In-store equipment remote monitoring system

• US 7,184,860 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2004
• Issued: 02/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Kawaai, Tsuyoshi, Nakajima, Hideki
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahta; Kidest
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAUGHLIN, NATHAN L
• Application Number:
  US10/764,466
• Publication Number:
  US 20040186628A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,127 Days
• Field of Search: 702/182, 700/291, 700/108, 700/143
• US Class Current: 700/291
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 in response to determined parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/14 by determining electrical parameters of the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/165 following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A monitoring system is provided for remotely monitoring in-store equipment. A controller is provided in each store for monitoring and controlling in-store equipment. A monitoring computer is connected to the controller in each store through a communication line. The controller includes data transmission means for transmitting to the monitoring computer data related to each in-store equipment and predetermined measurement data, and display means for displaying power saving advice information fed from the monitoring computer, and the monitoring computer comprising power saving advice information production means for producing power saving advice information for efficiently operating each in-store equipment on the basis of the data received from the controller, and power saving advice information transmission means for transmitting to the controller the produced power saving advice information.

Claims

1. A monitoring system for remotely monitoring in-store equipment comprising a controller provided in each store constructed and arranged to monitor and control in-store equipment and a monitoring computer connected to the controller in the store through a communication line, wherein

the controller comprises data transmission means for transmitting to the monitoring computer data related to its respective in-store equipment and predetermined measurement data, and display means for displaying power saving advice information fed from the monitoring computer, and

the monitoring computer comprises power saving advice information production means for producing power saving advice information for efficiently operating each in-store equipment on the basis of the data received from the controller, and power saving advice information transmission means for transmitting to the controller the produced power saving advice information and wherein

when the in-store equipment is illuminating equipment,

the data transmission means transmits data related to inside-store illumination set by a user and an outside-store illumination measured value from the controller to the monitoring computer, and

the power saving advice information production means comprises means for calculating, on the basis of historical data related to the outside-store illumination measured values received from the controller, historical data related to weather forecasting, and weather forecasting for tomorrow, an outside-store illumination estimated values for times during tomorrow, and means for calculating, on the basis of the obtained outside-store illumination estimated values for times during tomorrow and the set inside-store illumination data received from the controller, recommended inside-store illumination values for times during tomorrow.

2. A monitoring system for remotely monitoring in-store equipment comprising a controller provided in each store constructed and arranged to monitor and control in-store equipment and a monitoring computer connected to the controller in the store through a communication line, wherein

the controller comprises data transmission means for transmitting to the monitoring computer data related to its associated in-store equipment and predetermined measurement data, and display means for displaying power saving advice information fed from the monitoring computer, and

the monitoring computer comprises power saving advice information production means for producing power saving advice information for efficiently operating each piece of in-store equipment on the basis of the data received from the controller, and power saving advice information transmission means for transmitting to the controller the produced power saving advice information and wherein

when the in-store equipment is air conditioning equipment,

the data transmission means transmits an inside-store temperature set by a user, an inside-store temperature measured value and an outside-store temperature measured value, and a measured value of a factor affecting the inside-store temperature by equipment other than the air conditioning equipment from the controller to the monitoring computer, and

the power saving advice information production means comprises means for calculating, on the basis of historical data related to the inside-store temperature measured values, the outside-store temperature measured values, and the measured values of the factors affecting the inside-store temperature by the equipment other than the air conditioning equipment which are received from the controller, historical data related to weather forecasting, and weather forecasting for tomorrow, an inside-store temperature estimated value for each times occurring during tomorrow, and means for calculating, on the basis of the obtained inside-store temperature estimated values times during tomorrow and the set inside-store temperature received from the controller, inside-store temperature adjustment levels for times during tomorrow;

wherein

the measured value of the factor affecting the inside-store temperature by the equipment other than the air conditioning equipment is the measured value of the interior temperature of a piece of freezing equipment and/or the number of times a store door is opened or closed.