SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATION AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT

• US 20140125150A1
• Filed: 12/19/2013
• Published: 05/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Green Edge Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Green Edge Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: ALBERTH, William P. Jr., CHAU, Seang Yong, HARTSFIELD, David K., STEELE, Scott A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,337,663 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/126
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25168 Domotique, access through internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2639 Energy management, use maximum of cheap power, keep peak load low
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc

Abstract

A building automation system including a controller, at least one outlet for providing electrical energy to one or more electrical devices, at least one sensor for detecting one or more characteristics of the electrical devices, and a communication link configured to allow communication between the controller and other components of the system, wherein the controller is configured to control (e.g., interrupt, change, adjust, terminate, increase, and/or meter) the supply of power to the at least one outlet based, in part, on one or more characteristics of the electrical device.

Claims

1-30. -30. (canceled)

31. A controller, comprising:

an outlet for providing electrical energy to an electrical device when the electrical device is received in the outlet; and

a sensor configured to detect at least one characteristic of the electrical device;

wherein, based on the detected at least one characteristic of the electrical device, the controller is configured to determine an identity or type of the electrical device and whether the electrical device is drawing electrical energy from the outlet; and

wherein, based on the identity or type of the electrical device and a quantity of electrical energy the electrical device is drawing from the outlet, the controller is configured to control delivery of electrical energy from the outlet.

32. The controller of claim 31, wherein the electrical device is a charger for a portable battery.

33. The controller of claim 31, wherein the sensor is disposed within the outlet.

34. The controller of claim 31, wherein the at least one characteristic is one of electrical noise generated by the electrical device and power consumption of the electrical device.

35. The controller of claim 31, wherein controlling delivery of electrical energy from the outlet includes permitting uninterrupted delivery of electrical energy from the outlet and terminating delivery of electrical energy from the outlet.

36. The controller of claim 31, further comprising a motion sensor configured to detect motion in a vicinity of one of the outlet and the electrical device.

37. A method of controlling delivery of electrical energy to a charger for a rechargeable battery, the method comprising:

monitoring delivery of electrical energy from the outlet to the charger to determine whether the charger is consuming electrical energy at a first level corresponding to the charger charging the rechargeable battery or a second level corresponding to the rechargeable battery achieving a charged state; and

terminating delivery of electrical energy to the charger when electrical energy consumption of the charger reaches the second level.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

detecting at least one characteristic of the charger, wherein the at least one characteristic includes electrical noise generated by the charger and power consumption of the charger.

39. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

re-enabling delivery of electrical energy to the charger a predetermined period of time following the step of terminating delivery of electrical energy to the charger.

40. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

receiving a signal from a motion sensor; and

based on the signal from the motion sensor, re-enabling delivery of electrical energy to the charger.

41. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

periodically re-enabling delivery of electrical energy to the charger following the step of terminating delivery of electrical energy to the charger.

42. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

tracking a time the rechargeable battery is uncoupled from the charger.

43. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

re-enabling delivery of electrical energy to the charger a period of time prior to an anticipated time the rechargeable battery will be uncoupled from the charger, wherein the anticipated time is based on the tracked time.

44. A method of controlling delivery of electrical energy, the method comprising:

monitoring delivery of electrical energy from an outlet to an electrical device, wherein the outlet includes a sensor for detecting at least one characteristic of the electrical device;

determining whether the electrical device is a charger for a rechargeable battery, wherein the determination is based on the at least one characteristic of the electrical device;

monitoring delivery of electrical energy from the outlet to the charger to determine whether the charger is consuming electrical energy at a first level corresponding to the charger charging the rechargeable battery or a second level corresponding to the rechargeable battery achieving a charged state; and

terminating delivery of electrical energy to the charger when electrical energy consumption of the charger reaches the second level.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the at least one characteristic includes electrical noise generated by the charger and power consumption of the charger.

46. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

re-enabling delivery of electrical energy to the charger a predetermined period of time following the step of terminating delivery of electrical energy to the charger.

47. The method of claim 44, further comprising;

receiving a signal from a sensor; and

based on the signal from the sensor, re-enabling delivery of electrical energy to the charger.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the sensor is a motion sensor.

49. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

periodically re-enabling delivery of electrical energy to the charger following the step of terminating delivery of electrical energy to the charger.

50. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

tracking a time the rechargeable battery is uncoupled from the charger;

predicting a future time the rechargeable battery will be uncoupled from the charger; and

re-enabling delivery of electrical energy to the charger a period of time prior to the predicted future time the rechargeable battery will be uncoupled from the charger.