Mobile demand response energy management system with proximity control

• US 9,838,255 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2011
• Issued: 12/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Imes, Kevin R., Hollister, James, Cottrell, John Frederick
• Primary Examiner(s): Ali, Mohammad
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lindsay, Bernard G
• Application Number:
  US13/080,705
• Publication Number:
  US 20110214060A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,435 Days
• Field of Search: 700286
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/47 Responding to energy costs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/00 Control inputs relating to environmental factors not covered by group F24F2110/00
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/10 Weather information or forecasts
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/60 Energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00001 characterised by the display of information or by user interaction, e.g. supervisory control and data acquisition systems [SCADA] or graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00028 involving the use of Internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 : by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0813 : characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/08 : Monitoring or testing based on specific metrics, e.g. QoS, energy consumption or environmental parameters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• 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 20/20 : End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/242 : Home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/244 : the home appliances being or involving heating ventilating and air conditioning [HVAC] units
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 : using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses

Abstract

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a mobile energy management system and method includes controlling at least one network device at a site using the proximity detection of a mobile device which may be based upon the detection of a plurality of zones. Various features may be presented on a graphical user interface of the mobile device including a proximity control feature for enabling and disabling proximity detection, a set location setting for associating the current location of the mobile device with the location of the site, a set travel distance feature enabling the user to enter a travel distance within the graphical user interface, and a map which may present the location of the site, the current location of the mobile device, and the plurality of zones. The network device may be a thermostat associated with the site or other energy consuming appliances.

Claims

1. A method of managing energy at a site comprising:

providing a proximity control of a site to modify an operating condition of a network device in response to a detected presence of a user associated with the site;

providing a demand response control of a site to modify the operating condition of the network device in response to a demand response event and the detected presence of the user associated with the site;

providing a proximity mode indicator on at least one of a mobile application or a server hosted web application to visually indicate when the proximity control at the site is active and inactive;

enabling a user to alter the proximity mode indicator to remotely activate and deactivate proximity control at the site;

providing a demand response selector on at least one of the mobile application or the server hosted web application to enable the user to remotely activate and deactivate the demand response control at the site; and

wherein the providing the proximity control includes;

detecting a presence of the user relative to at least one of a plurality of boundaries associated with the site,

automatically scaling a relationship of at least one of the plurality of boundaries with respect to another of the plurality of boundaries when a change of a travel distance to the site is provided by the user, and

initiating a change to the operating condition of the network device in response to the detected presence of the user with respect to the at least one of the plurality of boundaries with respect to another of the plurality of boundaries.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing an ON proximity mode indicator to indicate the proximity control is active at the site; and

providing an OFF proximity mode indicator to indicate the proximity control is inactive at the site.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the site is a home and further comprising:

providing the proximity mode indicator when the user is detected away from the home to indicate the proximity control is active at the home; and

providing the proximity mode indicator when the user is detected at the home to indicate the proximity control is inactive at the home.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the site is a home and further comprising:

providing the proximity mode indicator when the user is detected away from the home to indicate the proximity control is active at the home; and

removing the proximity mode indicator when the user is detected at the home to indicate the proximity control is inactive at the home.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing a network device indicator on at least one of the mobile application or the server hosted web application to identify the network device being controlled by proximity control and display the operating condition.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

enabling a user to alter the network device indicator to remotely request a change to the operating condition of the network device.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the network device includes a thermostat at the site and further comprising:

providing the proximity mode indicator within a user interface of the thermostat.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

detecting an availability of a WIFI network including the network device connected to the WIFI network;

accessing the network device using the WIFI network to detect the operating condition of the network device; and

initiating an altering of the operating condition of the network device using the WIFI network.

9. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the network device is one of or a part of one of the following:

a tablet, a smart phone, an energy management system, an energy management device, a personal computer, a consumer electronic device, a media device, a smart utility meter, an advanced metering infrastructure, a smart energy device, an energy display device, a home automation controller, an energy hub, a smart energy gateway, a set-top box, a digital media subscriber system, a cable modem, a broadband communication device, a fiber optic enabled communications device, a media gateway, a home media management system, a media server, a network server, a network storage device, a wireless speaker, a retail energy provider'"'"'s server, a wholesale energy provider'"'"'s server, a COOP energy provider'"'"'s server, a retail business server, a commercial site server, an industrial site server, a multi-residential site server, a temporary lodging server, a hotel server, a motel server, a condominium server, a utility provider'"'"'s server, which can include waste, water, power or combinations thereof, an energy substation, a news media server, a weather server, an advertisement server or service provider, a network radio server or service provider, a network media server or service provider, a music server or server provider, a search engine server or service provider, an information server or service provider, a wireless information network device, a vehicle charging station, a renewable energy production device, a renewable energy control device, an energy storage management system, a smart appliance, an HVAC system, a water pump, a heat pump, a hot water heater, a thermostat (TSTAT), an energy controller, an irrigation system, a lighting system, an alarm system, a smart power outlet, an energy detection device, a garage door opening system or device, a power management device, a power measurement unit (PMU), an air handler, a wireless air damper, a humidity control system, a heat and motion sensing device, a smart power outlet, a switch router, a wireless router, an automobile or transportation device, or a network communication device.

10. A method of managing a site comprising:

detecting a proximity control of at least one network device at the site wherein the at least one network device has an operating condition;

detecting a demand response control of the at least one network device at the site;

presenting a proximity mode indicator within a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with at least one of a mobile application or a server hosted web application to visually indicate when proximity control at the site is active and inactive;

enabling a user to alter the proximity mode indicator to remotely activate and deactivate proximity control at the site;

presenting a demand response selector within the GUI to enable the user to remotely activate and deactivate the demand response control at the site; and

wherein the proximity control of the at least one network device includes;

determining a plurality of zones of the site;

detecting a presence of a user relative to at least one of the plurality of zones,

automatically scaling a size of at least one of the plurality of zones with respect to another of the plurality of zones when a change of a travel distance to the site is provided by the user at the GUI, and

altering the operating condition of the network device in response to the relative presence of the user with respect to the at least one of the plurality of zones with respect to another of the plurality of zones.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the site is a home and further comprising:

presenting the proximity mode indicator within the GUI when the user is detected outside the at least one of the plurality of zones to indicate the proximity control is active at the home; and

presenting the proximity mode indicator within the GUI detected within the at least one of the plurality of zones to indicate the proximity control is inactive at the home.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the site is a home and further comprising:

presenting the proximity mode indicator within the GUI when the user is detected outside the at least one of the plurality of zones to indicate the proximity control is active at the home; and

removing the proximity mode indicator from the GUI when the user is detected within the at least one of the plurality of zones to indicate the proximity control is inactive at the home.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

providing an ON proximity mode indicator within the GUI to indicate the proximity control is active at the site; and

providing an OFF proximity mode indicator within the GUI to indicate the proximity control is inactive at the site.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

presenting a network device indicator within the graphical user interface (GUI) associated with at least one of the mobile application or the server hosted web application to identify the network device being controlled by proximity control and display the operating condition.

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

enabling a user to alter the network device indicator to remotely request a change to the operating condition of the network device.

