Patent ID: 8083154

Claim:
A programmable thermostat having a programmable schedule, comprising: a controller; a display coupled to the controller; a first soft key coupled to the controller, the first soft key including a first button situated below but adjacent to the display, and the controller displaying a first indication in a first region of the display adjacent the first button, wherein the first indication indicates a current function of the first button; a second soft key coupled to the controller, the second soft key including a second button situated below but adjacent to the display, and the controller displaying a second indication in a second region of the display adjacent the second button, wherein the second indication indicates a current function of the second button; a third soft key coupled to the controller, the third soft key including a third button situated below but adjacent to the display, and the controller displaying a third indication in a third region of the display adjacent the third button, wherein the third indication indicates a current function of the third button; a first parameter adjustment button coupled to the controller, the first parameter adjustment button situated to the right of the display, the first parameter adjustment button for increasing a parameter value of the programmable thermostat; a second parameter adjustment button coupled to the controller, the second parameter adjustment button situated to the right of the display and below the first parameter adjustment button, the second parameter adjustment button for decreasing a parameter value of the programmable thermostat; the controller programmed such that one or more of the first soft key, the second soft key, the third soft key, the first parameter adjustment button and the second parameter adjustment button are used to program the programmable schedule of the programmable thermostat; a hold button coupled to the controller, the hold button situated to the right of the display, wherein the hold button causes the controller to override the programmable schedule of the programmable thermostat and hold a particular hold temperature set point; and wherein, after the hold button is actuated and causes the controller to override the programmable schedule, the controller causes the first indication in the first region of the display adjacent the first button to change from a first label to a run schedule label.