Methods, apparatus and system for energy conservation

• US 20100328314A1
• Filed: 03/20/2010
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Donald B. Ellingham
• Original Assignee: Donald B. Ellingham
• Inventors: Nichols, Richard A., Ellingham, Donald B.
• Application Number:
  US12/661,594
• Publication Number:
  US 20100328314A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/440
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for monitoring usage of a consumable resource, and displaying substantially instantaneous and historical usage measurements of the consumable resource in both numerical and non-numeric manner. The non-numeric manner facilitates comprehension by non-technical users in conservation applications. The relative size, position and movement of graphical icons, images, symbols and objects convey present and past consumption. A projection of consumption can be calculated and compared against consumption, prompting corrective actions. Past and present conservation performance can be displayed in the context of a game. Various symbols optionally incrementally visually reward conservation or admonish failure, and therein score efforts. Challenging goals can be established to increase conservation. User-chosen display color schemes facilitate décor integration. Integration of the display into various devices including gas or liquid flow-control valves, and electrical dimmers and switches are disclosed. A portable version facilitates resource waste detection and problem location.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring usage of a consumable resource, comprising the steps of:

obtaining measurements of usage of said consumable resource;

determining a first graphical representation to represent said measurements of consumable resource usage, wherein said first graphical representation comprises a symbol that represents an average of one or more measurements of consumable resource usage; and

displaying said first graphical representation.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of computing a projected usage of said consumable resource for a specified time period based on said obtained measurement

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of obtaining a substantially instantaneous measurement of said consumable resource usage;

determining a second graphical representation to represent said substantially instantaneous measurement, wherein a size of said second graphical representation is proportional to said substantially instantaneous measurement; and

displaying said second graphical representation.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising a step of computing a projected usage of said consumable resource for a specified time period based on said obtained measurements and wherein a display location of said second graphical representation represents said projected usage.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a color of at least one of said first graphical representation and a second graphical representation represents an associated measurement.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a shape of at least one of said first graphical representation and a second graphical representation represents an associated measurement.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein a quantity of symbols utilized in said first graphical representation represents an associated measurement.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said first graphical representation comprises one or more of a symbol, an object, an image, a motion of a symbol, a motion of an object, a motion of an image, and an interrelationship between two or more of an object, an image, and a symbol.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining a level of conservation of said consumable resource using one or more of said measurements of usage of said consumable resource.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein a state of a game is based on said level of conservation

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said game is one of a baseball game, a football game, a hockey game, a soccer game, a board game, and a card game.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein one or more images are used to represent said state of said game.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said level of conservation is based on a difficulty factor selectable by a user.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying weather-related information.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said measurements of consumable resource usage are adjusted to compensate for a variable cost of said energy, wherein said variable cost is based on a time of day.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said consumable resource is one of electricity, water, oil, natural gas, bio-gas, methane, gasoline, and propane.

17. A method for monitoring usage of a consumable resource, comprising the steps of:

obtaining a first measurement of usage of said consumable resource;

changing a consumption level of a device;

obtaining a second measurement of usage of said consumable resource; and

displaying an indication of a difference between said first measurement of usage and said second measurement of usage.

18. The method of 17, wherein a scale of said displayed indication is adjusted based on said first measurement and said second measurement to emphasize said difference.

19. An integrated energy conservation and control device comprising:

a memory; and

at least one processor coupled to the memory and operative to;

obtain measurements of usage of said consumable resource;

determine a first graphical representation to represent said measurements of consumable resource usage, wherein said first graphical representation comprises a symbol that represents an average of one or more measurements of consumable resource usage; and

control a consumption of a resource in one or more devices.

20. An energy conservation device, comprising:

a memory; and

at least one processor, coupled to the memory, operative to;

obtain measurements of usage of said consumable resource;

determine a first graphical representation to represent said measurements of consumable resource usage, wherein said first graphical representation comprises a symbol that represents an average of one or more measurements of consumable resource usage; and

display said first graphical representation.

21. An energy conservation device, comprising:

a memory; and

at least one processor, coupled to the memory, operative to;

obtain a first measurement of usage of said consumable resource;

change a consumption level of a device;

obtain a second measurement of usage of said consumable resource; and

display an indication of a difference between said first measurement of usage and said second measurement of usage.