Hvac Control Patents (Class 700/276)
  • Patent number: 11236917
    Abstract: A controller for operating building equipment of a building. The controller includes one or more processors. The controller includes one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations. The operations include comparing one or more model parameters of predictive models describing zones of the building to determine one or more zone groups for the building. The operations include generating one or more zone group models corresponding to the one or more zone groups. The operations include operating the building equipment using the one or more zone group models to affect a variable state or condition of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Robert D. Turney, Michael J. Wenzel, Mohammad N. Elbsat, Anas W. I. Alanqar, John H. Burroughs, Andrew J. Przybylski
  • Patent number: 11226109
    Abstract: A floor warming system includes floor warming elements for coupling to a floor and a first sensor assembly for generating a first signal indicative of at least one of a floor temperature and a floor warming element temperature. A thermostat controller receives the first signal and a second signal indicating an ambient outdoor temperature for controlling operation of the floor warming elements. The thermostat controller includes memory storing an instruction set and data related to a user setpoint and a processor for running the instruction set. The processor is operative to calculate an operational floor setpoint based on the first signal, the second signal and the user setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: WATTS REGULATOR CO.
    Inventors: Micheal Keber, Dustin Allcorn, Jason Vath, Iain Kendal, David Beriault
  • Patent number: 11226127
    Abstract: In a control system, a heat load estimation unit, by referring to location information that indicates a location environment of a house H1 and to weather information that indicates a weather forecast for a certain time slot T1, estimates a heat load which depends on solar radiation to the house H1 during the time slot T1. Specifically, the heat load estimation unit checks whether or not there is a building that blocks the solar radiation to the house H1 during the time slot T1 based on the location information when the weather forecast indicated in the weather information is sunny. Further, the heat load estimation unit estimates the heat load which depends on the solar radiation to the house H1 during the time slot T1 according to a result of the check. An operation control unit controls ahead, operation of an air conditioner provided in the house H1 before the time slot T1 according to the heat load estimated by the heat load estimation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11226053
    Abstract: A pressure disturbance rejection valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve, a flow rate sensor, and an actuator. The actuator includes a motor, a drive device configured to be driven by the motor and coupled to the valve for driving the valve within a range of positions, and a position sensor configured to measure a rotational position of the drive device. The actuator further includes a communications mechanism configured to receive a flow rate setpoint and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to determine an actuator position setpoint using a feedback control mechanism based on the flow rate setpoint and the flow rate measurement, operate the motor to drive the drive device to the actuator position setpoint, detect a fault condition based at least in part on the rotational position measurement or the flow rate measurement, and perform a fault mitigation action in response to detection of the fault condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Homero L. Noboa, Brennan Fentzlaff, Camille M. Aucoin, Carlos Felipe Alcala Perez
  • Patent number: 11221614
    Abstract: A control system includes a device of building equipment operable to alter a variable state or condition of a building in response to a command, a controller in communication with the device and operable to generate the command by executing an expected control sequence in response to one or more inputs, and a system manager. The system manager is configured to automatically verify that the controller executes the expected control sequence by automatically generating test logic based on a common data model tag for the device. The test logic specifies an input condition and an expected system response. The system manager is further configured to automatically verify that the controller executes the expected control sequence by adjusting one or more of the one or more inputs such that the input condition is satisfied and determining whether the expected system response occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventor: Gregory T. Reichl
  • Patent number: 11223202
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy management method for an energy system (1) in a building. The energy system (1) comprises a plurality of uncontrollable energy consumers (HH), at least one controllable energy consumer (WP), an energy storage device (BAT), a net connection point (NAP) through which energy can be drawn from the net and/or fed into the net, and a feedback-control or control device (EMS) which is designed to feedback-control or control the at least one controllable energy consumer (WP) and the energy storage device (BAT). The plurality of uncontrollable energy consumers (HH) is configured to draw energy from the net or from the energy storage device (BAT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Viessmann Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Arnold, Bernd Hafner, Daniel Lödige, Jan Strubel
