111111
`
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`
`US 20 130099124A I
`
`(t'J> United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Filson et al.
`
`(54)
`
`INTEGRATING SENSING SYSTEMS INI'O
`TIIEJ{MOS1~\T HOUSING IN MANNEilS
`I'J\CILITATING COMPACT ANI> VISUALLY
`I'I.EASING 1'11\'SICAL CIIAI!ACTF.IUSTICS
`TIIEREOF
`
`(71) Applicwll: Nt!st Luhs, Inc., Palo Atlo, CA (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: .luhn Dcnjumln Filson, Mountain Vit.•w,
`CA (US); Eric D. I>unlcls, East Palo
`Alto, CA (US); Hrhm lluppl, San
`Fr.mcisco, CA (US)
`
`{73) Assignee: NEST LAUS,INC., PaloAho, CA {US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/624,881
`
`(22) Fik'<l:
`
`Scp.21,2012
`
`IMutcd U.S. Applh:utlon I>utu
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/627,996, filed ou Oct.
`21.2011.
`
`BOD~
`
`13~
`
`no> Pub. No.: US 2013/0099124 AI
`Apr. 25, 2013
`(43 ) Pub. Date:
`
`l'uhllcutlnn Clussllicutlclll
`
`(51)
`
`lnt.CI.
`GfJJJ 5/fJS
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`USPC ........................................... 250/34!1; 2501353
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(57)
`
`ADSTIL\CT
`
`An occupancy sensing electronic thcrmostnt is described tl1111
`includes n thcrmostnt body having n curved exterior front
`surface, a dot mutrix displuy mountcc.l within tl1c body vicw(cid:173)
`ublc by u user in front of the front surface, n passive infrared
`sensor for measuring infran."tt energy and a shaped Fresnel
`lcn!l having n smooth outer surf01ce that extend~ ucmss only n
`portion of the: exterior front surface of the thermost01t body.
`'l11e Fresnel lens is slt:l(ll.'<l and curved so as to conform to and
`form a part of the curved exterior front surfucc of the thermo(cid:173)
`stat body. A second downwardly dirt.:-cted passive infrared
`sensor can also be provid~o'tl to aid in the detection of an
`uppn1uching user who intends to intcro~ct with tl1e thermostat.
`
`/
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 25, 2013 Sheet 2 or 19
`
`US 2013/0099124 A1
`
`NESTIPARTNER(S}
`
`ENGINES:
`··STATISTICS
`•• INFERENCES
`-INDEXING
`
`208
`
`206
`
`164
`
`204
`
`CHARITIES
`
`222
`
`GOVERNMENTS
`
`ACADEMIC
`INSTITUnONS
`
`226
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`BUSINESSES
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`228
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`UTILITIES
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`230
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 25,2013 Sheet 3 of19
`
`US 2013/0099124 A1
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`r--------""""' EX:
`EXTRINSIC INFORMATION
`- WEJI THER FOR~CAST
`(e.g., FROM INTERNET)
`-PRICES
`L----...------1 -NEIGHBORHOOD/HOME INFORMATION
`
`316
`
`206
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`PROCESSING
`ENGINE
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`DS =DATA SOURCE
`DC= DATA CONSUMER
`SS = SERVICE SOURCE
`SC =SERVICE CONSUMER
`
`DEVICES
`EX.
