Patent ID: 8180492
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: F24F,G05B,G05D,G06N,G08B

Abstract:
1. A method for varying temperature setpoints for an HVAC system comprising: storing at least a first HVAC temperature setpoint associated with a structure that is deemed to be non-occupied and at least a second HVAC temperature setpoint associated with said structure deemed to be occupied; determining whether one or more networked electronic devices inside said structure are in use, wherein said networked electronic devices comprise a graphic user interface comprising a display, wherein said networked electronic devices receive input from one or more users and wherein use of said networked electronic devices comprises at least one of cursor movement, keystrokes or other user interface actions intended to alter a state of one or more of said networked electronic devices by one or more users; in response to use of said one or more networked devices, determining that said HVAC system is set to said first HVAC temperature setpoint indicating that said structure is deemed to be non occupied; determining that said one or more users has previously indicated a preference that said user's input be obtained before automatically changing said first HVAC temperature setpoint to said second HVAC temperature setpoint indicating that said structure is deemed to be occupied; prompting said one or more users based on said determining that said one or more of said user's input should be obtained, wherein said prompting sends a message to at least one of said networked electronic devices that said first HVAC system is set for a non-occupied structure and whether to change said first HVAC temperature setpoint to said second HVAC temperature setpoint associated with occupancy of said structure; in response to said prompting, receiving input from said one or more users to keep said first HVAC temperature setpoint; and keeping said first HVAC temperature setpoint based upon said input from said one or more users.