  • Patent number: 11209181
    Abstract: A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) includes a processor and a plurality of sensors. The plurality of sensors can collect a first set of data indicative of environmental conditions of a structure in which the HVAC control device is located. The HVAC control device can control operational settings of an HVAC system that can supply conditioned air to the structure and operate the HVAC system in a default mode. The HVAC control device can also receive a second set of data collected by one or more sensors of a secondary input device and receive a signal from the secondary input device. Additionally, the HVAC control device can implement an override mode of the control device based on the signal. Implementation of the override mode effectuates a change in the operational settings of the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Shaun B. Atchison, Theresa Thy N. Gillette, John W. Uerkvitz
  • Patent number: 11204333
    Abstract: A system for automatic detection of inefficient household thermal insulation includes a server module and a plurality of household client modules. The system performs the following steps: acquiring data relating to each monitored household; identifying periods of HVAC down-time and determining indoor temperature gained during these periods; extracting parameters of temperature gain, relating to the measured rate of temperature gain during the down time; training a machine learning algorithm, to create at least one classification model, wherein all monitored households are classified according to the parameters of temperature gain; producing expected values for parameters of temperature gain per each household, according to household's class membership; producing the ratio between the expected and measured values for parameters of temperature gain per each monitored household; comparing the ratio among similar households; and identifying inefficiently insulated household according to the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: GRID4C
    Inventors: Eran Samuni, Alexander Zak, Noa Rimini
  • Patent number: 11201756
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a building automation system. The building automation system includes at least one first appliance device having an actor and/or a sensor. The first appliance device includes a first function module and is configured to operate in accordance with the first function module in order to provide a first function. The building automation system also includes a peer-to-peer network with a peer-to-peer application and a peer-to-peer module assigned to the first appliance device and configured to communicate with the peer-to-peer application. The peer-to-peer application includes a controlling means configured to provide a second function module to the first appliance device by means of the peer-to-peer module assigned to the first appliance device, and the first appliance device is configured to operate in accordance with the second function module in order to provide at least one second function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: innogy Innovation GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Reinelt, Carsten Stöcker, Jürgen Waffner
  • Patent number: 11193682
    Abstract: An example HVAC system includes an HVAC component, and an HVAC control configured to control the HVAC component according to an HVAC system configuration parameter. The HVAC control includes a controller wireless interface and a memory. The system also includes a mobile device having a user interface and a mobile wireless interface in wireless communication with the controller wireless interface of the HVAC control. The mobile device is configured to display the HVAC system configuration parameter on the user interface, receive user input settings for the HVAC system configuration parameter, and wirelessly transmit the received user input settings to the controller wireless interface of the HVAC control. The HVAC control is configured to store the received user input settings in the memory of the HVAC control to control the HVAC component. Example methods of controlling an HVAC system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: David L. Vie, Michael J. Moran, John F. Broker
  • Patent number: 11193692
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes a controller configured to receive weather forecast information including anticipated future outdoor temperatures. Based at least in part on the weather forecast information, the controller determines that test-initiation criteria are satisfied for testing operation of the HVAC system in a test mode. In response to determining that the test-initiation criteria are satisfied, the controller determines that current weather conditions are suitable for operating the HVAC system in the test mode for a test time period. The HVAC system is operated in the test mode for the test time period. Following operation of the HVAC system in the test mode for the test time period, the controller determines whether a predefined change in an indoor air temperature is achieved. If the predefined change in the indoor air temperature is achieved, the test is passed. Otherwise, the test is failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Payam Delgoshaei, Glenn William Kowald
  • Patent number: 11181871
    Abstract: A temperature control unit according to one or more embodiments may include an acquisition unit that is configured to acquire an operation amount from a controller, and an SSR control unit that is configured to perform time proportional output of an instruction to drive or stop a heater to SSR after reflecting the operation amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Kikunaga, Kenji Sato
  • Patent number: 11181288
    Abstract: A comfort degree balance control system and method for multi-split air conditioner disclosed the present invention includes: obtaining a real-time ambient temperature and a target ambient temperature of each of rooms where an indoor unit provided is working; calculating a comfort degree deviation of each of the working indoor units; obtaining the maximum value offsetMAX and the minimum value offsetMIN among the comfort degree deviations of indoor units and calculating the difference ?=offsetMAX?offsetMIN between the two; calculating an average comfort degree deviation; adjusting the amount of refrigerant flowing into working indoor units according to the difference ? and the average comfort degree deviation, so as to reduce the difference ? and balance the performance of the multi-split system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: QINGDAO HAIER AIR-CONDITIONING ELECTRONIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Baitian Zhuo, Bin Shi, Shaojiang Cheng, Ruigang Zhang, Jun Wang
  • Patent number: 11173768
    Abstract: An environmental control system includes a refrigerant circuit with a pump segment and an evaporator segment, an evaporator arranged along the evaporator segment and in fluid communication with of the refrigerant circuit, and a coolant circuit. The coolant circuit extends through the evaporator and is thermally coupled to refrigerant circuit by the evaporator, the coolant circuit including a first segment and a second segment arranged in parallel with one another to transfer heat from a first zone to a first portion of liquid coolant traversing the coolant circuit and transfer additional heat from a second zone to a second portion of coolant traversing the coolant circuit. Aircraft and environmental control systems are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Abdelrahman I. Elsherbini, Brian St. Rock
  • Patent number: 11175057
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a control system for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a user interface configured to display a zone management screen having a first selectable representation of a first zone of the HVAC system including a first temperature set point and a first operating mode of the first zone, and a second selectable representation of a second zone of the HVAC system having a second temperature set point and a second operating mode of the second zone. The control system further includes a controller configured to receive a first input via the zone management screen to adjust the first temperature set point or to adjust the second temperature set point, and receive a second input via the zone management screen to adjust the first operating mode or to adjust the second operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Theresa N. Gillette, Shaun B. Atchison, John W. Uerkvitz, Jonathan A. Burns, Brian D. Rigg
  • Patent number: 11175065
    Abstract: When a heating operation mode using a heating unit is specified and when a hot water supply request using the hot water in a hot water storage tank does not occur, an air conditioning apparatus transmits a first selection signal for selecting the heating unit to a three-way valve. When the heating operation mode is specified and when the hot water supply request occurs, the air conditioning apparatus transmits, to the three-way valve, a second selection signal for changing a destination of circulation of secondary refrigerant from the heating unit to a coil heat exchanger, and transmits an operation start signal to a refrigerant indoor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo Tamaki, Kojiro Motomura, Haruo Nakano
  • Patent number: 11171588
    Abstract: An electrical rotating machine includes a machine housing accommodating a rotor, and a stator. In order to allow the method to be carried out without structural changes to the electrical rotating machine a first physical value of the stator and a second physical value of the rotor are measured outside the machine housing, and a state variable of the electrical rotating machine is determined from the first physical value and the second physical value. The state variable, or alternatively the first and second physical value, are sent to a cloud, in particular wirelessly or by hardwired or optical means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Peter Anders, Stefan Hain
  • Patent number: 11168909
    Abstract: In a management system including a first management apparatus, a second management apparatus and an information processing terminal, the first management apparatus managing operation of a first facility apparatus, the second management apparatus managing operation of a second facility apparatus, the information processing terminal obtains first setting data for managing the operation of the first facility apparatus from the first management apparatus, converts the first setting data into second setting data, the second management apparatus being able to use the second setting data, and sends the second setting data by radio to the second management apparatus, and the second management apparatus receives the second setting data by radio, and manages the operation of the second facility apparatus by using the second setting data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Katsukura
  • Patent number: 11168915
    Abstract: Systems and methods for characterization of retrofit opportunities are described. The methods may comprise computing, using at least one computing device disposed remote from a building and based at least in part on heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) runtime data associated with the building, one or more thermal characteristics of the building. In some embodiments, a model-predicted indoor temperature may be fitted against thermal data measured by a thermostat at the building. The thermal characteristic of the building may comprise a thermal insulation, an air leakage rate and/or an HVAC efficiency. The method may be used to determine, using the at least one computing device, suitability of the building for a retrofit opportunity to improve energy efficiency of the building. Determining the suitability may comprise evaluating the one or more thermal characteristics. The HVAC runtime data may be computed based on data received from a thermostat or a meter, such as an electric or a gas meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER USA, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Zeifman, Amine Lazrak
  • Patent number: 11164410
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method and system that enable consumers to have deliveries made and services performed safely and securely when they are not at the location at which the delivery is made or service is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Transform SR Brands LLC
    Inventors: Edward S. Lampert, Leena Munjal, Varun Agasti, Robert Baker, Scott H. Multer, Smita Katakwar
  • Patent number: 11137729
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein are generally directed to vehicle communication for remote control of communicating devices at a destination. According to one aspect, a computer-implemented method for vehicle communication for remote control is provided. The method includes selecting a destination based on user data associated with a user of a vehicle. The method also includes identifying one or more destination attributes associated with the destination. The method further includes detecting a trigger event based on vehicle data received from one or more of vehicle systems or vehicle sensors of the vehicle. In response to the trigger event being detected, instructions for controlling one or more remote systems at the destination are transmitted based on the one or more destination attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichi Akama, Shigeyuki Seko
  • Patent number: 11137160
    Abstract: A space controller and method for determining energy savings of the space controller are provided. The method includes estimating, by one or more processing circuits, a steady state gain of a controlled variable of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system; determining, by the one or more processing circuits, an actual runtime that HVAC equipment of the HVAC system is in an on state based on a first setpoint or schedule; predicting, by the one or more processing circuits, a reduction of runtime that the HVAC equipment is in the on state for a second setpoint or schedule based on the actual runtime and the steady state gain; and adjusting, by the one or more processing circuits, the first setpoint or schedule to the second setpoint or schedule based on the reduction of runtime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Timothy I. Salsbury, John M. House
  • Patent number: 11137163
    Abstract: A method for managing air quality may include, at one or more processors, receiving sensor data comprising a plurality of air quality parameters for an environment, wherein the sensor data is generated by one or more environment quality monitoring devices located in the environment, predicting an adverse air quality event based on the sensor data, and automatically controlling one or more devices to mitigate the adverse air quality event. An environment quality monitoring device may include a housing, a plurality of sensors in the housing and configured to generate sensor data comprising a plurality of environment quality parameters, a network communication device configured to communicate the sensor data over a network, and an alert configured to indicate an environment quality score of the ambient environment, where the environment quality score is based on at least a portion of the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: AIRTHINX, INC
    Inventor: Vasileios Nasis
  • Patent number: 11121741
    Abstract: A sensor in a building HVAC system includes a transducer configured to measure a variable in the building HVAC system and to generate a sensor reading indicating a value of the measured variable. The sensor includes a communications interface configured to provide the sensor reading to a control device in the building HVAC system and a near field communication (NFC) circuit separate from the communications interface. The NFC circuit is configured to facilitate bidirectional NFC data communications between the sensor and a mobile device. The sensor includes a processing circuit having a processor and memory. The processing circuit is configured to wirelessly transmit data stored in the memory of the sensor to the mobile device via the NFC circuit, wirelessly receive data from the mobile device via the NFC circuit, and store the data received from the mobile device in the memory of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Daniel R. Rumler, Steven L. Whitsitt, Robert K. Alexander, Christopher Merkl, Gary A. Romanowich, Bernard Clement, Kevin A. Weiss
  • Patent number: 11118524
    Abstract: System, method, and apparatus for controlling performance of an engine in response to a set of outputs from a device to an engine control unit. The engine control unit receives profile parameters that are related to outputs of the device. The engine control unit engages a high performance functionality in response to a first signal. The engine control unit engages a high idle functionality in response to a second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: GDP Tuning, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Tyler, Barry Pierce
  • Patent number: 11112137
    Abstract: The present invention relates to environmental control systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for monitoring the performance of environmental control systems arranged to control at least one environmental characteristic in an environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Centrica Hive Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas James Bailey, Christiaan Erdbrink, Ryszard Maciol, Miroslav Hamouz, Jim Anning
  • Patent number: 11112899
    Abstract: A device having a display and a user interface incorporating buttons, switches or keys that may be programmable for various functions related to the purpose of the device and its display. The keys may be programmed for virtually any functions available to or on the device. Also, some or all of the keys may be reprogrammed for other or new functions. The device may be programmed by the user with the keys on the device to obtain a custom design having functions assigned to the keys according to a particular design, desire or choice of the user. The keys may be situated on an area having touch sensitive technology such that touching a particular key will call forth a function that is assigned to the key. The keys may be in a touch sensitive area apart from the display or be fully or in partly on a touch sensitive display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ondrej Ficner, William Bray, Petr Hanel, Milan Kostelecky, Cory Grabinger
  • Patent number: 11107005
    Abstract: A method for relative temperature preference learning is described. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying one or more current settings of a thermostat located at a premises, identifying one or more current indoor and outdoor conditions, calculating a current indoor differential between the current indoor temperature and the current target temperature, calculating a current outdoor differential between the current outdoor temperature and the current target temperature, and learning temperature preferences based on an analysis of the one or more current indoor conditions and the one or more current outdoor conditions. The one or more current settings of the thermostat include at least one of a current target temperature, current runtime settings, and current airflow settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventor: JonPaul Vega
  • Patent number: 11095151
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for electric power grid element and network management are disclosed. At least one grid element constructed and configured for electrical connection and for internet protocol (IP)-based network communication with a server operatively coupled with a memory. The at least one grid element is automatically and/or autonomously transformed into at least one active grid element after automatically communicating an initial message to the server for registration. The at least one active grid element functions actively within the electric power grid. The at least one active grid element has a profile comprising an energy usage pattern or an energy supply pattern. The at least one active grid element sends and receives messages to and from the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: CAUSAM ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph W. Forbes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11093038
    Abstract: Universal switch modules, universal switches, and methods of using the same are disclosed, including methods of preparing an individual to interface with an electronic device or software. For example, a method is disclosed that can include measuring brain-related signals of the individual to obtain a first sensed brain-related signal when the individual generates a task-irrelevant thought. The method can include transmitting the first sensed brain-related signal to a processing unit. The method can include associating the task-irrelevant thought and the first sensed brain-related signal with N input commands. The method can include compiling the task-irrelevant thought, the first sensed brain-related signal, and the N input commands to an electronic database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Synchron Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Peter Eli Yoo
  • Patent number: 11086664
    Abstract: Validating a task being performed on an HVAC system is described herein. One system includes a plurality of control devices associated with a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, wherein each respective control device is configured to record an action, taken by that control device as part of a task being performed on the HVAC system, as a block in a block chain for the task, send the block to the other control devices for validation of the action in the block chain for the task, update, upon the validation of the recorded action, the block chain for the task with the block having the recorded action, and store the updated block chain for the task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Nagasree Poluri, Seema P
  • Patent number: 11087214
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention comprises a system for control of a transaction state system utilizing a distributed ledger. First, the system includes an application plane layer adapted to receive instructions regarding operation of the transaction state system. Preferably, the application plane layer is coupled to the application plane layer interface. Second, a control plane layer is provided, the control plane layer including an adaptive control unit, such as a cognitive computing unit, artificial intelligence unit or machine-learning unit. Third, a data plane layer includes an input interface to receive data input from one or more data sources and to provide output coupled to a decentralized distributed ledger, the data plane layer is coupled to the control plane layer. Optionally the decentralized distributed ledger stores data on cryptocurrency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: MILESTONE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Randall M. Katz, Robert Tercek
