Tone generating electronic device with paging module for verification of energy curtailment
First Claim
1. A curtailment module for enabling an energy provider to send a request to curtail energy use to a user, the curtailment module comprising:
- an interface for electronic communications with a temperature control device;
a paging module for receiving the request from the energy provider through a paging network;
a processor in electronic communication with the paging module for receiving the request from the paging module;
a sound component in electronic communication with the processor for outputting an audio verification;
memory in electronic communication with the processor for storing a curtailment message and history data; and
a code generator stored in the memory and executable by the processor to generate a verification code using the curtailment message and the history data as inputs, the code generator also generating the audio verification based on the verification code to verify compliance with the request, wherein a user manually communicates the audio verification to the energy provider.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A curtailment module is disclosed for enabling an energy provider to send a request to curtail energy use to a user. The curtailment module includes an interface for electronic communications with a temperature control device. A paging module is used to receive the request from the energy provider through a paging network. The curtailment module also includes a processor in electronic communication with the paging module for receiving the request from the paging module. Memory is also included and is in electronic communication with the processor for storing a curtailment message and history data. The curtailment module also includes a sound component in electronic communication with the processor for outputting an audio verification. A code generator is stored in the memory and executable by the processor to generate a verification code using the curtailment message and the history data as inputs. The code generator also generates the audio verification based on the verification code to verify whether the request was followed.
91 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A curtailment module for enabling an energy provider to send a request to curtail energy use to a user, the curtailment module comprising:
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an interface for electronic communications with a temperature control device;
a paging module for receiving the request from the energy provider through a paging network;
a processor in electronic communication with the paging module for receiving the request from the paging module;
a sound component in electronic communication with the processor for outputting an audio verification;
memory in electronic communication with the processor for storing a curtailment message and history data; and
a code generator stored in the memory and executable by the processor to generate a verification code using the curtailment message and the history data as inputs, the code generator also generating the audio verification based on the verification code to verify compliance with the request, wherein a user manually communicates the audio verification to the energy provider. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A curtailment module for enabling an energy provider to send a curtailment message to a remote structure, the curtailment module comprising:
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an interface for electronic communications with a temperature control device;
a paging module for receiving the curtailment message from the energy provider through a paging network;
a processor in electronic communication with the paging module for receiving the curtailment message from the paging module;
a sound component in electronic communication with the processor for outputting an audio verification;
memory in electronic communication with the processor for storing the curtailment message and history data;
a code generator stored in the memory and executable by the processor to generate a verification code using the curtailment message and the history data as inputs, the code generator also generating the audio verification based on the verification code, wherein a user manually communicates the audio verification to the energy provider;
a display in electronic communication with the processor for outputting information to a user; and
an input device in electronic communication with the processor for enabling the user to enter a user input. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A curtailment module for enabling an energy provider to send a curtailment message to a remote structure, the curtailment module comprising:
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means for interfacing the curtailment module with a temperature control device;
means for receiving the curtailment message from the energy provider through a paging network;
means for processing, the processing means being in electronic communication with the receiving means for receiving the curtailment message;
memory in electronic communication with the processing means, the memory being programmed with verification instructions to generate a verification code to verify compliance with the curtailment message;
means for generating an audio verification based on the verification code coupled to the processing means, wherein a user manually communicates the audio verification to the energy provider;
means for displaying information to a user coupled to the processing means; and
means for inputting by the user coupled to the processing means, the inputting means enabling the user to enter a user input. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for requesting that energy use be curtailed at a structure and for verifying curtailment, the method comprising:
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creating a curtailment message to send to the structure;
sending the curtailment message to the structure through a pager network;
receiving the curtailment message by a curtailment module at the structure;
displaying the curtailment message at the structure;
monitoring a temperature control device in electronic communication with the curtailment module;
saving history data that relates to settings from the temperature control device;
generating a verification code that verifies compliance with the curtailment message;
generating an audio verification based on the verification code, wherein a user manually communicates the audio verification to an energy provider; and
displaying the verification code at the structure for the user. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A combination temperature-control curtailment module for enabling an energy provider to send a curtailment message to a remote structure, the temperature-control curtailment module comprising:
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a temperature control module for controlling the temperature of the remote structure;
a paging module for receiving the curtailment message from the energy provider through a paging network;
a processor in electronic communication with the paging module for receiving the curtailment message from the paging module;
a sound component in electronic communication with the processor for outputting an audio verification;
memory in electronic communication with the processor for storing the curtailment message and history data;
a code generator stored in the memory and executable by the processor to generate a verification code using the curtailment message and the history data as inputs, the code generator also generating the audio verification based on the verification code, wherein a user manually communicates the audio verification to the energy provider;
a display in electronic communication with the processor for outputting information to a user; and
an input device in electronic communication with the processor for enabling the user to enter a user input. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification