Utility monitoring device, system and method

• US 9,171,458 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2012
• Issued: 10/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aztech Associates Inc.
• Original Assignee: Aztech Associates Inc.
• Inventors: Salter, Geoffrey David Vincent
• Primary Examiner(s): JEANGLAUDE, JEAN BRUNER
• Application Number:
  US13/660,502
• Publication Number:
  US 20130187788A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.02, 396/351, 705/14.66, 348/61, 348/66, 359/629
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/18 Remote displaying of utility meter readings
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/002 Remote reading of utility meters
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/133 by using digital technique
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/1333 adapted for special tariff measuring
• 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: G08C 19/16 in which transmission is by pulses
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/25 using a mesh network, e.g. a public urban network such as public lighting, bus stops or traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/30 using a wired architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/43 using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/60 for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• 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

A monitoring device, system and method are provided for in-home/on-premises monitoring of usage of utilities, such as electricity and other services. The monitoring device receives information from a smart meter, and displays usage through a display, illuminating an area using a color indicative of the current cost of consumption, and varying the illuminated area at a rate indicative of a rate of consumption or other metric, the varying of the illuminated area simulating movement in the display. The display provides a consumer with “at a glance” visual information on current usage. Optionally a digital display screen provides detailed alphanumeric and graphical information, through a number of selectable display modes. One or more devices may be networked, and interface directly or indirectly with a transceiver of a smart metering system, or a retrofit transceiver for a conventional meter. Monitoring of other utilities and services may alternatively or additionally be provided.

Claims

1. A monitoring device for monitoring usage of a commodity supplied by a utility and contemporaneously displaying at least two usage metrics on a portable computing device, comprising:

a receiver for receiving information relating to at least a first of said at least two usage metrics, said first usage metric relating to present consumption rate or aggregate consumption of the commodity; and

a transmitter for transmitting said usage metrics by way of a wireless communications system to the portable computing device having a local display and a processor programmed to receive said at least two usage metrics and cause said local display to display a varying illuminated area whose colour and area variation are each indicative of a respective one of the at least two usage metrics.

2. A monitoring device according to claim 1 further comprising:

a display having a display area;

a light source for selectively illuminating at least part of the display area with light of a selected one of a plurality of colours and varying the illuminated area; and

a controller responsive to the receiver for controlling the light source to select the illumination colour and to vary the illuminated area, the colour selection and area variation each being indicative of a respective one of the at least two usage metrics.

3. A monitoring device for monitoring usage a commodity supplied by a utility in communication with a controllable light source comprising:

a receiver for receiving information relating to at least a first of two usage metrics, said first usage metric relating to present consumption rate or aggregate consumption of the commodity; and

a controller responsive to the receiver for remotely controlling a light source comprising an array of lights to select the illumination colour and to vary the illuminated area, the colour selection and area variation each being indicative of a respective one of the at least two usage metrics.

4. A software program executed on a portable computing device wirelessly coupled with a monitoring device, said monitoring device comprising:

a receiver coupled to the monitoring device for receiving information relating to at least a first of two usage metrics gathered by said monitoring device, said first usage metric relating to present consumption rate or aggregate consumption of the commodity; and

a transmitter for transmitting said usage information to the portable computing device by way of a wireless communications system; and

said portable computing device having a local display and a processor for receiving said usage information and in dependence upon said usage information causing said local display to display a varying illuminated area whose colour and area variation are each indicative of a respective one of the at least two usage metrics.

5. The portable computing device and monitoring device of claim 4 wherein said monitoring device further comprises:

a display having a display area;

a light source for selectively illuminating at least part of the display area with light of a selected one of a plurality of colours and varying the illuminated area; and

a controller responsive to the receiver for controlling the light source to select the illumination colour and to vary the illuminated area, the colour selection and area variation each being indicative of a respective one of the at least two usage metrics.

6. A machine-readable medium carrying non-transitory software which, when loaded into a portable computing device, having a display and internal processor, programs the portable computing device to receive usage information from an in-building monitoring device for in-building monitoring of usage of a commodity supplied by a utility and contemporaneously

displaying at least two usage metrics, and

communicating usage information by way of a wireless communications system to the portable computing device, and said usage information causing the local display to display a varying illuminated area whose colour and area variation are each indicative of a respective one of the at least two usage metrics the displays on screen.

7. A method for monitoring usage of a commodity supplied by a utility and contemporaneously displaying in-building at least two usage metrics, comprising:

receiving information relating to at least a first of said at least two usage metrics, said first usage metric relating to present consumption rate or aggregate consumption of the commodity; and

selectively illuminating at least part of a display area with light of a selected one of a plurality of colours and varying the illuminated area in a manner indicative of a respective one of the at least two usage metrics.