Method for zone based energy management with web browser interface

• US 8,600,564 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2013
• Issued: 12/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Allure Energy Incorporated
• Inventors: Imes, Kevin R., Hollister, James, Cottrell, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, RAMESH B
• Application Number:
  US13/773,973
• Publication Number:
  US 20130167035A1
• Time in Patent Office: 284 Days
• Field of Search: 700276-278, 700/286, 700/291, 700/295, 700/297
• US Class Current: 700/278
• 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 11/47 Responding to energy costs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/00 Control inputs relating to users or occupants
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/00 Control inputs relating to environmental factors not covered by group F24F2110/00
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/10 Weather information or forecasts
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1919 characterised by the type of controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1923 using thermal energy, the cost of which varies in function of time
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00 Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
• 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 13/0001 : using modification of a parameter of the network power signal
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 : using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00028 : involving the use of Internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 : the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 : The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 : by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• 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: Y02P 80/10 : Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 : End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/242 : Home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/244 : the home appliances being or involving heating ventilating and air conditioning [HVAC] units
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 : using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 : using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/128 : involving the use of Internet protocol

Abstract

A method of managing a site includes monitoring an activation of a proximity detection function of a plurality of sites, with each site having a first zone as a home zone and a second zone having a boundary that is away from the first zone. The method proceeds by displaying an indicator within a web-based GUI enabling each user of each site to activate and deactivate use of the proximity detection function. Each site can include multiple users associated with each respective site. The method proceeds by detecting the multiple users as being home or away using the proximity detection function and then altering an operating condition of a network device located at at least one of the plurality of sites in response to a last user of the multiple users leaving the first zone.

Claims

1. A method of managing a site, comprising:

monitoring activation of a proximity detection function of a plurality of sites, each site having a first zone as a home zone and a second zone having a boundary that is away from the first zone;

displaying an indicator within a web-based GUI enabling each user of each site to activate and deactivate use of the proximity detection function, wherein each site can include multiple users associated with each site;

detecting the multiple users as being home or away using the proximity detection function; and

altering an operating condition of a network device located at at least one of the plurality of sites in response to a last user of the multiple users leaving the first zone.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting the plurality of users being home or away based on an electronic device in possession of each of the plurality of users.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the electronic device includes a mobile device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the electronic device includes a location reporting device.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the electronic device can includes an RFID enabled device.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined by a GPS coordinate of the electronic device.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined by an IP address of a local network.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined using geofencing technology.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first zone and the boundary of the second zone are determined using geofencing.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the GUI is configured to present the operating condition of the network device located at the at least one site.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the network device located at the at least one site is a thermostat and the operating condition is a current temperature set-point.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the network device located at the at least one site is an alarm system and the operating condition is a current operating mode of the alarm system.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the network device located at the at least one site is an HVAC system and the operating condition is a current operating mode of the HVAC system.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the network device located at the site is a lighting system and the operating condition is a current operating mode of the lighting system.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a distance selector within the GUI;

detecting a distance setting of the distance selector;

determining the boundary of the second zone at a distance away from the site equal to the distance setting; and

displaying the boundary of the second zone on the GUI using the distance setting of the distance selector.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the altering the operating condition further comprises one or more of:

detecting when a last user of the plurality of users leaves the home zone;

initiating an altering of the operating condition in response to detecting the last user leaving;

detecting a first user approaching the home zone;

initiating an altering of the operating condition in response to detecting the first user approaching the home zone.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the operating condition can include:

altering lights;

arming or disarming an alarm;

enabling or disabling use of a camera;

enabling or disabling use of a smart plug;

modifying use of a thermostat;

altering the operating condition of a window shade;

decreasing energy consumption at the site.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the network device includes at least one of a personal computer, a consumer electronic device, a media device, a smart utility meter, an advanced metering infrastructure, a smart energy device, an energy display device, a home automation controller, an energy hub, a smart energy gateway, a set-top box, a digital media subscriber system, a cable modem, a fiber optic enabled communications device, a media gateway, a home media management system, a network server, an energy substation, a vehicle charging station, a renewable energy production device, a renewable energy control device, an energy storage management system, a smart appliance, an HVAC system, a water pump, a heat pump, a hot water heater, a thermostat, an energy controller, an irrigation system, a lighting system, an alarm system, a smart power outlet, an energy detection device, a power measurement device, a power measurement unit (PMU), an air handler, a wireless air damper, a humidity control system, a heat and motion sensing device, a smart power outlet, a switch router, or a wireless router.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the GUI is displayed on at least one of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, a home automation control terminal, a smart thermostat, or a PDA.

20. A method of managing a site with a server hosted graphical user interface (GUI), comprising:

detecting activation of a proximity detection function of a plurality of sites, each site having a first zone as a home zone and a second zone having a boundary that is away from the first zone;

displaying a selector to alter the proximity detection function within a web-based GUI;

enabling each user of each site to activate and deactivate use of the proximity detection function, wherein each site can include multiple users associated with each site;

displaying the selector as being activated within a mobile application;

detecting the multiple users as being home or away using the proximity detection function; and

altering an operating condition of a network device located at at least one of the plurality of sites in response to a last user of the multiple users leaving the first zone.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

detecting the plurality of users being home or away based on an electronic device in possession of each of the plurality of users.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the electronic device includes a mobile device.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the electronic device includes a location reporting device.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

displaying a graphic within the GUI presenting a current location of the mobile device with respect to the first zone and the second zone.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the electronic device includes an RFID enabled device.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined by a GPS coordinate of the electronic device.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined by an IP address of a local WIFI network.

28. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

displaying a selector to enable the proximity detection function within a mobile application of a mobile device; and

enabling location detection of the mobile device as a background process initiated by the mobile application.

29. The method of claim 20, wherein the GUI is configured to present the operating condition of the network device located at the at least one site.

30. The method of claim 20, wherein the network device includes at least one of a personal computer, a consumer electronic device, a media device, a smart utility meter, an advanced metering infrastructure, a smart energy device, an energy display device, a home automation controller, an energy hub, a smart energy gateway, a set-top box, a digital media subscriber system, a cable modem, a fiber optic enabled communications device, a media gateway, a home media management system, a network server, an energy substation, a vehicle charging station, a renewable energy production device, a renewable energy control device, an energy storage management system, a smart appliance, an HVAC system, a water pump, a heat pump, a hot water heater, a thermostat, an energy controller, an irrigation system, a lighting system, an alarm system, a smart power outlet, an energy detection device, a power measurement device, a power measurement unit (PMU), an air handler, a wireless air damper, a humidity control system, a heat and motion sensing device, a smart power outlet, a switch router, or a wireless router.