THERMOSTAT METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING SOLAR ENERGY UTILIZATION FOR EFFICIENT ENERGY USAGE AND CONSERVATION OF ENERGY RESOURCES
First Claim
1. A system for controlling solar energy utilization for efficient energy usage and conservation of energy resources, the system comprising:
- a control module configured to control operation of a solar energy system associated with a building structure for providing a flow of fresh air and thermal energy converted from a solar energy source by the solar energy system;
a thermostat module disposed in the building structure to transfer signals to an HVAC system coupled with the solar energy system, the solar energy system being configured to transfer the flow of fresh air for space use of a first selected portion of the building structure and configured for ventilation of a second selected portion of the building structure, the thermostat module comprising a wireless device for transmitting temperature information to the control module via a wireless signal, the control module being substantially free from direct communication with the HVAC system; and
a graphic user interface device operably communicating with the control module remotely via a network hub, the network hub being coupled to an external network of computers, the graphic user interface device being configured to set modes of operation for the thermostat module and configured to communicate with the thermostat module for transmitting control information, modes of operation, and temperature information of the building structure to the control module via a wireless transmission.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for controlling solar energy utilization for efficient energy usage and conservation of energy resources for providing space conditioning and home ventilation. The system includes a control module configured to operate a solar energy system for collecting a flow of fresh air for utilizing thermal energy converted by the solar energy system. Additionally, the system includes a thermostat module directly coupled with an HVAC system to for controlling a delivery of a conditioned airflow. The thermostat device couples wirelessly to the control module. Further, the system includes a graphic user interface operably communicating with the control module remotely via a network hub. The graphic user interface device is configured to set modes of operation for the thermostat module and configured to communicate with the thermostat module for transmitting control information, modes of operation, and temperature information of the building structure to the control module via a wireless transmission.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for controlling solar energy utilization for efficient energy usage and conservation of energy resources, the system comprising:
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a control module configured to control operation of a solar energy system associated with a building structure for providing a flow of fresh air and thermal energy converted from a solar energy source by the solar energy system; a thermostat module disposed in the building structure to transfer signals to an HVAC system coupled with the solar energy system, the solar energy system being configured to transfer the flow of fresh air for space use of a first selected portion of the building structure and configured for ventilation of a second selected portion of the building structure, the thermostat module comprising a wireless device for transmitting temperature information to the control module via a wireless signal, the control module being substantially free from direct communication with the HVAC system; and a graphic user interface device operably communicating with the control module remotely via a network hub, the network hub being coupled to an external network of computers, the graphic user interface device being configured to set modes of operation for the thermostat module and configured to communicate with the thermostat module for transmitting control information, modes of operation, and temperature information of the building structure to the control module via a wireless transmission. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for coordinating a solar energy system with a HVAC system for providing healthy home space conditioning and ventilation, the method comprising:
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providing a control module for a solar energy system associated with a home; disposing a thermostat device in the home for controlling a HVAC system, the thermostat device comprising a wireless device; forming a local wireless network between the control module and the thermostat device via the wireless device; initiating a graphic user interface for inputting control information, the graphic user interface being linked to a network hub comprising a data server configured to transfer the control information to the control module via Ethernet or Internet, the control information being partially executed by the solar energy system for providing space conditioning and ventilation; transferring selected control information using the local wireless network from the control module to define modes of operation for the thermostat device, the modes of operation being executed by the HVAC system for providing auxiliary space conditioning; receiving at the control module a space condition information from the thermostat device using the local wireless network; and configuring the HVAC system and the solar energy system using the selected control information and the space condition information in a coordinated process within a defined time period, the coordinated process comprising communicating the selected control information between the control module and the graphical user interface, whereupon the communicating comprises updating the selected control information if the selected control information has been changed based on the space condition information received at the control module or the control information inputted at the graphical user interface to maintain the same updated control information at the graphical user interface, the control module, and the data server;
wherein the defined time period is about fifteen minutes and less. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification