System and method for energy management

• US 6,874,691 B1
• Filed: 04/10/2002
• Issued: 04/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Sponsoring Entity: EXCEL ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
• Inventors: Hildebrand, Paul N., Parsons, Philip L.
• Primary Examiner(s): NORMAN, MARC E
• Time in USPTO: 1091 Days
• Field of Search: 236/51, 621/26, 621/29, 379/102.05, 379/102.02, 379/102.03, 340/870.02, 340/870.03
• US Class Current: 236/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 : from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; protocols for network applications involving the use of web-based technology for remote control or remote monitoring H04L29/08099; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2825 : Reporting to a device located outside the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; protocols for network applications involving the use of web-based technology for remote control or remote monitoring H04L29/08099; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with telemetering systems H04M11/002
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 : Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 : Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/33 : for indoor environments, e.g. buildings
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/38 : for collecting sensor information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0219 : where the power saving management affects multiple terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0261 : managing power supply demand, e.g. depending on battery level
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 : Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

A building automation system having: a plurality of wireless remote devices, each wireless remote device including a wireless transceiver for transmitting and receiving digital information and an interface for energy management which can read a sensor, such as a temperature sensor, a flow sensor, an electronically readable gas or electric meter, or provide an output, such as a relay driver; and a controller having a wireless transceiver for digital communication with the wireless remote devices and a computer interface. Each wireless remote device includes an identifier to identify the type of interface present in the remote device and a serial number to allow the controller to communicate exclusively with any individual remote device. The controller interface allows the controller to communicate with a computer, and ultimately with a server to allow monitoring and control of the system from virtually anywhere in the world.

Claims

1. An energy management and monitoring system comprising:

a plurality of wireless remote devices located at a building, each wireless remote device including;

a first wireless transceiver configured for the transmission and reception of digital information;

a first interface for energy management or monitoring;

an identifier transmittable by said first wireless transceiver which identifies a type of said first interface; and

a unique serial number transmittable by said first wireless transceiver;

a controller located at said building, said controller in wireless communication with said plurality of wireless remote devices to monitor environmental conditions at said building and energy usage at said building, said controller being programmable to control conditions within said building based on said environmental conditions and energy usage as monitored by said plurality of wireless remote devices, said controller including;

a second wireless transceiver configured for digital communication with said first wireless transceiver; and

a second interface; and

a server in communication with said controller via said second interface to collect information regarding the environmental conditions at said building, the energy usage at said building, and the control of environmental conditions within said building, said server being in further communication with the internet such that said information can be accessed via a web browser,

wherein said controller can communicate with an individual remote device by transmitting or receiving the unique serial number of said individual wireless remote device.

2. The energy management and monitoring system of claim 1 wherein said controller further comprises computer in communication with at least one remote wireless devices to manage energy at energy consuming device.

3. The energy management and monitoring system of claim 1 wherein said second interface comprises a telephone line interface and said controller communicates with said server via a telephone connection.

4. The energy management and monitoring system of claim 3 wherein said second interface comprises a temporary connection which is periodically established over said telephone line between said controller and said server and information is collected from said plurality of remote devices and transmitted to said server via said temporary connection.

5. The energy management and monitoring system of claim 1 wherein said first interface of at least one wireless remote device of said plurality of wireless remote devices is configured to monitor a temperature sensor.

6. The energy management and monitoring system of claim 1 wherein said first interface of at least one wireless remote device of said plurality of wireless remote devices is configured to count pulses from a meter.

7. The energy management and monitoring system of claim 1 wherein said first interface of at least one wireless remote device of said plurality of wireless remote devices is configured to drive a relay.