SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HVAC SYSTEM SCHEDULE GENERATION BASED ON USER DEFINED COMFORT LEVEL INPUTS

Abstract

A system and method for generating a schedule for a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system based on user-defined comfort level inputs. The HVAC system includes an HVAC controller that includes an HVAC system interface usable to control one or more of the one or more HVAC components of the HVAC system and a user interface. The user interface is configured to display a comfort indication element in a comfort challenge that indicates a present comfort profile temperature set point. The comfort indication element is usable by a user of the local computing device to adjust the present comfort profile temperature set point. The HVAC controller is further configured to update a comfort profile schedule as a function of the updated present comfort profile temperature set point. Additional embodiments are described herein.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is an international patent application, and claims the priority benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 62/451,005, filed Jan. 26, 2017, the text and drawings of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

The presently disclosed embodiments generally relate to heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, and more particularly, to a system and method for operating an HVAC system based on user defined comfort level inputs.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

Generally, programmable thermostats use several methods to save energy and money for the consumer. One example is by managing climate settings based on a user-programmed schedule for heating and cooling of a structure, such as a residential structure. However, the programming of such schedules can be complicated. Additionally, the temperature set points of the schedules are typically predicated on a temperature setting or range that is based on an anticipated comfort level (i.e., at a particular temperature set point that the user assumes they will be comfortable at) or may be rationalized by an anticipated financial incentive. For example, the user may feel cold or warm, but because the temperature set point is set to a temperature they always have it set at, they may ignore their level of discomfort or feel the schedule is too complicated to adjust. An ideal system should allow for ease of use schedule programming and take into account how the user feels during the day with regard to the temperature level of their residence, rather than the attachment associated with a numerical temperature value.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved system and method for operating an HVAC system based on user defined comfort level inputs.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

In one aspect, a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system includes one or more HVAC components; an HVAC controller communicatively coupled to the one or more HVAC components; and a local computing device communicatively coupled to the HVAC controller. The local computing device is configured to initiate, via a graphical user interface (GUI) of an application presently executing on the local computing device, a comfort challenge, wherein to initiate the comfort challenge comprises to operate in a seasonal challenge mode, wherein to operate in the seasonal challenge mode comprises to not display any numerical references indicative of temperature levels on the GUI; display, via the GUI, a comfort indication element, wherein the comfort indication element is a GUI element that indicates a present comfort profile temperature set point and is usable by a user of the local computing device to select a present comfort level relative to the present comfort profile temperature set point.

The local computing device is additionally configured to update, in response to a determination that the present comfort level selected by the user is different than the present comfort profile temperature set point, the present comfort profile temperature set point to a value associated with the present comfort level selected by the user via the comfort indication element; transmit a message to the HVAC controller that includes the updated present comfort profile temperature set point, wherein the message is usable to initiate an operational action by the HVAC controller on at least one of the one or more HVAC components; and update a comfort profile schedule as a function of the updated present comfort profile temperature set point, wherein the comfort profile schedule defines an HVAC system control schedule usable by the HVAC controller to enforce temperature thresholds via the one or more HVAC components.

In some embodiments, the local computing device is communicatively coupled to the HVAC controller via one of a local area network or a personal area network. In other embodiments, the local computing device is further configured to provide a notification to the HVAC controller that indicates the HVAC controller is to operate in the seasonal challenge mode, and wherein the notification is usable to indicate that the receiver of the notification is not to display any numerical references indicative of temperature levels and humidity levels while in the seasonal challenge mode. In still other embodiments, the comfort indication element includes an indicator and a plurality of ticks, wherein the plurality of ticks include a center tick and an evenly distributed number of ticks on each side of the center tick, wherein each of the ticks is representative of an associated temperature set point relative to the center tick, and wherein the center tick is representative of the present comfort profile temperature set point.

In some embodiments, having determined that the present comfort level selected by the user is different than the present comfort profile temperature set point comprises to receive an indication that the user adjusted the indicator one or more ticks away from the center tick. In other embodiments, each of the ticks to the right of the center tick represents a one degree Fahrenheit decrement relative to the number of ticks between the respective tick and the center tick and wherein each of the ticks to the left of the center tick represents a one degree Fahrenheit increment relative to the number of ticks between the respective tick and the center tick. In still other embodiments, the local computing device is further configured to display, via the GUI and after an elapsed period of time, a proposed comfort profile schedule for the seasonal challenge mode, wherein the proposed comfort profile schedule identifies an optional HVAC system control schedule selectable by the user for use by the HVAC controller to enforce temperature thresholds via the one or more HVAC components.

In some embodiments, the local computing device is further configured to (i) determine whether the updated present comfort profile temperature set point has been reached and (ii) prompt the user, via the GUI that includes the comfort indication element, to indicate a new present comfort level relative to the updated present comfort profile temperature set point. In other embodiments, the local computing device is communicatively coupled to the HVAC controller via a remote computing device, wherein the remote computing device is communicatively coupled to each of the local computing device and the HVAC controller via a wide area network. In still other embodiments, to transmit the message to the HVAC controller that includes the updated present comfort profile temperature set point comprises to transmit the message to the remote computing device for storage of the updated present comfort profile temperature set point and subsequent transmission to the HVAC controller.

In another aspect, a method includes generating a schedule for a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system based on user-defined comfort level inputs, the HVAC system comprising an HVAC controller communicatively coupled to one or more HVAC components and a local computing device communicatively coupled to the HVAC controller. The method includes initiating, via a graphical user interface (GUI) of an application presently executing on the local computing device, a comfort challenge, wherein initiating the comfort challenge comprises operating in a seasonal challenge mode, and wherein operating in the seasonal challenge mode comprises not displaying any numerical references indicative of temperature levels and humidity levels on the GUI; and displaying, via the GUI, a comfort indication element, wherein the comfort indication element is a GUI element that indicates a present comfort profile temperature set point and is usable by a user of the local computing device to select a present comfort level relative to the present comfort profile temperature set point.

