System and method for using a wireless device as a sensor for an energy management system
DC CAFCFirst Claim
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1. A system for controlling an HVAC system at a user'"'"'s building, the system comprising:
- a memory; and
one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions;
the one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to receive a first data from at least one sensor, wherein the first data from the at least one sensor includes a measurement of at least one characteristic of the building;
the one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to receive a second data from a network connection, wherein the second data from the network connection is collected from a source external to the building, wherein the second data from the network connection is received via the Internet;
the one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to receive a first temperature setpoint for the building corresponding to a desired temperature setting when the building is occupied, and a second temperature setpoint for the building corresponding to a desired temperature setting when the building is unoccupied;
the one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to receive commands through the Internet by way of a remote interface on a mobile, wireless device running software application code;
wherein the interface is configured to allow the user to adjust temperature setpoints for the HVAC system;
the one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to send user-specific data through the Internet, wherein user-specific information about the building and HVAC system is generated based at least in part on the user-specific data, wherein the user-specific information is configured to be presented on a user interface on a mobile, wireless device running software application code via the Internet;
the one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to determine whether the building is occupied or unoccupied, and based on that determination, to control the HVAC system to provide heating or cooling to the building at an operational temperature;
wherein the one or more processors comprises a first processor with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions, which is located remotely from the memory and is not electrically connected to the memory;
the first processor with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to communicate with the memory;
wherein the memory is configured to store historical values of the first data and second data.
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Abstract
The invention comprises systems and methods for detecting the use of networked consumer electronics devices as indications of occupancy of a structure for purposes of automatically adjusting the temperature setpoint on a thermostatic HVAC control. At least one thermostat is located inside a structure and is used to control an HVAC system in the structure. At least one networked electronic device is used to indicate the state of occupancy of the structure. The state of occupancy is used to alter the setpoint on the thermostatic HVAC control to reduce unneeded conditioning of unoccupied spaces.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for controlling an HVAC system at a user'"'"'s building, the system comprising:
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a memory; and one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions; the one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to receive a first data from at least one sensor, wherein the first data from the at least one sensor includes a measurement of at least one characteristic of the building; the one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to receive a second data from a network connection, wherein the second data from the network connection is collected from a source external to the building, wherein the second data from the network connection is received via the Internet; the one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to receive a first temperature setpoint for the building corresponding to a desired temperature setting when the building is occupied, and a second temperature setpoint for the building corresponding to a desired temperature setting when the building is unoccupied; the one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to receive commands through the Internet by way of a remote interface on a mobile, wireless device running software application code;
wherein the interface is configured to allow the user to adjust temperature setpoints for the HVAC system;the one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to send user-specific data through the Internet, wherein user-specific information about the building and HVAC system is generated based at least in part on the user-specific data, wherein the user-specific information is configured to be presented on a user interface on a mobile, wireless device running software application code via the Internet; the one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to determine whether the building is occupied or unoccupied, and based on that determination, to control the HVAC system to provide heating or cooling to the building at an operational temperature; wherein the one or more processors comprises a first processor with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions, which is located remotely from the memory and is not electrically connected to the memory; the first processor with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to communicate with the memory; wherein the memory is configured to store historical values of the first data and second data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19)
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17. A system for controlling an HVAC system at a user'"'"'s building, the system comprising:
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a memory; and one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions; the one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to receive a first data from at least one sensor, wherein the first data from the at least one sensor includes a measurement of the current temperature of the building by the sensor; the one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to receive a second data from a network connection, wherein the second data from the network connection is collected from a source external to the building and comprises outdoor temperature, wherein the second data from the network connection is received via the Internet; the one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to receive a first temperature setpoint for the building corresponding to a desired temperature setting when the building is occupied, and a second temperature setpoint for the building corresponding to a desired temperature setting when the building is unoccupied; the one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to receive commands through the Internet by way of a remote interface on a mobile, wireless device running software application code;
wherein the interface is configured to allow the user to adjust temperature setpoints for the HVAC system;the one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to send user-specific data through the Internet, wherein user-specific information about the building and HVAC system is generated based at least in part on the user-specific data, wherein the user-specific information is configured to be presented on a user interface via on mobile, wireless device running software application code via the Internet; the one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to receive a third data from a motion sensor, and is further configured to determine whether the building is occupied or unoccupied based at least in part on the third data; the one or more processors with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to control the HVAC system based on the determination that the building is occupied to provide heating or cooling to the building effective to reach the first temperature setpoint for the building corresponding to a desired temperature setting when the building is occupied; wherein the one or more processors comprises a first processor with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions, which is located remotely from the memory and is not electrically connected to the memory; the first processor with circuitry and code designed to execute instructions to communicate with the memory; wherein the memory is configured to store historical values of the first data and second data. - View Dependent Claims (18, 20)
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Specification