3
munication may in the form of a signal sent over the power

4
By using these multiple data streams to compare the per

lines themselves, or a wireless communication over a data formance of one system versus another, and one system ver
network arranged by the utility. These meters allow utilities to sus the same system at other times, the server is able to
accomplish a number of goals, including offering pricing that estimate the effective thermal mass of the structure, and
varies by time of day in order to encourage customers to move thereby predict the expected thermal performance of a given
consumption away from peak demand hours. These Smart structure in response to changes in outside temperature. Thus,
meters can cost hundreds of dollars, however, and require for example, if the air conditioning is shut off on a hot after
both a “truck roll' a visit from a trained service person— noon, given a known outside temperature, it will be possible
and most likely the scheduling of an appointment with the to predict how quickly the temperature in the house should
occupants, because Swapping the meter will require turning rise. If the actual temperature change is significantly different

from the predicted rate of change, or does not change at all, it

off power to the house.

If the utility installs a smart meter at each house that con is possible to infer that the air conditioning has not, in fact
tracts to participate in a PDR program, it may be possible to been shut off.
verify that the NC is in fact switched off. But this approach

This and other advantages of the present invention are

requires two separate pieces of hardware, two separate com explained in the detailed description and claims that make
munications systems, and the ability to match them for veri reference to the accompanying diagrams and flowcharts.
fication purposes.
It would be desirable to have a system that could both
implement and verify residential peak demand reduction with
reduced expenses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows an example of an overall environment in
which an embodiment of the invention may be used.
FIG. 2 shows a high-level illustration of the architecture of
a network showing the relationship between the major ele
At least one embodiment of the invention that includes ments of one embodiment of the subject invention.

system for predicting the rate of change in temperature inside

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the website to be used as

a structure comprising at least one thermostat located inside part of the subject invention.

the structure and controlling an HVAC system in said struc

FIG. 4 shows a high-level schematic of the thermostat used

ture; at least one remote processor that is in communication as part of the Subject invention.

with said thermostat; at least one database for storing data

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of the database structure

reported by said thermostat; at least one processor that com used as part of the Subject invention

pares outside temperature at at least location and at least one

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a graphical representation of the

point in time to information reported to said remote processor manner in which the subject invention may be used to verify
from said thermostat, and wherein said processor uses the that a demand reduction event has occurred.

relationship between the inside temperature and the outside

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the steps involved in

temperature over time to derive a first prediction for the rate of generating a demand reduction event for a given Subscriber.

change in inside temperature assuming that the operating

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the steps involved in

status of the HVAC system is “on”; and said processor uses confirming that a demand reduction event has taken place.

the relationship between the inside temperature and the out

FIG.9 is a representation of the movement of messages and

side temperature over time to derive a second prediction for information between the components of the subject inven
the rate of change in inside temperature assuming that the tion.
operating status of the HVAC system is “off”; and said pro
cessor compares at least one of the first prediction and the
second prediction to the actual inside temperature recorded
inside the structure to determine whether the actual inside
temperature is closer to the first prediction or the second
prediction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows an example of an overall environment 100 in
which an embodiment of the invention may be used. The

In one embodiment, the invention comprises a thermostat environment 100 includes an interactive communication net
attached to an HVAC system, a local network connecting the work 102 with computers 104 connected thereto. Also con
thermostat to a larger network Such as the Internet, one or nected to network 102 are one or more server computers 106,

which store information and make the information available

more additional thermostats attached to the network and to

other HVAC systems, and a server in bi-directional commu to computers 104. The network 102 allows communication
nication with the thermostats. The server logs the ambient between and among the computers 104 and 106.

Presently preferred network 102 comprises a collection of

temperature sensed by each thermostat vs. time and the sig

nals sent by the thermostats to the HVAC systems to which interconnected public and/or private networks that are linked
they are attached. The server preferably also logs outside to together by a set of standard protocols to form a distributed
temperature and humidity data for the geographic locations network. While network 102 is intended to refer to what is
for the buildings served by the connected HVAC systems. now commonly referred to as the Internet, it is also intended
Such information is widely available from various sources to encompass variations which may be made in the future,
that publish detailed weather information based on geo including changes additions to existing standard protocols.

graphic areas such as by ZIP code. The server also stores other

When a user of the subject invention wishes to access

data affecting the load upon the system, Such as specific information on network 102, the buyer initiates connection
model of HVAC system, occupancy, building characteristics, from his computer 104. For example, the user invokes a
etc. Some of this data may be supplied by the individual users browser, which executes on computer 104. The browser, in
of the system, while other data may come from commercial turn, establishes a communication link with network 102.
Sources such as the electric and other utilities who supply Once connected to network 102, the user can direct the

energy to those users.

browser to access information on server 106.