Means Storing Set Point For Particular Time Of Day (e.g., Clock Thermostat, Etc.) Patents (Class 165/238)
  • Patent number: 11821641
    Abstract: A dehumidifier appliance may include a cabinet, a refrigeration assembly, an air handler, and a condensate collection tray. A controller is configured to initiate a dehumidification cycle, determine that the dehumidification cycle has failed, prompt a user to confirm that all external sources of humidity are blocked, receive user confirmation that all external sources of humidity are blocked, determine that the dehumidification cycle is still failing after receiving the user confirmation, and identify a fault with the dehumidifier appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Myunggeon Chung, Youngmin Han
  • Patent number: 11610214
    Abstract: A system with deep reinforcement learning based control determines optimal actions for major components in a commercial building to minimize operation costs while maximizing comprehensive comfort levels of occupants. An unsupervised deep Q-network method is introduced to handle the energy management problem by evaluating the influence of operation costs on comfort levels considering the environment factors at each time slot. An optimum control decision can be derived that targets both immediate and long-term goals, where exploration and exploitation are considered simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Global Energy Interconnection Research Institute North America
    Inventors: Desong Bian, Xiaohu Zhang, Di Shi, Ruisheng Diao, Siqi Wang, Zheming Liang
  • Patent number: 11428434
    Abstract: A climate control unit configured to control a heating unit and a cooling unit. The climate control unit includes a temperature sensor configured to measure a current dry bulb temperature, a humidity sensor configured to measure a current relative humidity, a processor, and a storage medium operably coupled to the processor. The storage medium has software instructions stored therein, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine a current apparent temperature based on the current dry bulb temperature and the current relative humidity, receive a user-selected desired apparent temperature, activate a heating mode when the current apparent temperature is below a lower apparent temperature threshold, and activate a cooling mode when the current apparent temperature is above an upper apparent temperature threshold. The software instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to automatically switch between the heating mode and the cooling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Frontiertech International Inc.
    Inventors: Bechara Philippe Assouad, Dimitri S. Chamieh
  • Patent number: 11221157
    Abstract: A wireless controller to set a programmable setpoint of a remote HVAC unit that thermostatically controls a temperature in a space using the temperature sensed and a programmable setpoint. The wireless controller may include a transmitter, a memory, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The wireless controller may transmit commands to set the programmable setpoint of the remote HVAC unit, wait until the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor of the wireless controller stabilizes, determine a difference between the desired setpoint temperature and the stabilized temperature, and if the offset temperature is greater than or equal to a threshold offset, determine an updated control setpoint temperature and transmit commands to set the programmable setpoint of the remote HVAC unit to an updated control setpoint temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron J. Klein, Ramprasad Yelchuru, Huanmin Bao, Cameron K. Vreeland
  • Patent number: 11215376
    Abstract: A method of integrated environmental control for shared locations includes determining, by a processor of an indoor environment planning system, an occupancy schedule for users scheduled to be at a shared location. The processor of the indoor environment planning system determines a plurality of occupant indoor environmental setting preferences for the users scheduled to be at the shared location based on the occupancy schedule and a weighted set point for a building system operable to adjust an indoor environment at the shared location based on the occupant indoor environmental setting preferences for the users scheduled to be at the shared location. The processor of the indoor environment planning system determines an adjusted set point schedule for the shared location to transition between a previously planned set point and the weighted set point. A control device of the building system is operated based on the adjusted set point schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ke Xu, Dang Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11209288
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a control system of a first entity. The control system has a forecast module that creates a supply medium plan of a supply medium unit of the first entity. The supply medium unit is a supply medium consumer, a supply medium producer, and/or supply medium storage. The supply medium unit connects to a physical supply channel network. A peer-to-peer module receives at least one supply medium offer message of a further entity by communicating with a peer-to-peer application of a peer-to-peer network. The peer-to-peer module causes generation of a supply medium transaction agreement about the physical exchange of a supply medium between the first and further entity through the peer-to-peer application based on the supply medium plan and the supply medium offer message. A controlling module controls the supply medium unit in dependence of the generated supply medium transaction agreement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: innogy Innovation GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Stocker, Jürgen Waffner, Mark Dijksmann
  • Patent number: 11193689
    Abstract: A predictive heating system for a building zone includes building equipment, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a predictive heating controller. The building equipment is operable to affect an environmental condition of the building zone in a heating mode of operation and a cooling mode of operation. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the building zone. The humidity sensor is configured to measure humidify of the building zone. The predictive heating controller is configured to predict an occupancy time of the building zone over a future time period, determine a dehumidification time period before the occupancy time of the building zone, determine a heating time period before the occupancy time of the building zone, operate the building equipment to dehumidify the building zone over the dehumidification time period, and operate the building equipment to heat the building zone over the heating time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Robert D. Turney, Liming Yang, Yunrui Wang
  • Patent number: 11100465
    Abstract: Rental property management technology, in which electronic entry data for rental properties, energy related data for the rental properties, reservation data for the rental properties, and settings for energy management of the rental properties is accessed. Integrated data that includes the accessed electronic entry data, the accessed energy related data, and the accessed reservation data integrated with the accessed settings for energy management of the rental properties is stored in electronic storage. The integrated data is analyzed to determine whether energy management of the rental properties aligns with the accessed settings and accords with one or more efficiency rules. Based on the analysis, an energy management operation is performed for at least one of the rental properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventor: Gregory Le Burge
  • Patent number: 11068143
    Abstract: According to various disclosed embodiments, a method for setting a date and time by an electronic device may include: displaying a user interface that includes a plurality of time points arranged at regular intervals along a circumferential direction in an edge area of a substantially circular dial and including a date change point, a first icon positioned at a first point among the plurality of time points, and a second icon positioned at a second point among the plurality of time points; receiving an input for at least one of the first icon and the second icon; displaying movement of the at least one of the first icon and the second icon on the plurality of time points based on the received input; and displaying a date and time corresponding to a movement direction and movement location of the at least one of the first icon and the second icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun-Sun Kim, Seung-Gu Kang, Ji-Hee Kim, Gu-Hyun Yang, Sue-Jung Oh, Seung-Won Lee, Seong-Ho Cho, Jong-Keun Cho
  • Patent number: 10996703
    Abstract: Implementations of the disclosure describe an Open Automated Demand Response (OADR) endpoint device. A method of the disclosure includes receiving, by a processing device of an endpoint device, a first message comprising a first market energy price, determining whether a first quantity of energy has been consumed within a first time period by at least one energy device associated with the endpoint device, responsive to a determination that the first quantity of energy has been consumed by the at least one energy device within the first time period, determining whether the first market energy price is greater than a price threshold and responsive to a determination that the first market energy price is greater than the price threshold, causing the at least one energy device to stop consuming additional amounts of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: IPKEYS POWER PARTNERS LLC
    Inventors: Robert Nawy, Jim Boch, Robert Womack
  • Patent number: 10907854
    Abstract: An HVAC controller is configured to automatically change between a HEAT mode and a COOL mode in accordance with a sensed temperature in the building structure, a HEAT temperature set point and a COOL temperature set point. The user is allowed to adjust the HEAT temperature set point and the COOL temperature set point, with the HVAC controller automatically adjusting one of the set points in response to the user making a change to the other of the other of the set points that violates a minimum deadband. If the user readjusts the user-adjusted set point in a way that no longer violates the minimum deadband, the HVAC controller will adjust the other set point back towards its previous setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Heintzelman, Christopher R. Jones, Joseph Carlos Vargas
  • Patent number: 10761704
    Abstract: The invention provides a thermostat control display having a programming function button, day of the week icons, a table for displaying time and temperature parameters and a graphical highlight pattern that links the table and the day of the week icons. The button, icons and table comprise touch sensitive areas adapted to activate a predetermined display response. Upon selection of a day of the week icon the graphical highlight pattern will be extended to surround the selected day of the week icon so that the table depicting temperature and time parameters to be assigned to the selected day of the week are visually linked to the selected day of the week.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Braeburn Systems LLC
