Method and apparatus for reading and controlling electric power consumption
First Claim
1. An apparatus for reading electric power consumption, comprising:
- an optical sensor for sensing indicia of electricity consumption from an electric utility meter, wherein the optical sensor obtains power for operation of the optical sensor from a serial cable coupled to the optical sensor;
a bracket having unitary body for positioning the optical sensor with respect to the electric utility meter the sensor positioned externally to a translucent cover of the electric utility meter; and
a means for mounting the bracket to the electric utility meter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electro-optical, automatic meter reader for enabling a consumer to view and manage power consumption through a browser. A sensor attached to a bracket is mounted to the outside cover of a utility meter without modification of the meter or removal of its housing. A data-collector stores data obtained from the sensor via a serial port which may also provide power for the sensor, thus avoiding use of a dedicated power supply. The data-collector connects to a computer which provides a centralized object through which to view and manage power consumption. The real-time and combined historic data can be used to forecast whether usage will fall above or below a predetermined usage level at the end of a given period of time. In response to a forecast exceeding the level, the computer displays the appropriate graph in a red colored bar within a quantity vs. time chart. The computer may control power consuming devices. A communication system may be established to the system for remote management by the consumer or by the utility company for its own billing and management purposes.
310 Citations
40 Claims
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1. An apparatus for reading electric power consumption, comprising:
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an optical sensor for sensing indicia of electricity consumption from an electric utility meter, wherein the optical sensor obtains power for operation of the optical sensor from a serial cable coupled to the optical sensor;
a bracket having unitary body for positioning the optical sensor with respect to the electric utility meter the sensor positioned externally to a translucent cover of the electric utility meter; and
a means for mounting the bracket to the electric utility meter. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An apparatus for reading electric power consumption, comprising:
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an optical sensor for sensing indicia of electricity consumption from an electric utility meter;
a bracket having unitary body for positioning the optical sensor with respect to the electric utility meter, the sensor positioned externally to a translucent cover of the electric utility meter;
a means for mounting the bracket to the electric utility meter; and
a data collector coupled to the optical sensor by a serial cable for collecting data related to electricity consumption wherein the data collector includes memory for storing data related to electricity consumption. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. An apparatus for reading electric power consumption, comprising:
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an optical sensor for sensing indicia of electricity consumption from an electric utility meter, wherein the optical sensor obtains power for operation of the optical sensor from a serial cable coupled to the optical sensor;
a bracket for positioning the optical sensor with respect to the electric utility meter, the sensor positioned externally to a translucent cover of the electric utility meter; and
means for mounting the bracket to the electric utility meter. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for monitoring and controlling power consumption comprising:
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a reader for obtaining power consumption data from an electric utility meter; and
a computer system for collecting the data from the reader wherein the computer system computes a forecast of electric power consumption for a predetermined period of time based on usage for a portion of the predetermined period of time and wherein the computer system controls an amount of power consumption by controlling a device that consumes electricity based on the forecast. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of monitoring and controlling power consumption comprising:
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reading power consumption data from an electric utility meter using an automatic reader;
collecting the data from the reader in a computer memory device;
computing a forecast of electric power consumption for a predetermined period of time based on usage for a portion of the predetermined time period using a computer system; and
controlling an amount of power consumption by the computer system controlling a device that consumes electricity based on the forecast. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A system for monitoring and controlling power consumption comprising:
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a reader for obtaining power consumption data from an electric utility meter;
a computer system for collecting the data from the reader and including a software algorithm for avoiding spurious data created by an external light; and
p1 a user interface at the computer system for accepting input from the user.- View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification