User-friendly, network-connected, smart-home controller and related systems and methods

• US 9,740,385 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2015
• Issued: 08/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Fadell, Anthony Michael, Rogers, Matthew Lee, Satterthwaite, Jr., Edwin H., Smith, Ian C., Warren, Daniel Adam, Palmer, Joseph E., Honjo, Shigefumi, Ericson, Grant M., Dutra, Jonathan Alan, Fiennes, Hugo
• Primary Examiner(s): Karim, Ziaul
• Application Number:
  US14/922,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20160047569A1
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 700276-286, 713320, 236 46 R, 702 62
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/00 Control or safety arrangements
• 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 11/50 characterised by user interfaces or communication
• 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 11/62 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 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/70 Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/89 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/00 Control inputs relating to air properties
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 Occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/12 Position of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/14 Activity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/60 Energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0025 Living bodies ear thermometers G01J5/0011; detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/041 : Mountings in enclosures or in a particular environment
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/02 : Means for indicating or recording specially adapted for thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/26 : Testing of individual semiconductor devices testing or measuring during manufacture or treatment H01L22/00; testing of photovoltaic devices H02S50/10
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 : electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/19 : characterised by the use of electric means G05D23/1393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 : characterised by the use of a variable reference value
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1919 : characterised by the type of controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1932 : to control the temperature of a plurality of spaces
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/24 : the sensing element having a resistance varying with temperature, e.g. a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/2454 : using photoelectric elements
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/27 : with sensing element responsive to radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/275 : with sensing element expanding, contracting, or fusing in response to changes of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3231 : Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3265 : Power saving in display device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3287 : by switching off individual functional units in the computer system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 : Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 : Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 : Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 : Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0304 : Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042
• 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 3/042 : by opto-electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 : Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 : Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 : Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 : Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 20/00 : Machine learning
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/06 : Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being along the axis of angular movement
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 : in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 : in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 : Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 : End-user application control systems

Abstract

A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system in an enclosure may include a passive infrared sensor, an active infrared sensor, and an electronic display having a first mode and a second mode. The thermostat may also include one or more processors programmed to change a setpoint temperature of the thermostat to an energy-saving temperature upon detection of a non-occupancy condition for the enclosure. The processor(s) may detect the non-occupancy condition based at least in part on readings received from the passive infrared sensor. The processor(s) may also be programmed to change the electronic display from the first mode to the second mode upon detection of a person approaching the thermostat. The processor(s) may detect a person approaching the thermostat based at least in part on readings received from the active infrared sensor.

Claims

1. A sensing and control unit comprising:

a passive infrared sensor;

an active infrared sensor, wherein the passive infrared sensor and the active infrared sensor are positioned behind a darkened front cover of the sensing and control unit such that the darkened front cover of the sensing and control unit conceals the passive infrared sensor and the active infrared sensor from the view of a user;

an electronic display having a first mode and a second mode, wherein;

the first mode of the electronic display causes the sensing and control unit to use a first amount of power;

the second mode of the electronic display causes the sensing and control unit to use a second amount of power; and

the first amount of power is less than the second amount of power; and

one or more processors coupled to the passive infrared sensor, the active infrared sensor, and the electronic display, the one or more processors being programmed to;

change a control setting of the sensing and control unit to an energy-saving setting upon detection of a non-occupancy condition for the enclosure, wherein the one or more processors detect the non-occupancy condition based at least in part on readings received from the passive infrared sensor; and

change the electronic display from the first mode to the second mode upon detection of a person approaching the sensing and control unit, wherein the one or more processors detect a person approaching the sensing and control unit based at least in part on readings received from the active infrared sensor.

2. The sensing and control unit of claim 1, wherein the detection of the non-occupancy condition for the enclosure comprises detecting a time interval of between 30 minutes and 150 minutes in which no readings indicative of a user presence are received by the passive infrared sensor.

3. The sensing and control unit of claim 1, wherein:

the first mode of the electronic display indicates a non-readiness to interact with a user; and

the second mode of the electronic display indicates a readiness to interact with the user.

4. The sensing and control unit of claim 1, wherein the active infrared sensor and/or the one or more processors are configured to detect a person approaching the sensing and control unit within a predetermined distance that indicates an intent of a user to walk up to the sensing and control unit.

5. The sensing and control unit of claim 1, wherein the electronic display comprises a touch-sensitive display with sliding touch controls.

6. The sensing and control unit of claim 1, further comprising a Wi-Fi module that is programmed to receive a command from a mobile computing device, wherein:

the sensing and control unit enters an energy-saving mode in response to receiving the command from the mobile computer device; and

an indication that the sensing and control unit is in the energy-saving mode is displayed on the electronic display when the electronic display is in the second mode.

7. A method for using a sensing and control unit, the method comprising:

operating a passive infrared sensor of the sensing and control unit;

operating an active infrared sensor of the sensing and control unit, wherein the passive infrared sensor and the active infrared sensor are positioned behind a darkened front cover of the sensing and control unit such that the darkened front cover of the sensing and control unit conceals the passive infrared sensor and the active infrared sensor from the view of a user;

operating an electronic display of the sensing and control unit in a first mode, wherein the first mode of the electronic display causes the sensing and control unit to use a first amount of power;

receiving, by one or more processors of the sensing and control unit, readings from the passive infrared sensor and readings from the active infrared sensor;

detecting, by the one or more processors, a non-occupancy condition for the enclosure based at least in part on readings received from the passive infrared sensor;

changing, by the one or more processors, a control setting of the sensing and control unit to an energy-saving setting upon detection of the non-occupancy condition for the enclosure;

detecting, by the one or more processors, a person approaching the sensing and control unit based at least in part on readings received from the active infrared sensor; and

changing, by the one or more processors, the electronic display from the first mode to a second mode upon detection of the person approaching the sensing and control unit, wherein the second mode of the electronic display causes the sensing and control unit to use a second amount of power, wherein and the first amount of power is less than the second amount of power.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the detection of the non-occupancy condition for the enclosure comprises detecting a time interval of between 30 minutes and 150 minutes in which no readings indicative of a user presence are received by the passive infrared sensor.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the first mode of the electronic display indicates a non-readiness to interact with a user; and

the second mode of the electronic display indicates a readiness to interact with the user.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the active infrared sensor and/or the one or more processors are configured to detect a person approaching the sensing and control unit within a predetermined distance that indicates an intent of a user to walk up to the sensing and control unit.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the electronic display comprises a touch-sensitive display with sliding touch controls.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving, by a Wi-Fi module of the sensing and control unit, a command from a mobile computing device;

causing the sensing and control unit to enter an energy-saving mode in response to receiving the command from the mobile computer device; and

causing the electronic display to display an indication that the sensing and control unit is in the energy-saving mode when the electronic display is in the second mode.

13. A non-transitory storage medium, comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:

receiving readings from a passive infrared sensor;

detecting a non-occupancy condition for an enclosure based at least in part on the readings received from the passive infrared sensor;

changing a control setting of a sensing and control unit to an energy-saving setting upon detection of the non-occupancy condition for the enclosure;

receiving readings from an active infrared sensor, wherein the passive infrared sensor and the active infrared sensor are positioned behind a darkened front cover of the sensing and control unit such that the darkened front cover of the sensing and control unit conceals the passive infrared sensor and the active infrared sensor from the view of a user;

detecting, by the one or more processors, a person approaching the sensing and control unit based at least in part on readings received from the active infrared sensor; and

changing, by the one or more processors, an electronic display of the sensing and control unit from a first mode to a second mode upon detection of the person approaching the sensing and control unit, wherein;

the first mode of the electronic display causes the sensing and control unit to use a first amount of power;

the second mode of the electronic display causes the sensing and control unit to use a second amount of power; and

the first amount of power is less than the second amount of power.

14. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 13, wherein the detection of the non-occupancy condition for the enclosure comprises detecting a time interval of between 30 minutes and 150 minutes in which no readings indicative of a user presence are received by the passive infrared sensor.

15. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 13, further comprising additional instructions that cause the one or more processors to perform additional operations comprising:

receiving, by a Wi-Fi module of the sensing and control unit, a command from a mobile computing device;

causing the sensing and control unit to enter an energy-saving mode in response to receiving the command from the mobile computer device; and

causing the electronic display to display an indication that the sensing and control unit is in the energy-saving mode when the electronic display is in the second mode.

16. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 13, wherein:

the first mode of the electronic display indicates a non-readiness to interact with a user; and

the second mode of the electronic display indicates a readiness to interact with the user.

17. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 13, wherein the active infrared sensor and/or the one or more processors are configured to detect a person approaching the sensing and control unit within a predetermined distance that indicates an intent of a user to walk up to the sensing and control unit.

18. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 13, wherein the electronic display comprises a touch-sensitive display with sliding touch controls.