Control unit with automatic setback capability

• US 10,619,876 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2017
• Issued: 04/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Matsuoka, Yoky, Astier, Frank E., Sharan, Rangoli, Fadell, Anthony Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Ciric, Ljiljana V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cox, Alexis K
• Application Number:
  US15/632,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20170292731A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• 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 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• 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 11/65 for selecting an operating mode
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/00 Control inputs relating to users or occupants
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 Occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/60 Energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/048 Monitoring; Safety
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2614 HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1904 variable in time

Abstract

A device includes a memory configured to store a preexisting schedule and one or more processors configured to perform operations including controlling a temperature within an enclosure according to a first setpoint, wherein the first setpoint is from the preexisting schedule and represents a temperature for when the enclosure is occupied. The operations also include accessing occupancy data indicating occupancy within the enclosure and automatically changing the first setpoint to a second setpoint upon expiration of a predetermined time interval during which no occupancy has been detected. The second setpoint requires less energy to maintain than the first setpoint, and the predetermined time interval is modified based at least in part on received manual settings that indicate occupancy following the changing to the second setpoint.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a memory configured to store a preexisting schedule;

one or more processors configured to perform operations comprising;

controlling a temperature within an enclosure according to a first setpoint, wherein the first setpoint is from the preexisting schedule and represents a temperature for when the enclosure is occupied;

accessing occupancy data indicating occupancy within the enclosure; and

automatically changing the first setpoint to a second setpoint upon expiration of a predetermined time interval during which no occupancy has been detected, wherein;

the second setpoint requires less energy to maintain than the first setpoint; and

the predetermined time interval is modified based at least in part on received manual settings that indicate occupancy following the changing to the second setpoint.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more occupancy sensors configured to provide the occupancy data indicating occupancy within the enclosure.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a wireless communication component, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to perform said step of automatically changing the first setpoint to the second setpoint based at least in part on a received wireless communication.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

automatically change the second setpoint to a third setpoint, wherein the third setpoint is from the preexisting schedule.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the third setpoint is equal to the first setpoint.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the predetermined tin to rat is 60 minutes or greater.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the predetermined time interval is between 90 minutes and 180 minutes.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the predetermined time interval is greater than or equal to 120 minutes.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

perform said step of accessing the occupancy data indicating occupancy within the enclosure between 7;

00 AM and 10;

00 PM; and

perform said step of automatically changing the first setpoint to the second setpoint between 7;

00 AM and 10;

00 PM.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is part of a dwelling.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the dwelling comprises a single-family dwelling.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is part of a light commercial building.

13. A device comprising:

a memory storing a preexisting schedule;

one or more processors configured to perform operations comprising;

controlling temperature within a conditioned enclosure according to a setpoint temperature, an initial value of the setpoint temperature being from a preexisting schedule and representing a temperature suitable for when one or more persons are occupying the conditioned enclosure;

periodically accessing occupancy data indicating occupancy within the enclosure;

periodically updating the setpoint temperature upon expiration of a predetermined time interval during which no occupancy has been detected, the updated setpoint temperature requiring substantially less energy to maintain than the initial value of the setpoint temperature; and

periodically modifying the predetermined time interval based at least in part on received manual settings that indicate occupancy following the updating the setpoint temperature.

14. The device of claim 13, further comprising:

one or more occupancy sensors configured to provide the occupancy data for determining occupancy within the enclosure.

15. The device of claim 13, further comprising a wireless communication component, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to perform said step of periodically updating the setpoint temperature based at least in part on a received wireless communication.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to perform said step of periodically updating the setpoint temperature between 7:

00 AM and 10;

00 PM.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein the enclosure comprises part of a dwelling or a light commercial building.

18. The device of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to update the setpoint temperature to a setpoint temperature from the preexisting schedule.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to return the setpoint temperature to the initial value.