Energy control system5289362
Abstract
A control system for controlling a climate control device, such as an HVAC device within a premise, utilizes real time price tier data supplied by the utility company to achieve economical temperature regulation of the premise. The control system regulates temperature based on time of day data and desired temperature data supplied by the user wherein the user may program different desired temperatures depending upon the relative cost of electricity. The system also provides billing information to the user for current usage and projected usage. The control system additionally controls appliance modules and regulates operation of the hot water heater.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A control system for controlling a climate control device such as an HVAC device at a premise, said climate control device being supplied with electricity via a utility at various price tiers and said utility providing real time price tier data to said control system, said control system comprising:
a) display means for displaying:
1) time of day data,
2) price tier identifying data for identifying price tiers representing at least the relative cost of electricity from one price tier to the next price tier, and
3) set point temperature data corresponding to each of said price tier identifying data,
b) input means for inputting;
1) said time of day data for defining time intervals,
2) said set point temperature data corresponding to each price tier identifying data and corresponding to each of said time of day data, said set point temperature data indicative of the desired temperature corresponding to each price tier for each time interval,
c) temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature within said premise and for producing actual temperature data indicative of said sensed temperature;
d) clock means for maintaining a real time clock and for generating real time clock data corresponding thereto, and
e) control means
1) connected to said input means for receiving said time of day data and said set point temperature data,
2) connected to said temperature sensing means for receiving said actual temperature data,
3) connected to said clock means for receiving said real time clock data,
4) connected to said utility for receiving said real time price tier data, and
5) connected to said climate control device for controlling said climate control device for regulating the temperature within said premise in accordance with
(a) said set point temperature data for a corresponding price tier identifying data and a corresponding time of day data and
(b) said actual temperature data, said real time price tier data and said real time clock data.
2. A control system as recited in claim 1, wherein
said display means further includes means for displaying weekend and weekday identifying data,
said input means further includes means for selecting said weekend or weekday identifying data, and
said control means is further operative to control said climate control device in accordance with said weekend and weekday identifying data.
3. A control system as recited in claim 1, wherein
said display means further includes means for displaying time of day subintervals, such as morning, day, evening and night, and
said input means further includes means for selecting said time of day subintervals.
4. A control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said input means includes means for inputting contiguous time of day data for defining contiguous time intervals.
5. A control system as recited in claim 1 wherein
said control system further includes storing means for storing preset time of day data corresponding to predetermined time intervals, and preset set point temperature data corresponding to said preset time of day data for each of said price tier identifying data, and
wherein said control means is operative for controlling said climate control device for regulating the temperature within said premise in accordance with
(a) said preset set point temperature data for a corresponding price tier identifying data and a corresponding preset time of day data and
(b) said actual temperature data, said real time price tier data and said real time clock data.
6. A control system for controlling a climate control device such as an HVAC device at a premise, said climate control device being supplied with electricity via a utility at various price tiers and said utility providing real time price tier data to said control system, and control system comprising:
a) display means for displaying;
1) time of day data,
2) price tier identifying data for identifying price tiers representing at least the relative cost of electricity from one price tier to the next price tier, and
3) set point temperature data corresponding to each of said price tier identifying data,
b) input means for inputting;
1) said time of day data for defining time intervals,
2) said set point temperature data corresponding to each price tier identifying data and corresponding to each of said time of day data, said set point temperature data indicative of the desired temperature corresponding to each price tier for each timer interval.
c) temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature within said premise and for producing actual temperature data indicative of said sensed temperature;
d) clock means for maintaining a real time clock and for generating real time clock data corresponding thereto, and
e) control means
1) connected to said input means for receiving said time of day data and said set point temperature data,
2) connected to said temperature sensing means for receiving said actual temperature data,
3) connected to said clock means for receiving said real time clock data,
4) connected to said utility for receiving said real time price tier data, and
5) connected to said climate control device for controlling said climate control device for regulating the temperature within said premise in accordance with
(a) said set point temperature data for a corresponding price tier identifying data and a corresponding time of day data and
(b) said actual temperature data, said real time price tier data and said real time clock data,
wherein said control system further includes storing means for storing preset time of day data corresponding to predetermined time intervals, and preset set point temperature data corresponding to said preset time of day data for each of said price tier identifying data, and
wherein said control means is operative for controlling said climate control device for regulating the temperature within said premise in accordance with
(a) said preset set point temperature data for a corresponding price tier identifying data and a corresponding preset time of day data and
(b) said actual temperature data, said real time price tier data and said real time clock data,
wherein
said storing means further stores said time of day data and said set point temperature data input via said input means, and said control means is operative to control said climate control device in response to said input time of day data and said input set point temperature data in place of said preset time of day data and said preset set point temperature data respectively, and
wherein said input means further includes an optimizer switch, said control means responsive to actuation of said optimizer switch to control said climate control device in response to said preset time of day data and said preset set point temperature data in place of said input time of day data and said input set point temperature data respectively.
7. A control system for controlling a climate control device such as an HVAC device at a premise, said climate control device being supplied with electricity via a utility at various price tiers and said utility providing real time price tier data to said control system, said control system comprising:
a) display means for displaying:
1) time of day data,
2) price tier identifying data for identifying price tiers representing at least the relative cost of electricity from one price tier to the next price tier, and
3) set point temperature data corresponding to each of said price tier identifying data,
b) input means for inputting;
1) said time of day data for defining time intervals,
2) said set point temperature data corresponding to each price tier identifying data and corresponding to each of said time of day data, said set point temperature data indicative of the desired temperature corresponding to each price tier for each time interval,
c) temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature within said premise and for producing actual temperature data indicative of said sensed temperature;
d) clock means for maintaining a real time clock and for generating real time clock data corresponding thereto, and
e) control means
1) connected to said input means for receiving said time of day data and said set point temperature data,
2) connected to said temperature sensing means for receiving said actual temperature data,
3) connected to said clock means for receiving said real time clock data,
4) connected to said utility for receiving said real time price tier data, and
5) connected to said climate control device for controlling said climate control device for regulating the temperature within said premise in accordance with
(a) said set point temperature data for a corresponding price tier identifying data and a corresponding time of day data and
(b) said actual temperature data, said real time price tier data and said real time clock data,
wherein said control system further includes storing means for storing preset time of day data corresponding to predetermined time intervals, and preset set point temperature data corresponding to said preset time of day data for each of said price tier identifying data,
wherein said control means is operative for controlling said climate control device for regulating the temperature within said premise in accordance with
(a) said preset set point temperature data for a corresponding price tier identifying data and a corresponding preset time of day data and
(b) said actual temperature data, said real time price tier data and said real time clock data,
wherein
said climate control device operates in at least a cooling mode for cooling said premise and
wherein for use in said cooling mode said storing means stores said preset set point temperature data for each of said price tier identifying data such that any given preset set point temperature data for a given cost of electricity as represented by said price tier identifying data has a value equal to or greater than the preset set point temperature value corresponding to any lower cost of electricity as represented by said price tier identifying data.
8. A control system as recited in claim 4, wherein
said climate control device operates in at least a cooling mode for cooling said premise and
wherein for use in said cooling mode said storing means stores said preset set point temperature data for each of said price tier identifying data such that any given preset set point temperature data for a given cost of electricity as represented by said price tier identifying data has a value equal to or greater than the preset set point temperature value corresponding to any lower cost of electricity as represented by said price tier identifying data.
9. A control system for controlling a climate control device such as an HVAC device at a premise, said climate control device being supplied with electricity via a utility at various price tiers and said utility providing real time price tier data to said control system, said control system comprising:
a) display means for displaying;
1) time of day data,
2) price tier identifying data for identifying price tiers representing at least the relative cost of electricity from one price tier to the next price tier, and
3) set point temperature data corresponding to each of said price tier identifying data,
b) input means for inputting;
1) said time of day data for defining time intervals,
2) said set point temperature data corresponding to each price tier identifying data and corresponding to each of said time of day data, said set point temperature data indicative of the desired temperature corresponding to each price tier for each timer interval,
c) temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature within said premise and for producing actual temperature data indicative of said sensed temperature;
d) clock means for maintaining a real time clock and for generating real time clock data corresponding thereto, and
e) control means
1) connected to said input means for receiving said time of day data and said set point temperature data,
2) connected to said temperature sensing means for receiving said actual temperature data,
3) connected to said clock means for receiving said real time clock data,
4) connected to said utility for receiving said real time price tier data, and
5) connected to said climate control device for controlling said climate control device for regulating the temperature within said premise in accordance with
(a) said set point temperature data for a corresponding price tier identifying data and a corresponding time of day data and
(b) said actual temperature data, said real time price tier data and said real time clock data,
wherein said control system further includes storing means for storing preset time of day data corresponding to predetermined time intervals, and preset set point temperature data corresponding to said preset time of day data for each of said price tier identifying data,
wherein said control means is operative for controlling said climate control device for regulating the temperature within said premise in accordance with
(a) said preset set point temperature data for a corresponding price tier identifying data and a corresponding preset time of day data and
(b) said actual temperature data, said real time price tier data and said real time clock data,
wherein
said climate control device operates in at least a heating mode for heating said premise and
wherein for use in said heating mode said storing means stores said preset set point temperature data for each of said price tier identifying data such that any given preset set point temperature data for a given cost of electricity as represented by said price tier identifying data has a value equal to or less than the preset set point temperature value corresponding to any lower cost of electricity as represented by said price tier identifying data.
10. A control system as recited in claim 6 wherein
said climate control device operates in at least a heating mode for heating said premise and
wherein for use in said heating mode said storing means stores said preset set point temperature data for each of said price tier identifying data such that any given preset set point temperature data for a given cost of electricity as represented by said price tier identifying data has a value equal to or less than the preset set point temperature value corresponding to any lower cost of electricity as represented by said price tier identifying data.
11. A control system as recited in claim 1 wherein
said input means further includes means for selecting an appliance module data indicative of a selected one of a plurality of appliance modules and means for inputting start and stop time data for each selected appliance module, and
wherein said control means is further operative in response to said appliance module data and said start and stop time data to activate said appliance during a time period defined by said start and stop time data.
12. A control system as recited in claim 11 wherein said appliance modules are connected to said control means via an AC power line within said premise.
13. A control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said climate control device is connected to said control means via AC power lines within said premise.
14. A control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said climate control device is connected to said control means via dedicated lines within said premise, said dedicated lines separate from any AC power lines within said premise.
15. A control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said control means is connected to said utility via a telephone communication link.
16. A control system as recited in claim 1 wherein:
said control means includes a data processing unit and an analog to digital converter,
said analog to digital converter connected to said temperature sensing means for receiving said actual temperature data and providing digital actual temperature data to said data processing unit,
said processing unit operative for averaging said digital actual temperature data to provide an average temperature data, and
said control means operative for controlling said display means so as to display said average temperature data.
17. A control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said control means is operative for controlling said display means to display said actual temperature data as sensed by said temperature sensing means.
18. A control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said control means further includes means for calculating the cost of electricity over a given time period as utilized at least by said climate control device.
19. A control system as recited in claim 18 wherein
said input means includes a bill information switch and
said control means is connected to said display means for controlling said display means to display said calculated cost of electricity in response to actuation of said bill information switch.
