System and method for using a mobile electronic device to optimize an energy management system
DCFirst Claim
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1. A thermostat system comprising:
- a housing;
electrical contacts configured to connect the thermostat with wires that allow for at least two electrical connections from a building'"'"'s HVAC system to the contacts;
a display configured to present information to a user;
a wireless radio compatible with a wireless radio frequency protocol and configured to communicate bi-directionally with a location-aware mobile device;
a temperature sensor;
one or more processors configured with electronic circuitry to;
receive HVAC data parameters, including a first data parameter from the temperature sensor comprising an interior temperature inside the building; and
a second data parameter from a network connected to the thermostat, wherein the second data parameter comprises an outside weather condition collected from a source external to the building;
determine a first temperature setpoint data parameter for the building, wherein the first setpoint data parameter includes a first temperature value and a first time value;
determine a second temperature setpoint data parameter for the building, wherein the second setpoint data parameter includes a second temperature value and a second time value;
receive radio frequency signals from the location-aware mobile device;
receive geo-positioning data from the location-aware mobile device and automatically adjust a temperature value based on the geo-positioning data, including initiating at least one cooling or heating cycle for the HVAC system when the geo-positioning data is determined to indicate that the building is unoccupied by the user;
electronic circuitry configured to allow the user to adjust a desired temperature for the HVAC system;
electronic circuitry configured to analyze a plurality of data parameters specific to the user, including at least one data parameter relating to usage of the HVAC system at various times; and
electronic circuitry configured to generate and communicate usage metrics pertaining to the HVAC system over time; and
a compressor delay circuit configured to delay the start or stop of a compressor for the HVAC system and protect the compressor from rapid cycling.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods for using the geographic location 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 mobile 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.
329 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A thermostat system comprising:
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a housing; electrical contacts configured to connect the thermostat with wires that allow for at least two electrical connections from a building'"'"'s HVAC system to the contacts; a display configured to present information to a user; a wireless radio compatible with a wireless radio frequency protocol and configured to communicate bi-directionally with a location-aware mobile device; a temperature sensor; one or more processors configured with electronic circuitry to; receive HVAC data parameters, including a first data parameter from the temperature sensor comprising an interior temperature inside the building; and a second data parameter from a network connected to the thermostat, wherein the second data parameter comprises an outside weather condition collected from a source external to the building; determine a first temperature setpoint data parameter for the building, wherein the first setpoint data parameter includes a first temperature value and a first time value; determine a second temperature setpoint data parameter for the building, wherein the second setpoint data parameter includes a second temperature value and a second time value; receive radio frequency signals from the location-aware mobile device; receive geo-positioning data from the location-aware mobile device and automatically adjust a temperature value based on the geo-positioning data, including initiating at least one cooling or heating cycle for the HVAC system when the geo-positioning data is determined to indicate that the building is unoccupied by the user; electronic circuitry configured to allow the user to adjust a desired temperature for the HVAC system; electronic circuitry configured to analyze a plurality of data parameters specific to the user, including at least one data parameter relating to usage of the HVAC system at various times; and electronic circuitry configured to generate and communicate usage metrics pertaining to the HVAC system over time; and a compressor delay circuit configured to delay the start or stop of a compressor for the HVAC system and protect the compressor from rapid cycling. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification