CN104048384A

CN104048384A - Energy management based on location

Info

Publication number: CN104048384A
Application number: CN201410260417.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: D·S·德鲁
Original assignee: Emerson Electric Co
Current assignee: Emerson Electric Co
Priority date: 2013-03-15
Filing date: 2014-03-17
Publication date: 2014-09-17
Anticipated expiration: 2034-03-17
Also published as: CN104048384B; CA2846408A1; CA2846408C

Abstract

Systems and methods of providing climate control and/or energy management in a structure having a networking thermostat. In some example embodiments the network is used to monitor a geographic location of a user device associated with a user of the structure. The monitoring may be performed to determine the location relative to a destination located apart from the structure. The network is used to control a set point of the thermostat based on the location. Additionally or alternatively, the monitoring may be performed to determine time period(s) during which the structure is unoccupied and the thermostat is set at a first set point. Energy savings that could have been realized by changing the first set point to a second set point are estimated and provided to the user.

Description

Location-based energy conservation

The cross reference of related application

The application requires in U.S. Provisional Application that order is submitted to number 61/794,309 and U.S.'s non-provisional application of submitting on March 7th, 2014 number 14/201,458 priority March 15 in 2013.The whole open of above-mentioned application is combined in herein by reference.

Technical field

The disclosure relates to the location-based energy (energy) management.

Background technology

This section provides about background information of the present disclosure, its dispensable prior art.

House-owner wants to minimize their charges for water and electricity bill conventionally.Home Heating ventilates and has conventionally accounted for the only about half of of house effectiveness energy use with air conditioning (HVAC) system, and the chance of saving cost can be provided.Yet most of house-owners do not wish to make the huge sacrifice of comfort level or make huge effort and reach such saving.

Summary of the invention

This section provides general general introduction of the present disclosure, is not that its full breadth or its institute is characteristic comprehensively open.Disclosed herein is exemplary embodiment or the realization of the methods, devices and systems that climate controlling is provided in the building of the thermostat with connected to the network.

In an exemplary realization, the disclosure relates to a kind of for the system of climate controlling is provided at building.This system comprises the thermostat of building.This thermostat is connected to the network.One or more processors are connected with this thermostat by this network, and are configured to monitor the geographical position of the subscriber equipment being associated with the user of this building.Carrying out this monitoring determines about being positioned at the geographical position away from the destination at this building place.Processor is configured to determine based on this geographical position the set-point of this thermostat.

Another exemplary realization relates to a kind of for the method for being carried out by system of climate controlling is provided at building.The method comprises the geographical position of the subscriber equipment that monitoring is associated with the user of this building.This monitoring is performed to determine about being positioned at the geographical position away from the destination at this building place.The method further comprises uses network this system to be connected to the thermostat of building, to control the set-point of thermostat based on this geographical position.

In another exemplary embodiment, the disclosure relates to a kind of for the system of the energy conservation relevant to building is provided.This building has the thermostat being connected with this system in network.One or more processors are configured to use network monitoring thermostat and the geographical position of the subscriber equipment that is associated with the user of this building, to determine that this building is not lived and this thermostat is arranged at one or more time periods of the first set-point.Processor is configured to determine by change to the estimation of the energy conservation that can realize the second set-point from the first set-point at least a portion of this time period.Processor is further configured to provide this estimation to user.

In another exemplary realization, the disclosure relates to a kind of for the method for being carried out by system of the energy conservation relevant to building is provided.This building has the thermostat being connected with this system by network.The method comprises, the geographical position of monitoring thermostat and the subscriber equipment that is associated with the user of this building, determines that this building is not lived and this thermostat is arranged at one or more time periods of the first set-point.The method further comprises that from the time period deducts a balance (breakeven) duration and obtains a time period, in this time period, by being changed to the second set-point, the first set-point can reduce energy resource consumption, determine the estimation of the amount that energy resource consumption can be reduced, and provide this estimation to user.

By reading this description, will know further suitable application area.Description in content part of the present invention and specific examples are only intended to the object of explaining, are not intended to limit protection domain of the present disclosure.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Accompanying drawing described herein is only with opposing selected embodiment for schematic object, rather than all possible realization, is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1 be according to an exemplary realization of the present disclosure, configure for the schematic diagram of the system of location-based energy conservation is provided;

Fig. 2 is according to the figure that returns (setbadk) ring of an exemplary realization configuration of the present disclosure;

Fig. 3 A is the diagram that thermostat set-point and ambient temperature changed along with the time in different buildings to 3D;

Fig. 4 is thermostat set-point and the time dependent diagram of ambient temperature, has shown therein according to the balance duration of an exemplary realization configuration of the present disclosure;

Fig. 5 returns the flow chart of the method on opportunity according to definite thermostat of an exemplary realization of the present disclosure;

The diagram of long form when Fig. 6 is the balance configuring according to an exemplary realization of the present disclosure; And

Fig. 7 A is the screenshotss of describing the information on the opportunity of missing of saving for energy resource consumption to 7C.

Corresponding Reference numeral in a plurality of accompanying drawings represents corresponding parts.

The specific embodiment

With reference to accompanying drawing, example embodiment is described in more detail.

Inventor observes, and many people do not have fixing or predictable schedule, therefore can not utilize programmable thermostats to obtain the opportunity available of various cost savings.Inventor also finds, the current geographic position that " smart mobile phone " and similarly equipment make to obtain the people who carries such mobile phone or equipment becomes possibility.Further, by network, for example, internet, can couple together house thermostat and the remote server with wireless network ability.Therefore, remotely the set-point of Lookup protocol and/or change thermostat, for example, based on customer location, becomes possibility.

Correspondingly, in many embodiment of the present disclosure, multiple home energy source management method and system are supported by the ability of remote access programmable thermostats.For example, in family or the thermostat that activates of the radio communication in other buildings can be accessed by network, with at least part of ground in user's smart mobile phone or the position remote auto of similar devices provides temperature to return and/or temperature is recovered.In certain embodiments, for for example determining that returning duration of time period of temperature and the control algolithm of the number of degrees at building is can be based on for example temperature outdoors, the heating curve of building and dynamically adjust with respect to the nearest user's of building geographical position.When comparing with traditional time period planning chart of returning, such application can strengthen energy conservation and comfort level do not made to compromise, does not also need user's remarkable participation.

Unless the contrary indication, term " comfortable " is used to refer to herein, and for example, during the period of being lived in building hypothesis, intention provides other temperature setting of comfort level level of expectation to put.Unless indicated to the contrary, term " is return " and is used to herein refer to, and for example, during occupant is assumed to be the period away from building, what climate controlling operated returns.Therefore, " returning temperature " of refrigeration system or " temperature is return " are conventionally higher than the comfort temperature of system, heating to return temperature conventionally lower than the comfort temperature of system.Additionally or alternatively, the degree offset that is sometimes used to herein to refer to comfort level set-point " return " in term.For example, although conventionally it should be noted in the discussion above that many embodiment are herein that house (, family) about user is described, the disclosure is not limited to this.Each embodiment in fact can be relevant with the kind of any building, includes but not limited to commercial building, office etc., and energy conservation described herein is implemented in expectation therein.

With reference to accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is the schematic diagram for the example system 20 of home energy source management.Programmable thermostats 24 is installed in building 28, for example, in house, and is used to control the atmosphere control system (not shown) of building 28.Thermostat 24 is wirelessly connected to router three 2, and it provides the accessing wirelessly to wide area network 36, for example, and (one or more) internet and/or cellular network.At least one server 40 can be wirelessly connected to thermostat 24, and is configured by one or more subscriber equipmenies 44, and for example one or more smart mobile phones, provide energy conservation to serve the user to building 28, as described further below.

Subscriber equipment 44 comprises the ability of determining and geographical position being provided, for example, and global location service (GPS) and/or other location-based services.Subscriber equipment 44 can comprise (but being not restricted to) mobile device, and for example honeycomb or mobile phone, smart mobile phone be for example equipment, or it can use radio communication, include but not limited to WiFi, based on 802.11, WiMAX, bluetooth, Zigbee, 3G, 4G, wireless, PCS, EDGE based on subscribing to and/or other communications, or their any combination is communicated by letter.

In a plurality of embodiment, energy conservation ISP can make 48 couples of users of network gateway to use, for example, and on (one or more) server 40 or by this server 40.Additionally or alternatively, user can adopt the mobile application 52 on his/her subscriber equipment 44 to visit home energy source management service and/or Long-distance Control thermostat 24.Server 40 can be included in, for example, in " cloud " server site, can carry out therein many analyses real-time energy conservation service is provided.According in a realization of the method that energy conservation service is provided of the present disclosure, user, for example the owner of building 28, obtains the thermostat with wireless communication ability 24 of for example being manufactured by Missouri St. Louis Emerson electronics corporation.User or setter are arranged on thermostat 24 in building 28 and provide router three 2 for thermostat 24.

In certain embodiments, setter or user create energy conservation account so that energy information and management service to be provided, as described further below for user in door 48.In certain embodiments, set up the construction area that such account comprises the brand of the climate controlling equipment of input in building 28 and model, building 28, and/or about other data of the energy conservation of building 28.User can be by the preference of door 48 input energy sources management.For example, user can input for thermostat 24 and live and/or the temperature setting of the expectation of the different phase of non-inhabitation (for example, " be in ", " sleep ", " leaving ").Additionally, if user wish based on schedule operated thermostat 24, user can input schedule or be revised as the acquiescence schedule that thermostat 24 arranges.As described further below, in certain embodiments, user's schedule can be used as the baseline of the recruitment of definite energy conservation that can obtain by energy conservation service.User downloads energy conservation and moves application 52 to his/her subscriber equipment 44.When GPS or other location-based services can move, user can come by the operation of server 40 Long-distance Control thermostats 24 with his/her subscriber equipment 44.In certain embodiments, user can subscribe to the location-based service that energy conservation ISP provides.

Location-based service can provide by for example mode hereinafter described.In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Figure 2, system 20 is configured to set up one or more fixing returning round building 28 and encircles 102.In current example, there are four to return ring (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d).Returning ring 102 foundation can be based on, for example, and one or more skews 106 that the comfort temperature of the thermostat 24 of selecting to user arranges.When the user of building 28 encircles 102 through given returning, server 40 can send temperature change request automatically to thermostat 24.For example, server 40 can send temperature change request by the customer location based on subscriber equipment report, and this user more approaches building 28 than other any users that are associated with building 28 by system 20.Shown in figure 2 in example embodiment, each returns the change that ring 102 is configured to provide the temperature that the refrigeration system of building 28 keeps.For example, if immediate user returns ring 102a toward moving and pass through away from building 28 directions, server 40 sends request to thermostat 24, comfortable set-point is brought up to in the Current Temperatures set-point in building 28 and add twice.When immediate user arrives the outmost ring 102d that returns, system 20 request thermostats 24 improve Current Temperatures set-point and add 5 degree to comfortable set-point.When all users of building 28 are in the outside of returning ring 102, temperature set points remains on 5 degree on comfortable set-point.When user moves towards building 28 directions, system 20 makes thermostat 24 reduce gradually temperature set points according to returning ring 102, makes user arrive the temperature in building 28 before building 28 and again gets back to the comfortable setting that user selects.In an example implementation, for example, in the time of in the scope of 150 foot of user at building 28, the comfortable set-point that system 20 keeps user to select, can provide skew once from every 1 to 2 mile of building 28.Like this, for example, user's comfortable point is arranged on 76 degree, and user has 5 miles per hours from building 28, and the set-point in building 28 can be by Lookup protocol in 79 degree.It should be noted in the discussion above that it must not be circular returning ring, but can consider various shape, for example, the speed that impact is advanced and the geographical feature of direction, traffic jam etc.

In a plurality of example embodiment, about returning and/or recovery aspect, set-point, system 20 is considered the impact of hot attribute and/or the impact of outdoor temperature and/or other weather conditions of building.For example, system 20 can keep based on specific buildings the degree of heat and cold air, and the efficiency (for example, building recovers how long to need cost from the event of returning) that is arranged on the HVAC device in building is dynamically adjusted the position that (one or more) return ring under given outdoor conditions set.In certain embodiments, system 20 communicates by letter to obtain data with thermostat 24, is used for predicting how long under different outdoor conditions, in the temperature by building 28 after returning, reach target set-point (for example, recovering comfortable set-point) needs cost.For example, system 20 can be measured and record (a) slope that the temperature of process is recovered under identical weather condition, and/or the slope that recovers of the temperature of (b) identifying between convalescence before, and supposes that current slope is similar.

How Fig. 3 A shows in four fill air-conditioned building environment internal temperature along with the time changes to 3D.For Fig. 3 A-3D, case of external temperature is 95 degree.At Fig. 3 A, to each in 3D, solid line 204 represents thermostat set-points, and dotted line 208 represents the environment temperature of interior of buildings.At Fig. 3 A, to each in 3D, the temperature that is initially set to comfortable set-point 76 degree was changed to after one hour returns temperature 85 degree, and after four hours, turns back to the comfortable set-point of 76 degree.The part being circled 212 of each dotted line 208 at Fig. 3 A in 3D is illustrated in the temperature that thermostat setting turns back to after comfortable set-point and recovers.Fig. 3 A has shown how environment temperature changes in having sealed insulating layer and being less than the interior of building of air-conditioning of stock size.The slope 208 that temperature is recovered be every 40 minutes once.Fig. 3 B has shown how environment temperature changes in having sealed insulating layer and surpassing the interior of building of air-conditioning of stock size.The slope 208 that temperature is recovered be every 10 minutes once.Fig. 3 C has shown how environment temperature changes in having loose heat-insulation layer and being less than the interior of building of air-conditioning of stock size.The slope 208 that temperature is recovered be every 60 minutes once.Fig. 3 D has shown how environment temperature changes in having loose temperature layer and surpassing the interior of building of air-conditioning of stock size.The slope 208 that temperature is recovered be every 20 minutes once.

From 3A and 3B, can find out, compare with the comparable family with loose heat-insulation layer, in having the family of sealed insulating layer, more difficult the reaching of environment internal temperature return temperature.Return rank that set-point is set up more saves relevant to comfort level and cost in the building type that Fig. 3 C and 3D describe, because it is high as far as possible conventionally to wish to return set-point, but still guarantee that the air-conditioning in building for example can make environment temperature, when user returns in to home or when approaching house, turn back to comfortable set-point.

User may tend to save based on cost, or, alternatively, based on comfort level, adjust environment temperature.If be more prone to cost, save, so, for example, when user enters, can allow house to there is the environment temperature (thermostat is set to comfortable set-point) higher than the comfortable set-point several years.In certain embodiments, can be different buildings the various ring of returning is set, to optimize energy conservation when keeping comfort level.The slope that temperature is recovered is useful when determining (one or more) optimal location of returning ring.For example, family's cost of user recovers the ring once needs very sparsely being distributed for 60 minutes, may, for example, every 30 miles of rings.On the other hand, the family that can once recover for every 10 minutes, it may have the ring very closely distributing, for example every two miles of rings.

Similarly, the family that has loose heat-insulation layer (for example, without heat insulation, old window etc.) and be less than the air-conditioning of stock size may not have, for example, be greater than the temperature of returning of 3 or 4 degree.From return, recovery will spend time of length like this in this case, and any higher rank will probably be sacrificed comfort level.The returning ring and may need to be positioned in of one four degree, for example, from 100 miles, such family.

In some example embodiment, the time of getting home can be predicted based on many factors, (for example comprise distance that (for example and as limit) user leaves home, average speed, mobile speed), during the same time of a day user from identical destination or similarly distance return to family's needed historical average time of section etc.Once determine how long building need to spend from returning recovery at different outdoor conditions, such data will combine with the prediction of the time of getting home and will return the position that ring can optimization energy conservation when being arranged in the position that acceptable comfort temperature is provided when user returns in to home.

In some example embodiment, be used for determining that factor for the energy conservation strategy of given family comprises the time length of (a) user in being away from home and (b) outdoor temperature.In certain embodiments, such factor is used to process the management of bifuel system.For example, for having the given family that heats pump and stove, the analysis that can carry out based on cloud determines, for example, by heating that pump keeps comfortable set-point and in house keeper, do not have people or whether nobody will be that cost is effective.This can be such situation, for example, heats pump and recovers the time of overspending from returning set-point.Another kind method can be to provide the rollback offset in the several years that heat pump and recover with stove.

destination

Sometimes user may be, for example, and the position cost long time section of leaving home very near.In the situation that the ring of returning of acquiescence is for example positioned at for the suitable position of City Building, may not realize the energy that originally can save.In some urban environments, user is the time spending in around in the radius of 5 miles, family spent 95% the time of staying out.Therefore in an example embodiment, system 20 maintains " destination " database for each user of building 28.In certain embodiments, user can identify a destination expressly to system 20, for example, and user's workplace.Additionally or alternatively, system 20 can maintain the history of the position of user's access, and after user accesses the number of times of given position-scheduled justice, system 20 can be " destination " by that location recognition.In an example embodiment, destination is defined as user and stops than the predefined time period, for example, and two hours, longer time, and within the predefined time period, for example, in the past three months, user has accessed more than predefined number of times, for example, more than once, position.

After destination is identified, the average duration of historical access can be recorded and be updated for determining the suitable temperature of returning of this destination of user's access next time.For example, often one of access is from the destination of one mile, user's family to suppose user, and access average duration is eight hours (for example, user's job site is near home) at every turn.Given such duration, for example, being offset returning of comfortable set-point octave can realize, rather than, for example, corresponding to 1 degree of that distance or the acquiescence of 2 degree skews, return.The time recovery that starts from allowing comfortable set-point being completed before eight hour duration finished from such recovery of returning.

In order to adapt to, may be may not be also the mobile movement from destination of going home, for example, if user leaves work destination, go to have lunch, system 20 can activate be in and destination between predefined distance return ring, for example, be in and destination between distance 75%.In certain embodiments, user can input about creating such information of returning ring to system 20, for example, and travel pattern, " sub-destination " (as, the position in the lunch restaurant of liking), etc.If user rests on returning between ring and destination of activation, system 20 continues to maintain the current set-point (for example, being offset as previously discussed returning of comfortable set-point 8 degree) of returning.

If the return ring of user through activating, system 20 can stop the trip based on destination supervisory user, and can, for example, the trip based on another kind of method supervisory user, as, other that create about the family for user are return ring, and for example, (one or more) acquiescence is return ring.With reference to example above, if the ring required distance based on leaving home under weather condition at that time of returning of the acquiescence of family is offset comfortable set-point 3 degree, returning of 8 degree will be changed to for example 3 degree.Therefore, user, leave home when nearer, the amount of returning can little by little be reduced to recover comfortable set-point.

the quantification of energy conservation

More of the present disclosure during realize, can make thermostat return how many degree when determining in manager nobody, and when start temperature and recover, thereby the comfort level of optimizing user, degree of convenience and cost save to determine the energy of the family's saving that be for example user.Determining like this can be based on what time making below, the position of (one or more) smart phone of (a) one or more occupants for example, (b) how soon the HVAC system in family can change the internal temperature in family when operation, and (c) when HVAC system closing, family to what extent can thermal protection and cold insulation.

Can pass through, for example, draw the variable below HVAC system in determining about the figure of time and can how soon change internal temperature and can be determined: outdoor temperature, indoor environment temperature, thermostat set-point, and HVAC running time.For example, can about the figure of time, determine that when the HVAC system closing family to what extent can thermal protection and cold insulation by drawing variable below: outdoor temperature, indoor temperature, and thermostat set-point.

In a plurality of embodiment, system 20 provides about the measurement of user's building and occupation rate pattern and checking ability, and it can be used to quantize possible and actual energy resource consumption saving.The data that recorded by system 20 can comprise, but needn't be limited to, and while not working about the HVAC system when family, family can not keep heat and/or how long cold, and family recovers to spend data how long from returning set-point.Such data can be used to, and for example, determine " the balance duration " of family,, by returning, there is no the obtained time quantum of energy saving energy that is.

With reference to figure 4, in an example implementation of the present disclosure, can be the quantification that a building is determined balance duration and energy conservation.Figure 30 0 has shown the curve changing along with the time 308 for the temperature 304 of given building.Solid line represents air-conditioning set-point temperature 312, wave representative ring border internal temperature 316.In the present example, under common operating condition, in outdoor temperature, be for example 98 ° time, compressor of air conditioner is in order to keep comfortable set-point 324 during the window 320 of two hours, and for example 76 °, the ON/OFF that may circulate is repeatedly.Suppose to keep in this example 76 ° of temperature two hours, compressor is worked 45 minutes altogether.If, for example user when the beginning of two hours windows 328 by making thermostat return 6 degree, with the temperature of returning to 82 °, for example, initial 1 hour 15 minutes, compressor of air conditioner may be closed, and after this time point, it will start circulation (running time of cost less) to keep the new set-point 332 of 82 °.If but user will return in to home after leaving 1 hour 15 minutes, and to change set-point and get back to the comfort temperature of 76 °, air-conditioning makes house get back to 76 ° for 45 minutes continuous service, negated any possible saving from returning (the hot attribute that the slope of line 336 represents building is " sealing " how, and the slope of line 340 represents that building turns back to comfortable set-point 324 and how long will spend) thus.Therefore for the aforesaid example building balance duration of 2 hours 344, consider its hot attribute and aircondition, determine exemplary temperature set-point and example outdoor temperature.During balance duration 344, by returning thermostat, in energy conservation, there is no net profit.At balance duration, after the past, the basic any time amount that thermostat is still return can recorded aspect energy conservation and analyzed by system 20.Shadow region 348 can be used for quantizing the energy conservation under aforesaid example condition by system 20.

The balance duration of refrigeration system is hot attribute, the size/condition of HVAC system and the function of outdoor temperature of building normally.Although two elements tend to fix above, outdoor temperature is continued jitters substantially.In certain embodiments, system 20 comprises the database for each user's family, and this database shows under each outdoor temperature substantially its balance duration, for example, and heating and/or freezing for family.

According in an exemplary method of the present disclosure, ISP provides energy information to user by door 48 and/or mobile application 52.This information be for, for example, user's family.For example, user can see the running time of the climate controlling device in subscriber household, and be for example, by system 100, by network 36, from thermostat 24, to be determined this running time.In certain embodiments, user is prompted by the brand/model of door 48 or mobile application 52 input climate controlling devices.System 20 can utilize such information by running time data be converted to energy resource consumption and estimate.For such estimation is provided, system 20 can acquisition device customizing messages, for example, and from the nominal load information in the source such as national data base or manufacturer specification.Then, nominal load and running time and user's regional energy resource consumption can be multiplied each other, this spending same is available in national data base.

Except energy information is provided, home energy source management service supplier also can provide location-based energy conservation to serve to the user who has subscribed to location-based service by system 20, for example as described above.In a plurality of embodiment, ISP can provide the specific information of user to also not subscribing to the user of location-based service.For example, ISP can determine and show and anyly return as described above opportunity to user, if user has utilized location-based service, it can save money for user.

Can for example according to the embodiment of the method for being indicated by Reference numeral 400 in Fig. 5, be determined the opportunity of returning like this.System 20 can communicate by letter with user's thermostat 24 to obtain the set-point of user's atmosphere control system.In step 404, the positional information that system 20 is used the location-based service of thermostat set-point data and the subscriber equipment 44 by user to obtain, the atmosphere control system that comes family is set up the time period that is positioned at comfortable set-point at home during no one.In the given time, for example, at the end of month, in step 408, the atmosphere control system that system 20 can be obtained family is set up the total hourage that is positioned at comfortable set-point at home during no one.In step 412, system 20 is also obtained the circulation-ETAD expected time of arrival and departure amount during total hourage, and the brand based on device/model obtains the specified energy resource consumption of the climate controlling device of family.The total amount of the energy resource consumption of in the time of can determining no one at home from such information and given comfortable set-point during in place.For possible energy conservation is determined in location-based energy conservation, in step 416, system 20 deducts the balance duration that is applicable to this time period from each such time period.

In an example implementation, the atmosphere control system that system 20 can be identified family is set up that to be positioned at comfortable set-point be 50 hours at home during no one.System 20 also can be known the time quantum of the circulation-Kai during these 50 hours, and based on brand/model, knows the specified energy resource consumption of air-conditioning.For example, compressor 30 hours was (keeping set-point is 76 °) of opening in 50 hours, and when air-conditioning is opened, it is 3.5 kilowatt hours that this specific model consumes energy.Therefore system 20 can infer the total amount of the energy resource consumption during no one at home and comfortable set-point are in place.Data analysis can be performed to estimate can spend how many less if set-point is 82 ° rather than 76 ° of operation of air conditioner.Suppose it is 18 hours rather than 30 hours, it is the amount of energy conservation that the opening time (at 76 °) that can not infer in this example implementation 30 hours deducts opening time (at 82 °) of 18 hours, that is, and and the running time of 12 hours.On the contrary, in various realizations, balance duration is no one and 76 set-point of spending each time period in place in family.If for example, each hour that no one is in 50 hours of 76 degree is the route of leaving home one hour, returns so set-point to 82 ° and may not can save any energy.Therefore, in different embodiment, energy conservation is required for these time periods (" energy conservation time period "), if there is wherein in family no one and in such time period of comfortable set-point, the time period surpasses suitable balance duration here.

In a plurality of embodiment, system 20 is configured to maintain the database of the balance duration that comprises the building that is adapted to user.In Fig. 6, show in general manner an example form for the balance duration of given building, with Reference numeral 500, represent.Form 500 is adapted to the refrigeration of the building that is associated with given user account 504.For given comfortable set-point 508 and a plurality of outdoor temperature 512, a plurality of balance durations 516 for a plurality of amounts of returning 520 are provided.Can also be provided for, for example, such form of different comfortable set-points and various types of refrigeration, other climate controlling devices of heating and/or arranging in building.

In an example embodiment, system 20 notices are not subscribed to the user of location-based management service, and system 20 estimates how much this user can save by location-based energy conservation.For such information is provided, system 20 suitable Utilities Electric Co. and/or the Gas Companies of identification, for example, based on the input to door 48 or mobile application 52 from user.System 20 is obtained the utility scale that is adapted to this user, for example, and from public utilities, from utility scale database (rate database) and/or the input based on from user.System 20 obtains to " energy conservation time period " estimation that spends in the money on the energy within these time periods by utility scale market demand.

Fig. 7 A illustrates user by door 48 or the mobile application 52 example screenshotss that can see to 7C.Fig. 7 A provides given user in refrigeration cost, originally can save how much estimation within the time period of one month.For every day 604, block diagram 608 represents the cost estimation of total actual every day.If a part for block diagram 608 612 represents this user and has subscribed to location-based energy conservation service, the estimation of the money that originally can save.If user's " click " or activating part 612, for example provide screen as shown in Figure 7 B.The actual temperature of indicating house for the timeline 630 on the same day.Bar 632 represents the time period of nobody in building.There is shown bar portion 634, total time period that the energy resource consumption that its indication mechanism 20 estimations can realize after balance duration is saved, balance duration is by 636 indications of bar portion.For " saving of the missing " report 638 on selected date, shown that the time 642 of nobody in user family and the optimum of family return temperature 646.The saving 650 of total loss of the estimation of that day is provided equally.At the end of providing, the example screenshotss of information are presented in Fig. 7 C.These example screenshotss show this year and for every month 668 heat with cold air cost estimate 660 and 664 both.For every month 668, block diagram 672 represents the cost estimation monthly of total reality.If the part of block diagram 672 676 represents user and has subscribed to location-based energy conservation service, the estimation of the money that originally can save.

When in an example embodiment, user subscribes to location-based management service, system 20 use are shown to user and should serve the estimation how much the actual user of being saved with describing same or similar analysis above, for example, per diem, month and/or year.

As just example, the example embodiment of method and system disclosed herein can provide the one or more advantages below that are better than other energy management methods and system.Aforesaid method and system utilizes thermostat that the existing bandwidth/Wi-Fi of user infrastructure connects user to the server that energy conservation service is provided.Further, the location-based service providing in user's smart mobile phone is utilized to, and for example, determines the distance that inhabitation and user leave home.Therefore have smart mobile phone and have the user of Wi-Fi router and thermostat to have in order to realize the required all hardware substantially of aforesaid system and method at home.

By using the location-based service in smart mobile phone and similar equipment, and by using the data analysis based on cloud, user's comfort level, cost is saved and is conveniently all satisfied well.Family for example, can be maintained in the temperature of occupant's preference substantially always.If for example, husband's favorite temperature is that 76 degree and he are in alone, temperature is maintained at 76 degree.On the other hand, if wife's preference 78 spends and she is in alone, house is maintained at 78 degree.(when man and wife two people are in, 77 degree of compromise may be established.) for example, in the time at any time can determining more or less (one or more) geographical position of (one or more) occupant of family, temperature setting in family can be changed, and before in (one or more) occupant arrives house, from return the time period, recovers.Then, when occupant reaches in family, in family, can reach or approach the comfortable setting of expectation.

When definite occupant of family leave and family in during no one, the behavior that thermostat can be based on actual user by Lookup protocol to returning temperature a period of time.This ability contrasts with show set temperature formation based on regular time, and timetable may be consistent with occupant's agenda also possible inconsistent.Further, actual user position, building data, the embodiment that temperature data and HVAC system information are used to the setting of automatic operation thermostat contrasts with the method formation based on the prediction of the future mode of user's inhabitation being adjusted to thermostat setting.

A plurality of realization of the present disclosure, does not need to do a lot (if having anything to need user to do), and house-owner can keep comfort level when saving money.When entering and leave, house-owner no longer includes any set-point that need to carry out microcosmic regulation and control thermostat.This is equally applicable to according to the user's of the mobile application of the energy conservation of a plurality of embodiment configurations of the present disclosure situation.

Possible advantage above-mentioned is illustrative object and being provided only, does not limit the scope of the present disclosure.The example embodiment of method and system disclosed herein can provide one or more above-mentioned advantages, above-mentioned all advantages, any one or their combination in above-mentioned advantage are not provided.

It is for protection domain of the present disclosure is expressed up hill and dale and fully to those skilled in the art that example embodiment is provided.Many specific details, for example, the example of specific components, equipment and method is suggested to provide the understanding thoroughly of embodiment of the present disclosure.Those skilled in the art be it should be apparent that to specific details does not need to be used, example embodiment (for example can be implemented in many different forms, different materials can be used etc.), and explained to limit the scope of the present disclosure without any needs.In some example embodiment, well-known method, well-known device structure and well-known technology are not described in detail.

Specific dimensions disclosed herein, certain material and/or given shape are example in essence, do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.Herein open of the special value of given parameters and special value scope do not got rid of to other numerical value and the number range coming in handy in disclosed one or more example herein.In addition, can envision, regulation is suitable for the end points (for the first numerical value of given parameters and second value openly can be interpreted as that to disclose same can be the adopted any numerical value between the first and second numerical value of given parameters) of the number range of given parameters for any two special value definables of special parameter herein.Similarly, can envision, comprise all possible combination of number range for open (whether such scope is nested, overlapping or different) of the two or more scopes of numerical value of parameter, it can use the end points of scope of disclosure to be declared.

Term used herein is only as the object of describing particular example embodiment, and it is restrictive being not intended.As used herein, singulative " (a)/(an) " and " should (the) " intention comprise plural form equally, unless context is indicated clearly on the contrary.Term " comprises ", " by ... form ", " comprising " and " having " be inclusive and therefore enumerate the existence of feature, integral body, step, operation, element and/or the assembly of statement, but do not get rid of the existence of one or more other features, integral body, step, operation, element, assembly and/or their combination or additional.Method step described herein, process and operation being not interpreted as necessarily requires their with particular order that discuss or explanation, to carry out, unless the order of explicit recognition for carrying out.Be understandable that equally, step that add or optional may be utilized.

When element or layer referred " ... on ", when " joining to ", " being connected to " or " being coupled to " another element or level, it can be located immediately on these other element or level, engage, connects or be coupled to other element or level, or element between or level can exist.Contrary, when element or level referred " directly exist ... on ", when " directly joining to ", " being directly connected to " or " being directly coupled to " another element or level, element or level between not.Other words that are used for relation between descriptive element should be explained in a similar fashion (for example, " and ... between " to " and directly exist ... between ", " adjacent " is to " direct neighbor " etc.).As used herein, term "and/or" comprises any and all combinations of one or more relevant projects of listing.

Although first, second, third, etc. term can be used to describe a plurality of elements, assembly, region, level and/or section herein; These elements, assembly, region, level and/or section should not limited by these terms.These terms are only used to distinguish element, assembly, region, level or a section and another region, level or section.When being used herein, term such as " first ", " second " unless and other digital terms do not imply that sequence or order are clearly indicated by context.Therefore, the first element discussed below, assembly, region, level or section can be called the second element, assembly, region, level or section and not deviate from the instruction of example embodiment.

Such as " inside ", " outside ", " below ", " below ", " bottom ", " above ", the spatial relationship term on " top " etc.,, can be used to facilitate description to describe element as shown in the figure or the relation between feature and another element or feature herein.Spatial relationship term can be intended to comprise in use or operating equipment is described in the drawings towards outside different towards.For example, if the equipment in figure is reversed, the element that is described as be in another element " below " or " below " by by towards another element " above ".Therefore, exemplary term " below " can comprise above and under facing to both.Equipment can be reversed upset (90-degree rotation or towards other directions) and space used herein relative descriptors is correspondingly explained.