20. A control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said control means includes means for determining electricity usage data in each of said price tiers, said control means controlling said display means to display said electricity usage data in response to actuation of a given switch on said input means.
21. A control system as recited in claim 20 wherein said given switch is a bill information switch, sequential actuation of said bill information switch causing sequential action by said control means to cause said display means to sequentially display said electricity usage data in each price tier.
22. A control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said control means includes means for determining electricity cost data in each of said price tiers, said control means controlling said display means to display said electricity cost data in response to actuation of a given switch on said input means.
23. A control system as recited in claim 1 further including a hot water heater connected to said control means and wherein said control means further includes means for calculating the cost of electricity over a given time period as utilized by at least said climate control device, said appliance modules, and said hot water heater.
24. A control system as recited in claim 1 further including:
a hot water heater connected to said controller, and
wherein said display means further includes means for displaying a start and stop time for displaying the scheduling of the on time of said hot water heater, and
wherein said input means further includes means for inputting said start and stop times for scheduling the on time of said hot water heater,
said controller being further operative to control said hot water heater in accordance with said scheduled on time and said real time clock data and further in response to said real time price tier data.
25. A control system for controlling a climate control device such as an HVAC device at a premise, said climate control device being supplied with electricity via a utility at various price tiers and said utility providing real time price tier data to said control system, said control system comprising:
a) display means for displaying:
1) time of day data,
2) price tier identifying data for identifying price tiers representing at least the relative cost of electricity from one price tier to the next price tier, and
3) set point temperature data corresponding to each of said price tier identifying data,
b) input means for inputting:
1) said time of day data for defining time intervals,
2) said set point temperature data corresponding to each price tier identifying data and corresponding to each of said time of day data, said set point temperature data indicative of the desired temperature corresponding to each price tier for each timer interval,
c) temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature within said premise and for producing actual temperature data indicative of said sensed temperature;
d) clock means for maintaining a real time clock and for generating real time clock data corresponding thereto, and
e) control means
1) connected to said input means for receiving said time of day data and said set point temperature data,
2) connected to said temperature sensing means for receiving said actual temperature data,
3) connected to said clock means for receiving said real time clock data,
4) connected to said utility for receiving said real time price tier data, and
5) connected to said climate control device for controlling said climate control device for regulating the temperature within said premise in accordance with
(a) said set point temperature data for a corresponding price tier identifying data and a corresponding time of day data and
(b) said actual temperature data, said real time price tier data and said real time clock data,
a hot water heater connected to said controller, and
wherein said display means further includes means for displaying a start and stop time for displaying the scheduling of the on time of said hot water heater,
wherein said input means further includes means for inputting said start and stop times for scheduling the on time of said hot water heater,
said controller being further operative to control said hot water heater in accordance with said scheduled on time and said real time clock data and further in response to said real time price tier data,
and wherein said controller is operative for turning on said hot water heater in advance of said scheduled on time so as to preheat said hot water heater in a preheat time interval immediately preceding said scheduled on time.
26. A control system as recited in claim 25 wherein said control means includes means for calculating a preheat time interval which produces a lowest utility cost with respect to said real time price tier data and said real time clock data.
27. A control system for controlling a climate control device such as an HVAC device at a premise, said climate control device being supplied with electricity via a utility at various price tiers and said utility providing real time price tier data to said control system, said control system comprising:
a) displaying means for displaying:
1) time of day data,
2) price tier identifying data for identifying price tiers representing at least the relative cost of electricity from one price tier to the next price tier, and
3) set point temperature data corresponding to each of said price tier identifying data,
b) input means for inputting:
1) said time of day data for defining time intervals,
2) said set point temperature data corresponding to each price tier identifying data and corresponding to each of said time of day data, said set point temperature data indicative of the desired temperature corresponding to each price tier for each timer interval,
c) temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature within said premise and for producing actual temperature data indicative of said sensed temperature;
d) clock means for maintaining a real time clock and for generating real time clock data corresponding thereto, and
e) control means
1) connected to said input means for receiving said time of day data and said set point temperature data,
2) connected to said temperature sensing means for receiving said actual temperature data,
3) connected to said clock means for receiving said real time clock data,
4) connected to said utility for receiving said real time price tier data, and
5) connected to said climate control device for controlling said climate control device for regulating the temperature within said premise in accordance with
(a) said set point temperature data for a corresponding price tier identifying data and a corresponding time of day data and
(b) said actual temperature data, said real time price tier data and said real time clock data,
a hot water heater connected to said controller, and
wherein said display means further includes means for displaying a start and stop time for displaying the scheduling of the on time of said hot water heater,
wherein said input means further includes means for inputting said start and stop times for scheduling the on time of said hot water heater,
said controller being further operative to control said hot water heater in accordance with said scheduled on time and said real time clock data and further in response to said real time price tier data,
and wherein said control means is operative for inhibiting operation of said hot water heater if said real time price tier data for said scheduled on time corresponds to a highest price tier data.
28. A control system for controlling a climate control device such as an HVAC device at a premise, said climate control device being supplied with electricity via a utility at various price tiers and said utility providing real time price tier data to said control system, said control system comprising:
a) display means for displaying;
1) time of day data,
2) price tier identifying data for identifying price tiers representing at least the relative cost of electricity from one price tier to the next price tier, and
3) set point temperature data corresponding to each of said price tier identifying data,
b) input means for inputting:
1) said time of day data for defining time intervals,
2) said set point temperature data corresponding to each price tier identifying data and corresponding to each of said time of day data, said set point temperature data indicative of the desired temperature corresponding to each price tier for each timer interval,
c) temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature within said premise and for producing actual temperature data indicative of said sensed temperature;
d) clock means for maintaining a real time clock and for generating real time clock data corresponding thereto, and
e) control means
1) connected to said input means for receiving said time of day data and said set point temperature data,
2) connected to said temperature sensing means for receiving said actual temperature data,
3) connected to said clock means for receiving said real time clock data,
4) connected to said utility for receiving said real time price tier data, and
5) connected to said climate control device for controlling said climate control device for regulating the temperature within said premise in accordance with
(a) said set point temperature data for a corresponding price tier identifying data and a corresponding time of day data and
(b) said actual temperature data, said real time price tier data and said real time clock data,
a hot water heater connected to said controller, and
wherein said display means further includes means for displaying a start and stop time for displaying the scheduling of the on time of said hot water heater, and
wherein said input means further includes means for inputting said start and stop times for scheduling the on time of said hot water heater,
said controller being further operative to control said hot water heater in accordance with said scheduled on time and said real time clock data and further in response to said real time price tier data,
and wherein said control means is operative for inhibiting operation of said hot water heater if said real time price tier data for said scheduled on time corresponds to either a highest or next to highest price tier data.
29. A control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for inputting includes a keypad and said means for displaying included an LCD display.
30. A control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said control means is connected to said utility to receive said real time price tier data and a corresponding utility time schedule data during which said real time price tier data is in effect, said control means being further operative for controlling said climate control device for regulating the temperature within said premise in accordance with
(a) said set point temperature data for a corresponding price tier identifying data and a corresponding time of day data and
(b) said actual temperature data, said real time price tier data and said corresponding utility time schedule data and said real time clock data.
31. A control system as recited in claim 1 wherein:
said control means includes a data processing unit connected to receive said actual temperature data from said temperature sensing means,
said processing unit operative for averaging said actual temperature data to provide an average temperature data, and
said control means operative for controlling said climate control means in response to said averaged temperature data.
32. A control system as recited in claim 31 wherein said control means is operative for controlling said display means to display said actual temperature data as sensed by said temperature sensing means.
33. A control system as recited in claim 31 wherein said data processing means averages a current actual temperature data with an immediately preceding actual temperature data and with a past average of said actual temperature data to calculate a current average temperature data and wherein said control means controls said climate control device in response to said current average temperature data.
34. A control system for controlling a climate control device such as an HVAC device at a premise, said climate control device being supplied with electricity via a utility at various price tiers and said utility providing real time price tier data to said control system, said control system comprising:
a) display means for displaying:
1) time of day data,
2) price tier identifying data for identifying price tiers representing at least the relative cost of electricity from one price tier to the next price tier, and
3) set point temperature data corresponding to each of said price tier identifying data,
b) input means for inputting said set point temperature data corresponding to each price tier identifying data and corresponding to each of said time of day data, said set point temperature data indicative of the desired temperature corresponding to each price tier for each time interval,
c) temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature within said premise and for producing actual temperature data indicative of said sensed temperature;
d) clock means for maintaining a real time clock and for generating real time clock data corresponding thereto,
e) control means
2) connected to said input means for receiving said time of day data and said set point temperature data,
2) connected to said temperature sensing means for receiving said actual temperature data,
3) connected to said clock means for receiving said real time clock data,
4) connected to said utility for receiving said real time price tier data, and
5) connected to said climate control device for controlling said climate control device for regulating the temperature within said premise in accordance with
(a) said set point temperature data for a corresponding price tier identifying data and a corresponding time of day data and
(b) said actual temperature data, said real time price tier data and said real time clock data.
35. A method for controlling a climate control device such as an HVAC device at a premise, said climate control device being supplied with electricity via a utility at various price tiers and said utility providing real time price tier data to a control unit within said premise, said method comprising the steps of:
a) displaying to a user of said control unit
1) time of day data,
2) price tier identifying data for identifying price tiers representing at least the relative cost of electricity from one price tier to the next price tier, and
3) set point temperature data corresponding to each of said price tier identifying data,
b) inputting into said control unit
1) said time of day data for defining time intervals,
2) said set point temperature data corresponding to each price tier identifying data and corresponding to each of said time of day data, said set point temperature data indicative of the desired temperature corresponding to each price tier for each time interval,
c) sensing the temperature within said premise and producing actual temperature data indicative of said sensed temperature;
d) maintaining a real time clock and generating real time clock data corresponding thereto,
e) receiving in said control unit said time of day data and said set point temperature data,
f) receiving in said control unit said actual temperature data,
g) receiving in said control unit said real time clock data,
h) receiving in said control unit said real time price tier data from said utility, and
i) controlling said climate control device via said control unit for regulating the temperature within said premise in accordance with
(a) said set point temperature data for a corresponding price tier identifying data and a corresponding time of day data and
(b) said actual temperature data, said real time price tier data and said real time clock data.
36. A method for controlling a climate control device such as an HVAC device at a premise, said climate control device being supplied with electricity via a utility at various price tiers, said method comprising the steps of:
a) providing real time price tier data from said utility to a control unit which is connected for controlling said climate control device,
b) displaying to a user of said control unit
1) time of day data,
2) price tier identifying data for identifying price tiers representing at least the relative cost of electricity from one price tier to the next price tier, and
3) set point temperature data corresponding to each of said price tier identifying data,
c) inputting into said control unit
1) said time of day data for defining time intervals,
2) said set point temperature data corresponding to each price tier identifying data and corresponding to each of said time of day data, said set point temperature data indicative of the desired temperature corresponding to each price tier for each time interval,
d) sensing the temperature within said premise and producing actual temperature data indicative of said sensed temperature;
e) maintaining a real time clock and generating real time clock data corresponding thereto,
f) receiving in said control unit said time of day data and said set point temperature data,
g) receiving in said control unit said actual temperature data,
h) receiving in said control unit said real time clock data, and
i) controlling said climate control device via said control unit for regulating the temperature within said premise in accordance with
(a) said set point temperature data for a corresponding price tier identifying data and a corresponding time of day data and
(b) said actual temperature data, said real time price tier data and said real time clock data.
37. A method for controlling an apparatus having an ON/OFF status using a system including: a thermostat unit including a first means for storing information; and a controller unit including a second means for storing information, the controller unit being a unit separate from and coupled to the thermostat and the apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
establishing an apparatus schedule including a plurality of ON/OFF statuses associated with apparatus schedule times for the apparatus, wherein the schedule resides in the second means for storing information;
determining the real time;
providing the controller unit with electrical energy cost data associated with power company schedule times;
establishing energy cost limit data associated with each apparatus schedule time;
storing the energy cost limit data in the second means for storing information;
comparing the real time to the power company schedule times and the apparatus schedule times, and determining the electrical energy cost and the energy cost limit for the real time;
comparing the determined electrical energy cost to the determined energy cost limit;
comparing the real time to the apparatus schedule times and determining the scheduled ON/OFF status of the apparatus for the real time; and
manipulating the ON/OFF status of the apparatus to correspond with the scheduled ON/OFF status; wherein the status of the apparatus is set to OFF when the electrical energy cost is greater than the energy cost limit.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein the apparatus is an electric hot water heater.
39. The method of claim 37, wherein the apparatus is an appliance.
40. The method of claim 37, wherein the controller unit is provided with peak energy usage times from the power company, the method further comprising the steps of:
comparing the real time to the peak energy usage times; and
setting the status of the apparatus to OFF if the real time is equal to a peak energy usage time.
41. A method for controlling an apparatus having an ON/OFF status using a system including:
a thermostat unit including a first means for storing information; and a controller unit including a second means for storing information, the controller unit being a unit separate from and coupled to the thermostat and the apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
establishing an apparatus schedule including a plurality of ON/OFF statuses associated with apparatus schedule times for the apparatus, wherein the schedule resides in the second means for storing information;
determining the real time;
providing the controller unit with electrical energy cost data associated with power company schedule times;
establishing energy cost limit data associated with each apparatus schedule time;
storing the energy cost limit data in the second means for storing information;
comparing the real time to the power company schedule times and the apparatus schedule times, and determining the electrical energy cost and the energy cost limit for the real time;
comparing the determined electrical energy cost to the determined energy cost limit;
comparing the real time to the apparatus schedule times and determining the scheduled ON/OFF status of the apparatus for the real time; and
manipulating the ON/OFF status of the apparatus to correspond with the scheduled ON/OFF status; wherein the status of the apparatus is set to OFF when the electrical energy cost is greater than the energy cost limit;
wherein the thermostat includes a user interface for allowing a user to manipulate an apparatus schedule, and means for displaying the schedule, and the step of manipulating the apparatus schedule including the steps of:
storing the apparatus schedule from the second means for storing information in the first means for storing information;
displaying the apparatus schedule on the means for displaying;
altering the apparatus schedule in the first means for storing information by activating the user interface to provide desired ON/OFF statuses associated with the appropriate times; and
storing the altered schedule from the first means for storing information in the second means for storing information.
42. The method of claim 41, wherein the user interface includes a keypad, and the means for displaying includes an LCD display.
43. The method of claim 41, wherein the apparatus is an electric hot water heater.
44. The method of claim 41, wherein the apparatus is an appliance.
45. The method of claim 37, wherein the controller is coupled to a power company data supply with a data link, the method further comprising the steps of:
accessing the data supply over the data link to acquire electrical energy cost data and the associated power company schedule times; and
storing the electrical energy cost data and the associated power company schedule times in the second means for storing information.
46. The method of claim 45, wherein the apparatus is an electric hot water heater.
47. The method of claim 40, wherein the controller is coupled to a power company data supply with a data link, the method further comprising the steps of:
accessing the data supply over the data link to acquire peak energy usage times; and
storing the peak energy usage times in the second means for storing information.
48. A method for controlling a means for heating and cooling a predetermined air mass with a system including: a thermostat unit including means for sensing the temperature of the air mass and a first means for storing information; and a controller unit including a second means for storing information, the controller unit being a unit separate from and coupled to the thermostat and the means for heating and cooling, the method comprising the steps of:
manipulating a first schedule, said first schedule including a plurality of setpoint temperatures and associated times, wherein the first schedule resides in the first means for storing information;
storing the manipulated first schedule from the first means for storing information in the second means for storing information;
determining the real time;
determining the actual temperature of the air means for the means for sensing;
comparing the real time to the first schedule times and determining the setpoint temperature for the real time;
comparing the setpoint temperature to the actual temperature; and
controlling the means for heating and cooling such that the air mass is heated when the setpoint temperature is greater than the actual temperature by a first predetermined differential, and the air mass is cooled when the setpoint temperature is less than the actual temperature by a second predetermined differential;
wherein the step of determining the actual temperature of the air mass from the mass for sensing includes the steps of:
reading a temperature value from the means for sensing each time the real time determination is made;
averaging the temperature values read from the means for sensing corresponding to the real time determination made prior to the real time determination made immediately preceding the current real time determination to provide a past average;
storing the past average in the first means for storing information;
storing the temperature value associated with the real time determination made immediately preceding the current real time determination;
determining a current temperature value from the means for sensing associated with the current real time; and
averaging the past average, the temperature value associated with the real time determination made immediately preceding the current real time, and the current temperature to provide the actual temperature of the air.
49. A method for controlling a means for heating and cooling a predetermined air mass with a system including: a thermostat unit including means for sensing the temperature of the air mass and a first means for storing information; and a controller unit including a second means for storing information, the controller unit being a unit separate from and coupled to the thermostat and the means for heating and cooling wherein the controller unit is provided with electrical energy cost data associated with power company schedule times, the method comprising the steps of:
manipulating a first schedule, said first schedule including a plurality of setpoint temperatures and associated times, wherein the first schedule resides in the first means for storing information;
storing the manipulated first schedule from the first means for storing information in the second means for storing information;
determining the real time;
determining the actual temperature of the air mass from the means for sensing;
comparing the real time to the first schedule times and determining the setpoint temperature for the real time;
comparing the setpoint temperature to the actual temperature;
controlling the means for heating and cooling such that the air mass is heated when the setpoint temperature is greater than the actual temperature by a first predetermined differential, and the air mass is cooled when the setpoint temperature is less than the actual temperature by a second predetermined differential;
establishing energy cost limit data associated with each first schedule time;
storing the energy cost limit data in the second means for storing information;
comparing the real time to the power company schedule times and the first schedule times, and determining the electrical energy cost and the energy cost limit for the real time;
comparing the determined electrical energy cost to the determined energy cost limit; and
disabling the means for heating and cooling when the electrical energy cost is greater than the energy cost limit.
50. A method for controlling a means for heating and cooling a predetermined air mass with a system including: a thermostat unit including means for sensing the temperature of the air mass and a first means for storing information; and a controller unit including a second means for storing information, the controller unit being a unit separate from and coupled to the thermostat and the means for heating and cooling wherein the controller unit is coupled to a power company data supply with a data link, the method comprising the steps of:
manipulating a first schedule, said first schedule including a plurality of setpoint temperatures and associated times, whereby the first schedule resides in the first means for storing information;
storing the manipulated first schedule from the first means for storing information in the second means for storing information;
determining the real time;
determining the actual temperature of the air mass from the means for sensing;
comparing the real time to the first schedule times and determining the setpoint temperature for the real time;
comparing the setpoint temperature to the actual temperature;
controlling the means for heating and cooling such that the air mass is heated when the setpoint temperature is greater than the actual temperature by a first predetermined differential, and the air mass is cooled when the setpoint temperature is less than the actual temperature by a second predetermined differential;
accessing the data supply over the data link to acquire electrical energy cost data and associated power company schedule times; and
storing the electrical energy cost data and associated power company schedule times in the second means for storing information.
51. The method of claim 49, wherein the means for heating and cooling comprises a heat pump.
52. The method of claim 49, wherein the means for heating and cooling comprises at least one resistive heating element and an air conditioner.
53. The method of claim 49, wherein the thermostat includes a user interface for allowing a user to manipulate the first schedule and means for displaying the first schedule, the step of establishing the first schedule including the steps of:
displaying the first schedule on the means for displaying; and
altering the first schedule by activating the user interface to provide desired setpoint temperatures and associated times.
54. The method of claim 49, wherein the user interface includes a keypad and the means for displaying includes an LCD display.
55. A method for controlling an electric hot water heater with a system including: a device for controlling the electric hot water heater having an ON/OFF status coupled to the electric hot water heater, a thermostat unit including a first means for storing information; and a controller unit including a second means for storing information, the controller unit being a unit separate from and coupled to the thermostat and the device, the method comprising the steps of:
establishing a hot water schedule including a plurality of ON/OFF statuses for the device associated with times, wherein the hot water schedule resides in the second means for storing information;
determining the real time;
determining the actual ON/OFF status of the device;
comparing the real time to the hot water schedule times and determining the scheduled ON/OFF status of the device;
providing the controller unit with electrical energy cost data including energy costs associated with power company time periods;
comparing the real time to the hot water schedule times and determining scheduled ON/OFF status of the device for a subsequent hot water schedule time greater than the real time;
comparing the real time to the company time periods and determining a first energy cost for the real time;
comparing the subsequent hot water schedule time to the company time periods to determine a second energy cost for the subsequent hot water schedule time;
comparing the first energy cost with the second energy cost; and
changing the status of the device to ON for a predetermined amount of time when the first energy cost is less than the second energy cost.
56. The method of claim 55, wherein the controller unit is coupled to a power company data supply with a data link, the method further comprising the steps of:
accessing the data supply over the data link to acquire the energy cost data and associated power company time periods; and
storing the energy cost data and the associated power company time periods in the second means for storing information.
57. The method of claim 55, wherein the thermostat unit includes a user interface for allowing a user to manipulate a hot water hot water schedule and means for displaying the hot water schedule, the step of manipulating the hot water schedule including the steps of:
storing the hot water schedule from the second means for storing information in the first means for storing information;
displaying hot water schedule on the means for displaying;
altering the hot water schedule data in the first means for storing information by activating the user interface to provide desired setpoint temperatures at associated times; and
storing the altered hot water schedule from the first means for storing information in the second means for storing information.
58. The method of claim 57, wherein the user interface includes a keypad and the means for displaying includes an LCD display.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional home and small business HVAC and appliance systems operate in response to settings or demands made by the home owner or other consumer of electric energy. The user simply chooses the parameters (e.g. temperature and on-off times) for the various HVAC components and appliances. This choice is made essentially on the basis of the consumer's conception of comfort. Energy costs are a secondary factor in the choice, or are ignored.
Energy is wasted and energy costs increased by such choices. For example, the home may be heated or cooled to a particular temperature throughout the day, even though it is not used most of the time. Moreover, the home may be heated or cooled during time periods when energy cost is the highest, again even though no one is at home at the time. By way of another example, an electric hot water heater or other electrical energy using apparatus may be operated when energy costs are the highest and the operation is not necessary.
In short, presently available appliances and HVAC systems are usually activated and deactivated without consideration of the energy costs involved. There is no communication system linking the power company and the home, so that on-going or present utility rates are not known by the consumer. Accordingly, the consumer cannot select alternate, cost saving operating cycles for appliances and HVAC systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an energy management system for a residential or commercial location in which the system's components automatically respond to variable electric power rates.
Another object of the invention is to provide a home utility management system in which the home owner can control the HVAC, home appliances and energy consuming devices to balance comfort and economy.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a system for the optional, direct control of consumer operated electric appliances.
A further object of the invention is to provide a home energy system operating on real time electric load and rate information.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an operating system for home or business use in which the customer can review the present amount of energy use and its cost, as well as review the projected monthly energy bill.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an energy supply system in which the commercial supplier of electricity can selectively market energy in times of high excess capacity and deter energy use when the reserve capacity is low.
Another object of the invention is to provide an energy supply system in which a home owner's needs are met by a fully automated power supply, permitting communication between the supplier and the user and providing rate tier information and calculations.
The integrated system of the invention minimizes electric power costs by enabling a consumer to select the amount of power desired in accordance with the rate prevailing at that time. As later explained, the consumer is presented with four electric power rates, called energy cost "tiers." The consumer selects the desired temperature for heating and/or cooling at each tier, and for each of the selectable time periods, morning, day, evening, and night for both weekend and weekday.
These tiers vary have an associated energy cost as determined by the utility based upon considerations such as customer demand, weather and other factors. In the description of the invention that follows, the four cost tiers are referred to as "low", "medium", "high" and "critical" in ascending order of cost.
A consumer might, for example, set the control system for more air conditioning (a lower temperature) when the electric power rate at a particular time is low, and set a higher temperature to be operative if a higher cost tier is in effect. In the winter, a cooler interior environment can be tolerated by the consumer as an energy saving strategy when the rates are high. Conversely, lower energy rates will induce a customer to enjoy a warmer home.
The energy management system of the invention is capable of automatic operation. It constantly optimizes the relationship between comfort and energy costs. In operation, the power company, through telephonic or other communication means, informs the system at the user site as to the current cost tier in effect. While a four tier system has proven desirable, other numbers of cost tiers can be used.
The tiers may, for example, represent different energy rates for different locales. The low tier, may for instance, represent a rate of 5 cents per KWH in one locale and 3 cents per KWH elsewhere. A low tier represents the lowest power rate available to a particular consumer.
The consumer sets her/his comfort and economy choices according to the tier structure. The system automatically senses changes in the rates (communicated by the power company) and adjust the temperature in accordance with the newly communicated tier structure. Typically, a consumer might choose an air conditioning temperature setting of 70.degree. F. at the lowest price, 72.degree. F. at the medium price, 78.degree. F. at a high price and 80.degree. F., or perhaps no air conditioning at all, at the critical price.
The control system of the invention may also be programmed to schedule activation and deactivation of various appliances and devices in accordance with time of day schedules. Such settings can be made for hot water heaters, pool pumps, lights etc.
The system can also be called upon by the consumer to provide an up-to-date electric bill and the usage in each tier for the current bill. A monthly bill can be generated on the basis of the tier rates and usage since the last billing period.
The control system, thus, monitors energy rate changes and adjusts temperature, or turns appliances on and off, at predetermined times.
The control system in accordance with the invention employs an HVAC algorithm which further enhances cost savings. When the control system is within 2 to 3 hours of a scheduled change from one tier to another, the control system looks ahead to minimize energy costs. The system calculates whether or not it would be more economical to commence heating or cooling earlier than the scheduled time. The system utilizes past HVAC history to determine the time need, on average, to heat or cool the premises 1.degree. F.
Temperatures are constantly sensed by the thermostat of the control system. Temperature indications from the thermostat may also be calculated by a smoothing algorithm. In such cases a temperature reading represents an average of the present and most recent temperatures. Such procedure serves to guard against a temperature spike being taken as the current temperature.
The control system in accordance with the invention can also employ an algorithm for controlling other electrical apparatus such as hot water heaters or appliances. This algorithm controls the apparatus to reduce costs by operating the apparatus during a low tier cost period if possible.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a control system for controlling a climate control device such as an HVAC device within a premise. By way of example, the term premise can refer to a residential or a commercial location with one or more buildings, such as a house with a utility building or a strip mall with a group of buildings. The said climate control device is supplied with electricity via a utility at various price tiers and said utility provides real time price tier data to said control system. The control system comprises:
a) a display device for displaying
1) time of day data,
2) price tier identifying data for identifying price tiers representing at least the relative cost of electricity from one price tier to the next price tier, and
3) set point temperature data corresponding to each of said price tier identifying data,
b) an input device for inputting
1) the time of day data for defining time intervals,
2) the set point temperature data corresponding to each price tier identifying data and corresponding to each of the time of day data, the set point temperature data indicative of the desired temperature corresponding to each price tier for each time interval,
c) a temperature sensing device for sensing the temperature within said premise and for producing actual temperature data indicative of said sensed temperature;
d) a clock device for maintaining a real time clock and for generating real time clock data corresponding thereto, and
e) a control unit
1) connected to said input device for receiving the time of day data and the set point temperature data,
2) connected to the temperature sensing device for receiving the actual temperature data,
3) connected to the clock device for receiving the real time clock data,
4) connected to the utility for receiving the real time price tier data, and
5) connected to the climate control device for controlling the climate control device for regulating the temperature within the premise in accordance with
(a) the set point temperature data for a corresponding price tier identifying data and a corresponding time of day data and
(b) the actual temperature data, the real time price tier data and the real time clock data.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the invention may be characterized as a method for controlling a climate control device such as an HVAC device within a premise. The climate control device is supplied with electricity via a utility at various price tiers. The method comprising the steps of:
a) providing real time price tier data from the utility to a control unit which is connected for controlling the climate control device,
b) displaying to a user of the control unit
1) time of day data,
2) price tier identifying data for identifying price tiers representing at least the relative cost of electricity from one price tier to the next price tier, and
3) set point temperature data corresponding to each of said price tier identifying data,
c) inputting into the control unit
1) the time of day data for defining time intervals,
2) the set point temperature data corresponding to each price tier identifying data and corresponding to each of the time of day data, the set point temperature data indicative of the desired temperature corresponding to each price tier for each time interval,
d) sensing the temperature within the premise and producing actual temperature data indicative of the sensed temperature;
e) maintaining a real time clock and generating real time clock data corresponding thereto,
f) receiving in the control unit the time of day data and the set point temperature data,
g) receiving in the control unit the actual temperature data,
h) receiving in the control unit the real time clock data, and
i) controlling the climate control device via the control unit for regulating the temperature within the premise in accordance with
(a) the set point temperature data for a corresponding price tier identifying data and a corresponding time of day data and
(b) the actual temperature data, the real time price tier data and the real time clock data.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the invention may be characterized as a method for controlling an apparatus having an ON/OFF status. The method includes the steps of:
establishing an apparatus schedule including a plurality of ON/OFF statuses associated with apparatus schedule times for the apparatus, wherein the schedule resides in the second means for storing information;
determining the real time;
providing the controller unit with electrical energy cost data associated with power company schedule times;
establishing energy cost limit data associated with each apparatus schedule time;
storing the energy cost limit data in the second means for storing information;
comparing the real time to the power company schedule times and the apparatus schedule times, and determining the electrical energy cost and the energy cost limit for the real time;
comparing the determined electrical energy cost to the determined energy cost limit;
comparing the real time to the apparatus schedule times and determining the scheduled ON/OFF status of the apparatus for the real time; and
manipulating the ON/OFF status of the apparatus to correspond with the scheduled ON/OFF status; wherein the status of the apparatus is set to OFF when the electrical energy cost is greater than the energy cost limit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will become clear in reference to the description of the preferred embodiments as illustrated in the drawings wherein nodes and buses are labeled and similarly labeled nodes and buses denote interconnections of the nodes and bases and interconnection of pins on electronic chips are also indicated by a chip and pin number notation and wherein:
FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of the control system of the invention located within a home or office and utilized to control an climate control device and appliances;
FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of multiple control systems configured in accordance with the invention and used to control a plural zone climate control devices;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the thermostat included in the invention, along with a view of its display and input keypad;
FIGS. 3 to 5 illustrate a normal time/temperature readout displays for the thermostat;
FIG. 6 illustrates the factory set cooling schedule for operating the climate control device in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 7 illustrates the factory set heating schedule for operating the climate control device in accordance with the invention;
FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate the thermostat digital displays used for selecting a heating schedule;
FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate the thermostat digital displays used to set the manual override of either the heating or cooling schedule;
FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate the thermostat digital displays for setting the hot water heater heating schedule;
FIG. 11 illustrates the thermostat digital display for manual override of the water heating schedule;
FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate the thermostat digital displays for setting the appliance operating schedules;
FIGS. 13A-13G illustrate the thermostat digital displays relating to billing information;
FIG. 14 illustrates the thermostat digital displays for changing the special control options;
FIG. 15 illustrates an appliance module with thumb-roll dials to set the house and unit codes;
FIG. 16 illustrates the thermostat digital displays for selecting a 12 or 24 hour clock readout;
FIG. 17 illustrates the thermostat digital displays for indicating the need to change a filter;
FIG. 18 illustrates the thermostat digital displays for selecting the particular two days of the week that define a weekend for purposes of the invention;
FIG. 19 illustrates the thermostat digital displays shown when utility load control is effective;
FIGS. 20A1-20E are schematic diagrams of the thermostat circuitry forming part of the control system of the invention wherein FIGS. 20A1, 20A2 and 20A3 are collectively referred to as FIG. 20A and wherein FIGS. 20B1, 20B2, 20B3, 20B4, 20B5, and 20B6 are collectively referred to as FIG. 20B;
FIGS. 21A1-21B3 are schematic diagrams of the I/O section of the control system in accordance with the invention wherein FIGS. 21A1, 21A2 and 21A3 are collectively referred to as FIG. 21A and FIGS. 21B1, 21B2, and 21B3 are collectively referred to as FIG. 21;
FIGS. 22A1-22B3 are schematic diagrams of the microprocessor section of the control system wherein FIGS. 22A1, 22A2, 22A3, 22A4 and 22A5 are collectively referred to as FIG. 22A and wherein FIGS. 22B1, 22B2 and 22B3 are collectively referred to as FIG. 22B;
FIGS. 23A1-A4 is a scnematic diagram of the power supply and supervisory circuit of the control system wherein FIGS. 23A1, 23A2, 23A3 and 23A4 are collectively referred to as FIG. 23;
FIG. 24A1-24A3 is a schematic diagram of the application module and zero crossing circuitry of the control system in accordance with the invention wherein FIGS. 24A1, 24A2 and 24A3 are collectively referred to as FIG. 24;
FIG. 25a illustrates the flow chart for the main routine of the program for controlling the thermostat;
FIGS. 25b and 25c illustrate the flow chart for the main routine interrupts;
FIG. 26 is a dataflow diagram representing the flow of data within the program which controls the thermostat;
FIG. 27 is a dataflow diagram representing the flow of data within the ANALYZE CONTROLLER MESSAGES portion of the program;
FIG. 28 is a dataflow diagram representing the flow of data within the FORMAT MESSAGES TO CONTROLLER portion of the program;
FIG. 29 is a dataflow diagram representing the flow of data within the GET SWITCH SETTINGS portion of the program;
FIG. 30 is a dataflow diagram representing the flow of data within the GET TEMPERATURE SETTING portion of the program;
FIG. 31 is a dataflow diagram representing the flow of data within the ANALYZE KEYPAD ENTRIES portion of the program;
FIG. 32 is a dataflow diagram representing the flow of data within the PROCESS PERSON-MACHINE INTERFACE portion of the program;
FIG. 33 is a dataflow diagram representing the flow of data within the OUTPUT DATA TO DISPLAYS portion of the program;
FIG. 34 is a dataflow diagram representing the flow of data within the INITIALIZATION AND SELF-TEST portion of the program;
FIG. 35 illustrates the layout for the LCD display segments;
FIGS. 36A-36G illustrate the N/S (Nassi/Schneiderman), diagram for the real time routine;
FIGS. 37A-37B illustrate the N/S diagram for the initialization routine;
FIG. 38 illustrates the N/S diagram for the RAM test subroutine;
FIGS. 39A-39D illustrate the N/S diagrams for the main operating loop routine;
FIG. 40 is a dataflow diagram which represents the flow of data between the main routines of the controller software;
FIGS. 41A-41N illustrate the N/S diagrams for the billing routine and thirteen associated step routines;
FIGS. 42A-42F illustrates the N/S diagrams for a group of subroutines used in steps one to thirteen;
FIGS. 43A-43G illustrate the N/S diagram for the main routine;
FIGS. 44A-44C illustrate the N/S diagram for the load control module;
FIGS. 45A-45C illustrate the N/S diagram for the BSR (X-10) device control module;
FIGS. 46A-46B illustrate the N/S diagram for the electric water heater optimization routine;
FIG. 47 illustrates the N/S diagram for the get closest time subroutine;
FIG. 48 illustrates the N/S diagram for the get tier data routine;
FIGS. 49A-49B illustrate the N/S diagram for the HVAC optimization routine;
FIG. 50 illustrates the N/S diagram for the calculate precondition time subroutine;
FIG. 51 illustrates the N/S diagram for the what day is it routine;
FIGS. 52A-52D illustrate the N/S diagram for the BRICK message decode subroutine;
FIGS. 53A-53B illustrate the N/S diagrams for the fast clock subroutine;
FIGS. 54A-54C illustrate the N/S diagrams for the data analysis routine;
FIGS. 56A-56D illustrate the N/S diagram for the send BRICK message routine;
FIG. 57 illustrates the N/S diagram for the data message generation routine.
FIG. 58 illustrates the N/S diagram for the send thermostat message routine;
FIG. 59 illustrates the N/S diagram for the process override message routine;
FIGS. 60A-60C illustrate the N/S diagram for the decode tstat message routine;
FIG. 61 illustrates the N/S diagram for the shutdown HVAC routine;
FIGS. 62A-62C illustrate the N/S diagram for the supplement to the decode thermostat message;
FIG. 63 illustrates the N/S diagram for a power down interrupt service routine;
FIGS. 64A-64C illustrate the N/S diagram for the timer routine message generation;
FIGS. 65A-65B illustrate the N/S diagram for the BRICK message handling interrupt routine;
FIGS. 66A-66C illustrate the N/S diagram for the tstat/BSR interrupt routine;
FIG. 67 illustrate the N/S diagrams for the adjust units routine;
FIG. 68 illustrates the N/S diagram for the conversion of a binary number to a binary coded decimal (BCD) number;
FIG. 69 illustrates the N/S diagram for the conversion of a BCD number to a binary number;
FIG. 70 illustrates the N/S diagram for the generation of a checksum;
FIGS. 71A-71B illustrate the N/S diagram for the load program routine;
FIGS. 72A-72C illustrate the N/S diagram for the write to EEPROM routine; and
FIG. 73 illustrates the N/S diagram for the diagnostic test performed on the controller during manufacturing.
APPENDICES
Appendix A is the code listing for the program which controls the thermostat.
Appendix B is the message type list for the messages which are transferred between the controller and the thermostat.
Appendix C is the display segment listing for the display.
Appendix D is the code listing for the program which controls the controller.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Overall System Configuration
Referring to FIG. 1A, the control system 1 of the invention is presented in block schematic form as it is interconnected with existing HVAC devices and auxiliary apparatus to form an overall energy management system. The control system 1 is seen to comprise a thermostat 2 and a controller 4 interconnected together via lines 6. The overall energy management system, in addition to the control system 1, comprises a brick (interface device) 10 associated with the controller 4, AC power lines 12, hot water heater 14 with its associated brick 15, hot water heater relay 16, appliance modules 18 and an electric utility meter 20' with its associated brick 28. Each appliance module unit 18 is connected to an appliance 20 such as a light, pool pump, radio etc. The AC house power lines 12 are also shown connected to an interface device 22 which is in turn connected to the utility company over a telephone link 26, which can occur over the telephone line. The brick 10 is connected to the controller 4 over lines 5, and is connected to the AC lines via connection 8. Further, it is seen that the controller 4 is directly connected to the HVAC system 30 via lines 31, and directly connected to the AC power lines over lines 270,272. The HVAC 30 may include, for example, a primary and secondary heating system for the premise, a fan, heat pump valve and the like.
It is noted that the HVAC device 30 is utilized as an example of a climate control device which has as its function to control the temperature within a given premise. Temperature may be controlled by heating, cooling, and most preferably, by a combination of heating and cooling. Examples of such climate control devices include a heat pump, and air conditioner system a resistive heating device, an electrically controlled gas or coal heating unit etc. Moreover, it should be understood that the appliance modules may be utilized to control any device which may be plugged into the AC outlet anywhere throughout the premise. For example, an appliance module may be used to control an electric space heater which itself falls into the general category of a climate control device.
Bricks 10, 15, 28 may each comprise a commercially available brick manufactured by Westinghouse and ABB (Asea Brown Bovarie). The purpose of the bricks 10, 15 and 28 is to permit AC power line communication for equipment within the premise. The interface device 22 may comprise, for example a COMSET 2000 modem manufactured by Westinghouse. Interface 22 permits downloading of energy rate data for variable spot pricing and uploading of KWH consumption data for billing purposes. The appliance modules (such as brand name "X-10") are readily available from Sears or Radio Shack.
It is understood that the communication link between the utility and the controller 4 may be achieved in any number of ways and the invention is not limited to the specific means disclosed. For example, instead of the telephone system, communication may take place via a radio frequency system, a power line communication system, a fiber optic system and the like. The general purpose of the communication system is to provide the controller 4 with real time information concerning utility (e.g., electricity) cost and/or energy demand.
Thermostat 2 provides an input device to permit control of the temperature within the premise, e.g. the home or office. Different desired temperatures are pre-selected by the user for different periods of the day, depending on the cost tier structure in effect during each of these periods.
The control system 1 performs a number of critical functions in the operation of the overall energy management system of the premise. It automatically changes the temperature settings according to the time of day and current electricity price tier. When coupled with the appliance module units 18, the control system 1 enables the connected appliances 20 to be turned on and off at predetermined times. The heating cycle of the hot water heater 14 is also programmed by the control system 1. Further, current and projected billing information is stored in, and outputted from, the control system 1.
The controller 4 monitors the current temperature reading supplied to it by the thermostat 2 so as to maintain the desired setpoint temperature for both cooling and heating. Utilizing these temperature readings, the controller 4 controls the HVAC system 30.
The utility meter 20' is designed to facilitate the implementation of variable spot pricing energy offerings. The meter monitors and stores KWH usage according to the energy rate in effect at each particular interval of time. The rate information is periodically sent from the power supplier for storage in the meter 20' through the interface device 22, power line 12 and brick 28. Controller 4 may access such data via brick 10, house power line 12 and brick 28.
It should be understood that the price tier data utilized by the controller 4 and supplied thereto (indirectly via bricks 10, 28 and meter 20') as "real time" price tier data, is not necessarily communicated by the utility in a real time sense, e.g. at the exact time needed to be implemented by the controller 4. For example, the utility may transmit a new price tier/time of day/day schedule every day, every few days or even less often, but such price tier data is coupled with time of day and day of week (or date) data so that it represents the current or "real time" price tier in effect by the utility company when the current time as measured by the clock of the controller 4 is equal to the time of day/day schedule as previously transmitted by the utility and stored in a memory device of the meter 20'.
A single phase class 200 meter 120/240V has proven satisfactory for use as the meter 20' in the system. Such a meter is capable of tracking KWH consumption for 40 days at 15 minute intervals.
Appliance relays, such as relay 16, provide remote activation and deactivation of high amperage appliances, including electric water heaters and pool pumps. Scheduling and control signals received from the thermostat/controller (units 2 and 4) provide variable spot pricing energy optimization.
FIG. 1B illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein the a plurality of control systems are employed to control a premise. Such an arrangement may be desirable when different HVAC systems control different zones within the premise. In FIG. 1B a prefix "a" is appended to the numbers in FIG. 1A to denote a corresponding unit or device as in FIG. 1A. Thus, FIG. 1B shows three control systems 1a-1c each comprising its own thermostat 2 (designated 2a-2c) and controller (designated 4a-4c). Moreover, controllers 4a-4c are connected to bricks 10a-10c respectively which are in turn connected to AC power line 12a. A brick 28a services utility meter 20'a and serves to provide communication with each of the bricks 10a-10c. Brick 15a services the hot water heater 14a. In an alternate arrangement, a plurality of hot water heaters 14a may be used with each connected to it own associated brick 15a. It should be understood that FIG. 1B illustrates the extension of the basic control system of FIG. 1A to encompass three control systems, although any number of such control systems may be employed depending upon the particular HVAC configuration of the premise.
Thermostat--Operational Overview
The thermostat 2 used in the invention is depicted in FIG. 2. A digital display 32 displays the various parameters and times needed to set and maintain the heating and cooling cycles. A keypad 34 allows the consumer to read and change the various settings. A selection switch 36 allows the user to turn the control system off or to set it in a heating or cooling mode. A two position fan/auto switch 38 allows the user to run the HVAC fan continually or to cycle it on and off as the furnace (air conditioner or heater) cycles on and off.
The keypad 34 contains the following user depressible switches: heat switch 40, cool switch 42, heat water switch 44, appliance switch 46, customer service switch 48, weekday switch 52, weekend switch 54, optimizer switch 56, hold switch 58, hour switch 60, minute switch 62, left move switch 64, right move switch 66, bill information switch 68, return switch 70, heat water now switch 72, up switch 74, and down switch 76. A final operator controlled switch is the emergency heat switch 80 used to provide emergency heating in the event of extremely cold temperatures, for example, outside the optimum operating range of a heat pump or in the event of heat pump failure.