The method additionally includes updating, by the local computing device and in response to determining that the present comfort level selected by the user is different than the present comfort profile temperature set point, the present comfort profile temperature set point to a value associated with the present comfort level selected by the user via the comfort indication element; transmitting, by the local computing device, a message to the HVAC controller that includes the updated present comfort profile temperature set point, wherein the massage is usable to initiate an operational action by the HVAC controller on at least one of the one or more HVAC components; and updating, by the local computing device, a comfort profile schedule as a function of the updated present comfort profile temperature set point wherein the comfort profile schedule defines an HVAC system control schedule usable by the HVAC controller to enforce temperature thresholds via the one or more HVAC components.

In some embodiments, the local computing device is communicatively coupled to the HVAC controller via one of a local area network or a personal area network. In other embodiments, the method further includes providing, by the local computing device, a notification to the HVAC controller that indicates the HVAC controller is to operate in the seasonal challenge mode, and wherein the notification is usable to indicate that the receiver of the notification is not to display any numerical references indicative of temperature levels and humidity levels while in the seasonal challenge mode.

In still other embodiments, displaying the comfort indication element includes displaying an indicator and a plurality of ticks, wherein the plurality of ticks include a center tick and an evenly distributed number of ticks on each side of the center tick, wherein each of the ticks is representative of an associated temperature set point relative to the center tick, and wherein the center tick is representative of the present comfort profile temperature set point.

In some embodiments, determining that the present comfort level selected by the user is different than the present comfort profile temperature set point comprises receiving an indication that the user adjusted the indicator one or more ticks away from the center tick. In other embodiments, each of the ticks to the right of the center tick represents a one degree Fahrenheit decrement relative to the number of ticks between the respective tick and the center tick and wherein each of the ticks to the left of the center tick represents a one degree Fahrenheit increment relative to the number of ticks between the respective tick and the center tick.

In some embodiments, the method additionally includes displaying, via the GUI and after an elapsed period of time, a proposed comfort profile schedule for the seasonal challenge mode, wherein the proposed comfort profile schedule identifies an optional HVAC system control schedule selectable by the user for use by the HVAC controller to enforce temperature thresholds via the one or more HVAC components. In other embodiments, determining whether the updated present comfort profile temperature set point has been reached; and prompting, via the GUI that includes the comfort indication element, the user to indicate a new present comfort level relative to the updated present comfort profile temperature set point.

In still other embodiments, the local computing device is communicatively coupled to the HVAC controller via a remote computing device, and wherein the remote computing device is communicatively coupled to each of the local computing device and the HVAC controller. In yet other embodiments, transmitting the message to the HVAC controller that includes the updated present comfort profile temperature set point comprises transmitting the message to the remote computing device for storage of the updated present comfort profile temperature set point and subsequent transmission to the HVAC controller.

In yet another aspect, a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) controller for generating a schedule for an HVAC system based on user-defined comfort level inputs includes an HVAC system interface usable to enable communicative coupling to one or more HVAC components of the HVAC system; and a user interface. The user interface is configured to initiate, via a graphical user interface (GUI) of an application presently executing on the user interface, a comfort challenge, wherein to initiate the comfort challenge comprises to operate in a seasonal challenge mode, wherein to operate in the seasonal challenge mode comprises to not display any numerical references indicative of temperature levels on the GUI; and display, via the GUI, a comfort indication element, wherein the comfort indication element is a GUI element that indicates a present comfort profile temperature set point and is usable by a user of the local computing device to select a present comfort level relative to the present comfort profile temperature set point.

The user interface is additionally configured to update, in response to a determination that the present comfort level selected by the user is different than the present comfort profile temperature set point, the present comfort profile temperature set point to a value associated with the present comfort level selected by the user via the comfort indication element; transmit a message to one or more of the one or more HVAC components, wherein the message includes the updated present comfort profile temperature set point, and wherein the message is usable to initiate an operational action by the receiving one or more HVAC components; and update a comfort profile schedule as a function of the updated present comfort profile temperature set point, wherein the comfort profile schedule defines an HVAC system control schedule usable by the HVAC controller to enforce temperature thresholds via the one or more HVAC components.

In some embodiments, the HVAC controller is further configured to receive a message from a local computing device communicatively coupled to the HVAC controller, wherein the message includes updated comfort profile information; and transmit, as a function of the updated comfort profile information, a command to one or more of the one or more HVAC components, wherein the message includes a command usable by the receiving one or more HVAC components to perform an operational action.

In some embodiments, the HVAC controller is further configured to receive an operating mode notification from a local computing device communicatively coupled to the HVAC controller; and initiate, in response to a determination that the notification indicates the HVAC controller has been placed into seasonal challenge mode, the comfort challenge. In other embodiments, the comfort indication element includes an indicator and a plurality of ticks, wherein the plurality of ticks include a center tick and an evenly distributed number of ticks on each side of the center tick, wherein each of the ticks is representative of an associated temperature set point relative to the center tick, and wherein the center tick is representative of the present comfort profile temperature set point. In still other embodiments, having determined that the present comfort level selected by the user is different than the present comfort profile temperature set point comprises to receive an indication that the user adjusted the indicator one or more ticks away from the center tick. In yet other embodiments, each of the ticks to the right of the center tick represents a one degree Fahrenheit decrement relative to the number of ticks between the respective tick and the center tick and wherein each of the ticks to the left of the center tick represents a one degree Fahrenheit increment relative to the number of ticks between the respective tick and the center tick.

In some embodiments, the HVAC controller is further configured to display, via the GUI and after an elapsed duration of time, a proposed comfort profile schedule for the seasonal challenge mode, wherein the proposed comfort profile schedule identifies an optional HVAC system control schedule selectable by the user and usable by the HVAC controller to enforce temperature thresholds via the one or more HVAC components. In other embodiments, the HVAC controller is communicatively coupled to the local computing device via a remote computing device, and wherein to update the comfort profile schedule as a function of the updated present comfort profile temperature set point comprises to transmit a message to the remote computing device, wherein the message is usable by the remote computing device to update the present comfort profile temperature set point.

In some embodiments, the HVAC controller further includes one or more sensors usable to detect a present condition of an environment in which the HVAC controller is integrated wherein the HVAC controller is further configured to (i) receive information from the one or more sensors, (ii) determine whether the updated present comfort profile temperature set point has been reached as a function of the information received from the one or more sensors and (iii) prompt the user, via the GUI that includes the comfort indication element, to indicate a new present comfort level relative to the updated present comfort profile temperature set point. In some embodiments, the HVAC controller is further configured to (i) determine a present condition of the as a function of information received from the one or more sensors and (ii) transmit, in response to a determination that the present condition violates a threshold, a message to one or more of the one or more HVAC components, wherein the message includes a command usable by the receiving one or more HVAC components to perform an operational action.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments and other features, advantages and disclosures contained herein, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a heating, ventilation, and air- conditioning (HVAC) system for generating a schedule for the HVAC system based on user defined comfort level inputs that includes an HVAC controller communicatively coupled to one or more HVAC components and a local computing device;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the HVAC controller of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic flow diagram of a method for generating a schedule for the HVAC system of FIG. 1 based on user defined comfort level inputs;

FIGS. 4A-4C show an illustrative interface for setting user defined comfort level inputs using the comfort indication element in a comfort challenge mode;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show illustrative interfaces for setting user defined comfort level inputs in a comfort challenge mode;

FIG. 7 shows an illustrative interface for accessing reports of the results of the comfort challenge; and

FIGS. 8 and 9 show illustrative interfaces for reviewing the reports of the results of the comfort challenge based on the user defined comfort level inputs received over the course of the comfort challenge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.

FIG. 1 illustrates a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system 100 for generating a heating and cooling schedule for the HVAC system 100 based on user defined comfort level inputs. The HVAC system 100 includes an HVAC controller 102 communicatively coupled to one or more HVAC components 104. The HVAC controller 102 is configured to transmit control messages to the HVAC components 104, while each of HVAC components 104 are each configured to receive and interpret the control messages to provide thermal comfort and acceptable air quality within a structure 108 (e.g., a residence, an office, etc.). The HVAC controller 102 may include various sensors, described in further detail below, for which the data received therefrom may be used to determine which control messages to send and when. For example, the received sensor data may be compared against one or more programmed set points (e.g., temperature set points, humidity set points, etc.) or ranges.

In some embodiments, the HVAC controller 102 may be configured as a thermostat. It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the HVAC controller 102 may be configured to control other devices in addition to the one or more HVAC components 104, such as those devices that may be controlled by a home automation controller to name one non-limiting example. It should be appreciated that, as shown, one or more of the HVAC components 104 may be located within the structure 108 (e.g., a furnace unit), while one or more other HVAC components 104 may be located external to the structure 108 (e.g., an air conditioner unit).

The HVAC system 100 additionally includes a local computing device 106 communicatively coupled to the HVAC controller 102. As will be described in further detail below, the local computing device 106 is configured to receive HVAC system 100 information from the HVAC controller 102 and display the received information to a user of the local computing device 106 in a visual format. To do so, as will be described in further detail below, an application (e.g., a client application) may be executed on the local computing device 106 that is configured to interface directly with the HVAC controller 102 and/or a network connected computing device (e.g., the remote computing device 112). It should be appreciated that, while the local computing device 106 of the illustrative HVAC system 100 is shown within the structure 108, the local computing device 106 may be usable, in some embodiments, to interface with the HVAC controller 102 (e.g., via the remote computing device 112) while the local computing device 106 is located external, or otherwise remote in proximity, to the structure 108.

The local computing device 106 is additionally configured to receive input from the user related to one or more settings, or preferences, of the HVAC system and communicate the received input to the HVAC controller 102. Accordingly, the HVAC controller 102 can take an operational action on one or more of the HVAC components 104 as a function of the received input. An operational action includes any action that can be taken by the HVAC components 104 in response to having received a command from the HVAC controller, such as adjusting an operational mode, a temperature set point, a humidity set point, etc.

To facilitate the communications, the local computing device 106 may execute an application (i.e., an HVAC control application) that is configured to communicate with an application executing on the HVAC controller 102. In some embodiments, the local computing device 106 and the HVAC controller 102 may be in direct wireless communication (e.g., WiFi®, Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, etc.). Alternatively, in other embodiments, the local computing device 106 and the HVAC controller 102 may be indirectly coupled. In such indirectly coupled embodiments, the local computing device 106 and the HVAC controller 102 may be communicatively coupled to a remote computing device 112 via a network 110. In other words, the remote computing device 112 is configured to perform as an intermediary between the HVAC controller 102 and the local computing device 106.

In such embodiments, the remote computing device 112 is configured to store and manage data received from both the HVAC controller 102 and the local computing device 106, as well as facilitate the transmission of messages (e.g., network packets including operational data, preferences, and settings) between the HVAC controller 102 and the local computing device 106. Accordingly, each of the HVAC controller 102 and the local computing device 106 can present data to a user that is synchronized at the remote computing device 112. To do so, thin-client applications (e.g., a web browser, a mobile application, an application programming interface (API) infrastructure, or other network connected software) may be used by the HVAC controller 102 and the local computing device 106 to communicate with a web server program (e.g., in a client-server architecture) running on the remote computing device 112.

The HVAC controller 102 may be comprised of any combination of firmware, software, hardware, and/or circuitry capable of performing the functions described herein. Referring now to FIG. 2, an embodiment of an illustrative HVAC controller 102 is shown. The illustrative HVAC controller 102 includes a CPU 200, an input/output (I/O) controller 202, a memory 204, a network communication circuitry 206, one or more I/O peripherals 208, one or more sensors 212, and an HVAC system interface 220. It should be appreciated that alternative embodiments may include additional, fewer, and/or alternative components to those of the illustrative HVAC controller 102, such as may be found in a typical HVAC controller. It should be additionally appreciated that one or more of the illustrative components may be combined on a single system-on-a-chip (SoC) on a single integrated circuit (IC).

The CPU 200 may be embodied as any type of hardware or combination of circuitry capable of processing data. Accordingly, the CPU 200 may include one or more processing cores (not shown) in a single-core processor or a multi-core processor architecture capable of reading and executing program instructions. In some embodiments, the CPU 200 may include cache memory (not shown) that may be integrated directly with the CPU 200 or placed on a separate chip with a separate interconnect to the CPU 200. It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, pipeline logic may be used to perform software and/or hardware operations (e.g., network communication operations), rather than commands issued to/from the CPU 200.

The I/O controller 202, or I/O interface, may be embodied as any type of computer hardware or combination of circuitry capable of interfacing between input/output devices and the HVAC controller 102. Illustratively, the I/O controller 202 is configured to receive input/output requests from the CPU 200, and send control signals to the respective input/output devices, thereby managing the data flow to/from the HVAC controller 102.

The memory 204 may be embodied as any type of computer hardware or combination of circuitry capable of holding data and instructions for processing. Such memory 204 may be referred to as main or primary memory. It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, one or more components may have direct access to memory, such that certain data may be stored via direct memory access (DMA) independently of the CPU 200.

The network communication circuitry 206 may be embodied as any type of computer hardware or combination of circuitry capable of managing network interfacing communications (e.g., messages, datagrams, packets, etc.) via wireless and/or wired communication modes. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the network communication circuitry 206 may include a network interface controller (NIC) capable of being configured to connect the HVAC controller 102 to a computer network (e.g., the network 106).

The one or more I/O peripherals 208 may be embodied as any auxiliary device configured to connect to and communicate with the HVAC controller 102. For example, the I/O peripherals 208 may include, but are not limited to, a touchpad, a keypad, a keyboard, a microphone, one or more buttons, a display (e.g., a liquid crystal diode (LED) display), a touchscreen, a speaker, one or more illuminating components (e.g., light emitting diode(s) (LEDs)), etc. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that some I/O devices are capable of one function (i.e., input or output), while others are capable of performing both functions (i.e., input and output). The illustrative I/O peripherals 208 includes a user interface 210, such as a touchscreen, to provide an interface to a user for to review information of the HVAC system 100, as well as receive direct input at the HVAC controller 102 from a user, such as may be used for setting/parameter manipulation. It should be appreciated, however, that such interfaces are generally restricted in size and capacity, as compared to those of the local computing devices 106 as described herein.

The one or more sensors 212 may include any combination of firmware, software, hardware, and/or circuitry capable of detecting a present condition and events/changes in the environment in which it resides (e.g., internal or external to the structure 108 in which the HVAC system 100 is integrated). The illustrative sensors 212 includes a temperature sensor 214, a humidity sensor 216, and, in some embodiments, a presence detection sensor 218. The temperature sensor 214 may be embodied as any type of sensor capable of detecting a present temperature of an area surrounding the temperature sensor 214. The humidity sensor 216 may be embodied as any type of sensor capable of detecting a present humidity level. The presence detection sensor 218 may be embodied as any type of sensor capable of detecting a presence within proximity of the presence detection sensor 218, such as may be used to determine the occupancy of the structure 108.

It should be appreciated that additional and/or alternative sensors 212 may be present in other embodiments. For example, in other embodiments, the sensors 212 may include one or more of particulate sensors, carbon dioxide sensors, current sensors, dew point sensors, pressure sensors, etc. It should be further appreciated that, in some embodiments, one or more sensors located external to the HVAC controller may provide measured data to the HVAC controller 102 (e.g., via a LAN connection). For example, in such embodiments, the sensors may be located at one or more of the HVAC components 104 and/or another device associated with the structure 108.

The HVAC system interface 220 may include any combination of firmware, software, hardware, and/or circuitry capable of performing the functions described herein, including transmitting control information to the various HVAC components 104 of the HVAC system 100 and receiving information therefrom. For example, the HVAC system interface 220 may include one or more control boards (e.g., indoor HVAC unit control boards, outdoor HVAC unit control boards, etc.) for interfacing with the various HVAC components 104 of the HVAC system 100.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the HVAC components 104 may include any type of HVAC device capable of receiving and interpreting commands from the HVAC controller 102, including, but not limited to, one or more furnaces, fan coils, heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, indoor air quality systems, etc. Accordingly, each of the HVAC components 104 may have an internal control board and/or processor to receive and interpret such commands.

The local computing device 106 may be embodied as any type of computing device capable of performing the functions described herein. It should be appreciated that one or more of the components of the illustrative HVAC controller 102 may be included in the local computing device 106 (e.g., a CPU, memory, an I/O controller, network communication circuitry, I/O peripherals, etc.). Accordingly, the like components are not described herein to preserve clarity of the description. It should be appreciated that such like components may differ based on the type of the local computing device 106 and that additional and/or alternative components, such as those components typically associated with a computing device, may be included in the local computing device 106. It should be further appreciated that some components of the HVAC controller 102, such as the one or more sensors 212 and the HVAC system interface 220, may be exclusive to the HVAC controller 102.

For example, the local computing device 106 may be embodied as a mobile computing device, in some embodiments, that uses mobile-specific hardware and software components for operating, executing, and providing services and applications on a mobile architecture. Illustrative examples of such mobile computing devices may include, but are not limited to, smartphones, wearables (e.g., smartwatches, smart glasses, etc.), tablets, laptops, etc. In other embodiments, the local computing device may be a stationary computing device, such as a desktop computer, an all-in-one computer, etc.

The network 110 may be implemented as any type of wired and/or wireless network, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a global network (the Internet), etc. Accordingly, the network 110 may include one or more communicatively coupled network computing devices (not shown) for facilitating the flow and processing of network communication traffic via a series of interconnects. Such network computing devices may include, but are not limited to, one or more access points, routers, switches, servers, compute devices, storage devices, etc.

It should be appreciated that one or more of such network computing devices may be configured to couple to one or more of the HVAC controller 102, the local computing device 106, and the remote computing device 112 of the HVAC system 100 of FIG. 1. For example, the HVAC controller may connect to the network 110 via the network communication circuitry 206 using wired (e.g., Ethernet, token ring, etc.) and/or wireless (e.g., Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, wireless broadband, ZigB ee®, etc.) communication technologies and associated protocols.

The remote computing device 112 may be embodied as any type of computing device capable of performing the functions described herein, including, but not limited to, a server, a compute device, a storage device, or a combination thereof. It should be appreciated that, similar to the local computing device 106, the remote computing device 112 includes like components to that of the illustrative HVAC controller 102 of FIG. 2 (e.g., a CPU, memory, an I/O controller, a network communication circuitry, I/O peripherals, etc.). Accordingly, the like components are not described herein to preserve clarity of the description. It should be appreciated that such like components may differ based on the type of the remote computing device 112 and that additional and/or alternative components, such as those components typically associated with a computing device, may be included in the remote computing device 112. It should be further appreciated that some components of the HVAC controller 102, such as the one or more sensors 212 and the HVAC system interface 220, may be exclusive to the HVAC controller 102.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an illustrative method 300 is provided for generating a heating and cooling schedule (i.e., a comfort schedule) for the HVAC system 100 of FIG. 1 based on user defined comfort level inputs that may be performed by the local computing device 106, or more particularly may be performed by an application being executed thereon. It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the HVAC controller 102 may be configured to perform one or more of the operations of the method 300 as described herein. Accordingly, in such embodiments, the user interface 210 of the HVAC controller 102 may have rendering capabilities and user interfacing capabilities similar to that of the local computing device 106.

It should be further appreciated that the interfaces described herein for facilitating the user interactions (e.g., displaying HVAC system 100 related data and receiving user inputs) are graphical user interfaces (GUIs) which allow the user to interact with the application referred to herein through GUI elements, graphical images, and visual indicators. The method 300 begins in step 302 in which a comfort challenge mode is initiated at the local computing device 106. It should be appreciated that the comfort challenge mode may be initiated at initial install and/or at a later point in time (e.g., automatically prompted after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, manually initiated by the user, etc.).

To begin, in step 304, the local computing device 106 prompts the user to indicate which seasonal challenge mode the user would like to initiate (e.g., from a list of available seasonal mode settings). The seasonal challenge modes may include a spring challenge mode, a summer challenge mode, a fall challenge mode, and a winter challenge mode. In some embodiments, the user may be prompted to identify their preference of comfort relative to financial savings achievable by deviating from their preferred level of comfort. In step 306, the local computing device 106 hides any numerical temperature indicators from a display interface (e.g., a touchscreen) of the local computing device 106. In some embodiments, the local computing device 106 may additionally hide any numerical humidity values as well.

In step 308, the local computing device 106 prompts the user to indicate a present comfort level via a comfort indication element (see, e.g., the comfort slider 402 of FIG. 2 described below) rendered on the display interface. It should be appreciated that the comfort indication element is a rendered graphical user interface (GUI) element, or widget, in the form of an indication element that a user can interact with through direct manipulation (i.e., slide a handle, or indicator, along a bar relative to a center point, or center tick, to select a value associated with a degree of deviation from the center tick) via an interface (e.g., a touchscreen display) of the local computing device 106.

For example, FIG. 4A shows an illustrative embodiment of a comfort level selection interface 400 that includes an illustrative embodiment of the comfort indication element, the comfort slider 402. While a slider interface element is illustratively shown, it should be appreciated that one or more additional GUI elements may be used to perform the functions described herein, such as one or more radio button elements, button elements, drop-down box elements, etc. The comfort slider 402 includes an indicator 404 initially placed at the center tick 406 of the comfort slider 402. The center tick 406 is representative of a present comfort profile temperature set point. The comfort slider 402 additionally includes other ticks 408 on either side of the center tick 406, each of which indicate degrees of comfort level deviation from the present comfort level (i.e., the center tick 406).

Referring back to FIG. 3, in step 310, the local computing device 106 determines whether a comfort level response has been received from the user (i.e., in response to the prompt at step 308). If so, the method 300 advances to step 312, in which the local computing device 106 determines whether the present comfort level received results in a temperature set point change. In other words, the local computing device 106 determines whether the received comfort level response indicates a deviation from a present comfort profile temperature set point.

For example, FIG. 4B shows in illustrative embodiment of the comfort level selection interface 400 in which the indicator 404 has been moved away (i.e., two ticks to the “I feel cold” direction) from the center tick 406. In some embodiments, a deviation translation message 410 may be presented to the user that provides some insight into what the deviation represents. Similarly, in FIG. 4C, an illustrative embodiment of the comfort level selection interface 400 shows the indicator 404 having been moved away (i.e., one tick to the “I feel warm” direction) from the center tick 406.

Referring back to FIG. 3, if the temperature set point has not changed, the method 300 branches to step 314, in which the local computing device 106 indicates that the HVAC system is to continue to operate in comfort challenge mode as described herein. Otherwise, if the temperature set point has changed, the method 300 branches to step 316, in which the local computing device 106 sets the comfort profile temperature set point as a function of the received comfort level response. For example, in some embodiments, referring again to FIGS. 4A-C, each of the other ticks 408 may represent one degree (e.g., in Fahrenheit) of temperature change. Accordingly, if the comfort profile temperature set point in FIG. 4A indicates a temperature of 72° F., the new comfort profile temperature set point of 4B would be 74° F. Similarly, if the comfort profile temperature set point in FIG. 4A indicates a temperature of 72° F., the new comfort profile temperature set point of FIG. 4C would be 71° F. However, it should be appreciate that such correlated temperature change is predicated on a comfort level of the user, not the numeric deviation of temperature from the comfort profile temperature set point. As noted previously, no reference to a numerical temperature should be indicated to the user during the comfort challenge.

As described previously, the local computing device 106 may be directly communicatively coupled to the HVAC controller 102 in some embodiments (e.g., via a local area connection (LAN), a personal area network (PAN), etc.), or communicatively coupled to a remote computing device 112 in other embodiments (e.g., via a wide area connection (WAN)). In such embodiments wherein the local computing device 106 is directly communicatively coupled to the HVAC controller 102, the comfort profile temperature set point may be set via a message containing the new comfort profile temperature set point directly transmitted to the HVAC controller 102.

However, in such embodiments wherein the remote computing device 112 serves as an intermediary (i.e., each of the HVAC controller 102 and the local computing device 106 are communicatively coupled to the remote computing device 112), such as may be employed in client-server applications (e.g., cloud applications, network applications software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications, etc.), the local computing device 106 may be configured to transmit a message (e.g., a network packet) that includes the new comfort profile temperature set point to the remote computing device 112. In turn, the remote computing device 112 may be configured to store the comfort profile temperature set point locally and transmit the updated comfort profile temperature set point to the HVAC controller 102 for which a subsequent operational action may be initiated.

In some embodiments, the local computing device 106 may initiate transmission of an HVAC system control command to one or more of the HVAC components 104 subsequent to having set the comfort profile temperature set point in step 316. It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the transmission of the HVAC system control command may be initiated automatically in response to having set the comfort profile temperature set point in step 316, rather than an explicit instruction from the local computing device 106. However, in some embodiments, a subsequent message may be required that indicates the comfort profile temperature set point has changed and that a respective operational action is required.

Referring back to FIG. 3, in step 318, in some embodiments, the local computing device 106 may update a comfort profile schedule to reflect the changed comfort profile temperature set point. The comfort profile schedule may include any information usable to define an HVAC system control schedule. In other words, the comfort profile schedule is usable by the HVAC controller 102 to determine what temperature ranges and/or thresholds are to be enforced at any given time, and to take an action (e.g., initiate an operational action by one or more of the HVAC components 104) in the event the HVAC controller 102 determines a temperature range or threshold is being violated (e.g., a present temperature is greater than, is less than, is outside of a range, etc., the temperature range or threshold that is being enforced). For example, the comfort profile schedule may include temperature ranges to be enforced during certain times of the day, which may be distinguished during certain comfort profiles contained within the schedule (e.g., an away comfort profile, a sleep comfort profile, a home comfort profile, a weekday comfort profile, a weekend comfort profile, a wake comfort profile, etc.).

It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, such comfort profile schedule related data and manipulation may be performed by the remote computing device 112 automatically upon receiving the comfort profile temperature set point of the received comfort level response from the local computing device 106 in step 316. In such embodiments, as described previously, the local computing device 106 may serve as just the user interfacing computing device for presenting information received from the remote computing device 112 and providing received user inputs thereto. In step 320, the local computing device 106 determines whether the comfort profile temperature set point has been reached (i.e., in response to the HVAC component(s) 104 having performed in accordance with the respective HVAC system control command(s)). For example, to determine whether the comfort profile temperature set point has been reached, the local computing device 106 may have received an indication from the HVAC controller 102 (e.g., directly from the HVAC controller 102 or via the remote computing device 112) that indicates the comfort profile temperature set point has been reached.

If the comfort profile temperature set point has been reached, the method 300 advances to step 322, in which the local computing device 106 prompts the user to indicate an updated present comfort level relative the adjusted temperature (i.e., as a result of the comfort profile temperature set point change determined in step 312). To do so, in some embodiments, in step 324, the local computing device 106 may push a notification to the user (i.e., through the HVAC control application) indicating a comfort level update is being requested. The method 300 then returns to step 310 to again determine whether a comfort level response has been received from the user (i.e., in response to the prompt at step 322).

It should be appreciated that the user may iterate through steps 310-322 until the comfort profile temperature set point is no longer changed in step 312 for that comfort level update cycle. It should be further appreciated that subsequent comfort level update cycles may be initiated based on a detected event, such as may be triggered by an amount of time elapsed since the last update, a time of day, etc. Accordingly, such subsequent comfort level update cycles may be started at step 308, since presumably the steps of 302-306 have already been performed (i.e., already in comfort challenge mode). Additionally, it should be appreciated that the comfort challenge mode may be exited after a duration of time (e.g., 2 weeks, 1 month, etc.) has elapsed, at which point the results of the comfort challenge can be viewed (see, e.g., the report interfaces 800 of FIG. 8).

In some embodiments, more than one comfort profile may be used wherein each comfort profile includes a different set of temperature set points. For example, an illustrative set of comfort profiles may include a home comfort profile, a wake comfort profile, an away comfort profile, a weekday comfort profile, a weekend comfort profile, a sleep comfort profile, and/or the like. Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, illustrative interfaces for setting user defined comfort level inputs are shown. In FIG. 5, a sleep comfort profile settings interface 500 presents an interface usable to identify and set sleep and wake comfort settings (i.e., in the today's settings portion 502 of the sleep comfort settings interface 500).

The sleep comfort settings interface 500 additionally presents the comfort level slider 402 of FIG. 4. While the center tick 406 indicates the comfort profile temperature set point associated with the daytime comfort setting, the indicator 404 represents a comfort profile temperature set point for an evening comfort setting. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that changing the indicator 404 sets the comfort profile temperature set point for the evening comfort setting rather than changes the temperature set point associated with the daytime comfort setting.

In FIG. 6, a wake review interface 600 presents an interface usable to review and update comfort preferences in the comfort preferences review interface 602. As shown, the comfort preferences review interface 602 allows a user to review and update the sleep comfort settings (see, e.g., the sleep comfort settings interface 500 FIG. 5) and away settings (i.e., the temperature settings associated with a timeframe in which no one is expected to be present in the structure 108).

Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, illustrative interfaces for accessing a report of the comfort challenge are shown in FIG. 7 and reviewing the results of the comfort challenge (i.e., user defined comfort level inputs) are shown in FIGS. 8-9. It should be appreciated that the contents of each reporting interface 800 and the availability thereof may be based on a how far into the comfort challenge the report was generated.

In FIG. 7, the comfort level selection interface 400 of FIG. 4 is shown with an indication in a comfort report interface 700 that indicates a comfort report is ready for viewing. In some embodiments, such reports may be made available after regular interval thresholds (e.g., 1 day, 72 hours, 1 week, etc.) have been reached. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the reports may be generated based on a user defined preference. The illustrative comfort report interface 700 includes GUI elements usable to view generated reports and notifications.

FIG. 8 includes a number of illustrative report interfaces 800, including a comfort interface 802 and a potential savings interface 804. The comfort interface 802 provides a graphical and numerical representation of the comfort profile comfort range based on the correlated numerical temperature range according to the comfort profile temperature set points used while in comfort challenge mode. In some embodiments, the content of the comfort interface 802 may be based on times associated with a respective comfort settings/schedule (e.g., wake up comfort settings, away comfort settings, home comfort settings, sleep comfort settings). In other embodiments, the content of the comfort interface 802 may be based on an aggregate of comfort profile temperature set points over at least a portion of the course of the comfort challenge.

FIG. 9 includes a number of illustrative report interfaces 900, including an annual savings interface 902, a schedule view interface 904, and a recommendations interface 906. The annual savings interface 902 includes projected seasonal savings based on the schedule generated during the comfort challenge. The schedule view interface 904 includes a graphical and numerical representation of the comfort profile schedules generated during the comfort challenge, as well as projected savings based on the respective comfort profile schedules. In some embodiments, the schedule view interface 904 may include an option to use the comfort profile schedules moving forward, to try for a predetermined duration of time (e.g., one week, two weeks, one month, etc.), or to manually adjust the generated comfort profile schedules. The recommendations interface 906 includes one or more recommendations that can be implemented in conjunction with the comfort profile schedules, which may be based on comfort and/or financial incentives.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only certain embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

Claims

1. A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system comprising: one or more HVAC components;

an HVAC controller communicatively coupled to the one or more HVAC components;

and

a local computing device communicatively coupled to the HVAC controller, wherein the local computing device is configured to:

initiate, via a graphical user interface (GUI) of an application presently executing on the local computing device, a comfort challenge, wherein to initiate the comfort challenge comprises to operate in a seasonal challenge mode, wherein to operate in the seasonal challenge mode comprises to not display any numerical references indicative of temperature levels on the GUI;

display, via the GUI, a comfort indication element, wherein the comfort indication element is a GUI element that indicates a present comfort profile temperature set point and is usable by a user of the local computing device to select a present comfort level relative to the present comfort profile temperature set point;

update, in response to a determination that the present comfort level selected by the user is different than the present comfort profile temperature set point, the present comfort profile temperature set point to a value associated with the present comfort level selected by the user via the comfort indication element;

transmit a message to the HVAC controller that includes the updated present comfort profile temperature set point, wherein the message is usable to initiate an operational action by the HVAC controller on at least one of the one or more HVAC components; and

update a comfort profile schedule as a function of the updated present comfort profile temperature set point, wherein the comfort profile schedule defines an HVAC system control schedule usable by the HVAC controller to enforce temperature thresholds via the one or more HVAC components.

2. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the local computing device is communicatively coupled to the HVAC controller via one of a local area network or a personal area network.

3. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the local computing device is further configured to provide a notification to the HVAC controller that indicates the HVAC controller is to operate in the seasonal challenge mode, and wherein the notification is usable to indicate that the receiver of the notification is not to display any numerical references indicative of temperature levels and humidity levels while in the seasonal challenge mode.

4. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the comfort indication element includes an indicator and a plurality of ticks, wherein the plurality of ticks include a center tick and an evenly distributed number of ticks on each side of the center tick, wherein each of the ticks is representative of an associated temperature set point relative to the center tick, and wherein the center tick is representative of the present comfort profile temperature set point.

5. The HVAC system of claim 4, wherein having determined that the present comfort level selected by the user is different than the present comfort profile temperature set point comprises to receive an indication that the user adjusted the indicator one or more ticks away from the center tick.

6. The HVAC system of claim 4, wherein each of the ticks to the right of the center tick represents a one degree Fahrenheit decrement relative to the number of ticks between the respective tick and the center tick and wherein each of the ticks to the left of the center tick represents a one degree Fahrenheit increment relative to the number of ticks between the respective tick and the center tick.

7. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the local computing device is further configured to display, via the GUI and after an elapsed period of time, a proposed comfort profile schedule for the seasonal challenge mode, wherein the proposed comfort profile schedule identifies an optional HVAC system control schedule selectable by the user for use by the HVAC controller to enforce temperature thresholds via the one or more HVAC components.

8. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the local computing device is further configured to (i) determine whether the updated present comfort profile temperature set point has been reached and (ii) prompt the user, via the GUI that includes the comfort indication element, to indicate a new present comfort level relative to the updated present comfort profile temperature set point.

9. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the local computing device is communicatively coupled to the HVAC controller via a remote computing device, wherein the remote computing device is communicatively coupled to each of the local computing device and the HVAC controller via a wide area network.

10. The HVAC system of claim 9, wherein to transmit the message to the HVAC controller that includes the updated present comfort profile temperature set point comprises to transmit the message to the remote computing device for storage of the updated present comfort profile temperature set point and subsequent transmission to the HVAC controller.

11. A method for generating a schedule for a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system based on user-defined comfort level inputs, the HVAC system comprising an HVAC controller communicatively coupled to one or more HVAC components and a local computing device communicatively coupled to the HVAC controller, the method comprising:

initiating, via a graphical user interface (GUI) of an application presently executing on the local computing device, a comfort challenge, wherein initiating the comfort challenge comprises operating in a seasonal challenge mode, and wherein operating in the seasonal challenge mode comprises not displaying any numerical references indicative of temperature levels and humidity levels on the GUI;

displaying, via the GUI, a comfort indication element, wherein the comfort indication element is a GUI element that indicates a present comfort profile temperature set point and is

usable by a user of the local computing device to select a present comfort level relative to the present comfort profile temperature set point;

updating, by the local computing device and in response to determining that the present comfort level selected by the user is different than the present comfort profile temperature set point, the present comfort profile temperature set point to a value associated with the present comfort level selected by the user via the comfort indication element;

transmitting, by the local computing device, a message to the HVAC controller that includes the updated present comfort profile temperature set point, wherein the massage is usable to initiate an operational action by the HVAC controller on at least one of the one or more HVAC components; and

updating, by the local computing device, a comfort profile schedule as a function of the updated present comfort profile temperature set point wherein the comfort profile schedule defines an HVAC system control schedule usable by the HVAC controller to enforce temperature thresholds via the one or more HVAC components.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the local computing device is communicatively coupled to the HVAC controller via one of a local area network or a personal area network.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing, by the local computing device, a notification to the HVAC controller that indicates the HVAC controller is to operate in the seasonal challenge mode, and wherein the notification is usable to indicate that the receiver of the notification is not to display any numerical references indicative of temperature levels and humidity levels while in the seasonal challenge mode.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein displaying the comfort indication element includes displaying an indicator and a plurality of ticks, wherein the plurality of ticks include a center tick and an evenly distributed number of ticks on each side of the center tick, wherein each of the ticks is representative of an associated temperature set point relative to the center tick, and wherein the center tick is representative of the present comfort profile temperature set point.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein determining that the present comfort level selected by the user is different than the present comfort profile temperature set point comprises receiving an indication that the user adjusted the indicator one or more ticks away from the center tick.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein each of the ticks to the right of the center tick represents a one degree Fahrenheit decrement relative to the number of ticks between the respective tick and the center tick and wherein each of the ticks to the left of the center tick represents a one degree Fahrenheit increment relative to the number of ticks between the respective tick and the center tick.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising displaying, via the GUI and after an elapsed period of time, a proposed comfort profile schedule for the seasonal challenge mode, wherein the proposed comfort profile schedule identifies an optional HVAC system control

schedule selectable by the user for use by the HVAC controller to enforce temperature thresholds via the one or more HVAC components.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

determining whether the updated present comfort profile temperature set point has been reached; and

prompting, via the GUI that includes the comfort indication element, the user to indicate a new present comfort level relative to the updated present comfort profile temperature set point.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the local computing device is communicatively coupled to the HVAC controller via a remote computing device, and wherein the remote computing device is communicatively coupled to each of the local computing device and the HVAC controller.

20. (canceled)

21. A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) controller for generating a schedule for an HVAC system based on user-defined comfort level inputs, the HVAC controller comprising:

an HVAC system interface usable to enable communicative coupling to one or more HVAC components of the HVAC system; and

a user interface to:

initiate, via a graphical user interface (GUI) of an application presently executing on the user interface, a comfort challenge, wherein to initiate the comfort challenge comprises to operate in a seasonal challenge mode, wherein to operate in the seasonal challenge mode comprises to not display any numerical references indicative of temperature levels on the GUI;

display, via the GUI, a comfort indication element, wherein the comfort indication element is a GUI element that indicates a present comfort profile temperature set point and is usable by a user of the local computing device to select a present comfort level relative to the present comfort profile temperature set point;

update, in response to a determination that the present comfort level selected by the user is different than the present comfort profile temperature set point, the present comfort profile temperature set point to a value associated with the present comfort level selected by the user via the comfort indication element;

transmit a message to one or more of the one or more HVAC components, wherein the message includes the updated present comfort profile temperature set point, and wherein the message is usable to initiate an operational action by the receiving one or more HVAC components; and

update a comfort profile schedule as a function of the updated present comfort profile temperature set point, wherein the comfort profile schedule defines an HVAC system control schedule usable by the HVAC controller to enforce temperature thresholds via the one or more HVAC components.

22.-30. (canceled)