U.S. patent application number 10/792027 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-08 for wireless controller with gateway.
Invention is credited to Hartzler, Jeffrey S., Tessier, Patrick C..
Application Number | 20050194456 10/792027 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34911753 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050194456 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tessier, Patrick C. ; et
al. |
September 8, 2005 |
Wireless controller with gateway
Abstract
Remote control of energy consumption is realized using a readily
installable, flexible approach. According to an example embodiment
of the present invention, a remote source communicates with a
wireless controller for executing energy usage control. The remote
source sends signals to the wireless controller via a gateway
located near or, in one implementation, forming part of the
wireless controller. In response to the signals, the wireless
controller sets control settings for operating one or more of a
variety of equipment types, such as a furnace, air conditioner,
water heater or heat pump. With this approach, wired connections
from the gateway to energy-consuming equipment do not necessarily
need to be made in order to effect remote energy-consumption
control. For instance, when used in connection with a controller
wired to the energy-consuming equipment, the gateway need only
communicate wirelessly with the controller and does not necessarily
need to be coupled to the energy-consuming equipment. In addition,
access to the energy-consuming equipment for establishing remote
energy control is not necessary; rather, the remote energy control
can be effected by accessing user-friendly locations, such as those
where thermostats and other controllers are typically located.
Inventors: |
Tessier, Patrick C.;
(Oakdale, MN) ; Hartzler, Jeffrey S.; (Minnetonka,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Honeywell International, Inc.
Patent Services Group
101 Columbia Road
Morristown
NJ
07962
US
|
Family ID: |
34911753 |
Appl. No.: |
10/792027 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
236/51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05B 13/02 20130101;
F24F 11/30 20180101; F24F 11/46 20180101; F24F 2120/20 20180101;
F25B 2600/07 20130101; F24F 11/62 20180101; F24F 11/56 20180101;
F24F 2110/00 20180101; F24D 19/1084 20130101; F24F 11/52 20180101;
F24F 11/58 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
236/051 |
International
Class: |
G05D 023/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. For use with a gateway communicatively coupled to a remote
signal source, a local system controller comprising: a user input
device; a wireless communication circuit configured and arranged to
receive input signals sent from the gateway in response to the
remote signal source and to send signals including information
about the local system to the gateway; and a control circuit
coupled to the user input device and the wireless communication
circuit and configured and arranged to communicate control signals
to a local system for controlling energy consumption thereof in
response to user inputs received via the user input device and to
input signals received via the wireless communication circuit.
2. The controller of claim 1, further comprising a thermostat with
a temperature sensor, wherein the user input device is configured
and arranged to receive thermostat inputs and wherein the control
circuit is configured and arranged to control the local system as a
function of the thermostat inputs, the temperature sensor and the
input signals.
3. The controller of claim 2, further comprising a base including
the wireless communication circuit and an antenna for communicating
with the gateway, wherein the thermostat includes the user input
device and the control circuit and is further configured and
arranged to control the wireless communication circuit.
4. The controller of claim 3, wherein the base and thermostat are
configured and arranged to replace a conventional thermostat
arrangement for an HVAC system and to communicate the control
signals to the HVAC system via electrical wires adapted to couple
the conventional thermostat to an internal controller for the HVAC
system.
5. The controller of claim 1, further configured and arranged to
bind to a particular gateway and to respond to input signals from
the particular gateway as a function of the binding.
6. The controller of claim 5, further configured and arranged to
respond to input signals received only from the particular
gateway.
7. The controller of claim 5, wherein the wireless communication
circuit is configured and arranged to pass input signals received
from the particular gateway to the control circuit as a function of
the binding.
8. The controller of claim 5, wherein the control circuit is
configured and arranged to respond to input signals received from
the particular gateway as a function of the binding.
9. The controller of claim 5, wherein the wireless communication
circuit has a unique identification and is configured and arranged
to transmit the unique identification to the particular gateway to
bind to the particular gateway.
10. The controller of claim 9, wherein the control circuit is
configured and arranged to: receive a binding response from the
gateway including the unique identification and a control
identification, store the control identification and respond to
input signals from the gateway that include the control
identification.
11. The controller of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is
configured and arranged to respond to utility input signals from
the gateway indicating a high energy demand period by reducing
energy consumption of the local system during the high energy
demand period.
12. The controller of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is
configured and arranged to control the local system as a function
of utility inputs indicating utility pricing information received
by the wireless communications circuit from the gateway.
13. The controller of claim 12, wherein the control circuit is
configured and arranged to automatically set the local system's
energy use as a function of utility rate tier information received
from the gateway.
14. The controller of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is
configured and arranged to display utility rate tier information
received from the gateway for users at the controller and to
control the local system in response to user input selections
related to the rate tier information.
15. The controller of claim 1, wherein the control circuit and the
wireless communication circuit are configured and arranged to send
compliance information to the gateway indicative of a condition of
compliance of the local system with the input signals.
16. The controller of claim 15, wherein the control circuit and the
wireless communication circuit are configured and arranged to send
acceptance information to the gateway indicative of a condition of
a user's acceptance of an invitation to participate in an
energy-saving event advertised via the input signals.
17. The controller of claim 16, wherein the user input device is
configured and arranged to receive user inputs indicating the
condition of the user's acceptance.
18. The controller of claim 15, wherein the control circuit is
configured and arranged to compare the input signals to stored
configuration information input via the user input device and to
automatically participate in energy-saving events identified via
the input signals as a function of the comparison.
19. The controller of claim 18, wherein the control circuit is
configured and arranged to override the automatic participation in
an energy-saving event in response to overriding inputs received
via the user input device and to communicate the override condition
to the gateway via the wireless communication circuit.
20. An HVAC control system comprising: a wireless HVAC controller
arrangement including a user input device, a wireless transceiver
and a thermostat; and a wireless gateway configured and arranged to
wirelessly communicate control inputs to the HVAC controller via
the wireless transceiver in response to remote control signals
received from a remote source, the wireless HVAC controller
arrangement being configured and arranged to control HVAC equipment
as a function of the remote control signals and user inputs
received via the user input device and to report characteristics of
the operation of the HVAC equipment to the remote source via the
wireless gateway.
21. The HVAC control system of claim 20, wherein the wireless HVAC
controller arrangement is configured and arranged to receive user
inputs for controlling the HVAC equipment and to override the user
inputs as a function of the remote control signals received via the
wireless gateway.
22. The HVAC control system of claim 20, wherein the wireless HVAC
controller arrangement is configured and arranged to receive user
inputs for overriding the remote control signals received via the
gateway and to communicate the overriding condition to the remote
source via the gateway.
23. The HVAC control system of claim 20, wherein the wireless HVAC
controller arrangement comprises: a base including the wireless
transceiver and an antenna for wirelessly communicating with the
gateway; and a thermostat enclosure including the thermostat and
the user input device and configured and arranged to physically and
electrically couple to the base for communicating with and
controlling the wireless transceiver.
24. The HVAC control system of claim 20, further comprising a
plurality of wireless HVAC controller arrangements, each including
a user input device, a wireless transceiver and a thermostat and
each being configured and arranged to respond to remote control
signals received from the wireless gateway.
25. The HVAC control system of claim 24, wherein the gateway is
configured and arranged to individually bind to each of the
plurality of wireless HVAC controller arrangements for selectively
communicating therewith and wherein each of the HVAC controller
arrangements is configured and arranged to process signals as a
function of the individual binding.
26. The HVAC control system of claim 25, wherein the gateway is
configured and arranged to assign an identifier to each of the
plurality of wireless HVAC controller arrangements to bind thereto,
the assigned identifiers being in a range of identifier values, and
wherein the gateway identifies a wireless signal as a signal coming
from one of the plurality of wireless HVAC controller arrangements
by determining that an identifier associated with the wireless
signal is in the range of identifier values.
27. The HVAC control system of claim 20, further comprising a
plurality of wireless HVAC controller arrangements adapted to
control environmental conditions in different zones supplied by the
HVAC equipment, each including a user input device, a wireless
transceiver and a thermostat and each being configured and arranged
to respond to remote control signals received from the wireless
gateway.
28. The HVAC control system of claim 20, further comprising a
second wireless HVAC controller arrangement adapted to control
additional HVAC equipment in response to user inputs and remote
control signals, said wireless transceiver being configured and
arranged to relay remote control signals received from the remote
source to the second wireless HVAC controller arrangement and to
relay operational characteristics of the additional HVAC equipment
from the second wireless HVAC controller arrangement to the remote
source via the gateway.
29. The HVAC control system of claim 20, wherein the wireless
gateway is configured and arranged to receive remote control inputs
from a user via the remote source, the remote control inputs
including user inputs for the HVAC equipment, the HVAC controller
arrangement being configured and arranged to control the HVAC
equipment as a function of user inputs received with the remote
control inputs and overriding user inputs received via the user
input device.
30. The HVAC control system of claim 20, wherein the wireless
gateway is configured and arranged to receive remote control inputs
from a utility company via the remote source, the remote control
inputs including utility control inputs for the HVAC equipment, the
HVAC controller arrangement being configured and arranged to
control the HVAC equipment as a function of the utility control
inputs.
31. For use with a gateway communicatively coupled to a remote
signal source, a local system controller comprising: means for
receiving user input; wireless means for receiving input signals
sent from the gateway in response to the remote signal source and
for sending signals including information about the local system to
the gateway; and control means, coupled to the user input device
and the wireless communication circuit, for communicating control
signals to a local system for controlling energy consumption
thereof in response to user inputs received via the user input
device and to input signals received via the wireless communication
circuit.
32. An HVAC controller comprising: a thermostat; a temperature
sensor; a user interface including an input device and a display; a
transceiver configured and arranged to wirelessly communicate with
a utility company source for receiving utility control signals; and
a control circuit configured and arranged to control an HVAC system
as a function of the utility control signals, the temperature
sensor and user inputs received via the user interface, and further
to communicate characteristics of the HVAC system operation to the
utility company via the transceiver.
33. The HVAC controller of claim 32, wherein the control circuit
and the transceiver are further configured and arranged to pass
wireless communications signals as a gateway between the utility
company source and at least one other HVAC controller for sending
utility control signals to the at least one other HVAC controller
for controlling another HVAC system and for reporting HVAC
operational characteristics associated with the at least one other
HVAC controller to the utility company source.
34. A method for controlling an HVAC system from a remote location,
the method comprising: sending a utility control signal to a local
gateway; in response to the utility control signal, sending a
wireless signal from the local gateway to an HVAC controller
coupled to control the HVAC system in response to user inputs and
the utility control signal; in response to the wireless signal,
setting an operational characteristic of the HVAC system using the
HVAC controller; and reporting actual operational characteristics
of the HVAC system with the HVAC controller by sending wireless
signals to the remote location via the gateway.
35. The method of claim 34, further comprising: using a
communications identifier associated with signals sent by the
gateway to the HVAC controller to identify the HVAC controller as
the intended recipient of the signals.
36. The method of claim 35, further comprising: polling the HVAC
controller with the gateway; in response to the polling, sending a
unique identifier from the HVAC controller to the gateway, the
unique identifier being unique to the HVAC controller; sending the
communications identifier to the HVAC controller using the unique
identifier and storing the communications identifier at the HVAC
controller; and wherein using a communications identifier includes
comparing the stored communications identifier with a
communications identifier associated with signals from the gateway
to identify the HVAC controller as the intended recipient of the
signals.
37. A method for installing and operating a system for controlling
HVAC equipment in response to utility control signals, the method
comprising: installing a wireless HVAC controller at a
user-accessible location remote from the HVAC equipment, the
wireless HVAC controller being adapted to receive control inputs
for controlling the HVAC system and to control the HVAC system in
response to the control inputs, the control inputs including local
user inputs and remote utility control signals wirelessly received
from a utility company; and sending wireless utility control
signals from the utility company to the wireless HVAC controller
and controlling the HVAC system with the wireless utility control
signals.
38. The method of claim 37, further comprising installing a gateway
configured and arranged to send the wireless utility control
signals to the wireless HVAC controller in response to signals sent
from a utility company to the gateway.
39. The method of claim 38, further comprising communicatively
binding the gateway to the wireless HVAC controller by establishing
a unique communications identifier that indicates that a particular
signal is intended for the wireless HVAC controller and including
the unique communications identifier with the wireless utility
control signals sent to the wireless HVAC controller.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates in general to utility consumption
control, and more particularly to a controller with a local gateway
for executing remote utility consumption control.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Electronic controllers such as thermostats and fan controls
are used to control a variety of heating, ventilating and air
conditioning (HVAC) equipment as well as other fuel and power
consumption equipment. Furnaces, heat pumps, gas burners, water
heaters, electric radiators, water radiators, air conditioners,
chillers, fans, blowers and humidity controllers are example types
of equipment for which electronic controllers are used. These
equipment types are often grouped into the category called "HVAC."
Controllers for these equipment types are often located in
user-accessible locations that are remote from the controlled
equipment. For instance, thermostats are commonly placed on
interior walls of a dwelling and located remotely from controlled
HVAC equipment that is located, for example, in a utility room or a
basement. Typical controllers accept user inputs received via
keypads or other input devices and use the inputs to generate
control outputs for controlling HVAC equipment and other equipment
types. Often, the controller also includes and/or is coupled to a
temperature sensor and accepts temperature set point inputs.
Control signals are sent to HVAC equipment as a function of the set
point inputs and an output from the temperature sensor. For
instance, when in a furnace system is in heating mode, a signal
calling for heat is sent to the furnace in response to sensing that
a temperature that is lower than a set point.
[0003] Residential and industrial HVAC type applications rely upon
utility providers to supply the electricity and/or fuel required
for operation of HVAC equipment. One challenge confronting such
utility providers today is the great variance in total demand on a
network between peak and off-peak times during the day. Peak demand
periods are intervals of very high demand on power generating
equipment or on fuel supply where load shedding may be necessary to
maintain proper service to the network. These periods occur, for
example, during hot summer days occasioned by the wide spread
simultaneous usage of electrical air conditioning devices or during
the coldest winter months in areas where a strong heating load is
required.
[0004] Another characteristic of utility supply and usage (e.g.,
electric and/or fuel usage) is the variance in cost of the utility
being supplied under different conditions. For instance the cost of
providing a utility can increase during peak supply times due to a
variety of conditions. The efficiency of power generation or fuel
supply equipment, limitations in a utility distribution network,
economical cost/demand relationships and other factors all affect
utility costs. In this regard, certain customers are amenable to
relinquishing the control of their utility requirements as a
function of cost, and certain utilities preferably charge for
services as a function of the time at which usage occurs.
[0005] Several basic strategies and devices have been utilized for
controlling HVAC equipment in order to limit the peak power demand
on the power and fuel generating capacity of utility companies. One
such approach involves sending signals from a utility to disconnect
or interrupt the use of certain selected HVAC loads (e.g., air
conditioning compressors) when demand has reached a certain point.
Another approach involves assuming control of a setpoint function
of a thermostat associated with HVAC equipment. The overriding
control functions cause the setpoint to change to use less power or
fuel at times of high demand or high unit cost.
[0006] Such approaches can be implemented for reducing power or
fuel consumption during peak demand times or other times when the
reduction in utility usage is desirable, such as during periods
when the power and/or fuel cost per unit is high. However, typical
energy-reduction implementations involve the installation of
control equipment at the HVAC equipment, such as by directly
coupling a controller to a furnace. This installation of control
equipment has often required that skilled technicians physically
install the control equipment at its location, which also often
required that the technician have access to customer environment
(e.g., access to a customer's home). In addition, typically
installations of this type often require a significant amount of
technician time, which can be expensive.
[0007] Accordingly, the above-discussed issues have been
challenging to the implementation of a variety of devices and
systems involving climate control and particularly involving the
control of HVAC and other equipment in response to price and/or
demand conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] To address the issues described above and others that will
become apparent upon reading and understanding the present
specification, the present invention discloses a system, apparatus
and method for addressing challenges related to equipment control
and related controller installation.
[0009] In accordance with one example embodiment of the invention,
a wireless communications device is configured and arranged to
control energy-consuming equipment in response to both local
control inputs and wireless control inputs received from a gateway.
The local control inputs are received, e.g., at the wireless
communications device using an input device such as a keypad as is
typically used for thermostats. The wireless control inputs
originate from a location remote from the gateway, such as a
utility provider that configures the control information as a
function of one or more of a variety of characteristics or an
end-user sending control inputs via the gateway to remotely control
the energy-consuming equipment. With this approach, the control of
local energy-consuming devices can be effected without necessarily
coupling a controller directly to the energy-consuming devices and,
in some instances, without necessarily accessing premises at which
the energy is consumed. For instance, by wirelessly communicating
between a utility gateway and a thermostat wired to an HVAC system,
the gateway does not necessarily have to directly couple to the
HVAC system.
[0010] In a more particular example embodiment of the present
invention, the wireless communications device includes a thermostat
and circuitry for providing control signals to HVAC equipment
using, for example, conventional wired connections commonly used in
thermostat applications. The thermostat includes a keypad type
device for receiving user inputs at the thermostat for use in
controlling the climate in an environment. A wireless transceiver
at the wireless communications device communicates with the gateway
for passing signals between the gateway and the thermostat, with
signals received from the gateway being used to control the HVAC
equipment. As with the example embodiment discussed above, this
approach facilitates the control of HVAC equipment with control
signals sent via the gateway and without necessarily coupling the
gateway directly to the HVAC equipment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Various example embodiments of the invention are described
in connection with the embodiments illustrated in the following
diagrams.
[0012] FIG. 1 is an HVAC controller adapted to wirelessly
communicate with a gateway for controlling HVAC equipment,
according to an example embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is system showing a user dwelling with an HVAC system
and controller responsive to a utility gateway, according to
another example embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram for controlling an HVAC system with
signals sent via a gateway, according to another example embodiment
of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a radio frequency (RF) thermostat base arrangement
adapted to couple to a thermostat and to wirelessly communicate
with a gateway for passing signals between the gateway and the
thermostat, according to another example embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 shows a system including a gateway adapted to
communicatively couple to a plurality of thermostats located in
different environments and to pass signals between a utility signal
source and the plurality of thermostats, according to another
example embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 is an HVAC system controller configured and arranged
to wirelessly communicate directly with a utility provider,
according to another example embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0018] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram for an installation approach
involving remote utility control, according to another example
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] In the following description, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is
shown by way of illustration particular embodiments in which the
invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other
embodiments may be utilized, as structural and operational changes
may be made without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0020] According to an example embodiment of the present invention,
a system controller installed, e.g., at a user-accessible
controller location wirelessly communicates with a utility gateway
for receiving control signals facilitating external utility control
of an electrical and/or fuel-consuming system. The gateway responds
to input received from a utility company source by wirelessly
sending a control-type signal to the system controller. The system
controller responds to the control-type signal by controlling the
operation of equipment such as a furnace, air conditioner or water
heater, for instance by altering power and/or fuel consumption
thereof. With this approach, utility companies can effect control
of a local system, such as a residential or commercial HVAC system,
without necessarily having to communicate directly with equipment
that uses electricity or fuel supplied by the utility company. In
addition, this control approach is effected via a system
controller, removing any necessity to access the equipment being
controlled for installation purposes or to install an interface
controller at the equipment being controlled.
[0021] The gateway communicates with the utility company using one
or more of a variety of types of communications and communications
systems. For instance, signals sent to the gateway via telephone
lines, wireless telephony systems, paging systems, power lines and
the Internet can all be used by the gateway to generate a wireless
control-type signal. The gateway responds to signals received from
the utility company, for example, by either directly relaying the
signal or processing the signal to create another type of signal
that is sent to the system controller. The gateway also
communicates information received from the system controller to the
utility company, for example to allow the utility company to
monitor the implementation of utility inputs.
[0022] In some instances, different types of communications are
used for different types of signals communicated via the gateway.
For example, a simple paging signal may be broadcast to a plurality
of gateways to initiate an energy-reducing event, with each gateway
correspondingly communicating to system controllers using a local
radio frequency (RF) signal. Outputs from system controllers
communicated by their associated gateways to the utility company
may also use more than one communication type, for example with an
RF signal between the system controllers and a gateway, and a
corresponding wired communication between the gateway and the
utility company.
[0023] The system controller is communicatively coupled to the
equipment being controlled using one or more types of
communications links, such as those typically implemented with
conventional controllers. For instance, the system controller may
include a wall-mounted thermostat wired to a furnace and/or air
conditioner and adapted to receive user inputs (i.e., temperature
set points) for controlling the system. The wall-mounted thermostat
may include, for example, an all-in-one unit with the thermostat
being adapted to wirelessly communicate with the gateway, or a
thermostat connected to a base having wireless capabilities, for
example, as discussed further in connection with FIG. 4.
[0024] The system controller also sends wireless signals including
information about the equipment being controlled to the gateway.
For instance, operational characteristics of an HVAC system can be
sent to the gateway and relayed to the utility company to ensure
that users do not circumvent the utility company's control effected
via the gateway. Such circumvention may be used, in the absence of
such monitoring, to override a reduction in energy consumption
mandated by the utility company. In addition, information for
statistical monitoring of operational characteristics such as
temperature set point and others can be sent to the gateway and
relayed to the utility company. When time of usage is related to
pricing, information regarding the time of consumption can also be
sent to the gateway and relayed to the utility company for use in
pricing the consumption. These and other informative signals are
used for a variety of applications and control implementations
involving the wireless gateway and system controller
arrangement.
[0025] FIG. 1 shows an HVAC controller 100 that communicates with a
gateway 120 via a wireless link 110 to control an HVAC system,
according to another example embodiment of the present invention.
The HVAC controller 100 is located in a user-accessible position,
typically within a dwelling or other environment in which an HVAC
system operates. For instance, the HVAC controller 100 can be used
to replace a conventional wall-mounted thermostat. In this regard,
the HVAC controller 100 can be powered either by wiring to a power
supply (e.g., as would be done with a conventional thermostat) or
with a battery. When used in place of a conventional wired
thermostat, communications between the HVAC controller 100 and an
HVAC system use the conventional thermostat wiring that couples the
HVAC controller to an internal control circuit for the HVAC system
(e.g., a printed circuit board enclosed in a furnace). The gateway
120 communicates with a utility company 140 via a communications
link 130 (e.g., telephone line, power line or wireless link) for
receiving control signals from and for sending information to the
utility company.
[0026] The HVAC controller 100 includes a wireless communications
circuit 1112, such as an RF transceiver adapted to communicate
between coupled a data link 1115 (e.g., local bus) and the gateway
120. The communications circuit 112 is matched with a similar
communications circuit at the gateway 120 (e.g., with both
employing matched RF transceivers). When the HVAC controller 100 is
battery powered, the wireless communications circuit 112 is
optionally adapted to enter a low-power mode when not
communicating. A thermostat processor 114 (e.g., a microcontroller)
processes information received via the data link 115 from an input
device 111, temperature sensor 110 and the wireless communications
circuit 112. Information including HVAC control information is
displayed at a display device 113 as a function of the thermostat
processor 114. The thermostat processor 114 further sends
information via the data link 115 to the wireless communications
circuit 112 for communicating to the utility company 140 (via
communications links 110 and 130 and gateway 120). Communications
from the HVAC controller 100 to the gateway 120 may include
information regarding characteristics of user intervention, such as
inputs to the HVAC controller to override energy-saving events,
selections made at the HVAC controller and others.
[0027] The thermostat processor 114 typically responds to user
inputs (e.g., temperature set points and other HVAC control
selections received at the input device 111) and to temperature
signals received from the temperature sensor 110 by sending a
control signal to an HVAC system. User inputs including
configuration information can be stored and used by the thermostat
processor to automatically respond to utility control signals, for
example by comparing the utility control signals to stored inputs
relating to participation in an energy-saving event. Under high
demand, during a price-controlled event or in other instances
warranting external utility control, the utility company 140 sends
utility control signals to the HVAC controller 100. In response,
the thermostat processor 114 sends control signals to the HVAC
system as a function of the utility control signals and/or other
programmed settings or inputs. For instance, in response to high
electrical usage conditions, the utility company 140 may send a
utility control signal to the HVAC controller 100 that instructs
the HVAC controller to reduce power usage. In response to the
utility control signal, the thermostat processor 114 adjusts
control settings for controlling the HVAC system to reduce energy
load. This adjustment may include one or more of a variety of
responses, such as altering a temperature set point input received
via the input device 111 or cycling the HVAC equipment to reduce
its operating time. In addition, adjusting control settings for the
HVAC system may also include using other data, such as user input
data, price tier data or time of day data, when determining or
identifying a particular control setting. Depending upon the
implementation, circuit configuration and available utility company
programs for customer participation, various levels of user control
and HVAC controller operation are executed in this manner.
[0028] When the high utility demand conditions have passed, control
of the HVAC system is released back to the HVAC controller 110. In
one implementation, the utility company 140 sends a signal to the
HVAC controller 110 to release control of the HVAC system back to
the control established by user inputs at input device 111. In
another implementation, the utility control signal sent to the HVAC
controller 100 includes timing information that sets an interval
during which the utility control is to take place. When the timing
interval has passed, control is automatically released to the HVAC
controller 110.
[0029] In some implementations, the wireless communications circuit
112 has a unique identity used in the transmission of signals to
the gateway 120 for identifying the wireless communications circuit
(and, correspondingly, the HVAC controller 100 and system that it
controls). For instance, the gateway 120 may bind to the HVAC
controller 100 by polling for the unique identity of the wireless
communications circuit 112 during an initialization event where the
unique identity is sent to the gateway. During subsequent
communications, the gateway 120 uses the unique identity to direct
signals to the HVAC controller 100; if the unique identity is not
referenced in a particular signal, the wireless communications
circuit 112 can ignore the signal. The unique identity can also be
used by the gateway 120 to identify a particular HVAC controller
100 sending a signal, for example, when reporting information to
the utility company 140. Optionally, the gateway 120 assigns an
identifier to each wireless communications circuit to which it
binds (e.g., after an initialization event as discussed above) and
subsequently uses the assigned identifier to exclusively
communicate with the wireless communications circuit. The use of
such a unique identity and/or assigned identifier facilitates
accurate communications in an arrangement with more than one
wireless device, such as more than one HVAC controller 100.
[0030] In another implementation, the HVAC controller 100 is
adapted to respond to pre-heating or pre-cooling control signals
sent by the utility company 140 in advance of a high-demand event.
The HVAC controller 100 pre-heats or pre-cools an environment to
reduce the effect of the high-demand event in response to the
control signals. For instance, when the HVAC controller 100 is
controlling heating equipment (e.g., a furnace, electric heater or
water heater), the utility company 140 sends a pre-heating signal
to the HVAC controller prior to a high fuel or electrical demand
event. In response, the HVAC controller 100 increases the amount of
heat supplied to increase the temperature in the environment that
the HVAC controller serves. When the high-demand event occurs, the
utility company 140 sends a signal to the HVAC controller 100 to
reduce the heating load exerted on the utility company. Since the
environment has been pre-heated, the drop in temperature in the
environment relative to a temperature set point is reduced.
[0031] In another implementation, the HVAC controller 100 is
adapted to display information at the display device 113 to inform
users of an energy-saving event. In response, users can selectively
chose to participate in the energy saving event via the input
device 111, with the selection being wirelessly communicated to the
gateway 120 via the wireless communications link 110. The utility
company 140 is notified of the participation and responds by
sending a signal to the HVAC controller 100 via the gateway 120 to
reduce power consumption during the energy saving event.
[0032] In another implementation, the HVAC controller 100 is
adapted to display pricing tiers for energy usage. For example, the
utility company 140 may provide price-per-unit information to the
HVAC controller 100 for different times and/or amounts of usage.
The price tier information is displayed at the display device 113
and users can respond via the input device 111 by selecting a price
tier to participate in. Alternatively (or in addition), price tier
acceptance information is stored at the HVAC controller 100 and, in
response to price tier information provided by the utility company
140, the stored price tier acceptance information is used to
automatically accept and participate in the price tier. With these
approaches, users can selectively participate in energy-saving
events offered by the utility company 140.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows a user dwelling 200 (e.g., a house) having an
HVAC system 220 and a water heater 224 both controlled with signals
sent by a wireless gateway 230, according to another example
embodiment of the present invention. The gateway 230 communicates
with a utility (or other) signal source 240, such as a radio
frequency (RF) broadcast tower, the Internet or a telephone line
for sending and receiving signals as described in connection with
the gateway 120 of FIG. 1. A wireless thermostat 210, similar to
the wireless HVAC controller 100 of FIG. 1, receives wireless
information from the gateway 230 for controlling the HVAC system
220. For example, during a high-demand period, signals sent from
the utility signal source 240 to the gateway 230 to reduce energy
consumption (power and/or fuel) at the HVAC system 220 are passed
to the wireless thermostat 210. In response, the wireless
thermostat 210 uses inputs received from the gateway 230 to
override inputs received from users at the wireless thermostat for
controlling the operation of the HVAC system 220. The wireless
thermostat 210 also communicates characteristics of the HVAC system
220 to the gateway 230, for example to facilitate the monitoring of
user inputs at the wireless thermostat or operational
characteristics of the HVAC system 220.
[0034] The water heater 224 is communicatively coupled to the
gateway 230 via either a wired or wireless connection and thereby
receives control signals from the utility signal source 240. In one
implementation, the water heater 224 includes a wireless controller
similar to the controller 100 shown in FIG. 1 and communicates
wirelessly with the gateway 230. In response to wireless signals
received from the gateway 230 and to user inputs received at the
controller at the water heater 224, the controller adjusts the
operation of the water heater. The adjustment may, for example,
include lowering a temperature setting during an energy-saving
event or raising a temperature setting to pre-heat the water prior
to an energy-saving event. User selections made at the water heater
224 and/or operational characteristics thereof are optionally sent
to the utility signal source 240 via the gateway 230 for monitoring
purposes.
[0035] In a more particular implementation, the dwelling 200
includes two or more wireless thermostats including wireless
thermostats 210 and 212, each adapted to wirelessly communicate
with the gateway 230. Each wireless thermostat is selectively
controlled by signals received from the gateway 230 as a function
of programming at the gateway. For example, the gateway 230 can be
programmed to control both wireless thermostats 210 and 212
similarly, with wireless signals sent from the gateway being
received by both thermostats.
[0036] Alternately, the wireless thermostats 210 and 212 can be
programmed differently for different control approaches. For
instance, when a user has different heating or cooling zones in the
dwelling 200, he or she may be more amenable to having certain
zones controlled by signals received via the gateway 230. Heating
or cooling zones for which the maintenance of predefined
temperatures is not as important, such as a basement or garage, may
be prime candidates for facilitating energy reduction. In this
regard, thermostats that control the temperature in these zones are
used to reduce the energy consumption of the HVAC system 220 by
adjusting temperature set points in these zones accordingly.
[0037] In another example embodiment of the present invention, a
gateway facilitates remote control of energy consuming equipment in
an environment by users of the environment. Referring to FIG. 2 by
way of example, a user owner of the dwelling 200 sends control
signals from the signal source 240 to the gateway 230 (e.g., with
the signal source 240 including a user access source, such as the
Internet, via which the user enters control signals). The gateway
230 sends wireless information to the wireless thermostat 210,
which controls the HVAC system 220 in response thereto. With this
approach, users can remotely control HVAC equipment or other
equipment via the gateway, either in addition to or separate from
any utility-based control.
[0038] FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of an approach for controlling
an HVAC system with remote utility signals sent though a wireless
gateway, according to another example embodiment of the present
invention. The approach shown in FIG. 3 may be implemented, for
example, with other embodiments discussed herein such as the
controller shown in FIG. 1 and/or the approach shown in FIG. 2. At
block 310, utility control signals are sent to a local gateway
located within wireless transmission range of a wireless controller
for HVAC equipment. At block 320, the gateway wirelessly
communicates control signals to a wireless HVAC controller, for
example, by directly relaying control signals received at block 310
or by processing the control signals to generate new control
signals for the wireless HVAC controller.
[0039] At block 330, HVAC operational settings are set at the HVAC
controller in response to the control signals, which are selected
to achieve one or more of a variety of control characteristics. For
instance, during peak load times, control signals sent from the
utility company can be selected to set the HVAC controller to
override and/or work with user inputs and to operate the HVAC
system in a reduced consumption mode. Once the peak load time has
passed, control signals indicating so and sent from the utility
company are used to set the HVAC controller to control the HVAC
system as a function of user inputs received at the HVAC
controller. At block 340, these operational settings set in
response to the control signals at the HVAC controller are used to
control HVAC equipment, for example, by supplying control inputs to
the equipment from the HVAC controller. With this approach, the
HVAC equipment is remotely controlled from a utility company
without necessarily accessing the HVAC equipment, facilitating
installation of the on-site control capability with the HVAC
equipment.
[0040] After the HVAC operational settings are set at the HVAC
controller, the HVAC controller sends actual operational
characteristics to the utility company via the gateway at block 350
to assess the control of the HVAC equipment. The reported
operational characteristics are assessed by the utility company at
block 355 and used to send additional utility control signals to
the gateway at block 310. A variety of characteristics can be sent
to the utility company at block 350 and assessed at block 355. For
example, user selections made at the HVAC controller can be
reported back to the utility company to enable active control and
participation in energy savings events. Utility control signals
sent at block 310 can then be tailored to these user selections. As
another example, actual operating conditions of the HVAC equipment
as detected at the HVAC controller (e.g., actual run-time
characteristics) can be sent to the utility company for monitoring
purposes to ensure that users do not circumvent utility control.
Other characteristics, such as the actual temperature of the
environment at which the HVAC controller resides, can also be
reported, assessed and used to send control signals to the gateway.
By controlling the HVAC system via the HVAC controller, these and
other parameters available at the controller but not typically
available at the equipment itself can now be assessed at the
utility company. Alternatively, these actual operating conditions
can be used for statistical purposes, such as for energy planning
and scheduling.
[0041] In another implementation, pricing factors are applied to
utility costs in response to the reported operational
characteristics at block 360. The pricing factors may include, for
example, a time-of-day usage factor or energy saving event factor,
wherein costs for the particular utility being used (e.g.,
electricity or fuel) are assigned as a function of these factors.
For instance, if peak load times for electrical power happen during
mid-afternoon on hot summer days, the utility company may wish to
charge a premium for providing cooling energy during these peak
periods. In this regard, operational characteristics of the HVAC
system that are reported at block 350 via the gateway are used to
assign a price to a portion of the energy use that falls during
this peak period. Characteristics of these pricing factors are
optionally reported back to the HVAC controller via the gateway and
displayed for viewing by users. This approach is readily
implemented, for example, with the approaches discussed above
wherein users can selectively participate in energy-saving events
and/or make other selections sent from the HVAC controller to the
utility company via the gateway.
[0042] FIG. 4 is an RF thermostat base arrangement 410 coupled to a
thermostat 420 and adapted to pass signals between the gateway and
the thermostat, according to another example embodiment of the
present invention. The base arrangement 410 includes an RF
transceiver 412 and a built-in antenna that wirelessly communicate
with the gateway 430, which in turn communicates with a utility
signal source 440. The thermostat 420 includes a keypad 424 and a
display 422 respectively adapted for receiving inputs and for
displaying data. The base arrangement 410 couples to the thermostat
420 to apply control inputs thereto and to receive reporting
characteristics and/or user selections therefrom. Keypad inputs may
include, for example, typical thermostat-type inputs such as
temperature set points for time of day and/or day of week, fan
control inputs, immediate temperature control inputs and others. In
addition, the keypad inputs may include user selections to be
communicated to the utility signal source 440.
[0043] Inputs received via the RF transceiver 412 can be used to
override user inputs received at the keypad 424 in response to an
energy saving event communicated by the utility signal source 440.
For instance, when the thermostat 420 is programmed to be
responsive to the utility signal source for reducing energy usage,
inputs received at the keypad 424 for establishing temperature set
points are overridden to enable the energy saving event to control
the thermostat. In addition, the keypad 424 is optionally adapted
to enable users to opt out of an energy saving event, which returns
control of the thermostat 420 to the user via the keypad 424. In
this instance, the decision to opt out of the event is communicated
to the gateway 430, which sends a corresponding signal to the
utility signal source 440 to inform the utility company of the
decision. Similarly, the thermostat 420 is optionally programmed to
automatically accept or opt out of participation in energy-saving
events as a function of characteristics at the thermostat. For
instance, the thermostat 420 can be programmed to decline
participation in an energy saving event as a function of
temperature sensed at the thermostat (e.g., to prevent freezing or
overheating).
[0044] FIG. 5 shows a utility control system including a gateway
510 adapted to pass signals between a utility signal source and a
plurality of thermostats, according to another example embodiment
of the present invention. The gateway 510 is located within
wireless range of wireless thermostats for each of locations 520,
530, 540, 550 and 560 (e.g., homes, commercial buildings). For
example, when used in residential neighborhoods, the gateway 510
can be located on a telephone pole, on the outside of one of a home
or other useful location. In response to signals received from a
local utility company, the gateway 510 sends a wireless
communication to each of the wireless thermostats 521, 531, 541,
551 and 561. The wireless thermostats respond to the signals from
the gateway 510 by controlling HVAC equipment accordingly, for
example as a function of programmed settings at the wireless
thermostats or other conditions relative to participation of the
locations in utility-based energy consumption control. The wireless
thermostats 521-561 also send wireless information to the gateway
510, which can be used for identifying and monitoring the
thermostats as discussed above.
[0045] Communications between the gateway 510 and each wireless
thermostat may, for example, use a binding process for establishing
proper communications therebetween and for identifying a particular
wireless thermostat for sending and/or receiving signals. Such a
binding process may involve assigning identifiers to each of the
wireless thermostats 521-561, with the gateway 510 using the
individual identifiers, or a range identifier values assigned to
the thermostats, for identifying signals from the wireless
thermostats. For general information regarding wireless
communications and for specific information regarding binding
approaches that may be used in connection with one or more example
embodiments discussed herein, reference may be made to U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______ (HONY.015PA), entitled "Wireless
Association Approach and Arrangement Therefor" filed concurrently
herewith and fully incorporated herein by reference.
[0046] In one implementation, the gateway 510 sends a single RF
signal that is received by each of the wireless thermostats 521-561
in response to signals received from a utility company. The
wireless thermostats respond to the RF signal by controlling energy
consumption at their respective locations as a function of
programming at the particular wireless thermostats. For instance,
when a signal received at the gateway 510 from a utility company
calls for reduced consumption, the gateway responds by sending a
request to reduce consumption to all of the wireless thermostats
521-561. Each wireless thermostat responds in one or more of a
variety of manners, for example, by changing temperature set points
to reduce power consumption, by cycling HVAC equipment or by
ignoring the gateway if a non-participation mode is set.
Operational characteristics of the wireless thermostats and
corresponding HVAC systems that each wireless thermostat controls
are then sent to the gateway 510 for communication to the utility
company. With this approach, individual signals need not
necessarily be tailored for each wireless thermostat to which the
gateway 510 is communicating. However, feedback from each wireless
thermostat in response to the signals can still be individually
obtained and identified.
[0047] In another implementation, the gateway 510 is programmed to
tailor signals for one or more of the wireless thermostats 521-561.
For example, the signals for a particular wireless thermostat can
be tailored to match a particular energy savings plan subscribed to
by the location controlled with the wireless thermostat. Using
wireless thermostat 521 as an example, user selections made at the
wireless thermostat are sent to the gateway 510 and stored for use
in establishing utility control, using binding or another approach
to control communications between the wireless thermostat and the
gateway. These user selections may include, for example, types of
energy savings events to participate in, levels of participation
(e.g., how much of a reduction in energy usage or how many degrees
in temperature set points change when requested) and others. When
the gateway 510 receives signals from a utility company, the
signals are processed as a function of the selections stored at the
gateway for the wireless thermostat 521. A signal is then generated
for and sent to the wireless thermostat 521 as a function of both
the utility company signals and the stored selections. This
approach is also applicable, for example, to the use of multiple
wireless thermostats in a single environment using an approach
similar to that discussed in connection with FIG. 2 above, with
each thermostat having signals tailored specifically for it. In
this regard, individual thermostats in a single environment can be
selectively controlled.
[0048] In another example embodiment, the wireless thermostat 531
is configured and arranged to relay information between the gateway
510 and other HVAC controllers. For instance, when the gateway 510
receives a signal from a utility company for controlling energy,
the signal is passed to the wireless thermostat 531 and
correspondingly relayed to the wireless thermostat 521. Any
response of the wireless thermostat 521 is sent to the wireless
thermostat 531 and relayed to the gateway 510. With this approach,
utility company based energy control can be effected using fewer
gateways, effectively using a relay approach to extend the range of
the gateway 510.
[0049] In another example embodiment, the wireless thermostat 531
includes the gateway 510 and is adapted to communicate directly to
a utility signal source. In addition to controlling HVAC equipment
in the location 530, the wireless thermostat 531 also functions as
the gateway 510 for the wireless thermostats in locations 520, 540,
550 and 560 (and others within range of the gateway). With this
approach, the installation of utility control systems can be
simplified. For instance, when installing such a system in a
neighborhood including locations 520-560, a first location
subscribing to utility energy control can be fitted with a combined
wireless thermostat and gateway. Using location 530 as an example
with wireless thermostat 531 including a gateway, subsequent
installations in the neighborhood that are within communication
range of location 530 are then communicatively coupled to the
wireless thermostat 531. Utility energy control of subsequent
installations in locations 520, 540, 550 and 560 is correspondingly
effected using the wireless thermostat 531 as a gateway, similar to
the approach discussed above using gateway 510 for these
locations.
[0050] FIG. 6 shows a wireless HVAC controller 610 configured and
arranged to wirelessly communicate with a utility provider via a
utility signal source 640 for controlling equipment at user
location 600, according to another example embodiment of the
present invention. The wireless system controller 610 may, for
example, be used in connection with the example embodiment
discussed in connection with FIG. 5 wherein the wireless thermostat
531 includes the gateway 510. The wireless HVAC controller 610
includes a wireless transceiver for communicating with the utility
signal source 640 and with additional wireless HVAC controllers
including wireless thermostats 612 and 651, respectively at user
locations 600 and 650. Using binding or another approach, each
wireless HVAC controller to be controlled with the wireless HVAC
controller 610 is identified for establishing specific
communications and reporting characteristics for each wireless HVAC
controller back to the utility company. The wireless HVAC
controller 610 controls an HVAC system 620 using wired or wireless
connections, for example, as with a conventional thermostat and/or
in a manner similar to that discussed in connection with FIG. 1
above.
[0051] A plurality of energy-consuming devices can be controlled
with the wireless HVAC controller 610. For instance, a water heater
630 is optionally controlled using the wireless HVAC controller 610
as a gateway, with control signals received from the utility signal
source 640 being used to control the water heater. The wireless
HVAC controller 610 is coupled to the water heater 630 using a
wired or wireless link. In one implementation, the wireless HVAC
controller 610 acts effectively as a gateway for communicating with
the water heater 630, as discussed above in connection with FIG. 2
and the gateway 230. In another implementation, the wireless HVAC
controller 610 also controls the water heater 630, for example in
response to user set points input at the wireless HVAC
controller.
[0052] FIG. 7 shows an approach for installing and operating an
HVAC control system, according to another example embodiment of the
present invention. The approach shown in FIG. 7 may be implemented,
for example, to install control systems and to facilitate control
approaches discussed herein. At block 710, a wireless transceiver
is installed at a user-accessible location at a user premises, such
as at a wall-mounted thermostat location. At block 720, an HVAC
controller such as a thermostat is coupled to the wireless
transceiver. A gateway is installed outside of the user premises at
block 730, for example on the exterior of a home or on a local
utility pole. At block 740, the wireless transceiver is bound to
the gateway for establishing communications between the gateway and
the HVAC controller. At block 750, the gateway is communicatively
coupled with a remote utility signal source, for example simply by
powering the gateway and/or by initiating a binding or other
recognition-type process. HVAC equipment control is established at
block 760 with the HVAC controller as a function of signals
received from the gateway via the wireless transceiver. For
instance, temperature set points controlled at block 760 can be
used to control the corresponding operation of the HVAC equipment
via existing wiring to which the HVAC controller is coupled (e.g.,
at block 720). With this approach, utility-based control of HVAC
equipment can be effected using an installation process that is
relatively short and does not necessarily require access to HVAC
equipment.
[0053] The foregoing description of various example embodiments of
the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration
and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and
variations are possible in light of the above teaching. For
example, a wireless controller for a multitude of energy-consuming
appliances can be used in place of the controllers described herein
(e.g., in place of the HVAC controllers). It is intended that the
scope of the invention be limited not with this detailed
description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *