Abstract: The disclosure provides an HVAC data processing and communication network. In an embodiment, the network includes a user interface, a first subnet controller and a second subnet controller. The first subnet controller is configured to operate with a first zone of the network with a first program schedule. The second subnet controller is configured to operate with a second zone of the network with a second program schedule. The second subnet controller is further configured to override the first and second schedules to operate the first and the second zones according to hold settings received from the user interface.

Abstract: An HVAC data processing and communication network includes a first subnet and a second subnet. The first subnet includes a first demand unit, a first comfort sensor and a first subnet controller. The second subnet includes a second subnet comprising a second demand unit, a second comfort sensor and a second subnet controller. The second subnet controller is configured to control an operation of the first subnet.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an HVAC data processing and communication network and a method of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the HVAC data processing and communication network includes a system device, a subnet controller and a user interface. The system device is configured to receive a control message from a data bus and operate according to a control setting communicated thereby. The system device is further configured to generate an alarm message in the event that the device enters an alarm state in response to an alarm condition. The user interface is configured to receive the alarm message and display alarm information in response to the message. The subnet controller is configured to provide operational control of the system device via the control message. The operational control is decoupled from the alarm message.

Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods of use of an HVAC graphical interface dashboard. In various embodiments, the dashboard includes a weather tab, wherein invoking the weather tab advances to a weather screen. The dashboard also includes an indoor humidity tab. A programs tab and a home tab are also provided. The indoor humidity tab can further be used to set current indoor humidity setpoints.

Abstract: A display apparatus for a control unit in an environmental control system; the display apparatus including: a display area presenting a plurality of first loci, a plurality of second loci and at least one third locus; each respective first locus of the plurality of first loci being responsive to pressure for effecting a respective response; each respective second locus of the plurality of second loci presenting information using a fixed segment data format; at least one third locus of the at least one third locus presenting information using a dot matrix data format.

Abstract: Upon detection of a high carbon monoxide condition, an intelligent thermostat regulates operation of appliances that have sources of combustion which could be the source of or may exacerbate the high carbon monoxide condition. This hazardous condition is detected by a detector and communicated to the intelligent thermostat by wired or wireless communications. The intelligent thermostat then communicates with these appliances either via wired or wireless communications. The intelligent thermostat may also operate a ventilation system to flush the environment with fresh air to minimize or eliminate the hazardous condition. External and internal temperature sensors allow coordinated operation of the ventilating and heating systems to flush the environment with fresh air without causing a freezing condition to exist within the environment.

Abstract: An energy saving control for appliances via an intelligent thermostat is provided. This intelligent thermostat provides programmatic control over the HVAC system, and provides coordinated control over the appliances. This control over the appliances is accomplished via a communications network between the intelligent thermostat and the appliances. The appliances include occupancy sensors and transmit usage and occupancy information to the intelligent thermostat. The intelligent thermostat processes this information to determine the occupancy of the dwelling. The thermostat controls the HVAC system and the appliances according to the determined occupancy of the dwelling.

Abstract: An integrated lighting control and threat detection system is provided. Once one of the threat detectors determines that a hazardous condition exists, it transmits a threat message to the lighting control system. The lighting control system then operates to turn on illumination within the dwelling to aid in an occupant's safe exiting from the dwelling. The lighting control system operates to illuminate all lights within a dwelling upon detection of a hazardous condition. Alternatively, the lighting control system operates to illuminate preselected paths of lighting as programmed by a user. Still further, coordinated illuminated control may be provided based upon the location of the detected hazardous condition and the fixed and portable lights within a dwelling. Both fixed and adaptive illumination control are provided as is a fail safe illumination of all lights within a dwelling should each of the pre-selected exit paths contain a hazardous condition.

Abstract: An intelligent thermostat communicates with battery-powered threat detectors, such as smoke detectors, to allow remote quieting and coordination of a low battery warning detected by the threat detector. In one embodiment, the threat detector transmits a pre-warning signal to the thermostat indicating that a low battery condition is imminent. The thermostat uses this information to display a pre-warning to the consumer so that the consumer may better coordinate replacing of the battery at a convenient time. Once a low battery condition has been detected, the threat detector transmits a low battery warning signal to the thermostat. The thermostat then displays a warning message and an option for the consumer to quiet the chirping for a period of time from the thermostat. Preferably, the thermostat automatically quiets the chirping during quite times so as to not disturb the consumer.

Abstract: An appliance diagnostic display and interface system providing a centralized user interface for appliance diagnostic information and control of system self-tests is provided. This centralized user interface is provided via an intelligent thermostat that includes an LCD display. The intelligent thermostat interfaces, via wireless or wired communications, with the appliances installed in the home. The intelligent thermostat then generates and displays various user interface screens that allow particular appliances to be selected. Separate appliance specific screens are then generated that allow the user to access the diagnostic information in system test functionality provided by the individual appliance. Soft function keys provided on the intelligent thermostat allow multi-functional access to the features of the invention depending on which screen is currently being displayed.

Abstract: Upon detection of a flammable gas condition, an intelligent thermostat regulates operation of appliances that have sources of ignition which could be the source of or may ignite the flammable gas. This hazardous condition is detected by a flammable gas detector and is communicated to the intelligent thermostat by wired or wireless communications. The intelligent thermostat then communicates with these appliances either via wired or wireless communications. The intelligent thermostat may also provide a visual warning user interface screen to inform the occupant of the hazardous condition, and may signal smoke detectors in the dwelling to sound an audible flammable gas warning. Alternatively, the flammable gas detector may signal the smoke detectors in the dwelling to sound an audible flammable gas warning directly.

Abstract: An intelligent thermostat communicates with threat detectors to allow periodic remote testing of the detector. The real-time clock and calendar functions of the thermostat allow the consumer to program the day, time, and frequency of the testing. The thermostat then communicates a test control signal to each of the detectors to initiate the self-test. The communication may be wired or wireless. During testing the thermostat displays a detector test screen. Upon completion of the self-test, the thermostat displays a test results screen for user confirmation. This results screen will indicate that the test passed or failed along with any diagnostic information provided by the detector. The thermostat also provides a test initiation screen from which the consumer may initiate a detector self-test manually. Loss of communications with a detector is also communicated to the user, as is the location of the detector that first identified a threat.