(12) United States Patent
`Ehlers et al.
`
`111111111111111II 11111 111111111111111 lllll 111111111111111 1111111111 11111111
`US006216956B1
`US 6,216,956 Bl
`*Apr.17, 2001
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION CONTROL
`AND ENERGY .MANAGKMENT SYSTEM
`AND METHOD
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Gregory A. EWers, Tampa; Richard
`M. Silva , St. Petersburg, both of FL
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Tocom, Inc., Foxboro, MA (US)
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis(cid:173)
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/220,129
`Dec. 23, 1998
`(22) Filed:
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 08/960,748, filed on Oct.
`29, 1997, now Pat. No. 5,924,486.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.7
`
`........................ .. .. .. G05D 23/00; H02V 1/00
`
`(52) U.S. CJ. ............................. 236/47; 236/78 R; 30 7/39
`
`(58) Field of Search ..................................... 236/94, 78 R,
`236/46 R, 47; 165/241, 242, 255; 364/528.11,
`528.35; 30 7/39
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
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`4, 174,517 • 11/1979 Mandel ................................ 340/310
`4,217,646 • 8/1980 Caltagirone et al. ................ 165/238
`(List continued on next page.)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`2121124
`27 43 212
`0163572
`
`7/1993 (CA) ............................. 0050/23/19
`3/1979 (DE) ............................... H021/13/00
`12/1985 (EP) ............................... H021/13/00
`
`0288413 Al
`0534839 Al
`
`10/1988 (EP) ............................ G0lB/ 21/ 133
`3/1993 (EP) ............. H0S B/37103
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`" MicroSmart Control Network System Overview", Siebe
`Environmental Controls, Nov. 1993, pp. 1- 12.
`" MicroSmart Control Network (Features and Benefits)",
`Siebe Environmental Controls, 1993, 10 pages.
`" MicroSmart MSC- NC/NCM (Network Communications
`Module) Installation Guidelines'', Siebe Environmental
`Controls, Jun. 1993, pp. 1- 9.
`" MSC-NC(M) MicroSmarl Network Communications
`Module", Siebe Environmental Controls, Jul. 1993, 2 pages.
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`Primary Examiner-William Wayner
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks,
`P.C.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An indoor environmental condition control and energy man•
`agement system includes a plurality of inputs. A user input
`receives user input parameters including a desired indoor
`environmental condition range for at least one energy unit
`price point. An indoor environmental condition input
`receives a sensed indoor environmental condition. An
`energy price input receives a schedule of projected energy
`unit prices per time periods. A processor, coupled to the
`inputs, computes an environmental condition deadband
`range for multiple energy unit price points based on the user
`input parameters and controls at least one energy-consuming
`load device to maintain the indoor environmental condition
`within the computed deadband range for a then-current
`energy unit price point. In an embodiment, the environmen(cid:173)
`tal condition includes at least temperature and the at least
`one load device includes a heating and cooling system. The
`processor, in one embodiment, communicates through a
`communications link with al least one energy supply com•
`pany and selects one energy supply company for a premise
`to minimize energy consumption cost.
`
`7 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`INPUT
`DEVICES
`
`10 INPUT
`FUNCTIONS
`
`20 STORAGE
`FUNCTIONS
`
`30PROCESS 400UTPUT
`FUNCTIONS
`FUNCTIONS
`
`OUTPUT
`DEVICES
`
`12
`
`ENERGY
`COST
`INPUTS
`
`DATA
`COLLECTION
`&STORAGE
`
`TIME
`l<EEPING
`PROCESS
`
`USER
`REPORTING
`PROCESS
`
`1
`
`43
`
`USER
`OIJTPllT
`INTERFACE
`
`TEMP. SENSOR
`
`15
`
`SENSOR&
`EO'-"PMENT
`INPUTS
`
`TeMPEAATURE
`DECISION &
`EXECUTION
`
`51
`
`GOOGLE 1008
`GOOGLE 1030
`
`001
`
`

`

`US 6,216,956 Bl
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`.................. 307/35
`4,336,462 * 6/1982 Hedges et al. ......................... 307/35
`4,338,791 * 7/1982 Stamp, Jr. et al.
