Facilitating Installation and/or Use of a Controller and/or Maintenance of a Climate Control System

摘要

Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus and methods for facilitating installation and/or customization of controllers, e.g., thermostats. In one embodiment, a web-based server communicates with a user communication device having a display. The server receives, from the user communication device, user input identifying a thermostat and specifying a task through which to be guided. The server sends to the user communication device, for visual depiction as images on the display and elicitation of user response thereto, steps to be performed (a) to install the thermostat in a climate control system or (b) to enter a schedule and/or other settings onto the thermostat. The user communication device performs as a conduit between the server and user to interactively and visually guide the user to change the configuration state of the thermostat by installing the thermostat and/or setting thermostat customization settings.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a web-based server configured for remote communication via the Internet with a user communication device having a user interface that includes a display; the server configured to:
receive, from the user communication device, user input identifying a climate control system controller and specifying a task through which to be guided whereby to change a configuration state of the controller; andbased on the identified controller and specified task, send to the user communication device, for visual depiction as images on the display and elicitation of user response thereto, steps to be performed (a) to install the identified controller in a climate control system or (b) to enter a schedule and/or other settings onto the installed identified controller; whereby the user communication device performs as a conduit between the server and the user to interactively and visually guide the user to change the configuration state of the controller by installing the controller for use in the climate control system and/or setting one or more customization settings of the installed controller.