Method and apparatus for smart climate control

• US 8,620,476 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2011
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enphase Energy Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Enphase Energy Incorporated
• Inventors: Lee, Leesa, Zazueta-Hall, Ilen, Asbo, Magnus
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, RAMESH B
• Application Number:
  US13/023,347
• Publication Number:
  US 20110202181A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,057 Days
• Field of Search: 700 65- 66, 700276-278, 700299-300
• 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 11/47 Responding to energy costs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• 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 11/88 Electrical aspects, e.g. circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/00 Control inputs relating to environmental factors not covered by group F24F2110/00
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/10 Weather information or forecasts
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/60 Energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling climate within a building. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a smart climate unit for (i) obtaining distributed generator (DG) information pertaining to operation of a DG that generates power for the building, and (ii) controlling at least one climate condition within the building based on at least one of the DG information, local input, or remote input.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling climate within a building, comprising:

a smart climate unit for;

(i) obtaining distributed generator (DG) information, via a communications network, pertaining to operation of a DG that generates power for the building, and (ii) controlling at least one climate condition within the building based on at least one of the DG information, local input, or remote input.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the smart climate unit controls the at least one climate condition based on a climate control profile.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the climate control profile specifies at least one climate control setting based on at least one of time, energy mode, user preference, user location, or weather information.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the smart climate unit controls the at least one climate condition based on a location of a user.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the smart climate unit controls the at least one climate condition based on a travel speed of the user.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the smart climate unit determines the location of the user based on a position location device.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the smart climate unit controls the at least one climate condition using demand management.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the smart climate unit learns climate control information over time and uses the learned climate control information for controlling the at least one climate condition.

9. A method for controlling climate within a building, comprising:

receiving distributed generator (DG) information pertaining to the operation of a DG that couples power to the building;

determining at least one setting for controlling at least one climate condition within the building based on at least one of the DG information, local input, or remote input; and

operating a climate control system of the building based on the at least one setting.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one setting is determined based on a climate control profile.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the climate control profile specifies the at least one setting based on at least one of time, energy mode, user preference, user location, or weather information.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining a location of a user, wherein the at least one setting is determined based on the location.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining a travel speed of the user, wherein the at least one setting is further determined based on the travel speed.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving position information corresponding to a position location device, wherein the location is determined based on the position information.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one setting is determined based on demand management.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising learning climate control information over time, wherein the at least one setting is determined based on the learned climate control information.

17. A system for controlling climate within a building, comprising:

a smart climate unit for controlling at least one climate condition within the building; and

a distributed generator (DG), coupled to the smart climate unit, for coupling generated power to the building, wherein the smart climate unit obtains DG information pertaining to operation of the DG and controls at least one climate condition within the building based on at least one of the DG information, local input, or remote input.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the smart climate unit controls the at least one climate condition based on a climate control profile and the climate control profile specifies at least one climate control setting based on at least one of time, energy mode, user preference, user location, or weather information.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the smart climate unit controls the at least one climate condition based on a location of a user.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the smart climate unit controls the at least one climate condition using demand management.