Control of multiple environmental zones based on predicted changes to environmental conditions of the zones
First Claim
1. A system for wirelessly controlling multiple environmental zones, comprising:
- a plurality of zone controllers each associated with one of the environmental zones, each zone controller being configured to;
monitor an environmental condition of the environmental zone associated with the zone controller; and
control a local device specific to the environmental zone associated with the zone controller to modify the environmental condition of the environmental zone associated with the zone controller; and
a central controller configured to;
receive data indicating an initial environmental condition of one of the environmental zones associated with a first zone controller of the plurality of zone controllers;
issue a command to a second zone controller based at least in part on a predicted effect thereof on the environmental condition of the environmental zone associated with the first zone controller, the issued command comprising an instruction to actuate a vent register associated with the second zone controller;
receive data indicating a change to the initial environmental condition responsive to the issued command; and
modify the predicted effect based at least in part on the received data indicating the change to the initial environmental condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for wirelessly controlling multiple environmental zones, comprising:
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a plurality of zone controllers each associated with one of the environmental zones, each zone controller being configured to; monitor an environmental condition of the environmental zone associated with the zone controller; and control a local device specific to the environmental zone associated with the zone controller to modify the environmental condition of the environmental zone associated with the zone controller; and a central controller configured to; receive data indicating an initial environmental condition of one of the environmental zones associated with a first zone controller of the plurality of zone controllers; issue a command to a second zone controller based at least in part on a predicted effect thereof on the environmental condition of the environmental zone associated with the first zone controller, the issued command comprising an instruction to actuate a vent register associated with the second zone controller; receive data indicating a change to the initial environmental condition responsive to the issued command; and modify the predicted effect based at least in part on the received data indicating the change to the initial environmental condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for wirelessly controlling multiple environmental zones, comprising:
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receiving, at a central controller, data indicative of an initial environmental condition of one of the environmental zones associated with a first zone controller of a plurality of zone controllers; issuing, from the central controller, a command to a second zone controller of the plurality of zone controllers based at least in part on a predicted effect thereof on an environmental condition of the environmental zone associated with the first zone controller of the plurality of the zone controllers, wherein the command causes actuation of a vent register; receiving, at the central controller, data indicative of a change to the initial environmental condition responsive to the issued command; and modifying, by the central controller, the predicted effect based at least in part on the received data indicating the change to the initial environmental condition. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A central controller for wirelessly controlling multiple environmental zones, comprising:
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a communication interface configured to communicate with a plurality of zone controllers each associated with one of the environmental zones; and a processor configured to; receive, via the communication interface, data indicating an initial environmental condition of one of the environmental zones associated with a first zone controller of the plurality of zone controllers; issue, via the communication interface, a command to a second zone controller of the plurality of zone controllers based at least in part on a predicted effect thereof on an environmental condition of the environmental zone associated with the first zone controller of the plurality of zone controllers; receive, via the communication interface, data indicating a change to the initial environmental condition responsive to the issued command; modify the predicted effect based at least in part on the received data indicating the change to the initial environmental condition; and issue, via the communication interface, a second command to the second zone controller based at least in part on the modified predicted effect thereof on the environmental condition of the environmental zone associated with the first zone controller of the plurality of zone controllers. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification