Processing and reporting usage information for an HVAC system controlled by a network-connected thermostat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HVAC systems lack effective methods for providing users with interactive and graphical performance information, leading to inefficient energy usage and comfort issues, as they do not adequately analyze or display energy consumption data or suggest energy-saving settings.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced that uses a network-connected thermostat to gather data, display performance information graphically on a remote device, analyze usage parameters, and provide users with interactive feedback on energy-saving potential, allowing them to adjust settings for improved efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If HVAC systems provide detailed performance information and analysis, then user awareness of energy consumption improves, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system comprising a thermostat, remote device, and server that mediates between the HVAC system and the user. The thermostat gathers data from HVAC equipment, the server analyzes energy consumption patterns and generates reports, and the remote device presents information to users in an accessible format. This intermediary architecture resolves the contradiction by handling complex data processing tasks separately from the core HVAC control system while providing simplified information to users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements comprehensive feedback mechanisms where performance information is collected from HVAC equipment, analyzed against energy consumption benchmarks, and returned to users through multiple channels (thermostat display, remote device notifications, detailed reports). This feedback loop enables users to understand energy usage patterns and make informed decisions, resolving the information loss issue while the automated analysis handles the complexity burden.
2Loss of information
If the system displays detailed energy consumption data and analysis, then user understanding of energy usage improves, but ease of operation decreases due to information overload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments energy consumption information into multiple hierarchical levels: summary views showing overall energy usage and key insights, detailed daily/hourly breakdowns for specific periods, and analysis of individual HVAC equipment performance. Users can access progressively detailed information as needed, preventing information overload while ensuring comprehensive data availability. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by presenting appropriate information complexity based on user needs.
Solution Approach 2:
Different interfaces and display locations provide different qualities and depths of information. The thermostat provides brief status indicators and summary information, the remote device offers detailed reports and analysis, and the server maintains comprehensive databases. This local quality differentiation ensures that users interact with appropriate levels of detail in appropriate contexts, maintaining ease of operation while preventing information loss.
3Measurement precision
If the thermostat analyzes multiple causative agents for energy usage, then accuracy of energy advice improves, but measurement and analysis difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service analysis where the thermostat and server automatically collect data from multiple sources (HVAC equipment sensors, weather services, occupancy detection), analyze the relationship between various causative agents and energy consumption, and generate actionable insights without requiring user expertise. The system serves itself by performing complex multi-variable analysis and presenting simplified recommendations, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and analysis difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary that specializes in complex analysis tasks, receiving raw data from the thermostat and external sources, applying sophisticated algorithms to identify causative agents and their impacts on energy usage, and returning processed insights to the thermostat and remote device. This intermediary approach allows the core thermostat to remain simple while achieving high measurement precision through specialized analysis capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for interactively, graphically displaying and reporting performance information to a user of an HVAC system controlled by a self-programming network-connected thermostat. The information is made on a remote display device such as a smartphone, tablet computer or other computer, and includes a graphical daily or monthly summary each of several days or months respectively. In response to a user selection of a day, detailed performance information is graphically displayed that can include an indication of HVAC activity on a timeline, the number of hours of HVAC activity, as well as one or more symbols on a timeline indicating setpoint changes, and when a setpoint was changed due to non-occupancy.