`.............. 165/242 X
`4,367,414 * 1/1983 Miller et al. ........................... 307/38
`4,382,544 * 5/1983 Stewart ................................ 165/328
`4,466,074 * 8/1984 Jindrick et al. ...................... 364/145
`4,475,193 * 10/1984 Brown .................................. 370/124
`4,503,188 * 3/1985 Kessler .............................. 179/2 DP
`4,511,979 * 4/1985 Amirante ............................. 364/481
`4,513,189 * 4/1985 Ueda et al.
`................... 219/10.55 B
`4,514,594 * 4/1985 Brown et al. ....................... 179/2.51
`4,520,576 * 6/1985 Vander Molen ......................... 34/45
`4,521,645 * 6/1985 Carroll ................................. 179/5 R
`4,523,307 * 6/1985 Brown et al. .......................... 370/30
`4,539,562 * 9/1985 Sanders ................................ 340/657
`4,549,274 * 10/1985 Lerner et al. ........................ 364/492
`4,567,557 * 1/1986 Burns ................................... 364/145
`4,630,218 * 12/1986 Hurley ................................. 364/481
`4,663,775 * 5/1987 Olek ....................................... 379/24
`4,665,544 * 5/1987 Honda et al. ........................ 379/104
`4,697,182 * 9/1987 Swanson ......................... 340/870.02
`4,701,698 * 10/1987 Karlsson et al. ..................... 324/116
`4,728,949 * 3/1988 Platte et al. ..................... 340/825.37
`4,771,185 * 9/1988 Feron et al.
`........................... 307/39
`4,772,870 * 9/1988 Reves ............................... 340/310 R
`4,819,180 * 4/1989 Hedman et al. ..................... 364/492
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`4,847,780 * 7/1989 Gilker et al. ......................... 364/483
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`................. 364/492
`4,847,782 * 7/1989 Brown, Jr. et al. .................. 364/492
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`................ 364/493
`4,884,021 * 11/1989 Hammond et al. .................. 364/483
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`........................... 307/39
`4,899,129
`2/1990 MacFadyen et al. ............ 340/310 R
`4,899,217
`2/1990 MacFayden et al. .................. 358/86
`4,971,136
`11/1990 Mathur et al. ........................... 165/1
`5,033,112
`7/1991 Bowling et al. ..................... 455/603
`5,045,823
`9/1991 Nichols, III .......................... 333/132
`5,086,385
`2/1992 Launey et al. ....................... 364/188
`5,090,024
`2/1992 Vander Mey et al. ................... 375/1
`5,101,191
`3/1992 MacFayden et al. ............ 340/310 R
`5,109,222
`4/1992 Welty .............................. 340/825.72
`5,126,934
`6/1992 MacFayden et al. ................ 364/140
`5,134,356
`7/1992 El-Sharkawi et al. ............... 323/211
`5,168,170
`12/1992 Hartig .................................... 307/35
`5,170,360
`12/1992 Porter et al. ......................... 364/483
`5,196,982
`3/1993 Landsberg et al. .................... 361/93
`5,218,552
`6/1993 Stirk et al. ........................... 364/492
`5,220,311
`6/1993 Schweitzer, Jr ...................... 340/650
`5,263,046
`11/1993 Vander Mey ............................ 375/1
`5,274,571
`12/1993 Hesse et al.
`......................... 364/492
`5,278,862
`1/1994 Vander Mey ............................ 375/1
`5,289,362
`2/1994 Liebl et al.
`.......................... 364/140
`5,301,122
`4/1994 Halpern ................................ 364/483
`5,315,499
`5/1994 Bilas et al. ........................... 364/140
`5,323,307
`6/1994 Wolf et al. ........................... 364/140
`5,347,167
`9/1994 Singh ................................... 307/125
`5,414,640
`5/1995 Seem .................................... 364/492
`5,436,510
`7/1995 Gilbert ................................... 307/38
`5,462,225
`10/1995 Massara et al.
`....................... 236/47
`5,469,365
`11/1995 Diekema et al.
`.................... 364/483
`5,475,371
`12/1995 Dunk et al. .......................... 340/660
`5,501,267 * 3/1996 Iritani et al. ..................... 165/241 X
`5,572,438
`11/1996 Ehlers et al. ......................... 364/492
`5,684,710
`11/1997 Ehlers et al. ......................... 364/492
`5,696,695
`12/1997 Ehlers et al. ......................... 364/492
`5,924,486 * 7/1999 Ehlers et al. ......................... 165/238
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0577532 Al
`0580217 Al
`0688 085 Al
`2645968 Al
`2660511 Al
`WO93/08653
`
`1/1994 (EP) ................................. H02J/3/14
`1/1994 (EP) ................................. H02J/3/14
`12/1995 (EP) ............................... H02J/13/00
`10/1990 (FR) .............................. G0lR/19/12
`10/1991 (FR) ................................ H04Q/9/02
`4/1993 (WO) .............................. H04B/3/56
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`"MSC-MPC-100 MSC-MPC-RC MSC-MPC-RCM
`MicroSmart Multi-Purpose Controllers", Siebe Environ(cid:173)
`mental Controls, Jul. 1993, 4 pages."MSC-MPC Multi-Pur(cid:173)
`pose Controller (Installation Guidelines)", Siebe Environ(cid:173)
`mental Controls, Nov. 1990, pp. 1-17.
`"DMS Facilities Management System FMS2-35SX", Rob(cid:173)
`ertshaw Control Division, Nov. 1991, 4 pages.
`"DMS and Operator Interface Guide Specification", Dec.
`1991, pp. 1-33.
`"Section 2 Standard Program Functions (DMS 350A Pro(cid:173)
`gramming Reference", Sep. 1987, pp. 2-1 to 2-18.
`"MicroSmart Reference (DOS Configuration Tool)", Siebe
`Environmental Controls, Jul. 1993, 2 pages.
`"Section 6: User Defined Programming (DMS 350A Pro(cid:173)
`gramming Reference)", Apr. 1989, pp. 6-11 to 6-12 (double
`sided).
`"A-14-DMS 350AProgramming Reference", Jul. 1998, 1
`page.
`"PFUDP Document", Apr. 1997, 1 page.
`Eaton Corporation, Cutler-Hammer-Westinghouse Prod(cid:173)
`ucts, Power Distribution Components Division "IMPACC
`System Communications," IL 17384, (May 1995), Rev. 2.1,
`Appendix E (title, page, contents listing and pp. E-1 through
`E-4).
`Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Electrical Components
`Division,"Instructions for F Frame, IQ Energy Sentinel," IL
`17459, (Effective Nov. 1992).
`Eaton Corporation, Cutler-Hammer-Westinghouse Prod(cid:173)
`ucts,
`Power Distribution
`Components Division,
`Cutler-Hammer Consulting Application Guide,"Metering
`and Monitoring Devices", pp. 610-613 and "Metering,
`Monitoring, and Protective Devices," pp. 636-649.
`"Boosting Your Home's IQ: Manufacturers agree on stan(cid:173)
`dards for creating the smart house", Technology, p. 70 (not
`dated).
`Schrock, Clifford B., "Conservation and safety for the 90's
`using cable TV networks", Cable Bus Systems Corp. (no ref.
`or date).
`Dawson, Fred, "Energy saver can support voice and data",
`Multichannel News, (Oct. 21, 1991).
`"Schlumberger launches new venture for building automa(cid:173)
`tion systems in Europe using Echelon Technology", Bus.
`Wire, (Jul. 13, 1992).
`Saladyga, John S., "New home automation systems integrate
`security, energy and entertainment", Newsday, Inc., (Oct.
`15, 1992).
`Rupinski, Patrick, "New device automatically alerts com(cid:173)
`pany of power interruption", (no ref. or date).
`Niggli, Michael R., Power View: Two-Way Customer Com(cid:173)
`munications: (no ref. or date).
`"Demonstrating smarts: bright home: a demonstration home
`that utilizes consumer electronics . . . " Popular Science,
`(Jul. 1991).
`
`002
`
`

`

`US 6,216,956 Bl
`Page 3
`
`"Scientific-Atlanta, Bell Atlantic To Offer Cost-Effective
`Information", PR Newswire, (Sep. 23, 1991) (Mary Nagel(cid:173)
`hout).
`"Energy moves into fiber optics to control residential con(cid:173)
`sumption", Energy Report, (Dec. 4, 1992), vol. 20, No. 49
`(sr abst).
`"Commonwealth Edison installs Metricom's communica(cid:173)
`tion network" Business Wire, (Mar. 4, 1993).
`Sanders, Michele, "Interfacing with the home of the future",
`Information Access, (Apr. 1993).
`"PGW to begin automatic meter reader installations m
`500,000 homes in June", PR Newswire Assoc. (Apr. 2,
`1993).
`Jones, David A., "Smart Money? Home automation sys(cid:173)
`tems", Builder (Jun. 1993), pp. 162-166.
`Millar, Heather, "Smart houses: getting switched on", Busi(cid:173)
`ness Week, (Jun. 28, 1993).
`"Energy Enterprises CC2000 test joined by Spring, Honey(cid:173)
`well ... "PR Newswire Assoc., (Aug. 26, 1993).
`Kaplan, Daniel, "DSM Monitoring a key issue for utility
`industry E-source", The Energy Daily, (Oct. 5, 1993).
`Jones, David, A., "Cutting edge: three houses that break the
`rules and break new ground ... ", Builder Info Access, (Nov.
`1993).
`Piepmeier, James M. et al. "The tools of competition:
`differentiation, segmentation ... " The Electricity Journal
`(Nov. 1993).
`Colman, Andrew et al., "Competitive edge-Power View: A
`DSM-focused technology", Fortnightly.
`Vizard, Frank, "Building the information superhighway",
`Popular Mechanics, (Jan. 1994).
`"Energy announces a major development in its residential
`customer-controlled load manage . . . ", PR Newswire
`Assoc., (Jan. 19, 1994).
`McLeister, Dan, "Dramatic changes lie ahead for home
`automation" Professional Builder & Remodeler, (Feb.
`1994).
`"Cebus (R) power line carrier technologies from Intellon
`Corp. support home automation application . . . " PR
`Newswire, (Mar. 1, 1994).
`"Honeywell, Oracle Corp. Unveil joint technology and
`marketing alliance", Electric Utility Week's Demand, Side
`Report, (Mar. 3, 1994).
`
`Phillips, Tim, "Welcome to the computerized home", The
`Guardian, (Mar. 10, 1994).
`"First Pacific Networks, Central and South West Corp. to
`conduct energy management project in Laredo, TX", Busi(cid:173)
`ness Wire, (Mar. 24, 1994).
`"Johnson Controls makes major entry into home energy
`automation market ... ", PR Newswire, (Mar. 28, 1994).
`"Re-engineering electric utility metering and communica(cid:173)
`tions", Transmission & Distribution, (Apr. 1994).
`Cain, Charles J., "Metering gets real", Fortnightly, (Apr. 1,
`1994), pp. 39-40.
`"Itron signs $27M contract with Baltimore Gas and Elec(cid:173)
`tric", PR Newswire, (Apr. 4, 1994).
`"Leading companies demonstrate home automation based
`on Echelon's technology", Business Wire, (Apr. 14, 1994).
`Salpukas, Agis, "Big hopes put on electric wires", The New
`York Times, (Jul. 6, 1994).
`Karve, Anita, "Brainy Buildings", LAN Magazine, (Aug.
`1994).
`"LonWorks-the choice in home automation", Motorola,
`(Mar. 1994).
`"Home automation: what's in it for utilities?", EPRI, (Apr.
`1990).
`"50 Successful DSM Programs", The Results Center, lists.
`"Variable electric rates", Trans text.
