System, Method & Apparatus For Power Management

• US 20120209438A1
• Filed: 04/23/2012
• Published: 08/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert F. Cruickshank III
• Original Assignee: Robert F. Cruickshank III
• Inventors: Cruickshank, Robert F. III
• Granted Patent: US 9,672,479 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/286
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management

Abstract

A system, method and apparatus provide management of power to meet demand of consumers that consume the power. An interface is configured to receive a pricing signal that indicates a price for the power. Wherein the interface is configured to control an appliance coupled to the interface to shift adjusting power consumption sooner in time than the appliance is predetermined to shift its power consumption.

Claims

1. An apparatus that provides management of power to meet demand of consumers that consume the power, the apparatus comprising:

an interface being configured to receive a pricing signal that indicates a price for the power; and

wherein the interface is configured to control an appliance coupled to the interface to shift adjusting power consumption sooner in time than the appliance is predetermined to shift its power consumption.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pricing signal is set to discourage demand of the power.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pricing signal is set to discourage demand of the power when the supply side reaches an efficient operating level of power output.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface is further configured to report power usage information from a metering device or appliance on the demand side.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface is further configured to set the appliances to operate in an expensive mode and an inexpensive mode, wherein the expensive mode turns the appliance on when the pricing signal is above a first threshold, and wherein the inexpensive mode turns the appliance on when the pricing signal indicates a price below a second threshold.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an appliance is selected from the group consisting of a water boiler, a heater, an oven, a dishwasher, a refrigerator, lighting, air conditioning, and an electric or partially electric powered automobile.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the appliance includes a processor for adjusting the power consumption of the associated appliance as controlled by the interface.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface and appliance(s) are connected to a telecommunications network selected from the group consisting of the internet, satellite, and home networking.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pricing signal is set for a limited time period on the basis of a thermal storage capacity of a particular type of appliance.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pricing signal is set according to a budget of at least one consumer.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pricing signal is set for an aggregate of appliances of a plurality of consumers.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface controls the appliance to pre-heat or pre-cool the consumer home or residence.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface controls the appliance further on the basis of whether the appliance is an independent activity appliance.

14. A method for providing management of power to meet demand of consumers that consume the power, the method comprising:

receiving a pricing signal that indicates a price for the power; and

controlling an appliance coupled to the interface to shift adjusting power consumption sooner in time than the appliance is predetermined to shift its power consumption.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the pricing signal is set to discourage demand of the power.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the pricing signal is set to discourage demand of the power when the supply side reaches an efficient operating level of power output.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of reporting power usage information from a metering device or appliance on the demand side.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of setting appliances to operate in an expensive mode and an inexpensive mode, wherein the expensive mode turns the appliance on when the pricing signal is above a first threshold, and wherein the inexpensive mode turns the appliance on when the pricing signal indicates a price below a second threshold.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of setting the pricing signal according to a budget of at least one consumer.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the pricing signal is set for an aggregate of appliances of a plurality of consumers.