  • Patent number: 11062678
    Abstract: In one example, a method includes monitoring conditions in a real environment in which a user is present, wherein the monitoring is performed by collecting data about the conditions from a plurality of sensors located in the real environment, transmitting the data about the conditions to an extended reality device that is present in the real environment, where the extended reality device is configured to render a virtual environment, interpolating between the real environment and the virtual environment, based at least in part on the conditions, to determine an actual extended reality environment that is being presented to the user, and sending a signal to a device that is located in the real environment, based on the interpolating, wherein the signal instructs the device to take an action that modifies at least one of the conditions in the real environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Eric Zavesky, Zhu Liu, David Crawford Gibbon, Behzad Shahraray, Paul Triantafyllou, Tan Xu
  • Patent number: 11054167
    Abstract: A control system is provided for controlling heating and/or cooling with a conditioning load such as fan coils and chilled beams. Based on user input and ambient conditions, the control system determines a desired temperature for the liquid entering the load and combines fresh supply liquid (e.g., from a chiller or boiler) with a portion of the liquid that has passed through the load, to achieve the target load input temperature for the liquid. A recirculation pump may be used to return a portion of the liquid exiting the load for mixing with the fresh supply liquid and a control valve may be used to adjust the ratio of fresh supply liquid and recirculated liquid to achieve the targeted temperature. The control systems can be compatible with a variety of liquid supply systems such as two- and four-pipe systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Chilled Beam Controls, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Furman, Zachary M Thomas
  • Patent number: 11050630
    Abstract: The management of internet of things (IoT) objects through a self-describing interoperability framework is described. In one example, an IoT object can be registered with an IoT device management system. The IoT device management system can then query the IoT object for a self-describing declaration. The self-describing declaration can include a schema that defines certain operating and interface parameters for the IoT object. The IoT device management system can parse the self-describing declaration to determine, for example, both normal or expected and abnormal or pathologic data from the IoT device. The self-describing declaration can also define function call parameters to establish an interoperability framework between the IoT device management system and the IoT object. Based on such self-describing declarations from various IoT objects, a number of different IoT objects can be easily recognized, integrated with, and managed by the IoT device management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: VMWARE, INC.
    Inventors: Salim AbiEzzi, Gregory Bollella
  • Patent number: 11041646
    Abstract: Heating and cooling systems at various geographical locations are controlled by a central energy management service unit to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. In some weather conditions, people may intuitively prefer a slightly warmer or cooler indoor temperature. In systems equipped with environmental learning capabilities, an apparent outdoor temperature is determined based on the geographic location itself, the season at the geographic location, the forecasted actual temperature, and one or more seasonal weather factors such as wind velocity or humidity. The apparent temperature and a trained machine learning system are used to select an automated schedule for the geographic location to be directly transmitted to devices at the location. The automated schedule can vary from typical schedules by causing the heating and cooling systems to maintain a temperature that is slightly warmer or cooler than typical indoor temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: ENERALLIES, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Maruyama, Robert S. Keil
  • Patent number: 11036245
    Abstract: A climate controller having a control unit operable to activate and de-activate an HVAC unit, a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor operable to communicate temperature and relative humidity measurements to the control unit, and an interface to a network through which the control unit is operable to connect to a networked server and transmitting measurements for temperature and relative humidity; the control unit operable to activate and de-activate the HVAC unit according to the control unit operable to measure a temperature and humidity level, operable to obtain a value for a temperature setting and mode of operation for the HVAC unit, and operable to communicate a signal to the HVAC unit to effect the activation or de-activation. Climate control is achieved with reference to a comfort level temperature, and energy efficiency is achieved through the application of machine learning methods operated on data sets gathered by the climate controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Inventors: Julian Lee, Mathis Antony
