System and method for using a mobile electronic device to optimize an energy management system

摘要

Embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods for using the geographic location of networked consumer electronics devices as indications of occupancy of a structure for purposes of automatically adjusting the temperature setpoint on a thermostatic HVAC control. At least one thermostat is located inside a structure and is used to control an HVAC system in the structure. At least one mobile electronic device is used to indicate the state of occupancy of the structure. The state of occupancy is used to alter the setpoint on the thermostatic HVAC control to reduce unneeded conditioning of unoccupied spaces.

主权项

1. A method for varying temperature setpoints for an HVAC system comprising:
accessing stored data comprising a plurality of internal temperature measurements taken within a structure and a plurality of outside temperature measurements relating to temperatures outside the structure; using the stored data to predict a temperature inside the structure in response to at least changes in the outside temperatures; determining with one or more computer processors, the geographic location of a mobile electronic device that is connected to a network; associating said mobile electronic device to a structure having a known geographic location that contains one or more networked climate control devices; determining with one or more computer processors, whether the location of said mobile electronic device indicates occupancy of said structure by a person associated with said mobile electronic device; using route data to determine whether a user of the mobile electronic device is traveling to said structure; using traffic data to predict a length of time for a user of said mobile device to reach said structure; and adjusting with one or more computer processors, the temperature setpoint on said controller for an HVAC system for said structure based upon said predicted length of time for a user of the mobile device to reach said structure, said predicted temperature inside said structure, and whether or not said structure is deemed to be occupied.