`"Bell of Pennsylvania's automatic meter reading could mean
`greater security and privacy for customers", PR Newswire,
`(Feb. 28. 1990).
`"NetComm matures as advanced communication and meter(cid:173)
`ing system", Research Newsletter, 4th quarter (1990).
`Teletimer Energy Savings Service: "Low-cost-high value
`building automation".
`"PLC features & specifications", Regency Electronics, Inc.
`"Using the line sharing switch in power utility load study
`applications", Teltone Telesolutions (1993).
`Home Automation Laboratories, (Fall 1994 Catalog).
`"S87C752 CMOS single-chip 8-bit microcontroller",
`Signetics.
`Stevenson, Jr. William, "Elements of Power System Analy(cid:173)
`sis", 4th Edition (1982), pp. 13-18.
`PCT International Search Report.
`* cited by examiner
`
`003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 17, 2001
`Apr. 17, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 6,216,956 Bl
`US 6,216,956 B1
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`10 INPUT
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`20STORAGE
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`
`30 PROCESS
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`
`40 OUTPUT
`FUNCTIONS
`
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`
`36
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`
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`
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`
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`Fig. 2
`
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`
`

`

`INPUT
`DEVICES
`
`10 INPUT
`FUNCTIONS
`
`20STORAGE
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`
`30 PROCESS
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`SECURITY SYSTEM
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`
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`36
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`..,_ ___ _.
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`
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`,,,.44 CONTACTS
`
`Fig. 3
`
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`
`

`

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`DEVICES
`
`10 INPUT
`FUNCTIONS
`
`20STORAGE
`FUNCTIONS
`
`30PROCESS
`FUNCTIONS
`
`40OUTPUT
`FUNCTIONS
`
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`
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`
`,..,,.31
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`
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`
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`THERMOSTAT
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`MAX. PRICE
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`74
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`
`COST PER ENERGY UNIT
`Fig. 5
`
`008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 17, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 6,216,956 Bl
`
`/00A
`
`!2008
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`

`

`US 6,216,956 Bl
`
`1
`ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION CONTROL
`AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
`AND METHOD
`
`This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/960,748 5
`filed Oct. 29, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,486.
`
`2
`controls the temperature differently when a person's pres(cid:173)
`ence is detected than in the absence of such detection, in an
`attempt to conserve energy when the premise is vacant.
`Another system, called Transtext®, sold by Integrated Com-
`munication Systems, Inc. of Roswell, Ga., allows a user to
`select different desired temperature settings depending on
`which of three utility company energy cost tiers (high,
`medium or low) then is in effect, giving the user a certain
`level of control over energy consumption cost savings.
`While such systems offer a certain level of energy con-
`sumption control and, therefore, energy consumption cost
`control, none provides a user with direct energy consump(cid:173)
`tion level or energy consumption price level control.
`Additionally, none offers user-defined control of environ-
`15 mental conditions other than temperature, nor does any
`provide automatic environmental condition control based on
`sensed external environmental conditions, which external
`conditions may greatly effect internal conditions.
`As the energy (i.e., gas, electric, etc.) supply industry
`becomes re-regulated and numerous energy suppliers
`become available to each premise, energy consumption
`control and price information ( and control) will enable the
`savings of energy consumption and a tremendous amount of
`money spent thereon. A change occurring today in the
`25 energy and utility industry includes the movement of energy
`suppliers from a monopoly base to a competitive base,
`which movement will enable a user to select a supplier from
`an available group. Comparison shopping for the best price
`will be enabled. With the complicated pricing formats of
`30 most energy suppliers, and due to the dependence of total
`energy cost on usage times, energy levels, number of loads,
`etc., it will be quite difficult, from an accounting standpoint,
`for a user to predict cost and therefore take advantage of the
`selection opportunity.
`It is a general object of the present invention to provide an
`environmental condition control system that automatically
`controls internal environmental conditions to optimize com(cid:173)
`fort and minimize energy consumption and/or energy cost,
`based on user-defined parameters.
`
`20
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to a residential or
`commercial environmental condition control system and, 10
`more specifically, to a system that controls internal environ(cid:173)
`mental conditions to optimize comfort and minimize energy
`consumption and/or energy cost, based on user-defined
`parameters.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Residential and commercial internal environmental con-
`dition control systems, such as temperature control systems,
`have been used for many years. Temperature control systems
`include thermostats and thermostatic control devices. These
`devices are designed primarily to sense the temperature
`inside a premise and, based on an occupant-designated
`temperature setting, activate a heating and/or cooling system
`or systems to maintain the temperature at that setting.
`There exist two main types of temperature control
`devices. One type of temperature control device includes a
`standard, single temperature control device having a setting
`control with which an occupant can set a desired tempera(cid:173)
`ture and a switch to select between a heating or cooling
`system, only one of which will be activated at a time. The
`heating system, when activated, will heat the premise when
`the actual temperature falls below the desired temperature
`setting. Similarly, the cooling (i.e., air conditioning) system,
`when activated, will cool the premise when the actual 35
`temperature exceeds the desired setting.
`Another temperature control device includes a dual tem(cid:173)
`perature control device having a dual setting control
`attached both to a heating system and a cooling system. A
`user may enter two desired temperature settings, a minimum 40
`desired temperature setting which controls activation of the
`heating system and a maximum desired temperature setting
`which controls activation of the cooling system. When the
`actual temperature falls below the minimum desired tem(cid:173)
`perature setting, the heating system automatically is acti- 45
`vated. Similarly, when the actual temperature rises above the
`maximum desired temperature setting, the cooling system
`automatically is activated. Such a dual temperature control
`device allows the user to input a comfort range between two
`temperature settings and does not require the user to manu- 50
`ally activate either the heating system or the cooling system.
`From the two basic temperature control devices described
`above, numerous temperature control systems have been
`developed, offering different features and variations. The
`temperature sensing and control devices have moved from
`traditional bi-metal contractors to more sophisticated elec(cid:173)
`tronic devices as technology has advanced. Some modern
`systems have been developed to enable a user to conserve
`energy while controlling temperature comfort levels. One
`modern system, for example, may be programmed by a user
`with multiple desired temperature settings for activating
`both heating systems and cooling systems based on time(cid:173)
`dependent user-programmed parameters, such as time of
`day, day of week, month, etc. Another system, called Smart
`Systems 1000™, sold by Smart Systems International,
`includes an infra-red motion sensor for sensing the presence
`of a person in the premise being controlled. The system
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention is directed to an environmental
`condition sensing and control system aimed at optimizing
`comfort and minimizing energy consumption and cost,
`based on user-defined comfort and cost level parameters. In
`its simplest embodiment, the system of the invention acts as
`a thermostat replacement to sense and control temperature.
`In a more elaborate embodiment, the system may form part
`of an overall energy management system, such as that
`described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,438, which is herein
`incorporated by reference in its entirety.
`In one embodiment, the system of the invention would
`have the ability to sense an indoor temperature. In an
`enhanced embodiment, the system could sense at least
`55 humidity, outside temperature, UV intensity, wind direction
`and speed, relative humidity, wet bulb thermometer
`measurements, and dew point. The system also can accept
`and process inputs such as local weather forecast data,
`energy supply company pricing schemes, and user-entered
`60 parameters such as desired comfort levels and energy price
`cutoff points. Such sensed conditions and inputs are pro(cid:173)
`cessed by a processor of the system, with software operating
`on the processor, to maintain environmental conditions and
`energy consumption level and cost within the user-defined
`65 levels.
`In one embodiment, the system solely will manage indoor
`air temperature through the control of heating and/or cooling
`
`010
`
`

`

`US 6,216,956 Bl
`
`10
`
`3
`systems. In a more enhanced embodiment, the system will
`manage air quality and humidity through control of appro(cid:173)
`priate heating, filtration, conditioning and cooling systems
`equipment in conjunction with damper and fresh air input
`ducts, electro-static filters and ionization devices. The sys(cid:173)
`tem will manage its operation of the available environmental
`conditioning resources to maintain the optimum
`temperature, humidity and air quality conditions based on
`user-defined minimum and maximum values for comfort
`indices and price of energy indices. In a more elaborate
`embodiment, the system also has the ability to switch energy
`types, i.e., electric to/from gas for environment heating and
`the ability to switch suppliers based on the asking price of
`the energy suppliers or brokers serving the location.
`The system of the invention balances environmental con(cid:173)
`dition comfort with price and energy consumption manage- 15
`ment. In the absence of cost and energy consumption control
`input parameters, the system will maintain environmental
`conditions within user-defined comfort ranges. With such
`parameters, including environmental condition price-related
`preferences, price point cutoffs and historical energy con- 20
`sumption data, as well as energy supplier cost structure
`inputs, the system will alter environmental condition levels,
`as needed, to achieve the optimum environmental
`conditions, balancing comfort with energy consumption and
`cost control.
`In an embodiment, to provide feedback to the user, the
`system will record the number of energy units (i.e., kilowatt
`hours, British Thermal Units [BTUs], Therms, and Joules)
`consumed as a function of time for each of a number of
`environmental condition controlling loads monitored and/or 30
`controlled by the system. The system will have the ability to
`report back detailed consumption data as a function of time
`and format the data in summary fashion to provide, at a
`minimum, daily averages for any user defined period,
`monthly totals, as well as track the costs of each energy unit
`consumed per period and provide detailed and average daily 35
`cost for any user-defined period as well as monthly totals.
`The system will be capable of controlling loads beyond its
`primary management function of the environmental air
`management systems, using, at least in part, the same
`economic modeling techniques and controls that it uses to 40
`manage its primary functions. It also will manage, report and
`track total premise energy unit usage and interface with
`energy unit suppliers via a communications channel. The
`system controls will be located at the premise, while the
`processors for modeling and managing the sources and types 45
`of energy units to be utilized and committed to, may be
`distributed and operate over a communications network
`without regard to the actual location of or distance from the
`premise. Such a distributed processor would be located on a
`reliable network so as to be capable of delivering the 50
`necessary controls to the premise in a timely and reliable
`fashion and to achieve the desired results.
`One embodiment of the present invention is directed to an
`indoor environmental condition control and energy manage(cid:173)
`ment system. It includes a user input that receives user input
`parameters including a desired indoor environmental con(cid:173)
`dition range for at least one energy unit price point. An
`indoor environmental condition input receives a sensed
`indoor environmental condition. An energy price input
`receives a schedule of projected energy unit prices per time
`period. A processor, coupled to the inputs, computes an
`environmental condition deadband range for multiple
`energy unit price points based on the user input parameters,
`and controls at least one energy-consuming load device to
`maintain the indoor environmental condition within the
`computed deadband range for a then-current energy unit
`price point.
`
`4
`In one embodiment, the environmental condition includes
`at least temperature and the at least one load device includes
`a heating and cooling system.
`In an embodiment, multiple deadband ranges may be
`5 selected by a user for different time periods.
`In an embodiment, the system further includes a commu(cid:173)
`nications link through which the process communicates with
`at least one energy supply company and wherein the pro(cid:173)
`cessor selects one energy supply company to minimize
`energy consumption cost.
`In an embodiment, the system further includes an outdoor
`environmental condition input that receives a sensed outdoor
`environmental condition, and wherein the processor controls
`the at least one energy-consuming load device based in part
`on the sensed outdoor environmental condition.
`In an embodiment, the processor may select between
`suppliers of different types of energy.
`In an embodiment, the processor controls operation of the
`at least one load device to repeat a pattern of usage by the
`user over a time period.
`In an embodiment, the at least one load device includes a
`plurality of energy-consuming load devices. In this
`embodiment, the processor monitors energy consumption by
`25 each load device.
`In one embodiment, the processor communicates infor(cid:173)
`mation to the at least one energy supply company. This
`information includes at least one of energy consumption
`data, energy usage schedule, cost information and account
`informat