    Inventors: Glenn A Moore, Daniel S Poplawski
  • Patent number: 10544946
    Abstract: This patent specification relates to methods and systems that can detect over cycling conditions that exist in an HVAC system. The over cycling condition can be caused by overheating of a forced air heating system or furnace of the HVAC system control. When the furnace overheats, a thermally actuated limit switch within the furnace may cut off power to a heat generation apparatus. The limit switch can reconnect the power to the heat generation apparatus after it has cooled down, at which point the thermostat control system may issue another heating call to continue heating the enclosure so that it reaches the desired temperature. If the overheat condition persist, then the thermally actuated switch will cut power, resulting in repeated power cycling. The detection system and methods can monitor these power loss events and use them as data points for determining whether an alert condition exists within the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Mark Stefanski, Marie Pellat
  • Patent number: 10496049
    Abstract: A method implemented in a network element (NE) configured to operate as an Ensemble Information Broker (EIB) within a distributed data and energy storage internet architecture comprising collecting energy data indicating a flow of energy, an amount of energy consumed and generated by devices; collecting human presence data; collecting human activity data; predicting future energy consumption requirements and generation by employing prediction algorithms and analyzing the collected data; generating a set of control commands based on the predicted future energy consumption requirements and energy generation as applied to a cost function; transmitting the set of control commands to the corresponding devices; transmitting a broadcast message to determine an external NE to establish as a friend connection based on a user preference; transmitting a request to establish a friend connection with the determined NE; and transmitting the human presence data to the external NE when the friend connection is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lei Rao, Jian Li, Jiafeng Zhu, Ron-Chung Hu
  • Patent number: 10371402
    Abstract: A sensor mounting device (100) of the present disclosure includes: a power supply unit (110) configured to generate power that is to be supplied to the device; a sensor (120) configured to acquire information of the environment around of the device; a first control unit (130) configured to give an instruction based on the information acquired by the sensor (120); and a second control unit (150) configured to control the device in accordance with the instruction of the first control unit (130). Power to the sensor (120) and the first control unit (130) is directly supplied from the power supply unit (110). Power to the second control unit (150) is supplied from the power supply unit (110) via a switching unit (140) whose ON/OFF state is controlled by the first control unit (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Shinichi Shikii, Koichi Kusukame, Nawatt Silawan, Tatsuo Itoh
  • Patent number: 10317919
    Abstract: A thermostat resists tampering by including a hidden mechanism for switching from a limit setting mode to an operation mode. In some embodiments, the switching mechanism is in the form of a tamper proof switch or jumper on the thermostat's circuit board. The switching mechanism can be hidden from a potential non-administrative user and can be located on the circuit board of the thermostat, as opposed to on the external housing. While the switching mechanism is in limit setting mode, the limits of the thermostat's temperature range can be adjusted. Once these limits have been set, the adjuster can move the switching mechanism to operation mode, and the thermostat will now be able to maintain temperatures within the new limit settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Braeburn Systems LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Poplawski, Robert Rados
  • Patent number: 10299358
    Abstract: A dual mode light operated timing device includes a light sensor for generating a light sensor signal when light is detected; a first input device for generating a first programming signal; a second input device for generating a second programming signal; a switch for connecting and disconnecting power from a power supply to an electronic device; and a processor for receiving the light sensor signal and when light is detected by the light sensor operating the timing device in a daytime mode by controlling the switch based on the first programming signal, and when light is not detected by the light sensor operating the timing device in a nighttime mode by controlling the switch based on the second programming signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Asia Connection LLC
    Inventors: Mitch Saccoccio, Jonathan Bonelli
  • Patent number: 10247436
    Abstract: Techniques for controlling a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system at a site are disclosed. A disclosed method includes obtaining or calculating a net load at the site and obtaining a temperature of the site during a time period. The method further includes comparing the net load to a threshold load value and comparing the temperature to a lower threshold temperature or an upper threshold temperature. The method also includes determining one or more operation parameter values for the HVAC system based at least in part on the comparison of the net load to the threshold load value and the comparison of the temperature to the lower threshold temperature or the upper threshold temperature, and setting the HVAC system based on the one or more operation parameter values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Daniel Carlson, Brian L. Zimmerly
  • Patent number: 10241482
    Abstract: A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described, the thermostat having a user interface that is visually pleasing, approachable, and easy to use while also providing ready access to, and intuitive navigation within, a menuing system capable of receiving a variety of different types of user settings and/or control parameters. For some embodiments, the thermostat comprises a housing, a ring-shaped user-interface component configured to track a rotational input motion of a user, a processing system configured to identify a setpoint temperature value based on the tracked rotational input motion, and an electronic display coupled to the processing system. An interactive thermostat menuing system is accessible to the user by an inward pressing of the ring-shaped user interface component. User navigation within the interactive thermostat menuing system is achievable by virtue of respective rotational input motions and inward pressings of the ring-shaped user interface component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers, David Sloo, Michael J. Matas, Michael Plitkins
  • Patent number: 10192422
    Abstract: A method of generating an alarm based on temperature conditions within an enclosed space. The method includes receiving, by a processor of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, operating-condition information of the HVAC system, determining, by the processor from the received operating-condition information, whether temperature within the enclosed space is approaching a setpoint temperature. Responsive to a determination that the temperature within the enclosed space has failed to approach the setpoint temperature, determining by the processor, whether anomaly conditions exist and responsive to a determination that the anomaly conditions do not exist, generating the alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh Gokhale, Jon Douglas
  • Patent number: 10152683
    Abstract: A method of demand response (DR) assessment may include reading energy economics data from a third party for an interval of a DR event period. The energy economics data may include a day-ahead demand, a day-ahead locational marginal pricing (LMP), and a real-time LMP. The method may also include estimating a real-time energy demand for the interval. Based on the energy economics data and the estimated real-time energy demand, the method may also include determining a demand imbalance for the interval. The method may also include calculating a cost of a DR event that exploits the demand imbalance. The method may also include selecting an energy curtailment request amount for the interval that optimizes profitability of the DR event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: FUJISTU LIMITED
    Inventors: Wei-Peng Chen, Sanam Mirzazad Barijough
  • Patent number: 10140821
    Abstract: A device having indirect visual indicators to communicate information about states of operation is disclosed herein. The visual indicators may output a visual indication based on operational states of the device or other systems associated with the device. In some examples, a thermostat may include a downcast light that outputs a visual indication based on a mode of operation of the thermostat or a mode of operation of an associated heating, cooling, and ventilation (HVAC) system. Various characteristics of the visual indication may be altered to output different information. In some examples, a color of the visual indication may change based on the modes of operation or the visual indication may be pulsed based on the modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Scott Moulton, Craig DeVries, Stephen Edward Boynton, Kris Nosack, Greg Cooper
  • Patent number: 10115120
    Abstract: A method of demand response (DR) event issue assessment is described. The method may include receiving parameters that may include one or more of contractual parameters, ambient condition data, historical data, and energy price data. The method may include predicting a customer demand and a customer energy curtailment based on one or more of the parameters. The method may further include calculating a customer participation likelihood based on one or more of the parameters. The method may include determining a price threshold based on one or more of the parameters, the customer energy curtailment, the customer demand, and the customer participation likelihood. The price threshold may represent an energy price at which issuing a DR event is more profitable than not issuing the DR event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Wei-Peng Chen, Sanam Mirzazad Barijough
  • Patent number: 10088598
    Abstract: Methods for compiling, generating, and using a run weather index and a personalized run weather index which represent the cumulative and weighted effects of weather and environmental conditions on outdoor running for different distance categories. The run weather index and personalized run weather index represent relative environmental and meteorological conditions as they affect run performance. Targeted messages associated with a run weather index may also be delivered based on current and/or forecasted run weather indexes or personalized run weather indexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: TWC Patent Trust LLT