16. A method as set forth in claim 10 wherein the network device is one of or a part of one of the following:

a tablet, a smart phone, an energy management system, an energy management device, a personal computer, a consumer electronic device, a media device, a smart utility meter, an advanced metering infrastructure, a smart energy device, an energy display device, a home automation controller, an energy hub, a smart energy gateway, a set-top box, a digital media subscriber system, a cable modem, a broadband communication device, a fiber optic enabled communications device, a media gateway, a home media management system, a media server, a network server, a network storage device, a wireless speaker, a retail energy provider'"'"'s server, a wholesale energy provider'"'"'s server, a COOP energy provider'"'"'s server, a retail business server, a commercial site server, an industrial site server, a multi-residential site server, a temporary lodging server, a hotel server, a motel server, a condominium server, a utility provider'"'"'s server, which can include waste, water, power or combinations thereof, an energy substation, a news media server, a weather server, an advertisement server or service provider, a network radio server or service provider, a network media server or service provider, a music server or server provider, a search engine server or service provider, an information server or service provider, a wireless information network device, a vehicle charging station, a renewable energy production device, a renewable energy control device, an energy storage management system, a smart appliance, an HVAC system, a water pump, a heat pump, a hot water heater, a thermostat (TSTAT), an energy controller, an irrigation system, a lighting system, an alarm system, a smart power outlet, an energy detection device, a garage door opening system or device, a power management device, a power measurement unit (PMU), an air handler, a wireless air damper, a humidity control system, a heat and motion sensing device, a smart power outlet, a switch router, a wireless router, an automobile or transportation device, or a network communication device.

17. A system for managing a site comprising:

a network device disposed at the site;

a proximity detection module including at least one memory storing instructions and at least one processor configured to execute the stored instructions to;

detect a presence of a user relative to at least one of a plurality of boundaries associated with the site,

automatically scale a relationship of at least one of the plurality of boundaries with respect to another of the plurality of boundaries when a change of a travel distance to the site is provided by the user, and

modify an operating condition of the network device in response to the detected presence of a user relative to the at least one of a plurality of boundaries with respect to another of the plurality of boundaries associated with the site;

a demand response module configured to modify the operating condition of the network device in response to a demand response condition and the detected presence of the user relative to the at least one of a plurality of boundaries associated with the site;

a proximity control selector presented on at least one of a mobile application or a server hosted web application and configured to allow the user to remotely enable and disable the proximity detection module;

a demand response selector presented on at least one of the mobile application or the server hosted web application and configured to allow the user to remotely enable and disable the demand response module;

a proximity mode indicator presented on at least one of the network device, the mobile application, or the server hosted web application to visually indicate when the proximity control module is enabled and disabled; and

a network device indicator presented on at least one of the mobile application or the server hosted web application to identify the network device and the operating condition being modified by the proximity detection module.

18. A system as set forth in claim 17 wherein the proximity mode indicator includes an ON proximity mode indicator to indicate the proximity control module is enabled and an OFF proximity mode indicator to indicate the proximity control module is disabled.

19. A system as set forth in claim 17 wherein the network device is a thermostat and the proximity mode indicator is disposed within a user interface of the thermostat.

20. A system as set forth in claim 17 wherein the network device is one of or a part of one of the following:

a tablet, a smart phone, an energy management system, an energy management device, a personal computer, a consumer electronic device, a media device, a smart utility meter, an advanced metering infrastructure, a smart energy device, an energy display device, a home automation controller, an energy hub, a smart energy gateway, a set-top box, a digital media subscriber system, a cable modem, a broadband communication device, a fiber optic enabled communications device, a media gateway, a home media management system, a media server, a network server, a network storage device, a wireless speaker, a retail energy provider'"'"'s server, a wholesale energy provider'"'"'s server, a COOP energy provider'"'"'s server, a retail business server, a commercial site server, an industrial site server, a multi-residential site server, a temporary lodging server, a hotel server, a motel server, a condominium server, a utility provider'"'"'s server, which can include waste, water, power or combinations thereof, an energy substation, a news media server, a weather server, an advertisement server or service provider, a network radio server or service provider, a network media server or service provider, a music server or server provider, a search engine server or service provider, an information server or service provider, a wireless information network device, a vehicle charging station, a renewable energy production device, a renewable energy control device, an energy storage management system, a smart appliance, an HVAC system, a water pump, a heat pump, a hot water heater, a thermostat (TSTAT), an energy controller, an irrigation system, a lighting system, an alarm system, a smart power outlet, an energy detection device, a garage door opening system or device, a power management device, a power measurement unit (PMU), an air handler, a wireless air damper, a humidity control system, a heat and motion sensing device, a smart power outlet, a switch router, a wireless router, an automobile or transportation device, or a network communication device.