Systems and method for providing automated heating, cooling and ventilation control

Abstract

A controlling device receives from at least one sensor a first data and the controlling device uses the first data to identify at least one of a plurality of general object categories. The identified at least one of the plurality of general object categories to is used to select at least one of a plurality of heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) profiles and the selected at least one of the plurality of HVAC profiles to control one of more HVAC elements.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, performed by a controller, comprising:
 receiving from at least one sensor a first data;   using the first data to identify at least one of a plurality of general object categories;   using the identified at least one of the plurality of general object categories to select at least one of a plurality of heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) profiles; and   using the selected at least one of the plurality of HVAC profiles to control one of more HVAC elements.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first data indicates at least a size of an object being sensed by the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first data indicates at least a shape of an object being sensed by the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a passive infrared sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises an occupancy sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a motion sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first data indicates at least one of a pet and an adult human. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is caused to provide the data in response to an appliance being determined to be in a predetermined state. 
     
     
         10 . A non-transitory, computer readable media having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed by a controlling device, causing the controlling device to perform steps, comprising:
 receiving from at least one sensor a first data;   using the first data to identify at least one of a plurality of general object categories;   using the identified at least one of the plurality of general object categories to select at least one of a plurality of heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) profiles; and   using the selected at least one of the plurality of HVAC profiles to control one of more HVAC elements.   
     
     
         11 . The non-transitory, computer readable media as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the first data indicates at least a size of an object being sensed by the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory, computer readable media as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the first data indicates at least a shape of an object being sensed by the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The non-transitory, computer readable media as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a passive infrared sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory, computer readable media as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises an occupancy sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The non-transitory, computer readable media as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a motion sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory, computer readable media as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory, computer readable media as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the first data indicates at least one of a pet and an adult human. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory, computer readable media as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the instructions cause the at least one sensor to provide the data in response to an appliance being determined to be in a predetermined state. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory, computer readable media as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the controlling device comprises a thermostat. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory, computer readable media as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the one or more HVAC elements is at least one of a heating system, an air conditioning system, a window, a door, and a window dressing.