Electronically-controlled register vent for zone heating and cooling
AssigneeNest Labs, Inc.
InventorLawrence Kates
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
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.
Claims20
A system for wirelessly controlling multiple environmental zones, wherein the system comprises:
- a plurality of zone controllers, wherein each of the plurality of zone controllers:
- monitors a plurality of conditions associated with a zone using an associated plurality of sensors, wherein the plurality of sensors includes a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an occupancy sensor, and an acoustic sensor;
- and
- controls a local device specific to the zone, wherein the local device includes at least one motor-driven element facilitating or inhibiting an introduction of thermal energy into the zone by differing amounts according to a position thereof;
- and
- a central controller, wherein the central controller:
- communicates, wirelessly, with the plurality of zone controllers, the central controller receiving information related to the monitored conditions for each zone as sensed by the temperature sensor, the humidity sensor, the occupancy sensor, and the acoustic sensor;
- and
- controls the plurality of zone controllers based at least in part on the received information related to the monitored conditions for each zone.
A method for wirelessly controlling multiple environmental zones, wherein the method comprises:
- monitoring, with a plurality of zone controllers, a plurality of conditions associated with a plurality of zones using an associated plurality of sensors, wherein the plurality of sensors include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an occupancy sensor, and an acoustic sensor;
- and
- controlling, with the plurality of zone controllers, a plurality of local devices specific to each of the plurality of zones, wherein the local devices include at least one motor-driven element facilitating or inhibiting an introduction of thermal energy into the zone by differing amounts according to a position thereof;
- communicating, wirelessly, between a central controller and the plurality of zone controllers, information related to the monitored conditions for each zone as sensed by the temperature sensor, the humidity sensor, the occupancy sensor, and the acoustic sensor;
- and
- controlling, with the central controller, the plurality of zone controllers based at least in part on the information related to the monitored conditions for each zone.
A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions being executable by one or more processors to at least:
- monitor, with a plurality of zone controllers, a plurality of conditions associated with a plurality of zones using an associated plurality of sensors, wherein the plurality of sensors include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an occupancy sensor, and an acoustic sensor;
- control, with the plurality of zone controllers, a plurality of local devices specific to each of the plurality of zones, wherein the local devices include at least one motor-driven element facilitating or inhibiting an introduction of thermal energy into the zone by differing amounts according to a position thereof;
- communicate, wirelessly, between a central controller and the plurality of zone controllers, information related to the monitored conditions for each zone as sensed by the temperature sensor, the humidity sensor, the occupancy sensor, and the acoustic sensor;
- and
- control, with the central controller, the plurality of zone controllers based at least in part on the information related to the monitored conditions for each zone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.