System and method for predicting a presence and location of first and second HVAC systems in multistory buildings

Abstract

A multisystem controller communicatively coupled to a first HVAC system and a second HVAC system includes a processor configured to access a first temperature associated with a first HVAC system and a second temperature associated with the first HVAC system at a first and second point in time, and further to access a first temperature associated with the second HVAC system and a second temperature associated with the second HVAC system at the first and second point in time. The processor is configured to compute a first temperature change associated with the first HVAC system and a second temperature change associated with the second HVAC system, determine a temperature difference between the second temperature change and the first temperature change, and identify the second HVAC system as regulating temperature of an upstairs space and the first HVAC system as regulating temperature of a downstairs space.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, and, more specifically, to a system and method for predicting a presence and location of first and second heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in multistory buildings.BACKGROUND

[0002] A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system may be utilized generally to regulate temperature within an enclosed space. Specifically, air is cooled via heat transfer with refrigerant flowing through the HVAC system and returned to the enclosed space as conditioned air. While some enclosed spaces may include multiple HVAC systems, temperatures may nevertheless vary across enclosed spaces depending on the physical dimensions and the architecture of the enclosed spaces.SUMMARY

[0003] The system and methods implemented by the system as disclosed in the present disclosure provide technical solutions to the technical problems discussed above by predicting a presence and location of first and second heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in multistory buildings. The disclosed system and methods provide several practical applications and technical advantages. Specifically, the present embodiments improve the power consumption, reliability, and interoperability of HVAC systems, particularly in the many instances in which multistory houses or multistory buildings include a first HVAC system utilized to regulate temperature of one of a downstairs space or an upstairs space and a second HVAC system utilized to regulate temperature of the other one of the downstairs space or the upstairs space.

[0004] For example, in accordance with the presently-disclosed embodiments, a multisystem controller including one or more processors and suitable for controlling each of a first HVAC system and a second HVAC system within the same building may execute one or more algorithms to detect a presence of the first HVAC system and a second HVAC system within a same multistory building, and further to respectively identify and flag each of the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system as regulating temperature within either a downstairs space or an upstairs space within the multistory building.

[0005] In particular embodiments, upon the multisystem controller identifying and flagging the first HVAC system as regulating temperature of the downstairs space and the second HVAC system as regulating temperature of the upstairs space, for example, the multisystem controller may then instruct the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system to operate in accordance with the identification that the first HVAC system is regulating temperature of the downstairs space and the second HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the upstairs space.

[0006] For example, in particular embodiments, the multisystem controller may instruct the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system to operate in accordance with the identification that the first HVAC system is regulating temperature of the downstairs space and the second HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the upstairs space by first determining a first temperature setpoint or receiving a user input including a selection of a first temperature setpoint to which the first HVAC system is to regulate the temperature of the downstairs space. The multisystem controller may then generate, based on the first temperature setpoint, a set of correction factors, and the identification that the second HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the upstairs space, a second temperature setpoint to which the second HVAC system is to regulate the temperature of the upstairs space and instruct the second HVAC system to operate based on the second temperature setpoint.

[0007] Specifically, as may be appreciated, in the many existing instances in which multistory houses or multistory buildings include a first HVAC system utilized to regulate temperature of one of a downstairs space or an upstairs space and a second HVAC system utilized to regulate temperature of the other one of the downstairs space or the upstairs space, the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system may often operate in such a manner that—any user selection of a desired temperature for the downstairs space—not only causes the first HVAC system to startup to regulate the downstairs space, for example, to the desired temperature, but the first HVAC system would then precipitate the operation of the second HVAC system to counteract the change in temperature induced by the first HVAC system.

[0008] For example, a user selection of a desired temperature of “80.0° F.” (e.g., 26.7° C.) for a downstairs space currently at room temperature (e.g., approximately “76.0° F.”) would cause the first HVAC system operate to heat the downstairs space to the desired temperature of “80.0° F.” As the downstairs space heats and warm air moves upward into the upstairs space, the change in temperature induced by the operation of the first HVAC system, for example, may then precipitate the operation of the second HVAC system to counteract the warming by operating to cool temperature of the upstairs space (e.g., back to an upstairs room temperature of approximately “79.0° F.”). Specifically, because of the physical property of warmer air tending to rise, the temperature of the upstairs space may always be higher than the temperature of the downstairs space. Such a scenario means that while the first HVAC system is operating to heat temperature of the downstairs space to “80.0° F.,” the second HVAC system is also operating to cool temperature of the upstairs space back to its original starting temperature (e.g., “79.0° F.”). This scenario increases the power consumption and reduces the reliability of the first and second HVAC systems, as well as lead to needless discomfort for users since the second HVAC system would be “cooling” even when the user desires both spaces to be warmer.

[0009] Thus, without the presently disclosed embodiments, the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system may redundantly and continuously operate for protracted periods of time in order to achieve any user-desired temperature for both the downstairs space and the upstairs space. In contrast, by first identifying which of the first and second HVAC system is regulating temperature of either the downstairs space or the upstairs space and then adjusting and correcting the temperature setpoints for the respective first and second HVAC systems accordingly, the present embodiments may thus improve the power consumption, reliability, and interoperability of HVAC systems when multiple HVAC systems are deployed in multistory buildings.

[0010] The present embodiments are directed to systems and methods for predicting a presence and location of first and second heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in multistory buildings. In particular embodiments, a system includes a first heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system configured to regulate temperature of one of a downstairs space or an upstairs space of a multistory building and a second HVAC system configured to regulate temperature of one of the downstairs space or the upstairs space of the multistory building. In one embodiment, each of the first HVAC system and the second HVAC is configured to regulate the temperature of a different one of the downstairs space or the upstairs space of the multistory building.

[0011] In particular embodiments, the system further includes a multisystem controller communicatively coupled to the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system. In one embodiment, the multisystem controller may include a memory configured to store 1) a first temperature and a second temperature associated with the first HVAC system and 2) a first temperature and a second temperature associated with the second HVAC system. In one embodiment, the first temperature associated with the first HVAC system may be captured at a first point in time and the second temperature associated with the first HVAC system may be captured at a second point in time. In another embodiment, the first temperature associated with the second HVAC system may be captured at the first point in time and the second temperature associated with the first HVAC system may be captured at the second point in time.

[0012] In particular embodiments, the multisystem controller may further include a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to detect a presence of the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system within the multistory building. For example, in one embodiment, the processor may be configured to detect the presence of the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system within the multistory by retrieving first geolocation data indicative of a location of the multistory building, receiving from the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system second geolocation data, and in response to determining that the first geolocation data matches to the second geolocation data, detecting the presence of the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system within the multistory building.

[0013] In particular embodiments, the processor may be further configured to access the first temperature and the second temperature associated with the first HVAC system and access the first temperature and the second temperature associated with the second HVAC system. In particular embodiments, the processor may be further configured to compute a first temperature change based at least in part on the first temperature and the second temperature associated with the first HVAC system. In particular embodiments, the processor may be further configured to compute a second temperature change based at least in part on the first temperature and the second temperature associated with the second HVAC system.

[0014] In particular embodiments, the processor may be further configured to determine a temperature difference between the second temperature change and the first temperature change. In particular embodiments, in response to determining that the temperature difference is greater than a predetermined threshold temperature change, the processor may be further configured to identify the second HVAC system as regulating the temperature of the upstairs space and the first HVAC system as regulating the temperature of the downstairs space, and further to instruct the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system to operate based at least in part on the identification that the second HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the upstairs space and the first HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the downstairs space.

[0015] For example, in one embodiment, the processor may be configured to determine that the temperature difference is greater than the predetermined threshold temperature change by generating a predetermined threshold based at least in part on a heating cycle of at least one of the first HVAC system or the second HVAC system. In another embodiment, the processor may be configured to determine that the temperature difference is greater than the predetermined threshold temperature change by generating a predetermined threshold based at least in part on a cooling cycle of at least one of the first HVAC system or the second HVAC system.

[0016] In one embodiment, the temperature difference between the second temperature change and the first temperature change may include a first temperature difference. In particular embodiments, in response to determining that the first temperature difference is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold temperature change, the processor may be further configured to determine a second temperature difference between the first temperature change and the second temperature change, compare the second temperature difference to the predetermined threshold temperature change, and further to determine, based at least in part on the comparison, that the second temperature difference is greater than the predetermined threshold temperature change.

[0017] In particular embodiments, in response to determining that the second temperature difference is greater than the predetermined threshold temperature change, the processor may be further configured to identify the first HVAC system as regulating the temperature of the upstairs space, and further to instruct the first HVAC system to operate based at least in part on the identification that the first HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the upstairs space. In particular embodiments, in response to determining that the second temperature difference is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold temperature change, the processor may be configured to programmatically flag the first HVAC system as inconclusive with respect to whether the first HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the downstairs space or the upstairs space, and further to programmatically log, based at least in part on the flagging of the first HVAC system as inconclusive, that the first HVAC system initiated an unexpected heating cycle between the first point in time and the second point in time.

[0018] In particular embodiments, in response to determining that the first temperature difference is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold temperature change, the processor may be further configured to programmatically flag the second HVAC system as inconclusive with respect to whether the second HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the downstairs space or the upstairs space, and further to programmatically log, based at least in part on the flagging of the second HVAC system as inconclusive, that the second HVAC system initiated an unexpected cooling cycle between the first point in time and the second point in time.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of first and second heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and a multisystem controller, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate one or more running examples of operating multiple HVAC systems in multistory buildings, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 3A illustrates a workflow diagram of an algorithm for predicting a presence and location of first and second HVAC systems in multistory buildings, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C illustrate a plot diagram of a model plotting actual and projected temperature setpoints and a table diagram of a temperature setpoint schedule for the first and second HVAC systems, respectively, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an example method for predicting a presence and location of first and second HVAC systems in multistory buildings, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of an example method for generating and applying cycling correction factors for first and second HVAC systems in multistory buildings, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONExample System

[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of multiunit heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system 100. In particular embodiments, the system 100 may include a multisystem controller 102, a first HVAC system 103A communicatively coupled to the multisystem controller 102, and a second HVAC system 103B communicatively coupled to the multisystem controller 102. In particular embodiments, the multisystem controller 102 may also be communicatively coupled to a utility-provider and / or third-party service system 105, which may provide device identification (ID) data 107 and geolocation data 109 to the multisystem controller 102 intermittingly or whenever requested as discussed in greater detail below.

[0027] In particular embodiments, the first HVAC system 103A may be disposed inside, about, or nearby one of a downstairs space 100A or an upstairs space 100B of a multistory building, such as multistory house, a multistory complex, or other similar multistory building in which a user may dwell. Similarly, the second HVAC system 103B may be disposed inside, about, or nearby one of the downstairs space 100A or the upstairs space 100B of the multistory building. For example, in some embodiments, the first HVAC system 103A may be utilized to regulate temperature of one of the downstairs space 100A or the upstairs space 100B of the multistory building and the second HVAC system 103B may be utilized to regulate temperature of the other one of the downstairs space 100A or the upstairs space 100B of the multistory building.

[0028] In general, in one embodiment, the multisystem controller 102 may be utilized to detect a presence of the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B within the multistory building. The multisystem controller 102 may then access temperature / temperature change data 138A associated with the first HVAC system 103A and temperature / temperature change data 138B associated with the second HVAC system 102B. The multisystem controller 102 may then determine a temperature difference between the temperature / temperature change data 138A and the temperature / temperature change data 138B.

[0029] In response to determining that the temperature difference is greater than a predetermined threshold temperature change, the multisystem controller may identify the second HVAC system 103B as regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B and the first HVAC system as regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A and instruct the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B to operate in accordance with the identification that the second HVAC system 103B is regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B and the first HVAC system 103A is regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A.

[0030] In another embodiment, the multisystem controller 102 may be utilized to access the temperature / temperature change data 138A associated with the first HVAC system 103A and access the temperature / temperature change data 138B associated with the second HVAC system 103B. The multisystem controller 102 may then identify, based on the temperature / temperature change data 138A, the first HVAC system 103A as regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A and identify, based on the temperature / temperature change data 138B, the second HVAC system 103B as regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B.

[0031] The multisystem controller 102 may then receive a user input 118 (e.g., user input 136A) to including a selection of a first temperature setpoint to which the first HVAC system 103A is to regulate the temperature of the downstairs space 103A. In response to receiving the user input 136A, the multisystem controller 102 may then generate, based the first temperature setpoint, a set of correction factors 125, and the identification that the second HVAC system 103B is regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B, a second temperature setpoint to which the second HVAC system is to regulate the temperature of the upstairs space 100B. The multisystem controller 102 may then instruct the first HVAC system 103A to operate in accordance with the first temperature setpoint and the second HVAC system 103B to operate in accordance with the second temperature setpoint.Multisystem Controller

[0032] In particular embodiments, as will be discussed in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 3A, the multisystem controller 102 may detect a presence of a first HVAC system 103A and a second HVAC system 103B within a same multistory building. For example, in one embodiment, the multisystem controller 102 may access or receive from the utility provider and / or third-party provider 105 geolocation data 109 and device ID data 107 and utilize the geolocation data 109 and device ID data 107 to ascertain that the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B are within the same multistory building.

[0033] For example, in one embodiment, the geolocation data 109 may include a set of geographic coordinates (e.g., longitude and latitude measurements expressed in units of degrees) indicative of the physical location of the multistory building or multistory house of a user. In another embodiment, the geolocation data 109 may include global positioning system (GPS) data that may be received by the multisystem controller 102 from the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B. For example, in one embodiment, the multisystem controller 102 may utilize the device ID data 107 to identify and ping the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B and then request a thermostat associated with the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B to provide the GPS data.

[0034] In particular embodiments, the multisystem controller 102 may then compare the set of geographic coordinates (e.g., longitude and latitude values) indicative of the physical location of the multistory building with the GPS data received from the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B. In particular embodiments, in response to the multisystem controller 102 determining that the set of geographic coordinates (e.g., longitude and latitude values) matches with the GPS data received from the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B, the multisystem controller 102 may then determine that the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B are present within the same multistory building.

[0035] In some embodiments, the multisystem controller 102 may determine a power consumption 114 for operating the HVAC system 110 at a temperature setpoint 112 (e.g., corresponding to current or scheduled setpoint 134A, 134B of the corresponding HVAC system 103A, 103B). For example, the power consumption 114 may be determined based on a predefined relationship between the setpoint 112 and outdoor temperature. In some cases, this relationship may be specific to the HVAC system, such that the first HVAC system 103A may have a different power consumption 114 than the second HVAC system 103B for the same temperature setpoint 112.

