Added features of HEM/HEG using GPS technology

• US 8,798,804 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2011
• Issued: 08/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Besore, John K., Beverle, Michael, Worthington, Timothy, Kurfess, Elizabeth
• Primary Examiner(s): BARNES-BULLOCK, CRYSTAL JOY
• Application Number:
  US12/985,387
• Publication Number:
  US 20120179547A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,307 Days
• Field of Search: 700/275, 700/276, 700/278, 700/286, 700/291, 700/295, 700/296, 700/302, 700/11, 700/22, 700/297, 715/700, 715/733, 715/744, 715/745, 715/741, 715/742, 715/747, 340/500, 340/531, 340/539.1, 340/539.22, 340/539.23, 340/1.1, 340/5.1, 340/5.2, 340/5.74, 340/13.2, 340/13.24, 340/13.25, 340/539.11, 340/539.13, 340/539.14, 340/539.26, 340/539.3, 340/686.1, 340/686.6, 236/51, 4554141-4143, 701/400, 701/408, 701/521
• US Class Current: 700/296
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/395 Information to users, e.g. alarms
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/414 using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/457 using telephone networks or Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/2007 for water heaters
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing

Abstract

A GPS-based energy management system for a home network is provided that includes a plurality of energy consuming devices. The system comprises a central controller operatively connected to each energy consuming device, and one or more GPS-enabled devices configured to communicate with the central controller. The central controller is programmed to modify the behavior of the energy consuming devices based on the location of at least one member of a home network.

Claims

1. A method of managing a home energy management system based on the location of at least one member of a home network, said energy management system comprising a network of energy consuming devices and a central controller operatively connected to said energy consuming devices, said method comprising:

communicatively coupling a GPS-enabled device to said central controller;

determining the location of said at least one member using the GPS-enabled device;

communicating the location of said at least one member to said central controller;

operating one or more energy consuming devices according to a pre-programmed schedule when designated location criteria is met;

monitoring, through a track mode, the movements and real-time location of said at least one member; and

displaying said real-time location on a display.

2. A GPS-based energy management system for a home network comprising a plurality of energy consuming devices, said system comprising:

a central controller operatively connected to each energy consuming device;

one or more GPS-enabled devices configured to communicate with said central controller, wherein said central controller is programmed to modify the behavior of the energy consuming devices based on the location of at least one member of a home network; and

a tracking mode programmed to monitor the movements and real-time location of said at least one member and display said real-time location on a display.

3. The GPS-based energy management system of claim 2, wherein said GPS-enabled device comprises one or more of a mobile phone, computer, vehicle, and standalone GPS navigation device.

4. The GPS-based energy management system of claim 2, wherein the controller is programmed with one or more behavior modification schedules based on pre-programmed location criteria for said at least one member.

5. The GPS-based energy management system of claim 4, wherein said one or more behavior modification schedules require confirmation by at least one member of said at least one member of the home network prior to initiating.

6. The GPS-based energy management system of claim 4, wherein said one or more behavior modification schedules comprise one or more of a vacation mode, work mode, local travel mode, and school mode.

7. The GPS-based energy management system of claim 4, wherein said one or more behavior modification schedules are manually cancellable.

8. The GPS-based energy management system of claim 4, wherein at least one of said one or more behavior modification schedules initiates automatically when the location criteria is satisfied.

9. The GPS-based energy management system of claim 4, wherein said pre-programmed location criteria comprises travel schedules to and from daily destinations, including one or more of school, work, travel, and social functions.

10. The GPS-based energy management system of claim 4, wherein said one or more behavior modification schedules comprise one or more of:

(i) shutting off, turning on, lowering, and increasing water supply;

(ii) turning off, starting, increasing, and lowering water heater setpoint temperature;

(iii) turning off and turning on a home'"'"'s hydrocarbon fuel supply;

(iv) dimming and extinguishing some or all lights inside/outside a home;

(v) turning on some or all lights inside/outside a home;

(vi) shutting off, turning on, and adjusting household energy consuming devices;

(vii) closing and opening a garage door;

(viii) activating and deactivating a home security system; and

(ix) lowering and increasing a household thermostat setting.

11. The GPS-based energy management system of claim 4, wherein said one or more GPS-enabled devices is configured to provide said central controller with an estimated arrival time for at least one member of said at least one member of the home network.

12. The GPS-based energy management system of claim 11, wherein said one or more behavior modification schedules are programmed to initiate when at least one member of said at least one member of the home network is within the estimated arrival time.

13. The GPS-based energy management system of claim 2, wherein said behavior modification comprises at least one of:

(i) shutting off, turning on, lowering, and increasing water supply;

(ii) turning off, starting, increasing, and lowering water heater setpoint temperature;

(iii) turning off and turning on a home'"'"'s hydrocarbon fuel supply;

(iv) dimming and extinguishing some or all lights inside or outside a home;

(v) turning on some or all lights inside or outside a home;

(vi) shutting off, turning on, and adjusting household energy consuming devices;

(vii) closing and opening a garage door;

(viii) activating and deactivating a home security system; and

(ix) lowering and increasing a household thermostat setting.