Method and apparatus for reading and controlling electric power consumption

• US 7,263,450 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Issued: 08/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TrendPoint Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Robert R. Hunter
• Inventors: Hunter, Robert R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Raymond; Edward
• Application Number:
  US10/481,611
• Publication Number:
  US 20050096857A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,887 Days
• Field of Search: 702/188, 702182-185, 702/99, 702 64- 69, 324/76.11, 705/412
• US Class Current: 702/65
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/008 Modifications to installed utility meters to enable remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/133 by using digital technique
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 22/063 related to remote communication
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00001 characterised by the display of information or by user interaction, e.g. supervisory control and data acquisition systems [SCADA] or graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/12 The local stationary network supplying a household or a building
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/008 involving trading of energy or energy transmission rights
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/10 Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid

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.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring and controlling power consumption comprising:

a predetermined level of power consumption; and

at least one power consuming device and;

a reader for obtaining power consumption data from the power consuming device; and

a computer system for providing information on what devices are presently consuming power, the rate of power that is being consumed by each device and, the ability to control the power consumption of each device wherein the computer system is used to forecast the rate of power consumption of each device and to automatically manage each device in such a manner that the predetermined level of power consumption is attained, wherein the optimization schedule is prepared from operating parameters as provided by the manufacturer.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the computer system is used to manually manage the rate of power consumption.

3. The system according to claim 1 where the computer system is used to automatically manage the rate of power consumption.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined level of power consumption is set to allow for the full utilization of non-premium power.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein the control of power consuming devices may be effected remotely.

6. The system according to claim 5 wherein the remote communication is via the Internet.

7. The system according to claim 5 wherein the local communication is via wireless means.

8. The system according to claim 5 wherein the remote communication is via wireless means.

9. A method for monitoring and controlling power consumption comprising:

choosing a predetermined level of power consumption; and

using at least one power consuming device; and

reading power consumption data from an automatic reader to obtain power consumption data from at least one power consuming device; and

determining which devices are presently consuming power, the rate of power that is being consumed by each device and, the ability to control the power consumption for each device using a computer system wherein the computer system is used to forecast the rate of power consumption of each device and to manage each device in such a manner that the predetermined level of power consumption is attained, wherein the predetermined level of power consumption is prepared from operating parameters as provided by the manufacturer.

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the computer system is used to manually manage the rate of power consumption.

11. The method according to claim 9 where the computer system is used to automatically manage the rate of power consumption.

12. The method according to claim 9 wherein the predetermined level of power consumption is set to allow for the full utilization of non-premium power.

13. The method according to claim 9 wherein the control of power consuming devices may be effected remotely.

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein the remote communication is via the Internet.

15. The method according to claim 13 wherein the local communication is via wireless means.

16. The method according to claim 13 wherein the remote communication is via wireless means.

17. A system for optimizing the utilization of power consuming devices comprising:

at least one power consuming device;

a predetermined rate of power consumption based on an optimization schedule;

a reader for obtaining power consumption data from the power consuming device; and

a computer system that is used in the control of the one or more power consuming devices in such a manner in which the devices are controlled to achieve the expected optimized level of power consumption, wherein the optimization schedule is prepared from operating parameters as provided by the manufacturer.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the optimization schedule is used to create an optimized level of power consumption that is maximized for the purposes of minimizing cost for the, at least one, device.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the device is an air conditioning unit.

20. The device according to claim 18, wherein the device is supported by a UPS unit.

21. The system according to claim 17, wherein the optimization schedule is used to create an optimized level of power consumption that is minimized for the purpose of power conservation for the, at least one, device.