  • Patent number: 11036192
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to an energy device including a memory, one or more processors, a transceiver, a display, and a dashboard. The memory includes one or more energy modules. The one or more processors are configured to communicate via the transceiver with one or more energy devices. The display is configured to display a dashboard of energy options based on one or more signals received from the one or more processors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Inventor: SaLisa Berrien
  • Patent number: 11029937
    Abstract: Technologies for performing energy efficient software distribution include a mesh node. The mesh node is to obtain fingerprint data of a plurality of other mesh nodes in a network. The mesh node is also to determine corresponding characteristics of the mesh nodes from the obtained fingerprint data, including an energy status of each of the mesh nodes. The mesh node is also to perform an analysis of a software update, determine, as a function of the analysis of the software update, one or more target mesh nodes of the plurality of mesh nodes for the software update, and determine a path through the mesh nodes to the one or more target mesh nodes as a function of the fingerprint data. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Simon Hunt, Ned M. Smith, Barry E. Huntley, Rita H. Wouhaybi
  • Patent number: 11022333
    Abstract: The present invention relates to device control for a predetermined area of space and belongs to the technical field of intelligent control of devices. A control system provided by the present invention comprises: a sensing component installed in the predetermined area of space and used for sensing the predetermined area of space to at least determine density information of living beings in the predetermined area of space, and an HVAC control and management unit of an HVAC system, wherein the sensing component is interactively connected with the HVAC control and management unit in a wireless communication mode, and the HVAC control and management unit is configured to control one or more air end devices at least based on the determined density information of living beings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jianwei Zhao, Xiaowei Wu, Hon Ming Ng
  • Patent number: 11006504
    Abstract: A method of determining exposure of an occupant (8) to equivalent melanopic lux, EML, in an environment (2) comprising one or more indoor spaces and zero or more outdoor spaces, wherein the environment comprises one or more illumination devices (4, 5) wherein said one or more illumination devices (4, 5) comprise one or more luminaires (4) illuminating the environment with artificial illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Lucas Leo Desire Van Der Poel
  • Patent number: 11002773
    Abstract: Provided is a monitoring apparatus including an acquisition unit that acquires first time-series data which is time-series data of a measured value and/or a feature amount regarding an electrical device group, and a registration and updating unit that, when a difference in values between a pre-state-change data value which is any one of a data value at a first point in time in the first time-series data and a statistic of a plurality of data values from a point in time earlier than the first point in time by a predetermined period of time to the first point in time and a post-state-change data value which is any one of a data value at a second point in time later than the first point in time and a statistic of a plurality of data values from the second point in time to a point in time later than the second point in time by a predetermined period of time satisfies a predetermined condition, stores a feature amount extracted from any waveform data of a total current consumption, a total power consumption, and a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Toizumi, Eisuke Saneyoshi, Koji Kudo, Hitoshi Yano, Ryo Hashimoto, Yuma Iwasaki, Hisato Sakuma
  • Patent number: 11002459
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and a control device (100) for operating an air treatment apparatus (10), the control device (100) comprising an input (102) arranged to receive measured data that is indicative of particle concentration from a sensing unit (130), a baseline processing module (104) arranged to derive particle concentration indicative information from the received measured data, an obtaining module (106) arranged to obtain augmenting information that is indicative of air quality, an air quality index augmenting module (108) arranged to determine an augmented air quality index based on the particle concentration indicative information and the augmenting information, and an operation control module (110) arranged to operate the air treatment apparatus (10) based on the augmented air quality index. The disclosure further relates to a corresponding computer program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Declan Patrick Kelly, John Robert McGarva, Xiao-Ming Zhou, Hongyi Zheng
  • Patent number: 11005942
    Abstract: A method and system are provided that synchronize one or more appliances to one or more users' schedules. Sensor data may be obtained from a sensor. The sensor data may indicate a state of a first appliance. A user location may be determined. A first characteristic of the first appliance may be obtained. Based upon the user location and the sensor data, a schedule indicating when the user will desire a state change of the first appliance may be determined. A feature of the first appliance may be dynamically modified to cause the first appliance to operate according to the schedule. A notice may be sent to the user that contains information about the first appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: John Henry Grossman, IV, Scott Bartlett
