Methodology to define optimal sun position using the capability provided by smart phone technology

• US 9,325,364 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2014
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flow Control LLC (Xylem, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Flow Control LLC (Xylem, Inc.)
• Inventors: Teichmann, Keith L., Toporkov, Leonid
• Primary Examiner(s): Alam, Fayyaz
• Application Number:
  US14/208,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20140315599A1
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550.1, 455/566, 455/556.1, 455/557
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/32 specially adapted for solar tracking
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3833 Hand-held transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/80 Camera processing pipelines; Components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

A smart phone for using to optimize the energy production of a solar panel in real time by a user features a signal processor to receive GPS signaling containing information about the global position of the smart phone, and input signaling containing control information to initiate a GUI algorithm in the signal processor to determine visual and/or audio cues for a user on a proper alignment of a solar panel for optimal solar energy collection efficiency; and provide display imaging signaling from a screen of the smart phone, or audio signaling from a speaker in the smart phone containing information about the visual and/or audio cues for the user on the proper alignment of the solar panel for optimal solar efficiency, so as to enable the user to simultaneously adjust the planar orientation of the solar panel having the smart phone placed thereon, based on the visual and audio cues.

Claims

1. A method for optimizing a solar panel in real time by a user of a smart phone, comprising at least the steps of:

providing at least one command to generate input signaling to a smart phone, having a signal processor, a forward-facing camera, a forward-facing screen and a flat back surface, to initiate camera functionality in the signal processor for receiving imaging using the forward-facing camera and providing display imaging signaling from the forward-facing screen of the smart phone corresponding to the imaging received by the forward-facing camera;

placing the flat back surface of the smart phone on a flat front surface of a solar panel of a solar device;

simultaneously adjusting the planar orientation of the solar panel and the smart phone into at least two positions in order to show visual obstructions in the display imaging signaling provided from the forward-facing screen of the smart phone that may at least partly block sunlight from being received by the solar panel;

selecting a position from the at least two positions in order to minimize the visual obstructions in the display imaging signaling provided from the forward-facing screen of the smart phone that may at least partly block sunlight from being received by the solar panel; and

removing the smart phone from the solar panel so that the solar panel may receive the sunlight with minimal physical obstructions that may otherwise block the sunlight from being received by the solar panel in the position selected.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises:

receiving in the input signaling control information to initiate a digital compass algorithm in the signal processor in order to determine the direction the smart phone is pointing;

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the forward-facing screen digital compass imaging containing information about the direction the smart phone is pointing; and

simultaneously adjusting the planar orientation of the solar panel and the smart phone, based at least partly on the direction the smart phone is pointing.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises:

receiving in the input signaling control information to initiate a digital gyroscope algorithm in the signal processor in order to determine a spatial orientation of the smart phone;

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen spatial orientation imaging containing information about the spatial orientation of the smart phone;

simultaneously adjusting the planar orientation of the solar panel and the smart phone, based at least partly on the spatial orientation of the smart phone.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises:

receiving in the smart phone global positioning satellite (GPS) signaling containing information about the global position of the smart phone;

receiving in the input signaling control information to initiate an intuitive graphical user interface algorithm in the signal processor in order to determine visual and audio cues for a user on a proper alignment of the solar panel for optimal solar efficiency;

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the forward-facing screen and audio signaling generated from a speaker in the smart phone information about the visual and audio cues for the user on the proper alignment of the solar panel for optimal solar energy collection efficiency; and

simultaneously adjusting the planar orientation of the solar panel and the smart phone, based at least partly on the visual and audio cues.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the method comprises

receiving in the input signaling information about a calendar duration of a placement of the solar panel, and control information to initiate a digital gyroscope algorithm in the signal processor in order to determine a spatial orientation of the smart phone;

determining and identifying with the intuitive graphical user interface algorithm running in the signal processor a determined placement of high efficiency for the solar panel, based at least partly on the geographic location of the smart phone, the spatial orientation of the smart phone and the calendar duration of the placement of the solar panel;

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about the determined placement of the solar panel; and

simultaneously adjusting the planar orientation of the solar panel and the smart phone, based at least partly on the determined placement of the solar panel.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises:

receiving in the smart phone global positioning satellite (GPS) signaling containing information about the global position of the smart phone, and

receiving in the input signaling information about a selected time period and control information to initiate one or more celestial algorithms in the signal processor in order to determine an optimal orientation of the solar panel, based at least partly on the selected time period and a particular GPS location;