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Huff, Robert John Hedin, Curtis Brian Halbrook, Joseph Paul Koval
  • Patent number: 10082306
    Abstract: A thermostat is described for controlling air temperature in a building. The time associated with causing the controlled air temperature to reach a target temperature is estimated and displayed to a user. Input from a user indicating the target temperature can be received and the estimating and displaying can be carried out in real time. The thermostat can be wall-mounted or the user input can be received and estimated time can be displayed using a remote device, for example that communicates wirelessly with other components of the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, David Sloo, Matthew Rogers, Rangoli Sharan, Michael Matas, Yoky Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10078319
    Abstract: HVAC schedules may be programmed for a thermostat using a combination of pre-existing schedules or templates and automated schedule learning. For example, a pre-existing schedule may be initiated on the thermostat and the automated schedule learning may be used to update the pre-existing schedule based on users' interactions with the thermostat. The preexisting HVAC schedules may be stored on a device or received from a social networking service or another online service that includes shared HVAC schedules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers, David Sloo, Eric A. Lee, Steven A. Hales, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan
  • Patent number: 10060643
    Abstract: In an air-conditioning system, during precooling or preheating control, a setting temperature is controlled such that a first temperature difference between the setting temperature and an indoor temperature is not less than a temperature difference at which a compressor performs operation, and the setting temperature is controlled to be changed to a target temperature when a second temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the target temperature is less than the first temperature difference. Since the compressor can be operated in the range from a low capacity to a medium capacity, operation efficiency of the air-conditioning apparatus can be increased, and the energy-saving operation with less power consumption can be realized. Since the operation capacity of the compressor can be readily suppressed with adjustment of the setting temperature, control is facilitated and the precooling control can be incorporated in various types of air-conditioning apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Emi Takeda, Shinichi Ito, Fumitake Unezaki, Mamoru Hamada, Toshiaki Yoshikawa, Takashi Matsumoto, Hirotoshi Yano
  • Patent number: 10055323
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for generating a performance data (PD) report comprising a first module for collecting performance data, a second module for formatting the PD and selecting from at least one of the following types of data: system run time in minutes, heat run time in minutes, cooling run time in minutes, fan run time in minutes, average heating temperature by degrees, average cooling temperature by degrees, average outdoor temperature by degrees, average humidity level by percent humidity, highest indoor temperature by degrees, lowest indoor temperature by degrees, highest outdoor temperature by degrees, lowest indoor temperature by degrees, highest humidity level by percent humidity and lowest percent humidity by percent humidity, date, time, system mode, such as cool or heat or a fan, system state, room temperature, setpoint, fan state, outdoor temperature and humidity level (collectively hereinafter “custom Performance Data”).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Braeburn Systems LLC
    Inventors: Glenn A Moore, Daniel S. Poplawski
  • Patent number: 9971365
    Abstract: An air conditioner management system and a method for controlling an air conditioner are disclosed. A user interface device provides a user interface to sense a user measure indicating a user opinion regarding operation of an air conditioner, generates feedback data associated with the sensed user measure, and transmits the generated feedback data. A central management device receives and stores the feedback data transmitted by the user interface device and calculates a set value to control the air conditioner based on the received feedback data and previously stored feedback data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jongsoo Lee, Jinyoung You, Minjung Kim
  • Patent number: 9939333
    Abstract: The invention comprises systems and methods for evaluating changes in the operational efficiency of an HVAC system over time. The climate control system obtains temperature measurements from at least a first location conditioned by the climate system, and status of said HVAC system. One or more processors receives measurements of outside temperatures from at least one source other than said HVAC system and compares said temperature measurements from said first location with expected temperature measurements. The expected temperature measurements are based at least in part upon past temperature measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: EcoFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: John Douglas Steinberg, Scott Douglas Hublou
  • Patent number: 9940884