  • Patent number: 10990386
    Abstract: A device for providing a localized executable functions platform to generate information for control systems. The device may comprise an I/O interface configured to communicate with the control systems, a memory configured to store a set of executable functions, and an executable functions platform configured to receive an initialization, determine an executable function needed to obtain information pertaining to a control system, access the executable function from the memory, run the executable function using input data for the control system, obtain the information pertaining to the control system in response to running the executable function, and provide the information pertaining to the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Soumitri Kolavennu, Ramdas Pai, Ramchandra D. Joshi, Heikki Laine
  • Patent number: 10982868
    Abstract: Systems and methods for locating building equipment in a building management system (BMS) are provided. An HVAC system includes an HVAC controller and an HVAC device. The HVAC device includes processing circuit including a memory and a processor. The processing circuit automatically determining a location of the HVAC device reporting the location of the HVAC device to the HVAC controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Adam Grabowski, Michael J. Zummo, Nicole Ann Madison, Michael F. Kornacki
  • Patent number: 10986198
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to multicomputer processing of data from social media service computing platforms and other sources with centralized event control. An event control computing platform may receive information from one or more social media service computing platforms. Subsequently, the event control computing platform may identify, based on the received information, whether a change should be made to user data associated with a user identifiable by the received information. If the information indicates that a change should be made to the user data, then the event control computing platform may extract metadata from the received information to verify the accuracy of the received information. When the metadata verifies the accuracy of the received information, the event control computing platform may generate a command configured to cause a change to the user data and then may transmit the generated command to an event validation computing platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Minh Vuong, Cameron Wadley, Susan Varghese, Anna Hollifield, Mohamed A. Gahnoog, Katherine Dintenfass, William August Stahlhut
  • Patent number: 10982861
    Abstract: A CHP optimal dispatching model is a mixed integer programming model and is used for a district heating system (DHS) comprising a heat source, a heating network and a heat load, and the heating network comprises a heat transmission network and a heat distribution network. A plurality of heating areas is divided, and one day is divided into a plurality of time periods; the heat transmission loss of the heat distribution network is omitted, and a heat transmission network model taking transmission time delay of the heating network into consideration is established according to the heat transmission network; a terminal heat consumer model capable of reflecting indoor temperature is established; and a combined optimal dispatching model comprising conventional generators, wind power units, CHP units, electric boilers and heat storage tanks is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: SOUTHEAST UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Wei Gu, Chenyu Wu, Zhi Wu, Suyang Zhou, Ping Jiang
  • Patent number: 10976069
    Abstract: Flow device systems for use in an HVAC system (“HVAC”) are described. The system may include a controller receiving sensor signals including differential pressure, valve commands, fan/pump speed, and fan/pump motor power signal from the HVAC. The controller transmits override valve commands for multiple valve positions of the valve and multiple speeds of the fan and pump. A characteristic curve may be determined from the signals provided from the HVAC and the measured flow rate at each valve position or fan/pump speed during transmission of the plurality of override valve commands for the valve positions of the valve and fan/pump speed for fan/pump operation frequencies. Virtual flow rate through the valve, fan or pump is determined using the characteristic curve. In addition, valve dynamic behavior is determined using valve stiction and valve stiction plus deadband. Valve commands are updated based on valve dynamic behavior and a valve characteristic curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Li Song, Gang Wang
  • Patent number: 10970985
    Abstract: Embodiments of a sensor device, method and system employ a multiplicity of environmental sensors as a single monitoring and alerting mechanism, operable to provide a profile of any contaminant in terms of various gases and particles in the atmosphere, quantified in terms of relative concentrations. In various embodiments, the sensor device can comprise hardware and firmware elements, including an electronic control system, a case, a shield and a cover. The environmental sensors can be secured as part of the electronic control system and the shield can be formed so as to facilitate proper channeling of air and sound for effective operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Halo Smart Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: David Antar, Paul Galburt, Frank L. Jacovino, John B. Plunkett