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about the optimal orientation of the solar panel; and

simultaneously adjusting the planar orientation of the solar panel and the smart phone, based at least partly on the optimal orientation of the solar panel.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises

receiving in the input signaling information about obstructions impinging on sunlight that are drawn on the screen by the user and control information to initiate a power calculating algorithm in the signal processor in order to determine a debit in power that would be generated by the solar panel due to the obstruction'"'"'s impingement on the sunlight;

and

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about the debit in power.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises:

receiving in the smart phone global positioning satellite (GPS) signaling containing information about the global position of the smart phone;

receiving in the input signaling information about one or more selected calendar dates and control information to initiate a customized power calculating algorithm in the signal processor to determine an expected power output generated by the solar panel;

receiving in the signal processor internal solar irradiation database signaling containing information about solar irradiation, and panel specification signaling containing information about panel specifications of the solar panel;

determining in the signal processor using the power calculating algorithm the expected power output generated by the solar panel, based at least partly on solar irradiation, panel specifications, geographic position, and the one or more selected calendar dates; and

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about the expected power output generated by the solar panel.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the method comprises:

receiving in the input signaling information about a current month and day, or a total time selected, or both;

determining in the signal processor using the power calculating algorithm the expected power output generated by the solar panel, based at least partly on the current month and day, or a total time selected, or both; and

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about the expected power output generated by the solar panel for the current month and day, or a total time selected, or both.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the method comprises:

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen graphs containing information about the expected power output generated by the solar panel for the current month and day, or a total time selected, or both.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises:

receiving in the input signaling information about requesting that a main menu screen be displayed having one or more icons for initiating a graphical user interface algorithm in the signal processor related to features of the graphical user interface algorithm; and

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about the main menu screen having the one or more icons.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the method comprises:

receiving in the input signaling information about a request to create, delete or edit one or more parameters related to the solar panel; and

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about a panel screen having panel screen icons for initiating the graphical user interface algorithm in the signal processor to create, delete or edit the one or more parameters related to the solar panel.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the method comprises:

receiving in the input signaling information about a request for a panel setup; and

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about a panel setup screen having panel setup screen icons for initiating the graphical user interface algorithm in the signal processor to guide a user through the panel setup for determining an optimal solar panel position, based at least partly on both local geographical coordinates and a chosen time period.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein the method comprises:

receiving in the input signaling information about a selected panel, location, orientation and period of time related to the solar panel and information for initiating a power output algorithm in the signal processor to determine an estimated power output from the solar panel;

determining in the signal processor using the power output algorithm the estimated power output from the solar panel, based at least partly on the selected panel, location, orientation and period of time; and

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about the estimated power output from the solar panel.

15. A smart phone for using to optimize the energy production of a solar panel in real time by a user comprising:

a forward-facing camera, a forward-facing screen and a flat back surface, and a signal processor or signal processing module, the signal processor or signal processing module configured at least to;

receive global positioning satellite (GPS) signaling containing information about the global position of the smart phone, and input signaling containing control information to initiate a graphical user interface algorithm in the signal processor or signal processing module for implementing camera functionality for receiving imaging using the forward-facing camera and providing corresponding display imaging signaling from the forward-facing screen corresponding to the imaging received by the forward-facing camera in order to determine visual cues, or audio cues, or both visual and audio cues for a user on a proper alignment of a solar panel for optimal solar energy collection efficiency; and

provide display imaging signaling generated from a screen of the smart phone, or audio signaling generated from a speaker in the smart phone, or both the display imaging signaling and the audio signaling, containing information about the visual cues, or the audio cues, or both the visual and audio cues, for the user on the proper alignment of the solar panel for optimal solar efficiency, so as to enable the user to simultaneously adjust the planar orientation of the solar panel having the smart phone placed thereon, based at least partly on some combination of the visual cues, or the audio cues, or both the visual and audio cues, which include the following steps;

place the flat back surface of the smart phone on a flat front surface of a solar panel of a solar device;

simultaneously adjust the planar orientation of the solar panel and the smart phone into at least two positions in order to show visual obstruction in the display imaging signaling provided from the forward-facing screen of the smart phone that may at least partly block sunlight from being received by the solar panel;

select a position from the at least two positions in order to minimize the visual obstruction in the display imaging signaling provided from the forward-facing screen of the smart phone that may at least partly block sunlight from being received by the solar panel; and

remove the smart phone from the solar panel so that the solar panel may receive the sunlight with minimal physical obstruction that may otherwise block the sunlight from being received by the solar panel in the position selected.

16. A smart phone according to claim 15, wherein the signal processor or signal processing module is configured to

receive in the input signaling information about a calendar duration of a placement of the solar panel, and information about a planar orientation of the smart phone;

determine and identify with the graphical user interface algorithm running in the signal processor a determined placement of high efficiency for the solar panel, based at least partly on the geographic location of the smart phone, the planar orientation of the smart phone and the calendar duration of the placement of the solar panel; and

provide in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about the determined placement of the solar panel in order for the user to simultaneously adjust the planar orientation of the solar panel and the smart phone, based at least partly on the determined placement of the solar panel.

17. A smart phone according to claim 15, wherein the signal processor or signal processing module is configured to

receive in the input signaling information about a selected time period and control information to initiate one or more celestial algorithms in the signal processor in order to determine an optimal orientation of the solar panel, based at least partly on the selected time period and a particular GPS location;

and

provide in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about the optimal orientation of the solar panel in order for the user to simultaneously adjust the planar orientation of the solar panel and the smart phone, based at least partly on the optimal orientation of the solar panel.

18. A smart phone according to claim 15, wherein the signal processor or signal processing module is configured to

receive in the input signaling information about obstructions impinging on sunlight that are drawn on the screen by the user and control information to initiate a power calculating algorithm in the signal processor in order to determine a debit in power that would be generated by the solar panel due to the obstruction'"'"'s impingement on the sunlight;

and

provide in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about the debit in power.

19. A smart phone according to claim 15, wherein the signal processor or signal processing module is configured to

receive in the input signaling information about one or more selected calendar dates and control information to initiate a customized power calculating algorithm for a particular solar panel in the signal processor to determine an expected power output generated by the particular solar panel;

receive in the signal processor internal solar irradiation database signaling containing information about solar irradiation, and panel specification signaling containing information about panel specifications of the particular solar panel;

determine in the signal processor using the power calculating algorithm the expected power output generated by the particular solar panel, based at least partly on solar irradiation, panel specifications, geographic position, and the one or more selected calendar dates; and

provide in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about the expected power output generated by the solar panel.

20. A smart phone according to claim 19, wherein the signal processor or signal processing module is configured to

receive in the input signaling information about a current month and day, or a total time selected, or both;

determine in the signal processor using the power calculating algorithm the expected power output generated by the solar panel, based at least partly on the current month and day, or a total time selected, or both; and

provide in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about the expected power output generated by the solar panel for the current month and day, or a total time selected, or both.

21. A smart phone according to claim 19, wherein the signal processor or signal processing module is configured to provide in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen graphs containing information about the expected power output generated by the solar panel for the current month and day, or a total time selected, or both.

22. A smart phone according to claim 15, wherein the signal processor or signal processing module is configured to

receive in the input signaling information about requesting that a main menu screen be displayed having one or more icons for initiating a graphical user interface algorithm in the signal processor related to features of the graphical user interface algorithm;

and

provide in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about the main menu screen having the one or more icons.

23. A smart phone according to claim 22, wherein the signal processor or signal processing module is configured to

receive in the input signaling information about a request to create, delete or edit one or more parameters related to the solar panel;

and

provide in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about a panel screen having panel screen icons for initiating the graphical user interface algorithm in the signal processor to create, delete or edit the one or more parameters related to the solar panel.

24. A smart phone according to claim 23, wherein the signal processor or signal processing module is configured to

receive in the input signaling information about a request for a panel setup;

and

provide in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about a panel setup screen having panel setup screen icons for initiating the graphical user interface algorithm in the signal processor to guide a user through the panel setup for determining an optimal solar panel position, based at least partly on both local geographical coordinates and a chosen time period.

25. A smart phone according to claim 23, wherein the signal processor or signal processing module is configured to

receive in the input signaling information about a selected panel, location, orientation and period of time related to the solar panel and information for initiating a power output algorithm in the signal processor to determine an estimated power output from the solar panel;

determine in the signal processor using the power output algorithm the estimated power output from the solar panel, based at least partly on the selected panel, location, orientation and period of time; and

provide in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about the estimated power output from the solar panel.

26. A smart phone according to claim 15, wherein the graphical user interface algorithm is, or forms part of, an app for the smart phone.

27. A method for using a smart phone having a forward-facing camera, a forward-facing screen and a flat back surface, and a signal processor or signal processing module to optimize the energy production of a solar panel in real time by a user, based at least partly on a flowchart or computer program algorithm for implementing signal processing comprising at least the steps of:

receiving in a smart phone global positioning satellite (GPS) signaling containing information about the global position of the smart phone, and input signaling containing control information to initiate an intuitive graphical user interface algorithm in the signal processor or signal processing module in the smart phone for implementing camera functionally for receiving imaging using the forward-facing camera and providing corresponding display imaging signaling from the forward-facing screen corresponding to the imaging received by the forward-facing camera in order to determine visual cues, or audio cues, or both visual and audio cues, for a user on a proper alignment of the solar panel for optimal solar energy collection efficiency; and

providing in display imaging signaling generated from a screen of the smart phone, or audio signaling generated from a speaker of the smart phone, or both the display imaging signaling and the audio signaling, information about the visual cues, or the audio cues, or both the visual and audio cues, for the user on the proper alignment of the solar panel for optimal solar energy collection efficiency, so as to enable the user to simultaneously adjust the planar orientation of the solar panel having the smart phone placed thereon, based at least partly on some combination of the visual cues, or the audio cues, or both the visual cues and audio cues, which include the following steps;

