Method and system for utilizing a device's user location to monitor and control the device power usage

• US 9,342,125 B1
• Filed: 08/27/2013
• Issued: 05/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BCP Controls, LLC
• Original Assignee: BCP Controls, LLC
• Inventors: Fitch, John Edward, Steward, James Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Michael J
• Application Number:
  US14/011,565
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 713/300, 713/320, 713/323, 713/340
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2639 Energy management, use maximum of cheap power, keep peak load low
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/28 Supervision thereof, e.g. detecting power-supply failure by out of limits supervision
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/325 Power saving in peripheral device
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications

Abstract

The invention pertains to a method and system which monitors attached energy device(s) utilization and allows or inhibits power based on the individual device'"'"'s user or users current location relative to the device'"'"'s point of use, the device'"'"'s effective use range and user based rules. This invention is intended to allow end users to automatically control energy using devices based on the user'"'"'s real time movement relative to the device in household, workplace, or commercial settings. The energy utilizing device may be either a plug-load, switched-load, or sensor controlled device.

Claims

1. An autonomous system for managing power distribution to an electrically-powered device comprising:

a power controller module, said power controller module including power input means, power output means, and intervening, operably connected, integral power switching means,

said integral power switching means being configured for actuation by an integral power management module operably connected with said integral power switching means, said integral power management module including integral actuation signal detection and actuation means configured for, in accordance with commands and operational parameters, upon detection of an actuating signal, actuating said integral power switching means to alter power output through said power output means from a first power output level to a second power output level;

said integral power control module having integral, operably integrated memory means for non-volatile storing all of said commands and operational parameters for effecting said altering of said power output through said power output means, said memory means being operably connected with said integral actuation signal detection and actuation means;

an active RFID transmitter, said RFID transmitter being configured for substantially, continuously repetitive transmitting of a said actuation signal;

wherein said active RFID transmitter and said integral actuation signal detection and actuation means are respectively configured for transmitting of, and actuation by an actuation signal, said actuation signal including an identification component for identifying a said actuating signal as a said actuation signal; and

wherein said integral actuation signal detection and actuation means is configured for, upon detecting signals that are other than actuation signals, reacting other than in response to a said actuation signal.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said integral power switching means is configured for governing current flow from said power input means to said power output means and a plurality of intermediate power output levels between substantially, fully terminated power flow to substantially, fully unrestricted power flow.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said integral power management module is further includes integral network communications interface means, and wherein said power management module is further configured for receiving, through said network communications interface means, said commands and operational.

4. Method for managing power distribution to an electrically-powered device through use of modular, autonomously operable controller-device assemblies comprising the steps of:

selecting a power controller module, said power controller module including power input means, power output means, and intervening, operably connected, integral power switching means,

said integral power switching means being configured for actuation by an integral power management module operably connected with said integral power switching means, said integral power management module including integral actuation signal detection and actuation means configured for, in accordance with commands and operational parameters, upon detection of an actuating signal, actuating said integral power switching means to alter power output through said power output means from a first power output level to a second power output level;

said integral power control module having integral, operably integrated memory means for non-volatile storing all of said commands and operational parameters for effecting said altering of said power output through said power output means, said memory means being operably connected with said integral actuation signal detection and actuation means;

an active RFID transmitter, said RFID transmitter being configured for substantially, continuously repetitive transmitting of a said actuation signal;

wherein said active RFID transmitter and said integral actuation signal detection and actuation means are respectively configured for transmitting of, and actuation by an actuation signal, said actuation signal including an identification component for identifying a said actuating signal as a said actuation signal; and

wherein said integral actuation signal detection and actuation means is configured for, upon detecting signals that are other than actuation signals, reacting other than in response to a said actuation signal;

connecting said power input means to a electrical power source; and

connecting an electrically-powered device to said power output means.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said power switching means is configured for governing current flow from said power input means to said power output means and a plurality of intermediate power output levels between substantially, fully terminated power flow to substantially, fully unrestricted power flow.