaging the second sub-assembly. The first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board each may have one or more component mounted on sides facing one another, the components each extending a distance. The sum of the distances may be greater than a distance spacing the facing sides of the printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A terminal assembly for use with an electronic device may include a first portion for secure a wire and a second portion for receiving a pin of an electronic device. The first portion and the second portion may be configured to electrically connect the pin to the wire.

Abstract: An HVAC Controller including a printed circuit board (PCB) and a display sub-assembly. The display sub-assembly may include a frame, a display, and a light guide. The frame may be secured relative to the PCB and may have a front side facing away from the PCB and a back side facing toward the PCB. The frame may include one or more side walls that may extend between the front side and the back side, where the side walls may define a space. The display and the light guide may be positioned at least partially within the space and the light guide may be positioned between the display and the PCB. The frame may have one or more back stop features and one or more front stop features that stop the light guide and the display from sliding out of the back side and front side of the frame, respectively.

Abstract: A mobile wireless device (e.g. smart phone) may be used to remotely control an HVAC system. A program code stored in the memory of the mobile wireless device may cause the mobile wireless device to store geographic information in the memory of the mobile wireless device, monitor a location of the mobile wireless device, and compare the stored geographic information to the location of the mobile wireless device. If the comparison meets predetermined criteria, the program code may cause the mobile wireless device to transmit a command either directly or indirectly to an HVAC controller, causing the HVAC controller to transition from a first operating state having a first temperature setpoint to a second operating state having a second temperature setpoint.

Abstract: Ports for sensing one or more parameters in an HVAC system and methods for installing such ports. In one illustrative embodiment, a port provides a fluid passageway through a wall of an HVAC component such as an air duct. The port may be formed of a hollow stem member having a first end and a second end and a head member positioned therebetween. The port may include an anchor member for anchoring the port to a wall of the HVAC component. In some cases, the anchor member may secure the port within the wall such that the head member forms a substantially fluid tight seal with the wall.

Abstract: A mobile wireless device (e.g. smart phone) may be used to remotely control an HVAC system. A program code stored in the memory of the mobile wireless device may cause the mobile wireless device to store geographic information in the memory of the mobile wireless device, monitor a location of the mobile wireless device, and compare the stored geographic information to the location of the mobile wireless device. If the comparison meets predetermined criteria, the program code may cause the mobile wireless device to transmit a command either directly or indirectly to an HVAC controller, causing the HVAC controller to transition from a first operating state having a first temperature setpoint to a second operating state having a second temperature setpoint.

Abstract: An HVAC controller may include a controller and a display operatively coupled to the controller. A first region of the display may have an array of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns for displaying an image in a dot matrix format. A second region of the display may have a plurality of predefined fixed segment graphical icons. The controller may be configured to display a list of one or more programmable options of the HVAC controller in the first region of the display for selection by a user. At least one of the one or more programmable options may be used to set settings that are used for controlling subsequent operations and/or functionality of the HVAC controller. The first region of the display may simultaneously display in a vertical direction an integer number of programmable options plus a fraction of a programmable option.

Abstract: An HVAC controller including a controller and a display operatively coupled to the controller. The display may include a first region and a second region. The first region of the display may have an array of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns for displaying an image in a dot matrix format. The second region of the display may have a plurality of predefined fixed segment graphical icons. The controller may be configured to display one or more programmable options of the HVAC controller in the first region of the display for selection by a user, where the programmable options may be used to set settings that are capable of controlling subsequent operations and/or functionality of the HVAC controller. The controller may be configured to selectively animate one or more of the programmable options displayed in the first region.

Abstract: An electronic sub-assembly for an HVAC Controller may include a touch screen display and a printed circuit board. The touch screen display including a viewing side and a non-viewing side. A conductive trace may be disposed on the viewing side of the touch screen display adjacent a perimeter of the touch screen display. The printed circuit board, which may include a grounding feature, may be positioned adjacent the non-viewing side of the touch screen display. A connector may be in electrical communication with the conductive trace and the grounding feature of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An HVAC Controller may include a first sub-assembly and a second sub-assembly releasably engageble with the first sub-assembly. The first sub-assembly may include a first housing and a printed circuit board capable of being secured relative to the first housing and capable of providing one or more signals. The second sub-assembly may include a second housing and a second printed circuit board capable of being secured relative to the second housing and capable of receiving the one or more signals from the first printed circuit boards when the first sub-assembly is releasably engaging the second sub-assembly. The first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board each may have one or more component mounted on sides facing one another, the components each extending a distance. The sum of the distances may be greater than a distance spacing the facing sides of the printed circuit boards.

Abstract: An HVAC Controller including a printed circuit board (PCB) and a display sub-assembly. The display sub-assembly may include a frame, a display, and a light guide. The frame may be secured relative to the PCB and may have a front side facing away from the PCB and a back side facing toward the PCB. The frame may include one or more side walls that may extend between the front side and the back side, where the side walls may define a space. The display and the light guide may be positioned at least partially within the space and the light guide may be positioned between the display and the PCB. The frame may have one or more back stop features and one or more front stop features that stop the light guide and the display from sliding out of the back side and front side of the frame, respectively.

Abstract: A terminal assembly for use with an electronic device may include a first portion for secure a wire and a second portion for receiving a pin of an electronic device. The first portion and the second portion may be configured to electrically connect the pin to the wire.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring the condition of a new air filter installed in an HVAC system are disclosed. In one example, an input that indicates a new air filter has been installed may be accepted, and in response, the HVAC system may be automatically operated in an air filter verifying mode, in which the fan of the HVAC system is activated to drive air through the new air filter. While in the air filter verifying mode, a measure related to an amount of flow restriction presented by the new air filter may be received. A status of the new air filter may be determined based, at least in part, on the received measure related to the amount of flow restriction presented by the air filter of the HVAC system. Once the status of the new air filter is determined, an indication may be displayed on a display, which may communicate the determined status of the new air filter to a user.

Abstract: Methods and systems for indicating a status of an air filter of an HVAC system may include receiving a measure that is related to an amount of flow restriction presented by the air filter in an HVAC system, using the measure to determine whether the air filter does not need replacing, the air filter needs to be replaced soon, or the air filter should be replaced now, and displaying on a display of an HVAC controller an air filter status indicator, wherein the air filter status indicator includes a stop-light metaphor. In one example, the air filter status indicator may display a green color when the air filter does not need replacing, display a yellow color when the air filter needs to be replaced soon, and display a red color when the air filter should be replaced now. In some cases, the air filter status indicator may also include a qualitative term indicative of the current status of the air filter.

Abstract: A mobile wireless device (e.g. smart phone) may be used to remotely control an HVAC system. A program code stored in the memory of the mobile wireless device may cause the mobile wireless device to store geographic information in the memory of the mobile wireless device, monitor a location of the mobile wireless device, and compare the stored geographic information to the location of the mobile wireless device. If the comparison meets predetermined criteria, the program code may cause the mobile wireless device to transmit a command either directly or indirectly to an HVAC controller, causing the HVAC controller to transition from a first operating state having a first temperature setpoint to a second operating state having a second temperature setpoint.

Abstract: Sensor offsets for an air filter monitor installed in an HVAC system may be determined by measuring a sensor offset differential pressure value across an air filter when substantially no air flow exists through the air filter. The sensor offset differential pressure value obtained at or near zero flow may represent the sensor offset for the air filter monitor. The sensor offset differential pressure value may be used to compensate an un-compensated differential pressure value obtained during flow conditions.