System and method for monitoring lighting systems

• US 6,535,859 B1
• Filed: 12/03/1999
• Issued: 03/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Global Lighting Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Ultrawatt Energy Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Notarianni, Joseph C., Russell, Clarence W., Yablonowski, Timothy M., Riera, Orlando M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kramer, Dean J.
• Application Number:
  US09/454,775
• Time in Patent Office: 1,201 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14, 705/30, 705/34, 705/412, 702/57, 702/58, 702/60-62, 340/870.01, 340/870.02, 340/870.05, 340/870.06
• US Class Current: 705/412
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0234 Rebates after completed purchase
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply

Abstract

A method and system for charging a fee to an end user where a service company services a lighting system of the end user'"'"'s facility. To determine the fee, an original power consumption of the facility is determined before the lighting system is retrofitted with at least one power savings device. Thereafter, the lighting system is retro-fitted with the at least one power saving device. Then, a new power consumption is measured of the facility. Finally, the fee is charged to the end user, such that the fee is a function of a difference between the original power consumption and the new power consumption.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring energy consumption of a lighting system, the method comprising:

a) controlling power consumption of the lighting system with a lighting control unit connected with the lighting system;

b) producing power consumption data;

c) transferring said power consumption data via a data transfer line to a control center;

d) receiving said power consumption data at a server located at said control center;

e) determining a total energy usage;

f) calculating a fee as a function of said total energy usage; and

g) retrofitting the lighting system with a power savings device, such that said fee is calculated as a function of the difference between said total energy usage as measured before and after said power savings device is retrofitted to the lighting system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein c) comprises transferring via electronic-mail.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein c) comprises transferring via an internet service provider.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein b) comprises producing at least one alarm signal as a function of the occurrence of a system fault, c) comprises transferring said alarm signal via a data transfer line to said control center, and d) comprises receiving said alarm signal at a server located at said control center.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein c) further comprises transferring data from said server to separate accounting processors for separate facility locations.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing a) through c) at a first facility location; and

performing a) through c) at a second facility location, wherein d) comprises receiving said power consumption data at said server located at said control center for both said first facility location and said second facility location.

7. A system for monitoring energy consumption of a lighting system, the system comprising:

a) a lighting control unit connected with the lighting system to control power consumption of the lighting system;

b) a power meter to produce power consumption data;

c) a data transfer line to transfer said power consumption data to a control center;

d) at least one server located at said control center to receive said power consumption data; and

e) a processor, such that a total energy usage is determined and said processor calculates a fee charged by a service provider to an end user as a function of the difference between said total energy usage as measured before and after a power savings device is added to the lighting system.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein c) is performed via electronic-mail.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said lighting control unit produces at least one alarm signal as a function of the occurrence of a system fault, c) transfers said alarm signal to said control center, and d) receives said power consumption data.

10. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

a) through c) located at a first facility location; and

a) through c) located at a second facility location, wherein d) receives said power consumption data at said control center for both said first facility location and said second facility location.

11. The system of claim 10, furthering comprising separate accounting processors for each of said first facility location and said second facility location.

12. A method for maintaining a lighting system which includes lighting circuitry, the method comprising:

monitoring the lighting circuitry of at least one customer;

producing at least one alarm signal as a function of the occurrence of a system fault;

transferring said alarm signal via a data transfer line to a control center;

receiving said alarm signal at a server located at said control center;

coordinating service to the lighting circuitry when said alarm signal indicates that a fault exists with the lighting system;

determining a total energy usage of the lighting system;

calculating a fee as a function of said total energy usage; and

retrofitting the lighting system with a power savings device, such that said fee is calculated as a function of the difference between said total energy usage as measured before and after said power savings device is retrofitted to the lighting system.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said control center is located remote from said lighting circuits.

14. The method of claim 12, further including transferring said alarm signal to said control center via electronic-mail.

15. A system for maintaining a lighting system which includes lighting circuitry, the system comprising:

at least one monitor to monitor the lighting circuitry of at least one customer and to produce at least one alarm signal as a function of the occurrence of a system fault;

a data transfer line to transfer said alarm signal line to a control center;

a server to receive said alarm signal at said control center;

at least one operator to coordinate service to the lighting circuitry when said alarm signal indicates that a fault exists with the lighting system; and

a processor to determine a total energy usage of the lighting system and calculate a fee as a function of the difference between said total energy usage as measured before and after a power savings device is retrofitted to the lighting system.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said control center is located remote from said lighting circuits.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said alarm signal is transferred to said control center via electronic-mail.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein said alarm signal is transferred to said control center via an internet service provider.