Thermostat with user interface features

A method for sensing touch-based input with a thermostat, the method comprising:

• receiving touch-based input via both a first portion of a touch-sensitive interface and a second portion of the touch-sensitive interface while the thermostat is oriented in a particular orientation, wherein the first portion overlays an electronic display of the touch-sensitive interface and the second portion overlays a frame of the touch-sensitive interface;
• operating, based on a first predefined configuration, one or more first areas of the second portion as one or more touch-sensitive temperature selection buttons while the thermostat is oriented in the particular orientation, wherein the first predefined configuration comprises a first indication to operate the one or more first areas as the one or more touch-sensitive temperature selection buttons;
• receiving a user selection of a second predefined configuration while the thermostat is oriented in the particular orientation, wherein the second predefined configuration comprises a second indication to operate one or more second areas of the second portion as the one or more touch-sensitive temperature selection buttons, wherein the one or more second areas are different than the one or more first areas;
• and
• operating, based on the second predefined configuration while the thermostat is oriented in the particular orientation, the one or more second areas of the second portion as the one or more touch-sensitive temperature selection buttons instead of the one or more first areas in response to a reception of the user selection.

A thermostat for a building space, the thermostat comprising:

• an electronic display;
• a frame;
• a touch-sensitive interface having a first portion that overlays the electronic display and a second portion that overlays the frame, wherein the touch-sensitive interface is configured to receive touch-based input via both the first portion and the second portion;
• a skin that covers at least part of the second portion and visually marks one or more first areas of the second portion as one or more touch-sensitive temperature selection buttons;
• and
• a processing circuit configured to:
• operate, based on a first predefined configuration, the one or more first areas of the second portion as the one or more touch-sensitive temperature selection buttons while the thermostat is oriented in a particular orientation, wherein the first predefined configuration comprises a first indication to operate the one or more first areas as the one or more touch-sensitive temperature selection buttons;
• receive a user selection of a second predefined configuration while the thermostat is oriented in the particular orientation, wherein the second predefined configuration comprises a second indication to operate one or more second areas of the second portion as the one or more touch-sensitive temperature selection buttons, wherein the one or more second areas are different than the one or more first areas;
• and
• operate, based on the second predefined configuration while the thermostat is oriented in the particular orientation, the one or more second areas of the second portion as the one or more touch-sensitive temperature selection buttons instead of the one or more first areas in response to a reception of the user selection, wherein the processing circuit is configured to operate the one or more second areas by detecting at least one of a direct touch or a touch movement based on user input provided via the second portion of the touch-sensitive interface.