Abstract: A cooling system includes an air conditioner capable of cooling a predetermined space and changing an air volume or set temperature; one or more electronic devices disposed in the predetermined space and including a fan of variable rotational speed; a temperature sensor configured to detect temperature of the electronic devices; and a control apparatus configured to select, based on an increase in the detected temperature, whether to increase the air volume or decrease the set temperature of the air conditioner or to increase the rotational speed of the fan, with reference to air-conditioner information indicating a relationship between cooling performance and power consumption of the air conditioner and fan information indicating a relationship between cooling performance and power consumption of the fan.

Abstract: Systems and methods for auto-commissioning and self-diagnostics of equipment in a building management system are provided. A self-testing module is implemented in a control unit of the building management system. The self-testing module exercises equipment of the building management system using a state-based testing procedure that differs from normal operation of the equipment and monitors feedback received from a sensor of the building management system in response to exercising the equipment. The self-testing module uses the feedback from the sensor to evaluate a state transition condition of the state-based testing procedure and to transition between states of the state-based testing procedure using a result of the evaluation.

Abstract: System and method for optimizing and reducing the energy usage of an automatically controlled heating, ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”) System. The system and method comprise receiving, from a server, a plurality of parameters, the parameters comprising an internal temperature of a structure, an external temperature, a utility pricing structure, and/or a user preference. The system and method may receive, by the server, a plurality of historical data related to the HVAC system and may generate a model. The model may be configured to determine a change to an operational state of the HVAC system needed to obtain an internal temperature set point. The model may be generated using a plurality of parameters received. The model may be revised iteratively. The system and method may receive, by the server, a plurality of additional parameters to revise the model. A signal may be set, by a server, to the HVAC system.

Abstract: A heat pump hot-water supply system includes a heat pump hot-water supply device, an electricity storage device, and a control device. The control device determines an operating time zone of the heat pump hot-water supply device based on power conversion efficiency of the electricity storage device, coefficients of performance of the heat pump hot-water supply device of a current day and a next day, and an electricity rate structure of a commercial power system.

Abstract: A comfort control system includes a user-end subsystem and a system-end subsystem. The user-end subsystem includes an environmental control device, a sensor and a communication apparatus. The environmental control device adjusts an environmental factor value of a predetermined area. The sensor senses an activity value of a user. The communication apparatus sends the activity value and an identifier corresponding to the user. The system-end subsystem includes a communication element, a comfort database and a computing apparatus. The communication element receives the identifier and the activity value. The comfort database includes a basic data table having a physiological value and a preference data table having a control parameter. The computing apparatus looks up the basic data table for the physiological value and looks up the preference data table for a corresponding control parameter. The computing apparatus controls the environmental control device to adjust the environmental factor value.

Abstract: In some implementations, a mobile device can be configured to automatically download and install updates to applications installed on the mobile device. In some implementations, the automatic updates can be performed based on how the mobile device is connected to a network that provides access to the application updates. In some implementations, the automatic updates can be performed based on whether the mobile device has previously downloaded applications or application updates from a caching server. In some implementations, indicia can be presented on a graphical user interface of the mobile device to indicate which applications have been updated. In some implementations, an application update can be downloaded while the corresponding application is in use by the user. The application can be installed when the application is no longer being used by the user.

Abstract: A power profile diagnostic system includes a power rail. At least one subsystem is coupled to the power rail. A controller is coupled to the power rail and to a power profile database. The controller is configured to monitor the power rail and determine a power consumption profile of the at least one subsystem during a predefined operation of the at least one subsystem. The controller then compares the power consumption profile to a predetermined power profile that is stored in the power profile database in association with the predefined operation, and determines whether a difference between the predetermined power profile and the power consumption profile is indicative of a malfunction of the at least one subsystem. If the difference between the predetermined power profile and the power consumption profile is indicative of the malfunction of the at least one subsystem, the controller provide a malfunction report for display.

Abstract: An approach to determine occupancy of a space passively with smart devices, where the smart device detects a beacon associated with a room or area in a building.

Abstract: A method for generating an operational rule associated with a building management system includes identifying, with a processing device, a first pattern associated with a series of operational observations corresponding to a property of the building management system, correlating a first contextual attribute with the first pattern, and deriving the operational rule at least in part based on the first pattern and the first contextual attribute.

