Method and apparatus for a voice-prompted electrical hookup

• US 9,202,383 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2009
• Issued: 12/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Power Monitors, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Power Monitors, Inc.
• Inventors: Curt, Walter, Mullins, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Yip, Jack
• Application Number:
  US12/396,181
• Publication Number:
  US 20090226869A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,465 Days
• Field of Search: 434/224, 340/635, 361/88, 361/224
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/2513 Arrangements for monitoring electric power systems, e.g. power lines or loads; Logging
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/67 Testing the correctness of wire connections in electric apparatus or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/69 of terminals at the end of a cable or a wire harness; of plugs; of sockets, e.g. wall sockets or power sockets in appliances
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/186 for digital electronics; for computers, e.g. microprocessors
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/04 with audible presentation of the material to be studied sound recording or reproducing G11B
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/56 characterised by the condition upon which the selective controlling is based
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving

Abstract

A method and system for connecting monitoring equipment is provided. A user is provided with instant voice feedback as they are connecting monitoring equipment. Such feedback can reduce or eliminate confusing hookup instructions and enable the user to use both hands to safely connect the equipment without the distraction of looking at hard-to-read probe markings or connection labels. The use of a voice output reduces or avoids problems of poor visibility and reduced hearing in typical industrial environments, using arc flash safety gear.

Claims

1. A method of connecting a monitoring device to an electrical system comprising:

determining from among a plurality of connection configurations, a connection configuration based on a received input, the connection configuration identifying a plurality of connections between the electrical system and a plurality of voltage probes and a plurality of current probes of the monitoring device, wherein the connections are made to a live voltage of the electrical system;

prompting a user to make one of the plurality of connections between the monitoring device and the electrical system;

determining that the one of the plurality of connections is incorrectly made; and

determining, responsive to determining that the one of the plurality of connections is incorrectly made, whether the connection configuration can be acceptably reconfigured, and if the connection configuration cannot be acceptably reconfigured, providing feedback to the user, the feedback being transmitted to a communicatively coupled voice output unit that outputs audio feedback including (i) identification of the incorrectly made connection and (ii) identification of a proper connection to correct the incorrect connection.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a controller determines whether to provide the feedback to the user.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the voice output unit is in communication with the controller.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the audio feedback includes at least a portion of voice feedback.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the voice output unit and the controller are in wireless communication.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the controller transmits voice feedback to the voice output unit using frequency modulation broadcasts.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising reconfiguring the connection configuration if the connection configuration can be acceptably reconfigured.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein if the one of the plurality of connections is made incorrectly, determining whether an error history satisfies a condition with a controller that is in communication with the monitoring device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein if the error history satisfies the condition, automatically establishing live communication between the user and a helper.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein if the connection configuration can be acceptably reconfigured, reconfiguring the connection configuration and providing feedback including a notification that a correct connection was made between the monitoring device and the electrical system.

11. A system for connecting a monitoring device to an electrical system, the system comprising:

at least one monitoring device comprising a plurality of voltage probes and a plurality of current probes, wherein the monitoring device is operable to couple with a portion of at least one electrical system; and

at least one controller, the controller storing a plurality of connection configuration instructions for properly coupling the at least one monitoring device with the portion of the at least one electrical system, the controller being configured to;

select a set of connection configuration instructions from the plurality of connection configuration instructions based on a received input,

determine that one of a plurality of connections is incorrectly made, and

determine whether the connection configuration can be acceptably reconfigured;

wherein the controller is in communication with the monitoring device to receive at least one connection detection signal from the monitoring device based on at least one connection between the monitoring device and the portion of the at least one electrical system,

wherein the connection is made to a live voltage of the electrical system, and

wherein when the connection configuration cannot be acceptably reconfigured, the controller transmits feedback to a communicatively coupled connection notification unit that outputs audio feedback including (i) identification of the incorrectly made connection and (ii) identification of a proper connection to correct the incorrect connection.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the controller provides at least one notification of at least one improper connection between the at least one monitoring device and the at least one portion of the at least one electrical system based on the received at least one connection detection signal.

13. The system of claim 12, connection notification unit in communication with the controller.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the connection notification unit is a voice output unit in communication with the controller and the at least one notification is voice feedback.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the controller and the voice output unit are in wireless communication.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the monitoring device and the controller are in wireless communication.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the controller transmits at least some voice feedback to a voice output unit using frequency modulation broadcasts.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to:

filter at least some of the sets of connection configuration instructions based on a second received input of a second identifier provided by the electrical system; and

prompt the user to select the set of connection configuration instructions from among the filtered sets of connection configuration instructions.

19. A device for providing instructions on how to properly connect a monitoring device to at least one electrical system, the device comprising:

a controller configured to be coupled to a monitoring device that is operable to couple with a portion of at least one electrical system through a plurality of voltage probes and a plurality of current probes, wherein the controller stores a plurality of configuration instructions for properly coupling the monitoring device with the portion of the at least one electrical system, detects at least one connection between the monitoring device and the portion of the at least one electrical system, and determines whether the at least one connection is made correctly or incorrectly according to the configuration instructions, wherein the connection is made to a live voltage of the electrical system, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the configuration can be acceptably reconfigured if the at least one connection is made incorrectly and whether an error history satisfies a condition if the at least one connection is made incorrectly; and

a connection notification unit coupled to the controller, wherein the connection notification unit receives at least one connection instruction from the controller, provides the at least connection instruction to a user, and automatically establishes live communication between the user and a helper responsive to the error history satisfying the condition.