HVAC control system encouraging energy efficient user behaviors in plural interactive contexts

• US 9,732,979 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2016
• Issued: 08/15/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Fadell, Anthony Michael, Plitkins, Michael, Matas, Michael James, Sloo, David, Matsuoka, Yoky, Rogers, Matthew Lee, Fisher, Evan J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tuan S
• Application Number:
  US15/258,422
• Publication Number:
  US 20160377307A1
• Time in Patent Office: 342 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• 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 11/59 for presetting
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/89 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/00 Control inputs relating to users or occupants
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/20 Feedback from users
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/409 characterised by using manual data input [MDI] or by using control panel, e.g. controlling functions with the panel; characterised by control panel details or by setting parameters G05B19/408, G05B19/4093 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2614 HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 characterised by the use of a variable reference value
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 : Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0613 : The adjustment depending on the type of the information to be displayed
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/37 : Details of the operation on graphic patterns G09G5/38 takes precedence

Abstract

Methods and devices for controlling a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by a thermostat are provided. Input can be received from a user via a thermostat, the input being indicative of an adjustment of an HVAC-related setting. On a real-time basis, the HVAC-related setting that is being adjusted can be compared against a feedback criterion designed to indicate a circumstance under which feedback is to be presented to the user. The circumstance can be indicative of an achievement of a HVAC-related setting of a predetermined responsibility level with respect to an energy usage of the HVAC system. Upon a real-time determination that the feedback criterion is satisfied, visual feedback can be caused to be presented to the user in real-time. The real-time feedback can include a visual icon having a visual appeal corresponding to a desirability of the satisfaction of the feedback criterion.

Claims

1. A system for efficient HVAC control comprising:

an HVAC control device that is configured to control an HVAC system to condition an enclosure, the HVAC control device having a walk-up display that displays information to a user, the display including a first energy efficiency icon that is displayed in response to an on-device temperature change corresponding to an increased degree of responsible energy usage of the HVAC system in conditioning the enclosure, the first energy efficiency icon being displayed to present immediate feedback to the user about the responsible energy usage of the HVAC system;

said HVAC control device being remotely controllable by a mobile device having software that is configured to;

document an energy usage of the HVAC system for the enclosure during one or more historical periods; and

display a second energy efficiency icon for a period of the one or more historical periods when the energy usage of the HVAC system for the period is representative of an environmentally responsible behavior in conditioning the enclosure;

wherein said first and second energy efficiency icons are substantially visually identical in order to positively reinforce to the user the environmentally responsible behavior in conditioning the enclosure.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the software of the mobile device is further configured to display a real time control device that is operable to control the HVAC system to effect a temperature adjustment of the enclosure.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the software of the mobile device is further configured to display a third energy efficiency icon in response to a temperature change effected via the real time control device when said temperature change is representative of an environmentally responsible behavior in conditioning the enclosure.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the third energy efficiency icon is substantially visually identical to the first and second energy efficiency icons in order to positively reinforce the environmentally responsible behavior.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the real time control device and the third energy efficiency icon that are displayed on the mobile device are substantially visually identical to the HVAC control device and the first energy efficiency icon.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein a visual representation of the first and second energy efficiency icons is adjustable to indicate a degree of responsible energy usage of the HVAC system in conditioning the enclosure.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the visual representation of the first and second energy efficiency icons are brightened or faded to indicate the degree of responsible energy usage.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the second energy efficiency icon is displayed on a schedule or calendar that is representative of the one or more historical periods.

9. A HVAC system comprising:

a control device that is configured to control the HVAC system in order to condition an enclosure, the control device having a display that displays a first energy efficiency icon in response to a temperature change initiated via the control device when the temperature change corresponds to an increased degree of responsible energy usage of the HVAC system in conditioning the enclosure, wherein the first energy efficiency icon is displayed to present immediate feedback about the responsible energy usage of the HVAC system;

said control device being remotely controllable by a mobile device having software that is configured to;

document an energy usage of the HVAC system for the enclosure during one or more historical periods; and

display a second energy efficiency icon when the energy usage of the HVAC system for a period of the one or more historical periods is representative of an environmentally responsible behavior in conditioning the enclosure;

wherein said first and second energy efficiency icons are substantially visually identical in order to visually reinforce the environmentally responsible behavior in conditioning the enclosure.

10. The HVAC system of claim 9, wherein the software of the mobile device is further configured to display a real time control device that is operable to control the HVAC system to effect a temperature adjustment of the enclosure.

11. The HVAC system of claim 10, wherein the software of the mobile device is further configured to display a third energy efficiency icon in response to a temperature change effected via the real time control device when said temperature change is representative of an environmentally responsible behavior in conditioning the enclosure.

12. The HVAC system of claim 11, wherein the third energy efficiency icon is substantially visually identical to the first and second energy efficiency icons in order to positively reinforce the environmentally responsible behavior.

13. The HVAC system of claim 11, wherein the real time control device and the third energy efficiency icon that are displayed on the mobile device are substantially visually identical to the control device and the first energy efficiency icon.

14. The HVAC system of claim 9, wherein a visual representation of the first and second energy efficiency icons is adjustable to indicate a degree of responsible energy usage of the HVAC system in conditioning the enclosure.

15. The HVAC system of claim 14, wherein the visual representation of the first and second energy efficiency icons are brightened or faded to indicate the degree of responsible energy usage.

16. The HVAC system of claim 9, wherein the second energy efficiency icon is displayed on a schedule or calendar that is representative of the one or more historical periods.

17. A method of encouraging responsible energy usage of an HVAC system, the HVAC system being configured to condition an enclosure and the HVAC system including a control device having an input component and a display, the method comprising:

receiving a first input via the input component of the control device, the first input corresponding to a temperature adjustment of the HVAC system;

determining that said temperature adjustment of the HVAC system corresponds to an increased degree of responsible energy usage of the HVAC system in conditioning the enclosure;

displaying a first energy efficiency icon on the control device in response to said determination in order to present immediate feedback about the responsible energy usage of the HVAC system;

recording an energy usage of the HVAC system for the enclosure during one or more historical periods;

determining that the energy usage of the HVAC system for a period of the one or more historical periods is representative of an environmentally responsible behavior in conditioning the enclosure; and

in response to said determination, displaying a second energy efficiency icon on a mobile device for the period to present feedback about the environmentally responsible behavior of the HVAC system for the period;

wherein said first and second energy efficiency icons are substantially visually identical in order to visually reinforce the environmentally responsible behavior in conditioning the enclosure.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising displaying a real time control device on the mobile device, the real time control device being operable to control the HVAC system to effect a temperature adjustment of the enclosure.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising displaying a third energy efficiency icon on the mobile device in response to a temperature change effected via the real time control device displayed on the mobile device when said temperature change is representative of an environmentally responsible behavior in conditioning the enclosure.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the third energy efficiency icon is substantially visually identical to the first and second energy efficiency icons in order to positively reinforce the environmentally responsible behavior.