Abstract: A system and method for advanced digital economization for an HVAC system having an economizer. A digital processing unit is configured to open a damper of an economizer within a dead-band range that allows for preemptive cooling prior to a call for cooling. This economization strategy allows for free cooling (outside air) without having to pay energy costs for cooled (air-conditioned) air. The system and method can be used with or without demand control ventilation (DCV). The method also includes a “self-learning” strategy with outside air and return air sensor to regularly sense past economizer damper modifications and average out recent readings to help set the dead-band range. The method can include the ability to work in conjunction with a variable supply fan speed control, provide fault detection, self-correct, auto-configure, and report system status.

Abstract: A decision dashboard system to balance competing objectives in a control system suggests control parameter settings for the control system based on specified weights for the competing objectives. For example, given a target amount of energy consumption for a campus-wide, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control system, providing an optimal amount of climate control to the different campus locations may compete against the length of time climate control is provided to each of the locations. In some aspects, sets of control system settings may be used to predict outcomes based on a history of control parameter settings and measurements from the control system. In further aspects, the predicted outcomes and their associated control parameter settings may be mapped to different weights for the competing objectives and displayed in a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method for generating an operational rule associated with a building management system includes identifying, with a processing device, a first pattern associated with a series of operational observations corresponding to a property of the building management system, correlating a first contextual attribute with the first pattern, and deriving the operational rule at least in part based on the first pattern and the first contextual attribute.

Abstract: Message latency between an HVAC controller located within a building and a remote server may be reduced in response to a determination that a user is in proximity to the HVAC controller, and message latency may be increased when a user is not expected to be proximity to the HVAC controller. This may reduce the overall power consumption of an HVAC controller while still maintaining a good user experience. This can be particularly important for HVAC controllers that are powered by a local energy storage device, such as a battery.

Abstract: A method of preconditioning an enclosure includes providing a thermostat and computing a set of preconditioning criteria information (PCI) with the thermostat. The computed PCI is typically representative of time and ambient temperature conditions for which preconditioning should be performed. The PCI may be stored in memory and used to compare against a current time and current ambient temperature condition of the enclosure to determine whether to enter the thermostat into a preconditioning state. If a determination is made that the PCI criteria are satisfied, the thermostat may be entered into the preconditioning state to heat or cool the enclosure. One or more of these processes may be performed while a processor of the thermostat is in a relatively high power mode or relatively low power mode.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an air conditioning control system is connected to a camera device, which is installed in an interior as an inside of a room and an air conditioning control target, and to an air conditioner that performs air conditioning for the interior as the air conditioning target, the air conditioning control system includes: an activity amount calculation unit; a current comfort index value calculation unit; a control parameter calculation unit; and an air conditioner control unit. The activity amount calculation unit acquires and analyzes image information formed by imaging the interior as the air conditioning control target from the camera device, and calculates an activity amount of a person present in the room based on the image information. The current comfort index value calculation unit calculates a current comfort index value of the person present in the room based on the activity amount.

Abstract: Method for managing the energy of a building, comprising one or more occupants likely to be present therein, each determining a comfort desire for a given period, characterized in that it comprises a step for determining an overall comfort parameter for a given period on the basis of the comfort desire of each occupant present in the area of the building in the given period, this global comfort parameter being used to manage the energy on the basis of the comfort desires of the only occupants present in the building.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an air conditioner and a method for operating the same are provided. The apparatus may include a control apparatus that enables easy access to data for the air conditioner, to determine and control an operation state thereof visually, and for which a mode of reception of the data from the air conditioner may be different corresponding to connection modes and positions of a plurality of component devices of the air conditioner to which the control apparatus is connected, making the data received thus different from one another according to the connection modes. These differences in the data permit various data to be easily displayed, enabling a user to change the connection modes as required, and to provide various information on the air conditioner by producing the data of the air conditioner in a frame on an output different from one another.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media for remotely managing an environmental control and monitoring device are provided. Remote management of an environmental control and monitoring device may be implemented by receiving, via a network, a device action including notification of at least one of an environmental, maintenance, repair or usage status of an environmental control and monitoring device. A management action is determined based on the device action, and the management action is transmitted, wherein the management action includes a command to execute an operation of the environmental control and monitoring device.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for determining electrical load and lifestyle characteristics. A record receiving module receives an electrical energy usage record for premises for a predefined time period (“record period”), and receives property characteristics for the premises. The property characteristics include physical characteristics for the premises, environmental characteristics for the premises for the record period, and/or lifestyle characteristics of users of the premises. A load identification module selects a load prediction algorithm to determine if a particular type of electrical load is present at the premises. A comparison module applies the load prediction algorithm to the electrical energy usage record for the premises for at least a portion of the record period (“comparison period”) to determine if the particular type of electrical load is present at the premises. The load prediction algorithm uses the property characteristics of the premises during the comparison period.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to an online test platform adapted to facilitate the development, delivery, and management of educational tests with interactive participation by students, teachers, proctors, and administrators even when some or all of them are remotely located. The platform may include administrator interfaces, test proctor interfaces, and test taker (e.g. student) interfaces to allow each participant to view, navigate, and interact with aspects of the online test platform that are intended to meet their needs.

Abstract: A system for creating an energy performance and predictive model includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium which performs the steps of obtaining parametric information objects that represent actual physical objects and modifying the parametric information by embedding data related to energy performance characteristics unique to the device represented. The system further performs the steps of grouping the modified parametric information objects that define actual real world interrelationships to create a complete virtualized project and parsing the virtualized model data set to create a first parsed data set and a second parsed data set. The first parsed data set creates the project system control application, which acts upon and coordinates the actions of the real device through the virtual field bus.

Abstract: A display category icon displayed on the display screen is provided in a first segment location, the category icon including one of time, day, temperature, humidity or setpoint category; and each category icon having at least dual functionality including a first function and a second function and the second function programmed to display in sequence following the first function. Control logic allows a user to select a first category icon, then at the next step, the microprocessor can initiate a first function paired to a first category icon. At the next step, the user selects the first category icon again and in response the microprocessor will initiate a second function paired to a first category icon to finish the process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a digital control manager comprising a first transceiver configured to provide one or more wireless communication links to one or more energy autonomous end devices; a second transceiver configured to provide one or more wireless communication links to one or more digital control managers and one or more end devices; a local database; an intellectualize function module configured to execute a computer program to provide intelligence to the digital control manager and to end devices in communication therewith.

Abstract: A thermostat user interface for a network-connected thermostat is described. The thermostat includes a frustum-shaped shell body having a circular cross-section and a sidewall extending between first and second ends, the second end being user-facing when the thermostat is wall-mounted; a circular rotatable ring being user rotatable for adjusting a setting of the thermostat; and a circular cover including a clear circular center portion surrounded by a painted outer portion. The clear circular center portion permits a corresponding circular portion of a non-circular dot-matrix color display element to be visible through the circular cover and the painted outer portion masks a remaining portion of the non-circular dot-matrix color display element so as to create a circular graphical user interface.

Abstract: Disclosed are an air conditioner, a method for controlling outdoor units thereof, and a central control system having the same. A mode conversion unit such as a boot loader is provided to perform a mode conversion between a driving control mode and an upgrade mode in a software manner, without requiring a user's visit to the site. This may allow an outdoor unit control program to be remotely upgraded. In the present disclosure, the air conditioner may return to a previous mode or previous program in the occurrence of an error on an upgrade signal or upgrade program.

Abstract: A method of controlling a power consuming device includes receiving a control signal from a power supplying utility. The control signal signals a beginning of a control period. A length of time to operate the power consuming device during the control period is determined and an offset time is identified. A start time for operation of the power consuming device is identified as a function of the beginning of the control period and the offset time. A stop time for operation of the power consuming device is identified as a function of the start time and the determined length of time to operate the power consuming device.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) and/or Economizer system that is capable of drawing outside air into an HVAC air stream. In some instances, the DCV and/or Economizer system may be configured to help perform one or more system checks to help verify that the system is functioning properly. In some instances, the DCV and/or Economizer system may provide some level of manual control over certain hardware (e.g. dampers) to help commission the system. The DCV and/or Economizer system may store one or more settings and or parameters used during the commissioning process (either in the factory or in the field), so that these settings and/or parameters may be later accessed to verify that the DCV and/or Economizer system was commissioned and commissioned properly.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to ventilation methods, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control method for use in data centers and the like. A method includes a first structural element and a second structural element spaced apart from first structural element to define a space between the first and second structural elements. The method also includes a plurality of partitions moveable into the space between the first and second structural elements and a controller arranged to control movement of the plurality of partitions.

Abstract: A mobile wireless device (e.g. smart phone) may be used to remotely control an HVAC system. A program code stored in the memory of the mobile wireless device may cause the mobile wireless device to store geographic information in the memory of the mobile wireless device, monitor a location of the mobile wireless device, and compare the stored geographic information to the location of the mobile wireless device. If the comparison meets predetermined criteria, the program code may cause the mobile wireless device to transmit a command either directly or indirectly to an HVAC controller, causing the HVAC controller to transition from a first operating state having a first temperature setpoint to a second operating state having a second temperature setpoint.