    Abstract: An automated dimmer switch is provided. The dimmer has a color sensor display embodied into plastic or metal housing. The dimmer includes a mother board, a central processor for processing incoming data, an operating memory and a flash memory. The dimmer also has various sensors for use with corresponding smart home technologies and a wireless module for connecting to a network standard IEEE 802.11a/b/n utilizing different internet protocols and chips for other wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and Z-Wave/Zigbee. The dimmer can include a motion sensor, such that the display image changes gradually from stand-by mode to display of interface icons for dimmer operation. The stand-by mode image when not in operation is derived from surrounding wall texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Inventors: Sergey Musolin, Alexander Uchenov
  • Patent number: 9909775
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Tessier, Jeffrey Hartzler
  • Patent number: 9810443
    Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for data-driven acceleration of deployed services are described herein. One system includes a database configured to store a plurality of case pairs that correspond to previously calculated models, wherein the previously calculated models are based on a number of features, and wherein each of the plurality of case pairs comprise a first value representative of the number of features and a second value representative of deployed heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) resources, a ranking engine configured to rank each of the plurality of case pairs based on a performance of the deployed services, and a deployment engine configured to: receive actual feature values, and deploy HVAC resources based on a comparison between the actual feature values and the plurality of ranked case pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Karel Macek, Karel Marik, Joseph S. Majewski
  • Patent number: 9733653
    Abstract: Controllers and methods are disclosed for aiding a user in programming a schedule of a programmable controller. In an illustrative embodiment, a guided programming routine can be activated by a user, which then guides a user through two or more screens that are designed to collect sufficient information from the user to generate and/or update at least some of the schedule parameters of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Amundson, Heidi J. Finch, Brent D. Vick
  • Patent number: 9625171
    Abstract: A method includes aggregating multiple zones of an indoor structure, each zone having associated comfort limits, formulating an aggregated single zone model predictive control (MPC) problem representative of the multiple zones for a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, determining optimal aggregated actions as a function of the aggregated single zone model predictive control problem, simulating an optimal trajectory of indoor qualities, and determining zone temperature setpoints to comply with the comfort limits for each zone and pre-cool the indoor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Karel Macek, Karel Marik, Joseph Steven Majewski
  • Patent number: 9600016
    Abstract: A control device includes: a receiving unit that receives a control request signal indicating a request for controlling a total power amount during a predetermined period to be equal to or lower than a predetermined limit; an obtainment unit that obtains a power consumption amount; and a control unit that controls an apparatus to operate according to the control request signal and controls the total power amount to be equal to or lower than the predetermined limit. The control unit determines a first time in the predetermined period based on the power consumption amount obtained by the obtainment unit, controls the apparatus to operate during a first period up to the first time with power higher than average power, and controls the apparatus to operate during a second period from the first time with power lower than the average power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuki Waki
  • Patent number: 9562701
    Abstract: A controller performs a first control that controls a temperature of water (heat medium) flowing out of a heat source device on the basis of an outside air temperature and a temperature difference between chronologically preceding and following outside air temperatures that are detected by an outdoor temperature sensor. The controller controls the temperature of the subject to be controlled to a target temperature by performing the first control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yohei Kato, Koji Matsuzawa
  • Patent number: 9518752
    Abstract: A medium having stored therein a program, the program causing a computer to execute a process, the process comprising: selecting a vibration medium corresponding to first vibration data, on the basis of matching between the first vibration data and the reference vibration data, the first vibration data corresponding to first vibration transmitted via the vibration medium and detected; selecting reference vibration data corresponding to second vibration data, from among the reference vibration data stored in the reference data storage unit on the basis of the second vibration data and a correction value of the reference vibration data, the second vibration data corresponding to second vibration transmitted via the selected vibration medium and detected; updating a correction value of the selected reference vibration data on the basis of the second vibration data; and generating a control signal for controlling the apparatus on the basis of the selected reference vibration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: SOCIONEXT INC.
