Method and apparatus for monitoring electrical usage

• US 20020143482A1
• Filed: 03/30/2001
• Published: 10/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hawkins Cui, Henry George, Khalil Ebrahim Shaikh, Rajaiah Karanam, Ronald Jerdonek
• Original Assignee: Hawkins Cui, Henry George, Khalil Ebrahim Shaikh, Rajaiah Karanam, Ronald Jerdonek
• Inventors: George, Henry, Shaikh, Khalil Ebrahim, Jerdonek, Ronald, Karanam, Rajaiah, Cui, Hawkins
• Application Number:
  US09/681,425
• Publication Number:
  US 20020143482A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/62
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/133 by using digital technique

Abstract

A system for monitoring electricity usage is provided. The system includes a monitoring device having a meter connected to a current transformer and a communications device. The communications device allows transmission of electrical usage information to a server. The data is communicated to the server where it is stored and analyzed to create reports such as demand profile and billing verification.

Claims

1. A retrofitable power monitoring system comprising:

an enclosure;

at least one current transformer within said enclosure;

a meter connected to said current transformer;

a communications device connected to said meter; and

a server connected to said communications device.

2. The retrofitable power monitoring system of claim 1 wherein said meter stores information related to electrical usage.

3. The retrofitable power monitoring system of claim 2 wherein said communications device periodically sends said electrical usage information from said meter to said server.

4. The retrofitable power monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising a software module coupled to said server.

5. The retrofitable power monitoring system of claim 4 wherein said software module includes a database object, said database including electrical usage information;

an analysis object coupled to said database for analyzing said electrical usage information; and

, a reporting object coupled to said database object and said analysis object.

6. The retrofitable power monitoring system of claim 5 wherein said reporting object provides a plurality of predefined or user-defined reports.

7. The retrofitable power monitoring system of claim 6 wherein said plurality of reports includes a report from a group consisting of demand graph, demand statistics, or bill verification.

8. The retrofitable power monitoring system of claim 7 further comprising a monitor connected to said server, said reporting object displaying said plurality of reports on said monitor.

9. The retrofitable power monitoring system of claim 6 further comprising a comparator object coupled to said database object, said comparator object periodically comparing said electrical usage information and a predefined electrical rate profile.

10. The retrofitable power monitoring system of claim 9 wherein said comparator object determines a maximum electrical cost period.

11. The retrofitable power monitoring system of claim 10 wherein said reporting object is coupled to said comparator object, said reporting objecting providing a report showing said maximum electrical cost period and said minimum electrical cost period.

12. The retrofitable power monitoring system of claim 11 wherein said reporting object provides an recommended electrical usage profile that reduces the cost associated with the maximum electrical cost period.

14. The retrofitable power monitoring system of claim 13 further comprising a comparator object coupled to said database object, said comparator object periodically comparing said electrical usage information of each of said plurality of monitoring devices and an electrical rate profile.

15. The retrofitable power monitoring system of claim 14 wherein said comparator object determines a maximum electrical cost period for each of said plurality of monitoring devices.

16. The retrofitable power monitoring system of claim 15 wherein said comparator object determines a minimum electrical cost period for each of said plurality of monitoring devices.

17. The retrofitable power monitoring system of claim 16 wherein said reporting object is coupled to said comparator object, said reporting object providing a report showing said maximum electrical cost period and said minimum electrical cost period for each of said plurality of monitoring devices.

18. The retrofitable power monitoring system of claim 16 wherein said reporting object provides a recommended electrical usage profile that reduces the cost associated with the maximum electrical cost period for at least one of said plurality of monitoring devices.

19. The retrofitable power monitoring system of claim 13 wherein said reporting object provides a plurality of predefined reports.

20. The retrofitable power monitoring system of claim 19 wherein said plurality of reports includes a report from a group consisting of demand statistics, demand statistics, or bill verification.

21. The retrofitable power monitoring system of claim 19 further comprising a monitor connected to said server, said reporting object displaying said plurality of reports on said monitor.

13. The retrofitable power monitoring system comprising:

a plurality of electrical usage monitoring devices, each of said plurality of monitoring devices collecting information related to electric usage in a discreet location;

a server connected to communicate with said plurality of monitoring devices;

a database object coupled to said server, said database object storing said electrical usage information received from said plurality of monitoring devices;

an analysis object coupled to said database for analyzing said electrical usage information; and

,

a reporting object coupled to said database object and said analysis object.

22. A retrofitable system for monitoring electrical usage comprising:

a current sensor;

a meter coupled to said current sensor, said current sensor providing a signal to said meter indicative of said current;

a storage device associated with said meter, said meter storing electrical usage information on said storage device;

a communications device associated to said storage device;

a server coupled to said communications device, said communications device periodically transmitting said usage information to said server; and

,

a means associated with said server for reporting electrical usage.

23. A retrofitable system for monitoring electrical usage as in claim 22 wherein said communications device is a wireless type.

24. A retrofitable system for monitoring electrical usage as in claim 23 wherein said communications device transmits said usage information to said server by an infrared signal.

25. A retrofitable system for monitoring electrical usage as in claim 23 wherein wherein said communications device transmits said usage information to said server by a radio signal.

26. A retrofitable system for monitoring electrical usage as in claim 23 wherein wherein said communications device transmits said usage information to said server by a cellular signal.

27. A retrofitable system for monitoring electrical usage as in claim 22 wherein said communications device transmits said usage information to said server by an Ethernet network.

28. A retrofitable system for monitoring electrical usage as in claim 22 wherein said communications device transmits said usage information to said server via a telephone line.

29. A retrofitable system for monitoring electrical usage as in claim 22 wherein said reporting means is a software module, said software module including a database object, an analysis object and a reporting object.

30. A retrofitable system for monitoring electrical usage as in claim 29 further comprising a monitor, said monitor coupled to said server.

31. A method for monitoring electrical usage comprising:

sensing an electrical current;

receiving a signal indicative of the electrical current;

calculating electrical usage information associated with said received signal;

storing the electrical usage information;

transmitting the electrical usage information to a server;

analyzing the electrical usage information; and

,

reporting electrical usage parameters.

32. A method of monitoring electrical usage as in claim 31 wherein said reporting includes information on electrical demand.

33. A method of monitoring electrical usage as in claim 31 further comprising the step of comparing said electrical usage against a predetermined electrical rate profile.

34. A method of monitoring electrical usage as in claim 33 further comprising the step of creating an electrical cost profile.

35. A method of monitoring electrical usage as in claim 34 further comprising the step of analyzing the electrical cost profile.

36. A method of monitoring electrical usage as in claim 35 further comprising the step of determining a recommended electrical usage profile that minimizes the electrical cost profile.