Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for managing control units in HVAC network includes a first control unit communicatively coupled to a first plurality of HVAC units and a first interactive display, and the first control unit controls HVAC services for a first zone. A second control unit communicatively coupled to a second plurality of HVAC units and a second interactive display, and the second control unit controls HVAC services for a second zone. The first control unit may detect and connect to the second control unit using a Wi-Fi direct protocol to create an HVAC control network. The first control unit may also determine that the second control unit controls HVAC services for the second zone in response to connecting to the second control unit. The first control unit may also update the first interactive display to show the first and second zones and receive a command from the first interactive display over the HVAC control network to adjust a temperature of the second zone.

Abstract: A server that includes an interface configured to receive a registration request from a control unit. The server further includes a processor configured to authenticate the control unit based on the registration request. The server is further configured to register a primary user device associated with the control unit and register a secondary user device associated with the control unit. The server is further configured to establish a control link between the control unit and the primary and secondary user devices. The control links facilitate control commands between the control unit and the primary and secondary user devices. The server is further configured to store the installation report in a server database.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system for operating an HVAC control network includes a first control unit communicatively coupled to a first plurality of HVAC units and a first interactive display, the first control unit further comprising a software access point (softAP). A second control unit, the second control unit communicatively coupled to a second plurality of HVAC units and a second interactive display. The second control unit may include a push button. The second control unit may connect to the first control unit to create an HVAC control network using a Wi-Fi direct protocol by invoking a Wi-Fi direct, push button configuration protocol in response to detecting that the push button has been depressed. The first control unit may control the second plurality of HVAC units over the HVAC control network in response to the second control unit connecting to the first control unit.

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: In an embodiment, a method for device-assisted adjustment of a HVAC unit controller is provided. A HVAC unit controller receives a geographical location from a device over a data connection. The HVAC unit controller obtains location-specific setting information. The location-specific setting information is specific to the geographical location. The HVAC unit controller adjusts one or more settings of the HVAC unit controller in accordance with the location-specific setting information.

Abstract: In one embodiment a control unit for managing an HVAC system includes an RS-BUS interface that may communicate with one or more HVAC units. A plurality of universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) ports, wherein at least one of the UART ports may communicate with an interactive display using an RS-485 communication protocol, A secure digital input output (SDIO) port configured to interface with a Wi-Fi module, wherein the Wi-Fi module is operable to communicate with a plurality of HVAC sensors, wherein the plurality of HVAC sensors operable to measure temperature. A processor that may receive, from the SDIO port, a sensor reading from one of the plurality of HVAC sensors, the sensor reading formatted according to an 802.11 Wi-Fi protocol. The processor may then convert the sensor reading from the 802.11 Wi-Fi protocol into an RS-BUS protocol, the RS-BUS protocol may control the one or more HVAC units. The processor may also convert the sensor reading from the 802.

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: In one embodiment, a server for operating an HVAC network includes an interface operable to receive a registration request from a control unit, wherein the registration request includes an installation report comprising a serial number for an HVAC unit communicatively coupled to the control unit, a serial number for an interactive display communicatively coupled to the HVAC unit, a plurality of operating parameters for the HVAC unit, a geographic address of a location of the control unit, and a user name and login password for accessing the control unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for managing control units in HVAC network includes a first control unit communicatively coupled to a first plurality of HVAC units and a first interactive display, and the first control unit controls HVAC services for a first zone. A second control unit communicatively coupled to a second plurality of HVAC units and a second interactive display, and the second control unit controls HVAC services for a second zone. The first control unit may detect and connect to the second control unit using a Wi-Fi direct protocol to create an HVAC control network. The first control unit may also determine that the second control unit controls HVAC services for the second zone in response to connecting to the second control unit. The first control unit may also update the first interactive display to show the first and second zones and receive a command from the first interactive display over the HVAC control network to adjust a temperature of the second zone.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system for operating an HVAC control network includes a first control unit communicatively coupled to a first plurality of HVAC units and a first interactive display, the first control unit further comprising a software access point (softAP). A second control unit, the second control unit communicatively coupled to a second plurality of HVAC units and a second interactive display. The second control unit may include a push button. The second control unit may connect to the first control unit to create an HVAC control network using a Wi-Fi direct protocol by invoking a Wi-Fi direct, push button configuration protocol in response to detecting that the push button has been depressed.

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: In one embodiment, an HVAC system includes a first control unit communicatively coupled to a first plurality of HVAC units and a second control unit communicatively coupled to a second plurality of HVAC units. The first control unit may connect to the second control unit using a Wi-Fi direct protocol to create an HVAC control network. The first control unit and second control unit may each detect and connect to a Wi-Fi network comprising a wireless access point. The first and second control units may then communicate concurrently over both the HVAC control network and the Wi-Fi network. The first control unit may detect a user device over the Wi-Fi network, receive a first command from the user device over the Wi-Fi network, and communicate the first command to the second control unit over the Wi-Fi network.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for replicating settings in an HVAC network includes a first control unit including a first internal clock, the first control unit communicatively coupled to a first plurality of HVAC units and a first interactive display. The system may also include a second control unit comprising a second internal clock, the second control unit communicatively coupled to a second plurality of HVAC units and a second interactive display. The system may include a communications network, wherein the first control unit detects the second control unit over the communications network and the first internal clock and the second internal clock have the same time.

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: In some embodiments a system for troubleshooting an HVAC system includes, a control unit communicatively coupled to a first plurality of HVAC units and a first interactive display. The control unit may connect to a Wi-Fi network and the Wi-Fi network may be generated by a wireless access point connected to the Internet. The control unit may detect and connect to a control server over the Internet using the wireless access point. The control unit may also detect a local user device over the Wi-Fi network, wherein the local user device may the plurality HVAC units by communicating with the control unit over the Wi-Fi network. The system may also include a mobile troubleshooting device that may communicate with the control unit using a Wi-Fi direct protocol without accessing the Wi-Fi network. The system may also include a remote troubleshooting device that may communicate with the control unit over a control connection established between the control server and the control unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an HVAC system includes a first control unit communicatively coupled to a first plurality of HVAC units and a first interactive display. A second control unit communicatively coupled to a second plurality of HVAC units and a second interactive display. The first control unit is operable to detect and connect to the second control unit using a Wi-Fi direct protocol to create an HVAC control network that is designated as a primary communications network. The first control unit further operable to detect a Wi-Fi network including a wireless access point. The first control unit operable to re-designate the HVAC control network as a secondary communications network and to designate the Wi-Fi network as the primary communications network.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for device-assisted adjustment of a HVAC unit controller is provided. A HVAC unit controller receives a geographical location from a device over a data connection. The HVAC unit controller obtains location-specific setting information. The location-specific setting information is specific to the geographical location. The HVAC unit controller adjusts one or more settings of the HVAC unit controller in accordance with the location-specific setting information.

Abstract: A fluid mixing device is configured to operate in response to detected differences in measureable qualities of air within a space.