Utility monitoring systems and methods of use
First Claim
1. A utility monitoring method comprising:
- measuring an amount of a first utility consumed by a first device at a first time to determine a first utility amount consumed by the first device;
measuring an amount of a second utility, which may be the same as the first utility, consumed by a second device at a second time, which may be the same as the first time, to determine a second utility amount consumed by the second device;
identifying a relationship between the first and second devices from the relative timing of the utility consumption of the first device at the first time and the utility consumption of the second device at the second time; and
determining the identity of the first device based at least in part on the utility amounts consumed by the first and second devices at the first and second times and the relationship identified between the first and second devices,wherein the first and second devices are different appliances.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, systems, and devices for monitoring one or more utilities consumed within a monitored area. At least certain disclosed methods include detecting an amount of a first utility consumed by a load associated with a device. An amount of a second utility consumed by a load associated with the device is detected. The identity of the device is determined based on the amount of the first and second utility consumed. In further disclosed methods, a utility monitoring method is disclosed that includes measuring an amount of a utility consumed by a first device at a first time and an amount of a utility consumed by a second device at a second time. The identity of the first device is determined based on the measured consumption of the first and second devices at the first and second time. In certain implementations, the electricity meter uses an effective variance analysis of the conductance waveform on an electrical circuit to identify specific appliances.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A utility monitoring method comprising:
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measuring an amount of a first utility consumed by a first device at a first time to determine a first utility amount consumed by the first device; measuring an amount of a second utility, which may be the same as the first utility, consumed by a second device at a second time, which may be the same as the first time, to determine a second utility amount consumed by the second device; identifying a relationship between the first and second devices from the relative timing of the utility consumption of the first device at the first time and the utility consumption of the second device at the second time; and determining the identity of the first device based at least in part on the utility amounts consumed by the first and second devices at the first and second times and the relationship identified between the first and second devices, wherein the first and second devices are different appliances. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A utility monitoring method comprising:
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measuring an amount of a first utility consumed by a first device at a first time during a first use to determine a first utility amount consumed by the first device; measuring an amount of a second utility, which may be the same as the first utility, consumed by a second device at a second time during a second use to determine a second utility amount consumed by the second device, the second device being different than the first device and the second time being sequentially after the first time; and identifying a time-based relationship between the first use of the first device and the second use of the second device; and determining the identity of the second device based at least in part on the identified time-based relationship and the utility amounts consumed by the first and second devices at the first and second times, wherein the first and second devices are different appliances. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification