Home Energy Management Device With Energy Management Indicator

• US 20130238160A1
• Filed: 04/17/2013
• Published: 09/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Imes, Kevin R., Hollister, James
• Application Number:
  US13/865,000
• Publication Number:
  US 20130238160A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/296
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/67 Switching between heating and cooling modes
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/70 Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/75 for maintaining constant air flow rate or air velocity
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/79 for controlling the direction of the supplied air
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/88 Electrical aspects, e.g. circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/00 Control inputs relating to air properties
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/00 Control inputs relating to environmental factors not covered by group F24F2110/00
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/10 Weather information or forecasts
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/00 Control of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1904 : variable in time
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 : using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/66 : Regulating electric power
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 : Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 : Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 : Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 : Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2816 : Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station; in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom H04Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 : from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2825 : Reporting to a device located outside the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with telemetering systems H04M11/002
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 : Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/08 : Monitoring or testing based on specific metrics, e.g. QoS, energy consumption or environmental parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/105 : Multiple levels of security
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 : in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/141 : Setup of application sessions admission control or resource allocation in data switching networks H04L47/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/10 : Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 : Photovoltaic [PV]
• 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: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 : Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/76 : Power conversion electric or electronic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 : Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 : End-user application control systems

Abstract

According to an aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus includes a processor operable to manage energy use at a site wherein the processor is configured to detect a user interaction with the apparatus and create a personalized schedule automatically in response to the user interaction. The apparatus can also include a first profile accessible to the processor, wherein the first profile includes a first personalized schedule, and a second profile accessible to the processor, wherein the second profile is different from the first profile and includes a second personalized schedule. In addition, the processor can be configured to determine when to use the first profile or the second profile, initiate an outgoing message using the first or second personalized schedule, and update the first or second profile in response to a user interaction with an interface of the apparatus during use of the first or second personalized schedule.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a housing, including a display screen;

a processor configured to receive a plurality of remote inputs associated with current energy use; and

encoded logic configured to be used by the processor to process the plurality of remote inputs and to display an energy savings indicator on the display screen in response to the plurality of remote inputs.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of remote inputs are received from a smart meter.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of remote inputs include a current energy price.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of remote inputs include current energy usage.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to be disposed at a residential site.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of remote inputs are received from a mobile device or a web-based application.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of remote inputs are an adjusted set-point of a network device at a site.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to compare the adjusted set-point to a current set point of the network device and determine an estimated cycle time to achieve the adjusted set-point.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to display the energy savings indicator based on the estimated cycle time.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the processor stores an actual cycle time to achieve the adjusted set-point.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the processor uses the actual cycle time in determining an estimated cycle time for a subsequent adjusted set-point.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a wireless communication module configured to receive the plurality of remote inputs.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to compare a current energy price to an energy price set point and display the energy savings indicator in response to the current energy price relative to the energy price set point.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured to compare a current energy price to an energy price set point and generate a control action in response to the current energy price relative to the energy price set point.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the processor is configured to communicate the control action to a network device disposed at a site.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein the network device is one of or a part of one of the following:

a tablet, a smart phone, an energy management system, an energy management device, a personal computer, a consumer electronic device, a media device, a smart utility meter, an advanced metering infrastructure, a smart energy device, an energy display device, a home automation controller, an energy hub, a smart energy gateway, a set-top box, a digital media subscriber system, a cable modem, a broadband communication device, a fiber optic enabled communications device, a media gateway, a home media management system, a media server, a network server, a network storage device, a wireless speaker, a retail energy provider'"'"'s server, a wholesale energy provider'"'"'s server, a COOP energy provider'"'"'s server, a retail business server, a commercial site server, an industrial site server, a multi-residential site server, a temporary lodging server, a hotel server, a motel server, a condominium server, a utility provider'"'"'s server, which can include waste, water, power or combinations thereof, an energy substation, a news media server, a weather server, an advertisement server or service provider, a network radio server or service provider, a network media server or service provider, a music server or server provider, a search engine server or service provider, an information server or service provider, a wireless information network device, a vehicle charging station, a renewable energy production device, a renewable energy control device, an energy storage management system, a smart appliance, an HVAC system, a water pump, a heat pump, a hot water heater, a thermostat (TSTAT), an energy controller, an irrigation system, a lighting system, an alarm system, a smart power outlet, an energy detection device, a garage door opening system or device, a power management device, a power measurement unit (PMU), an air handler, a wireless air damper, a humidity control system, a heat and motion sensing device, a smart power outlet, a switch router, a wireless router, an automobile or transportation device, or a network communication device.

17. A device, comprising:

a housing, including a display screen;

a processor configured to receive data from a smart meter; and

encoded logic configured to be used by the processor to process the data and to display an energy savings indicator on the display screen in response to the data.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the data includes information about a current energy price.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the data includes information about current energy usage.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the data includes information about an adjusted set-point of a network device at a site.

21. The device of claim 17, further comprising:

a wireless communication module configured to receive the data from the smart meter.

22. The device of claim 18, wherein the processor is configured to compare the current energy price to an energy price set point and display the energy savings indicator in response to the current energy price relative to the energy price set point.

23. The device of claim 18, wherein the processor is configured to compare the current energy price to an energy price set point and generate a control action in response to the current energy price relative to the energy price set point.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured to communicate the control action to a network device associated with the device.

25. A device, comprising:

a round housing, including a display screen capable of displaying setting information and an energy savings icon;

a processor configured to receive a plurality of inputs, the plurality of inputs including settings information received from interactions with the housing;

encoded logic configured to be used by the processor to process the plurality of inputs and further configured to determine a schedule based on the plurality of inputs of the setting information;

the encoded logic further configured to display the energy savings icon with the determined schedule.

26. The device of claim 25 wherein the determined schedule includes displaying setpoints determined using the plurality of inputs, the schedule further configured to be altered by a remote input from a mobile application or web-based server application.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the plurality of inputs are an increase or decrease in the set-point

28. The device of claim 26, wherein the remote input from the mobile application or the web-based server application is an increase or a decrease in the set-point.

29. The device of claim 25, wherein the processor has access to an away schedule and wherein the processor is further configured to:

implement the away schedule based on a detection of a user being away from the device.

30. The device of claim 26, wherein the plurality of inputs include sensed information regarding the presence of a user at the site;

wherein the encoded logic is configured to alter the determined schedule based on the sensed information.