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Oyama
  • Patent number: 9494955
    Abstract: A method of controlling a heat-generating element that generates heat when electric current is passed therethrough to control an ambient temperature within a space in which a sensor for sensing temperatures is at least partially located. The method includes sensing an initial temperature, and permitting passage of the electric current through the heat-generating element at 100 percent output for a preselected initial time period. After the electric current has passed through the heat-generating element for the preselected initial time period, a second temperature is sensed. A first temperature difference between the initial temperature and the second temperature is determined. A maximum error between a sensed temperature sensed at a selected time after the initial time period, and the ambient temperature at the selected time, is determined in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the first temperature difference and the maximum error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Dimplex North America Limited
    Inventors: Kristoffer Hess, Kelly Stinson
  • Patent number: 9403309
    Abstract: In the manufacturing of a semi-finished product made of elastomeric material, a method for controlling the heating of an extrusion device which includes multiple structural units having respective different working temperatures and thermal inertias includes: a) setting, for all of the above-mentioned units a heating temperature to a value equal or close to the working temperature of the unit which has the lowest working temperature; b) simultaneously heating all of the above-mentioned units; c) when said unit is approaching or has reached the heating temperature, setting for the other units a new heating temperature to a value equal or close to that of the working temperature of the unit, the working temperature of which is closest to the heating temperature; and d) iteratively repeating the operations mentioned in b) and c), until all of the above-mentioned units have reached the respective working temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.
    Inventor: Cesare Emanuele Amurri
  • Patent number: 9329903
    Abstract: The present invention provides an Internet based detailed service notification system to inform the contractor of a customer in need of HVAC servicing. The thermostat has Internet connectivity provided to it. Whenever the customers need servicing or repair of their HVAC devices, they have a special menu/interface at their disposal in their thermostat which assists the customer's service request to be registered on the thermostat company's web server. The company's web server having all the details of the thermostat owner, then automatically forwards these details to the preferred contractor through SMS, through email or an automatically generated call. The details include the address details, phone numbers, type of service needed e.g. servicing, repairing, new device installation, replacement and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Nikhil N. Deshpande, Kaushik M. Purohit
  • Patent number: 9326407
    Abstract: An automated dimmer switch is provided. The dimmer has a color sensor display embodied into plastic or metal housing. The dimmer includes a mother board, a central processor for processing incoming data, an operating memory and a flash memory. The dimmer also has various sensors for use with corresponding smart home technologies and a wireless module for connecting to a network standard IEEE 802.11a/b/n utilizing different internet protocols and chips for other wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and Z-Wave. The dimmer can include a motion sensor, such that the display image changes gradually from stand-by mode to display of interface icons for dimmer operation. The stand-by mode image when not in operation is derived from surrounding wall texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Inventor: Sergey Musolin
  • Patent number: 9298196
    Abstract: A user-friendly programmable thermostat is described that includes receiving an immediate-control input to change set point temperature, controlling temperature according to the set point temperature for a predetermined time interval, and then automatically resetting the set point temperature upon the ending of the predetermined time interval such that the user is urged to make further immediate-control inputs. A schedule for the programmable thermostat is automatically generated based on the immediate-control inputs. Methods are also described for receiving user input relating to the user's preference regarding automatically generating a schedule, and determining whether or not to automatically adopt an automatically generated schedule based on the received user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Frank E. Astier, Rangoli Sharan, David Sloo, Anthony Michael Fadell
  • Patent number: 9200811
