Method and system for synchronizing climate control devices

• US 7,395,137 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2006
• Issued: 07/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Robinson, Robert Fredrick Grenville
• Primary Examiner(s): Kosowski; Alexander J
• Application Number:
  US11/465,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20060282195A1
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 700276-277, 165208-209
• US Class Current: 700/276
• 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 11/54 using one central controller connected to several sub-controllers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/67 Switching between heating and cooling modes
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1934 each space being provided with one sensor acting on one or more control means

Abstract

A method, computer program product, and a data processing system for controlling a first climate control device is provided. An operational mode is obtained for each of a plurality of climate control devices. The operational mode of each of the plurality of climate control devices is compared with a desired operational mode of the first climate control device. A determination of whether any of the operational modes of the plurality of climate control devices differs from the desired operational mode. The first climate control device is placed in the desired operational mode dependent on the comparison of the operational modes of the plurality of climate control devices with the desired operational mode.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a first climate control device of a plurality of climate control devices, each of the plurality of climate control devices being operable to enable both an active cooling operational mode and an active heating operational mode, comprising the computer implemented steps of:

obtaining an operational mode for each of the plurality of climate control devices;

determining whether a climate control device conflict would arise between the plurality of climate control devices if the first climate control device were activated to a desired operational mode, the climate control device conflict being a situation where the desired operational mode is different from the operational mode of at least one of the plurality of climate control devices; and

responsive to determining that a climate control device conflict would arise, determining that the climate control device is not to be activated in the desired operational mode, wherein the step of determining whether a climate control device conflict would arise further includes;

accumulating a first count of a number of the plurality of climate control devices that have an operational mode that differs from the desired operational mode;

accumulating a second count of a number of the plurality of climate control devices that have an operational mode that is the same as the desired operational mode;

comparing the first count with the second count; and

determining that the climate control device conflict would arise if the first count is equal to or greater than the second count.