[0036] In some embodiments, the multisystem controller 102 may control the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B to operate in accordance with automatically generated and defined temperature setpoints 112, power consumption 114, occupancy 116, temperature / temperature change data 120, and / or the set of correction factors 125. In other embodiments, the multisystem controller 102 may control the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B to operate in accordance with one or more user inputs 118 (e.g., user inputs 136A, 136), which may be received, for example, via a thermostat associated with the respective first and second HVAC systems 103A, 103B. In some embodiments, the multisystem controller 102 may control the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B to operate in accordance with a home model 122, which generally allows anticipated indoor temperature(s) 124 to be determined for spaces (e.g., downstairs space 100A, upstairs space 100B) serviced by the respective first and second HVAC systems 103A, 103B.

[0037] In particular embodiments, the set of correction factors 125 may include one or more seasonal schedules 126, temperature setpoints127, and fan settings 129. For example, as will be further appreciated below with respect to FIGS. 3B and 3C, the multisystem controller 102 may generate, based on the set of correction factors 125 and an identification of which of the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B is regulating temperature of either the downstairs space 100A or the upstairs space 100B, one or more temperature setpoints 127 to which the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B is to regulate temperatures of the respective downstairs space 100A or upstairs space 100B in order to compensate for the natural temperature difference (e.g., as defined by the physical property of which warmer air tends to rise) between the downstairs space 100A and the upstairs space 100B.

[0038] In one embodiment, the temperature setpoints 127 may include any N-integer or float value expressed in units of degrees, Fahrenheit (F) or Celsius (C), depending on the conventions of the region. The seasonal schedules 126 may include temperature setpoint schedules for the summer and winter seasons, which may impact the ambient temperatures of the downstairs space 100A and the upstairs space 100B. Thus, in accordance with the presently disclosed embodiments, the multisystem controller 102 may generate temperature setpoint schedules to compensate for both the natural temperature difference (e.g., as defined by the physical property of which warmer air tends to rise) between the downstairs space 100A and the upstairs space 100B and the seasonal impacts to the ambient temperatures of the downstairs space 100A and the upstairs space 100B. The fan settings 129 may include one or more operational mode settings (e.g., continuous mode, automatic “startup” and “shutdown” mode, variable-speed mode, and so forth) by which the multisystem controller 102 may control the respective fan blowers of the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B to frequently or selectively circulate and distribute air throughout the downstairs space 100A and the upstairs space 100B.

[0039] The multisystem controller 102 includes a processor 104, memory 106, and input / output (I / O) interface 108. The processor 104 may include one or more processors operably coupled to the memory 106. The processor 104 is any electronic circuitry including, but not limited to, state machines, one or more central processing unit (CPU) chips, logic units, cores (e.g., a multi-core processor), field-programmable gate array (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or digital signal processors (DSPs) that communicatively couples to memory 106 and controls the operation of HVAC system 103A, 103B. The processor 104 may be a programmable logic device, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, or any suitable combination of the preceding. The processor 104 is communicatively coupled to and in signal communication with the memory 106.

[0040] The processor 104 are configured to process data and may be implemented in hardware or software. For example, the processor 104 may be 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit, 64-bit or of any other suitable architecture. The processor 102 may include an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) for performing arithmetic and logic operations, processor registers that supply operands to the ALU and store the results of ALU operations, and a control unit that fetches instructions from memory 106 and executes them by directing the coordinated operations of the ALU, registers, and other components. The processor may include other hardware and software that operates to process information, control the HVAC systems 103A, 103B, and perform any of the functions described herein (e.g., with respect to FIG. 4). The processor 104 is not limited to a single processing device and may encompass multiple processing devices.

[0041] The memory 106 may include one or more disks, tape drives, or solid-state drives, and may be used as an over-flow data storage device, to store programs when such programs are selected for execution, and to store instructions and data that are read during program execution. The memory 106 may be volatile or non-volatile and may include ROM, RAM, ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM), dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), and static random-access memory (SRAM). The memory 106 is operable to store any suitable set of instructions, logic, rules, and / or code for executing the functions described in this disclosure with respect to FIGS. 1-5.

[0042] The memory 106 may store for each the respective first and second HVAC systems 103A, 103B, a temperature setpoint 112, power consumption 114, the occupancy 116 (e.g., occupancies 140A, 140B of HVAC systems 103A, 103B), a user input 118 (e.g., user inputs 136A, 136), temperature / temperature change data 120 (e.g., temperature / temperature change data 138A, 138B of HVAC systems 103A, 103B), and / or the set of correction factors 125 (e.g., seasonal temperature setpoints schedules 126, temperature setpoints 127, and fan settings 129).

[0043] The I / O interface 108 is configured to communicate data and signals with other devices. For example, the I / O interface 108 may be configured to communicate electrical signals with the HVAC systems 103A, 103B and / or the components of the HVAC systems 103A, 103B. The I / O interface 108 may send signals that cause the staging schedule 126 to be implemented by the HVAC systems 103A, 103B. The I / O interface 108 may use any suitable type communication protocol. The I / O interface 108 may include ports and / or terminals for establishing signal communications between a of each HVAC system 103A, 103B and other devices. The I / O interface 108 may be configured to enable wired and / or wireless communications.Utility Provider / Third-Party Service

[0044] The utility provider and / or third-party provider 105 is generally an entity tasked with overseeing and / or regulating energy consumption by first and second HVAC systems 103A, 103B and may further store and housed device ID data 107 associated with first and second HVAC systems 103A, 103B. For example, the utility provider and / or third-party provider 105 may be a company or organization that distributes energy to homes and businesses. In another embodiment, the utility provider and / or third-party provider 105 may include a service suitable for providing geolocation data 109 indicative of the physical location of the multistory building or multistory house of a user.First and Second HVAC Systems

[0045] The system 100 includes at least two HVAC systems 103A, 103B. For clarity and conciseness only two HVAC systems, first HVAC system 103A and second HVAC system 103B, are illustrated in FIG. 1. However, the system 100 could include three or more HVAC systems 103A, 103B. Each HVAC system 103A, 103B provides conditioned air (e.g., “services”) a corresponding portion of a space. For example, the first HVAC system 103A may provide conditioned air to a portion of a room or rooms in a home or other building, and the second HVAC system 103B may provide conditioned air to other room or rooms in the same home or building. Each HVAC system 103A, 103B is associated with a power schedule 132A, 132B which indicates times when the HVAC system 103A, 103B will be turned on (e.g., allowed to provide cooling or heating) and turned off (e.g., not allowed to provide cooling or heating). Turning off an HVAC system 103A, 103B generally corresponds to turning off or not powering a compressor or heating element of the system 103A, 103B (see FIG. 2 and corresponding description below).

[0046] Each HVAC system 103A, 103B may be associated with a temperature setpoint schedule 134A, 134B indicating target temperatures that the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B may attempt to reach in the future. Each the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B may be operable to receive one or more user inputs 118 (e.g., user inputs 136A, 136) via a thermostat associated therewith. Such user inputs may be provided to the multisystem controller 102 and stored as user inputs 118. In other cases, user inputs 118 may be received via a user interface of the multisystem controller 102 itself or any other appropriate device.Predicting a Presence and Location of First and Second Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems in Multistory Buildings

[0047] Embodiments of the present disclosure discuss techniques for predicting a presence and location of first and second heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in multistory buildings.

[0048] FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate one or more running examples 200A-200F of operating multiple HVAC systems in multistory buildings, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically, the running examples 200A-200F depict the challenges of operating multiple HVAC systems in multistory buildings. For example, as generally discussed above, in the many instances in which multistory houses or multistory buildings include a first HVAC system 103A utilized to regulate temperature of one of a downstairs space 100A or an upstairs space 100B and a second HVAC system 103B utilized to regulate temperature of the other one of the downstairs space 100A or the upstairs space 100B, the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B may often operate in such a manner that—any user selection of a desired temperature for the downstairs space 100A—not only causes the first HVAC system 103A to startup to regulate temperature of the downstairs space 100A to the desired temperature, but the first HVAC system may also precipitate the operation of the second HVAC system 103B to counteract the change in temperature induced by the first HVAC system 103A.

[0049] For example, as depicted by running example 200A of FIG. 2A, a user may select to increase temperature of a first space (e.g., downstairs space 100A) from a current temperature of “76.0° F. at 5:50 pm, for example, to a desired temperature of “80.0° F.” Similarly, as depicted by running example 200B of FIG. 2B, the current temperature of a second space (e.g., upstairs space 100B) is also “76.0° F.” at 5:50 pm, for example. As depicted by running example 200C of FIG. 2C and running example 200D of FIG. 2D, at 6:16 pm, the first space (e.g., downstairs space 100A) is heated to “78.0° F.” and the second space (e.g., upstairs space 100B) has also warmed to “78.0° F.”

[0050] Specifically, the running example 200D of FIG. 2D illustrates that the change in temperature induced by the heating cycle of the first HVAC system 103A has precipitated a cooling cycle by the second HVAC system 103B to counteract the warming by the first HVAC system 103A. Such a scenario means that while the first HVAC system 103A is operating to heat temperature of the first space (e.g., downstairs space 100A) to “80.0° F.,” the second HVAC system 103B is also operating to cool temperature of the second space (e.g., upstairs space 100B) back to its original starting temperature (e.g., “76.0° F.”). This scenario increases the power consumption and reduces the reliability of the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B, as well as lead to needless discomfort for users since the second HVAC system 103B would be “cooling” even when the user desires the spaces to be warmer, for example.

[0051] The foregoing scenario is depicted by running example 200E of FIG. 2E and running example 200F of FIG. 2F. For example, as illustrated by running example 200E of FIG. 2E, the heating cycle of the first HVAC system 103A has completed and the temperature of the first space (e.g., downstairs space 100A) has been increased to the desired temperature of “80.0° F.” However, as illustrated by running example 200F of FIG. 2F, while the temperature of the second space (e.g., upstairs space 100B) has warmed to “80.0° F.,” the second HVAC system 103B is still in the cooling cycle and attempting to cool temperature of the second space (e.g., upstairs space 100B) back to its original starting temperature (e.g., “76.0° F.”).

[0052] That is, the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B may redundantly and continuously counteract each other (e.g., while one HVAC system is “heating,” the other HVAC is “cooling”) for protracted periods of time without necessarily achieving a user-desired temperature for both the first space (e.g., downstairs space 100A) and the second space (e.g., upstairs space 100B). Specifically, because of the physical property of warmer air tending to rise, the temperature of the upstairs space 100B may generally be higher than the temperature of the downstairs space within the same multistory building.

[0053] Such a scenario means that while one HVAC system 103A, 103B is operating to heat temperature of the downstairs space 100A, the other HVAC system 103A, 103B may also be operating to cool temperature of the upstairs space 100B back to its original starting temperature. This scenario increases the power consumption and reduces the reliability of the first and second HVAC systems 103A, 103B, as well as lead to needless discomfort for users since the other HVAC system 103A, 103B would generally be “cooling” even when the user desires both the downstairs space 100A and the upstairs space 100B to be warmer, for example. Accordingly, it may be useful to provide techniques to first identify which of the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B is regulating temperature of either the downstairs space 100A or the upstairs space 100B, and then to adjust and correct the temperature setpoints for the respective first and second HVAC systems 103A, 103B based on one or more correction factors 125 utilized to compensate for the natural temperature difference between the upstairs and downstairs spaces 100A, 100B.

[0054] FIG. 3A illustrates a workflow diagram of an algorithm 300A for predicting a presence and location of first and second HVAC systems in multistory buildings, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular embodiments, the workflow of the algorithm 300A may be performed utilizing the multisystem controller 102 as described above with respect to FIG. 1. In particular embodiments, although not illustrated, the workflow of the algorithm 300A may begin (e.g., at functional block “START”) with the multisystem controller 102 first detecting a presence of a first HVAC system 103A and a second HVAC system 103B within a same multistory building. For example, in one embodiment, the multisystem controller 102 may access or receive from the utility provider and / or third-party provider 105 geolocation data 109 and device ID data 107 and utilize the geolocation data 109 and device ID data 107 to ascertain that the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B are within the same multistory building.

[0055] For example, in one embodiment, the geolocation data 109 may include a set of geographic coordinates (e.g., longitude and latitude measurements expressed in units of degrees) indicative of the physical location of the multistory building or multistory house of a user. In another embodiment, the geolocation data 109 may include global positioning system (GPS) data that may be received by the multisystem controller 102 from the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B. For example, in one embodiment, the multisystem controller 102 may utilize the device ID data 107 to identify and ping the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B and then request a thermostat associated with the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B to provide the GPS data.

[0056] In particular embodiments, the multisystem controller 102 may then compare the set of geographic coordinates (e.g., longitude and latitude values) indicative of the physical location of the multistory building with the GPS data received from the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B. In particular embodiments, in response to the multisystem controller 102 determining that the set of geographic coordinates (e.g., longitude and latitude values) matches with the GPS data received from the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B, the multisystem controller 102 may then determine that the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B are present within the same multistory building.

[0057] In particular embodiments, the workflow of the algorithm 300A may then continue with the multisystem controller 102 measuring (functional block 302) a first temperature change (e.g., “ΔT1”) associated with the first HVAC system 103A over some period of time (e.g., “Δt”). For example, in one embodiment, the first temperature change (e.g., “ΔT1”) associated with the first HVAC system 103A may be a change in a temperature of a space within the multistory building currently being regulated by the first HVAC system 103A. As an example, the first temperature change (e.g., “ΔT1”) may be a temperature change of “4.0° F.” (e.g., from a starting temperature of “76.0° F.” to ending temperature of “80.0° F.”) over a 15-minute time interval. In one embodiment, the multisystem controller 102 may compute the first temperature change (e.g., “ΔT1”) by computing a difference between a first temperature (e.g., “T11” or starting temperature of “76.0° F.”) at a first point in time (e.g., “t1” or t=0 minutes) received from a thermostat communicatively coupled to the first HVAC system 103A and a second temperature (e.g., “T21” or ending temperature of “80.0° F.”) at a second point in time (e.g., “t2” at t=15 minutes) received from the thermostat communicatively coupled to the first HVAC system 103A.

[0058] In particular embodiments, the period of time (e.g., “Δt”) may include a predetermined time interval or a measured average time interval between the time the first HVAC system 103A or the second HVAC system 103B initiates a temperature regulating cycle (e.g., “starts up” a cooling cycle or a heating cycle) and the time the ambient temperature of a space within the multistory building begins to change. In one embodiment, the period of time (e.g., “Δt”) may include a 5-minute time interval, a 10-minute time interval, a 15-minute interval, a 20-minute time interval, a 25-minute time interval, or a 30-minute time interval.

[0059] In particular embodiments, the workflow of the algorithm 300A may then continue with the multisystem controller 102 measuring (at functional block 304) a second temperature change (e.g., “ΔT2”) associated with the second HVAC system 103B the over the same period of time (e.g., “Δt”). For example, in one embodiment, the second temperature change (e.g., “ΔT2”) associated with the second HVAC system 103B may be a change in a temperature of another space within the multistory building currently being regulated by the second HVAC system 103B. As an example, the second temperature change (e.g., “ΔT2”) may be a temperature change of “8.0° F.” (e.g., from a starting temperature of “76.0° F.” to ending temperature of “84.0° F.”) over a 15-minute time interval.

[0060] In one embodiment, the multisystem controller 102 may compute the second temperature change (e.g., “ΔT2”) by computing a difference between a first temperature (e.g., “T12” or starting temperature of “76.0° F.” (e.g., 24.4° C.)) at the first point in time (e.g., “t1” or t=0 minutes) received from a thermostat communicatively coupled to the second HVAC system 103B and a second temperature (e.g., “T22” or ending temperature of “84.0° F.”)) at the second point in time (e.g., “t2” or t=15 minutes) received from the thermostat communicatively coupled to the first HVAC system 103A.

[0061] In particular embodiments, the workflow of the algorithm 300 may then continue with the multisystem controller 102 computing (at functional block 306) a temperature difference between the first temperature change (e.g., “ΔT1”) and the second temperature change (e.g., “ΔT2”) and comparing (at functional block 306) the temperature difference between the first temperature change (e.g., “ΔT1”) and the second temperature change (e.g., “ΔT2”) to a threshold temperature change (e.g., “ΔTCrit”) during a heating cycle. For example, the threshold temperature change (e.g., “ΔTCrit”) may include an ±N-integer temperature band (e.g., ±1°, ±2°, or ±3°) expressing the natural temperature difference (e.g., as defined by the physical property of which warmer air tends to rise) between the downstairs space 100A and the upstairs space 100B, such that the upstairs space 100B is expected to generally have a higher ambient temperature than that of the downstairs space 100A.

[0062] Thus, in particular embodiments, in response to the multisystem controller 102 calculating that the temperature difference between the first temperature change (e.g., “ΔT1”) and the second temperature change (e.g., “ΔT2”) is greater than the threshold temperature change (e.g., “ΔTCrit”), the workflow diagram of the algorithm 300A may continue with the multisystem controller 102 identifying (at functional block 308) the second HVAC system 103B as regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B and the first HVAC system 103A as regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A.

[0063] Returning to the above example, the multisystem controller 102 may calculate the difference between the second temperature change of “8.0° F.” and the first temperature change of “4.0° F.” and compare the difference of “4.0° F.” to the threshold temperature change of 2° or 3°. Because the difference of “4.0° F.” is greater than the threshold temperature change of 2° or 3°, the multisystem controller 102 may identify the second HVAC system 103B as regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B and the first HVAC system 103A as regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A.

[0064] Specifically, because of the physical property of which warmer air tends to rise, the second temperature change (e.g., “ΔT2”) is expected to be naturally larger than the first temperature change (e.g., “ΔT1”) by, for example, at least 2° or 3°, and thus the multisystem controller 102 deduces that whenever the temperature difference between the first temperature change (e.g., “ΔT1”) and the second temperature change (e.g., “ΔT2”) is greater than the threshold temperature change (e.g., “ΔTCrit”) of change of 2° or 3°, for example, then the second HVAC system 103B is identified as regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B and the first HVAC system 103A as regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A.

[0065] In particular embodiments, returning to functional block 306 of the workflow of the algorithm 300A, in response to the multisystem controller 102 calculating that the temperature difference between the first temperature change (e.g., “ΔT1”) and the second temperature change (e.g., “ΔT2”) is not greater than the threshold temperature change (e.g., “ΔTCrit”) during heating cycle, the workflow of the algorithm 300A may then continue with the multisystem controller 102 computing (at functional block 310) a temperature difference between the first temperature change (e.g., “ΔT1”) and the second temperature change (e.g., “ΔT2”) and comparing (at functional block 310) the temperature difference between the first temperature change (e.g., “ΔT1”) and the second temperature change (e.g., “ΔT2”) to the threshold temperature change (e.g., “ΔTCrit”) during a cooling cycle.

[0066] In particular embodiments, in response to the multisystem controller 102 calculating that the temperature difference between the first temperature change (e.g., “ΔT1”) and the second temperature change (e.g., “ΔT2”) is greater than the threshold temperature change (e.g., “ΔTCrit”), the workflow diagram of the algorithm 300A may continue with the multisystem controller 102 identifying (at functional block 312) the first HVAC system 103A as regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B and the second HVAC system 103B as regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A.

[0067] In some embodiments, returning once more to functional block 306 of the workflow of the algorithm 300A, in response to the multisystem controller 102 being unable to determine whether the temperature difference between the second temperature change (e.g., “ΔT2”) and the first temperature change (e.g., “ΔT1”) is greater than the threshold temperature change (e.g., “ΔTCrit”), the workflow diagram of the algorithm 300A may conclude with the multisystem controller 102 determining (at functional block 314) that whether the temperature difference between the second temperature change (e.g., “ΔT2”) and the first temperature change (e.g., “ΔT1”) is greater than the threshold temperature change (e.g., “ΔTCrit”) is inconclusive.

[0068] For example, in one embodiment, the multisystem controller 102 returns a computation that whether the temperature difference between the second temperature change (e.g., “ΔT2”) and the first temperature change (e.g., “ΔT1”) is greater than the threshold temperature change (e.g., “ΔTCrit”) is inconclusive whenever the temperature difference between the second temperature change (e.g., “ΔT2”) and the first temperature change (e.g., “ΔT1”) is within the ±N-integer temperature band (e.g., ±1°, ±2°, ±3°).

[0069] That is, as discussed herein, because the natural temperature difference (e.g., as defined by the physical property of which warmer air tends to rise) between the downstairs space 100A and the upstairs space 100B may be 2° or 3°, any calculated temperature difference between the second temperature change (e.g., “ΔT2”) and the first temperature change (e.g., “ΔT1”) within the temperature band (e.g., ±1°, ±2°, ±3°) would indicate that the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B are either both located (and regulating temperature) in the downstairs space 100A or both located (and regulating temperature) in the upstairs space 100A.

[0070] Similarly, in some embodiments, returning to functional block 310 of the workflow of the algorithm 300A, in response to the multisystem controller 102 being unable to determine whether the temperature difference between the first temperature change (e.g., “ΔT1”) and the second temperature change (e.g., “ΔT2”) is not greater than the threshold temperature change (e.g., “ΔTCrit”), the workflow diagram of the algorithm 300A may conclude with the multisystem controller 102 determining (at functional block 314) that whether the temperature difference between the first temperature change (e.g., “ΔT1”) and the second temperature change (e.g., “ΔT2”) is greater than the threshold temperature change (e.g., “ΔTCrit”) is inconclusive. This again is an indication that the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B are either both located (and regulating temperature) in the downstairs space 100A or both located (and regulating temperature) in the upstairs space 100A.