Abstract: A system for upgrading firmware in multiple units or devices of a building control or automation system. A computer may have a tool that can reflash the firmware with an upgrade. The tool may reflash the firmware of multiple devices automatically without intervention of an operator. Devices having firmware that need an upgrade may be identified and classified as eligible for a firmware upgrade. Devices having firmware similar to firmware in other devices may be grouped with the latter devices for upgrading together, sequentially or in parallel, to simplify and expedite firmware upgrading of the devices. Firmware of devices in the field may be upgraded via a communication network or the like by the computer with the tool. The firmware upgrade, communications and/or associated activity associated with the upgrade may be proprietary and/or secured from public availability.

Abstract: A thermostatic controller generally includes a transceiver configured to receive a signal that includes an energy price rate for a given time period, and an electronic memory device in which one or more energy price rates received by the transceiver are stored. A microprocessor is configured to select the lowest energy price rate received within a given time period for establishing a base energy price rate; determine if the energy price rate for a present time period exceeds the base energy price rate by more than a first percentage or multiplier factor of the base energy price rate; and respond to an energy price rate that exceeds the base energy price rate by more than the first percentage or multiplier factor by transmitting a signal via the transceiver to an energy consuming appliance indicating that the energy consuming appliance should be in an off state and/or to one or more ceiling fans to activate, deactivate and/or change speed of the one or more ceiling fans.

Abstract: A gateway device for operation at a user premises to provide and manage application services provided for endpoint devices associated with the gateway device. The gateway device includes a communications client program to enable client-server communications between the gateway device and a remote communications server via the wide area network using a presence and networking message protocol. The gateway device utilizes at least one driver program with a driver communications protocol to communicate with, control, and manage associated endpoint devices. The communications client program interacts with the driver program, and the gateway device is configured to specify which associated endpoint devices, attributes and operations are exposed to the network via the communications client.

Abstract: Upon newly installing a system or installing an additional heat source apparatuses, manual adjustment of a number-of-units control device should be eliminated.

Abstract: A computer system for use with a building management system for a building includes a processing circuit configured to automatically identify a change in a building's energy usage model based on data received from the building management system. The processing circuit may be configured to communicate the identified change in the static factor to at least one of (a) a module for alerting a user to the identified change and (b) a module for initiating an adjustment to the energy model for a building in response to the identified change.

Abstract: A control system for a variable flow filtration system that is configured for receiving an operating condition of a variable speed impeller of the variable flow filtration system; determining a threshold filter force associated with the received operating condition to determine an increased threshold filter force proportionally to increases in the received operating condition; receiving one or more real-time environmental conditions of the variable flow filtration system; modifying the determined threshold filter force based on the received one or more real-time environmental conditions; receiving a real-time filter force imparted by a filter of the variable flow filtration system on a load cell or other filtration system component, the filter force being imparted by a flow of gas or fluid driven by the variable speed impeller; comparing the received real-time filter force to the modified determined threshold filter force; and generating a filter status notification based on the comparison.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an HVAC system that includes first and second controllers. The first controller is configured to control a first demand unit to maintain a setpoint temperature of a first portion of a conditioned space. A second HVAC controller is configured to control a second demand unit to maintain a setpoint temperature of a second portion of the conditioned space. The control provided by the second controller is dependent on a load metric of the first demand unit.

Abstract: A user-friendly, network-connected learning thermostat is described. The thermostat is made up of (1) a wall-mountable backplate that includes a low-power consuming microcontroller used for activities such as polling sensors and switching on and off the HVAC functions, and (2) separable head unit that includes a higher-power consuming microprocessor, color LCD backlit display, user input devices, and wireless communications modules. The thermostat also includes a rechargeable battery and power-stealing circuitry adapted to harvest power from HVAC triggering circuits. By maintaining the microprocessor in a “sleep” state often compared to the lower-power microcontroller, high-power consuming activities, such as learning computations, wireless network communications and interfacing with a user, can be temporarily performed by the microprocessor even though the activities use energy at a greater rate than is available from the power stealing circuitry.

Abstract: An energy management system and method providing a holistic premise energy optimization and energy efficiency reclamation system comprised of an interconnected system of software, analytics and automated process that optimizes the energy generation and storage technologies, energy consumption, energy demand and energy utilization of energy consuming assets within a premise.

Abstract: A renewable energy management system includes a load center that enables current flow into a renewable energy system generated from one or more sources and facilitates consumption of generated energy by one or more devices in the renewable energy system, and a smart meter that tracks energy flow in and out of the load center to measure energy consumption and energy production for the renewable energy system. The system also includes an energy manager in communication with the smart meter and at least one of the devices, wherein the energy manager signals the at least one of the devices to function as an energy storage device for storing excess renewable energy generated by the renewable energy system.

Abstract: A display apparatus for a control unit in an environmental control system; the display apparatus including: a display area presenting a plurality of first loci, a plurality of second loci and at least one third locus; each respective first locus of the plurality of first loci being responsive to pressure for effecting a respective response; each respective second locus of the plurality of second loci presenting information using a fixed segment data format; at least one third locus of the at least one third locus presenting information using a dot matrix data format; at least some of the loci cooperating to form a tabbed user interface.

Abstract: Environmental measurement display systems that can be used in home and commercial environments are disclosed. The environmental measurement display system can include an environmental sensor array, signal-processing circuitry, a power supply, a display device, a communications system, a data storage system, and a remote data visualization system.

Abstract: Methods, including service methods, articles of manufacture, systems, articles and programmable devices provide a conservation modeling engine framework. Programmable conservation modeling engines in communication with different customizable resource conservation modules, each resource conservation module customized to a distinct resource, select one of the modules customized to a resource identified for conservation, and user-defined criteria as a function of the identified resource and the selected module. Input data is selected and collected as a function of the resource identified and the selected module and used to weight the input data. Different optimized conservation plans are created as a function of the weighted input data and the selected module, each of the optimized conservation plans displayed having a different implementation cost, a different time for implementation and a different total amount of the identified resource saved.

Abstract: Systems are provided for creating and operating data centers. A data center may include an information technology (IT) load and a fuel cell generator configured to provide power to the IT load.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for operation of a thermal comfort system are described herein. For example, one or more embodiments include receiving data, including a target temperature for a zone, an actual temperature of the zone, and an ambient temperature of air being supplied to a thermal comfort system, and determining, through a regression model, from the received data, a calculated time when the zone will reach the target temperature upon operation of the thermal comfort system.

Abstract: In the case where selection of an icon representing an air conditioner is sensed in a region corresponding to a certain room on a floor plan, an operation screen for changing the setting of the air conditioner installed in the region corresponding to the certain room is displayed as overlapped on a display screen. An effect range, in which an effect due to an operation of the air conditioner extends based on the setting contents, is displayed in the region corresponding to the certain room.

Abstract: A test device simulator simulates the behavior of a test device to be tested on the basis of content indicating an input operation by a user, data transmitted from an air-conditioning system simulator, and device object data stored in a data storage. In the case in which the simulation generates data to transmit to the air-conditioning system simulator, the test device simulator transmits that data to the air-conditioning system simulator. The air-conditioning system simulator includes multiple simulation process sections. Each simulation process section, on the basis of content indicated by the input operation performed by the user on the device simulated by the simulation process section itself, data addressed to that device transmitted from the test device simulator, and the device object data stored in the data storage and corresponding to that device, simulates the behavior of that device.

Abstract: A communication rate between a cloud-based server and an HVAC controller located within a building may be controlled based on the amount of power available at the HVAC controller. The cloud-based server may notify a user if the amount of power available at the HVAC controller is determined to be low.

Abstract: An HVAC controller may be programmed to execute a guided set up routine that may guide a user through configuring the thermostat to control a particular HVAC system configuration based, at least in part, on which wires from the HVAC system are connected to terminals of the HVAC controller. The guided set-up routine may be accessible through a user interface provided at a remote device that a user may utilize to interact with the HVAC controller from a remote location.

Abstract: In the case where selection of an icon representing an air conditioner is sensed in a region corresponding to a certain room on a floor plan, a region corresponding to the certain room on the floor plan is switched to an adjustment region for changing the set temperature of the air conditioner. In the case where it is sensed that a contact made to a touch-panel display moves within the region corresponding to the certain room, a control command for changing the set temperature of the air conditioner in accordance with a distance in which the contact moves is transmitted to the network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus and software for controlling environmental conditions of an interior location, such as a room or office, are provided. In one aspect, the invention provides a computer-controlled system for determining an improved energy configuration for a structure. In some embodiments, the invention includes: an electronic memory storage device configured to store electronically encoded signals corresponding to at least one location parameter of the structure; an electronic memory storage device configured to store electronically encoded signals corresponding to at least one construction parameter of the structure; an electronic memory storage device configured to store electronically encoded signals corresponding to at least one atmospheric parameter of the structure.