Method and apparatus for reading and controlling utility consumption

• US 20040078154A1
• Filed: 10/10/2003
• Published: 04/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TrendPoint Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Robert R. Hunter
• Inventors: Hunter, Robert R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,039,532 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/61
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/133 by using digital technique

Abstract

A method and system for controlling electric power consumption using a computer to create a forecast and then controlling devices that use power based on the forecast. An automatic reader device is used to gather power consumption data from a point of utility service. The power consumption data is then provided to a computer. The computer is used to create a forecast of energy use for instantaneous demand and time-based usage. The computer then provides alerts based on the forecast for the manual or automatic control of devices that consume electricity. The system may be managed locally or remotely by a computer, PDA, cell phone or other network enabled device.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring and controlling power consumption comprising:

reading power consumption data using an automatic reader;

collecting data from the reader in a computer memory device;

creating a forecast of electric power consumption for a predetermined period of time using the computer; and

controlling an amount of power consumption by controlling a device that consumes power based on the forecast.

2. The method, according to claim 1, wherein said controlling is done manually by hand.

3. The method, according to claim 1, wherein said controlling is done manually using a computer.

4. The method, according to claim 1, wherein said controlling is done automatically through a computer.

5. The method, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined period of time is instantaneous.

6. The method, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined period of time is any chronological period of time.

7. The method, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined period of time may by any non-chronological period of time.

8. A system for monitoring and controlling power consumption comprising:

a reader for obtaining power consumption data from an electric utility service; and

a computer system for collecting the data from the reader wherein the computer system is used to create a forecast of electric power consumption for a predetermined period of time and wherein a device that consumes electricity is controlled based on the forecast.

9. The method, according to claim 8, wherein said controlling is done manually using a computer.

10. The method, according to claim 8, wherein said controlling is done automatically through a computer.

11. The method, according to claim 8, wherein said predetermined period of time is instantaneous.

12. The method, according to claim 8, wherein said predetermined period of time is any chronological period of time.

13. The method, according to claim 8, wherein said predetermined period of time may by any non-chronological period of time.