Patent ID: 8868219

Claim:
A thermostat comprising: a housing having an electronic display disposed thereon; a rotatable user-interface component configured to track a rotational input motion of a user; and a processing system disposed within the housing and coupled to the rotatable user interface component and to the electronic display, the processing system being configured to identify a setpoint temperature value based on the tracked rotational input motion and being further configured to receive data indicative of an occupancy condition; wherein said processing system, said electronic display, and said rotatable user interface component are collectively configured such that each of a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation is provided, said first and second modes of operation being in effect at different times, wherein, during said first mode of operation, graphical information is displayed on said electronic display that is representative of said setpoint temperature value as identified by said processing system according to said tracked rotational input motion of the user, wherein, during said second mode of operation, an arrangement of selectable menu items is displayed on said electronic display, said tracked rotational input motion of the user causing different ones of the selectable menu items to become visually highlighted as said rotatable user interface component is rotated, a user selection of one of said selectable menu items being established by a user confirmation input while that selectable menu item is visually highlighted, and wherein upon expiration of a predetermined time interval during which said data indicative of the occupancy condition indicates that no occupancy has been detected, said processing system effects automatic changing of the setpoint temperature to a predetermined energy-saving value.