Climate Controller Server Selection for Demand Response Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Home climate control systems lack the ability to selectively connect and disconnect from various destination servers, limiting user control over energy management and demand response programs, as well as other features and functions.
Innovation Solution
A climate control system controller, such as a thermostat, equipped with a processor, memory, and network interface for wireless connectivity, allowing users to selectively connect or disconnect from multiple destination servers based on user input, enabling flexible participation in demand response programs and access to additional features like energy management services and weather information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a climate control system controller is connected to multiple destination servers, then user control and flexibility in energy management are improved, but device complexity and network configuration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection management by introducing a destination server selection interface that allows users to individually select or deselect specific destination servers. This segmentation enables users to control connections to different servers independently, reducing the complexity of managing multiple connections while maintaining flexibility in user control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic connection management where the controller can establish or terminate connections with destination servers based on user input. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt its network connections in real-time, providing user control flexibility without requiring permanent complex configurations for all possible servers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the controller selectively connects and disconnects from destination servers, then energy management flexibility is improved, but connection stability and reliability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing default connection states for destination servers. The system pre-configures which servers the controller should connect to by default, providing connection stability. Users can then selectively modify these default connections when needed, maintaining reliability while enabling energy management flexibility when required.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of controllers and methods for controlling a climate control system. In an exemplary embodiment, a climate control system controller for controlling operation of a climate control system of a structure generally includes a processor, memory, and network interface configured to provide the climate control system controller with wireless network connectivity. The climate control system controller is selectively connectable, in response to user input, with each of a plurality of destination servers remote from the structure.