[0071] In one embodiment, the multisystem controller 102 may output (at functional block 316) that whether the temperature difference between the first temperature change (e.g., “ΔT1”) and the second temperature change (e.g., “ΔT2”) is greater than the threshold temperature change (e.g., “ΔTCrit”) is ambiguous. In such an instance, the multisystem controller 102 may flag the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B for an observational determination of which of the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B is regulating temperature within either the downstairs space 100A or the upstairs space 100A. Specifically, a user or technician simply observes and determines which of the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B is regulating temperature within either the downstairs space 100A or the upstairs space 100A.

[0072] FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C illustrate a plot diagram 300B of a model plotting actual and projected temperature setpoints and a table diagram 300C of a temperature setpoint schedule for the first and second HVAC systems, respectively, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically, upon the multisystem controller 102 identifying and flagging the first HVAC system 103A as regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A and the second HVAC system 103B as regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B, the multisystem controller 102 may then automatically adjust the temperature setpoints for one or more of the first HVAC system 103A or the second HVAC system 103B in order to compensate for the natural temperature difference (e.g., as defined by the physical property of which warmer air tends to rise) between the downstairs space 100A and the upstairs space 100B.

[0073] For example, in accordance with the presently disclosed embodiments, and as will be further appreciated with respect to FIGS. 3B and 3C, the multisystem controller 102 may generate, based on a set of correction factors and the identification that the first HVAC system 103A is regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A and the second HVAC system 103B is regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B, respective temperature setpoint schedules for the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B. As depicted by the plot diagram 300B of FIG. 3B, a model of an actual setpoint schedule 318 and a projected setpoint schedule 320 for a first HVAC system 103A and a second HVAC system 103B of a user may be generated.

[0074] In particular embodiments, the model as illustrated by plot diagram 300B may include a mathematical model, a statistical model, a projection model, or other data model that may be utilized to aggregate the recorded temperature setpoints for a first HVAC system 103A and a second HVAC system 103B within a multistory building of a user over some defined time period. For example, the model may aggregate a recorded 7-day interval of previous temperature setpoints, a 14-day interval of previous temperature setpoints, a 21-day interval of previous temperature setpoints, a 28-day interval of previous temperature setpoints, or some other operator-defined N-day interval of previous temperature setpoints for learning the desired temperature setpoints of the multistory building of the user (e.g., between approximately “74.0° F.” and “76.0° F.”).

[0075] In particular embodiments, the model as illustrated by plot diagram 300B may then utilize the recorded aggregate of the actual setpoint schedule 318 to generate a projected setpoint schedule 320 indicative of the future desired temperature setpoints of the multistory building of the user (e.g., between approximately “74.0° F.” and “75.0° F.”). In particular embodiments, based on the identification that the first HVAC system 103A is regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A and the second HVAC system 103B is regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B, as well as the learnings from the model of the actual setpoint schedule 318 and the projected setpoint schedule 320, the multisystem controller 102 may generate a recommended setpoint schedule the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B in order to compensate for the natural temperature difference (e.g., as defined by the physical property of which warmer air tends to rise) between the downstairs space 100A and the upstairs space 100B.

[0076] For example, as illustrated by the table diagram 300C of FIG. 3C, the multisystem controller 102 may generate the recommended setpoint schedule by applying one or more correction factors 125 to a temperature setpoint for the first HVAC system 103A or temperature setpoint for the second HVAC system 103B in order to compensate for the natural temperature difference (e.g., as defined by the physical property of which warmer air tends to rise) between the downstairs space 100A and the upstairs space 100B. As previously discussed above, in one embodiment, the natural temperature difference (e.g., as defined by the physical property of which warmer air tends to rise) between the downstairs space 100A and the upstairs space 100B may be approximately 3°.

[0077] Thus, as depicted by the table diagram 300C of FIG. 3C, the temperature setpoint for the second HVAC system 103B identified as regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B may be generally set to 3° lower than the temperature setpoint for the first HVAC system 103A identified as regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A. As depicted, during the heating cycle, the temperature setpoint for the second HVAC system 103B may be set to “66° F.” and the temperature setpoint for the second HVAC system 103A may be set to “69° F.” Similarly, during the cooling cycle, the temperature setpoint for the second HVAC system 103B may be set to “73° F.” and the temperature setpoint for the second HVAC system 103A may be set to “76° F.”

[0078] In particular embodiments, the one or more correction factors 125 may also include correction factors to compensate for the seasonal ambient temperature changes between the downstairs space 100A and the upstairs space 100B. For example, in one embodiment, the seasonal temperature difference between the downstairs space 100A and the upstairs space 100B may be approximately 2°. Thus, as further depicted by the table diagram 300C of FIG. 3C, the temperature setpoint for the second HVAC system 103B identified as regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B may be generally set to 2° lower than the temperature setpoint for the first HVAC system 103A identified as regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A during both the summer and winter seasons.

[0079] In particular embodiments, based on the identification that the first HVAC system 103A is regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A and the second HVAC system 103B is regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B, as well as the learnings from the model of the actual setpoint schedule 318 and the projected setpoint schedule 320, the multisystem controller 102 may automatically set the temperature setpoints for both the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B as depicted by the table diagram 300C of FIG. 3C. In other embodiments, the multisystem controller 102 may allow a hybrid control (e.g., hybrid system-user control) of the temperature setpoints for the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B.

[0080] For example, in one embodiment, the multisystem controller 102 may control the temperature setpoints for the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B in a parent-child configuration, in which the user selects the temperature setpoint for the first HVAC system 103A via a thermostat associated with the first HVAC system 103A. In response, the multisystem controller 102 may then automatically apply the correction factors 125 to the user-selected temperature setpoint for the first HVAC system 103A and generate the temperature setpoint for the second HVAC system 103B. For example, if the user-selected temperature setpoint for the first HVAC system 103A identified as regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A is “73° F.,” the multisystem controller 102 may automatically generate a temperature setpoint of “76° F.” for the second HVAC system 103B identified as regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A. It should be appreciated that both the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B may be either the “parent” or the “child” in the parent-child configuration.

[0081] In particular embodiments, the one or more correction factors 125 may also include fan settings for either the first HVAC system 103A or the second HVAC system 103B. For example, in particular embodiments, the multisystem controller 102 may instruct the second HVAC system 103A identified as regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B to operate its fan in a continuous mode (e.g., “start-up” and run continuously until instructed otherwise) to facilitate distribution of the temperature of the downstairs space 100A into the upstairs space 100B without having to immediately startup the second HVAC system 103B in response to the first HVAC system 103A having been started up.

[0082] For example, in one embodiment, in response to the user selecting the temperature setpoint for the first HVAC system 103A via a thermostat associated with the first HVAC system 103A, the multisystem controller 102 may instruct the second HVAC system 103A to operate its fan in the continuous mode for some period of time (e.g., 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, and so forth) to allow the adequate distribution of the temperature of the downstairs space 100A into the upstairs space 100B. The multisystem controller 102 may then instruct the second HVAC system 103B to operate its cooling cycle or heating after the period of time expires.

[0083] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 400 for predicting a presence and location of first and second HVAC systems in multistory buildings, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 400 may be performed utilizing the processor 104 of the multisystem controller 102 as described above with respect to FIG. 1. The method 400 may begin at block 402 with the processor 104 detecting a presence of a first HVAC system 103A and a second HVAC system 103B at a same geolocation. The method 400 may then continue at decision 404 with the processor 104 confirming whether the geolocation of the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B corresponds to a received geolocation of a multistory building or multistory house of a user of the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B.

[0084] In one embodiment, in response to confirming that the geolocation of the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B does not correspond to the received geolocation of the multistory building or multistory house of a user of the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B, the method 400 may return to block 402. On the other hand, in response to confirming that the geolocation of the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B corresponds to the received geolocation of the multistory building or multistory house of a user of the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B, the method 400 may then continue at block 406 with the processor 104 accessing a first temperature and a second temperature associated with the first HVAC system 103A. In one embodiment, the first temperature associated with the first HVAC system 103A may be captured at a first point in time and the second temperature associated with the first HVAC system 103A may be captured at a second point in time.

[0085] The method 400 may then continue at block 408 with the processor 104 accessing a first temperature and a second temperature associated with the second HVAC system 103B. In one embodiment, the first temperature associated with the second HVAC system 103B may be captured at the first point in time and the second temperature associated with the second HVAC system 103B may be captured at the second point in time. The method 400 may then continue at block 410 with the processor 104 computing a first temperature change based on the first temperature and the second temperature associated with the first HVAC system 103A and at block 412 with the processor 104 computing a second temperature change based on the first temperature and the second temperature associated with the second HVAC system 103B.

[0086] In particular embodiments, the method 400 may then continue at block 414 with the processor 104 determining a first temperature difference between the second temperature change and the first temperature change. The method 400 may then continue at decision 416 with the processor 104 determining whether the determined first temperature difference between the second temperature change and the first temperature change is greater than a predetermined threshold temperature change. In one embodiment, in response to determining that the determined first temperature difference between the second temperature change and the first temperature change is greater than the predetermined threshold temperature change, the method 400 may conclude at block 418 with the processor 104 identifying the second HVAC system 103B as regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B and the first HVAC system 103A as regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A.

[0087] For example, in one embodiment, upon the processor 104 identifying the second HVAC system 103B as regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B and the first HVAC system 103A as regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A, the processor 104 may then instruct the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B to operate in accordance with the identification that the second HVAC system 103B is regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B and the first HVAC system 103A is regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A.

[0088] On the other hand, in response to determining that the determined first temperature difference between the second temperature change and the first temperature change is not greater than the predetermined threshold temperature change, the method 400 may then continue at block 420 with the processor 104 determining a second temperature difference between the first temperature change and the second temperature change. The method 400 may then continue at decision 422 with the processor 104 determining whether the determined second temperature difference between the first temperature change and the second temperature change is greater than the predetermined threshold temperature change.

[0089] In one embodiment, in response to determining that the determined second temperature difference between the first temperature change and the second temperature change is greater than the predetermined threshold temperature change, the method 400 may conclude at block 424 with the processor 104 identifying the first HVAC system 103A as regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B and the second HVAC system 103B as regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A.

[0090] In one embodiment, upon the processor 104 identifying the first HVAC system 103A as regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B and the second HVAC system 103B as regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A, the processor 104 may then instruct the first HVAC system 103A and the second HVAC system 103B to operate in accordance with the identification that the first HVAC system 103A is regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B and the second HVAC system 103B is regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A.

[0091] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 500 for generating and applying cycling correction factors for first and second HVAC systems in multistory buildings, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 500 may be performed utilizing the processor 104 of the multisystem controller 102 as described above with respect to FIG. 1. The method 500 may begin at block 502 with the processor 104 accessing a first temperature change associated with the first HVAC system 103A. The method 500 may then continue at block 504 with the processor 104 accessing a second temperature change associated with the second HVAC system 103B. The method 500 may then continue at block 506 with the processor 104 identifying, based on the first temperature change, the first HVAC system 103A as regulating temperature of the downstairs space 100A.

[0092] The method 500 may then continue at block 508 with the processor 104 identifying, based on the second temperature change, the second HVAC system 103B as regulating temperature of the upstairs space 100B. The method 500 may then continue at block 510 with the processor 104 receiving a user input 118 (e.g., user inputs 136A, 136) including a selection of a first temperature setpoint to which the first HVAC system 103A is to regulate temperature of the downstairs space 100A. The method 500 may then continue at decision 512 with the processor 104 confirming whether the user input 136A including a selection of the first temperature setpoint to which the first HVAC system 103A is to regulate a temperature of the downstairs space 100A has been received.

[0093] In one embodiment, in response to confirming that the user input including a selection of the first temperature setpoint to which the first HVAC system 103A is to regulate the temperature of the downstairs space 100A has not been received, the method 500 may return to block 510. On the other hand, in response to confirming that the user input including a selection of the first temperature setpoint to which the first HVAC system 103A is to regulate the temperature of the downstairs space 100A has been received, the method 500 may then continue at block 514 with the processor 104 generating, based on the first temperature setpoint, a set of correction factors, and the identification that the second HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the upstairs space, a second temperature setpoint to which the second HVAC system is to regulate a temperature of the upstairs space. The method 500 may then conclude at block 516 with the processor 104 instructing the first HVAC system 103A to operate in accordance with the first temperature setpoint and the second HVAC system 103B to operate in accordance with the second temperature setpoint.

[0094] While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods might be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details given herein. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated with another system or certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.

[0095] In addition, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as coupled or directly coupled or communicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicating through some interface, device, or intermediate component whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.

[0096] To aid the Patent Office, and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants note that they do not intend any of the appended claims to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) as it exists on the date of filing hereof unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:a first heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system configured to regulate temperature of one of a downstairs space or an upstairs space of a multistory building;a second HVAC system configured to regulate temperature of one of the downstairs space or the upstairs space of the multistory building, wherein each of the first HVAC system and the second HVAC is configured to regulate the temperature of a different one of the downstairs space or the upstairs space of the multistory building; anda multisystem controller communicatively coupled to the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system, the multisystem controller comprising:a memory configured to store 1) a first temperature and a second temperature associated with the first HVAC system and 2) a first temperature and a second temperature associated with the second HVAC system; anda processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to:detect a presence of the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system within the multistory building;access the first temperature and the second temperature associated with the first HVAC system, wherein the first temperature was captured at a first point in time and the second temperature was captured at a second point in time;access the first temperature and the second temperature associated with the second HVAC system, wherein the first temperature was captured at the first point in time and the second temperature was captured at the second point in time;compute a first temperature change based at least in part on the first temperature and the second temperature associated with the first HVAC system;compute a second temperature change based at least in part on the first temperature and the second temperature associated with the second HVAC system;determine a temperature difference between the second temperature change and the first temperature change; andin response to determining that the temperature difference is greater than a predetermined threshold temperature change:identify the second HVAC system as regulating the temperature of the upstairs space and the first HVAC system as regulating the temperature of the downstairs space; andinstruct the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system to operate based at least in part on the identification that the second HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the upstairs space and the first HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the downstairs space.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature difference between the second temperature change and the first temperature change comprises a first temperature difference, and wherein the processor is further configured to:in response to determining that the first temperature difference is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold temperature change:determine a second temperature difference between the first temperature change and the second temperature change;compare the second temperature difference to the predetermined threshold temperature change;determine, based at least in part on the comparison, that the second temperature difference is greater than the predetermined threshold temperature change; andin response to determining that the second temperature difference is greater than the predetermined threshold temperature change:identify the first HVAC system as regulating the temperature of the upstairs space; andinstruct the first HVAC system to operate based at least in part on the identification that the first HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the upstairs space.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to:in response to determining that the second temperature difference is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold temperature change:programmatically flag the first HVAC system as inconclusive with respect to whether the first HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the downstairs space or the upstairs space; andprogrammatically log, based at least in part on the flagging of the first HVAC system as inconclusive, that the first HVAC system initiated an unexpected heating cycle between the first point in time and the second point in time.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to:in response to determining that the first temperature difference is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold temperature change:programmatically flag the second HVAC system as inconclusive with respect to whether the second HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the downstairs space or the upstairs space; andprogrammatically log, based at least in part on the flagging of the second HVAC system as inconclusive, that the second HVAC system initiated an unexpected cooling cycle between the first point in time and the second point in time.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to determine that the temperature difference is greater than the predetermined threshold temperature change by generating a predetermined threshold based at least in part on a heating cycle of at least one of the first HVAC system or the second HVAC system.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to determine that the temperature difference is greater than the predetermined threshold temperature change by generating a predetermined threshold based at least in part on a cooling cycle of at least one of the first HVAC system or the second HVAC system.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to detect the presence of the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system within the multistory by:retrieving first geolocation data indicative of a location of the multistory building;receiving from the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system second geolocation data; andin response to determining that the first geolocation data matches to the second geolocation data, detecting the presence of the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system within the multistory building.

8. A method, comprising:accessing a first temperature associated with a first heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system at a first point in time and a second temperature associated with the first HVAC system at a second point in time, wherein the first HVAC system is configured to regulate temperature of one of a downstairs space or an upstairs space of a multistory building;accessing a first temperature associated with a second HVAC system at the first point in time and a second temperature associated with the second HVAC system at the second point in time, wherein the second HVAC system is configured to regulate temperature of a different one of the downstairs space or the upstairs space of the multistory building;computing a first temperature change based at least in part on the first temperature and the second temperature associated with the first HVAC system;computing a second temperature change based at least in part on the first temperature and the second temperature associated with the second HVAC system;determining a temperature difference between the second temperature change and the first temperature change; andin response to determining that the temperature difference is greater than a predetermined threshold temperature change:identifying the second HVAC system as regulating the temperature of the upstairs space and the first HVAC system as regulating the temperature of the downstairs space; andinstructing the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system to operate based at least in part on the identification that the second HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the upstairs space and the first HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the downstairs space.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the temperature difference between the second temperature change and the first temperature change comprises a first temperature difference, the method further comprising:in response to determining that the first temperature difference is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold temperature change:determining a second temperature difference between the first temperature change and the second temperature change;comparing the second temperature difference to the predetermined threshold temperature change;determining, based at least in part on the comparison, that the second temperature difference is greater than the predetermined threshold temperature change; andin response to determining that the second temperature difference is greater than the predetermined threshold temperature change:identifying the first HVAC system as regulating the temperature of the upstairs space; andinstructing the first HVAC system to operate based at least in part on the identification that the first HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the upstairs space.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:in response to determining that the second temperature difference is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold temperature change:programmatically flagging the first HVAC system as inconclusive with respect to whether the first HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the downstairs space or the upstairs space; andprogrammatically log, based at least in part on the flagging of the first HVAC system as inconclusive, that the first HVAC system initiated an unexpected heating cycle between the first point in time and the second point in time.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:in response to determining that the first temperature difference is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold temperature change:programmatically flagging the second HVAC system as inconclusive with respect to whether the second HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the downstairs space or the upstairs space; andprogrammatically logging, based at least in part on the flagging of the second HVAC system as inconclusive, that the second HVAC system initiated an unexpected cooling cycle between the first point in time and the second point in time.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising determining that the temperature difference is greater than the predetermined threshold temperature change by generating a predetermined threshold based at least in part on a heating cycle of at least one of the first HVAC system or the second HVAC system.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising determining that the temperature difference is greater than the predetermined threshold temperature change by generating a predetermined threshold based at least in part on a cooling cycle of at least one of the first HVAC system or the second HVAC system.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising detecting a presence of the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system within the multistory further by:retrieving first geolocation data indicative of a location of the multistory building;receiving from the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system second geolocation data; andin response to determining that the first geolocation data matches to the second geolocation data, detect the presence of the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system within the multistory building.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:access a first temperature associated with a first heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system at a first point in time and a second temperature associated with the first HVAC system at a second point in time, wherein the first HVAC system is configured to regulate temperature of one of a downstairs space or an upstairs space of a multistory building;access a first temperature associated with a second HVAC system at the first point in time and a second temperature associated with the second HVAC system at the second point in time, wherein the second HVAC system is configured to regulate temperature of a different one of the downstairs space or the upstairs space of the multistory building;compute a first temperature change based at least in part on the first temperature and the second temperature associated with the first HVAC system;compute a second temperature change based at least in part on the first temperature and the second temperature associated with the second HVAC system;determine a temperature difference between the second temperature change and the first temperature change; andin response to determining that the temperature difference is greater than a predetermined threshold temperature change:identify the second HVAC system as regulating the temperature of the upstairs space and the first HVAC system as regulating the temperature of the downstairs space; andinstruct the first HVAC system and the second HVAC system to operate based at least in part on the identification that the second HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the upstairs space and the first HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the downstairs space.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the temperature difference between the second temperature change and the first temperature change comprises a first temperature difference, and wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processors to:in response to determining that the first temperature difference is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold temperature change:determine a second temperature difference between the first temperature change and the second temperature change;compare the second temperature difference to the predetermined threshold temperature change;determine, based at least in part on the comparison, that the second temperature difference is greater than the predetermined threshold temperature change; andin response to determining that the second temperature difference is greater than the predetermined threshold temperature change:identify the first HVAC system as regulating the temperature of the upstairs space; andinstruct the first HVAC system to operate based at least in part on the identification that the first HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the upstairs space.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processors to:in response to determining that the second temperature difference is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold temperature change:programmatically flag the first HVAC system as inconclusive with respect to whether the first HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the downstairs space or the upstairs space; andprogrammatically log, based at least in part on the flagging of the first HVAC system as inconclusive, that the first HVAC system initiated an unexpected heating cycle between the first point in time and the second point in time.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processors to:in response to determining that the first temperature difference is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold temperature change:programmatically flag the second HVAC system as inconclusive with respect to whether the second HVAC system is regulating the temperature of the downstairs space or the upstairs space; andprogrammatically log, based at least in part on the flagging of the second HVAC system as inconclusive, that the second HVAC system initiated an unexpected cooling cycle between the first point in time and the second point in time.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processors to determine that the temperature difference is greater than the predetermined threshold temperature change by generating a predetermined threshold based at least in part on a heating cycle of at least one of the first HVAC system or the second HVAC system.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to determine that the temperature difference is greater than the predetermined threshold temperature change by generating a predetermined threshold based at least in part on a cooling cycle of at least one of the first HVAC system or the second HVAC system.

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