`-LIGHTS, HVAC, WATER CONTROLLERS/SENSORS
`-HOM~ APPLIANCES
`- SMOKE/CO/HAZARD SENSORS/ALARMS
`
`FIG. 3
`
`4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 25, 2013 Sheet 4 of 19
`
`US 2013/0099124 Al
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 25, 2013 Sheet 5 of 19
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`US 2013/0099124 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Apr. 25, 2013 Sheet 6 of 19
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`US 2013/0099124 Al
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Apr. 25, 2013 Sheet 7 of 19
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`US 2013/0099124 A1
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`514
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 25, 2013 Sheet 8 of 19
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`US 2013/0099124 A1
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`y
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 25, 2013 Sheet 10 of 19
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Apr. 25, 2013 Sheet 11 of 19
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`US 2013/0099124 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 25, 2013 Sheet 12 of 19
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`US 2013/0099124 A 1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Apr. 25, 2013 Sheet 13 of 19
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`US 2013/0099124 Al
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 25, 2013 Sheet 14 of 19
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`US 2013/0099124 A1
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`FIG. 7A
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 25, 2013 Sheet 15 of 19
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`Apr. 25, 2013 Sheet 16 of 19
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`US 2013/0099124 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 25, 2013 Sheet 17 of 19
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 25,2013 Sheet 18 of 19
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`US 2013/0099124 Al
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 25, 2013 Sheet 19 of 19
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`US 2013/0099124 A 1
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`

`

`US 2013/0099124 A 1
`
`Apr. 25, 2013
`
`I~TEGIL\TING SE~SING SYSTEMS llliTO
`TIIEitMOSli\T HOUSING IN MAN!'iERS
`F,\CILITATI~G COMP,\CT ANI> VISUALLY
`PLEASING PHYSICAL CIIAIL\CTEIUSTICS
`Tllli:n.EOF
`
`(OIHIIJ This application claims the bem:fit of the commonly
`assigned U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 61/627,996 fih.'<l Oct, 21, 201 I,
`which is inCOI'JIOr.lted by rclcrcnce herein.
`
`FIELD
`
`(0002) 11tis ratt.'llt SflL'Cification relates to systems, meth·
`ods, and rehlled comruter rrosram rroducts for the monitor(cid:173)
`ing and control of energy-consuming systems or other
`resource-consuming systems. More rarticularly, this ratent
`specification relates to an occupancy sensing thermostat hav(cid:173)
`ing an external housing with motion detection components
`intLl!J'UtL>d thert.with.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`(0003(
`In designing n wall·mountt.>d thermostat, it is dcsir(cid:173)
`ubh: to have a thermostat that has a visually pleasing, smooth,
`sleek and rounded exterior appear.1nce while ~:tt the swne time
`including one or more sensors for detecting occuruncy and/or
`users. It is also desimble not to have visible front facing vents
`or grilles.
`It is to be UflflTL'Ciated that although exemplury
`[0004[
`embodiments nrc presented herein for the particular context
`of IIVAC sysh:m control, there arc n wide variety of other
`resource usage contexts for which the t.'lllbodiments nrc
`readily applicable including, but not limitL-d to, water usage,
`air usage, the usuge of other nutuml resources, and the usugc
`of other (i.e., non-I·IVAC-relatL-d) forms of energy, us would
`be apparent to the skilled anis~:tn in vit.'W of the prt.'Sent dis·
`closure. ·nterefore, such aprlication of the embodiments in
`such other resource usage contexts is not nutsi de the scope n f
`the present te:1chings.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`(OliOS( Accortling to um: or more embodiment~ ban uccu(cid:173)
`rancy sensing ek>ctronic thermostat is described that
`includes: a thermostat body having a curved exterior front
`surli1ce: n dot m:urix display mounted within the body view(cid:173)
`able by a userin front of the front surface; u passive infrared
`sensor for measurins infrared energy; a shaped Fresnel lens
`member having a smooth outer surface that extends across
`only u portion of tlu: exterior front surface of the thermoswt
`body, the Fresnel lens member being shapL-d nnd curved so us
`to confomt to and form a J"lrl of the curved exterior front
`surfi•ce of tlu: thermostat body, the Fresnel lens member
`including at least one Fresnel lens portion comprising a rlu(cid:173)
`rality of lhcets formt.-d on an interior surface of the Fresnel
`lens member to focus infrurt.-d energy onto the rassive infr<~~
`rL-d sensor, and il microprocessor prOgrllllliUL'I.! to detect occu·
`rancy bused at least in rart on measurements made by the
`passive infmrcd sensor.
`(01106(
`.'\ceurdiug to sume embodiments, the frt.-snellens
`member includes a plurality o f lenslets, each of which is o
`fresnel lens having facets formed on the inner surfucc of the
`Fresnel lens member. l11e thennostat can he wall mount;• hie,
`and the Fresnel lens member cun be mount~o.>d beneath the dot
`matrix display such that it is below the display \\'hen the
`thennostat is mountL-d on u wuJ J_ Accortling to some embodi •
`
`ments, the thermostat body is disk-shnped, and wherein the
`curvt.-d exterior front surface is spherical and has a rJdius of
`curvature of greater than l 00 mm.
`(01107[ According to some embodiments, the themtostat
`inc tudes a SL>cond passive infrMt.-d sensor for measuring infra·
`red energy, and the fresnel lens member is shaped and the
`st.>cond passive infrared sensor is positioned such that it is
`provided with a substantially downwartlly directed field of
`view when the thermostat is wall mnunted. ·nlC microproces(cid:173)
`sor can detect an appro~:tching user that will likely directly
`interact with thermostat busL-d at least in part on the measure(cid:173)
`ments mode by the second passive infmred sensor.
`(0008( According to some embodiments, a tcmpcrJture
`sensor is positiont.-d behind the Fresnel lens member, for
`making temperature m~o."asurcments us~o.>d for u calculation of
`ambient tempemturc. A second temper.1turc sensor can also
`be provided that is positiont.-d within the tbcrmostnt body in a
`location closer to one or more heat generating comronents
`within the thermostat body, such that accurate ambient tem(cid:173)
`perature can be cnlculuted bused on u comparison between
`measurements from two temperature sensors.
`(0009) According to some embodiments, un occupancy
`sensing electronic thermostat for controlling an IIVAC sys(cid:173)
`tem within an enclosure is described, which includes a first
`passive infrared sensor mountL-d within the thermostat so as to
`measure infrared energy tending to indicate occupancy
`within the enclosure; a second passive infmred sensor
`mount~o.-d within the thermostat so as to measure infrared
`energy tending to indicate a user is likely to intemct with the
`thermostat; and one or more energy consuming thermostat
`components (such as microprocessors, a display and/or rudio
`communication components) that lmvc ~:tctive and inactive
`states, the one or more components consuming less energy
`the imtctivc states than the active states, wherein the trwtsition
`from inactive to active sh1tes is bused on measurements from
`the second J"lSsive infrurL>d sensor. According to some
`embodiments the second passive infmrcd sensor mountt.-d
`above the first passive infrared sensor, and the SL'COnd passive
`infrared sensor is tilted downwards so as to enhance dett.>ction
`of an approaching user.
`It will be appTL>ciuted that these h)'Stems und mcth·
`[00 I 0]
`ods arc novel, us nrc upplicalions thereof and many of the
`components, systems, methods and algorithms employed and
`included therein. It should be appreciaiL'<I that embodiments
`of the presently dcscribt.-d inventive body of work can be
`implemented in numerous ways, including us processes,
`apparnt~:t, systems, dt.'ViCL"S, methods, computer readable
`media, computational algorithms, embL-ddcd or distributed
`software and/or as a combination thereof. Several illustrative
`embodiments arc described below.
`
`BRIEr:' DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`(0011[ Tite inventive body of \\'ork will be readily under(cid:173)
`stood by referring to the following dctailL'<I description in
`conjunction with the uccompunying dmwings, in whiclt:
`(0012] FIG. 1 illustmtcs an example of a sman home envi(cid:173)
`ronment within wltich one or more of the d<.'Vices, methods,
`systems, services, and/or computer pmgmm products
`described further herein can be applicable;
`(111113) FIG . 2 illustr.ltes a network-level view of an exten·
`sible devices and services platfomt with which the sman
`home oiTlG. 1 can be int~o.>grJtcd, according to someembodi·
`ments;
`
`21
`
`

`

`US 2013/0099124 AI
`
`Apr. 25,2013
`
`2
`
`(U014( FIG. 3 illustrntes no nbstrnctL-d functional viL'W of
`the extensible devices and services platform of FIG. 2,
`according to some embodiments;
`(01115( FIG. 4 is u schematic diagram of an HV.-\C system,
`according to some embodiments;
`(01116( FIGS. 5A-5D illustrnte a thermostat having u visu(cid:173)
`ally plc-.tsing, smooth, siLock und rounded exterior uppc:mmcc
`while at the same time including one or more sensors for
`detL'Cti ng occup:mcy and/or users, according to some embodi·
`ments·
`(OIIl7j FIGS. 6A-6B illuslrate exploded front and rear per·
`spective viL'WS, rcspL-ctivcly, of a themtostut with respL'Ct to its
`two main components, according to some embodiments;
`(011181 FIGS. 6C-6D illustr.ttl: exploded front and rear per·
`spective viL'WS, respL'Ctivcly, of the head unit with rcspL-ct to
`its primary components, according to some embodiments;
`(011191 FlUS. 6E-6F illustrnte exploded front and rear per·
`spective viL'WS, respL-ctivcly, of the head unit frontal assembly
`with respect to its primary components, according to some
`embodiments;
`(002111 FIGS. 6G-6H illustr.lle explodt:d front and rear per·
`spcctive viL"WS, respL-ctivcly, of the buck plate unit with
`respect to its primary components, according to some
`embodiments;
`(110211 FIGS. 7A· 713 show front and rear pcrspL-ctive views,
`rL'Spectively, of :1 passive infrared sensor board, according to
`some embodiments;
`JIIU22I FIGS. 7C· 7D show front and rear pcrspL-ctiw views,
`respectively, of u Fresnel lens, according to some embodi·
`ments.
`(011231 FIGS. 7E-7F area side view and cross SL'Ction viL'W,
`respectively, showing the relative positioning of passive
`infrared sensors and a fresnel lens, according to some
`embodiments;
`100241
`fiGS. 8A-8B arc di01grams illustmting consider·
`ntions in designing forward looking und downward looking
`passive infmrcd sensor fi~:lds of vi~'W, according to some
`embodiments;
`(00251
`fiGS. !JA-9C show further detail of dL'Sign consid·
`emtion for a Fresnel lens, according to some embodiments;
`und
`100261 FIGS. lOA-lOB arc perspective and cross-sL-ction
`viL•ws, rL'SpL-ctivcly, showing a t~mpcmture sensor mounted
`on u daughter board and thermally coupled to the Fresnel lens,
`according to some cmbodimt:nts.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`(00271 1l1e subject mutter of this patent specificution
`rclatL'S to the subject matter of the following commonly
`ussignL-d applications, each of which is incorpomtcd by ref·
`ercnce herein: U.S. Ser. No. 13fl 99,1081i1L-d Aug. 17, 2011;
`U.S. Scr. No. I ] /4fifi,026 fik-d May 7, 2012; :md lntcmutional
`Application Ser. No. PCT/US 12/00007 filed Jan. 3, 2012. '!11c
`subject matter o fthis p••lent specilication further rclat~'S to the
`subject mutter of the commonly assigned U.S. Scr. No.
`~ (.'\tty Dkt. 94021-NES0232 -853004 ), entitled ... Iller·
`mostal With Ring-Shaped Control Member" filed even dute
`h~:rcwith. which is incorpurutcd by refl:n:nce herein. Tht:
`subject mnttcrofthis patent specification furthcrrclutes to the
`subject matter of the commonly assigned U.S. Scr. No.
`_
`_
`(A tty Dkt. 94021-NES02~6-8530 12), entitiL-d "Titer(cid:173)
`mostat With Wiring Terminals ConfigurL-d for Sputiul Com·
`pactness and E01sc of Wire Installation" fiiL-d even date here·
`\~ith, which is incorpor.ucd by reference herein. l11c ubovc·
`
`referenced pillent aprlications an: collectively rcfen:nccd
`herein as "the commonly ussignL'<i incorpor.tt\.-d upplica·
`tions."
`J0028I A detailed description of the inventive body of work
`is provided herein. While several embodiments arc described,
`it should be understood that the inventive body of work is not
`limitL-d to any one embodiment, but instead encompasses
`numerous altcmntivcs, modifications, and L'qlliV:Jicnts. In
`addition, while numerous specific details arc set forth in the
`following description in order to provide a thorough under·
`standing of the inventive body of work, some embodiments
`cun bt: pro~cticL-d without sum&: or ull of these details. More·
`over, for the purpose of clarity, certain t\.'Chnical material that
`is known in the related art has not b~:en describL-d in detail in
`order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the inventive body of
`work.
`(00291 As usL-d herein the term "HVAC" includes systems
`rmviding both heating and cooling, heating only, cooling
`only, us well us systems that provide other occupant comfort
`and/or conditioning Jimctionality such as humidification,
`dehumidification and ventilation.
`(00301 As used hen:in the terms power "harvesting," "shar(cid:173)
`ing" and "stculing" when referring to HVAC thcnuostats all
`refer to thermostats that urc designed to derive power from the
`pow~:r tmnsli.mner through tht: equipment lund without using
`a direct or common wire source dirL'Ctly from thetr.msformer.
`(00311 As used herein the term "residcntial"wh~:n referring
`to an HVAC systl.!m means u type of HV.-\C system thut is
`suitable to heat, cool WJdlor otherwise condition the interior
`of a building that is primarily used as a single family dwelling.
`An example of a cooling system that would be considered
`residential would have a cooling capacity ofless than about5
`tons of reliigeration (!ton of rcliigL'I'lltion·• l2,000 Btu/h).
`J0032I As used herein the term "light commercial" when
`referring to an HVAC system means a type ofHVAC system
`that is suitable to heat, cool and/or otherwise condition the
`interior of u building that is primarily usL'<i for commercial
`purpusL"S, but is ofu sizt: und construction that u rL"Sidential
`HVAC system is considered suitable. An cxump le of a cooling
`system that would be considerL-d residential would huve a
`cooling capacity of less than about 5 tons of refrigeration.
`(11033] As used herein the term "thL'Tillnstat" means a
`device or system for regulating par.tmeters such us tempera·
`lure and/or humidity within at leastu part of an cnc Iesure. 1l1e
`term "thermostat" may include a control unit for u heating
`and/or cooling system or a compont:nt pan of a heater or air
`conditioner. As used herein the term "thcmtostut" can also
`refer gcner.tlly to u vcrsutil~: St:nsing und control unit (VSCU
`unit) that is configured and udu~tL-d to pmvidc sophistic<ltcd,
`customized, energy-saving J-IVAC control functionality while
`at the same time being visually appealing, non-intimidating,
`elegant to behold, and delightfully easy to usc.
`(UOJ4]
`fiG. 1 illustmtes un example of a smart home envi(cid:173)
`ronment within which one or more of the devices, methods,
`systems, services, and/or computer progro~m products
`dL'Scribcd further herein can be applicable. TI1e dc~ictL'<i
`smart home environment includes a structure 150, which can
`include, e.g., a huus~:, offic~: building, gurug~:, or mobile
`home. It will be appTL-ciatcd that devices can also he intc·
`gmted into a smart home environment that docs not include an
`entire structure 150, such as an apartment, condominium, or
`office space. Further, tbe smun home environment can control
`und/or be couplt:d to devices outside of the actual structure
`150. lndcL-d, scver.d devices in the smart home environment
`
`22
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`

`US 2013/0099124 A1
`
`Apr. 25, 2013
`
`3
`
`need not physically be within the stmctun: 1511 at all. For
`exumple, a dt..'Yice controlling a pool hemer or irri~tion sys·
`tem can be locllted outside ofth.: structun: 1511.
`l11e depictt..'tl structun: 1511 includ.:s a plurality of
`JIMI3SJ
`rooms 152, separo~tc:d ut lc:tst partly from each other via walls
`154. ·n1.: walls 154 can include interior walls or exterior
`walls. Each mom cun furth.:r include a floor 156 und u ceiling
`158. Dt.."Viccs can be mounted on, integr.Jted with uncJior sup·
`ported by u wall154, floor or ceiling.
`(00361 Tiu: smort home dt..1'ictt..'tl in FIG. I includes o plu·
`r.Jiity of dc:vict..os, including intc:lligt..'lll, multi-sensing, net·
`work·cotmt..'Ctl.-d dt..'Yices that can intt..-grate scumlt..'Ssly with
`each other ancJ/or with cloud-based server systems to provide
`uny of a varic:ty of useful smart home objl.'Ctives. One, more or
`each of the devices illustr.ued in the smart home environment
`and/or in the figun: cun include one or man: sensors, o user
`interfuce, o power supply, a communications component, a
`modulurity unit und intelligent suftwure us described herein.
`Examples of devices an: shown in FIG. J.
`100371 An intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected
`thennostat 102 cun dett..oct ambient climate characteristics
`(e.g., tempcr.Jture ancJ/or humidity) und control n heating,
`ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system 103. One or
`more intelligent, network·cOJmt..'Ctl.'tl, multi-sensing h,,znrd
`dett..'Ction units 104 can de!L'ct the presence of a huzardous
`substance nndlor a hazardous condition in the home environ·
`ment (e.g., smoke, fire, or curbon monoxide). One or more
`intelligent, multi-sc:nsing, network-c.:onnL'Ctt..'tl c:ntrywuy
`interfuce dt.."Vices 1116, which cun be lenned a "smurt door·
`bell", can detect n person's approach to or dt..1'orture from a
`location, contn>l nudible functionality, announce a person's
`approach or dcpanure via :mdio or visuul mc:tns, or control
`settings on a security system (e.g., to nctivmeordenctivate the
`st.."Cllrity system).
`100381 Euch ofn plurnlity ofintclligent, multi-sensing, net·
`wurk-cunnt..'Ctcd wall light switches 108 cun detect umbient
`lighting conditions, detect mom-occupancy stoles and con·
`trot a power unci/or dim state of one or mon: lights. In some
`inslllnccs,light switches 1118 can li1nher or nltemativdy con(cid:173)
`trol a power stute or spt..'l.>d of a fan, such us u ceiling fun. Each
`of a plurnlity of intelligt..'lll, multi-sensing, nL'lwork-con·
`nLocted wull plug interfoccs 110 cun dctt..'CI occupuncy of n
`room or enclosure ;md control supply of power to one or more
`wall plugs (e.g., such that power is not suppliL>d to the plug if
`nobody is at home). Titc smart home may further include a
`plurality of intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connt..octed
`uppliunces 112, such us refrigerntors, stoves unci/or ovens,
`televisions, washers, dryers, lights (inside nndlor outside the
`structun: I SO), sterL'OS, intercom systems, gurngc-door open·
`ers, noor funs, ceiling fans, whole-hous.: funs, woll air con·
`ditioncrs, pool heaters Jl4, irri~tion systl.'ffiS 116, 5\.'CUrity
`systems (including Sl.'CUrity system components such as cam·
`ems, molion detectors and window/door sensors), and so
`forth. While descriptions of FIG. 1 can identify specific sen·
`sors and functionulities associated with specific devict..'S, it
`will be upprl.'Ciutt..>d thut any of u variety of sensors und func(cid:173)
`tionalitics (such ns those describt..'tl throughout the spt..ocilicn·
`lion) cun be intl.'gnltt..>d into the device.
`In udditinn to containing rmcessing and Sl.'!lSing
`(IMI39J
`capabilities,cachofthcdt.."Vices 102,104,106, 1(18, 110,112,
`114 :md 116 can be ciipiible of data communiciltions and
`information sharing with uny other of the dwict..os 102, 104,
`I 06, 1118, 1 111, 112, 1 14 und 1 16, us wcll i!S to any cloud server
`or uny other device thut is network-connectt..>d unyw here in the
`
`world. 'llte devict..'S can send and n:ceive communicmions via
`nny of n variety of custom or st::mdard wireless protocols
`(Wi-Fi, ZigBee, 6LoWPAN, etc.) nndlor any of a vark'ly of
`custom or stundurd win:d protocols (CAT6 Ethc..'fnet, Home·
`Plug, etc.).1l1e wall plug interfaces 110 can serve as win: less
`or wired n:pcntcrs, undlor cun function as bridgcs between (i)
`devicc:s plugl!c..'tl into AC uutlets uncJ communicuting using
`I lomt..1'lug or other power line rmtm:ol, und (ii) devict..'S that
`not plugged into AC outlets.
`(00401
`f or l.'Xample, a first dL'Yice can communicute with u
`st..'Cond dc:vice via o wircless muter I 60. A device cun further
`communicate with remote devices vio a connection to a net(cid:173)
`work, such as the lntem.:t 162. Titrough the Internet 162, the
`dt..'Yice can communicate with 11 centr.d sc..'f\ler or 11 cloud(cid:173)
`comruting system 164. Tite centrnl server or cloud-comput·
`ing system 164 can be associated with a manufocturer, sup(cid:173)
`port entity or service provider nssocintl.'tl with the device. For
`one embodiment, a user may he able to contact customer
`suprort using a device itself rather than needing to usc other
`communication means such as a telephone or Internet-con·
`nt..'Ctcd computer. Further, software urdutes can be automati·
`colly sent from the cl.'lltro~l server or cloud-computing system
`164 to dt.."Vices (e.g., when avniluble, when purclwsL'tl, or ut
`routine intervals).
`(00411 By virtue of network connectivity, one or more of
`the smart·homcdcvict..-s of FIG. 1 can further ullow u user to
`interact with the dl."Vice even if the user is not proximate to thc
`dt..'Yice. Fnr t..'Xumple, a user can communicate with a device
`using a computer (e.g., o desktop computer, laptop computer,
`or tablet) or otht..'f portable elL'Ctronic device (e.g., u smart·
`phone). A webpoge or upp con be configured to n.oceivc com·
`munications from the user unci control the device based on the
`communications undlor to present infonnation about the
`dt..'Vice'£ orcrdtion to the U£er. For example, the uscr cun view
`a curn:nt setroint tcmper.Jtun: for a device und udjust it using
`a computer. ·nte user can be in the structun: during this remote
`communication or outside the stn1cture.
`)01142] The smart home alsn can include a vuriety of non·
`communicating legacy appliances 140, such as old conven·
`tiona) washer/dryers, rc!Hgl.'r.ltors, and the like which can be
`controlled, albL'it coarsel>· (ON/OFF), by virtue of the wall
`plug interfaces 110. Tite smart home cun further include a
`variety of pnrtiully communicating legacy appliances 142,
`such us IR-controlled wall air conditioners or other IR·con(cid:173)
`trollcd dcvict..'S, which can be controllt..'tl by IR signals pro·
`vided by the huzard detection units 104 or the light switches
`108.
`(01143] FIG. 2 illustmtes n network-level view of an exten(cid:173)
`sible devices und Sl.'fViccs platfonn with which the smart
`home of FIG. 1 can be intcgrnted, according to some embodi(cid:173)
`ments. Euch of the intelligent, nctwork-connt..'Ctt..'tl devices
`from FIG. I can cornmunicute with one or more remote
`ccntrul servers or cloud computing systems 164. The com·
`munication can be enabled by establishing connection to the
`Internet 162 either din:ctly (lor example, using 3G/4G con(cid:173)
`nc..'Ctivity to u wireless currier), though a hubbt..'tl network
`(which can be scheme rnnging from a simple wireless router,
`for t..'Xumple, up to and including un intelligent, dedicutt..>d
`whole-home control node), or through any combinution
`then:of
`11111441 The: central server or cloud-computing system 164
`cun cc.Jllect opcro~tion duta 202 from II!C smun home devicL'S.
`ror cxamrlc, the devices can routinely transmit opcrJtion
`dutu or cw1 trunsmit opemtion dutu in srccific instances (e.g.,
`
`23
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`

`

`US 2013/0099124 Al
`
`Apr. 25, 2013
`
`4
`
`when requesting customer support). 'I11c central server or
`cloud-computing architecture 164 c1m further provide one or
`more services 204. The services 204 can include, e.g., son(cid:173)
`ware update, customer support, sensor datu collection/log·
`ging, remote access, remote or distributed control, or usc
`suggestions (e.g., bas1.'tl on col11.octcd operation dota 204 to
`improve performance, reduce utility cost, etc.). Datu associ·
`a ted with the services 204 can be ston.'tl at the central server or
`cloud-computing system 164 and the central server or cloud(cid:173)
`computing system 164 can retrieve and transmit the data at an
`appropriate time (e.g., at regular intervals, upon receiving
`r1.-qucst from a user, etc.).
`[0045) One salient feature of the described extensible
`devices and services platform, us illustr.ued in FIG. 2, is o
`processing engines 206, which can be concentr'Jicd uta single
`server or distribuh.'tl among SL'Veral di!Tcrent computing enti·
`tics without limitation. Processing engin1.'S 206 con include
`engines cunfigUrL'tito receive dllta from a set of devices (e.g.,
`via the Internet or a hubbL'ti network), to indL'X the datu, to
`analyze the data and/or to generate sunistics based on the
`analysis or us ran of the analysis. The nnaly7.cd datu can be
`stored us derived d:ua 208. Results of the analysis or statistics
`can thereuftcr be transmitted back to 11 dL'Vicc providing ors
`datu us1.'tl to derive the rc.~u\ts, to other devic~o:s, to n server
`rruviding a webpugc to a uscr of thc dcvi~.:c, or to othcr
`non-device entities. For cxnmple, usc statistics, usc stutistics
`relative to usc of other devices, usc patterns, and/or statistics
`summarizing sensor rcadings c;m he tmnsmitted. The results
`or statistics can be provided via the Internet 162. In this
`manner, rroccssing engines 2116 can be conllgurcd and pro·
`gmmmcd to derive a variety of useful infomtution from the
`operntional datu obtuinL'ti from the smart home. A single
`server cun include one or more engines.
`'lb~: derived dma can be highly beneficial at a variety
`[01146[
`of di!Tcrent granularities for u variety of useful purposes,
`ranging from explicit progrmnm1.'tl control of the devices on u
`per-home, pcr-ncighborhoo<.l, or per-region busis (for
`example, dcmand-rl!spunsc progr.1ms fur eii.'Ctrical utilities),
`to the gcncrntion of inferential abstractions that can ussist on
`a per-home basis (for example, an inference c:m be drown that
`the homL'OWncr has 1~:1\ for vacation and so sccoritv detection
`equipment can be put on heightened sensitivity), to the gcn·
`crntion of statistics und ussociatL'ti inlcrL'Dtial ubstro.~ctions
`that con be us"'tl for government or chnrituble purposes. For
`example, processing cngillL'S 2 06 can gcncmte statistics about
`dc..'Vice usage across a population of devices and send the
`statistics to device users, service providers or other entities
`(e.g., that have r1.-quested or may have provided m<tnelary
`compens:nion lor the statistics). As spccilic illustrntions, sta·
`tistics can be trunsmincd to clmritiL'S 222, govcrruncntnl cnti·
`tics 224 (e.g., the Food und Drug Administration or the Envi·
`ronmcntul l'rotL'Ctiun Agency), academic institutions 226
`(e.g., university researchers), businesses 2211 (e.g., providing
`d1.'Vicc warmntk>s or service to rclntL'tl L'qUipment), or utility
`companies 2311. These eotiti1.-s can usc the data to form ru·n·
`gro.~ms to reduce energy usage, to rr1.'Cmptivcly service faulty
`equipment, to J'lrLjnlre fur higlt service demands, to tr:tck pnst
`service perfonnancc, etc., or to perform nny of u variety of
`bcnclicial functions or tasks now known or hereinaftcrdevcl(cid:173)
`opl.'tl.
`1110471 FIG. 3 illustrates an :tbstmctl.'tl functional vi1..'W of
`the extensible devices and services platform of FIG. 2, with
`particular reference to the processing engine 206 us well as
`the devic1.'S of the smart home. Even though the dL'Viccs
`
`situated in the smnrt home will have :m endless v:uiety of
`di!Tercnt individual carabilitics und limitations, they can all
`be thought of as sharing common churnctLoristics in that each
`of them is u dutn consumer 302 (DC), u datu source 304 (DS),
`a services consumer 306 ( SC), and a services source 308 (SS).
`Advantugcously, in uddition to providing the essen tin I control
`infunnution ne1.'tlcd fur the devices to uchicvc thcir local und
`immediate objectives, the extensible devices and services
`platform can also be configured to harness the large amount of
`data that is J1owingoutofthi.'Sedcviccs.Jnaddition \0 enhanC•
`ing or optimizing the actual operation of the d1.'Viccs them·
`selves with rL'SpL'CI to their immL'tiinte functions,