Air vent controller

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus for controlling an air flow are described. A monitor obtains an environmental parameter and an air deflector controls the air flow exiting an air duct. An air deflector actuator configures the air deflector, the configuration of the air deflector being based on the environmental parameter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for controlling air flow, the apparatus comprising:
 a monitor for obtaining an environmental parameter;   an air deflector configured for controlling a direction of air flow exiting an air duct; and   an air deflector actuator for configuring the air deflector, the configuration of the air deflector being based on the environmental parameter.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the environmental parameter characterizes an environmental condition, the environmental condition being one of an ambient temperature, a change in temperature, a surface temperature of an object, a level of humidity, an amount of light, a count of occupants, a detection of a presence of a person, a detection of a transit of a person, a location of a person, an activity of a person, a time of day, a season, a weather forecast, and an amount of sunlight. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the environmental parameter characterizes a weather forecast and is indicative of an external temperature, a solar exposure, or a humidity level. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the air deflector is configured in anticipation of a change in temperature or humidity level based on a season or a weather forecast. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the air deflector comprises one or more fins and wherein each fin may have a fixed location, a configurable location, a fixed orientation, a configurable orientation, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the air deflector actuator configures the air deflector in response to a request from a user to configure the air deflector based on a predefined configuration or based on a dynamic adjustment of the air deflector. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the air deflector actuator configures the air deflector in response to a set of two or more environmental conditions being satisfied. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a priority level is assigned to each of a plurality of sets of two or more environmental conditions, the priority level being used to identify one of the plurality of sets when at least two of the sets of environmental conditions are satisfied concurrently. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the air deflector has a plurality of control zones, wherein each control zone controls a defined subset of fins of the air deflector, and wherein the air deflector actuator configures two or more of the defined subsets of fins of the air deflector. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the air deflector actuator configures the air deflector in response to a request from one or more users to configure the air deflector based on a requested temperature. 
     
     
         11 . A method for controlling air flow, the method comprising:
 obtaining an environmental parameter; and   configuring an air deflector, the configuration of the air deflector being based on the environmental parameter and the configuration controlling a direction of air flow exiting an air duct.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the environmental parameter characterizes a weather forecast and is indicative of an external temperature, a solar exposure, or a humidity level. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the air deflector is configured in anticipation of a change in temperature or humidity level based on a season or a weather forecast. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the air deflector comprises one or more fins and wherein each fin may have a fixed location, a configurable location, a fixed orientation, a configurable orientation, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein an air deflector actuator configures the air deflector in response to a request from a user to configure the air deflector based on a predefined configuration or based on a dynamic adjustment of the air deflector. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein an air deflector actuator configures the air deflector in response to a set of two or more environmental conditions being satisfied. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a priority level is assigned to each of a plurality of sets of two or more environmental conditions, the priority level being used to identify one of the plurality of sets when at least two of the sets of environmental conditions are satisfied concurrently. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the air deflector has a plurality of control zones, wherein each control zone controls a defined subset of fins of the air deflector, and wherein an air deflector actuator configures two or more of the defined subsets of fins of the air deflector. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein an air deflector actuator configures the air deflector in response to a request from one or more users to configure the air deflector based on a requested temperature. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising instructions, which when implemented by one or more machines, cause the one or more machines to perform operations comprising:
 obtaining an environmental parameter; and   configuring an air deflector, the configuration of the air deflector being based on the environmental parameter and the configuration controlling a direction of air flow exiting an air duct.