HVAC Control via Proximity-Aware Mobile Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems lack the ability to be efficiently controlled from a remote location, limiting user convenience and energy management.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a mobile wireless device with program code to monitor location and transmit commands to an HVAC controller, transitioning between operating states based on predefined proximity zones and user profiles, without broadcasting GPS coordinates for privacy protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If HVAC systems are controlled remotely using mobile devices with GPS location monitoring, then user convenience and energy management are improved, but user privacy is compromised due to broadcasting of GPS coordinates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the GPS coordinate data from the communication stream between mobile device and HVAC controller. Instead of transmitting actual GPS coordinates, the system only transmits a derived proximity indicator (yes/no) that shows whether the user is within the predefined proximity zone. This separates the useful control function from the privacy-sensitive location data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step where GPS coordinates are converted into a proximity zone indicator before transmission. The mobile device or HVAC controller acts as an intermediary that processes raw location data into a privacy-protected format, mediating between the need for location-based control and the need to protect user privacy.
2Productivity
If the system continuously monitors user location to enable automatic HVAC control, then energy management efficiency is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-defines proximity zones and stores their geographic boundary data in the HVAC controller or mobile device before runtime. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for complex real-time calculations during operation, as the system only needs to check whether current GPS coordinates fall within the pre-stored zone boundaries, simplifying the monitoring process.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device utilizes its own built-in GPS and processing capabilities to determine proximity to the HVAC system location. The device self-evaluates whether it is within the predefined proximity zone and autonomously triggers the appropriate control command, reducing the burden on the HVAC controller and simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Measurement precision
If the system uses predefined proximity zones with stored geographic information, then automatic control accuracy is improved, but memory requirements and data storage needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the proximity zone definition into discrete geographic coordinates that form the boundaries of the zone. Instead of storing complex geometric shapes or continuous boundary descriptions, the system uses a simplified set of coordinate points that define the zone's perimeter, reducing storage requirements while maintaining detection accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile wireless device (e.g. smart phone) may be used to remotely control an HVAC system. A program code stored in the memory of the mobile wireless device may cause the mobile wireless device to store geographic information in the memory of the mobile wireless device, monitor a location of the mobile wireless device, and compare the stored geographic information to the location of the mobile wireless device. If the comparison meets predetermined criteria, the program code may cause the mobile wireless device to transmit a command either directly or indirectly to an HVAC controller, causing the HVAC controller to transition from a first operating state having a first temperature setpoint to a second operating state having a second temperature setpoint.