Honeywell International Inc.

Honeywell G.m.b.h.

Ademco Inc.

Marcus D Stoner

John B Amundson

Paul G Schwendinger

Eugene J Takach

Gabriel A Bergman

Philip O Readio

George J Mcleod

James A Wolfbauer

Jeff D Boll

Ian Thomson

Colin T Ferguson

Soumitri N Kolavennu

Brad Edward Paine

Robert J Schnell

Christopher Goh

Cary Leen

Paul C Wacker

David Schultz

David Mulhouse

Richard A Wruck

John L Erdman

A building automation system may be controlled in response to a natural language voice message. The natural language voice message may be recorded and then sent to a voice command manager via a network. The natural language voice message is then translated into a command recognizable by a building automation controller of the building automation system. Voice recognition software may be used to create a natural language text based message from the recorded natural voice message, and the natural language text based message may then be translated into the command recognizable by the building automation controller. In response to the command, the building automation controller may perform the desired action.

Devices and methods for interacting with a control system that is connected to a network

A controller equipped with a user interface having multiple-day programming capabilities, including methods of programming such devices, are disclosed. The user interface may include one or more menus or screens that can be used to program a schedule for one or more selected days during the week. An illustrative method of programming the controller may include the steps of entering a scheduling routine, selecting multiple days for schedule modification, changing the schedule parameters for one or more periods during the selected days, and then exiting the scheduling routine.

Controller interface with multiple day programming

A building controller for controlling the comfort level in a building is described. The building controller may include a thermostat and wireless remote controller for communicating with the thermostat from a remote location. The thermostat may have access to a first temperature sensor for sensing a first temperature, sometimes at or near the thermostat. The remote controller may likewise have a second temperature sensor for sensing a second temperature, sometimes at or near the remote controller. Under some conditions, the thermostat may use the second temperature sensed by the remote controller to control the comfort level in a building unless or until a predetermined condition is detected, after which the thermostat may use a different temperature, such as the first temperature at or near the thermostat, to control the comfort level in a building.

Building control system with remote control unit and methods of operation

Controllers and systems for displaying servicing information via a display unit are disclosed. A controller in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention may include an interface for programming a service event display mode in the controller, and a display unit configured to display servicing information when a service event is detected by the controller. An event such as the triggering of a service indicator or the expiration of an equipment service event timer may cause the controller to display servicing information on the display unit, informing the user that servicing may be necessary or is recommended.

Controller with programmable service event display mode

Electronic devices that include batteries can be adapted to provide one or more indications of a low battery condition. An electronic device such as a controller can include a battery and can be adapted to determine a first low battery condition. A first indication can be provided in response to the first low battery condition. In some cases, a second battery condition can be determined and a second indication can be provided in response to the second battery condition. The indications provided to the user can be made progressively more noticeable over time, until the battery is replaced.

Low battery indicator

A touch region for a controller having a touch screen that, when touched, makes a setting change to the controller. In one illustrative embodiment, the controller displays a display image on the touch screen, wherein the touch screen has a defined touch region that when touched makes a setting change to the controller. The display image has a portion that coincides with the touch region, wherein when the touch region is touched, at least part of the portion of the display image that coincides with the touch region changes from a first display image to a second display image to indicate a setting change of the controller. A subsequent touch to the touch region may cause at least part of the portion of the display image that coincides with the touch region to change from the second display image to a third display image to indicate a subsequent setting change of the controller.

Setting change touch region for a controller having a touch screen display

A system and method for regulating the operation of first and second temperature modification sources for heating or cooling a building structure is provided. The system switches between the first and second temperature modification sources based on conditions other than just outside temperature.

Temperature control in a space served by multiple HVAC equipment

A device and method that may be used at nearly any place to set and adjust a control system such as a thermostat, controller or computer having numerous parameters and options that may be selected for desired operation of an air management system. One may remotely, via a personal digital assistant, configure, commission, select, set or adjust the parameters and options of a control system, which may include, but not be limited to, temperatures, humidity, sensors, volume of air movement, fan or air mover behavior, the percentage of added fresh air, modulated and non-modulated control of valves and dampers, stages of cooling and heating at various zones, control of heat pumps, heaters and air conditioners, modes of occupied, unoccupied or standby of respective spaces in a building, for day and night, at selected times, on certain days, for specific buildings at particular locations.

PDA configuration of thermostats

A manufacturing method for control devices which incorporate potentiometers whose resistance characteristics other than linearity are subject to unit-to-unit variations, and in which a wiper positioning knob in cooperation with a fixed scale indicates the set point for the controlled parameter, the method involving mounting the potentiometer in its theoretically ideal orientation in the device, affixing the knob to the potentiometer so that a pointer thereon points to the desired location on the device for a predetermined point on the scale when the wiper is positioned to control the parameter to the set point corresponding to the predetermined point on the scale, and marking the scale on the device so that the predetermined point on the scale is at its desired location on the device.

Growing community of inventors

Minnetonka, MN, United States of America

Marcus D Stoner