Incentive allocation based on thermostat settings
First Claim
1. A method for allocating incentives in a community of a plurality of users based on thermostat settings of said users, said method comprising:
- (a) receiving one or more thermostat settings from each of said users of said community, wherein said thermostat settings are related to one or more conditions for operating a climate controlling device of each of said users, wherein said thermostat settings are adjustable by the same of said users, and wherein said thermostats are communicatively connected to a communication network;
(b) calculating an incentive amount for allocation to one or more of said users, wherein said incentive amount is at least partially based on said communicated thermostat settings; and
(c) allocating said calculated amount of said incentive to one or more of said users based on said calculations.
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Abstract
Incentive allocation to a community of users based on thermostat settings is provided. The users of the community establish user rules and thermostat settings directed to a climate-controlling device. The settings and rules are communicated to a central processor for calculating an incentive amount to allocate to each user. The calculated incentive amounts are based on the thermostat settings, energy consumption, and/or carbon emissions of the user. The incentives can also be calculated based on a comparison of a thermostat setting and a subsistence level. In an example, users of a multi-user development share a total amount of carbon credits given to the entire development. The carbon credits are distributed to each user based on the thermostat settings and carbon emission of each user.
57 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for allocating incentives in a community of a plurality of users based on thermostat settings of said users, said method comprising:
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(a) receiving one or more thermostat settings from each of said users of said community, wherein said thermostat settings are related to one or more conditions for operating a climate controlling device of each of said users, wherein said thermostat settings are adjustable by the same of said users, and wherein said thermostats are communicatively connected to a communication network; (b) calculating an incentive amount for allocation to one or more of said users, wherein said incentive amount is at least partially based on said communicated thermostat settings; and (c) allocating said calculated amount of said incentive to one or more of said users based on said calculations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for allocating incentives, said system comprising:
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(a) a community of a plurality of users, wherein each of said users has a climate-controlling device; (b) a thermostat for each of said users of said community, wherein said thermostat directs said climate-controlling device of the same of said users, and wherein each of said thermostats are communicatively connected to a communication network; (c) a setting function for allowing each of said users of said community to adjust one or more settings on said thermostat, wherein said thermostat settings are related to one or more conditions for operating said climate-controlling device; (d) a central processor communicatively connected to said communication network, wherein said thermostat settings of each of said users are communicated to said central processor through said communication network, wherein said central processor calculates an incentive amount for allocation to one or more of said users, and wherein said incentive amount is at least partially based on said communicated thermostat settings; and (e) an allocation function for allocating said calculated amount of said incentive to one or more of said users based on said calculations. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification