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System and method for using a wireless device as a sensor for an energy management system

  • US 9,244,470 B2
  • Filed: 05/11/2012
  • Issued: 01/26/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for varying temperature setpoints for a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system comprising:

  • storing at least a first HVAC temperature setpoint associated with a structure that is deemed to be non-occupied and at least a second HVAC temperature setpoint associated with said structure deemed to be occupied;

    monitoring an activity status of at least one wireless device associated with one or more occupants of said structure, wherein said wireless device comprises a graphic user interface, wherein use of said wireless device comprises at least one of cursor movement, keystrokes or other user interface actions intended to alter a state of said wireless device;

    determining a probability that specific audio and/or video content being reproduced by said wireless device is associated with the use of said wireless device by at least one specific occupant of said structure;

    determining whether a current HVAC temperature setpoint associated with said HVAC system is set to said first HVAC temperature setpoint or said second temperature setpoint;

    determining that said at least one specific occupant has previously indicated a preference that input be obtained before automatically changing said current HVAC temperature setpoint in response to said activity status;

    prompting said at least one specific occupant based on said determining that said input should be obtained, wherein said prompting sends a message to said wireless device recommending a change to said current HVAC temperature setpoint for said HVAC system;

    in response to said prompting, receiving said input from said at least one specific occupant; and

    keeping said current HVAC temperature setpoint based upon said input from said at least one specific occupant.

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