    Abstract: There is provided a space heating system (100) that includes a heat pump (105), a supplemental gas heating system (110), and a controller (115) connected to the heating system (100). The controller (115) controls a switching set point, which in its simplest case is an ambient temperature at which the controller (115) switches between operation of the heat pump (105) and operation of the supplemental gas heating system (110). The controller (115) is connected to a real time source of information (195) providing at least one of current electricity prices and current prices of a source of heating such as gas, and changes the switching set point in response to changes in at least one of the electricity prices and the gas prices. There is also provided a method for control of the heating system (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras
  • Patent number: 9058037
    Abstract: In another aspect of the disclosure, a method of controlling an appliance is provided comprising establishing settings on an appliance related to threshold variables, wherein the settings include the threshold variables for determining a reaction of the appliance in response to reaching one or more of the threshold variables. The method further comprises sending a signal from an associated utility to the appliance, wherein the appliance includes a controller in signal communication with the associated utility. The controller receives and processes a signal from the associated utility, and converts and compares the signal to the threshold variables. The method still further comprises changing the operating of the appliance from a first state of operation to a second state of operation, wherein in the second state of operation one or more power consuming functions of the appliance are based on the comparison of the signal to the threshold variables and, returning the appliance to the first state of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeff Donald Drake, Timothy Dale Worthington, Michael F. Finch, John K. Besore
  • Patent number: 8950687
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes an HVAC unit having a cooling mode and a heating mode for conditioning the air in an inside space, and a programmable thermostat located remotely from the HVAC unit. The HVAC unit may have an onboard controller configured to control when the HVAC unit is in the cooling mode or heating mode, and whether the HVAC unit is activated or not. In some cases, the onboard controller of the HVAC unit may use a common temperature setpoint when controlling in the cooling mode and the heating mode. The programmable thermostat may have a programmable schedule with a plurality of time periods, where each time period has a heating setpoint and a cooling setpoint separated by a dead band. The onboard controller of the HVAC unit may be configured to accept input signals from the remotely located thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel Albert Bergman, Chris Mullarkey, Cary Leen, David Schultz, Milos Cabel
  • Patent number: 8783336
    Abstract: A control system for providing thermal management of electronic equipment housed in a cabinet enclosure. The system can include a plurality of sensors in proximity to the cabinet enclosure for monitoring a temperature, a pressure and a humidity associated with the electronic equipment; and a controller in communication with the sensors for receiving data from the sensors, where the controller adjusts the temperature, the pressure and the humidity associated with the electronic equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: IO Data Centers, LLC
    Inventor: George Slessman
  • Patent number: 8755943
    Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting power consumption by a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) subsystem of a building are shown and described. A mathematical linear operator is found that transforms the unused or deferred cooling power usage of the HVAC system based on pre-determined temperature settings to a target cooling power usage. The mathematical operator is applied to the temperature settings to create a temperature setpoint trajectory expected to provide the target cooling power usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Wenzel
  • Patent number: 8738327
    Abstract: The invention comprises systems and methods for estimating the rate of change in temperature inside a structure. At least one thermostat located is inside the structure and is used to control an climate control system in the structure. At least one remote processor is in communication with said thermostat and at least one database stores data reported by the thermostat. At least one processor compares the outside temperature at at least one location and at least one point in time to information reported to the remote processor from the thermostat. The processor uses the relationship between the inside temperature and the outside temperature to determine whether the climate control system is “on” or “off”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: EcoFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: John Douglas Steinberg, Scott Douglas Hublou
  • Patent number: 8639387
    Abstract: A method of controlling a controllable device related to a building aperture, whereby a climate related characteristic for the aperture is adjusted by the device, and whereby the device is controlled in accordance with a climate and comfort program which is dependent on a control parameter, whereby the device is controlled in accordance with a time schedule provided by the climate and comfort program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: VKR Holding A/S
    Inventors: Henrik Raun Byberg, Ulrik Vagn Ebbe