Energy efficiency promoting schedule learning algorithms for intelligent thermostat

摘要

A user-friendly programmable thermostat is described that includes receiving an immediate-control input to change set point temperature, controlling temperature according to the set point temperature for a predetermined time interval, and then automatically resetting the set point temperature upon the ending of the predetermined time interval such that the user is urged to make further immediate-control inputs. A schedule for the programmable thermostat is automatically generated based on the immediate-control inputs. Methods are also described for receiving user input relating to the user's preference regarding automatically generating a schedule, and determining whether or not to automatically adopt an automatically generated schedule based on the received user input.

主权项

1. A thermostat comprising:
a housing; a ring-shaped user-interface component configured to track a rotational input motion from a user; a controller disposed within the housing and coupled to the ring-shaped user interface component,
the controller being configured and programmed to be in operative communication with one or more temperature sensors for receiving ambient air temperature,the controller further being configured and programmed to be in operative communication with an HVAC system to control the HVAC system based at least in part on a comparison of the measured ambient temperature and a setpoint temperature,the controller further being configured and programmed to identify immediate-control inputs from a user, that immediately change the setpoint temperature based on the tracked rotational input, and to form a schedule including a set of setpoint temperatures that become effective at predetermined times, based on the user's immediate-control inputs,the controller further being configured and programmed to identify if heating or cooling is required to maintain one or more of the set of setpoint temperatures, based on at least one of geographic location of the thermostat and time of year;the controller still further being configured and programmed to automatically reset a setpoint temperature of the schedule to a less energy-consuming temperature, based on energy savings as determined by the thermostat, upon an ending of a predetermined time interval and to automatically generate a revised schedule for the thermostat based at least in part on repeated identifications of the user's immediate-control inputs to immediately change the setpoint temperature; and an electronic display coupled to the controller and configured to display information to users; wherein said electronic display is disposed along a front face of the thermostat housing, said ring-shaped user interface component comprises a mechanically rotatable ring that substantially surrounds the electronic display and is further configured to be inwardly pressable by the user along a direction of an axis of rotation of the rotational input motion, and said mechanically rotatable ring and said housing are mutually configured such that said mechanically rotatable ring moves inwardly along said direction of said axis of rotation when inwardly pressed.