SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HOME ENERGY MONITOR AND CONTROL

• US 20090195349A1
• Filed: 02/01/2008
• Published: 08/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Energyhub Incorporated (Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Energyhub Incorporated (Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kennedy, Thomas, Frader-Thompson, Seth, von Muehlen, Stephan
• Granted Patent: US 8,255,090 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/3.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/125 Utility meter reading systems specially adapted for determining the environmental impact of user behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/14 Displaying of utility usage with respect to time, e.g. for monitoring evolution of usage or with respect to weather conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/18 Remote displaying of utility meter readings
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/002 Remote reading of utility meters
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/00 Arrangements for measuring electric power or power factor G01R7/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/133 by using digital technique
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/008 involving trading of energy or energy transmission rights
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/34 Smart metering supporting the carbon neutral operation of end-user applications in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/10 Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid

Abstract

The invention generally concerns systems and methods for monitoring and controlling the power consumption of a power-consuming device. The system and method may connect to a power source and a power-consuming device, connecting the power-consuming device to the power source. The power usage of the power-consuming device may then be measured and monitored. This monitoring data may then be stored and optionally sent to a controlling device on a data network. The location of the power-consuming device may also be determined, recorded, and sent to a controlling device. The system may also control the power usage of the power-consuming device. In some cases, a remote server may connect multiple energy monitoring systems in order to gain additional efficiencies and foster a community-based social network.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring and controlling power consumption, comprising:

a power grid interface for connecting to a power grid;

a device interface for connecting to a power-consuming device;

a monitoring and control unit, in communication with the power grid interface and the device interface, for connecting the power-consuming device to the power grid, generating monitoring data about the power usage of the power-consuming device, and for controlling the power usage of the power-consuming device;

a memory, in communication with the monitoring and control unit, for storing the monitoring data;

a location detector, in communication with the memory and the power-consuming device, for determining the location of the power-consuming device, relative to the power grid; and

a communication unit, in communication with the monitoring and control unit, the memory, and the location detector, for transmitting the monitoring data and the location of the power-consuming device to a network-based device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the device interface is mobile so that it may be moved amongst points on the power grid.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface element, in communication with the monitoring and control unit, for a manually controlling the power usage of the power-consuming device.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a device detection module, in communication with the monitoring and control unit, for detecting a category of the power-consuming device connected to the device interface.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the device detection module includes a processor for determining a category of the power-consuming device based on the power consumption of the power-consuming device and any patterns in that power consumption.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the device detection module includes a memory module for storing heuristic data identifying categories of power-consuming devices.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the device detection module further includes a port for receiving heuristics data identifying categories of power-consuming devices.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a device detection module, in communication with the monitoring and control unit, for detecting the specific identity of the power-consuming device connected to the device interface.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the device detection module includes a processor for determining a specific identity of the power-consuming device based on the power consumption of the power-consuming device and any patterns in that power consumption.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the device detection module includes a port in communication with the communication unit for receiving updates, based on heuristics data, for identifying specific identities of power-consuming devices.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring and control unit includes a switch for controlling the power usage of the power-consuming device.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the switch is a variable switch.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the switch is an on/off switch.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the location detector includes a port for receiving an input from a user based on a location of the power-consuming device.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the location detector includes a processor for determining a location of the power-consuming device by checking an input, from a user, for an identification of membership in a group of devices.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least a second device interface, in communication with the monitoring and control unit, for connecting to at least a second power-consuming device, wherein the monitoring and control unit is further for connecting the at least a second power-consuming device to the power grid, generating monitoring data about the power usage of the at least a second power-consuming device, and controlling the power usage of the at least a second power-consuming device.

17. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least a second device interface for connecting to at least a second power-consuming device, and

at least a second monitoring and control unit in communication with the power grid interface, the at least a second device interface, and the communication unit, wherein the at least a second monitoring and control unit is for connecting the at least a second power-consuming device to the power grid, generating monitoring data about the power usage of at least the second power-consuming device, and controlling the power usage of at least the second power-consuming device.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the power grid interface is any of a group consisting of a plug, a hard-wired connection, a snap-in connection, and a non-contact connection.

19. A method for monitoring and controlling the power consumption of a power-consuming device, comprising:

establishing a connection between the power-consuming device and a power grid;

generating monitoring data about the power usage of the power-consuming device,

storing the monitoring data;

determining the location of the power-consuming device, relative to the power grid; and

transmitting the monitoring data and the location of the power-consuming device to a network-based device.

20. The method of claim 19, the method further comprising adjusting the power usage of the power-consuming device from the network-based device.

21. The method of claim 19, the method further comprising detecting a category of the power-consuming device connected to the device interface, wherein the category of the power-consuming device is transmitted to the network-based device.

22. The method of claim 19, the method further comprising detecting the specific identity of the power-consuming device connected to the device interface, wherein the specific identity is transmitted to the network-based device.

23. A system for controlling and monitoring a power network, comprising:

a power network interface, for receiving and distributing power from a power network;

a data network interface, for receiving and transmitting data over a data network;

a node interface, in communication with the data network interface, for identifying, monitoring, and controlling a plurality of power-consuming devices through a network of nodes;

a controller, in communication with the power network interface, the data network interface, and the node interface, for interpreting the received identifying and monitoring data and controlling the network of nodes; and

a user interface, in communication with the controller, for presenting received data to a user and for receiving commands from the user.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the controller includes a processor for organizing and controlling the plurality of power-consuming devices according to a hierarchical structure.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the controller includes a processor for organizing and controlling the plurality of power-consuming devices according to a tagging structure.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein the controller includes a processor for organizing and controlling the plurality of power-consuming devices according to a series of hierarchically nested groups.

27. The system of claim 23, further comprising:

a server located remotely from the controller; and

a wide-area network interface, in communication with the controller and the server, for connecting the controller to the server and for transmitting data from the controller to the server.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the controller includes a port for receiving information from the server through the wide-area network interface.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the controller includes a port for receiving information from the server, the information being any of a group consisting of improved control information, data about other users, pricing feeds, heuristics data, or system updates.

30. The system of claim 23, wherein the controller is any of a group consisting of:

a computer, a mobile device, a server, a remote control device, a handheld device, a display with user input, a thin-client, or a touchscreen device.

31. The system of claim 23, further comprising a wide-area network interface, in communication with the user interface, for receiving commands directed to the user interface from a remote device.

32. The system of claim 23, wherein the controller includes a memory module for storing predetermined user parameters for the control of the plurality of power-consuming devices.

33. The system of claim 32, further including a display and wherein the controller is in communication with the display for presenting the user with alternatives, based on the interpreted data, to at least a portion of the predetermined user parameters.

34. The system of claim 32, wherein the controller includes a processor for modifying the predetermined user parameters based on the interpreted data.

35. A method for controlling and monitoring a power network, comprising:

identifying a plurality of power-consuming devices;

monitoring the plurality of power-consuming devices;

receiving monitoring data for the plurality of power-consuming devices;

analyzing the monitoring data;

controlling the plurality of power-consuming devices based upon the monitoring data and a set of user preferences;

presenting monitoring data and analyzed data to a user; and

receiving commands from the user.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising organizing the plurality of power-consuming devices into a hierarchical structure, wherein each group in the hierarchy is able to be controlled collectively and distinctly from groups of similar level.

37. The method of claim 35, further comprising, transmitting the monitoring data and analyzed data to a remote server.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising, receiving a modified set of user preferences from the remote server.

39. The method of claim 35, further comprising modifying the set of user preferences based on the analysis of the monitoring data.

40. The method of claim 35, further comprising displaying to a user at least one modification to the set of user preferences based on the analysis of the monitoring data.

41. The method of claim 35, wherein controlling the plurality of power-consuming devices includes putting the plurality of power-consuming devices into one of a plurality of configuration profiles.

42. The method of claim 35, wherein the controlling of the plurality of configuration devices includes activating a sleep profile that switches all non-excluded devices off or commands those devices to enter a low-power mode.

43. A computer readable medium, containing instructions thereon, that when read into a computer instructs the computer to:

identify a plurality of power-consuming devices;

monitor the plurality of power-consuming devices;

receive monitoring data for the plurality of power-consuming devices;

analyze the monitoring data;

control the plurality of power-consuming devices based upon the monitoring data and a set of user preferences;

present monitoring data and analyzed data to a user; and

receive commands from the user.

44. A community-based system for optimizing and encouraging the conservation of resources, comprising:

a network interface, for connecting to a network, receiving monitoring data from a plurality of energy monitoring systems, and transmitting information to any of the plurality of energy monitoring systems; and

a server, in communication with the network interface, the server comprising,

a database, for containing account information for a plurality of users, each user operating an energy monitoring system connected to the network; and

a processor, in communication with the database and the network interface, for receiving, transmitting, and processing data;

for writing and reading from the database;

for aggregating and analyzing the monitoring data to determine improved efficiency modifications for energy monitoring systems belonging to the plurality of users; and

for transmitting, through the network interface, the improved efficiency modifications to at least one of the energy monitoring systems belonging to the plurality of users.

45. The system of claim 44, further wherein the network interface comprises a port for receiving consumer device efficiency data from at least one third party user for incorporating the consumer device efficiency data into the determined improved efficiency modifications.

46. A wall-mounted electrical outlet for monitoring, controlling, and communicating power consumption, comprising:

a power grid interface for connecting to a power grid;

a device interface for connecting to a power-consuming device;

a monitoring and control unit, in communication with the power grid interface and the device interface, for connecting the power-consuming device to the power grid, generating monitoring data about the power usage of the power-consuming device, and for controlling the power usage of the power-consuming device;

a memory, in communication with the monitoring and control unit, for storing the monitoring data;

a location detector, in communication with the memory and the power-consuming device, for determining the location of the power-consuming device, relative to the power grid; and

a communication unit, in communication with the monitoring and control unit, the memory, and the location detector, for transmitting the monitoring data and the location of the power-consuming device to a network-based device.

47. A plug-in electrical outlet for monitoring, controlling, and communicating power consumption, comprising:

a power grid interface for connecting to a power grid;

a device interface for connecting to a power-consuming device;

a monitoring and control unit, in communication with the power grid interface and the device interface, for connecting the power-consuming device to the power grid, generating monitoring data about the power usage of the power-consuming device, and for controlling the power usage of the power-consuming device;

a memory, in communication with the monitoring and control unit, for storing the monitoring data;

a location detector, in communication with the memory and the power-consuming device, for determining the location of the power-consuming device, relative to the power grid; and

a communication unit, in communication with the monitoring and control unit, the memory, and the location detector, for transmitting the monitoring data and the location of the power-consuming device to a network-based device.

48. A system for monitoring a power flow through a power line, comprising:

a current transducer, connected to the power line, for determining a current level of the power flow;

a voltage transducer, connected to the power line, for determining a voltage level of the power flow;

at least one analog-to-digital converter, connected to the current transducer and the voltage transducer, for converting the current level and voltage level into digital current and voltage levels;

a transceiver, for receiving and transmitting data;

a switching device, connected to the power line, for switching the power flow through the power line; and

a processor, connected to the at least one analog-to-digital converter and the transceiver, for interpreting the digital current and voltage levels as monitoring data, transmitting the monitoring data via the transceiver, receiving switching command data or other data via the transceiver, controlling the switching device, and causing the switching device to switch the power flow based on the monitoring data and the switching command data.

49. A computer-implemented method for portably displaying energy-related usage data to a viewer, comprising:

gathering energy-related usage data, pertaining to the activities of one or more users, from a data source;

gathering display preference data from the data source;

analyzing the energy-related usage data;

formatting the analyzed energy-related usage data into a display data according to the display preference data; and

embedding the display data within a displayable data object being presented to the viewer.

50. A computer-implemented system for portably displaying energy-related usage data to a viewer, comprising:

a network interface, for connecting to a network;

a database, for containing energy-related usage data and display preference data pertaining to one or more users'"'"' energy network systems;

a processor, in communication with the database, for analyzing and formatting the energy-related usage data according to the display preference data and transmitting the analyzed and formatted energy-related usage data to a remote device.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the processor includes a port for receiving commands and display preference data from the remote device that instruct the processor how to analyze, format, and present data to the remote device.

52. A computer-implemented method for auditing the energy use of a user'"'"'s energy network, comprising:

gathering energy-usage data pertaining to the user'"'"'s energy network;

gathering baseline data pertaining to a baseline energy network;

comparing the energy-usage data and the baseline data; and

presenting the compared energy-usage data and baseline data to the user.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the gathering baseline data includes gathering historical energy usage of the user'"'"'s energy network.

54. The method of claim 52, wherein the gathering baseline data includes gathering historical energy usage from at least one network other than the user'"'"'s energy network.

55. The method of claim 52, further comprising determining an optimal usage level of the user'"'"'s energy network.

56. The method of claim 52, wherein the gathering baseline data includes determining a usage level of a plurality of other users'"'"' energy networks.

57. The method of claim 52, further comprising presenting, to the user, at least one modification to improve the user'"'"'s energy network.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the presenting the at least one modification includes at least one recommendation of at least one more efficient power-consuming or power-producing device.

59. The method of claim 58, further comprising presenting reviews, to the user, of the at least one more efficient power-consuming or power-producing device.

60. The method of claim 59, further comprising presenting at least one review, to the user, of the at least one more efficient power-consuming or power-producing device, wherein the at least one review was created by another energy network user.

61. The method of claim 58, wherein the presenting the at least one modification includes at least one advertisements for at least one more efficient power-consuming or power-producing device.

62. The method of claim 57, further comprising presenting, to the user, at least one projected effect of the suggested changes.