Patent Abstract:
A method for boiler control and a monitoring system is disclosed. The present invention provides superior boiler control compared with earlier and current systems. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the heating system is improved by utilizing computer and telecommunications technology to provide more accurate boiler control and to automatically identify problems in the system.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to temperature control units in general, and, more particularly, to boiler controls. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Temperature control for buildings has been an issue since buildings themselves have existed. Keeping from freezing is the primary purpose of shelter from time immemorial and as building increase in size and complexity, heating these buildings becomes more difficult. 
         [0003]    Almost all heating systems operate by turning on a heating element, such as a boiler, getting that element up to a particular temperature or pressure, and running the element for a particular time until the radiated heat reaches a desired temperature inside a given space. 
         [0004]    One of the systems of heating a building is the use of steam heat. When using steam heat, a boiler is filled with water, the boiler is then heated to turn the water into water vapor. The water vapor then flows through a building, and the heat from the hot water vapor is transferred into individual apartments through radiators. The systems by which the boiler is heated have changed over time (e.g. from coal to oil and gas) and the ways in which the heat is radiated through a space have evolved over time, but the fundamental principles of the heating system remain. 
         [0005]    Until recently, the system would turn on at a specified time and/or for a specified time, with the intent of adequately heating all units. This is a basic “timed cycle,” as the boiler cycles on and off for a particular time. Once a particular condensate temperature (e.g. 250° F.) is reached, the boiler runs for a set amount of time. 
         [0006]    There are several limitations with this system. One limitation is that even though some apartments may get to well above comfortable temperatures, other apartments may be too cold. This is often referred to as a “balancing problem.” Another limitation is that there had been no adequate way to know when and how long a boiler should run so that the temperature in the apartments is comfortable given existing indoor temperatures and existing outdoor temperatures. When there is one central heating element, simple thermostats cannot work. Retrofitting older buildings with a new heating system would be prohibitively expensive. 
         [0007]    Some newer systems use indoor and outdoor temperature sensors and a boiler control configured with a set of rules to turn on and off the boiler. This too has its limitations. 
         [0008]    There exists a need for improved boiler controls. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is a boiler control and monitoring system without some of the disadvantages of the prior art. The present invention provides superior boiler control compared with earlier and current systems. 
         [0010]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the heating system is improved by utilizing computer and telecommunications technology to provide more accurate boiler control and to automatically identify problems in the system. 
         [0011]    The heating system utilizes multiple temperature sensors, connected via a wired or wireless network, historical data, current weather information and weather forecasts, along with other sources of information to determine how the boiler should be controlled. Using these information sources allows for more accurate boiler control. 
         [0012]    Additional benefits of the current system are that system issues and malfunctions are more promptly identified. This is done by automatic reporting of abnormalities in the heating system data. For example and without limitation, deviations from the historical data or deviations in temperature from one space to another may show malfunctions in the system. These malfunctions may include the aforementioned balancing issues or problems as simple as leaks in the piping or boiler. For example and without limitation, should such issues arise, the server will automatically alert all relevant personnel and provide guidance in resolving the issue. In such cases, a service provider may be able to dispatch a mechanic to the building before residents become aware of any issue. 
         [0013]    The self-monitoring, self-controlling aspects of the present invention reduce costs by not overheating the building. It also reduces maintenance costs by alerting personnel to any issue, enabling timely repairs and maintenance. 
         [0014]    The illustrative embodiment of the present invention uses statistical methodologies to provide proper heating, identify and fix problems in a more efficient way, and communicate these problems to send a repair service quickly. This maximizes comfort for apartment residents, minimizes costs for building managers and owners, and minimizes the recurrence of malfunctions. 
         [0015]    It will also be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the heating system is fashioned in a different manner than described or utilized in a different manner than described. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  depicts heating system  100  in accordance with the prior art. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  depicts heating system  200  in accordance with the prior art. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  depicts heating system  300  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  depicts heating system  300  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  depicts apartment building  500  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  depicts a schematic diagram of data-processing system  303  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with the operation of the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with the operation of task  704  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with the operation of task  706  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with the operation of task  904  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]      FIG. 1  depicts heating system  100  in accordance with the prior art. Heating system  100  is comprised of outdoor temperature sensor  101 , controller  102 , and boiler  103 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  depicts heating system  200  in accordance with the prior art. Heating system  200  is comprised of and outdoor temperature sensor  101 , indoor temperature sensors  201 - a  &amp;  201 - b , controller  102 , a boiler sensor  202 , and boiler  103 . 
         [0028]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the prior art, pipe steam systems operate by activating a boiler for an initial phase to build pressure in the heating system. This typically corresponds with a preset condensate temperature, for example 150° F. After reaching the preset temperature, the boiler is then left on for a preset amount of time corresponding to the outdoor weather. The building then reaches and maintain a desired average indoor temperature, for example 72° F. After the preset boiler runtime has elapsed, the boiler shuts off. Almost all heating systems are variations of this on-off, cycling system. Further, indoor temperature sensors  201 - a  and  201 - b  rely on transceiver  203  to relay the indoor temperature data from the indoor to controller  102 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  depicts heating system  300  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Heating system  300  is comprised of outdoor temperature sensor  101 , indoor temperature sensors  201 - a  through  201 - n , boiler sensor  202 , transceiver  203 , data-processing system (controller)  301 , boiler  103 , telecommunications network  302 , and data-processing system  303 . 
         [0030]    Although heating system  300  is comprised of three (3) indoor temperature sensors, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of indoor temperature sensors. 
         [0031]    Although heating system  300  is comprised of one (1) transceiver, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of transceivers. For example, and without limitation, there may be one (1) transceiver for a portion of a building, one (1) transceiver per floor, one (1) transceiver per every three floors, etc., as well as an alternative embodiment in which there are no (0) transceivers and the sensors connect directly with data-processing system  301  or data-processing system  303 . 
         [0032]    Although heating system  300  is comprised of one (1) outdoor temperature sensor, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of indoor temperature sensors. 
         [0033]    Although heating system  300  is comprised of one (1) data-processing system (controller), it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of data-processing systems or controllers. 
         [0034]    Although heating system  300  is comprised of one (1) boiler sensor, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of boiler sensors. 
         [0035]    Although heating system  300  is comprised of one (1) boiler, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of boilers. 
         [0036]    Although heating system  300  is comprised of one (1) telecommunications network, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of telecommunications networks. 
         [0037]    Although heating system  300  is comprised of one (1) data-processing system ( 303 ), it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of data-processing systems. 
         [0038]    Although heating system  300  is a steam-heating system, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which heating system  300  is a different type of system, for example and without limitation: another form of heating system, a cooling system, a combined heating-cooling system, etc. 
         [0039]    Heating system  300  is a system in which one or more boilers are operated to heat an apartment building, such as apartment building  500  in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0040]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, sensor  202  is a boiler sensor such as a domestic hot water temperature sensor. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which it is any type of sensor and any number of sensors. 
         [0041]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, telecommunications network  302  is the Internet. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which telecommunications network is an alternative network, for example and without limitation: the public switched telephone network, a local area network (LAN), a wireless network, such as an 802.11 (Wi-Fi) network, etc. 
         [0042]    Although the controller in  FIG. 3  may have the ability to be connected to a telecommunications network and online server, the controller in  FIG. 3  will incorporate other external information when determining settings. This process is described at greater length, supra, in  FIGS. 7 through 10 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 4  depicts heating system  300  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Heating system  300  is comprised of outdoor temperature sensor  101 , indoor temperature sensor  201 - a  through indoor temperature sensor  201 - n , boiler sensor  202 , transceiver  203 , data-processing system (controller)  301 , boiler  103 , telecommunications network  302 , data-processing system  303 , and information center  401 . 
         [0044]    Although heating system  300  is comprised of three (3) indoor temperature sensors and one (1) boiler sensor, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of temperature sensors. 
         [0045]    Although heating system  300  is comprised of one (1) transceiver, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of transceivers. For example, and without limitation, there may be one (1) transceiver for a portion of a building, one (1) transceiver per floor, one (1) transceiver per every three floors, etc., as well as an alternative embodiment in which there are no (0) transceivers and the sensors connect directly with data-processing system  301  or data-processing system  303 . 
         [0046]    Although heating system  300  is comprised of one (1) data-processing system (controller), it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of data-processing systems or controllers. 
         [0047]    Although heating system  300  is comprised of one (1) outdoor temperature sensor, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of sensors. 
         [0048]    Although heating system  300  is comprised of one (2) boiler sensor, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of sensors. 
         [0049]    Although heating system  300  is comprised of one (1) boiler, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of boilers. 
         [0050]    Although heating system  300  is comprised of one (1) telecommunications network, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of telecommunications networks. 
         [0051]    Although heating system  300  is comprised of one (1) data-processing system, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of data-processing systems. 
         [0052]    Although heating system  300  is a steam heating system, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which heating system  300  is a different type of system, for example and without limitation: another form of heating system, a cooling system, a combined heating-cooling system, etc. 
         [0053]    Although heating system  300  is comprised of one (1) information source, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there is any amount of information. 
         [0054]    For the purpose of this specification, the term “information” is defined as any information or data that may be utilized for the purpose of determining the proper running of heating system  300 . For example and without limitation, information may be temperature readings, weather reports, weather forecasting, a database containing information on resident preferences, historical data of the heating system, statistical methodology utilized to determine best practices, etc. 
         [0055]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, information  401  is weather forecast information. For example and without limitation, weather forecast information may be sent to data-processing system  303  via the Internet. This could be as simple as getting a publicly available weather report from the National Weather Service, weather.com, or accuweather.com. The weather forecast information may also be determined from a weather station at apartment building  500 , a central monitoring location, etc. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the information is of any type and in any amount. 
         [0056]      FIG. 5  depicts the wireless system in apartment building  500  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Apartment building  500  is comprised of apartment  501 - a  through apartment  501 - i , indoor temperature sensors  201 - a  through indoor temperature sensor  201 - i , transceiver  203 , controller  301 , and steam piping  502 . 
         [0057]    Although apartment building  500  is comprised of one (1) apartment building, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of buildings. For example and without limitation, a single boiler providing steam heat to an entire campus of buildings. 
         [0058]    Although apartment building  500  is depicted as an apartment building, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which apartment building is any kind of edifice, for example and without limitation, an office building or a single-family home. 
         [0059]    Although apartment building  500  is comprised of nine (9) apartments, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of apartments. 
         [0060]    Although apartment building  500  is comprised of seven (7) temperature sensors, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of sensors. 
         [0061]    Although heating system  300  is comprised of one (1) transceiver, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of transceivers. For example, and without limitation, there may be one (1) transceiver for a portion of a building, one (1) transceiver per floor, one (1) transceiver per every three floors, etc., as well as an alternative embodiment in which there are no (0) transceivers and the sensors connect directly with data-processing system  301  or data-processing system  303 . 
         [0062]    Although transceiver  203  is depicted as being a wireless transmitter and receiver, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the transceiver is wired, wireless, or some other networking protocol. 
         [0063]    Although transceiver  203  is depicted as being wired to controller  301 , it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the transceiver is, for example and without limitation, wirelessly connected to controller  301  or is a part of controller  301 . 
         [0064]    Although apartment building  500  is comprised of one (1) boiler, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of boilers. 
         [0065]    Although apartment building  500  is comprised of one (1) controller, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of controllers. 
         [0066]    Although apartment building  500  is comprised of one (1) horizontal steam pipe and three (3) vertical steam pipes, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of steam pipes and in any orientation. 
         [0067]    Apartment building  500  is a simplified schematic of an apartment building in which there are any number of apartments and sensors in the apartments. For purposes of illustration, there are nine (9) apartments but only seven (7) sensors. This is to illustrate that not every apartment may have a sensor, but it is clear that there may be any number of sensors. 
         [0068]    In a properly functioning system, all the apartments would have an equal temperature, which is comfortable for the residents. There may be several reasons why this may not be the case. One reason may be that the residents themselves have adjusted the temperature by, for example and without limitation, opening windows, using a space heater, running a hot shower, etc. Another reason may be a malfunction in the system itself. This is called a balancing problem. If the system is not properly distributing heat, then some apartments may be hotter than others. Having multiple sensors allows the system to receive multiple data points from which the system can determine whether or not there exists a balancing problem. 
         [0069]    In having a large enough sample set of data, heating system  300  may use statistical methods in order to determine whether or not a problem exists with the system itself or whether the cause of a disparity in temperatures is caused by a situation unique to a particular apartment. How this is performed, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, is discussed further, inter alia, supra,  FIG. 7  through  FIG. 10 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 6  depicts a schematic diagram of data-processing system  303  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Data-processing system  301  is comprised of database  601 , database  602 , and database  603 . 
         [0071]    Although data-processing system  303  is comprised of three (3) databases, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of databases. 
         [0072]    Although data-processing system  303  depicts the three (3) databases comprising: rules, historical information, and statistical analysis rules, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any type of information stored at data-processing system  303 . 
         [0073]    Although data-processing system  303  depicts the information (rules, historical, analysis) stored in a database format, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which any format is used. 
         [0074]    Although data-processing system  303  depicts the information stored within data-processing system  303 , it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the storage is done in any location, for example and without limitation: on an external server, a cloud storage system, etc. 
         [0075]    Although data-processing system  303  does not depict aspects of a data-processing system, such as a processor, random-access memory, etc., this does not mean that such elements are or are not present. 
         [0076]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, data-processing system  303  is a computer, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which data-processing system is some other device, for example and without limitation: a specialized processing system. 
         [0077]    Although data-processing system  303  is depicted as connecting directly to telecommunications network  302  it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which data-processing system  303  a connects to another device directly, by use of another telecommunications network, etc. 
         [0078]      FIG. 7  depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with the operation of the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0079]    Although figure seven comprises two (2) temperature sensors and one (1) other sensor, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of sensors and of any type. 
         [0080]    Although figure seven comprises two (2) temperature sensors and one (1) other sensor, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of sensors and of any type. 
         [0081]    At task  701 , indoor temperature sensor  201 - a  sends data, T 1 , to data-processing system  301 , the controller. 
         [0082]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, data, T 1  is temperature readings. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the data is of another form. 
         [0083]    Although in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, temperature sensor  201 - a  sends data to data-processing system  301 , it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the data is sent instead to another source, for example and without limitation, directly to data-processing system  303 . 
         [0084]    At task  702 , temperature sensor  201 - n  sends data, T 2 , to data-processing system  301 , the controller. 
         [0085]    At task  703 , outdoor temperature sensor  101  sends information, T 3 , to data-processing system  301 , the controller. 
         [0086]    At task  704 , boiler sensor  202  sends information, I 4 , to data-processing system  301 , the controller. 
         [0087]    For example and without limitation, the information, I 4 , sent by sensor  202  may be information about leaks or condensation in steam piping  502 , noise along steam piping  502 , information about boiler  103 , etc. The information determined by sensor  202  may be of any kind that provides relevant information to heating system  300 . 
         [0088]    Also at task  704 , this information is received by data-processing system  301 . Task  703  is described in greater detail, infra, in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0089]    At task  705 , data-processing system  301  transmits information to data-processing system  303 . 
         [0090]    At task  706 , information  401  is received by data-processing system  303 . 
         [0091]    At task  707 , information is transmitted to data-processing system  301  by data-processing system  303 . Task  706  is described in greater detail, infra, in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0092]    At task  708 , data-processing system  301  transmits instructions to boiler  103 . For example and without limitation, these instructions may be for the boiler to turn on, to turn on for a specified time, to turn off, etc. 
         [0093]    At task  709 , boiler sensor  202  sends information, T 4 , to data-processing system  301 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, this information is information such as its temperature and its on/off status. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which this is any information about the boiler. 
         [0094]    At task  710 , data-processing system  301  transmits instructions to boiler  103 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, this would be instructions, for example and without limitation, to shut off, to turn on, to turn on for a specified time etc. 
         [0095]    It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use other implementations of the present invention in which one or more of the steps are omitted or are performed in a different order than the one presented or simultaneously. 
         [0096]      FIG. 8  depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with the operation of task  704  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0097]    At task  801 , data-processing system  301  receives information, T 1 , T 2 , etc. from the indoor temperature sensor. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, this information is assembled by data-processing system  301  for transmission to data-processing system  303 . However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which task  801  is performed in a manner different than the one described, for example and without limitation, that the sensor data is sent directly to data-processing system  303 , that the information is parsed at data-processing system  301  prior to transmission to data-processing  303 , etc. 
         [0098]    At task  802 , data-processing system  301  receives information, I 3 , from the outdoor temperature sensors. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, this information is assembled by data-processing system  301  is for transmission to data-processing system  303 . However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which task  802  is performed in a manner different than the one described, for example and without limitation, that the sensor data is sent directly to data-processing system  303 , that the information is parsed at data-processing system  301  prior to transmission to data-processing  303 , etc. 
         [0099]    At task  803 , data-processing system  301  receives information from the boiler sensors. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, this information (T 1 , T 2 , I 3 , etc.) is assembled by data-processing system  301  is for transmission to data-processing system  303 . However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which task  802  is performed in a manner different than the one described, for example and without limitation, that the sensor data is sent directly to data-processing system  303 , that the information is parsed at data-processing system  301  prior to transmission to data-processing  303 , etc. 
         [0100]    It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use other implementations of the present invention in which one or more of the steps are omitted or are performed in a different order than the one presented or simultaneously. 
         [0101]      FIG. 9  depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with the operation of task  707  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0102]    At task  901 , data-processing system  302  receives information from data-processing system  303 . What information and how it is compiled is discussed, supra, in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0103]    At task  902 , data-processing system  303  receives other information. For example and without limitation, this information may be weather forecast information from the Internet, current weather conditions from online sources, information about other buildings, and any other relevant information that may assist heating system  300  in its optimum operation. 
         [0104]    At task  903 , data-processing system  303  receives historical information about apartment building  500 . This information may comprise, for example and without limitation: the past length of time from boiler  103  activating to when temperature sensor  101 - a  reaches a desired temperature, the length of time from when boiler  103  deactivates to when the temperature reading at temperature sensor  101 - b  falls below a certain point, how and when to activate boiler  103  relative to the temperature outside of apartment building  500 , etc. This information may be used to determine the optimum running of heating system  300 . 
         [0105]    At task  904 , data-processing system  303  determines a first time, t 1 . Task  904  is described in greater detail, infra, in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0106]    It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use other implementations of the present invention in which one or more of the steps are omitted or are performed in a different order than the one presented or simultaneously. 
         [0107]    For example, and without limitation, the tasks in  FIG. 9  may be done on a continuous basis, determining a second time, t 2 , wherein the second time, t 2 , may be determined, in part, based upon the temperature sensor results upon running boiler  103  for time t 1 , i.e. the indoor temperature sensor readings upon the running of boiler  103  for time t 1  become part of the historical data received in step  903  and utilized in step  904 . 
         [0108]      FIG. 10  depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with the operation of task  904  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0109]    At task  1001 , the indoor and outdoor temperatures are determined. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention this determination is based on the information from task  901 , task  902 , and task  903 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, this is done using statistical methods, such as weighted averaging. 
         [0110]    For example and without limitation, the average temperature inside of apartment building  500  would be determined by an average of the temperatures read by temperature sensors  201 - a  through  201 - n.    
         [0111]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, this average can be a simple mean average, a statistically weighted average, etc. When utilizing a statistically weighted average, temperatures that are found to be a certain number of standard deviations from the mean can be eliminated to get a more accurate average temperature in the building. It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention that perform task  1001 . 
         [0112]    At task  1002 , the future outdoor temperature is determined. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, this future temperature is determined based upon information  401  received at task  705 . Further in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present, in task  705 , information  401  is a weather forecast from the Internet received at data-processing system  303 . 
         [0113]    However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the information  401  is received at another data-processing system, for example and without limitation, data-processing system  301 , which is the on-site controller. 
         [0114]    At task  1003 , a desired temperature is determined. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the desired temperature is determined by comparing the average indoor temperature to the outside temperature, the forecast temperature for later in the day. For example and without limitation, if the average temperature inside of apartment building  500  is 68° F., and the outside temperature is 55° F. and the predicted temperature for the evening is 40° F., boiler  103  will be activated to get up to a desired average inside temperature of 72° F. 
         [0115]    At task  1004 , the length of time to run the boiler is determined. 
         [0116]    The determination of this length of time is by answering the question of how to get the average indoor temperature to the desired temperature. Using the information compiled in task  1003 , heating system  300  will compare the temperatures inside, outside, and predicted, to similar data accumulated in the past. For example and without limitation, similar temperature readings and weather forecasts occurred a year prior. It was determined that activating the boiler for 60 minutes kept apartment building  500  at the desired temperatures. 
         [0117]    Using this information, the first time, t 1 , can be determined. 
         [0118]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, first time, t 1 , is a time in which boiler  103  is to turn on. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which first time, t 1 , is instead another form of time, for example and without limitation, a length of time in which boiler  103  is to run, a time in which boiler  103  is to turn off, etc. 
         [0119]    It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use other implementations of the present invention in which one or more of the steps are omitted or are performed in a different order than the one presented or simultaneously. 
         [0120]    For example, and without limitation, the tasks in  FIG. 10  may be done on a continuous basis, determining a second time, t 2 , wherein the second time, t 2 , may be determined, in part, based upon the temperature sensor results upon running boiler  103  for time t 1 , i.e. the indoor temperature sensor readings upon the running of boiler  103  for time t 1  become part of the historical data received in step  903  and utilized in step  1004 . Furthermore, other run times, e.g., a third time, t 3 , etc. can also be determined in this fashion. 
         [0121]    It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use other implementations of the present invention in which one or more of the steps are omitted or are utilized in a different manner than the one presented. For example and without limitation, these steps may be performed at data-processing system  301  instead of data-processing system  303 , a third data-processing system, or that there exists only one data-processing system that does the tasks of both data-processing system  301  and data-processing system  303 . 
         [0122]    It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use other implementations of the present invention in which one or more of the parts are omitted or are utilized in a different manner than the one presented. 
         [0123]    It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use other implementations of the present invention in which one or more of the steps are omitted or are utilized in a different manner than the one presented. 
         [0124]    It is to be understood that the disclosure teaches just one example of the illustrative embodiment and that many variations of the invention can easily be devised by those skilled in the art after reading this disclosure and that the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5