A thermostat set point estimation method and system that selects a plurality of candidate thermostat set points, determines for each of the plurality of candidate thermostat set points a predicted energy usage amount corresponding to the candidate thermostat set point, determines for each of the plurality of candidate thermostat set points an error value corresponding to the candidate thermostat set point using an actual energy usage amount and the predicted energy usage amount corresponding to the candidate thermostat set point, and identifies an estimated thermostat set point by selecting the candidate thermostat set point having the error value that is lowest from the plurality of candidate thermostat set points.

A test device simulator simulates the behavior of a test device to be tested on the basis of content indicating an input operation by a user, data transmitted from an air-conditioning system simulator, and device object data stored in a data storage. In the case in which the simulation generates data to transmit to the air-conditioning system simulator, the test device simulator transmits that data to the air-conditioning system simulator. The air-conditioning system simulator includes multiple simulation process sections. Each simulation process section, on the basis of content indicated by the input operation performed by the user on the device simulated by the simulation process section itself, data addressed to that device transmitted from the test device simulator, and the device object data stored in the data storage and corresponding to that device, simulates the behavior of that device.

A handheld controller interface device that receives communications from one or more components of an HVAC system. The controller interface device is removably secured to an enclosure of the HVAC system. When not being engaged by a user, the controller user interface may be secured within the enclosure in a mounted position. When the HVAC system is being serviced, the controller user interface may be removed from the enclosure so as to be in an unmounted position. Further, when in the unmounted position, the controller interface device still at least receives communications from one or more components of the HVAC system, including, for example, a controller.

An integrated air conditioning system includes an indirect outdoor air cooler having a first heat exchanger for passing through indoor air as warm air, a second heat exchanger for passing through outdoor air, and piping and a pump for circulating a fluid through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; an air conditioner having an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser, for passing the indoor air to convert to cold air; a fan for passing the outdoor air through the second heat exchanger and the condenser; and a control device. The control device sets any mode from among a first mode for performing an individual operation of the indirect outdoor air cooler, a second mode for performing an individual operation of the air conditioner, or a third mode for performing a combined operation of the air conditioner and the indirect outdoor air cooler, to a current operation mode.

A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described, the thermostat having a user interface that is visually pleasing, approachable, and easy to use while also providing ready access to, and intuitive navigation within, a menuing system capable of receiving a variety of different types of user settings and/or control parameters. For some embodiments, the thermostat comprises a housing, a ring-shaped user-interface component configured to track a rotational input motion of a user, a processing system configured to identify a setpoint temperature value based on the tracked rotational input motion, and an electronic display coupled to the processing system. An interactive thermostat menuing system is accessible to the user by an inward pressing of the ring-shaped user interface component. User navigation within the interactive thermostat menuing system is achievable by virtue of respective rotational input motions and inward pressings of the ring-shaped user interface component.

Systems and methods for configuring a temperature control system of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system controller are described. The HVAC system controller includes a processor in communication with a memory and a user interface. The processor is configured to determine a dynamic parameter related to a dynamic property of a conditioned space and maintain a controlled environment within the conditioned space by utilizing the dynamic parameter.

A home appliance, a home appliance system, and a control method thereof are disclosed. Transmission and reception of data are performed between the terminal and the home appliance using near field communication (NFC), thereby easily checking information of the home appliance. In addition, operation of the home appliance is easily set and changed through an application installed in the terminal and information regarding the home appliance received from the home appliance is displayed through the terminal such that a user checks various kinds of information regarding the home appliance, thereby greatly improving user convenience.

A blast plan control system and method used to control a drill and blast event is disclosed. The system and method customizes results for specific conditions. The system can receive certain inputs, such as conditions of the area to be blasted and the desired rock fragment size, and use these inputs to output a plurality of blast plans characterized by a set of characteristics that achieve the desired fragmentation size. A user can select a blast plan for execution from the plurality of blast plans. When the control system receives a selected blast plan, the control system can generate a work order for the selected blast plan and communicate the work order to operators and/or drilling equipment associated with execution of the drill and blast event. The operators and/or drilling equipment can then prepare for and execute the selected blast plan.

A control method and a control system for a compressor in a refrigeration system, implements control logic based on the monitoring of parameters of the refrigeration system, where these parameters may include, for example, a previous load (C.sub.ant), a current load (C.sub.atu), a reference load (C.sub.ref), a measured cycle time (t.sub.cycle) and a target time (t.sub.target).

Various ways to control the ambient temperature of a room in a structure are described. In one embodiment, a method for intelligently controlling an ambient room temperature in a structure is described, comprising receiving a future outdoor temperature forecast related to a geographic area where the structure is located, and altering a temperature profile for controlling the ambient room temperature based on the future outdoor temperature forecast.