Method and System for Synchronizing Climate Control Devices

• US 20060282195A1
• Filed: 08/21/2006
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Fredrick Grenville Robinson
• Original Assignee: Robert Fredrick Grenville Robinson
• Inventors: Robinson, Robert Fredrick Grenville
• Granted Patent: US 7,395,137 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/276
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/54 using one central controller connected to several sub-controllers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/67 Switching between heating and cooling modes
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1934 each space being provided with one sensor acting on one or more control means

Abstract

A method, computer program product, and a data processing system for controlling a first climate control device is provided. An operational mode is obtained for each of a plurality of climate control devices. The operational mode of each of the plurality of climate control devices is compared with a desired operational mode of the first climate control device. A determination of whether any of the operational modes of the plurality of climate control devices differs from the desired operational mode. The first climate control device is placed in the desired operational mode dependent on the comparison of the operational modes of the plurality of climate control devices with the desired operational mode.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a first climate control device of a plurality of climate control devices, each of the plurality of climate control devices being operable to enable both an active cooling operational mode and an active heating operational mode, comprising the computer implemented steps of:

obtaining an operational mode for each of the plurality of climate control devices;

determining whether a climate control conflict would arise between the plurality of climate control devices if the first climate control device were activated to a desired operational mode, the climate control conflict being a situation where the desired operational mode is different from the operational mode of at least one of the plurality of climate control devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining further includes:

accumulating a first count of the operational modes that differ from the desired operational mode.

3. The method of claim 2, further including:

accumulating a second count of the operational modes that are the same as the desired operational mode; and

comparing the first count with the second count.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining further includes:

determining if any operational mode is an active mode that differs from the desired operational mode.

5. The method of claim 1, further including:

responsive to determining that no operational mode differs from the desired operational mode, activating the first climate control device in the desired operational mode.

6. The method of claim 1, further including:

responsive to determining that a number of the operation modes that differ from the desired operational mode is equal or greater than a number of operational modes that are the same as the desired operational mode, determining that the climate control device is not to be activated in the desired operational mode.

7. The method of claim 1, further including:

if the climate control conflict exists, then performing steps of (i) evaluating a temperature associated with the first climate control device with respect to a predefined safety temperature threshold; and

(ii) activating the climate control device in the desired operational mode if the temperature is not within the predefined safety temperature threshold.

8. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for controlling a climate control system, the computer program product comprising:

first instructions that issue a query for an operational mode of a plurality of climate control devices, the operational mode being one of cooling mode, heating mode and idle mode;

second instructions, responsive to receipt of a response message, that compare the operational mode of at least one of the plurality of climate control devices with a desired operational mode of a first climate control device, the desired operational mode being one of cooling mode, heating mode and idle mode; and

third instructions that perform an evaluation of whether activating the first climate control device in the desired operational mode will result in a climate control device conflict where the desired operational mode is different from the operational mode of at least one of the plurality of climate control devices.

9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the third instructions accumulate a first count of the plurality of climate control devices that are operating in the desired operational mode and a second count of the plurality of climate control devices that are active in a operational mode that differs from the desired operational mode.

10. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the third instructions perform a comparison of the first count and the second count, wherein the evaluation is performed responsive to the comparison.

11. The computer program product of claim 8, further including:

fourth instructions that, responsive to the evaluation performed by the third instructions indicate that activating the climate control device in the desired operational mode will result in a climate control device conflict, perform an override and activate the climate control device in the desired operational mode notwithstanding the climate control device conflict.

12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the fourth instructions compare a temperature of a zone having a climate that is regulated by the climate control device with a safety temperature threshold associated with the zone.

13-15. -15. (canceled)

16. A data processing system for controlling a climate control device, comprising:

a memory that contains a climate control unit synchronization routine as a set of instructions; and

a processing unit adapted to switchably place a climate control device in one of at least three operational modes;

(i) an active cooling mode, (ii) an active heating mode, and (iii) a deactive mode, wherein the processing unit, responsive to execution of the set of instructions, performs a comparison of an operational mode of a first climate control device with a desired operational mode of a second climate control device and, responsive to a result of the comparison, places the second climate control device in the desired operational mode and the deactive mode if the operational mode of the first climate control device is same as the desired operational mode, the operational mode being one of the active cooling mode, the active heating mode and the deactive mode.

17. The data processing system of claim 16, further including:

a thermostat for measuring a temperature of a zone having a climate that is regulated by the second climate control device; and

a network interface device adapted to exchange messages with a control unit of the first climate control device, and wherein the second climate control device is placed in the desired operational mode after a delay period of time has elapsed if the operational mode of the first climate control device is different from the desired operational mode.

18. The data processing system of claim 16, further including:

a network interface device adapted to exchange messages with a plurality of control units adapted to respectively manage the operation of an associated climate control device.

19. The data processing system of claim 16, further including:

a display device, wherein the processing unit, respective to identifying a conflict in climate control devices, provides a visual output of the conflict on the display device.

20. The data processing system of claim 16, wherein the processing unit is adapted to address a plurality of network-connected climate control units and obtain an operational mode of each of the network-connected climate control units.