CONTROLLING PARAMETERS IN A BUILDING

• US 20180246480A1
• Filed: 02/26/2018
• Published: 08/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bunker, Brandon, Hwang, Jungtaik
• Granted Patent: US 10,901,379 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 11/32 Responding to malfunctions or emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/38 Failure diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• 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 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 Occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/40 Damper positions, e.g. open or closed
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house

Abstract

Methods and systems are described for controlling parameters in a building. According to at least one embodiment, a method for controlling parameters in a building includes using a first sensor type to determine whether the building is occupied and using a second sensor type to determine how reliable the first sensor type determines occupancy.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A method for controlling parameters in a building, comprising:

using a first sensor to determine a first occupancy state of a building;

using a second sensor to determine a second occupancy state of the building;

comparing the first occupancy state with the second occupancy state to determine whether the first occupancy state and the second occupancy state are same; and

generating a score that reflects a reliability of the first sensor for determining occupancy based at least in part on the comparing.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein comparing the first occupancy state with the second occupancy state comprises:

determining a number of times that the second sensor determines occupancy when the first sensor fails to determine occupancy in the building, wherein the score is based at least in part on the number of times.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein using the first sensor to determine the first occupancy state comprises:

monitoring, using the first sensor, the building for a predetermined time period; and

detecting, using the first sensor, at least one occupant in the building during the predetermined time period.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

detecting, using the first sensor, at least one occupant in the building; and

determining a strength of detecting the at least one occupant, wherein the score is based at least in part on the strength of detecting.

25. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

determining whether to use the first sensor to generate a predictive schedule reflecting occupancy based at least in part on the score.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

using the first sensor to determine an occurrence of an upcoming event associated with a change in the first occupancy state of the building; and

generating the predictive schedule reflecting occupancy based at least in part on determining the occurrence of the upcoming event.

27. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

determining a plurality of observation windows between a plurality of events capable of indicating a change in occupancy of the building; and

generating a predictive schedule reflecting occupancy based at least in part on the plurality of observation windows.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the plurality of events comprise at least one of opening and closing of doors, garage doors, sliding doors, windows, fire escapes, or a combination thereof.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

determining whether the building is predicted to be occupied for an upcoming time period based at least in part on the predictive schedule; and

adjusting parameters of the building to a conservation level in response to determining that the building is not predicted to be occupied for the upcoming time period.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

determining that the building is predicted to be occupied at a first time based at least in part on the predictive schedule;

using a user device to determine that the building is predicted to be occupied at a second time, wherein the second time is earlier than the first time; and

adjusting the parameters of the building from the conservation level to a comfort level in response to determining that the building is predicted to be occupied at the second time.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the parameters include lighting parameters, climate parameters, security parameters, or a combination thereof.

32. The method of claim 21, wherein the first sensor is a first type of sensor and the second sensor is a second type of sensor.

33. An apparatus configured for controlling parameters in a building, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to;

use a first sensor to determine a first occupancy state of a building;

use a second sensor to determine a second occupancy state of the building;

compare the first occupancy state with the second occupancy state to determine whether the first occupancy state and the second occupancy state are same; and

generate a score that reflects a reliability of the first sensor for determining occupancy based at least in part on the comparing.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to:

determine a number of times that the second sensor determines occupancy when the first sensor fails to determine occupancy in the building, wherein the score is based at least in part on the number of times.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to:

monitor, using the first sensor, the building for a predetermined time period; and

detect, using the first sensor, at least one occupant in the building during the predetermined time period.

36. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to:

detect, using the first sensor, at least one occupant in the building; and

determine a strength of detecting the at least one occupant, wherein the score is based at least in part on the strength of detecting.

37. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to:

determine whether to use the first sensor to generate a predictive schedule reflecting occupancy based at least in part on the score.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to:

use the first sensor to determine an occurrence of an upcoming event associated with a change in the first occupancy state of the building; and

generate the predictive schedule reflecting occupancy based at least in part on determining the occurrence of the upcoming event.

39. A computer-program product for controlling parameters in a building, the computer-program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions thereon, the instructions being executable by a processor to:

use a first sensor to determine a first occupancy state of a building;

use a second sensor to determine a second occupancy state of the building;

compare the first occupancy state with the second occupancy state to determine whether the first occupancy state and the second occupancy state are same; and

generate a score that reflects a reliability of the first sensor for determining occupancy based at least in part on the comparing.

40. The computer-program product of claim 39, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to:

determine a number of times that the second sensor determines occupancy when the first sensor fails to determine occupancy in the building, wherein the score is based at least in part on the number of times.