# US 10,310,532 B2 · Zone based system for altering an operating condition

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- Number: US 10,310,532 B2
- Document ID: US10310532B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/323,029
- Filed: 2014-07-03
- Published: 2014-10-23
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2009-10-28
- Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Kevin R. Imes; James Hollister
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10310532B2

## CPC

- G05F 1/66: Regulating electric power
- F24F 11/30: for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
- F24F 11/523: for displaying temperature data
- F24F 11/61: using timers
- F24F 11/62: characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
- F24F 11/63: Electronic processing
- F24F 11/79: for controlling the direction of the supplied air
- G05B 15/02: electric
- G05D 23/00: Control of temperature
- G05D 23/1904: {variable in time}
- G05D 23/1917: {using digital means}
- G06F 1/26: Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof (for memories G11C)
- G06Q 50/06: Energy or water supply
- H02J 3/38: Arrangements for feeding a single network from two or more generators or sources in parallel; Arrangements for feeding already energised networks from additional generators or sources in parallel
- H04L 12/2803: {Home automation networks}
- H04L 12/2816: {Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities (arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station; in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom H04Q9/00)}
- H04L 12/2818: {from a device located outside both the home and the home network (access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007)}
- H04L 12/2825: {Reporting to a device located outside the home and the home network (access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with telemetering systems H04M11/002)}
- H04L 43/08: Monitoring or testing based on specific metrics, e.g. QoS, energy consumption or environmental parameters
- H04L 63/105: {Multiple levels of security}
- H04L 67/01: Protocols
- H04L 67/10: in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network (software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46)
- H04L 67/141: Setup of application sessions (admission control or resource allocation in data switching networks H04L47/70)
- H04W 4/80: Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
- H04W 84/10: Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
- F24F 11/46: Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
- F24F 11/52: Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
- F24F 11/56: Remote control
- F24F 11/58: using Internet communication
- F24F 11/67: Switching between heating and cooling modes
- F24F 11/70: Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
- F24F 11/75: for maintaining constant air flow rate or air velocity
- F24F 11/88: Electrical aspects, e.g. circuits
- F24F 2110/00: Control inputs relating to air properties
- F24F 2110/10: Temperature
- F24F 2130/00: Control inputs relating to environmental factors not covered by group F24F2110/00
- F24F 2130/10: Weather information or forecasts
- H04L 2012/285: {Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators}
- Y02B 10/10: Photovoltaic [PV]
- Y02B 70/30: Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
- Y02D 30/70: in wireless communication networks
- Y02E 10/56: Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
- Y02E 10/76: Power conversion electric or electronic aspects
- Y02P 80/10: Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
- Y04S 20/20: End-user application control systems
- G05F: SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02)
- G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G)
- G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)
- Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02D: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y04S: SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS

## Abstract

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a processor is configured to detect a location of a mobile device associated with a site and detect at least one geofence operably associated with the site. The processor is further configured to detect a manual input condition provided at a network device disposed at the site, detect the mobile device being disposed away from the site based on the location of the mobile device relative to the at least one geofence, and initiate a text message to the mobile device indicating the manual input condition in response to the mobile device being disposed away from the site. The processor is further configured to detect an altered operating condition received from the mobile device in response to the text message, and alter the manual input condition of the network device at the site using the altered operating condition.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system comprising:
a thermostat to be disposed at a site, said thermostat including a controller incorporated therein, said controller including a processor configured to:
detect a location of a mobile device associated with the site and with a first user;
detect at least one geofence operably associated with the site;
detect a manual change input by a second user to an operating condition of another electronic network device, other than the thermostat, in wireless communication with the controller within the thermostat and disposed at the site;
determine whether the location of the mobile device is within the at least one geofence operably associated with the site;
initiate a text message to the mobile device when the manual change input by the second user to the operating condition of the other electronic network device is detected and the location of the mobile device is determined to be within the at least one geofence;
detect an altered operating condition of the other electronic network device received from the mobile device in response to the text message; and
alter the manually changed operating condition of the other electronic network device at the site using the detected altered operating condition when the controller is used to initiate energy management of the first user prior to energy management of the second user.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one geofence is among a plurality of geofences operably associated with the site and the processor is configured to:
detect the plurality of geofences operably associated with the site, wherein at least one of the geofences encompasses the site;
detect a current geofence from the plurality of geofences using the location;
detect an updated operating condition associated with the current geofence for use at the site when the mobile device is disposed within the current geofence; and
alter a current operating condition of the other electronic network device at the site using the updated operating condition.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to:
detect a percentage value associated with the current geofence;
detect the current operating condition of the electronic network device; and
apply the percentage value to the current operating condition to determine the updated operating condition associated with the current geofence.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the updated operating condition is network device scheduling data including a series of network device set-points each associated with a time of day.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the processor is further configured to determine the network device scheduling data in response to the detected current geofence.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the updated operating condition is an operating mode of the other electronic network device.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The system of claim 6, wherein the operating mode includes an ON condition and an OFF condition.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The system of claim 6, wherein the operating mode includes an operating time interval.

### Claim 9 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to:
detect a first boundary of the site having a first boundary distance;
detect a second boundary of the site having a second boundary distance that is different than the first boundary distance;
detect a first geofence including an area beyond the first boundary and within the second boundary;
detect a second geofence including an area beyond the second boundary;
detect a first updated operating condition associated with the first geofence; and detect a second updated operating condition associated with the second geofence.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to:
detect the mobile device within the first geofence in response to the location of the mobile device being greater than the first boundary distance and less than or equal to the second boundary distance; and
alter the current operating condition using the first updated operating condition in response to detecting the mobile device within the first geofence.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to:
detect the mobile device within the second geofence in response to the location of the mobile device being greater than the second boundary distance; and
alter the current operating condition using the second updated operating condition in response to detecting the mobile device within the second geofence.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:
detect an on-site geofence including an area within the first boundary; and
detect an on-site updated operating condition associated with the on-site geofence.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to:
detect the mobile device within the on-site geofence in response to the location of the mobile device being less than or equal to the first boundary distance; and
alter the current operating condition using the on-site updated operating condition in response to detecting the mobile device within the on-site geofence.

### Claim 14 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2 further comprising:
a detector configured to detect a weather condition data at the site and determining the updated operating condition using the weather condition data.

### Claim 15 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to:
determine a length of time for the mobile device to return to the site;
and determine the updated operating condition using the length of return time.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a first mobile device and the other electronic network device includes a second mobile device, one or more of a personal computer, a PDA, a consumer electronic device, a media device, a smart phone, a cellular or mobile phone, a smart utility meter, an advanced metering infrastructure, a smart energy device, an energy display device, a home automation controller, an energy hub, a smart energy gateway, a set-top box, a digital media subscriber system, a cable modem, a fiber optic enabled communications device, a media gateway, a home media management system, a network server or storage device, an energy substation, a vehicle charging station, a renewable energy production device, a renewable energy control device, an energy storage management system, a smart appliance, a water pump, a heat pump, a hot water heater, an energy controller, an irrigation system, a lighting system, an alarm system, a smart power outlet, an energy detection device, a power measurement device, a power measurement unit (PMU), an air handler, a wireless air damper, a humidity control system, a heat and motion sensing device, a smart power outlet, a switch router, a wireless router.

### Claim 17

A method comprising:
associating a thermostat including a controller with a processor incorporated therein with a site;
detecting a location of a mobile device associated with the site and a first user;
detecting at least one geofence operably associated with the site;
detecting a manual change input by a second user to an operating condition of another electronic network device, other than the thermostat, disposed at the site and in wireless communication with the controller within the thermostat and a priority of the second user;
determining whether the location of the mobile device is within the at least one geofence operably associated with the site;
initiating a text message to the mobile device when the manual change input by the second user to the other electronic network device is detected and the location of the mobile device is determined to be within the at least one geofence;
detecting an altered operating condition of the other electronic network device sent from the mobile device in response to the message; and
altering the manually changed operating condition of the other electronic network device using the detected altered operating condition when the controller is used to initiate energy management of the first user prior to energy management of the second user.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the detecting at least one geofence operably associated with the site comprising:
detecting a plurality of geofences operably associated with the site, wherein at least one of the geofences encompasses the site;
detecting a current geofence from the plurality of geofences using the location;
detecting an updated operating condition associated with the current geofence for use at the site when the mobile device is disposed within the current geofence; and
altering a current operating condition of the electronic network device using the updated operating condition.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18 further comprising:
detecting a percentage value associated with the current geofence;
applying the percentage value to the current operating condition to determine the updated operating condition associated with the current geofence.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18 further comprising:
detecting network device scheduling data associated with the current geofence wherein the network device scheduling data includes a series of network device set-points each associated with a time of day.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20 further comprising:
determining the network device scheduling data in response to the detected current geofence.

### Claim 22 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18 further comprising:
detecting an operating mode of the electronic network device associated with the current geofence.

### Claim 23 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18 further comprising:
detecting one of an ON condition and an OFF condition associated with the current geofence.

### Claim 24 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18 further comprising:
detecting an time interval associated with the current geofence.

### Claim 25 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18 further comprising:
detecting a first boundary of the site having a first boundary distance;
detecting a second boundary of the site having a second boundary distance that is different than the first boundary distance;
detecting a first geofence including an area beyond the first boundary and within the second boundary;
detecting a second geofence including an area beyond the second boundary;
detecting a first updated operating condition associated with the first geofence; and
detecting a second updated operating condition associated with the second geofence.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The method of claim 25 further comprising:
detecting the mobile device within the first geofence in response to the location of the mobile device being greater than the first boundary distance and less than or equal to the second boundary distance; and
altering the current operating condition using the first updated operating condition in response to detecting the mobile device within the first geofence.

### Claim 27 (depends on 25)

The method of claim 25 further comprising:
detecting the mobile device within the second geofence in response to the location of the mobile device being greater than the second boundary distance; and
altering the current operating condition using the second updated operating condition in response to detecting the mobile device within the second geofence.

### Claim 28 (depends on 25)

The method of claim 25 further comprising:
detecting an on-site geofence including an area within the first boundary;
detecting an on-site updated operating condition associated with the on-site geofence;
detecting the mobile device within the on-site geofence in response to the location of the mobile device being less than or equal to the first boundary distance; and
altering the current operating condition using the on-site updated operating condition in response to detecting the mobile device within the on-site geofence.

### Claim 29 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18 further comprising:
detecting weather condition data at the site; and
determining the updated operating condition using the weather condition data.

### Claim 30 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18 further comprising:
determining a length of time for the mobile device to return to the site; and determining the updated operating condition using the length of return time.