US 11,448,411 B2 · Smart thermostat orchestration

Abstract

Systems and methods for orchestrating the operation of energy-consuming loads, so as to minimize power consumption, are described. In some embodiments, the loads can be HVAC, refrigeration systems, air compressors, and the like, and orchestration is effected either directly or by means of the loads' respective controllers. In some aspects, the controllers can be Smart Thermostats and orchestration is effected through a Cloud-based orchestration platform or “COP.” In certain aspects, a COP uses specifically programmed application programming interfaces, or APIs, to control the operation of a single manufacturer's Smart Thermostats, where the manufacturer provides its own Cloud-based control platform, through which the COP operates. The COP can similarly orchestrate the operation of two or more manufacturers' Smart Thermostats through their respective Cloud-based control platforms. By these and other means, the operation of a variety of energy-consuming loads can be more easily and efficiently orchestrated.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A system for managing a plurality of energy consuming load controllers, each controlling a respective load of a plurality of loads, the system comprising:

a cloud orchestration platform configured to communicate with one or more cloud based services over a first network;
wherein each of the one or more cloud based services comprises services for one or more corresponding load controllers of the plurality of load controllers over a second network;
the cloud orchestration platform further configured to utilize the one or more cloud based services to collect load state data from the plurality of load controllers;
wherein the cloud orchestration platform utilizes the load state data to make enablement state decisions for at least one load controller of the plurality of load controllers with a goal of reducing an aggregated demand power of the plurality of load controllers;
and
wherein the cloud orchestration platform is further configured to reprogram one or more load controllers of the plurality of load controllers via the one or more cloud based services by means of application programming interfaces.

3 more elements

A system comprising:

a plurality of load controllers configured to operate according to respective program data residing thereon;
and
a first local area communication network providing communication for the plurality of load controllers;
and
a wide area communication network in communication with the first local area communication network providing communication between the first local area network and a first remote server;
wherein each load controller of the plurality of load controllers are further configured to receive data transmitted by the first remote server over the first local area communication network and wide area communication network;
wherein the first remote server is configured to transmit a change in program data to the plurality of load controllers over the first local area communication network and wide area communication network;
the plurality of load controllers configured to receive the change in program data and to update their respective program data using the received change in program data;
and
wherein the first remote server is in communication with a second remote server from which the first remote server receives the change in program data.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Smart thermostat orchestration

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Smart thermostat orchestration

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Abstract

Claims16