The above stated specification of embodiment is provided for the object of explaining and describe.Be not intended is detailed or the restriction disclosure.Even without special demonstration or description, independent element, expection or the use of statement or the feature of specific embodiment conventionally do not limit that specific embodiment, but, applicable in the situation that, be interchangeable and can be used in selected embodiment.It can have many variation patterns.Such variation should not regarded as and be deviated from the present invention, and all such changes all should be included in protection domain of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. for a system for climate controlling is provided at building, described system comprises:

The thermostat of described building, described thermostat is connected to the network; And

The one or more processors that are connected with described thermostat by described network, it is configured to:

The geographical position of the subscriber equipment that monitoring is associated with the user of described building, this monitoring is performed determine and be positioned at away from relevant geographical position, the destination of described building; And

Based on described geographical position, determine the set-point of described thermostat.

2. system according to claim 1, wherein, described one or more processors are configured to, based on determined set-point, by described network, control described thermostat.

3. system according to claim 1, wherein, described one or more processors are configured to:

Store the historical average duration of destination described in described user equipment access; And

With the distance between described historical average duration and described building and described destination determine while not visiting described destination by described thermostat set-point set to return temperature.

4. system according to claim 1, wherein one or more processors are configured to, and at described subscriber equipment, are determined to while reaching described destination, by described network, described thermostat are set to the predetermined temperature of returning.

5. system according to claim 1, wherein, described one or more processor is configured to, and based on balance duration, determines described set-point, and this balance duration is one or more hot attribute based on described building and/or the kind of the climate controlling equipment in described building.

6. system according to claim 5, wherein, described one or more processors are configured to, from for obtaining described balance duration a plurality of outdoor temperatures and the predetermined a plurality of balance durations of a plurality of amount of returning.

7. according to the system described in any in claim 1 to 6, wherein, described one or more processor is configured to, based on described subscriber equipment, with respect to following one or more geographical position, determine the set-point of described thermostat: between building and destination, return ring, travel pattern and the sub-destination being associated with described destination by described system.

8. for a method for the system execution of climate controlling is provided at building, the method comprises:

Use is connected to described system on the network of the thermostat of described building, controls the set-point of described thermostat based on described geographical position.

9. method according to claim 8, comprising:

Determine while not visiting described destination by described thermostat set-point set to return temperature, this is determined and is to carry out by the distance between described history average duration and described building and described destination.

10. method according to claim 8, comprises, at described subscriber equipment, is determined to while reaching described destination, by described network, described thermostat is set to the predetermined temperature of returning.

11. methods according to claim 8, comprising:

One or more hot attribute based on described building and/or the kind of the climate controlling equipment in described building are determined balance duration; And

Based on described balance duration, determine described thermostat set-point.

12. methods according to claim 11, further comprise based on a plurality of outdoor temperatures and the amount of returning and pre-determine a plurality of balance durations.

13. according to Claim 8 to the method described in any in 12, further comprise, based on described subscriber equipment, with respect to following one or more geographical position, determine the set-point of described thermostat: between described building and described destination, return ring, travel pattern and the sub-destination being associated with described destination by described system.

14. 1 kinds for providing the system of the energy conservation relevant to building, and this building has the thermostat that is connected to described system in network, and described system comprises one or more processors, and it is configured to:

Use described network, monitor described thermostat and the geographical position of the subscriber equipment that is associated with the user of described building, to determine that described building is not lived and described thermostat is arranged on one or more time periods of the first set-point;

Determine by change to the estimation of the energy conservation that can realize the second set-point from described the first set-point at least a portion of described one or more time periods; And

Provide described estimation to described user.

15. systems according to claim 14, wherein said one or more processors are configured to, and at least one time period from described one or more time periods deducts balance duration, to obtain at least a portion of described one or more time periods.

16. systems according to claim 15, wherein, determined balance duration is to be one in the predetermined a plurality of balance durations of a plurality of amounts of returning of a plurality of outdoor temperatures and described building.

17. according to the system described in any in claim 14 to 16, and wherein, described the first set-point comprises comfortable set-point, and described the second set-point comprises returns set-point.

18. 1 kinds of methods for providing the system of the energy conservation relevant to building to carry out, described building has the thermostat that is connected to described system by network, and the method comprises:

The geographical position of the subscriber equipment of monitoring described thermostat and being associated with the user of described building, to determine that described building is not lived and described thermostat is arranged at one or more time periods of the first set-point;

In the time period from the described time period, deduct balance duration, to obtain therein by changing to from described the first set-point the time period that energy resource consumption can be reduced in the second set-point;

Determine the estimation of the amount of the energy resource consumption that can reduce; And

Provide described estimation to described user.

19. methods according to claim 18, wherein, described balance duration is one or more hot attribute based on described building and/or the kind of the climate controlling equipment in building.

20. according to the method described in claim 18 or 19, further comprises that the amount of returning based on a plurality of outdoor temperatures and described building pre-determines a plurality of balance durations of described building.