The function of the above switches is explained more fully below in connection with the operating modes of the thermostat. In addition to the display 32 which comprises a liquid crystal display, two LEDs are utilized, namely, LED 84 and LED 86 (FIG. 24B). LED 84 is utilized to indicate to the operator that the critical price tier is being utilized, either for heating or cooling whichever is then in effect. LED 84 also flashes for one hour before the critical price tier goes into effect. LED 86 is utilized to indicate to the operator that the emergency heat is being used. Switch 80 must be in the "on" position to activate the emergency heat function.
A normal display mode of the digital display 32 is illustrated in FIGS. 3-5. The normal display mode is entered whenever the operator is not entering data into the keypad 34. While details of the normal display mode depend upon the current setting, as may readily be seen in FIGS. 3-5, the normal display mode invariably displays the current time in the center of the display, the current temperature to the right of the time indication and the setpoint or desired temperature to the left of the time indication. Additionally, the display 32 indicates above the time indication whether the current time is part of the weekday or weekend schedule and further whether it is part of the morning, day, evening or night schedule. Thus, in FIG. 3, a weekend/night indication is displayed, indicating to the operator that the time period shown is presently within the weekend/night preset schedule. In FIG. 4, the weekday/day scheduling period is applicable, and in FIG. 5, the weekend/evening scheduling period is applicable.
Further, the display 32 provides an indication as to whether the control system 1 is operating in a heating or cooling mode. In FIG. 3, the indication "cooling setting" is displayed above the set temperature (81.degree.) indicating that the selection switch 36 is placed in the "cool" switch setting; whereas in FIG. 4, the indication "heat setting" is displayed indicating that the selection switch 36 is in the "heat" position. Further, the display 32 indicates if the control system is actually calling for cooling or calling for heating. For example, in FIG. 3, the "C" displayed to the left of the setpoint temperature indicates that the thermostat is actually calling for cooling at the present time. Cooling is appropriate inasmuch as the actual current temperature "82.degree." is higher than the setpoint temperature "81.degree.". In FIG. 4, the display to the left of the setpoint temperature indicates "H" meaning that the control system is calling for heat which is appropriate since the current temperature (69.degree.) is lower than the setpoint temperature (70.degree.). In FIG. 5, the setpoint and current temperature are equal and thus neither heating nor cooling is actually taking place at the present time. Note, that the "heat setting" indication is nevertheless displayed since this indication merely denotes the position of the selection switch 36.
In reference again to FIGS. 3-5, it may be seen that the digital display 32 further provides an indication as to the current price tier, namely, low, medium, high or critical, whichever is in effect at the current time. This price tier indication which appears on the display may be referred to as price tier identifying data. In FIG. 3 the "critical" price tier is in effect for the particular time; in FIG. 4 the "medium" price tier; and in FIG. 5 the "low" price tier.
An additional display of the hot water heating condition is shown in FIG. 5. The display "heat water" is activated if the hot water heater is presently being operated. A further display is illustrated in FIG. 5 as the "hold" indication. This indication is displayed if the operator depresses the hold switch 58 on the keypad 34. Upon depressing of the hold switch 58, the current desired temperature (70.degree. in FIG. 5; 81.degree. in FIG. 3) is maintained as the "set" temperature even though a different temperature may otherwise be called for when a different time schedule is entered. In this sense, the hold switch 58 is utilized to override any previously set temperatures correlated to time of day schedules.
FIG. 6 illustrates factory setting temperature levels applicable for cooling both for the weekday/weekend scheduling and for the scheduling subintervals of morning, day, evening, and night. These temperature values are preset set point temperature values stored in a memory of the controller 4. These set point temperature values are stored for each of the price tiers, low medium, high and critical. It is noted, for example, that during the day, the operator is generally expected to be home more on weekends than during weekdays so that a lower temperature setting is provided during the daytime period (between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.) for the weekend than is provided during the weekday. As explained below, the operator may utilize the keypad 34 to enter any desired setpoint temperatures and may even redefine the start times for the four subintervals of the morning, day, evening and night. Note that the operator may not separately define start and stop times for the subintervals but only start times. Thus, the subintervals will define contiguous time intervals such that there is a defined setpoint temperature for each 24 hour period of each 7 day week.
In some cases, the operator may wish to reestablish the factory setpoints shown in FIG. 6 after other setpoint values had been input by the operator. The optimizer switch 56 may be utilized for this purpose. In actuating the optimizer switch 56, the operator depresses the switch for a period of eight seconds, after which time a double-beep sound is generated indicating that the factory set initial values are now operative. These factory set values will now replace the previously employed user input values.
Separate factory settings are provided for both heating and cooling modes. The heating mode factory set values are shown in FIG. 7. These preset set point temperature values are likewise stored in the memory of the controller 4.
It is also noted in connection with the cooling cycle as depicted in FIG. 6, that the low price tier is always set at a value lower or at most equal to the medium price tier; and the medium price tier is always set at a value lower or at most equal to the higher price tier; and the higher priced tier is always set at a value lower or at most equal to the critical price tier. Another way to state this relationship is that any given preset set point temperature data for a given cost of electricity as represented by its price tier has a value equal to or greater than the preset set point temperature value corresponding to any lower cost of electricity as represented by its price tier. For example, the weekday morning cooling temperature for the low price tier is set at 74.degree. whereas the medium price tier is set at 76.degree.. In general, for cooling, a given price tier is always set at a temperature lower than or at most equal to the next higher adjacent price tier. The rationale is simply that at higher pricing tiers, one would wish to cool the premise to a lesser amount in order to save energy cost.
For heating cycles as shown in FIG. 7, the temperature settings decrease from "low" to "critical" which is just the opposite as the cooling price tier structure. Thus, for heating, the critical temperature would be set at a smaller temperature or at most a temperature equal to the high price tier temperature; the high price tier temperature would be set at a value lower than or at most equal to the medium price tier temperature and the medium price tier temperature would be set to a value lower than or at most equal to the low price tier temperature. In other words, in a heating mode, the set point temperature data is stored such that any given preset set point temperature data for a given cost of electricity as represented by its price tier has a value equal to or less than the preset set point temperature value corresponding to any lower cost of electricity as represented by its price tier. The rational is similar to that in the cooling cycle, namely, for heating, the operator will want to heat the premise less and thus set a lower temperature setpoint if the cost of electricity is high.
Factory settings are also provided for the water heater. The water heating times are also divided into the weekday/weekend schedules and into morning, day, evening and night subintervals, although these latter subintervals need not be contiguous time periods and the operator may input both the start and stop times separately for each subinterval. Such an operation is to be distinguished from the heating and cooling cycles as indicated above in which only the start times may be set since contiguous subinterval periods are employed. It is noted that the heating and cooling schedules for the subintervals morning, day, evening and night are contiguous settings and only the start input time for the subinterval is actually input by the operator.
Appliance switch 46, is utilized to turn on certain appliances controlled by X-10 units 18. The on-time of each appliance may be controlled from a start period to a stop period in the four subintervals morning, day, evening, night. Separate weekday and weekend schedules are not provided for appliances. Since these appliances are only turned on and off, depending upon the time of day, no ambient temperature settings are relevant to the appliances. The same is true for the hot water heater.
FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate the heat setting mode of operation. FIG. 8A illustrates the normal display prior to the operator depressing the heat switch 40. Upon depressing the heat switch 40, the display shifts to that shown in FIG. 8B and alternately displays the indicia "weekday" and "weekend". The operator now depresses either the weekday switch 52 or the weekend switch 54. Assuming that the operator depresses the weekday switch 52, the display changes to that illustrated in FIG. 8C, with the "70" number flashing. The top row of the display indicates the "heat setting" mode, the "weekday" time period, and the "morning" subinterval. The displayed time of 6 a.m. corresponds to the start time period for the morning subinterval schedule. The various temperatures of 70, 68, 66 and 64 correspond to the low, medium, high and critical cost tiers which would be applicable for the corresponding temperatures. Different costs tier structures are applicable for the day, evening and night settings. For example, the operator may depress the "weekday" switch 52 once again and the display changes to that shown in FIG. 8D, wherein a different set of temperature values are displayed, namely, 62, 60, 58 and 56. By successively depressing the weekday switch 52, the display successively changes to display the morning, day, evening and night subintervals (and then repeats) with the corresponding four-tier temperature values. Generally speaking, different temperature settings are input or programmed by the operator for each of the low, medium, high and critical price tiers and for each of the time subintervals, e.g., FIGS. 6 and 7.
Initially, the display of FIG. 8C displays the number 70 in a flashing manner to indicate that this number may be changed by the operator if desired. Increasing or decreasing of the currently displayed temperature setpoint value may be achieved by the operator depressing the up temperature switch 74 or down temperature switch 76 respectively. In order to set a temperature for a different price tier, the operator depresses the move right switch 66, to change the flashing temperature indicia from the low price tier to the next adjacent price tier to the right, in this case the medium price tier. Upon depressing the move right switch 66, the temperature value corresponding to the medium price tier (68.degree.) is displayed flashing, and the operator may adjust this value by actuating the up and down switches 74 and 76 respectively. At this point, the operator may modify the temperature to either the left or right of the current medium price tier by depressing the move left switch 64 or move right switch 66 respectively. In this manner, the operator may modify each of the displayed temperature values for each price tier and for each time period (weekday and weekend) including each time subinterval, e.g., morning, day, evening and night.
The particular time for initiating the scheduled "morning" operation in FIG. 8C and the "day" operation in FIG. 8D, may be adjusted by the operator depressing the hour switch 60 and minute switch 62. Adjustment of the time effects the start of a particular schedule. Thus, in FIG. 8D, the start time for the day schedule will begin at 8 a.m. Since the schedules are contiguous, and since the start time of the morning schedule as shown in FIG. 8C was set for 6 a.m., it should be clear that the morning schedule runs from 6 a.m. up until 8 a.m. whereas the day schedule starts at 8 a.m.
In the manner described above, the operator may set the starting times for the evening and night schedules and may also adjust the temperature values for each of the four price tiers, low, medium, high and critical. After all of the time and temperature settings have been made by the operator, the operator may depress the return switch 70 to force the display to resume to the normal mode displaying the time and temperature settings such as in FIG. 8A. If the operator fails to depress the return switch 70, the normal mode time/temperature settings will nevertheless be displayed after a timeout period of approximately 32 seconds.
The cooling mode settings may be initiated by the operator depressing the cool switch 42, and repeating the procedures indicated above with regard to the heat setting schedules. In this connection it is noted that setting up the cooling schedule, time and temperatures, can be done even if the system is presently operating in the heating mode.
Manual Override
A manual override feature is also available and may be entered simply by the operator depressing one of the temperature switches 74 or 76. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, a heat setting mode is displayed with the set temperature at 68.degree. and the actual temperature at 70.degree.. If the operator decides to change the target or set temperature from 68.degree. to 70.degree., the operator simply depresses the temperature switch 74 two times in order to raise the set temperature by two degrees. Changing of the set period in this manner does not affect any of the previously programmed temperature settings, and the newly set override temperature will be in effect only until the next time subinterval begins. Thus, in connection with FIG. 9A, the override period will be in effect until the subinterval "evening" begins at which time the preprogrammed set temperature for the evening will be in effect.
If the operator wishes to return to the programmed setting, she/he simply presses the hold switch 58 one time, then waits one second and presses the hold switch 58 again. This operation cancels the temporary override setting of the temperature and returns the temperature set value to the preprogrammed value.
If the operator desires the override temperature to be in effect indefinitely, until it is manually released, then she/he simply adjusts the set temperature by depressing the temperature switches 74 and 76 and subsequently depressing the hold switch 58 once. This procedure will maintain the newly set temperature over all subsequent time periods (all subintervals, including transitions to/from weekday and weekend) until the hold switch is depressed again to return to the preprogrammed values. When the hold feature is in effect, the "hold" indicator is displayed as shown in FIG. 9C. In this case, FIG. 9C indicates that the operator set the hold temperature to a value of 68.degree.. To release the held value of the override temperature, one presses the hold switch 58 until a beep is heard.
Setting Water Heater Schedules
The operator may select the start and stop time of the water heater as illustrated in FIGS. 10A-C. FIG. 10A illustrates the initial time/temperature display or the "normal" display. To change a water heating time, the operator depresses the heat water switch 44 and the normal display changes to the display shown in FIG. 10B. The weekday and weekend indicia alternately flash, and the operator may select one of these by depressing either the weekday switch 52 or the weekend switch 54. Assuming that the operator wishes to change the weekend schedule, the operator depresses the weekend switch 54, and the display shifts to that as illustrated in FIG. 10C. The morning schedule is initially displayed, and the operator may move from the start to the stop time by depressing the move left switch 64 or move right switch 66. The time period which may be changed begins to flash, and the operator may affect the change by depressing the hour switch 60 and/or minute switch 62. The operator may then move to the day schedule by again pressing the weekend switch 54 and similarly affect a change in the start and stop times by depressing the move left switch 64 or move right switch 66 and subsequently depressing the hour and minute switches to change to the desired time. In a similar fashion, the night and evening times may be set.
As indicated above, the time periods during which the hot water heater is scheduled to turn on need not be contiguous time periods. During non-scheduled (on) times the hot water heater will preheat in advance of the scheduled on time so the heater will be able to provide hot water when the scheduled time begins. There are three options for governing the preheat schedule. In option 0, the hot water heater is on during all low price tiers, and if no low price tiers are available during the desired preheat time, the controller will select the most economical preheat schedule from amongst the medium, high and critical tiers. In option 1, the hot water heater is not energized during any critical price tier, and in option 2 the hot water heater is not energized during any critical or high price tiers.
During the times that the operator has scheduled the hot water to be heated, the indicator "heat water" appears on the display. During the low price unscheduled heating periods, the display "heat water" does not appear.
Again, the display may be returned to the normal time/temperature mode by depressing the return switch 70 or waiting for the timeout period to expire.
Manual Override of Water Heater Schedule
The operator may manually override the scheduled water heating times by depressing the "heat water now" switch 72. The use of this override function does not affect the programmed setting times, and will be in effect only until the water heater heats the water to the temperature indicated by the setting on the water heater itself. It should be recalled that the control system of the instant invention does not set the temperature of the water heater per se but merely controls the on and off time of the water heater which has its own temperature setting regulation.
Depressing of the "heat water now" switch 72 modifies the time temperature display to include an indication that the water heater is being turned on. A "heat water" indication is displayed in the first line of the display as indicated in FIG. 11.
It is noted that the "heat water now" switch 72 may also be utilized to turn off the water heater if it is depressed when the water heater is in the on condition.
Setting Appliance Schedules
The control system of the instant invention permits scheduling of up to eight separate appliances. For example, the operator may program a lamp to turn on at 7 p.m. and off at 11 p.m. Each appliance is utilized with an appliance module 18 (FIG. 1) which may be purchased from a local Radio Shack or Sears outlet, and is commonly known as an X-10 unit. The appliance module is plugged into the appliance and then into the house wall socket. The appliance module has two thumb-roll dials (see FIG. 15) for setting a "unit" code and a "house"code. A "unit" code dial (1-16 settings) associates the particular appliance module and its associated appliance to a time schedule defined with a similar code on the thermostat 2. By associating the appliance unit code with the code in the thermostat 2, the thermostat knows when to let the appliance turn on and off. The "house" code dial of the appliance module is set for the same house code for all appliances.
Although the appliance module typically permits the operator to choose between 1-16 numbers, only appliance module units numbered 1-8 are actually utilized in the preferred embodiment. Module unit numbers 9-11 are not utilized and module unit numbers 12-16 are dedicated for special purposes as follows:
1. An appliance module using unit code 12 is on whenever cooling is active;
2. An appliance module using unit code 13 is on whenever heating is active;
3. An appliance module using code 14 is on whenever the price is low;
4. An appliance module using code 15 is on only when the price is either low or medium; and
5. An appliance module using unit code 16 is on only when the price is either low, medium or high.
To set an appliance module, the operator depresses the appliance switch 46 and the normal display changes to that indicated in FIG. 12A. The weekday and weekend symbols alternately flash, and the operator selects the one desired by depressing the weekday switch 52 or the weekend switch 54. Assuming the operator depresses the weekday switch 52, the display changes to that indicated in FIG. 12B. The operator may now set the morning schedule time for the appliance by utilizing the hour switch 60 and minute switch 62. The morning schedule may be changed to the day, evening and night by once again depressing the weekday switch as in the previous examples (or weekend switch if one were doing the weekend schedule).
The operator may select another appliance by depressing the appliance switch 46 once again and appliance number 2 will be displayed as indicated in FIG. 12C. In this manner, eight separate appliances may be separately timed to turn on and off at the user selectable times during each of the user selectable weekday/weekend periods and subinterval periods of morning, day, evening and night.
It is noted that any appliance module which is coded for a code 1 for example, will follow the schedule sequence of appliance 1. Thus, the operator can use multiple appliance modules with the same unit code, thus permitting the operator, for example, to turn on all of the living room lights at the same time, utilizing a single appliance designation e.g. code 1.
Once the appliance settings have been made, the operator may return to the normal display by depressing the return key 70 or alternately waiting for the timeout period.
Billing Information
The operator may display billing information by depressing the bill information switch 68. The indicia "bill info" is displayed on the display as indicated in FIG. 13A. A number "1" appears above the "bill info" symbol in FIG. 13A indicating that the display corresponds to code 1 information. There are seven separate codes which may be displayed to provide the operator with various kinds of billing data. The seven codes are indicated in connection with the displays of FIG. 13A-13G. Each code may be displayed sequentially displayed by the operator repetitively depressing the bill information key 68.
Code corresponds to a display of the electric bill to date in dollars. Since this is a current cost indication, it is based on the current rates which have been effective throughout the current month for electricity usage throughout the premise, e.g. the same usage as measured by the premise utility meter 20'. Code 2 displays the electric bill to date based on the old or previous rate. Code 3 displays the forecasted total electric bill (available after the seventh billing day in the cycle). Code 4 displays the "low" price kilowatt hours usage to date. Code 5 displays the "medium" price kilowatt hours usage to date. Code 6 displays the "high" price kilowatt hours usage to date. Finally, Code 7 displays the "critical" price kilowatt hours usage to date. As seen in FIGS. 13D-13G it is desirable to have lower usage as one moves up in the price tier from low to critical. Clearly, it would be equivalent to display the dollar cost of electricity at the various price tiers rather than the kilowatt hours usage.
Changing The Special Control Options
The operator may change one or all of the special control options by displaying and resetting each option individually. When the special option is displayed, the operator may change it or go on to the next one. Thus, the operator can use this function to change any control option setting or just to provide display information of the existing setting. Once the operator accesses the special control options, the system automatically displays each of the following in order:
House code
Fahrenheit or Celsius
Clock
Filter
Weekend
In order to enter the special control options mode to display and/or change any of the special control options, the operator presses the following sequence: move left key 64, hour key 60, move right key 66, minute key 62 and return key 70. The display changes from the normal time/temperature display to the display shown in FIG. 14. The indicia "CON" standing for "Control Options", appears on the left of the display, and the first control option, house code (HCd) is also displayed. To move on to another control option, the operator depresses the move right key 66. To move to a previously displayed control option, the operator depresses the move left key 64. To return to the time/temperature or normal display, the operator depresses the return key 70 or waits for the timeout period to expire.
Changing The House Code
To change the house code, the special control options mode is entered for the display house code as indicated in FIG. 14. The operator may then depress the temperature up switch 74 or temperature down switch 76 to increase or decrease the house code respectively.
All of the appliance modules on the premise should have the same house code set to the same value on their thumb-roll dials. Each house code must be the same as the house code setting of the special control options. The operator may set the house code on the appliance modules using the thumb-roll dial. The house code on the appliance module dial is a letter; whereas the house code in the thermostat 2 is a number. The correspondence between the two is shown below:
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1 = A 9 = I
2 = B 10 = J
3 = C 11 = K
4 = D 12 = L
5 = E 13 = M
6 = F 14 = N
7 = G 15 = O
8 = H 16 = P
______________________________________
Typically, the operator will not need to change the house code unless one is experiencing interference from a neighbor utilizing the same control system as in the instant invention.
A typical appliance module showing a house code A and a unit code 5 is illustrated in FIG. 15. Thumb-roll dial 88 indicates the house code dial, and thumb-roll dial 90 designates the unit code dial.
Selecting Fahrenheit or Celsius
The operator may change the normal display in Fahrenheit to a Celsius scale. To do so, the operator enters the special control options mode by depressing in sequence the move left key 64, hour key 60, move right key 66, minute key 62 and return key 70. The move right key 66 may then be depressed to change the display from the house code display to the Fahrenheit or Celsius display. The temperature switches 74 and 76 are utilized to toggle between the Fahrenheit and Celsius scales.
Choosing Twelve or Twenty-Four Hour Clock
The operator may change the type of clock displayed from the twelve-hour clock to the twenty-four hour clock. The special control options is entered as in the house code and Fahrenheit or Celsius code selections explained above and the operator depresses the move right key 66 three times so that the display as shown in FIG. 16 appears. The temperature up switch 74 and temperature down switch 76 may then be utilized to toggle between the twelve and twenty-four hour clock.
It is noted that the actual time of day which is shown in the normal display (whether in the twelve or twenty-four hour mode) is controlled by the controller 4 and may not be changed by the operator.
Changing The Filter Hours
Another special control option is the one permitting the operator to change the number of hours the air conditioner or furnace is running before the display of "filter" appears as indicated in FIG. 17. The above feature is useful since the control system of the instant invention can be utilized to remind the operator when it is time to replace or clean the furnace or air conditioner filter. After the filter has run the set number of hours, the display "filter" is displayed on the normal time/temperature display. 400 hours is a nominal time but may be changed depending upon particular manufactures recommendations. To change the filter, the operator enters the special control
mode and utilizes the temperature switches and 76 to increment or decrement the number of hours. The display is changed by increments of 100 hours.
Choosing The Weekend Days
The final user selectable option in the special control options mode is the option to change which days are considered weekend days. It is assumed that Saturday and Sunday are the weekend days for the weekend schedules which the operator desires to utilize. However, if a different schedule is desired, the operator may define a different weekend time period utilizing the following table:
TABLE 1
______________________________________
If your weekend is
You must specify
______________________________________
Saturday and Sunday
1
Sunday and Monday 2
Monday and Tuesday
3
Tuesday and Wednesday
4
Wednesday and Thursday
5
Thursday and Friday
6
Friday and Saturday
7
______________________________________
Specifying the number 1 indicates the normal Saturday-Sunday weekend schedule as indicated in FIG. 18. The operator may change the weekend designation by depressing the switches 74 and 76.
Load Control
During certain critical times of high demand, the utility company may put a load control feature into effect. For example, on very hot afternoons when many people are using their air conditioners, the utility company may actually turn off air conditioning power for certain portions of the hour. When such load control is in effect, the system controller of the instant invention may not be utilized in certain modes. For example, the operator may not override the heating or cooling schedules but these schedules will remain in effect even though load control is being exercised. Further, the water heater option of heating water now, utilizing key 72, is not available. The normal time/temperature display will indicate "load control" as shown in FIG. 19. If the operator attempts to override the water heater schedule while the load control is in effect, the water heater now switch 72 will not beep when it is depressed indicating that it is inoperative. Normally, depression of any of the keys on keypad 34 is followed by a "beep" sound to provide positive feedback to the operator of a successful key entry.
Thermostat Hardware Description
By way of example, and not by way of limitation, a hardware embodiment of the control system suitable for operation in accordance with the instant invention is shown in FIGS. 20-24. FIG. 20A-20E shows an illustrative embodiment of the thermostat 2 whereas FIGS. 21-24 sets forth an illustrative embodiment of the controller 4.
Referring to FIGS. 20A-20E, it should be clear that FIG. 20A and 20B are connected together to form a composite schematic with the right most portion of FIG. 20A connecting to the left most portion of FIG. 20B. The main function of the thermostat 2 is to serve as a human/machine interface and thus to provide an input device or means through which an operator may input desired data, such as schedules, and to further provide a means for measuring the ambient temperature. All operator input data as well as measured temperature data are forwarded to the controller 4 for processing.
In reference in particular to FIGS. 20A-20D, key elements of the thermostat are identified utilizing the same indicia as used in connection with FIG. 2. Thus, the thermostat 2 is provided with the display 32 (FIG. 20B), keyboard 34 (FIG. 20A), selection switch 36, fan/autoswitch 38 (FIG. 20C) and LED's 84 and 86 (FIG. 20B).
The heart of the thermostat 2 comprises a microprocessor 100 which may, for example, comprise the NEC.mu.PD75308G, four-bit microcomputer with LCD controller. The main purpose of the microprocessor 100 is to receive the input signals from the various switches and the keypad and to transmit the signals to the controller 4 for further processing. Another important function of the microprocessor 100 is to provide data to the display 32 so as to enable the operator to view schedules, temperature settings, input data and the like. Thus, as may be seen in FIG. 20B and 20C, selection switch 36 is connected to microprocessor 100 via input lines 36a and 36b, and fan/autoswitch 38 is connected to the microprocessor via input line 38a. Input lines 36a and 36b and input line 38a are coupled to pull up resistors 102 which are connected to a regulated five volt power supply (FIG. 20E). Similarly, emergency switch 80 is connected via line 80a to an input port of microprocessor 100 via another pull up resistor 102. The LED's 84 and 86 are connected to output ports of the microprocessor and may be energized under software control.
The microprocessor 100 is connected to the LCD display 32 via connecting wires attached to its LCD segment ports S0-S31 and common output LCD ports COM0-COM3. The keyboard 34 is connected to the microprocessor via row lines 104 and column lines 106. The microprocessor 100 polls the matrix defined by the intersection of the row and column lines to determine which of the switches of the keypad 34 have been depressed. Pull-up resistors 102 are also utilized in the row lines 104 connected to the keypad 34.
As indicated above, a prime function of the thermostat 2 is to measure the ambient temperature. For this purpose, a temperature sensor 108 (FIG. 20A) is provided to measure the ambient temperature and provide an analog signal representative thereof to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 110. The A/D converter 110 is a serial device which is enabled by the chip select not signal (CS-) from pin P3.sub.2 of the microprocessor over line 112. The reference input to the A/D converter 110 is provided by means of a 1.2 volt reference diode 114 connected to the five volt regulated supply. The A/D converter 110 is clocked periodically by the microprocessor 100 at input/output port P2.sub.0, along line 116. The output of the A/D converter 110 is provided as a serial bit stream along line 118 to input port P1.sub.2 of the microprocessor 100. Input port P1.sub.2 , also serves as the INT2 interrupt port depending on the microprocessor switch configuration. Thus, the digitized temperature signals are not only representative of the value of the measured temperature but are also utilized to interrupt the microprocessor to initiate a temperature reading cycle.
Data communication between the microprocessor 100 and the controller 4 is conducted serially over lines 6c and 6d as indicated in FIGS. 20B and 20D. The receive data from the controller 4 is passed along line 6c to the microprocessor 100 via buffer inverters 120a and 120b and fed to input port P1.sub.1 and input port PO.sub.3. Input port P1.sub.1 also is the INT1 port so that the incoming data serves both to interrupt the microprocessor and to provide the data information to the microprocessor from the controller 4. Microprocessor 100 converts the serial input data stream to parallel form for internal processing. Data received from the controller 4 is stored in internal memory within microprocessor 100. Data output from the microprocessor 100 is fed from the input/output port PO.sub.2 in serial fashion through a buffer inverter 120c and drive transistor 122 connected to line 6d.
In is noted that particular microprocessor utilized in the preferred embodiment as microprocessor 100 incorporates a CPU, ROM, RAM, I/O ports, vector interrupt locations, an 8-bit programmable timer/event counter, a watch-dog timer, a basic interval timer, a serial bus interface and an LCD controller/driver. The on-chip LCD controller/driver is capable of driving a variety of LCD displays of duplex, triplexed, quadriplexed and static configurations. It can utilize up to 32 segments and four common drive lines to display data from 128 bits (32.times.4) of display memory. The device can manipulate data in one, four or eight bit units. A variety of bit manipulation instructions enhance I/O data control. Program memory is configured in 8064.times.8 bit format and data memory is configured in a 512.times.4 bit matrix. The microprocessor further has general purpose registers (4 bits.times.8) and accumulators (1 bit carry flag, 4 bit A register and 8 bit XA register). Details of the operation of the microprocessor may be found in the data sheet for the mPD75308 microprocessor published by NEC Electronics, Inc., Mountain View, Calif.
Power to the thermostat 2 is provided from the controller 4 along lines 6a and 6b (FIG. 20D). A 12-volt DC supply is provided along line 6a and a ground connection along line 6b. FIG. 20E illustrates the power supply regulator which is seen to comprise a 5-volt regulator 124 converting the 12 volt DC supply to a regulated 5-volts.
Detailed schematic diagrams representing a preferred embodiment of the invention are set forth herein with manufacturers model numbers adjacent the various elements utilized. However, as well known by those of skill in the art, the particular model numbers and designated components may readily be interchanged or combined with other elements which perform a similar function. Moreover, various discreet elements may be combined or variously arranged in larger scale integrated circuits to achieve the desired or similar functions as set forth herein.
Referring once again to FIGS. 20A and 20B, the microprocessor 100 is also seen to operate in conjunction with a watch dog timer circuit 126 which monitors a signal from port P2.sub.1 of the microprocessor 100 fed in along line 128. Microprocessor 100 outputs a signal along line 128 every, approximately one second. The watch dog timer circuit 126 monitors the signal along line 128, and if the signal is not received within a predetermined time, circuit 126 generates a reset signal along line 130 which is fed to the reset port of microprocessor 100 for resetting same. The watch dog timer circuit 126 comprises an astable, free running oscillator which is kept from oscillation every time a signal is received along line 128 from the microprocessor. The signal along line 128 is capacitively coupled to a gate 132 and utilized to discharge a capacitor 134 through the internal resistance of gate 132. Pull-down resistor 136 provides the proper logic level at the input to gate 132. If the signals from the microprocessor are no longer provided along line 128, the capacitor 134 charges up until it reaches the threshold level of a second gate 138 which is connected to capacitor 134 to form in an astable oscillator. Resetting microprocessor 100 will generally remove the fault which resulted in the interruption of signals along line 128 so that the microprocessor can be reinitialized for normal operations.
In reference to FIG. 20B, there is provided three jumpers W1-W3 and two temperature calibration resistors JW1 and JW2. Jumper W1 is a configuration jumper utilized by the installer to input data into the control system 1 depending upon the particular customer HVAC configuration, e.g., type of heat pump, hot water preheat, heating-cooling cycle time, electric heat option, secondary heat during recovery option, emergency heat action option etc. Jumper W2 is utilized to disable the keyboard when such an action is appropriate as, for example, when the thermostat 2 is placed in a school or classroom where tampering is not desired. Jumper W3 is a clock test jumper which is utilized only for testing at the factory.
Temperature compensation resistors JW1 and JW2 are utilized to provide an offset temperature and are adjusted at the factory. If both resistors are in place there no offset is provided. If resistor JW1 is clipped, a one degree offset is provided; if JW2 is clipped, a two degree offset is provided; and if both JW1 and JW2 are clipped, a three degree offset is provided. All offsets are negative.
FIG. 20B also illustrates the crystal oscillator Y1 utilized to supply the microprocessor with a 4.19 MHz clock signal.
LED 84, also shown in FIG. 20B is operated under software control of the microprocessor 100 to flash when the critical price tier is approaching and is operated to stay continuously energized when the critical price tier is on. LED 86 is energized under control of microprocessor 100 whenever the operator switches on the emergency heat switch 80.
As seen in FIG. 20C, sonic indicator 140 is provided to give an audible indication whenever the operator depresses a key on the keypad 34. Sonic indicator 140 is connected to port P2.sub.3 of microprocessor 100 along line 142.
Controller Hardware Description
Overview
Details of the controller 4 hardware are shown in FIGS. 21-24. As an overview, FIG. 21A shows part of the communication interface circuitry between the controller 4 and the thermostat 2 as well as the brick 10 (FIG. 1) and includes as a primary component thereof a UART 200 and a data latch 202. FIG. 21B, which is connected to the bottom of FIG. 21A to form a composite schematic, illustrates the main output drivers and relays for controlling the HVAC system of the home or office. The major components of FIG. 21B include inverters 204, relay driver 206 and relays 208. FIG. 22A and 22B illustrate the main computer and memory devices of the controller 4. The right portion of FIG. 22A joins with the left portion of FIG. 22B. The major components of the microprocessor section include microprocessor 220, latch 222, ROM 224, RAM 226 and non-volatile memory 228.
The power supply circuitry is illustrated in FIG. 23 and includes, as major components thereof, a power supply and regulator circuit 230, a power supervisory circuit 232, and a relay circuit 234. FIG. 24 illustrates a schematic of the X-10 controller and zero crossing circuitry and includes, as major components thereof, an X-10 control circuit 240 and a zero crossing circuit 242.
The I/O Section
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