Distance-adjusted Patents (Class 236/51)
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Patent number: 10498877Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for personalizing interaction with a structure are described herein. One method includes determining a comfort preference associated with a user of a mobile device corresponding to a particular location with respect to a structure, storing the comfort preference in a memory, and modifying an operation of at least one device in the structure to provide the comfort preference responsive to a distance between the mobile device and the particular location being less than a particular threshold.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2018Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Ademco Inc.Inventors: Arun Vijayakumari Mahasenan, Amit Kulkarni, Patrick Gonia
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Patent number: 10488062Abstract: A building control system that uses geofencing in conjunction with a time-based schedule when control one or more building systems. In one example, geofencing may be used to determine if the building is occupied or unoccupied. If the building is determined to be unoccupied via geofencing, the building controller may control to an unoccupied setpoint. If the building is determined to be occupied via geofencing, the HVAC controller may control in accordance with a time-based schedule.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2016Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Ademco Inc.Inventors: David Quam, Sara Slate, Ted Booth, Shannon Roberts, Jason Tiefenauer, Dan Tran
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Patent number: 10474118Abstract: Methods and systems relating to the monitoring and control of heating devices in multiple units in one or more buildings. An intelligent node, containing a monitoring module and a controlling module, is installed for each unit in a building. The monitoring module monitors the activation and deactivation of the heating device or, alternatively, directly measures the amount of power used by the heating device. This monitoring data is transmitted to a central server and is sent to a user. The user can control the duty cycle of the heating device and, as such, can directly cause savings in energy. The duty cycle for each heating device is adjusted by the controlling module based on the user's commands. The system can also be used so that the duty cycle is set such that energy settings for adjacent units are similar.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Inventor: Trevor Boicey
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Patent number: 10476431Abstract: The device and method for measuring the effect of soiling on a photovoltaic device includes a device in which a photovoltaic device (reference solar cell, solar cells, PV module, etc.) may be shifted between partially and fully enclosed compartments in quick succession for measurements of the same device (1) when directly exposed to illumination or solar radiation; (2) when placed under a glass or transparent cover maintained cleared or cleaned of soil; and (3) when placed under glass or transparent cover left exposed to natural outdoor soiling, or attenuated using simulated soil that is not periodically cleaned. The measurements may be of short circuit current (Isc), maximum power (Pmax), or other electrical parameter conventionally used to evaluate performance of the photovoltaic device.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2019Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Kuwait Institute for Scientific ResearchInventors: Feras Ghazi Alzubi, Abdullah Ramadhan Alkandary, Abdulwahab Tareq Alasfour
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Patent number: 10447201Abstract: The device and method for measuring the effect of soiling on a photovoltaic device includes a device in which a photovoltaic device (reference solar cell, solar cells, PV module, etc.) may be shifted between partially and fully enclosed compartments in quick succession for measurements of the same device (1) when directly exposed to illumination or solar radiation; (2) when placed under a glass or transparent cover maintained cleared or cleaned of soil; and (3) when placed under glass or transparent cover left exposed to natural outdoor soiling, or attenuated using simulated soil that is not periodically cleaned. The measurements may be of short circuit current (Isc), maximum power (Pmax), or other electrical parameter conventionally used to evaluate performance of the photovoltaic device.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2019Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Kuwait Institute for Scientific ResearchInventors: Feras Ghazi Alzubi, Abdulwahab Tariq Al-Asfour, Abdullah Ramadhan Alkandary
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Patent number: 10430056Abstract: The invention includes a control for adjusting a thermostat comprising a controller including a microprocessor and memory for storing a user interface, a display screen including a touch sensitive screen, the display screen coupled to the microprocessor and memory; the user interface including a main screen having a temperature icon, a time icon, an adjustment icon, and temperature and time set points for at least two days of the week and the microprocessor programmed to highlight one of the time or temperature icons upon selection of said one of the time or temperature icons and thereafter, without navigating away from the main screen, upon selection of the adjustment touch pad icon, the microprocessor programmed to adjust the time or temperature set point.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2015Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Braeburn Systems LLCInventors: Daniel S Poplawski, Glenn A. Moore
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Patent number: 10408483Abstract: A device detects that a first wearable device has connected to a network. The device receives user preferences from the first wearable device. The device identifies a set point corresponding to a climate parameter. The device receives climate information corresponding to the climate parameter from one or more sensors. The device determines whether the climate information is within a threshold percentage of the set point, and based on the determination that the climate information is not within the threshold percentage of the set point, the device adjusts the set point.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James E. Carey, Bryan M. Jones, Aditi Rajagopal, Ryan L. Rossiter
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Patent number: 10401830Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus and methods for remote testing of controllers such as thermostats, to detect incorrect climate control system configuration parameters. In an exemplary embodiment, a computer wirelessly connects with a remote thermostat and sends signal(s) to the thermostat instructing the thermostat to perform climate control function(s) in predefined sequence(s). The computer receives signal(s) from the thermostat indicating whether the thermostat is performing the climate control function(s) in accordance with the sent signal(s). Based on the signal(s) received from the thermostat, the computer determines whether the thermostat is configured with accurate climate control system configuration parameters.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2016Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventor: Fadi M. Alsaleem
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Patent number: 10401811Abstract: Techniques are described for providing remote device (e.g., thermostat, lighting, appliance, etc.) control and/or energy monitoring. A system monitors sensor data captured by one or more sensors that sense attributes relevant to user presence at one or more monitored properties and status of one or more energy consuming devices associated with the one or more monitored properties. The system analyzes the monitored sensor data and the monitored device status with respect to a set of one or more rules and performs an operation related to controlling the one or more energy consuming devices based on the analysis of the monitored sensor data and the monitored device status with respect to the set of one or more rules.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2018Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Alarm.com IncorporatedInventors: Stephen Scott Trundle, Alison Jane Slavin, Jean-Paul Martin, David James Hutz
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Patent number: 10393397Abstract: A device detects that a first wearable device has connected to a network. The device receives user preferences from the first wearable device. The device identifies a set point corresponding to a climate parameter. The device receives climate information corresponding to the climate parameter from one or more sensors. The device determines whether the climate information is within a threshold percentage of the set point, and based on the determination that the climate information is not within the threshold percentage of the set point, the device adjusts the set point.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James E. Carey, Bryan M. Jones, Aditi Rajagopal, Ryan L. Rossiter
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Patent number: 10376130Abstract: A warewash machine for washing wares includes a chamber for receiving wares, the chamber having at least one wash zone with an associated spray system for spraying liquid onto wares passing therethrough, wherein a downstream drying zone includes a blower for blowing air onto wares passing therethrough. The blower includes an ambient intake operatively connected to an ambient air flow path, a machine intake operatively connected to an internal machine air flow path and an exhaust intake operatively connected to a machine exhaust air flow path.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2016Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Joseph F. Sanders, Alexander R. Anim-Mensah, Mary E. Paulus
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Patent number: 10372093Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for mapping a building space using wearable devices in order to better control the comfort level in the building. In some instances, a system compiles information such as temperature information that is provided by an individual's wearable device as the individual moves about the building over time. Using this data, the system may create and/or update a comfort map of the building, which can be used to determine how various rooms of the building heat and cool over time, as well as usage pattern of the various rooms of the building. The system can then use the comfort map of the building to better control one or more comfort sources of the building.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2016Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Ademco Inc.Inventors: Pedro Davalos, Wendy Foslien, Ajay Pai
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Patent number: 10352581Abstract: A control apparatus controls a facility device and is used in an energy consumption management system that grants an incentive to a user of the facility device when the facility device performs an adjustment of energy consumption for an adjustment period in response to an adjustment request. The control apparatus includes an incentive standard setting unit, a comfort standard setting unit, an incentive prediction calculation unit, a comfort prediction calculation unit, a control condition change unit, and a control unit. The control condition change unit determines whether incentive and comfort predictions are within ranges of incentive and comfort standards, and changes a preset control condition when there is variation in a derivation element of the incentive during the adjustment period. The control unit controls the facility device based on the control condition changed by the control condition change unit after the variation has occurred in the derivation element.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Shinya Inuga, Wakiko Sunamori
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Patent number: 10344998Abstract: An air conditioner including indoor and outdoor devices is provided. The indoor device may include a first connector including a first AC power terminal, a first communication terminal, and a first neutral terminal, a first relay connected between the first AC power terminal and the first communication terminal, and a first communication device connected to the first communication terminal.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2016Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Seokbae Seo, Kwangman Kim, Yongho Yun
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Patent number: 10333810Abstract: A control system with asynchronous wireless data transmission includes a wireless sensor and a controller. The wireless sensor includes a measurement device configured to collect a plurality of samples of a measured variable at a plurality of different sampling times, a transmission generator configured to generate a compressed data object containing the plurality of samples of the measured variable, and a wireless radio configured to transmit the compressed data object at a transmission time asynchronous with at least one of the sampling times. The controller includes an object decompressor configured to extract the plurality of samples of the measured variable from the compressed data object and a feedback controller configured to use one or more of the extracted samples of the measured variable to modulate a control signal for a plant that operates to affect the measured variable.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2017Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Carlos Felipe Alcala Perez, Kirk H. Drees
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Patent number: 10322722Abstract: A method of controlling an autonomously operating vehicle includes determining if the vehicle is currently occupied by a passenger, or if the vehicle is not currently occupied by a passenger. When the vehicle is currently occupied by a passenger, a vehicle controller controls at least one vehicle system to operate using a set of passenger present operating parameters. The set of passenger present operating parameters control the vehicle to provide a minimum level of passenger comfort. When the vehicle is not currently occupied by a passenger, the vehicle controller controls at least one vehicle system to operate using a set of passenger not-present operating parameters. The set of passenger not-present operating parameters control the vehicle for one of optimal energy efficiency, or for optimal vehicle diagnostic performance.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Brett T. Muller, Joshua R. Auden, Fred W. Huntzicker
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Patent number: 10289131Abstract: The invention comprises systems and methods for detecting the use of networked consumer electronics devices as indications of occupancy of a structure for purposes of automatically adjusting the temperature setpoint on a thermostatic HVAC control. At least one thermostat is located inside a structure and is used to control an HVAC system in the structure. At least one networked electronic device is used to indicate the state of occupancy of the structure. The state of occupancy is used to alter the setpoint on the thermostatic HVAC control to reduce unneeded conditioning of unoccupied spaces.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2016Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: EcoFactor, Inc.Inventor: John Douglas Steinberg
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Patent number: 10279762Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic device configured to send a service request of a service to a remote server; receive an authority from the remote server; and control, according to the authority, an on-board device mounted on a target vehicle that is assigned by the remote server to provide the service to a user associated with the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2018Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: BEIJING DIDI INFINITY TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Yang Meng, Zhenghong Wang, Yuqing Li, Hongjing Sun
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Patent number: 10266033Abstract: In a method for estimating thermal sensation, thermal environment information at least regarding a thermal environment of or around a person is obtained, (1) a method for estimating a first thermal sensation, (2) a method for estimating a second thermal sensation, or (3) both the method for estimating the first thermal sensation and the method for estimating the second thermal sensation is selected as a method for estimating thermal sensation, which indicates a degree of warmth or coldness of the person, on the basis of the thermal environment information, and the thermal sensation is estimated using the selected method.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2017Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Aki Yoneda, Koichi Kusukame, Hiroko Kubo
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Patent number: 10261530Abstract: The invention relates to a control apparatus (3) for an HVAC system (5), wherein the control apparatus (3) has a communication module (33) for communicating with one or more components of the HVAC system (5). The control apparatus comprises a passive NFC transponder (34), which is set up to receive and store a unique identifier (341) of each of the one or more components from a mobile service apparatus (2) before a power supply for the control apparatus (3) is switched on, and a control module (35) which is set up to access stored identifiers (341) after a power supply for the control apparatus (3) has been switched on and to transmit control signals to components determined by the identifiers via the communication module (33). The invention also relates to a mobile service apparatus (2) and to components in the form of drives (1), sensor apparatuses, regulators, operating devices and/or communication devices of the HVAC system (5).Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2014Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: BELIMO HOLDING AGInventors: Peter Schmidlin, Silvio Grogg
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Patent number: 10253994Abstract: Methods and systems for setting up HVAC controllers for a particular installation site are disclosed. In an example, an HVAC controller may be configured to control at least part of an HVAC system in accordance with an algorithm that includes equipment information pertaining to operation of the specific HVAC equipment forming the HVAC system as well as comfort information such as desired temperatures. In some cases, the HVAC controller may be configured to enable display of certain of the equipment information in a read-only fashion, and in some cases, certain of the equipment information that would be of interest to an building inspector.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2016Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Ademco Inc.Inventors: Jaymeson Tucker, John B. Amundson, Preston Gilmer, Sriharsha Putrevu
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Patent number: 10222276Abstract: Disclosed herein are a system and method for controlling the temperature of a user. The wearable device may include a first temperature measurement unit configured to measure a temperature of a user and a control unit configured to calculate a temperature difference by comparing the temperature measured by the first temperature measurement unit with a previously stored temperature of the user at normal times, provide temperature measurement information to an external device if the calculated temperature difference is more than a reference temperature difference for a predetermined time, and receive service information for controlling the temperature of the user based on the temperature measurement information from the external device.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: SK PLANET CO., LTD.Inventors: Sunghyun Yoon, Han Sung Gwac
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Patent number: 10220679Abstract: This vehicle air-conditioning system is provided with a preliminary operation control means which activates preliminary operation equipment in response to a planned-boarding signal. The preliminary operation control means provides preparatory control which precedes basic control. An air-flow switching control means drives a blower motor for just a prescribed short time period, and stops the blower motor. An air-outlet switching control means sets an air outlet in a position other than a face blowing position, and stands by. A compressor control means drives a compressor for just a prescribed short time period, and stops the compressor. An electric-heater control means allows the passage of current to an electric heater for 10 minutes, and subsequently stops the passage of current to the electric heater.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2014Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Hiroyuki Sakane
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Patent number: 10222767Abstract: A system and approach for providing information about a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. A screen of the system on a display may have a portion revealing a perspective with a view of components such as cooling and heating coils, fans, dampers, sensors, and so forth. Data modules may be shown proximate to the components on the screen and indicate certain parameters about them. As second portion of the screen may show control and information modules related to items such as temperature and pressure control, and operating mode. The screen may also reveal relationships among sub-systems, applications, zones, alarms, and other items.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2014Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Albert Holaso, Stuart Donaldson, Kevin Callahan
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Patent number: 10215435Abstract: A system and method for crowd-sourced environmental system control and building maintenance includes a server for providing selective access to building occupants and managers. Users are permitted to generate building reports in the form of (i) thermal reports using a thermal report module, and/or (ii) maintenance reports using a maintenance report module. The reports are each geo-located to locations within the building, and are then captured, stored, and aggregated at the server. The aggregated reports are sorted according to their geo-locations and comfort rules are used to (i) permit a manager at a client computer to access the server to respond, and/or (ii) automatically respond and assign a response status to particular reports. An inspection checklist interface is generated and populated to display a list of preventative maintenance tasks, each of the tasks being user-selectable to designate completion, with the updated status of the reports being stored at the server.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2017Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: CROWDCOMFORT, INC.Inventors: B. Eric Graham, Galen C. Nelson, Chris Fuentes, Kevin Loos, Abdullah Daoud, Jeff McAulay
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Patent number: 10179307Abstract: An air compressor system is disclosed that includes a housing sized to enclose an air compressor pump as well as a dryer structured to remove moisture from air that is compressed by the compressor pump. The air compressor pump may be intermittently placed into operation, but the dryer itself is structured in one form to continuously maintain a heat exchanger in a desired temperature range in anticipation of operation of the air compressor pump. The heat exchanger of the dryer can include sufficient thermal mass such that a refrigerant pump of the dryer need not be operated continuously in anticipation of operation of the air compressor pump. While a cooling air flow can be created by operation of the air compressor pump, when the air compressor pump is not operated a cooling fan can be used provide cooling to the heat generating components of the dryer.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2017Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand CompanyInventors: Paolo De Piero, Stefano Vezil, Charles John Bergh
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Patent number: 10168067Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system comprises an outdoor unit with a fan and a coil, and a controller communicatively coupled to the fan and coil. The controller is operable to receive feedback data from the fan, where the feedback data from the fan corresponds to a power and a speed of the fan. The controller is further operable to store a fan model and a plurality of thresholds and determine a virtual sensor measurement, based at least in part upon the feedback data from the fan and the fan model. The controller is operable to determine that the virtual sensor measurement is greater than a frost threshold or a fouling threshold. The controller is finally operable to, in response to determining that the pressure difference is greater than the frost threshold or the fouling threshold, determine a blocked condition on the coil.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2015Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Umesh Gokhale, Eric Berg, Jon Douglas
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Patent number: 10140848Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for motion sensor adjustment. A signal indicating that motion was detected by a motion sensor may be received. A status of an HVAC system may be received from a computing device that controls the operation of vents of the HVAC system. The status of the HVAC system may include times vents of the HVAC system are operating. Using the status of the HVAC system, it may be determined that a vent of the HVAC system located in an area visible to the motion sensor was operating during the time period in which the motion sensor detected motion by correlating the time period in which the motion sensor detected motion with the times the vent was operating as indicated by the status of the HVAC system. The signal indicating that motion was detected may be ignored as a false alert and no alert may be generated.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2017Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Yash Modi, Aveek Ravishekhar Purohit, Kenneth Louis Herman
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Patent number: 10131204Abstract: A system may receive historical climate control selections by a user and environmental conditions across a plurality of climate-controlled contexts; identify a correlation of temperature settings in a first of the climate-controlled contexts to temperature settings in a second of the climate-controlled contexts for an environmental condition; and update a user profile of the user according to the correlation. The system may also identify an upcoming user transition from a first climate-controlled context to a second climate-controlled context; and precondition the second context in accordance with the correlation.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2015Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Sudipto Aich, Jamel Seagraves, Casey Bryan Feldman, Yonathan Aklilu Redda
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Patent number: 10136549Abstract: A control device for a ceiling fan may have a motor drive circuit configured to control a rotational speed of a motor of the ceiling fan, an occupancy sensing circuit, and a control circuit configured to adjust the rotational speed of the motor in response to a detected occupancy or vacancy condition. The control circuit may process the signals generated by the occupancy sensing circuit to eliminate the effects of vibrations and/or wobbling of the ceiling fan. The control circuit may control the motor drive circuit to adjust the rotational speed of the motor in response to an accelerometer to minimize the magnitude of the wobble of the ceiling fan. The control circuit may be configured to learn a preferred rotational speed for the motor. The control circuit may also be configured to control the rotational speed of the motor to affect a thermal comfort level of an occupant.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2017Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventor: James P. Steiner
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Patent number: 10132559Abstract: A system and method for determining and reporting refrigeration equipment operating metrics using only sensed interior air temperature is taught. By repeatedly sensing interior air temperature an average food temperature metric, a runtime metric, a compressor cycle metric, and a door opening count metric is determined and reported.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2015Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Inventor: Carleton Saunders, IV
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Patent number: 10110723Abstract: A controller in an energy management system is configured to acquire environmental parameters indicating an environment within a home. The controller is configured to receive a request from a terminal device installed outside the home for remotely operating a unit installed in the home such as an air-conditioning system. The controller is configured to transmit to the terminal device query data containing the acquired environmental parameters, and a query on whether to control the unit according to the request, when receiving the request. The controller is configured to control the unit based on a response to the query from the terminal device.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2014Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Satoshi Minezawa, Hirotoshi Yano, Masaaki Yabe, Yuki Ogawa, Ichiro Maruyama, Shinji Nakamura, Shiro Suzuki, Masayuki Komatsu
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Patent number: 10107509Abstract: An air conditioning system is provided, including: an outdoor air conditioner, configured to cool outdoor air at an outdoor temperature into dehumidified air at a dehumidified temperature, to heat the dehumidified air into supply air at a supply air temperature, and to provide the supply air to a plurality of rooms; a plurality of indoor air conditioners provided inside the plurality of rooms, respectively, each indoor air conditioner being configured to draw in input air at an input temperature, to heat or cool the input air into output air at an output temperature, and to provide the output air to a corresponding room; a control circuit configured to determine whether an air conditioning load exists in a set number of the plurality of rooms, and to adjust operation of the outdoor air conditioner to set the supply air temperature based on whether the air conditioning load is determined to exist.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2014Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Shinichi Ito, So Nomoto, Daisuke Sakai
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Patent number: 10107849Abstract: A diagnostic system for a home appliance, and a method for diagnosing the home appliance, the method according to one aspect including collecting consumed electric power information of the home appliance by a power measuring part; transmitting the collected electric power information to an external server; and receiving operation state information of the home appliance analyzed from the external server by the home appliance.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2016Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventor: Chansung Jeon
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Patent number: 10101896Abstract: A remote control device of a heat pump system is useable to switch an operating state of the heat pump system. The remote control device includes a touch screen and physical keys provided separately from the touch screen. The touch screen is configured and arranged to display a plurality of touch keys displayed by words, graphics, or symbols associated separately with any of a plurality of set items. The physical keys include at least two function keys. A number of the function keys is fewer than a number of the touch keys. The function keys are assigned a common function utilized when the operating state is switched. The remote control device further includes a common function setting part configured and arranged to assign the common functions to the function keys.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2017Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Ryousuke Yamamoto
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Patent number: 10094598Abstract: A system controls a multi-zone vapor compression system (MZ-VCS). The system includes a controller to control a vapor compression cycle of the MZ-VCS using a set of control inputs determined by optimizing a cost function including a set of control parameters. The optimizing is subject to constraints, and wherein the cost function is optimized over a prediction horizon. The system also includes a memory to store an optimization function parameterized by a configuration of the MZ-VCS defining active or inactive modes of each heat exchanger, the optimization function modifies, according to a current configuration, values of the control parameters of the cost function determined for a full configuration that includes all heat exchangers in the active mode. The system also includes a processor to determine the current configuration of the MZ-VCS and to update the cost function by submitting the current configuration to the optimization function.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2016Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J Burns, Junqiang Zhou, Claus Danielson, Stefano Di Cairano
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Patent number: 10041694Abstract: An air conditioning management system manages air conditioning units having unique physical addresses using logical addresses. The system includes a local controller collecting driving information for the air conditioning units, and an operating unit for each air conditioning unit. The local controller has a memory section which stores identification information for each of the air conditioning units, an information collecting section which collects the driving information, and an associating section which associates the driving information with the logical addresses. The identification information for each of the air conditioning units has a physical address section, a real address section set from the operating unit, and a temporary address section arbitrarily settable without the operating unit. The associating section uses the real address as the logical address when the real address is set and uses the temporary address as the logical address when the real address is not set.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2013Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Kazuhito Senba
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Patent number: 10024567Abstract: An intelligent control method of HVAC computer room is disclosed, including steps of: constructing an integrated central processing device, which controls start-stop operations of start-stop devices of each one of equipments, and controls each display unit to display parameters; displaying datas of a sensor unit; controlling the whole system's start-stop operation and the operation of a system protective module, via an one key type start-stop device, and controlling the integrated central processing device through a remote control module. The method in disclosure possesses functions of start-stop with one key, remote control, automatic operation of devices, unmanned operation, and functions of remote checking on operation states, system protection and operation state informations.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Inventor: Chunlei Ren
