Occupancy-based wireless control of multiple environmental zones via a central controller

摘要

An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.

主权项

1. A system for wirelessly controlling multiple environmental zones, comprising:
a plurality of zone controllers, each zone controller being associated with one of the environmental zones and being configured to:
monitor an environmental condition of the environmental zone associated with the zone controller;detect an occupancy state of the environmental zone associated with the zone controller indicative of whether the environmental zone is occupied or unoccupied; andcontrol actuation of a register vent specific to the environmental zone associated with the zone controller to modify the environmental condition of the environmental zone associated with the zone controller; and a central controller configured to:
communicate, wirelessly, with the plurality of zone controllers;for a zone controller of the plurality of zone controllers:
determine a first desired environmental condition for use when occupancy is determined to be present; anddetermine a second desired environmental condition for use when occupancy is determined to not be present, the second desired environmental condition differing from the first desired environmental condition;receive occupancy data from the plurality of zone controllers; andvia wireless communication with a zone controller of the plurality of zone controllers, control actuation of the register vent associated with the zone controller of the plurality of zone controllers based on the occupancy state received by the central controller from at least two zone controllers of the plurality of zone controllers, the first desired environmental condition, and the second desired environmental condition.