WIRELESS CONTROLLER WITH GATEWAY
First Claim
1. A thermostat for use in controlling an HVAC system of a building or other structure, the building or other structure having a local gateway coupled to a communications network, the thermostat comprising:
- a user interface for allowing a user to interact with the thermostat;
a wireless transceiver for wirelessly communicating with the local gateway of the building or other structure, wherein the local gateway is located remotely from the thermostat;
a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature inside the building or other structure and for providing a signal related to the sensed temperature; and
a thermostat controller coupled to the user interface, the wireless transceiver and the temperature sensor, the thermostat controller having a control algorithm for controlling the HVAC system based, at least in part, on one or more control parameters, the thermostat controller configured to allow a user to change one or more of the control parameters from a remote location on the communications network via the local gateway and the wireless transceiver.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Remote control of energy consumption is realized using a readily installable, flexible approach. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a remote source communicates with a wireless controller for executing energy usage control. The remote source sends signals to the wireless controller via a gateway located near or, in one implementation, forming part of the wireless controller. In response to the signals, the wireless controller sets control settings for operating one or more of a variety of equipment types, such as a furnace, air conditioner, water heater or heat pump. With this approach, wired connections from the gateway to energy-consuming equipment do not necessarily need to be made in order to effect remote energy-consumption control. For instance, when used in connection with a controller wired to the energy-consuming equipment, the gateway need only communicate wirelessly with the controller and does not necessarily need to be coupled to the energy-consuming equipment. In addition, access to the energy-consuming equipment for establishing remote energy control is not necessary; rather, the remote energy control can be effected by accessing user-friendly locations, such as those where thermostats and other controllers are typically located.
362 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A thermostat for use in controlling an HVAC system of a building or other structure, the building or other structure having a local gateway coupled to a communications network, the thermostat comprising:
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a user interface for allowing a user to interact with the thermostat; a wireless transceiver for wirelessly communicating with the local gateway of the building or other structure, wherein the local gateway is located remotely from the thermostat; a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature inside the building or other structure and for providing a signal related to the sensed temperature; and a thermostat controller coupled to the user interface, the wireless transceiver and the temperature sensor, the thermostat controller having a control algorithm for controlling the HVAC system based, at least in part, on one or more control parameters, the thermostat controller configured to allow a user to change one or more of the control parameters from a remote location on the communications network via the local gateway and the wireless transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An HVAC controller for use in controlling an HVAC system of a building or other structure, the building or other structure having a local gateway coupled to a communications network, the HVAC controller comprising:
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a wireless transceiver for wirelessly communicating with the local gateway of the building or other structure, wherein the local gateway is located remotely from the HVAC controller; a controller coupled to the wireless transceiver, the controller having a control algorithm for controlling the HVAC system based, at least in part, on one or more control parameters, the controller configured to allow a user to change one or more of the control parameters from a remote location on the communications network via the local gateway and the wireless transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for changing one or more operating parameters of a thermostat, wherein the thermostat is located inside of a building or other structure, comprising:
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sending a request to change a desired operating parameter of the thermostat from a location outside of the building or other structure, the request passing across a communications network to a local gateway, wherein the local gateway is located inside of the building or other structure; sending a corresponding request from the local gateway to a wireless transceiver, wherein the wireless transceiver is associated with and connected to the thermostat; once the request is received, changing the desired operating parameter of the thermostat; and operating the thermostat using the changed operating parameter. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification