`
`
`
`1111111111111111111011111111011!!!1!11111111,14111111111111111111111111111111111
`
`
`
`
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0194456 Al
`Sep. 8, 2005
`Tessier et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) WIRELESS CONTROLLER WITH GATEWAY
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Patrick C. Tessier, Oakdale, MN (US);
`Jeffrey S. Hartzler, Minnetonka, MN
`(US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Honeywell International, Inc.
`Patent Services Group
`101 Columbia Road
`Morristown, NJ 07962 (US)
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`10/792,027
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 2, 2004
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. C1.7
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`
`GO5D 23/00
`236/51
`
`(57)
`
`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 execut-
`ing 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-consump-
`tion control. For instance, when used in connection with a
`controller wired to the energy-consuming equipment, the
`gateway need only communicate wirelessly with the con-
`troller 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.
`
`100
`
`D
`A
`T
`
`L
`
`N
`K
`
`115
`
`113
`
`Display Device
`
`114
`
`Thermostat
`Processor
`
`110
`
`Temperature
`Sensor
`
`111
`
`r
`
`Input Device
`
`r 112
`
`Wireless
`communications
`circuit
`
`Wireless HVAC Controller
`
`110
`
`r 120
`
`Gateway
`
`r 130
`
`co 00 00
`
`140J
`
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`Patent Application Publication Sep. 8, 2005 Sheet 1 of 7
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`US 2005/0194456 Al
`
`100
`
`115
`
`D
`A
`T
`
`L
`
`N
`K
`
` 3
`
`r 113
`
`Display Device
`
`114
`
`Thermostat
`Processor
`
`Wireless HVAC Controller
`
`110
`
`Temperature
`Sensor
`
`111
`
`Input Device
`
`r 112
`Wireless
`communications
`circuit
`
`110
`
`1
`
`r 120
`
`Gateway
`
`e-- 130
`
`=0 CI 0 00
`
`140.)
`
`FIG. 1
`
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`Patent Application Publication Sep. 8, 2005 Sheet 2 of 7
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`US 2005/0194456 Al
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`200
`
`r 210
`
`212
`
`220 —\
`
`224
`
`HVAC System
`
`Gateway
`
`230
`
`240
`
`Utility Signal source
`
`FIG. 2
`
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`US 2005/0194456 Al
`
`r 310
`Send utility control signals to
`gateway
`
`r 320
`Wirelessly communicate
`control signals from gateway to
`HVAC controller
`
`r 355
`Assess reported operational
`characteristics to determine
`compliance with utility control
`
`r 330
`Set HVAC operational settings
`at HVAC controller
`
`r 340
`Control HVAC equipment using
`set operational settings
`
`r 35°
`
`Report operational
`characteristics of HVAC
`system to uti ity company
`
`r 360
`Apply pricing factors to utility
`costs in response to reported
`operational characteristics
`(OPTIONAL)
`
`FIG. 3
`
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`US 2005/0194456 Al
`
`r 420
`r 422
`
`410
`
`Thermostat
`
`Display
`
`Keypad
`
`" 424
`
`RF Transceiver
`
`\— 412
`
`430
`sl
`
`440
`
`Gateway
`
`Utility Signal source
`
`FIG. 4
`
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`US 2005/0194456 Al
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`520
`
`530
`
`5310
`
`540
`
`54h
`
`550
`
`55h
`
`FIG. 5
`
`r 510
`Gateway
`
`560
`
`561 i
`
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`Patent Application Publication Sep. 8, 2005 Sheet 6 of 7
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`US 2005/0194456 Al
`
`600
`
`r 612
`c Wireless
`Thermostat
`
`r 610
`Wireless
`HVAC
`controller
`
`620 -N
`
`630
`
`HVAC
`System
`
`640
`
`Utility Signal source
`
`651 :
`
`650
`
`FIG. 6
`
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`r 710
`Install wireless transceiver at
`user-accessible location in user
`premises
`
`r 720
`Couple HVAC controller to
`wireless transceiver
`
`r 730
`Install gateway outside of user
`premises
`
`r 740
`Bind wireless transceiver to
`gateway for establishing
`communications between
`gateway and HVAC controller
`
`r750
`Communicatively couple the
`gateway with a remote utility
`signal source
`
`r- 760
`Establish HVAC equipment
`control with HVAC controller as
`a function of signals received
`from the gateway via the
`wireless transceiver
`
`FIG. 7
`
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`
`WIRELESS CONTROLLER WITH GATEWAY
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] This invention relates in general to utility con-
`sumption 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 (IIVAC) 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 con-
`trollers 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 IIVAC
`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 tempera-
`ture 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 chal-
`lenge 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 equip-
`ment or on fuel supply where load shedding may be neces-
`sary to maintain proper service to the network. These
`periods occur, for example, during hot summer days occa-
`sioned 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 IIVAC 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 IIVAC 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 andjor fuel cost per
`unit is high. However, typical energy-reduction implemen-
`tations 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 instal-
`lations 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 installa-
`tion.
`
`In accordance with one example embodiment of
`[0009]
`the invention, a wireless communications device is config-
`ured 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 con-
`trol 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 con-
`sumed. 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.
`
`In a more particular example embodiment of the
`[0010]
`present invention, the wireless communications device
`includes a thermostat and circuitry for providing control
`signals to IIVAC equipment using, for example, conven-
`tional wired connections commonly used in thermostat
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`2
`
`applications. The thermostat includes a keypad type device
`for receiving user inputs at the thermostat for use in con-
`trolling the climate in an environment. A wireless trans-
`ceiver 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 IIVAC equipment. As with the
`example embodiment discussed above, this approach facili-
`tates 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] 11G.1 is an HVAC controller adapted to wirelessly
`communicate with a gateway for controlling HVAC equip-
`ment, 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 ther-
`mostats located in different environments and to pass signals
`between a utility signal source and the plurality of thermo-
`stats, according to another example embodiment of the
`present invention;
`
`[0017] FIC. 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
`
`In the following description, reference is made to
`[0019]
`the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and
`in which is shown by way of illustration particular embodi-
`ments 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 facilitat-
`
`ing 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 beater, 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 com-
`pany using one or more of a variety of types of communi-
`cations 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 con-
`troller to the utility company, for example to allow the utility
`company to monitor the implementation of utility inputs.
`
`In some instances, different types of communica-
`[0022]
`tions 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 com-
`municating to system controllers using a local radio fre-
`quency (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 control-
`lers and a gateway, and a corresponding wired communica-
`tion 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 imple-
`mented 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 control-
`ling 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 moni-
`toring, to override a reduction in energy consumption man-
`dated by the utility company. In addition, information for
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`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 con-
`sumption 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 com-
`municates with a gateway 120 via a wireless link 110 to
`control an IIVAC 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 IIVAC 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 IIVAC controller 100 and an IIVAC system use
`the conventional thermostat wiring that couples the IIVAC
`controller to an internal control circuit for the IIVAC 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 com-
`munications 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 trans-
`ceivers). When the HVAC controller 100 is battery powered,
`the wireless communications circuit 112 is optionally
`adapted to enter a low-power mode when not communicat-
`ing. 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 communi-
`cating to the utility company 140 (via communications links
`110 and 130 and gateway 120). Communications from the
`HVAC controller 109 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 themiostat 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 ther-
`mostat 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 IIVAC controller to reduce
`power usage. In response to the utility control signal, the
`thermostat processor 114 adjusts control settings for con-
`trolling 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, adjust-
`ing 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 particu-
`lar 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 hack 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 automati-
`cally released to the IIVAC controller 110.
`
`In some implementations, the wireless communi-
`[0029]
`cations circuit 112 has a unique identity used in the trans-
`mission 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 iden-
`tifier 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.
`
`In another implementation, the HVAC controller
`[0030]
`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 IIVAC controller 100 pre-heats
`
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`
`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 tem-
`perature in the environment that the HVAC controller serves.
`When the high-demand event occurs, the utility company
`140 sends a signal to the IIVAC 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.
`
`In another implementation, the IIVAC controller
`[0031]
`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.
`
`In another implementation, the HVAC controller
`[0032]
`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 infor-
`mation is stored at the IIVAC 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 IIVAC 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 ther-
`mostat 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 IIVAC 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 andior operational characteristics
`thereof are optionally sent to the utility signal source 240 via
`the gateway 230 for monitoring purposes.
`
`In a more particular implementation, the dwelling
`[0035]
`200 includes two or more wireless thermostats including
`wireless thermostats 210 and 212, each adapted to wirelessly
`communicate with the gateway 230. Each wireless thermo-
`stat 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 wire-
`less 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 arc
`used to reduce the energy consumption of the HVAC system
`220 by adjusting temperature set points in these zones
`accordingly.
`
`In another example embodiment of the present
`[0037]
`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 sys