Occupant controlled energy management system and method for managing energy consumption in a multi-unit building

• US 7,643,908 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2008
• Issued: 01/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Inncom Intl Inc (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Inncom Intl Inc (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Roosli, Philipp A., Quirino, Richard N., Schuerer, Gregory F., Buckingham, Duane W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Masinick; Michael D
• Application Number:
  US12/274,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20090065598A1
• Time in Patent Office: 411 Days
• Field of Search: 165/11.1, 165/200, 165/201, 165/237, 165/257, 236/46.R, 236/47, 236/49.1, 236/49.3, 236/51, 236/91.R, 236 91 C- 91 F, 236/94, 340/310.11, 340/310.16, 340/500, 340/540, 340/691.1, 340/691.4, 340/691.5, 340/693.3, 340/870.02, 700/83, 700275-278, 700/291, 700/299, 700/300, 700/295, 700/296, 715/700, 705/412, 705/418, 702/57, 702 60- 62
• US Class Current: 700/277
• 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 11/47 Responding to energy costs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/65 for selecting an operating mode
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 Occupancy

Abstract

A system is provided for use in a multi-unit building by which an occupant of a unit of the multi-unit building controls an appliance associated with the unit and includes an actuator which is accessible to the occupant, a processing unit to control the appliance, operative in the first mode, based on occupant instructions, to change the mode of the appliance based on an actuation of the actuator and to control the appliance, operative in the second mode, according to a preselected schedule, and a networking unit to inform, via communications, a monitor of the multi-unit building as to when the appliance operates in the second mode.

Claims

1. A system for use in a multi-unit building by which an occupant of a unit of the multi-unit building controls an appliance associated with the unit, the system comprising:

an actuator which is accessible to the occupant;

a processing unit to control the appliance, operative in a first mode, based on occupant instructions, to change the mode of the appliance based on an actuation of the actuator and to control the appliance, operative in a second mode, according to a preselected schedule;

a networking unit to inform, via communications, a monitor of the multi-unit building as to when the appliance operates in the second mode; and

an exterior indicator, external from the unit and coupled to the monitor, which activates in response to the networking unit informing the monitor as to when the appliance operates in the second mode and instructs managing staff of the multi-unit building to modify service to the occupant.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the appliance is configured to consume less energy when operating in the second mode as compared to the first mode.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the processing unit is configured to override a mode change from the first mode to the second mode in an event the appliance consumes less energy when operating in the first mode as compared to the second mode.

4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an in-unit indicator, disposed in the unit, which activates when the appliance operates in the second mode.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the in-unit indicator informs the occupant as to when the appliance operates in the second mode.

6. The system according to claim 4, wherein the in-unit indicator instructs unit cleaning staff of the multi-unit building to modify service to the occupant.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the monitor is provided at a control unit of the multi-unit building and is configured to transfer to the occupant cost savings realized by the multi-unit building which are associated with the appliance operating in the second mode.

8. A system for use in a multi-unit building by which an occupant of a unit of the multi-unit building controls an appliance associated with the unit, the system comprising:

an actuator which is accessible to the occupant;

a processing unit to control the appliance, operative in a first mode, based on occupant instructions, to change the mode of the appliance based on an actuation of the actuator and to control the appliance, operative in a second mode, according to a preselected schedule;

a networking unit to transmit a signal that is reflective of the appliance operating in the second mode; and

a monitor of the multi-unit building to receive the signal transmitted by the networking unit, the monitor being configured to calculate a total time during which the appliance operates in the second mode and to provide for compensation directed to the occupant in accordance with the calculated total time.

9. A system for use in a multi-unit building by which an occupant of a unit of the multi-unit building controls an appliance associated with the unit, the system comprising:

an actuator which is accessible to and willfully actuatable by the occupant by way of physical contact between the occupant and the actuator;

a processing unit to control the appliance, operative in a first mode, based on occupant instructions expressed through a willful physical contact actuation of the actuator by the occupant, to change the mode of the appliance based on a further willful physical contact actuation of the actuator by the occupant and to control the appliance, operative in a second mode, according to a preselected schedule; and

a networking unit to inform, via communications, a monitor of the multi-unit building as to when the appliance operates in the first or the second mode.