Abstract: A method of controlling building service systems includes predicting, based on a shading and lighting prediction model, a visual comfort condition and a lighting condition with respect to a region of a building; optimizing, based on a first multi-component cost function including a plurality of components relating to a plurality of lighting or thermal performance parameters, one or more first control parameters for controlling the lighting system and the shading system based on the predicted visual comfort condition and the predicted lighting condition; predicting, based on a building dynamics model, a plurality of building response parameters based on the predicted visual comfort condition and the predicted lighting condition; and optimizing, based on a second multi-component cost function including a plurality of components relating to the plurality of building performance parameters, one or more second control parameters for controlling an air-conditioning/heating system based on the predicted plurality of

Abstract: A system evaluates residential satisfaction of residents living in a building, based on preferred sections of the residents predicted using personal tendencies of the residents and sensing data collected through sensors in the building. The system may include a server that evaluates the residential satisfaction of the residents by analyzing a correlation between the sensing data and residential satisfaction information obtained from the survey conducted through a communication manner including the user terminals, and controls an air conditioning system in the building of a control target by predicting a feature-based preferred section of the users through random forest model learning.

Abstract: A multifunction adaptive whole house fan system can include a whole house fan to pull large volume of air through a building structure. The whole house fan can pull air from a motorized window or damper into the building structure and expel air through an attic. The system can monitor the environment to operate the whole house fan when desired conditions are present in coordination with other systems of the building structure to reduce overall energy consumption.

Abstract: Systems and methods for responding to incidents in a building are provided. One method includes performing operations including retrieving data relating to one or more on-premises building devices of the building, determining the incident relating to the one or more on-premises building devices, and determining a plurality of potential responses to the incident. The operations further include analyzing the plurality of potential responses and determining relative risks of the potential responses to the incident and transmitting, to a first on-premises building device of the on-premises building devices, data indicating the incident and at least one of the plurality of potential responses based on the relative risks of the potential responses.

Abstract: A wireless communication system includes an electrically powered window mounted air conditioning unit including a power cord attachable to an electrically powered wall outlet. A small cell wireless communication device is attached to or located within the electrically powered window mounted air conditioning unit. The small cell wireless communication device is configured to be powered through the power cord of the electrically powered window mounted aft conditioning unit. The small cell wireless communication device includes at least one antenna for receiving and transmitting wireless information. The small cell wireless communication device is configured to communicate with a nearby wireless data communication router, wherein the wireless data communication router is configured to provide backhaul communication capabilities for the small cell wireless communication device.

Abstract: A Thermal Performance Forecast approach is described that can be used to forecast heating and cooling fuel consumption based on changes to user preferences and building-specific parameters that include indoor temperature, building insulation, HVAC system efficiency, and internal gains. A simplified version of the Thermal Performance Forecast approach, called the Approximated Thermal Performance Forecast, provides a single equation that accepts two fundamental input parameters and four ratios that express the relationship between the existing and post-change variables for the building properties to estimate future fuel consumption. The Approximated Thermal Performance Forecast approach marginally sacrifices accuracy for a simplified forecast.

Abstract: A thermostat includes a user interface, a memory, and a processor. The memory is configured to store a profile listing including a plurality of preset profiles. Each of the plurality of preset profiles is associated with a respective temperature regulation unit. The processor is configured to perform a profile selection process when the thermostat is powered on for a first time. To perform the profile selection process, the processor is configured to display a profile selection graphical user interface in response to powering on for the first time where the profile selection graphical user interface facilitates selecting a respective profile from the plurality of preset profiles based on a temperature regulation unit connected to the thermostat, receive a selection of the respective profile based on an input provided to the user interface, and configure the thermostat according to the respective profile to facilitate controlling the temperature regulation unit connected thereto.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control device configured to receive a user input for controlling an HVAC system, to determine whether the user input indicates an energy saving occupancy setting, and to identify a first plurality of time entries that are associated with a confidence level for a predicted occupancy status that is less than a predetermined threshold value in the predicted occupancy schedule. The device is further configured to modify the predicted occupancy schedule by setting the first plurality of time entries to an away status when the user input indicates an aggressive energy saving occupancy setting. The device is further configured to modify the predicted occupancy schedule by setting the second plurality of time entries to a present status when the user input indicates a conservative energy saving occupancy setting. The device is further configured to output the modified predicted occupancy schedule.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control device configured to receive a user input for controlling an HVAC system, to determine whether the user input indicates an energy saving occupancy setting, and to identify a first plurality of time entries that are associated with a confidence level for a predicted occupancy status that is less than a predetermined threshold value in the predicted occupancy schedule. The device is further configured to modify the predicted occupancy schedule by setting the first plurality of time entries to an away status when the user input indicates an aggressive energy saving occupancy setting. The device is further configured to modify the predicted occupancy schedule by setting the second plurality of time entries to a present status when the user input indicates a conservative energy saving occupancy setting. The device is further configured to output the modified predicted occupancy schedule.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a fan control method, applied to an electronic device. The electronic device includes a fan and a setting unit, the setting unit having a plurality of setting values, and each setting value being corresponding to a sampling number. The fan control method includes: continuously detecting a temperature of a heat source to obtain a plurality of temperature values; selecting one of the plurality of setting values based on variations of the temperature values; acquiring a value set from the temperature values based on the sampling number corresponding to the selected setting value, and generating an updated temperature value based on the value set; and controlling rotation of the fan based on the updated temperature value.

Abstract: A machine learning apparatus determines an operation condition of a precooling operation or preheating operation of an air conditioner. The machine learning apparatus includes an acquisition unit and a learning unit. The acquisition unit acquires, as state variables, room temperature data at a time of the precooling operation or preheating operation, set temperature data, and outside air temperature data. The learning unit learns the operation condition of the precooling operation or preheating operation based on the state variables, a room temperature after start of the precooling operation or preheating operation, and a set temperature.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed. The method includes: receiving a first request to initiate a first customer service session; establishing a primary web socket connection between a first web server and service agent terminal; establishing a first communication sub-channel associated with the primary web socket connection, the first communication sub-channel corresponding to the first customer service session; receiving a second request to initiate a second customer service session; in response to receiving the second request: establishing a second communication sub-channel associated with the primary web socket connection, the second communication sub-channel corresponding to the second customer service session.

Abstract: A system comprises a primary unit and a plurality of secondary units each having a unique unit number. The primary unit is configured to communicate a command to each secondary unit with instructions to reply during a time window. The primary unit is also configured to receive a reply communication indicating the secondary unit's unique unit number from at least one of the secondary units, and determine an address to assign to the replying secondary unit based at least in part on the received unique unit number.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control device configured to receive a user input for controlling an HVAC system, to determine whether the user input indicates an energy saving occupancy setting, and to identify a first plurality of time entries that are associated with a confidence level for a predicted occupancy status that is less than a predetermined threshold value in the predicted occupancy schedule. The device is further configured to modify the predicted occupancy schedule by setting the first plurality of time entries to an away status when the user input indicates an aggressive energy saving occupancy setting. The device is further configured to modify the predicted occupancy schedule by setting the second plurality of time entries to a present status when the user input indicates a conservative energy saving occupancy setting. The device is further configured to output the modified predicted occupancy schedule.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for remote control of a thermostat by a network-based server, when the thermostat is not connected to a local or wide-area network. A network-based server calculates a modified temperature profile for a thermostat based on a utility's time-of-use pricing and/or weather forecasts. After the server has calculated the modified temperature profile, it is provided to a mobile device via a wide-area network, and the mobile device provides the modified temperature profile directly to the thermostat when the mobile device is within range of the thermostat.

Abstract: A multi-unit air conditioning system includes a plurality of indoor units each of which causes a notification unit of the indoor unit to operate in response to a notification signal from a control device. When at least one indoor unit among the plurality of indoor units is malfunctioning, the at least one indoor unit each transmits a malfunction occurred signal which includes identification information of the indoor unit to the control device. If the control device cannot check operation of the notification unit of each of the malfunctioning at least one indoor unit by a response signal corresponding to the transmitted notification signal, the control device transmits a notification signal to an indoor unit to which a notification signal has not been transmitted among the plurality of indoor units.

Abstract: A method of controlling the cooling of servers in a data center including a plurality of server racks each including a plurality of servers, the cooling being provided by aisle cooling units via a cold isle and by server fans, wherein the method includes: obtaining temperature measurements from temperature sensors in the data center, performing an optimization of the total power consumption of the aisle cooling units and of the servers based on the temperature measurements, with constraints on a cold aisle temperature and on an air flow level of the aisle cooling units, and controlling the aisle cooling units based on the optimization.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control device configured to receive a user input for controlling an HVAC system, to determine whether the user input indicates an energy saving occupancy setting, and to identify a first plurality of time entries that are associated with a confidence level for a predicted occupancy status that is less than a predetermined threshold value in the predicted occupancy schedule. The device is further configured to modify the predicted occupancy schedule by setting the first plurality of time entries to an away status when the user input indicates an aggressive energy saving occupancy setting. The device is further configured to modify the predicted occupancy schedule by setting the second plurality of time entries to a present status when the user input indicates a conservative energy saving occupancy setting. The device is further configured to output the modified predicted occupancy schedule.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a system including a first active control device, comprising: a flow control element; one or more sensors; a network interface configured to connect to a mesh network; a memory comprising computer-executable instructions; and a processor configured to: execute the computer-executable instructions; receive local sensor data from the one or more sensors; receive remote sensor data from a remote sensing device; control a position of the flow control element based on one or more of the local sensor data or the remote sensor data; store the local sensor data and remote sensor data in the memory; and transmit the local sensor data and the remote sensor data to a second active control device via the mesh network.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for augmented reality-based environmental parameter filtering are provided. The method determines an environmental parameter by a wearable augmented reality (AR) device. A visualization of the environmental parameter is generated on a display of the wearable AR device. The method generates a set of control options on the display of the wearable AR device. The set of control options are configured to modify the environmental parameter. A user interaction with the wearable AR device is detected. The user interaction selects a control option of the set of control options. The method interacts with an external device to modify the environmental parameter based on the selected control option.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system includes a plurality of sensors including a first sensor configured to measure an outside air temperature of outside air, a second sensor configured to measure a return air temperature of return air, and a third sensor configured to measure a mixed air temperature of mixed air. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The controller is configured to determine that data from one of the plurality of sensors is unavailable and estimate the data from the one of the plurality of sensors based on data from other sensors of the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: The present application provides a temperature control method. According to the present application, in response to receiving a state adjustment command for a temperature sensing device, by adjusting a communication connection state between a temperature control device and the temperature sensing device based on the state adjustment command, flexible adjustment of temperature sensing devices included in a target temperature control system is implemented, and further by acquiring temperature collected by each temperature sensing device in the target temperature control system, determining ambient temperature based on the temperature collected by each temperature sensing device and a setting coefficient corresponding to an energy consumption mode state of each temperature sensing device, and adjusting temperature of a set space based on the ambient temperature, temperature control over the set space is implemented more smartly and flexibly through the target temperature control system.

Abstract: A building cooling system includes one or more cooling devices operable to affect an indoor air temperature of a building and a system management circuit. The system management circuit is configured to obtain an objective function that includes a power consumption term and a comfort term, perform an optimization of the objective function over a time horizon to determine values of the cooling capacity of the cooling devices where each value of the cooling capacity corresponds to a time step of the time horizon, and control the cooling devices based on the values of the cooling capacity of the cooling devices. The comfort term of the objective function a difference between a prediction of the indoor air temperature of the building and a temperature setpoint for the building, while the power consumption term is a function of the power consumption of the one or more cooling devices.

Abstract: A Thermal Performance Forecast approach is described that can be used to forecast heating and cooling fuel consumption based on changes to user preferences and building-specific parameters that include indoor temperature, building insulation, HVAC system efficiency, and internal gains. A simplified version of the Thermal Performance Forecast approach, called the Approximated Thermal Performance Forecast, provides a single equation that accepts two fundamental input parameters and four ratios that express the relationship between the existing and post-change variables for the building properties to estimate future fuel consumption. The Approximated Thermal Performance Forecast approach marginally sacrifices accuracy for a simplified forecast.

Abstract: A thermostat is disclosed. The thermostat can include one or more temperature sensors configured to measure one or more temperature values. The thermostat can include a processing circuit. The processing circuit can receive the one or more temperature values from the one or more temperature sensors. The processing circuit can receive one or more central processing unit (CPU) usage values, wherein the one or more CPU usage values indicate computing usage of the processing circuit. The processing circuit can determine, based on an empirical model comprising one or more gain values and one or more filters and based on one or more signals, a temperature of the building. The one or more signals comprise the one or more temperature values and the one or more CPU usage values. The empirical model accounts for dynamics of heat generated by the processing circuit and airflow acting on the thermostat.

Abstract: A thermostat of an HVAC system receives active event parameters from a utility provider. The active event parameters include a start time, a stop time, and a predefined temperature setpoint for the active event, which is associated with a requirement to decrease energy consumption between the start time and the stop time. Following the start time, the thermostat adjusts a setpoint temperature of the HVAC system to the predefined setpoint temperature.

Abstract: An air conditioning control system includes a plurality of remote control terminals and a server. The plurality of remote control terminals each calculates a time required for a user of the remote control terminal to return to a building from outside the building, and transmits information indicating the time required to the server. The server calculates an estimated time when a user who returns to the building first among the plurality of users returns to the building on the basis of the time required, and transmits a command for changing air conditioning setting to an air conditioner in stages from a time when the estimated time is calculated to the estimated time calculated.

Abstract: A smart thermostat hub and a management platform for controlling and securing smart devices in a multi-family residential property are disclosed. Smart thermostat hubs may bi-directionally communicate with the management platform using a LoRaWAN communication link and communicate with smart devices present within an apartment of the multi-family residential property via a non-LoRaWAN communication link. Smart thermostat hub may provide a gateway or bridge between the management platform and an offline door lock, thereby enabling access credentials for an offline door lock to be disabled from the management platform, and may serve to facilitate remote configuration of other smart devices, such as thermostats and smart light fixtures, for example.

Abstract: A smart thermostat hub and a management platform for controlling and securing smart devices in a multi-family residential property are disclosed. Smart thermostat hubs may bi-directionally communicate with the management platform using a LoRaWAN communication link and communicate with smart devices present within an apartment of the multi-family residential property via a non-LoRaWAN communication link. Smart thermostat hub may provide a gateway or bridge between the management platform and an offline door lock, thereby enabling access credentials for an offline door lock to be disabled from the management platform, and may serve to facilitate remote configuration of other smart devices, such as thermostats and smart light fixtures, for example.

Abstract: The overall thermal performance of a building UATotal can be empirically estimated through a short-duration controlled test. Preferably, the controlled test is performed at night during the winter. A heating source is turned off after the indoor temperature has stabilized. After an extended period, such as 12 hours, the heating source is briefly turned back on, such as for an hour, then turned off. The indoor temperature is allowed to stabilize. The energy consumed within the building during the test period is assumed to equal internal heat gains. Overall thermal performance is estimated by balancing the heat gained with the heat lost during the test period.

Abstract: A method of controlling a temperature of water delivered by a water heating system, includes providing communication device which is adapted to receive a communication from at least one mobile device, the communication device being located so as to determine when the at least one mobile device is within a predefined zone in which is located a pre-selected water access point. In response to a determination that the at least one mobile device is within the predefined zone, enabling a user selecting a temperature setting of the where the water heating system. The selection is wirelessly communicated to a receiver which is in communication with the water heating system.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure is a virtual home service apparatus including, a communicator, a home information collector for obtaining a design drawing of the home, and obtaining a 3D drawing by converting the design drawing, a home appliance identifier for obtaining an internal image and SLAM information of the home, and identifying the location and state of the home appliance based on the internal image and the SLAM information, and a virtual home implementator for generating virtual home information by reflecting the location and state of the home appliance to the 3D drawing. One or more among an autonomous driving vehicle, a user terminal, and a server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be associated with or converged with an Artificial Intelligence module, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), a robot, an Augmented Reality (AR) apparatus, a Virtual Reality (VR), 5G service-related apparatus, etc.

Abstract: A method is presented for monitoring the use of a building area, where instruments are installed at a variety of points in a building to monitor and record parameters of interest to a building operator. The building operating system provides past and real-time information based on the parameters, and alerts a building operator when unintended events occur. The circumstances for unintended events are bundled into modes, such that by selecting a mode for a building area, a building operator is effectively selecting a set of circumstances for which alerts must be given.

Abstract: A method of predicting a time of effect of an intervention of a point of a Building Management System (BMS). The method includes evaluating a first input to determine how an intervention of a point will affect a variable of the BMS; predicting a time at which the intervention will affect the variable of the BMS; presenting feedback to a user via a user interface before implementing the intervention of the point, the feedback comprising the time at which the intervention of the point is predicted to affect the variable; and implementing the intervention or a cancellation of the intervention based at least in part on a second input from the user or an automated response to the feedback. The method allows for users to determine whether to implement proposed interventions in real-time.

Abstract: Some embodiments of apparatuses and methods according to the present invention control the growth of plants in indoor systems. In some embodiments, an electronic device is provided that wirelessly discovers, couples to and controls one or more peripheral devices, the one or more peripheral devices including one or more of a light for illuminating a grow, a water pump for supplying water to the grow, a fan for circulating air to the grow, an air pump for oxygenating water for the grow, a heater for increasing a temperature ambient to the grow, and a chiller for decreasing a temperature ambient to the grow. The electronic device may also wireless couple to one or more sensors, including one or more of a temperature sensor, camera, light sensor, pH sensor, electrical conductivity sensor, and/or any other environmental, plant, biology, water, electrical, light, and/or power sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a centralized control method for a VRV air conditioning system, includes a debugging terminal sending a first acquisition request to a cloud server on the basis of an identification code, the debugging terminal creating a project on the basis of system information, the debugging terminal uploading project information corresponding to the project to the cloud server, and the cloud server generates a delivery code corresponding to the project information, a centralized control device sending a second acquisition request to the cloud server on the basis of the delivery code, and the centralized control device loading the project corresponding to the delivery code on the basis of the project information, and activating same. Also disclosed in the present application are a centralized control system for a VRV air conditioning system and a computer readable storage medium.

Abstract: Perception of the relationship between a comfort level and environmental data is facilitated, and appropriate management of air-conditioning equipment is enabled.

Abstract: An air-conditioner communication system includes: a ceiling-embedded air conditioner; a wireless local area network (LAN) adapter attached to the air conditioner and that functions as a network communication unit of the air conditioner; a router that configures a LAN; a server that communicates with the router via a telecommunication line; and a terminal device that communicates with the wireless LAN adapter and that includes a display. The wireless LAN adapter is connected to the LAN, acquires connection information that indicates whether the wireless LAN adapter is in communication with the router, and provides the terminal device with the connection information. The terminal device displays indicates, on the display based on the connection information, whether the air conditioner, the wireless LAN adaptor, the router, and the server are in communication with one other.

Abstract: The air-conditioning system control apparatus includes an influence-degree calculation unit that calculates a degree of influence between two air-conditioning indoor units that are selected from a plurality of air-conditioning indoor units as a pair of air-conditioning indoor units, based on operation data on the pair of air-conditioning indoor units.

Abstract: Various implementations relate generally to multi-sensor devices. Some implementations more particularly relate to a multi-sensor device including a ring of radially-oriented photosensors. Some implementations more particularly relate to a multi-sensor device that is orientation-independent with respect to a central axis of the ring. Some implementations of the multi-sensor devices described herein further include one or more additional sensors. For example, some implementations include an axially-directed photosensor. Some implementations also can include one or more temperature sensors configured to sense an exterior temperature, for example, an ambient temperature of an outdoors environment around the multi-sensor. Additionally or alternatively, some implementations include one or more of an infrared sensor or infrared sensors, a cellular communication circuit, and a GPS module.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for remote control of a thermostat by a network-based server, when the thermostat is not connected to a local or wide-area network. A network-based server calculates a modified temperature profile for a thermostat based on a utility's time-of-use pricing and/or weather forecasts. After the server has calculated the modified temperature profile, it is provided to a mobile device via a wide-area network, and the mobile device provides the modified temperature profile directly to the thermostat when the mobile device is within range of the thermostat.

Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber and a grow module rotatably mounted within the grow chamber for receiving a plurality of plant pods, the grow module defining a plurality of grow chambers spaced apart along the circumferential direction. One or more resilient sealing elements, e.g., formed from silicone, are positioned at the distal ends of the grow module to seal a gap between the grow module and the liner. The resilient sealing elements define one or more air ducts for providing a flow of air through the resilient sealing element into one of the plurality of chambers and a flow regulating device for regulating the flow of air.

Abstract: The invention provides an air conditioner control method and device and an air conditioner. The air conditioner control device acquires a current temperature of a chilled water of a unit at a preset period; determine a target load of the unit, a target temperature of a chilled water and a target temperature of a cooling water based on a temperature of the chilled water set by a user and the current temperature of the chilled water; determine an evaporating parameter and a condensing parameter of the unit based on the target load of the unit, the target temperature of the chilled water and the target temperature of the cooling water; and determine operation parameters of a compressor based on the target load of the unit, the evaporation parameter and the condensation parameter. Therefore, the unit can operate based on the operation parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for connecting devices includes receiving from a first device a request to follow a second device, and setting a following relationship between the first device and the second device in response to the request.

Abstract: Method and environment controller for validating a predictive model of a neural network. The environment controller receives at least one environmental characteristic value and determines a plurality of input variables. At least one of the plurality of input variables is based on one among the environmental characteristic value(s). The environment controller executes an environment control software module for calculating at least one output variable based on the plurality of input variables. The environment controller transmits the plurality of input variables to a training server executing a neural network training engine using the predictive model; and receives at least one inferred output variable from the training server. Each inferred output variable corresponds to one of the at least one output variable calculated by the environment control software module.

Abstract: A method for generating an optimal nominated capacity value for participation in a capacity market program (CMP) includes generating, by a processing circuit, an objective function comprising a nominated capacity term, wherein the nominated capacity term indicates a nominated capacity value, wherein the nominated capacity value is a curtailment value that a facility is on standby to reduce its load by in response to receiving a dispatch from a utility. The method includes optimizing, by the processing circuit, the objective function to determine the optimal nominated capacity value for a program operating period and transmitting, by the processing circuit, the optimal nominated capacity value to one or more systems associated with the CMP to participate in the CMP.

Abstract: A method for controlling an air conditioner includes obtaining initial indoor ambient temperature and humidity, obtaining an initial dew point temperature according to the initial indoor ambient temperature and humidity, controlling a temperature of an indoor heat exchanger coil to be equal to the initial dew point temperature and maintaining a current operating frequency of a compressor unchanged, obtaining a current indoor ambient temperature, judging whether the current indoor ambient temperature is lower than or equal to a set temperature, if so, obtaining a current indoor ambient humidity and obtaining a current moisture content and a current dew point temperature according to the current indoor ambient temperature and the current indoor ambient humidity, and controlling the air conditioner to perform humidification or dehumidification according to the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger coil, the current moisture content, and the current dew point temperature.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a battery and a battery management system. The battery management system is configured to derive a predicted battery demand based on observed usage patterns to predictively charge the battery to healthily accommodate the predicted battery demand. The battery management system is further configured to determine a predicted deviating battery demand based on a contextual signal. The predicted deviating battery demand differing from the predicted battery demand. The battery management system is further configured to predictively charge the battery to healthily accommodate the predicted deviating battery demand.

Abstract: A method for heating or cooling rooms in a building with a temperature-controlled system, the temperature-controlled system has a central heater or cooler with a run-around coil system having a supply line and a return line, a central circulation pump for circulating a temperature-control fluid in the run-around coil system, at least two heat exchanger devices that thermally supply one room of the building and are connected to the supply line and the return line of the run-around coil system, one valve with an actuator for each heat exchanger device, one room temperature sensor for each thermally supplied room, and a central open- and closed-loop control unit that is connected to the actuators of the valves and to the room temperature sensors. The method serves to bring about, in the thermally supplied rooms, a temperature transition from a starting state to an end state, with corresponding room temperature setpoint values.

Abstract: An external control unit to be connected between a power source and an electrically driven pump to act as a smart switch to convert a “dumb” pump into a smart pump. The control system of this invention comprises a microcontroller-operated switch, located between the power source and the pump, or other fluid flow control device to be operated by electricity, and which can be programmed to record usage data of, e.g., hot water, by the household; it sets up the operating times in accordance with such usage. A temperature sensor is connected to the microcontroller to sense a temperature change, in a hot water system is turned on, by measuring an increase in temperature to indicate flow through the hot water pipe, and to record such data. This will determine, in the context of a hot water system, when the pump should be activated to bring up hot water.