# US 2018/0128509 A1 · Methods systems and tools for determining a wiring configuration for an hvac controller

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- Number: US 2018/0128509 A1
- Document ID: US20180128509A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/868,764
- Filed: 2018-01-11
- Published: 2018-05-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-11-22
- Assignees: Honeywell International Inc.
- Applicants: Honeywell International Inc.
- Inventors: Hari Thiruvengada; Patrick Tessier; Heidi Finch
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180128509A1

## CPC

- F24F 11/52: Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
- F24F 11/30: for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
- F24F 11/50: characterised by user interfaces or communication
- F24F 11/88: Electrical aspects, e.g. circuits
- G05B 19/0423: {Input/output}
- F24F 11/58: using Internet communication
- G05B 2219/21086: Configuration menu program for I-O
- G05B 2219/25471: Replace existing control system with new different system in real time
- G05B 2219/2614: HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control
- G05B 2219/32126: Hyperlink, access to program modules and to hardware modules in www, web server, browser
- G06Q 10/08: Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
- F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02)
- G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G)
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A wiring configuration tool may be configured to determine a new wiring configuration for a replacement HVAC controller based, at least in part, on the existing wiring configuration for a current HVAC controller and, for example, the make and model of the replacement HVAC controller. The wiring configuration tool may be hosted by a server that provides a user interface for interacting with the user. The user may access the wiring configuration tool via a web services interface, a smart phone application or in any other suitable manner.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of identifying a new wiring configuration for a replacement HVAC controller based on a current wiring configuration of a current HVAC controller, the method comprising:
receiving a picture or video showing a current wiring configuration of a current HVAC controller;
receiving an input identifying a replacement HVAC controller that is to replace the current HVAC controller;
processing the picture or video to identify the current wiring configuration of the current HVAC controller;
determining a new wiring configuration for the replacement HVAC controller based, at least in part, on: (1) the identified current wiring configuration of the current HVAC controller; and (2) the identified replacement HVAC controller that is to replace the current HVAC controller; and
outputting the new wiring configuration to a user interface for use by a user in properly wiring the replacement HVAC controller.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the new wiring configuration that is output shows a wire mapping between the current wiring configuration and the new wiring configuration.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the new wiring configuration that is output shows a wiring diagram for the new wiring configuration.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising generating one or more user queries requesting additional information from the user based, at least in part, on the identified current wiring configuration of the current HVAC controller.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein one or more of the user queries requesting additional information are further based, at least in part, on the identified replacement HVAC controller.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more user queries relate to one or more characteristics of an HVAC system controlled by the current HVAC controller.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, wherein one of the one or more user queries query whether the HVAC system includes both heating and cooling.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein if the determining step cannot resolve to a single new wiring configuration for the identified replacement HVAC controller, the method further comprises providing one or more user queries that relate to one or more characteristics of an HVAC system controlled by the current HVAC controller.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises resolving to a single new wiring configuration for the identified replacement HVAC controller based, at least in part, on one or more responses to the one or more user queries.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step further comprises accessing a memory that stores wiring configurations for each of a plurality of current HVAC controllers, along with one or more corresponding new wiring configurations for each of a plurality of replacement HVAC controllers.

### Claim 11

A computer readable medium having stored thereon in a non-transitory state a set of instructions executable by a controller, the set of instruction causing the controller to execute a method comprising:
receiving a picture or video showing a current wiring configuration of a current HVAC controller;
receiving an input identifying a replacement HVAC controller that is to replace the current HVAC controller;
processing the picture or video to identify the current wiring configuration of the current HVAC controller;
determining a new wiring configuration for the replacement HVAC controller based, at least in part, on: (1) the identified current wiring configuration of the current HVAC controller; and (2) the identified replacement HVAC controller that is to replace the current HVAC controller; and
outputting the new wiring configuration to a user interface for use by a user in properly wiring the replacement HVAC controller.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the new wiring configuration is output in a format for display on the user interface.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the new wiring configuration that is output shows a wire mapping between the current wiring configuration and the new wiring configuration.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the set of instruction also causes the controller to generate one or more user queries requesting additional information via the user interface based, at least in part, on the identified current wiring configuration of the current HVAC controller.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein one or more of the user queries requesting additional information are further based, at least in part, on the identified replacement HVAC controller.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein outputting the new wiring configuration comprises displaying a predetermined sequence of two or more steps for wiring the replacement HVAC controller according to the determined new wiring configuration.

### Claim 17

A server comprising:
a communications port for communicating with a user interface;
a memory storing wiring configurations for each of a plurality of current HVAC controllers, along with one or more corresponding new wiring configurations for each of a plurality of replacement HVAC controllers; and
a controller operatively coupled to the communications port and the memory, the controller programmed to:
receive a picture or video via the communications port showing a current wiring configuration of a current HVAC controller;
receiving an input via the communications port identifying a replacement HVAC controller from the plurality of replacement HVAC controllers that is to replace the current HVAC controller;
process the picture or video to identify the current wiring configuration of the current HVAC controller;
determine a new wiring configuration for the replacement HVAC controller based, at least in part, on: (1) the identified current wiring configuration of the current HVAC controller; and (2) the identified replacement HVAC controller that is to replace the current HVAC controller; and
output the new wiring configuration to the user interface via the communications port for use by a user in properly wiring the replacement HVAC controller.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The server of claim 17, wherein the controller is further programmed to reference the memory when determine the new wiring configuration for the replacement HVAC controller.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The server of claim 18, wherein the memory includes a database that stores the wiring configurations for each of the plurality of current HVAC controllers, along with the one or more corresponding new wiring configurations for each of the plurality of replacement HVAC controllers.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The server of claim 17, wherein the controller is further programmed to provide one or more user queries via the communications port requesting additional information based, at least in part, on the identified current wiring configuration of the current HVAC controller and the identified replacement HVAC controller.