Patent ID: 8224491

Claim:
A portable wireless remote control unit for use in conjunction with a zoned HVAC system having two or more zones, wherein each zone has one or more associated parameters and/or settings, the wireless remote control unit comprising: a wireless interface; a display; a controller in communication with the wireless interface and the display, the controller configured to communicate with the zoned HVAC system via the wireless interface; the controller further configured to allow a user to select between the two or more zones of the zoned HVAC system, and to load one or more of the parameters and/or settings associated with a selected zone via the wireless interface; the controller further configured to display at least one of the received parameters and/or settings on the display; the controller further configured to allow a user to change one or more of the parameters and/or settings that are displayed on the display for the selected zone, and to send the one or more changed parameters and/or settings to the zoned HVAC system via the wireless interface, wherein the zoned HVAC system subsequently operates in accordance with the one or more changed parameters and/or settings in the selected zone; and wherein the portable wireless remote control unit is configured to dynamically change its behavior based on whether it detects a non-zoned or a zoned HVAC system by providing a selection mechanism on the user interface of the portable wireless remote control unit that allows a user to select, display and/or control one or more of the parameters and/or settings of two or more wall mounted thermostats when a zoned HVAC system is detected, and not providing the selection mechanism when a non-zoned HVAC system is detected.