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Patent number: 10025328Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus, systems and methods for power stealing for a wireless-enabled thermostat. In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless-enabled thermostat generally includes a control having a wireless network interface that intermittently connects the thermostat in a wireless network in accordance with a duty cycle, the duty cycle having a connect time in which the thermostat is connected in the wireless network and a sleep time in which the thermostat is not connected in the wireless network. A power stealing circuit of the thermostat steals power through an “on-mode” load of a climate control system to charge a capacitor or other energy storage device to provide the power for the wireless network interface. The control adjusts at least the sleep time in accordance with a time for charging the capacitor or other energy storage device to a threshold voltage.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: Bradley C. Zikes, William P. Butler, David L. Perry
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Patent number: 9983653Abstract: A central control apparatus for controlling facilities, a facility control system including the same, and a method of controlling facilities may be provided. The central control apparatus may include a control unit performing control on facilities or equipment. The control unit may include a data collection module configured to collect prediction environment data including weather information of a control target region, a system setting module configured to set information of at least one facility in the control target region, and an energy use amount simulation module configured to model the at least one facility, based on the information of the at least one facility, set at least one control scenario applicable to the at least one facility, and simulate consumption power of the modeled at least one facility that operates according to the at least one control scenario.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Junu Lee, Kyeungjae Kim
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Patent number: 9975472Abstract: A system for controlling one or more vehicle lights, which can either be retrofitted to an existing vehicle or incorporated into a vehicle during original manufacture. The system may include a light controller operable to control one or more distributed lights, one or more sensors for detecting various ambient conditions, and a user input device having an interface configured to receive commands from a user. The light controller may modify a function of the one or more lights based on detections by the sensors and/or commands from the user input device. A state service may execute to maintain a state flow for the one or more lights based on the detections and/or commands.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2016Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: Tyri International, Inc.Inventor: Christian Wadell
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Patent number: 9979812Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for personalizing interaction with a structure are described herein. One method includes determining a comfort preference associated with a user of a mobile device corresponding to a particular location with respect to a structure, storing the comfort preference in a memory, and modifying an operation of at least one device in the structure to provide the comfort preference responsive to a distance between the mobile device and the particular location being less than a particular threshold.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2016Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Arun Vijayakumari Mahasenan, Amit Kulkarni, Patrick Gonia
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Patent number: 9964322Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus and methods for adjusting controller set points based on outdoor temperature. In an exemplary embodiment, a climate control system controller for providing climate control in a structure includes a processor and memory configured to obtain adjusted heating and cooling set point values determined by combining adjustment amounts with heating and cooling set points set for the climate control system. The adjustment amounts are determined in accordance with deviations of sensed outdoor ambient temperature (OAT) values from an intermediate OAT value predefined in a range of OAT values. The controller, in response to sensed outdoor temperatures in the range of OAT values, controls heating and cooling in the structure in accordance with the adjusted heating and cooling set point values.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2015Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.Inventor: Jeffrey N. Arensmeier
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Patent number: 9964323Abstract: In some embodiments, a system for operating an HVAC control network includes a first control unit communicatively coupled to a first plurality of HVAC units and a first interactive display, the first control unit further comprising a software access point (softAP). A second control unit, the second control unit communicatively coupled to a second plurality of HVAC units and a second interactive display. The second control unit may include a push button. The second control unit may connect to the first control unit to create an HVAC control network using a Wi-Fi direct protocol by invoking a Wi-Fi direct, push button configuration protocol in response to detecting that the push button has been depressed. The first control unit may control the second plurality of HVAC units over the HVAC control network in response to the second control unit connecting to the first control unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2015Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Daniel A. Castillo, Jayprakash Charavda, Nguyen T. Ho, Sunil K. Khiani
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Patent number: 9930522Abstract: A system includes a database of image data associated with a vehicle; and control logic configured to cause a user device to capture one or more images and compare data associated with the one or more images with the image data to determine if a user is present in a vehicle and disable a text messaging function at least in part responsive to the determination using the image data.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Sensoriant, Inc.Inventor: Shamim A. Naqvi
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Patent number: 9920944Abstract: A wall module for controlling a temperature in a building space includes a housing and a temperature sensor disposed within the housing. A touch screen display is mounted relative to the housing and a controller is configured to control what is displayed on the touch screen display and to accept inputs received via the touch screen display. A communication port is operatively coupled to the controller for communicating with an HVAC controller that is remote from the wall module. The controller is configured to permit a user to alter a display arrangement of information displayed on the touch screen display, and to transmit the altered display arrangement to the HVAC controller such that the HVAC controller can subsequently provide the altered display arrangement back to the wall module and/or share the altered display arrangement with other wall modules.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Ivo Chromy, Miroslav Mikulica, David Sedlacek, Petr Hanel, Gary P. Kasper, William Bray
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Patent number: 9918180Abstract: Systems and methods for using occupant location in a building management system are provided. A plurality of wireless emitters are provided at various locations in a building. Each of the wireless emitters broadcasts a different emitter identifier. Mobile devices in the building run an application which causes the mobile devices to detect and report, to the building management system, an emitter identifier associated with a nearby wireless emitter. The building management system uses the reported emitter identifier to determine a building zone in which the mobile device is located. The building management system provides information to the mobile device based on the location of the mobile device in the building. In some embodiments, the information includes a user interface for monitoring and/or controlling the building zone in which the mobile device is located.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2014Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Joseph R. Ribbich, John S. Jilek, Dana S. Petersen, Ryan J. Bykowski
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Patent number: 9874913Abstract: An apparatus includes voltage summation logic to provide a summed voltage corresponding to a sum of voltage contributions, each contribution associated with a corresponding port controller of a plurality of port controllers. The apparatus also includes a first port controller to determine, based on the summed voltage, whether a second power source is to be coupled to a system power bus of a system via a second port controller of the plurality of port controllers, and if not, the first port controller is to couple a first power source to the system power bus. Other embodiments are described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2014Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Intel CorporationInventor: Scot Lester
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Patent number: 9863688Abstract: A refrigerator includes a compressor, a cold storage medium, a power supply to convert AC power supplied from an outside of the refrigerator, and to receive DC power during interruption of electric power, and a controller to perform a control operation to supply a cooling capacity to an interior of the refrigerator by driving the compressor based on the supplied AC power when no interruption of electric power occurs, and to perform a control operation to supply a cooling capacity to the interior of the refrigerator based on the supplied DC power and the cold storage medium during the interruption of electric power. Accordingly, consumption of electric power during interruption of electric power is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2015Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Byoungsuk Choi, Jinseok Hu, Heesun Kim, Shinhyun Park
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Patent number: 9841206Abstract: Provided are an installation guide system for an air conditioner and a method of using the same, including a display that displays a user interface for designing an installation for an air conditioner, a memory that stores at least one image for a building, and a controller to control a display of the stored images on the user interface. The user interface may include a first region that displays information with respect to a plurality of recommended configurations of the air conditioner including configuration of plurality of tubes that connect an outdoor unit to at least one indoor unit, and a second region that displays one of the stored images for a building and including a display of the outdoor unit, the indoor unit and the plurality of tubes The displayed image may be configured based on a selected recommended configuration of the air conditioner selected in the first region.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2013Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Jungyul Park, Sangeun Cho, Shinae Kang, Junmo Kim, Mingyu Park