OCCUPANT CONTROLLED ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN A MULTI-UNIT BUILDING
First Claim
1. A system for use in a multi-unit building by which an occupant of a unit of the multi-unit building controls an appliance associated with the unit, the system comprising:
- an actuator which is accessible to the occupant;
a processing unit to control the appliance, operative in the first mode, based on occupant instructions, to change the mode of the appliance based on an actuation of the actuator and to control the appliance, operative in the second mode, according to a preselected schedule;
a networking unit to inform, via communications, a monitor of the multi-unit building as to when the appliance operates in the second mode; and
an exterior indicator, external from the unit and coupled to the monitor, which activates in response to the communications and thereby instructs managing staff of the multi-unit building to modify service to the occupant.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system is provided for use in a multi-unit building by which an occupant of a unit of the multi-unit building controls an appliance associated with the unit and includes an actuator which is accessible to the occupant, a processing unit to control the appliance, operative in the first mode, based on occupant instructions, to change the mode of the appliance based on an actuation of the actuator and to control the appliance, operative in the second mode, according to a preselected schedule, and a networking unit to inform, via communications, a monitor of the multi-unit building as to when the appliance operates in the second mode.
74 Citations
9 Claims
-
1. A system for use in a multi-unit building by which an occupant of a unit of the multi-unit building controls an appliance associated with the unit, the system comprising:
-
an actuator which is accessible to the occupant; a processing unit to control the appliance, operative in the first mode, based on occupant instructions, to change the mode of the appliance based on an actuation of the actuator and to control the appliance, operative in the second mode, according to a preselected schedule; a networking unit to inform, via communications, a monitor of the multi-unit building as to when the appliance operates in the second mode; and an exterior indicator, external from the unit and coupled to the monitor, which activates in response to the communications and thereby instructs managing staff of the multi-unit building to modify service to the occupant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A system for use in a multi-unit building by which an occupant of a unit of the multi-unit building controls an appliance associated with the unit, the system comprising:
-
an actuator which is accessible to the occupant; a processing unit to control the appliance, operative in the first mode, based on occupant instructions, to change the mode of the appliance based on an actuation of the actuator and to control the appliance, operative in the second mode, according to a preselected schedule; a networking unit to transmit a signal that is reflective of the appliance operating in the second mode; and a monitor of the multi-unit building to receive the signal transmitted by the networking unit, the monitor being configured to calculate a total time during which the appliance operates in the second mode and to provide for compensation directed to the occupant in accordance with the calculated total time.
-
-
9. A system for use in a multi-unit building by which an occupant of a unit of the multi-unit building controls an appliance associated with the unit, the system comprising:
-
an actuator which is accessible to the occupant; a processing unit to control the appliance, operative in the first mode, based on occupant instructions, to change the mode of the appliance based on an actuation of the actuator and to control the appliance, operative in the second mode, according to a preselected schedule; and a networking unit to inform, via communications, a monitor of the multi-unit building as to when the appliance operates in the first or the second mode.
-
Specification