Abstract:
The current application is directed to an intelligent-thermostat-controlled environmental-conditioning system in which computational tasks and subcomponents with associated intelligent-thermostat functionalities are distributed to one or more of concealed and visible portions of one or more intelligent thermostats and, in certain implementations, to one or more intermediate boxes. The intelligent thermostats are interconnected to intermediate boxes by wired and/or wireless interfaces and intelligent thermostats intercommunicate with one another by wireless communications. Wireless communications include communications through a local router and an ISP, 3G and 4G wireless communications through a mobile service provider. Components of the intelligent- thermostat-controlled environmental-conditioning system may also be connected by wireless communications to remote computing facilities.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for initiating a drill by receiving an indication to start a drill. Initiating the drill also includes verifying that a remote device 1400 used to initiate the drill is within proximity of a device 400 used to propagate the drill. Once proximity is verified, the drill is conducted.
Abstract:
Provided is one embodiment of a user interface for interacting with network-connected thermostats through a thermostat management system. The user interface identifies a primary enclosure selected from one or more enclosures associated with a thermostat management account while the remaining enclosures are deemed secondary enclosures. The user interface displays the primary enclosure using a primary enclosure selection appearing as an image of a house in a foreground area of the user interface. Adjacent to the primary enclosure selection are round thermostat selections representing each of the network-connected thermostats in the primary enclosure that display an environmental condition, such as temperature, associated with the primary enclosure also in the foreground area. Secondary enclosure selections, representing enclosures other than the primary enclosure, are visually deemphasized in the background area of the user interface when compared with the primary enclosure selection displayed in the foreground area of the interface.
Abstract:
A thermostat includes a housing, a user interface, and a processing system configured to control an HVAC system using setpoint temperature values. The thermostat may also include a plurality of HVAC connectors configured to receive corresponding HVAC control wires, and a connection sensing module configured to determine the identities of HVAC connectors into which corresponding wires have been inserted. The processing system may be further configured to identify, based on the subset of HVAC connectors, whether (i) only a single possible HVAC system configuration is indicated thereby, or (ii) multiple possible HVAC system configurations are indicated thereby, resolve a particular one of the multiple possible HVAC system configurations that is applicable based on a user response to an inquiry presented on the user interface, and operate the HVAC system according to the HVAC system configuration.
Abstract:
A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system and related systems, methods, and computer program products for facilitating user-friendly installation of the thermostat are described. For one embodiment, automated installation verification is performed by the thermostat by automatically sensing which wires have been inserted, selecting a candidate HVAC operating function {e.g., heating or cooling) that is consistent with a subset of HVAC signal types indicated by the inserted wires, applying control signals to the HVAC system to invoke that HVAC operating function, and processing a time sequence of acquired temperature readings to determine whether that HVAC operating function was successfully carried out. For one embodiment, the initial automated testing of the heating and cooling functions are only carried out at times for which such heating or cooling function would normally be invoked during normal operation of the thermostat. Automated determination of a heat pump call convention is also described.
Abstract:
Aspects of the present invention provide energy conserving communications for networked thermostats powered, in part, by batteries. A thermostat communication server stores a thermostat battery-level to determine what data should be sent to the thermostat. The thermostat communication server classifies types of data to be transmitted to the thermostat according to a data priority ranging from a low-priority to a high-priority data type. If the battery-level associated with the battery on the thermostat is at a low battery-level, the server may only transmit data classified under a high-priority data type. This conserves the power used by the thermostat, allows the battery on the thermostat time to recharge and perform other functions. If the battery-level of the thermostat is at a high level, the server may transmit data to the thermostat classified from a low-priority type to a high-priority data type.
Abstract:
The current application is directed to an intelligent-thermostat-controlled environmental-conditioning system in which computational tasks and subcomponents with associated intelligent-thermostat functionalities are distributed to one or more of concealed and visible portions of one or more intelligent thermostats and, in certain implementations, to one or more intermediate boxes. The intelligent thermostats are interconnected to intermediate boxes by wired and/or wireless interfaces and intelligent thermostats intercommunicate with one another by wireless communications. Wireless communications include communications through a local router and an ISP, 3G and 4G wireless communications through a mobile service provider. Components of the intelligent- thermostat-controlled environmental-conditioning system may also be connected by wireless communications to remote computing facilities.
Abstract:
Provided according to one embodiment is a thermostat having a housing including a forward-facing surface comprising a passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor disposed inside the housing for sensing occupancy in the vicinity of the thermostat. The PIR motion sensor has a radiation receiving surface that detects the lateral movement of an occupant in front of the forward-facing surface. A grille member having one or more openings is also included along the forward-facing surface and placed over the radiation receiving surface of the PIR motion sensor. The grille member is dimensioned to visually conceal and protect the PIR motion sensor disposed inside the housing promoting a visually pleasing quality of the thermostat, while also permitting the PIR motion sensor to effectively detect the lateral movement of the occupant. In one embodiment, the grille member openings are slit-like openings oriented along a substantially horizontal direction.
Abstract:
Provided according to one embodiment is a thermostat having a housing including a forward-facing surface comprising a passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor disposed inside the housing for sensing occupancy in the vicinity of the thermostat. The PIR motion sensor has a radiation receiving surface that detects the lateral movement of an occupant in front of the forward-facing surface. A grille member having one or more openings is also included along the forward-facing surface and placed over the radiation receiving surface of the PIR motion sensor. The grille member is dimensioned to visually conceal and protect the PIR motion sensor disposed inside the housing promoting a visually pleasing quality of the thermostat, while also permitting the PIR motion sensor to effectively detect the lateral movement of the occupant. In one embodiment, the grille member openings are slit-like openings oriented along a substantially horizontal direction.
Abstract:
A user- friendly programmable thermostat is described that includes a central electronic display surrounded by a ring that can be rotated and pressed inwardly to provide user input in a simple and elegant fashion. The current temperature and setpoint are graphically displayed as prominent tick marks. Different colors and intensities can be displayed to indicate currently active HVAC functions and an amount of heating or cooling required to reach a target temperature. The setpoint can be altered by user rotation of the ring. The schedule can be displayed and altered by virtue of rotations and inward pressings of the ring. Initial device set up and installation, the viewing of device operation, the editing of various settings, and the viewing of historical energy usage information are made simple and elegant by virtue of the described form factor, display modalities, and user input modalities of the device.