Selectively Connecting a Climate Control System Controller With More Than One Destination Server

• US 20150204558A1
• Filed: 01/20/2014
• Published: 07/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Copeland Comfort Control LP (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Sartain, John M., Siravuri, Rishi
• Granted Patent: US 9,568,205 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2816 Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station; in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom H04Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2825 Reporting to a device located outside the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with telemetering systems H04M11/002
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2834 Switching of information between an external network and a home network access arrangements H04L12/2856
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of controllers and methods for controlling a climate control system. In an exemplary embodiment, a climate control system controller for controlling operation of a climate control system of a structure generally includes a processor, memory, and network interface configured to provide the climate control system controller with wireless network connectivity. The climate control system controller is selectively connectable, in response to user input, with each of a plurality of destination servers remote from the structure.

Claims

1. A climate control system controller for controlling operation of a climate control system of a structure, the climate control system controller comprising a processor, memory, and network interface configured to provide the climate control system controller with wireless network connectivity;

wherein the climate control system controller is selectively connectable, in response to user input, with each of a plurality of destination servers remote from the structure.

2. The climate control system controller of claim 1, wherein the climate control system controller is configured to participate in a demand response event when connected with one of the destination servers.

3. The climate control system controller of claim 1, wherein the climate control system controller is connected in a user network that includes a computer having a user interface, and the climate control system controller is configured to receive the user input via the user interface and computer.

4. The climate control system controller of claim 1, wherein the climate control system controller is configured to receive the user input via a smart phone and/or tablet.

5. The climate control system controller of claim 1, comprising a switch that is user-operable to provide the user input.

6. The climate control system controller of claim 1, wherein the climate control system controller is configured to receive the user input via a remote access command and one of the destination servers.

7. The climate control system controller of claim 1, wherein the climate control system controller is configured to receive weather-related information when connected with one of the destination servers.

8. The climate control system controller of claim 1, comprising a thermostat.

9. A computer-performed method of controlling a climate control system, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a user selection of one of a plurality of remote destination servers with which a climate control system controller is configured to establish and/or terminate connections; and

in accordance with the user selection, establishing or terminating a connection between the selected destination server and the climate control system controller.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein at least the establishing or terminating is performed by the climate control system controller and/or by one of the destination servers.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising the climate control system controller controlling operation of the climate control system in accordance with the establishing or terminating.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein establishing or terminating the connection comprises enabling or disabling participation by the climate control system controller in a demand response event.

13. The method of claim 12, performed without disabling access by the climate control system controller to another of the destination servers.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein receiving the user selection comprises receiving input via one or more of the following:

a user-operable switch of the climate control system controller, a user interface of a computer wirelessly connected with the climate control system controller, a tablet, and a smart phone.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein establishing or terminating the connection comprises enabling or disabling receipt by the climate control system controller of weather-related information from the selected destination server.

16. A thermostat for controlling operation of a climate control system of a structure, the thermostat comprising a processor, memory, and network interface configured to provide the thermostat with wireless network connectivity with a plurality of destination servers, such that the thermostat:

(a) in response to user input selecting one of a plurality of features and/or functions of the thermostat, is connectable with a first destination server that provides the selected feature and/or function, and (b) is selectively disconnectable from a second destination server providing another of the plurality of features and/or functions.

17. The thermostat of claim 16, wherein the processor, memory, and network interface are configured to receive the user input via one or more of the following:

a user-operable switch of the thermostat, a user interface of a computer wirelessly connected with the thermostat, a tablet, and a smart phone.

18. The thermostat of claim 16, selectively connectable to one or more of the destination servers via a server of an energy management services provider.

19. The thermostat of claim 16, configured to receive the user input via a remote access command and one of the destination servers.

20. The thermostat of claim 19, wherein the one of the destination servers includes a server of an energy management services provider.