Controlling parameters in a building

• US 9,903,606 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2014
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bunker, Brandon, Hwang, Jungtaik
• Primary Examiner(s): Bodden, Evral E
• Application Number:
  US14/265,091
• Publication Number:
  US 20150308706A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,400 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 11/32 Responding to malfunctions or emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/38 Failure diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• 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 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 Occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/40 Damper positions, e.g. open or closed
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house

Abstract

Methods and systems are described for controlling parameters in a building. According to at least one embodiment, a method for controlling parameters in a building includes using a first sensor type to determine whether the building is occupied and using a second sensor type to determine how reliable the first sensor type determines occupancy.

Claims

1. A method for controlling parameters in a building, comprising:

using a first sensor type to determine an occurrence of an event associated with a change in a current occupancy state;

identifying the current occupancy state of the building based on the occurrence of the event;

using a predictive schedule to determine a time when the current occupancy state of the building is expected to change;

determining an updated occupancy state after a predetermined time threshold lapses from the occurrence of the event using an additional sensor type different from the first sensor type;

calculating a confidence score for the first sensor type based at least in part on determining the updated occupancy state after the predetermined time threshold lapses;

updating the predictive schedule based at least in part on calculating the confidence score for the first sensor type; and

adjusting parameters to a pre-determined comfort level based on the updated occupancy state after the predetermined time threshold lapses.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether to use the first sensor type based on the confidence score.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a second confidence score that reflects a reliability of the additional sensor type for determining occupancy.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

updating the predictive schedule reflecting occupancy, the updated predictive schedule being based on the current occupancy state of the building and the expected change in the current occupancy state of the building.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein updating the predictive schedule comprises:

determining at least one observation window defined as the time threshold between the event indicating a change of the current occupancy state of the building.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the event is the opening or closing of a door.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

adjusting parameters of the building to a conservation level in response to the building having no occupancy based on the updated predictive schedule.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the parameters include lighting parameters, climate parameters, security parameters, or combinations thereof.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

adjusting parameters to the pre-determined comfort level in anticipation of an arrival of an occupant earlier than the expected change in the current occupancy state of the building.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the additional sensor type includes a microphone, a motion detector, a security camera, a mobile device, or combinations thereof.

11. A computing device configured for controlling parameters in a building, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to;

use a first sensor type to determine an occurrence of an event associated with a change in a current occupancy state;

identify the current occupancy state of the building based on the occurrence of the event;

use a predictive schedule to determine a time when the current occupancy state of the building is expected to change;

determine an updated occupancy state after a predetermined time threshold lapses from the occurrence of the event using an additional sensor type different from the first sensor type;

calculate a confidence score for the first sensor type based at least in part on determining the updated occupancy state after the predetermined time threshold lapses;

update the predictive schedule based at least in part on calculating the confidence score for the first sensor type; and

adjust parameters to a pre-determined comfort level based on the updated occupancy state after the predetermined time threshold lapses.

12. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the first sensor type is a door sensor.

13. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to:

update the predictive schedule reflecting occupancy, the updated predictive schedule being based on the current occupancy state of the building and the expected change in the current occupancy state of the building.

14. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to:

adjust parameters of the building to a conservation level in response to the building having no occupancy based on the updated predictive schedule.

15. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to:

adjust parameters to the pre-determined comfort level in anticipation of an arrival of an occupant earlier than the expected change in the current occupancy state of the building.

16. A computer-program product for controlling parameters in a building, the computer-program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions thereon, the instructions being executable by a processor to:

use a first sensor type to determine an occurrence of an event associated with a change in a current occupancy state;

identify the current occupancy state of the building based on the occurrence of the event;

use a predictive schedule to determine a time when the current occupancy state of the building is expected to change;

determine an updated occupancy state after a predetermined time threshold lapses from the occurrence of the event using an additional sensor type different from the first sensor type;

calculate a confidence score for the first sensor type based at least in part on determining the updated occupancy state after the predetermined time threshold lapses;

update the predictive schedule based at least in part on calculating the confidence score for the first sensor type; and

adjust parameters to a pre-determined comfort level based on the updated occupancy state after the predetermined time threshold lapses.

17. The computer-program product of claim 16, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to:

update the predictive schedule reflecting occupancy, the updated predictive schedule being based on the current occupancy state of the building and the expected change in the current occupancy state of the building.