place the flat back surface of the smart phone on a flat front surface of a solar panel of a solar device;

simultaneously adjust the planar orientation of the solar panel and the smart phone into at least two positions in order to show visual obstruction in the display imaging signaling provided from the forward-facing screen of the smart phone that may at least partly block sunlight from being received by the solar panel;

select a position from the at least two positions in order to minimize the visual obstruction in the display imaging signaling provided from the forward-facing screen of the smart phone that may at least partly block sunlight from being received by the solar panel; and

remove the smart phone from the solar panel so that the solar panel may receive the sunlight with minimal physical obstruction that may otherwise block the sunlight from being received by the solar panel in the position selected.

28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the method comprises

receiving in the input signaling information about a calendar duration of a placement of the solar panel, and control information to initiate a digital gyroscope algorithm in the signal processor or signal processing module in order to determine a spatial orientation of the smart phone;

determining and identifying with the intuitive graphical user interface algorithm running in the signal processor a determined placement of high efficiency for the solar panel, based at least partly on the geographic location of the smart phone, the spatial orientation of the smart phone and the calendar duration of the placement of the solar panel;

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about the determined placement of the solar panel, so as to enable the user to simultaneously adjust the planar orientation of the solar panel and the smart phone, based at least partly on the determined placement of the solar panel.

29. A method according to claim 27, wherein the method comprises:

receiving in the input signaling information about a selected time period and control information to initiate one or more celestial algorithms in the signal processor or signal processing module in order to determine an optimal orientation of the solar panel, based at least partly on the selected time period and a particular GPS location;

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about the optimal orientation of the solar panel, so as to enable the user to simultaneously adjust the planar orientation of the solar panel and the smart phone, based at least partly on the optimal orientation of the solar panel.

30. A method according to claim 27, wherein the method comprises

receiving in the input signaling information about obstructions impinging on sunlight that are drawn on the screen by the user and control information to initiate a power calculating algorithm in the signal processor or signal processing module in order to determine a debit in power that would be generated by the solar panel due to the obstruction'"'"'s impingement on the sunlight;

and

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about the debit in power.

31. A method according to claim 27, wherein the method comprises:

receiving in the input signaling information about one or more selected calendar dates and control information to initiate a customized power calculating algorithm in the signal processor or signal processing module to determine an expected power output generated by the solar panel;

receiving in the signal processor or signal processing module internal solar irradiation database signaling containing information about solar irradiation, and panel specification signaling containing information about panel specifications of the solar panel;

determining in the signal processor or signal processing module using the power calculating algorithm the expected power output generated by the solar panel, based at least partly on solar irradiation, panel specifications, geographic position, and the one or more selected calendar dates; and

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about the expected power output generated by the solar panel.

32. A method according to claim 31, wherein the method comprises:

receiving in the input signaling information about a current month and day, or a total time selected, or both;

determining in the signal processor or signal processing module using the power calculating algorithm the expected power output generated by the solar panel, based at least partly on the current month and day, or a total time selected, or both; and

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about the expected power output generated by the solar panel for the current month and day, or a total time selected, or both.

33. A method according to claim 32, wherein the method comprises:

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen graphs containing information about the expected power output generated by the solar panel for the current month and day, or a total time selected, or both.

34. A method according to claim 27, wherein the method comprises:

receiving in the input signaling information about requesting that a main menu screen be displayed having one or more icons for initiating a graphical user interface algorithm in the signal processor or signal processing module related to features of the graphical user interface algorithm; and

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about the main menu screen having the one or more icons.

35. A method according to claim 34, wherein the method comprises:

receiving in the input signaling information about a request to create, delete or edit one or more parameters related to the solar panel; and

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about a panel screen having panel screen icons for initiating the graphical user interface algorithm in the signal processor to create, delete or edit the one or more parameters related to the solar panel.

36. A method according to claim 35, wherein the method comprises:

receiving in the input signaling information about a request for a panel setup; and

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about a panel setup screen having panel setup screen icons for initiating the graphical user interface algorithm in the signal processor to guide a user through the panel setup for determining an optimal solar panel position, based at least partly on both local geographical coordinates and a chosen time period.

37. A method according to claim 35, wherein the method comprises:

receiving in the input signaling information about a selected panel, location, orientation and period of time related to the solar panel and information for initiating a power output algorithm in the signal processor to determine an estimated power output from the solar panel;

determining in the signal processor or signal processing module using the power output algorithm the estimated power output from the solar panel, based at least partly on the selected panel, location, orientation and period of time; and

providing in the display imaging signaling generated from the screen information about the estimated power output from the solar panel.