System and method for monitoring and estimating energy resource consumption

• US 7,541,941 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2007
• Issued: 06/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Itron Networked Solutions, Inc. (Itron, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Greenbox Technology Incorporated (Itron, Inc.)
• Inventors: Shindyapin, Andrei V., Boyle, Patrick J., Bogolea, Bradley D.
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, ALBERT KANG
• Application Number:
  US11/878,711
• Publication Number:
  US 20080224892A1
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 34087002-87003, 702/60, 705/412
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/18 Remote displaying of utility meter readings
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 22/063 related to remote communication
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 22/10 using digital techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• 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: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system for monitoring and estimating the consumption of energy resources in real-time. The system includes an interactive user module, a measuring unit and a wireless network. The measuring unit is interfaced to a utility meter. Optionally, the measuring unit can also function as a stand alone device. The measuring unit is further connected to the interactive user module via the wireless network. The system monitors energy resource consumption such as electricity, gas or water consumption in real-time, generates and displays graphs of energy resource consumption over user selected time periods and enables communication with at least one utility company. The system increases the users'"'"' awareness of their energy consumption and aids users in dynamic or deregulated pricing environments to shed load when the energy resource is most expensive. With knowledge of their energy use, the users can take proactive steps to control their energy consumption and save money. A method of estimating the energy resource consumption over a period of time is also provided.

Claims

1. A method of estimating the consumption of at least one energy resource, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) obtaining the energy resource consumed by at least one first device over an elapsed time period A;

(b) obtaining the average percentage of energy resource consumed by the at least one first device over the elapsed time period A;

(c) obtaining the average percentage of energy resource consumed by the at least one first device in remaining time period B;

(d) at least one second device, at least one of the at least one second device being different from at least one of the at least one first device;

(i) multiplying the average percentage of energy resource consumed in remaining time period B with the energy resource consumed over the elapsed time period A;

(ii) dividing the result obtained in step (i) with the average percentage of energy resource consumed over the elapsed time period A; and

(iii) adding the result obtained in step (ii) with the energy resource consumed over the elapsed time period A.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the elapsed time period A is obtained from a measuring unit.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the remaining time period B is obtained from a measuring unit.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the elapsed time period A and the remaining time period B are differentiated into normal days and special days.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the normal days comprise of weekdays and workdays.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the special days comprise of weekends, holidays and days off from work.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the differentiation into normal days and special days is provided by a motion sensor.