Methods and systems for virtual energy management display

• US 8,289,182 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2008
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trilliant Networks Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Trilliant Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Vogel, William Steven, Veillette, Michel, Magnotti, Victor Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Wallis, Michael Rutland
• Application Number:
  US12/275,258
• Publication Number:
  US 20100127889A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,425 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.11, 340/870.02, 700/291, 700/295
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/25 using a mesh network, e.g. a public urban network such as public lighting, bus stops or traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/60 for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/30 Wind power

Abstract

A method and system of virtual energy management display involves periodically receiving via a mesh local area network electronic data representing energy management-related information by a RF communication-enabled memory storage device coupled to an electronic display device within a home area network. Electronic data representing telemetry information is likewise periodically received by the RF communication-enabled memory storage device from at least one RF communication-enabled energy management-related device within the home area network. The electronic data is converted to a common format by an application running at least in part on the memory storage device and displayed on a screen associated with the display device.

Claims

1. A method of virtual energy management display, comprising:

periodically receiving, from an RF communication-enabled energy load management control device coupled to a smart meter network and a home area network, electronic data representing energy management-related information, by a radio frequency (RF) communication-enabled integrated circuit (IC) data storage card coupled to an electronic display device, the data storage card coupled to the home area network;

periodically receiving electronic data representing telemetry information by the RF communication-enabled data storage card from the RF communication-enabled energy load management control device coupled to the home area network, wherein the telemetry information comprises;

converting the received electronic data to a common format displayable on a screen associated with the display device by an application running at least in part on the data storage card; and

displaying the converted energy management-related information and telemetry information on the screen associated with the display device by the application wherein the RF communication enabled energy load management control device comprises at least one of a smart meter and a smart thermostat, wherein the at least one of the smart meter and smart thermostat further comprises a card slot for receiving an RF communication-enabled integrated circuit (IC) data storage card.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic data representing energy management-related information further comprises electronic data representing real time energy management-related messages.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the real time energy management-related messages further comprise real time messages regarding at least one of energy pricing information, energy usage information, energy account information, energy-related weather information, and energy-related security information.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the RF communication-enabled IC data storage card further comprises at least one of a secure digital card (SD card), a micro-SD card, a CompactFlash card (CF card), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) storage device, and a network memory stick.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic display device further comprises a digital photo display device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic display device further comprises a screensaver application on a computing device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the RF communication-enabled data storage card is integrated with the electronic display device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the electronic display device comprises at least one of a smartphone, a wireless computing device with a screen saver application, a RF communication-enabled PDA liquid crystal display (LCD), and a RF communication-enabled PDA docking station.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic data representing telemetry information further comprises electronic data representing at least one of localized telemetry information, local weather delivered from sensors, and energy management telemetry data from local loads such as meters.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving additional electronic data representing telemetry information from at least one of an energy meter, a thermostat, a solar panel system control, wind generator system control, a pool pump control, a water heater control.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein converting the received electronic data to a format displayable on the screen associated with the display device further comprises converting the received electronic data into a display of scrolling text and graphics.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the converted energy management-related information and telemetry information further comprises alternating between the display of the converted energy management-related information and telemetry information and pre-selected graphics or photographs.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the converted energy management-related information further comprises displaying the converted energy management-related information in the form of a ticker.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the converted telemetry information further comprises displaying the converted telemetry information in the form of at least one of a virtual thermostat and a virtual energy meter.