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Sommaire du brevet 2846408 

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Disponibilité de l'Abrégé et des Revendications

L'apparition de différences dans le texte et l'image des Revendications et de l'Abrégé dépend du moment auquel le document est publié. Les textes des Revendications et de l'Abrégé sont affichés :

  • lorsque la demande peut être examinée par le public;
  • lorsque le brevet est émis (délivrance).
(12) Brevet: (11) CA 2846408
(54) Titre français: GESTION DE L'ENERGIE FONDEE SUR L'EMPLACEMENT
(54) Titre anglais: ENERGY MANAGEMENT BASED ON LOCATION
Statut: Réputé périmé
Données bibliographiques
(51) Classification internationale des brevets (CIB):
  • F24F 11/63 (2018.01)
  • F24F 11/65 (2018.01)
  • G05D 23/19 (2006.01)
  • H04L 12/16 (2006.01)
(72) Inventeurs :
  • DREW, DAVID SCOTT (Etats-Unis d'Amérique)
(73) Titulaires :
  • EMERSON ELECTRIC CO. (Etats-Unis d'Amérique)
(71) Demandeurs :
  • EMERSON ELECTRIC CO. (Etats-Unis d'Amérique)
(74) Agent: BORDEN LADNER GERVAIS LLP
(74) Co-agent:
(45) Délivré: 2015-09-29
(22) Date de dépôt: 2014-03-14
(41) Mise à la disponibilité du public: 2014-08-03
Requête d'examen: 2014-03-14
Licence disponible: S.O.
(25) Langue des documents déposés: Anglais

Traité de coopération en matière de brevets (PCT): Non

(30) Données de priorité de la demande:
Numéro de la demande Pays / territoire Date
61/794,309 Etats-Unis d'Amérique 2013-03-15
14/201,458 Etats-Unis d'Amérique 2014-03-07

Abrégés

Abrégé français

Des systèmes et des méthodes permettent le contrôle du climat et la gestion de l'énergie dans une structure comprenant un thermostat en réseau. Dans certaines réalisations exemplaires, le réseau sert à surveiller l'emplacement géographique d'un dispositif utilisateur associé à l'utilisateur de la structure. La surveillance peut être exécutée pour déterminer l'emplacement relativement à une destination située à l'écart de la structure. Le réseau est utilisé pour contrôler un point de consigne du thermostat en fonction de l'emplacement. De plus ou autrement, la surveillance peut être exécutée pour déterminer les périodes pendant lesquelles la structure est inoccupée et le thermostat est réglé à un premier point de consigne. Les économies d'énergie qui pourraient être obtenues en réglant le premier point de consigne à un deuxième point de consigne sont estimées et fournies à l'utilisateur.


Abrégé anglais

Systems and methods of providing climate control and/or energy management in a structure having a networking thermostat. In some example embodiments the network is used to monitor a geographic location of a user device associated with a user of the structure. The monitoring may be performed to determine the location relative to a destination located apart from the structure. The network is used to control a set point of the thermostat based on the location. Additionally or alternatively, the monitoring may be performed to determine time period(s) during which the structure is unoccupied and the thermostat is set at a first set point. Energy savings that could have been realized by changing the first set point to a second set point are estimated and provided to the user.

Revendications

Note : Les revendications sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.


CLAIMS:
1. A system for providing climate control in a structure, the system
comprising:
a thermostat of the structure, the thermostat connected with a network; and
one or more processors connected with the thermostat through the network and
configured to:
monitor a user device associated with a user of the structure, the
monitoring performed to obtain a history of geographic locations visited and
remained at by the user for longer than a predefined time apart from the
structure;
based on the history, identify one of the visited locations as a destination;
determine a current geographic location of the user device in relation to
the destination; and
determine a set point for the thermostat based on the current geographic
location.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured
to
control the thermostat via the network, based on the determined set point.
3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the one or more processors are
configured
to:
store a historical average duration of visits by the user device to the
destination; and
using the historical average duration and a distance between the structure and

the destination, determine a setback temperature at which to set the
thermostat set
point for a future visit to the destination.
4. The system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one or more
processors are
configured to set the thermostat to a predetermined setback temperature via
the
network when the user device is determined to be arriving at the destination.
22

5. The system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the one or more
processors are
configured to determine the set point based on a breakeven duration, the
breakeven
duration based on one or more thermal properties of the structure and/or a
type of
climate control equipment in the structure.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the one or more processors are configured
to
obtain the breakeven duration from a plurality of breakeven durations
predetermined for
a plurality of outdoor temperatures and a plurality of setback amounts.
7. The system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the one or more
processors are
configured to determine the set point for the thermostat based on the
geographic
location of the user device relative to one or more of the following: a
setback ring
between the structure and the destination, a traffic pattern, and a sub-
destination
associated by the system with the destination.
8 A system-performed method of providing climate control in a structure,
the
method comprising:
monitoring a user device associated with a user of the structure, the
monitoring
performed to obtain a history of geographic locations visited and remained at
by the
user for longer than a predefined time apart from the structure;
based on the history, identifying one of the visited locations as a
destination;
determining a current geographic location of the user device in relation to
the
destination; and
using a network through which the system is connected with a thermostat of the

structure, controlling a set point of the thermostat based on the current
geographic
location.
23

9. The method of claim 8, comprising:
storing a historical average duration of visits by the user device to the
destination; and
determining a setback temperature at which to set the thermostat set point for
a
future visit to the destination, the determining performed using the
historical average
duration and a distance between the structure and the destination.
10. The method of claim 8 or 9, comprising setting the thermostat to a
predetermined
setback temperature via the network when the user device is determined to be
arriving
at the destination.
11. The method of any one of c'aims 8 to 10, comprising:
determining a breakeven duration based on one or more thermal properties of
the structure and/or a type of climate control equipment in the structure; and

determining the thermostat set point based on the breakeven duration.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising predetermining a plurality
of
breakeven durations for the structure based on a plurality of outdoor
temperatures and
setback amounts.
13. The method of any one of claims 8 to 12, further comprising determining
a set
point of the thermostat based on the geographic location of the user device
relative to
one or more of the following: a setback ring between the structure and the
destination, a
traffic pattern, and a sub-destination associated by the system with the
destination.
24

Description

Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.


CA 02846408 2015-01-23
ENERGY MANAGEMENT BASED ON LOCATION
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/794,309 filed on March 15, 2013 and U.S. Non-Provisional
Application No. 14/201,458 filed on March 7, 2014.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to energy management based on
location.
BACKGROUND
[0003] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
[0004] Homeowners generally want to minimize their utility bills. Home
heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, which typically
account
for about half of residential utility energy usage, can provide opportunities
for cost
savings. Most homeowners, however, are not willing to make significant
sacrifices of comfort or exert significant effort to achieve such savings.
SUMMARY
[0005] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and
is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
Exemplary
embodiments or implementations are disclosed of methods, apparatus, and
systems for providing climate control in a structure having a thermostat
connected, with a network.
[0006] In one exemplary implementation, the disclosure is directed to a
system for providing climate control in a structure. The system includes a
thermostat of the structure. The thermostat is connected with a network. One
or
1

CA 02846408 2014-03-14
more processors are connected with the thermostat through the network and are
configured to monitor a geographic location of a user device associated with a

user of the structure. The monitoring is performed to determine the geographic

location in relation to a destination located apart from the structure. The
processor(s) are configured to determine a set point for the thermostat based
on
the geographic location.
[0007] Another exemplary implementation is directed to a system-
performed method of providing climate control in a structure. The method
includes monitoring a geographic location of a user device associated with a
user
of the structure. The monitoring is performed to determine the geographic
location in relation to a destination located apart from the structure. The
method
further includes using a network through which the system is connected with a
thermostat of the structure to control a set point of the thermostat based on
the
geographic location.
[0008] In another exemplary embodiment, the disclosure is directed to
a system for providing energy management relative to a structure. The
structure
has a thermostat connected with the system in a network. One or more
processors are configured to use the network to monitor the thermostat and a
geographic location of a user device associated with a user of the structure,
to
determine one or more time periods during which the structure is unoccupied
and
during which the thermostat is set at a first set point. The processor(s) are
configured to determine an estimate of energy savings that could have been
realized by changing the first set point to a second set point during at least
part of
the time period(s). The processor(s) are further configured to provide the
estimate to the user.
[0009] In another exemplary implementation, the disclosure is directed
to a system-performed method of providing energy management relative to a
structure. The structure has a thermostat connected with the system through a
network. The method includes monitoring the thermostat and a geographic
location of a user device associated with a user of the structure to determine
one
or more time periods during which the structure is unoccupied and during which
2

CA 02846408 2014-03-14
the thermostat is set at a first set point. The method further includes
shortening
one of the time periods by a breakeven duration to obtain a time period over
which energy costs could have been reduced by changing the first set point to
a
second set point, determining an estimate of an amount by which the energy
costs could have been reduced, and providing the estimate to the user.
[0010] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this
summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to

limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0011] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only
of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
[0012] Figure 1 is a diagram of a system for providing location-based
energy management configured in accordance with an exemplary
implementation of the present disclosure;
[0013] Figure 2 is a diagram of setback rings configured in accordance
with an exemplary implementation of the disclosure;
[0014] Figures 3A through 3D are graphs of thermostat set points and
ambient temperatures over time in various structures;
[0016] Figure 4 is a graph of thermostat set points and ambient
temperatures over time, and in which is shown a breakeven duration configured
in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the disclosure;
[0016] Figure 5 is a flow diagram of a method of determining
thermostat setback opportunities in accordance with an exemplary
implementation of the disclosure;
[0017] Figure 6 is an illustration of a breakeven duration table
configured in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the disclosure;
and
3

CA 02846408 2014-03-14
[0018]
Figures 7A through 7C are screenshots of information
describing missed opportunities for energy cost saving.
[0019]
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0021] The inventor has observed that many people do not have fixed
or predictable schedules so as to be able to take advantage of various cost
saving opportunities available through the use of programmable thermostats.
The inventor also has observed that "smart phones" and similar devices make it

possible to obtain the current geographic location of someone who is carrying
such a phone or device. Further, it is possible to connect a residential
thermostat
that has a wireless networking capability with a remote server, via a network
such as the Internet. It thus becomes possible to remotely and automatically
set
and/or change the thermostat set point, e.g., based on user location.
[0022]
Accordingly, in various embodiments of the present disclosure,
various home energy management methods and systems are supported by a
capability to remotely access a programmable thermostat. For example, a
wireless-communication-enabled thermostat in a home or other structure can be
accessed over a network to provide temperature setback and/or temperature
recovery remotely and automatically, based at least in part on the location of
a
user's smart phone or similar device. In some embodiments, a control algorithm

for determining, e.g., a time duration and number of degrees for a period of
temperature setback in a structure is dynamically adaptable based, e.g., on
outdoor temperature, the structure's thermal profile, and the closest user's
geographic location relative to the structure. Such an application can enhance

energy savings as compared to conventional setback period scheduling, without
compromising comfort and without significant engagement on the part of users.
4

CA 02846408 2014-03-14
[0023] Unless indicated otherwise, the term "comfort" is used herein
to
refer to a temperature setting intended to provide a desired comfort level,
e.g.,
during a time period in which a structure is assumed to be occupied. Unless
indicated otherwise, the term "setback" is used herein to refer to a setback
of
climate control operation, e.g., during a time period in which occupants are
assumed to be away from a structure. Thus a "setback temperature" or
"temperature setback" for a cooling system would typically be higher than a
comfort temperature for that system, and a setback temperature for a heating
system would typically be lower than a comfort temperature for that system.
Additionally or alternatively, the term "setback" may at times be used herein
to
refer to a degree offset from a comfort set point. It should be noted
generally that
although various embodiments may be described herein in relation to a user's
residence (e.g., home), the disclosure is not so limited. Various embodiments
are
possible in relation to virtually any type of structure, including but not
limited to
commercial buildings, offices, etc., in which it is desired to implement
energy
management as described herein.
[0024] With reference to the figures, Figure 1 is a diagram of an
exemplary system 20 for home energy management. A programmable
thermostat 24 is installed in a structure 28, e.g., a residence, and is used
for
controlling a climate control system (not shown) of the structure 28. The
thermostat 24 is wirelessly connected with a router 32, which provides
wireless
access to a wide-area network 36 such as the Internet and/or cellular
network(s).
At least one server 40 is capable of wirelessly connecting with the thermostat
24
and is configured to provide energy management services to users of the
structure 28 through one or more user devices 44, e.g., one or more smart
phones, as further described below.
[0025] A user device 44 includes a capability for determining and
providing geographic locations, e.g., Global Positioning Service (GPS) and/or
other location service. A user device 44 may include (without limitation) a
mobile
device such as a cellular or mobile phone, a smart phone such as a Blackberry
,
an Android device, an I-Phone or I-Pad , that can communicate using

CA 02846408 2014-03-14
wireless communication, including but not limited to Wi-Fl, 802.11-based,
WiMAX, Bluetooth, Zigbee, 3G, 40, subscriber-based wireless, PCS, EDGE,
and/or other wireless communication means, or any combination thereof.
[0026] In various embodiments, an energy management service
provider may make a web portal 48 available to users, e.g., on or through the
server(s) 40. Additionally or alternatively, a user may employ a mobile
application
52 on his/her user device 44 to access home energy management services
and/or to remotely control the thermostat 24. The server 40 may be included,
e.g., in a "cloud" server site in which various analyses may be performed to
provide real-time energy management services. In one implementation of a
method of providing energy management services in accordance with the
disclosure, a user, e.g., an owner of the structure 28, obtains the wireless-
communication-enabled thermostat 24, manufactured, e.g., by Emerson Electric
Co. of St. Louis, Missouri. The user or an installer installs the thermostat
24 in
the structure 28 and provisions the thermostat 24 to the router 32.
[0027] In
some embodiments the installer or user creates an energy
management account for the user on the portal 48 for the provision of energy
information and management services as further described below. In some
embodiments, setting up such an account includes entering a make and model of
climate control equipment in the structure 28, square footage of the structure
28,
and/or other data pertaining to energy management for the structure 28. A user

may enter preferences for energy management through the portal 48. For
example, the user may enter desired temperature settings for the thermostat 24

for various stages of occupancy and/or non-occupancy, e.g., for "home",
"sleep",
and "away". Additionally, if the user wishes to operate the thermostat 24
based
on a schedule, the user may enter a schedule or modify a default schedule
provided for the thermostat 24. As further described below, in some
embodiments a user's schedule may be used as a baseline to determine an
amount of incremental energy savings that could be obtained through energy
management services. A user downloads the energy management mobile
application 52 onto his/her user device 44. While the GPS or other location
6

CA 02846408 2014-03-14
service is operational, the user can use his/her user device 44 to remotely
control
operation of the thermostat 24 through the server(s) 40. In some embodiments a

user may subscribe for the provision of location-based services by the energy
management service provider.
[0028]
Location-based services may be provided, e.g., as follows. In
one embodiment of the disclosure, and as shown in Figure 2, the system 20 is
configured to establish one or more fixed setback rings 102 around the
structure
28. In the present example there are four setback rings (102a, 102b, 102c,
102d). The setback ring(s) 102 may be established, e.g., based on one or more
offsets 106 to a user-selected comfort temperature setting of the thermostat
24.
When a user of the structure 28 passes through a given setback ring 102, the
server 40 may automatically send a temperature change request to the
thermostat 24. For example, the server 40 may send a temperature change
request based on the user-device-reported location of a user who is nearer to
the
structure 28 than any other user associated by the system 20 with the
structure
28. In the example embodiment shown in Figure 2, each setback ring 102 is
configured to provide a change in the temperature maintained by a cooling
system of the structure 28. If, e.g., the nearest user is moving away from the

structure 28 and passes through the setback ring 102a, the server 40 sends a
request to the thermostat 24 to increase the current temperature set point in
the
structure 28 to the comfort set point plus two degrees. When the closest user
reaches the outermost setback ring 102d, the system 20 requests the thermostat

24 to increase the current temperature set point to the comfort set point plus
5
degrees. When all of the users of the structure 28 are outside the setback
rings
102, the temperature set point remains at 5 degrees over the comfort set
point.
As a user moves toward the structure 28, the system 20 causes the thermostat
24 to gradually decrease the temperature set point in accordance with the
setback rings 102 so that the temperature in the structure 28 is once again at
the
user-selected comfort setting by the time the user reaches the structure 28.
In
one example implementation, while a user is, e.g., within 150 feet of the
structure
28, the system 20 maintains the user-selected comfort set point, and a one-
7

CA 02846408 2014-03-14
degree offset may be provided for every 1 to 2 miles from the structure 28.
Thus,
e.g., where a user's comfort point is set at 76 degrees and the user is 5
miles
from the structure 28, the set point inside the structure 28 may be
automatically
set at 79 degrees. It should be noted that a setback ring is not necessarily
circular but could have various shapes to account, e.g., for geographic
features
affecting speed and directions of travel, traffic congestion, etc.
[0029] In various example embodiments, the system 20 takes into
account the effects of a structure's thermal properties, and/or impact(s) of
outdoor temperature and/or other weather conditions, on setback and/or set
point
recovery. For example, the system 20 may dynamically adjust setback ring
location(s) based on how well a particular structure retains heat and cool,
and
efficiency of HVAC equipment installed in a structure (e.g., how long it would
take
for the structure to recover from a setback event,) under a given set of
outdoor
conditions. In some embodiments the system 20 communicates with the
thermostat 24 to obtain data for use in predicting how long it would take for
temperature in the structure 28 to reach a target set point (e.g., to recover
a
comfort set point) after being set back, under various outdoor conditions. For

example, the system 20 may measure and record (a) a slope of temperature
recovery in the past under identical weather conditions, and/or (b) a slope of

temperature recovery that was identified in a preceding recovery period and
assume that the current slope is similar.
[0030] Figures 3A through 3D illustrate how ambient inside
temperature may vary over time in four air-conditioned structures. It is
assumed
for Figures 3A-3D that outside temperature is 95 degrees. In each of the
Figures
3A through 3D, a solid line 204 represents a thermostat set point and a dotted

line 208 represents ambient temperature inside the structure. In each of the
Figures 3A through 3D the temperature, initially set to a comfort set point of
76
degrees, is changed to a setback temperature of 85 degrees after one hour, and

is returned to the 76-degree comfort set point after four hours. In each of
the
Figures 3A through 3D, a circled portion 212 of the dotted line 208 represents

temperature recovery after the thermostat setting is returned to the comfort
set
8

CA 02846408 2014-03-14
point. Figure 3A shows how ambient temperature changes inside a structure
having a tight thermal envelope and an undersized air conditioner. The slope
of
the temperature recovery 208 is one degree for every 40 minutes. Figure 3B
shows how ambient temperature changes inside a structure having a tight
thermal envelope and an oversized air conditioner. The slope of the
temperature
recovery 208 is one degree for every 10 minutes. Figure 3C shows how ambient
temperature changes inside a structure having a loose thermal envelope and an
undersized air conditioner. The slope of the temperature recovery 208 is one
degree for every 60 minutes. Figure 3D shows how ambient temperature
changes inside a structure having a loose thermal envelope and an oversized
air
conditioner. The slope of the temperature recovery 208 is one degree for every

20 minutes.
[0031] It can be seen from Figures 3A and 3B that where a home has a
very tight thermal envelope, it is more difficult for the ambient inside
temperature
to reach a setback temperature than would be the case for a comparable home
that has a loose thermal envelope. The level at which the setback set point is
set
is more relevant to comfort and cost saving in the types of structures
described in
Figures 3C and 3D, because it is typically desirable to make the setback set
point
as high as possible, yet still ensure that the air conditioner in the
structure will be
capable of returning the ambient temperature to a comfort set point, e.g., at
or
near the time a user returns home.
[0032] A user, then, might prefer to adjust an ambient temperature
based on cost saving, or alternatively based on comfort. If cost saving is
preferred, then, e.g., a house could be allowed to have an ambient temperature
a
few degrees above a comfort set point when the user walks in the door (with
the
thermostat set to the comfort set point.) In some embodiments, various setback

rings could be set for various structures so as to optimize energy savings
while
maintaining comfort. Slopes of temperature recovery are useful in determining
optimal location(s) of setback rings. For example, a user whose home takes 60
minutes to recover one degree would need to have very sparsely located rings,
perhaps, e.g., one ring every 30 miles. On the other hand, where a home can
9

CA 02846408 2014-03-14
recover one degree every 10 minutes, it might have very tightly located rings,

e.g., one every two miles.
[0033] Similarly, a home with a loose thermal envelope (e.g., no
insulation, old windows, etc.) and an undersized air conditioner might not be
capable of having a setback temperature, e.g., of more than 3 or 4 degrees.
Where it would take such a long time to recover from setback, any higher level

could be likely to compromise comfort. A four-degree setback ring might need
to
be located, e.g., 100 miles from such a home.
[0034] In some example embodiments, a home arrival time may be
predicted based on numerous factors, including (for example and without
limitation) a user's distance from home, average speed (e.g., rate of
movement),
historical average time period required for a user's return to the home from
the
same destination or a similar distance, during the same time of day, etc. Once
it
is determined how long it would take for a structure to recover from a setback

under various outdoor conditions, such data may be combined with prediction of

home arrival time(s) to place setback ring(s) in location(s) that would
optimize
energy savings while providing an acceptably comfortable temperature when a
user returns to the home.
[0035] In some example embodiments, (a) duration of time that a user
is away from home and (b) outdoor temperature are included as factors for
determining an energy management strategy for a given home. In some
embodiments such factors are used to address the management of dual fuel
systems. Cloud-based analysis may be performed, e.g., as to a given home that
has a heat pump and a furnace to determine, e.g., whether it would be cost-
effective to maintain a comfort set point via the heat pump regardless of
whether
the home is occupied or unoccupied. Such might be the case where, e.g., it
would take an inordinate amount of time for a heat pump to recover from a
setback set point. Another approach might be to provide a setback offset of
several degrees for the heat pump and use the furnace for recovery.

CA 02846408 2014-03-14
Destinations
[0036] At times users may spend long periods of time at locations that
are close, e.g., to home. Possible energy savings might not be realized where
default setback rings are in place, e.g., for an urban structure. In some
urban
environments, 95% of the time that a user may spend away from home is time
spent within a 5-mile radius around the home. Thus in one example embodiment,
the system 20 maintains a database of "destinations" for each user of the
structure 28. In some embodiments a user may explicitly identify a
destination,
e.g., the user's workplace, to the system 20. Additionally or alternatively,
the
system 20 may maintain a history of locations visited by a user and, after the

user has made a predefined number of visits to a given location, the system 20

may identify that location as a "destination." In one example embodiment a
destination is defined as a location where the user is stationary for longer
than a
predefined time period, e.g., two hours, and that has been visited by the user

more than a predefined number of times, e.g., more than once, within a
predefined time period, e.g., within the last three months.
[0037] After
a destination has been identified, an average duration of
historical visits may be recorded and updated to determine an appropriate
setback temperature for the next user visit to the destination. For example,
assume that a user frequently visits a destination that is one mile from the
user's
home for an average duration of eight hours per visit (e.g., the user works
close
to home.) Given such duration, it could be possible to achieve a setback of,
e.g.,
eight degrees offset from a comfort set point, rather than, e.g., a default
setback
of a 1- or 2-degree offset for that distance. Recovery from such a setback
could
begin at a time that would allow recovery of the comfort set point to be
completed
before the end of the eight-hour duration.
[0038] To accommodate movement from a destination that may or may
not be movement back home, e.g., if a user leaves a work destination to go to
lunch, the system 20 may activate a setback ring at a predetermined distance
between the home and the destination, e.g., at 75% of the distance between the

home and the destination. In some embodiments, a user may input information to
11

CA 02846408 2014-03-14
the system 20 pertinent to establishing such a setback ring, e.g., traffic
patterns,
locations of "sub-destinations" such as favorite lunchtime restaurants, etc.
If the
user stays between the activated setback ring and the destination, the system
20
continues to maintain the current setback set point (e.g., the setback of 8
degrees offset from a comfort set point as previously discussed.)
[0039] If the user passes through the activated setback ring, the
system 20 may stop monitoring the user's travel based on destination and may,
e.g., monitor the user's travel based on another method, e.g., in relation to
other
setback ring(s) established for the user's home, e.g., as default(s).
Referring to
the above example, if a default setback ring for the home in currently
prevailing
weather conditions calls for a 3-degree offset from comfort set point based on

distance from the home, the 8-degree setback would be changed, e.g., to 3
degrees. Thus the setback amount may be progressively reduced to recover the
comfort set point, as the user gets closer to home.
Quantification of Energy Savings
[0040] In some implementations of the disclosure, energy savings may
be determined, e.g., for a user's home by determining how far to set back a
thermostat when the home is unoccupied, and when to start temperature
recovery, so as to optimize the user's comfort, convenience and cost savings.
Such a determination may be made based, e.g., on (a) location of one or more
occupant's smart phone(s), (b) how quickly an HVAC system in the home can
change the internal temperature of the home when running, and (c) how well the

home can retain heat and cool when the HVAC system is off.
[0041] How quickly an HVAC system in the home can change the
internal temperature may be determined, e.g., by plotting the following
variables
relative to time: outdoor temperature, indoor ambient temperature, thermostat
set
point, and HVAC system run time. How well the home can retain heat and cool
when the HVAC system is off may be determined, e.g., by plotting the following
12

CA 02846408 2014-03-14
variables relative to time: outdoor temperature, indoor temperature, and
thermostat set point.
[0042] In various embodiments the system 20 provides measurement
and verification capabilities as to a user's structure and occupancy patterns
that
can be used to quantify possible and actual energy cost savings. Data logged
by
the system 20 can include but is not necessarily limited to data relating to
how
long a home can retain heat and/or cool when the home's HVAC system is not
operating, and how long it takes the home to recover from a setback set point.

Such data can be used, e.g., to determine a "breakeven duration" for a home,
i.e., an amount of time during which no energy savings can be gained via
setback.
[0043]
Referring to Figure 4 and in one example implementation of the
disclosure, a breakeven duration and a quantification of energy savings may be

determined for a structure. A graph 300 shows temperature 304 over time 308
for a given structure. A solid line represents an air conditioner set point
temperature 312 and a wavy line represents ambient inside temperature 316. In
the present example, under normal operating conditions the air conditioner
compressor might cycle on/off several times during a two-hour window 320 to
maintain a comfort set point 324, e.g., of 76 when an outdoor temperature is,

e.g., 98 . It is assumed in this example that to maintain the 76 temperature
for
two hours, the compressor is on for a total of 45 minutes. If, e.g., the user
were
to set back the thermostat by 6 degrees to a setback temperature of 82 at the

beginning of a two-hour window 328, the air conditioner compressor might be
off,
e.g., for the first 1 hour and 15 minutes, at which point it would begin
cycling (with
less time spent running) to maintain the new set point 332 of 82 . But if the
user
were to return home after being away for 1 hour and 15 minutes and were to
change the set point back to the 76 comfort temperature, the air conditioner
would run continuously for 45 minutes to bring the home back to 76 , thereby
negating any potential savings from the setback. (The slope of a line 336 is
indicative of how "tight" the thermal properties of the structure are, and the
slope
of a line 340 is indicative of how long it takes for the structure to return
to the
13

CA 02846408 2014-03-14
comfort set point 324.) Thus a breakeven duration 344 of 2 hours is determined

for the foregoing example structure in view of its thermal properties and air
conditioning equipment, the example temperature set points, and the example
outdoor temperature. During the breakeven period 344, there is no net gain in
energy savings by setting back the thermostat. After the breakeven duration
has
passed, substantially any amount of time during which the thermostat was still

set back can be logged and analyzed by the system 20 in terms of energy
savings. A hatched area 348 can be used by the system 20 to quantify energy
savings under the foregoing example conditions.
[0044] A breakeven duration for a cooling system is typically a
function
of a structure's thermal properties, size / condition of its HVAC system, and
the
outdoor temperature. Although the first two elements tend to be fixed, the
outdoor temperature fluctuates substantially continuously. In some
embodiments,
the system 20 includes a database for each user's home showing its breakeven
duration under substantially every outdoor temperature, e.g., for heating
and/or
cooling of the home.
[0045] In one example method in accordance with the disclosure, the
service provider provides energy information to a user through the portal 48
and/or mobile application 52. The information is specific, e.g., to the user's
home.
For example, the user may be shown run times for climate control equipment in
the user's home, as determined by the system 100, e.g., via the network 36
from
the thermostat 24. In some embodiments the user is prompted to enter
make(s)/model(s) of the climate control equipment through the portal 48 or
mobile application 52. The system 20 may make use of such information to
convert run time data into energy cost estimates. To provide such estimates
the
system 20 may retrieve equipment-specific information, e.g., rated load
information from source(s) such as a national database or manufacturer's
literature. A rated load then may be multiplied by run time and the user's
regional
energy cost(s), which may also be available in a national database.
[0046] In addition to providing energy information, the home energy
management service provider may provide location-based energy management
14

CA 02846408 2014-03-14
services, e.g., as described above, through the system 20 to users who
subscribe to the location-based services. In various embodiments, the service
provider may provide user-specific information to a user who has not yet
subscribed to location-based services. For example, the service provider may
determine and show to the user any setback opportunities as described above
that could have saved money for the user if the user had made use of location-
based services.
[0047] Such setback opportunities may be determined, e.g., in
accordance with an embodiment of a method indicated in Figure 5 by reference
number 400. The system 20 may communicate with the user's thermostat 24 to
obtain set point data for the user's climate control system. In process 404
the
system 20 uses thermostat set point data and location information obtained
through the location service of a user's user device 44 to detect time periods

during which the home's climate control system is set at a comfort set point
while
the home is unoccupied. At a given time, e.g., at the end of the month, the
system 20 may obtain in process 408 a total of hours during which the home's
climate control system was set at a comfort set point while the home was
unoccupied. The system 20 also obtains in process 412 the amount of cycle-on
time during the total of hours and the rated energy consumption of the home's
climate control equipment, based on equipment make(s) / model(s). From such
information may be determined the total amount of energy consumed during the
time that the home was unoccupied and a given comfort set point was in place.
In order to determine possible energy savings through location-based energy
management, in process 416 the system 20 subtracts from each such time
period a breakeven duration applicable to the time period.
[0048] In one example implementation, the system 20 may identify 50
hours during which the home's climate control system was set at a comfort set
point while the home was unoccupied. The system 20 also may know the amount
of cycle-on time during those 50 hours and rated energy consumption of the air

conditioner based on the make / model. For example, where the compressor
was on for 30 of the 50 hours (while maintaining a set point of 76 ) and when
the

CA 02846408 2014-03-14
air conditioner is on, that particular model draws 3.5 kilowatt hours. The
system
20 thus could infer a total amount of energy consumed during the time that the

home was unoccupied and a comfort set point was in place. Data analysis may
be performed to estimate how much less the air conditioner would have run if
the
set point were 82 instead of 76 . Assuming that it would have been 18 hours
instead of 30, it is not inferred in the present example implementation that
30
hours of on time (at 76 ) minus 18 hours of on time (at 82 ) is the amount of
energy saved, i.e., 12 hours of runtime. Rather, in various implementations a
breakeven duration is accounted for in every period during which the home was
unoccupied and the 76-degree set point was in place. If, e.g., each of the 50
hours of unoccupied time at 76 degrees was a one-hour trip away from the
home, then setting back the set point to 82 possibly would not have saved any

energy at all. Thus in various embodiments, energy savings are claimed for
those
time periods ("energy savings time periods"), if any, in which a home is
unoccupied at a comfort set point where the time period is in excess of the
applicable breakeven duration.
[0049] In
various embodiments the system 20 is configured to maintain
a database including breakeven durations applicable to a user's structure. One

example table of breakeven durations for a given structure is indicated
generally
in Figure 6 by reference number 500. The table 500 is applicable to cooling of
a
structure associated with a given user account 504. For a given comfort set
point
508 and for a plurality of outdoor temperatures 512, a plurality of breakeven
durations 516 are provided for a plurality of setback amounts 520. Such tables

may be provided, e.g., for various comfort set points and various types of
cooling,
heating and/or other climate control equipment provided in a structure.
[0050] In one example embodiment, the system 20 informs a user who
has not subscribed to location-based management services as to how much
money the system 20 estimates that the user could have saved through location-
based energy management. To provide such information, the system 20
identifies the appropriate electric and/or gas utilities, e.g., based on input
from
the user to the portal 48 or mobile application 52. The system 20 obtains the
16

CA 02846408 2014-03-14
utility rates applicable to the user, e.g., from the utilities, from a rate
database,
and/or based on input from the user. The system 20 applies the rate data to
"energy savings time periods" to obtain estimates of money spent on energy
during those periods.
[0051]
Figures 7A-7C illustrate examples of screenshots that may be
made available to a user via the portal 48 or mobile application 52. Figure 7A

provides an estimate of how much money a given user might have saved in
cooling costs over a month-to-date period. For each day 604, a column 608
represents a total actual daily cost estimate. A portion 612 of the column 608

represents an estimate of money that could have been saved had the user
subscribed to location-based energy management services. If the user "clicks"
on
or otherwise activates a portion 612, a screen is provided, e.g., as shown in
Figure 7B. A time line 630 for the day indicates actual temperature inside the

home. A bar 632 indicates a time period during which the structure was
unoccupied. A bar portion 634 is shown that indicates a total time period over

which the system 20 estimates that energy cost savings could have been
realized after a breakeven period, which is indicated by a bar portion 636. A
"missed savings" report 638 for the selected day shows unoccupied time 642 for

the user's home and an optimal setback temperature 646 for the home. An
estimated total 650 of lost savings for that day also is provided. An example
screen shot providing year-end information is shown in Figure 7C. Both heating

and cooling cost estimates 660 and 664 are shown for the year and for each
month 668. For each month 668 a column 672 represents a total actual monthly
cost estimate. A portion 676 of a column 672 represents an estimate of money
that could have been saved had the user subscribed to location-based energy
management services.
[0052] When a user subscribes to location-based management
services in one example embodiment, the system 20 uses the same or similar
analysis as described above, to show the user an estimate of how much money
the services actually saved the user, e.g., by day, month, and/or year.
17

CA 02846408 2014-03-14
[0053] By way of example only, exemplary embodiments of methods
and systems disclosed herein can provide one or more of the following
advantages over other energy management methods and systems. The
foregoing methods and systems leverage users' existing broadband / Wi-Fi
infrastructure to connect a user's thermostat to a server that provides energy

management services. Further, the location services provided in users' smart
phones are leveraged, e.g., to determine occupancy and users' distances from
home. Thus a user who has a smart phone and a Wi-Fl router and thermostat at
home has essentially all of the hardware needed for implementing the foregoing

systems and methods.
[0054] Through the use of location services in smart phones or similar
devices, and through the use of cloud-based data analysis, users' comfort,
cost
savings and convenience all are well served. A home, for example, could
essentially always be kept at a temperature preferred by an occupant. If,
e.g., a
husband's favorite temperature is 76 degrees and he is home alone, the
temperature could be kept at 76 degrees. On the other hand, if the wife
prefers
78 degrees and she is home alone, the house could be kept at 78 degrees. (A
compromise of 77 degrees perhaps could be established when both spouses are
at home.) When geographic location(s), e.g., of occupant(s) of a home can be
determined more or less at any time, a temperature setting in the home can be
changed to recover from a setback period before the occupant(s) arrive home.
The home, then, can be at or close to a desired comfort setting when the
occupant(s) arrive home.
[0055] When it is determined that the occupants of a home are absent
and the home is unoccupied, a thermostat can be automatically set to a setback

temperature for a period based on actual user behavior. This capability is in
contrast to setting temperatures based on a fixed time schedule that may or
may
not be consistent with the actual behavior of the occupants. Further,
embodiments in which actual user location, structural data, temperature data
and
HVAC system information are used to automate thermostat settings are in
18

CA 02846408 2014-03-14
=
contrast to methods that adjust thermostat settings based on predictions of
future
patterns of user occupancy.
[0056] In various implementations of the disclosure, without having to
do much (if anything) a homeowner can save money while maintaining comfort.
No longer would there be any need for a homeowner to micromanage a
thermostat set point when coming and going. This would be the case also for
users of mobile applications for energy management configured in accordance
with various embodiments of the disclosure.
[0057] The above mentioned possible advantages are provided for
purposes of illustration only, and do not limit the scope of the present
disclosure. Exemplary embodiments of methods and systems disclosed herein
may provide one or more of the above advantages, all of the above advantages,
none of the above advantages, or combinations thereof.
[0058] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will
be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the
art.
Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific
components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of
embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in
the
art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may
be embodied in many different forms (e.g., different materials may be used,
etc.)
and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In
some
example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and
well-known technologies are not described in detail.
[0059] Specific dimensions, specific materials, and/or specific shapes
disclosed herein are example in nature and do not limit the scope of the
present
disclosure. The disclosure herein of particular values and particular ranges
of
values for given parameters are not exclusive of other values and ranges of
values that may be useful in one or more of the examples disclosed herein.
Moreover, it is envisioned that any two particular values for a specific
parameter
stated herein may define the endpoints of a range of values that may be
suitable
for the given parameter (i.e., the disclosure of a first value and a second
value for
19

CA 02846408 2014-03-14
a given parameter can be interpreted as disclosing that any value between the
first and second values could also be employed for the given parameter).
Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values
for a
parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume
all
possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using
endpoints of the disclosed ranges.
[0060] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As
used
herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" may be intended to include the
plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The
terms
"comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and
therefore
specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,
elements,
and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more

other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or
groups
thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not
to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular
order
discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of
performance.
It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be
employed.
[0061] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on", "engaged
to", "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be
directly on,
engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening
elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to
as
being "directly on," "directly engaged to", "directly connected to" or
"directly
coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or
layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements

should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly
between,"
"adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term
"and/or"
includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed
items.
[0062] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used
herein
to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,
these
elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by

CA 02846408 2014-03-14
these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element,
component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section.
Terms
such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do not
imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a
first
element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a

second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the

teachings of the example embodiments.
[0063]
Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer," "beneath",
"below", "lower", "above", "upper" and the like, may be used herein for ease
of
description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another
element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative
terms may
be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or
operation
in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the
device in
the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other
elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or
features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of
above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or
at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein
interpreted
accordingly.
[0064] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to
be
exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements, intended or stated
uses,
or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that
particular
embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a
selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may

also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a
departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the disclosure.
21

Dessin représentatif
Une figure unique qui représente un dessin illustrant l'invention.
États administratifs

Pour une meilleure compréhension de l'état de la demande ou brevet qui figure sur cette page, la rubrique Mise en garde , et les descriptions de Brevet , États administratifs , Taxes périodiques et Historique des paiements devraient être consultées.

États administratifs

Titre Date
Date de délivrance prévu 2015-09-29
(22) Dépôt 2014-03-14
Requête d'examen 2014-03-14
(41) Mise à la disponibilité du public 2014-08-03
(45) Délivré 2015-09-29
Réputé périmé 2022-03-14

Historique d'abandonnement

Il n'y a pas d'historique d'abandonnement

Historique des paiements

Type de taxes Anniversaire Échéance Montant payé Date payée
Requête d'examen 800,00 $ 2014-03-14
Le dépôt d'une demande de brevet 400,00 $ 2014-03-14
Taxe finale 300,00 $ 2015-07-23
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 2 2016-03-14 100,00 $ 2016-03-07
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 3 2017-03-14 100,00 $ 2017-03-13
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 4 2018-03-14 100,00 $ 2018-03-12
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 5 2019-03-14 200,00 $ 2019-03-08
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 6 2020-03-16 200,00 $ 2020-03-06
Taxe de maintien en état - brevet - nouvelle loi 7 2021-03-15 204,00 $ 2021-02-18
Titulaires au dossier

Les titulaires actuels et antérieures au dossier sont affichés en ordre alphabétique.

Titulaires actuels au dossier
EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
Titulaires antérieures au dossier
S.O.
Les propriétaires antérieurs qui ne figurent pas dans la liste des « Propriétaires au dossier » apparaîtront dans d'autres documents au dossier.
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Description du
Document 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Nombre de pages   Taille de l'image (Ko) 
Abrégé 2014-03-14 1 20
Revendications 2014-03-14 5 159
Dessins 2014-03-14 9 274
Description 2014-03-14 21 1 127
Dessins représentatifs 2014-07-15 1 9
Page couverture 2014-09-04 2 44
Revendications 2014-10-10 3 121
Description 2015-01-23 21 1 123
Revendications 2015-01-23 3 101
Revendications 2015-05-11 3 101
Page couverture 2015-09-02 1 41
Cession 2014-03-14 3 96
Poursuite-Amendment 2014-03-14 1 34
Poursuite-Amendment 2014-08-19 1 27
Poursuite-Amendment 2014-09-02 2 63
Poursuite-Amendment 2014-10-10 5 193
Poursuite-Amendment 2014-10-29 3 226
Poursuite-Amendment 2015-01-23 7 244
Poursuite-Amendment 2015-02-12 5 258
Poursuite-Amendment 2015-05-11 6 187
Taxe finale 2015-07-23 1 33