ENERGY USE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20090138099A1
• Filed: 11/21/2008
• Published: 05/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trilliant Networks Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Trilliant Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: VEILLETTE, Michel
• Granted Patent: US 8,332,055 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/22
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/41 Remote control of gateways
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Devices and systems control energy usage in accordance with instructions from a head end system. A device may be instructed to cease energy consumption. Another device may allow users to override some instructions. Messages may be provided to users to request the cessation of energy consumption; the users may, but need not comply.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a request interface receiving an instruction to control energy use;

a scheduler coupled to the request interface identifying one or more devices to provide commands to control energy use; and

a command provider creating messages for the one or more identified devices to limit energy use.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a network gate relaying message from the command provider to the one or more identified devices.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the network gate comprises a NAN-WAN gate.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein a message includes a command to limit energy usage, and the command may be overridden.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the messages includes a command to limit energy usage, and the command may not be overridden.

6. A method comprising:

receiving a request to control energy use;

providing the request to a scheduler;

creating a message for a device subject to the request; and

providing the request to the device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the request is received via the simple object access protocol (SOAP).

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the message is created along with a plurality of other messages to control a plurality of devices along with the device.

9. A method comprising:

receiving a request to control energy use;

authenticating the request to control energy use;

removing message headers; and

providing a table request.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the table request is formatted for an ANSI C12.19 table.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the request is carried as a message formatted to the ANSI C12.22 format.

12. A device comprising:

a radio coupled to a communications logic unit;

an external energy using component coupled to the communications logic unit; and

a memory storing tables, the memory including instructions for disabling the external energy using component coupled to the communications logic unit.

13. The device of claim 12, further comprising the external energy using component.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the tables include instructions to limit energy use by disabling the external energy using component.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein an instruction in the memory disabling the external energy using component may be overridden.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein an instruction in the memory requires disabling the external energy using component, the instruction may not be overridden.

17. The device of claim 12, further comprising an override switch, wherein, in operation, a user enables the switch to prevent the control device to cease operation or energy consumption.

18. The device of claim 12, further comprising a text display, wherein in operation, the text display provides a message received via a signal to the radio to request that a user cease energy usage.

19. The device of claim 12, further comprising a user accessible control enabling the user to disable and enable energy usage.

20. A system comprising:

means for receiving an instruction to disable an external energy using device;

means for generating a message to the external energy using device to instruct the external energy using device to cease energy consumption; and

means for providing the message to the external energy using device.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the message may be overridden.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the message may not be overridden.

23. The system of claim 20, further comprising the external energy using device.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the energy using device is selected from the set consisting of:

a pool pump, a washing machine, a dishwasher, a battery charger, an electric or hybrid gas-electric vehicle, an energy consuming device that consumes energy above a high predetermined or dynamically determined threshold rate.

25. A computer program stored in a computer readable form for execution in a processor and a processor coupled memory to implement a method comprising:

receiving a request to control energy use;

providing the request to a scheduler;

creating a message for a device subject to the request; and

providing the request to the device.

26. A computer program stored in a computer readable form for execution in a processor and a processor coupled memory to implement a method comprising:

receiving a request to control energy use;

authenticating the request to control energy use;

removing message headers; and

providing a table request.