Centralized fine grade control of device energy consumption

• US 8,543,251 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2010
• Issued: 09/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daedalus Blue LLC
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Plant, Laurence J.
• Primary Examiner(s): BARNES-BULLOCK, CRYSTAL JOY
• Application Number:
  US12/973,141
• Publication Number:
  US 20120158199A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 307/11, 307 38- 40, 340/500, 340/531, 340/533, 340/538, 340/540, 340/541, 340/657, 340/660, 340/679, 700/286, 700/291, 700/292, 700295-298, 702/1, 702/57, 702/58, 702 60- 62, 702/64, 702/65, 702/79
• US Class Current: 700/298
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00006 characterised by information or instructions transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated power network element or electrical equipment
• 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: 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: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/242 Home appliances

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention provide a solution for controlling electricity to a device. A sensor is associated with a device that is independently coupled to an electricity distribution network. The sensor senses electricity usage for the device. Based on the sensed electricity usage for the device, an electricity usage pattern is identified for the device. This electricity usage pattern is used to identify a classification of the device. Based on this device classification the supply of electricity to the device can be controlled as needed by the provider.

Claims

1. A system for controlling electricity to a device, comprising:

a sensor, associated with a single device that senses electricity usage for the device, the device being independently coupled to an electricity distribution network;

an analyzer that identifies an electricity usage pattern for the device, based on the electricity usage of the device from the sensor;

a determinator that determines, based on the electricity usage pattern, a classification of the device; and

a controller that controls a supply of electricity to the device based on the classification,

wherein the analyzer and the determinator are located distant from the sensor and at a central location of an electrical plant, and wherein the central location issues directives, based on the analysis and determination, to the controller.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller controls the supply of electricity by substantially ceasing to provide electricity to the device.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising:

a second sensor that senses electricity usage for a second device, the second device being independently coupled to an electricity distribution network and being independent of the device; and

a second controller that continues to provide electricity to the second device based on a second classification while the controller is substantially ceasing to provide electricity to the device based on the classification,

wherein the analyzer identifies an electricity usage pattern for the second device, based on the electricity usage of the second device, and

wherein the determinator determines, based on the electricity usage pattern, the second classification of the second device, the second classification being different from the classification of the device.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the classification includes a device type and a device model.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a communicator that communicates the electricity usage to the analyzer.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is located at least one of:

in the device, along a connection between the device and an electrical wall socket;

in the wall socket;

along a connection between the wall electrical socket and a junction box, or in the junction box.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a troubleshooter that determines that the device is malfunctioning based on a previously determined classification of the device and a current electricity usage pattern for the device.

8. A method for controlling electricity to a device, comprising:

sensing electricity usage for a single device, the device being independently coupled to an electricity distribution network;

identifying an electricity usage pattern for the device, based on the electricity usage of the device;

determining, based on the electricity usage pattern, a classification of the device;

issuing directives, based on the analysis and the determination, to a controller, and

controlling, by the controller, a supply of electricity to the device based on the directives,

wherein the identifying, the determining, and the issuing are performed remotely from the sensing and at a central location of an electrical plant.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the controlling includes substantially ceasing to provide electricity to the device.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

sensing electricity usage for a second device, the second device being independently coupled to an electricity distribution network and being independent of the device;

identifying an electricity usage pattern for the second device, based on the electricity usage of the second device, and

determining, based on the electricity usage pattern, a second classification of the second device, the second classification being different from the classification of the device,

continuing to provide electricity to the second device based on the second classification while substantially ceasing to provide electricity to the device based on the classification.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the classification includes a device type and a device model.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising communicating the electricity usage to a central location.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the sensor is located at least one of:

in the device, along a connection between the device and an electrical wall socket;

in the wall socket;

along a connection between the electrical wall socket and a junction box, or in the junction box.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising determining whether the device is malfunctioning based on a previously determined classification of the device and a current electricity usage pattern for the device.

15. A computer program product embodied in a computer readable medium for implementing a method for controlling electricity to a device, the method comprising:

sensing electricity usage for a single device, the device being independently coupled to an electricity distribution network;

identifying an electricity usage pattern for the device, based on the electricity usage of the device;

determining, based on the electricity usage pattern, a classification of the device; and

issuing directives, based on the analysis and the determination, to a controller, and

controlling by the controller, a supply of electricity to the device based on the directives,

wherein the identifying, the determining, and the issuing are performed remotely from the sensing and at a central location of an electrical plant.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the controlling includes substantially ceasing to provide electricity to the device.

17. The computer program product of claim 16, further comprising:

sensing electricity usage for a second device, the second device being independently coupled to an electricity distribution network and being independent of the device;

identifying an electricity usage pattern for the second device, based on the electricity usage of the second device, and

determining, based on the electricity usage pattern, a second classification of the second device, the second classification being different from the classification of the device,

continuing to provide electricity to the second device based on the second classification while substantially ceasing to provide electricity to the device based on the classification,

wherein the descriptive resource data comprises at least one physical resource location data, and further wherein the method further comprises creating floor plan of a room in which the at least one physical resource is located showing location of the at least one physical resource within the room.

18. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising communicating the electricity usage to a central location.

19. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the sensor is located at least one of:

in the device, along a connection between the device and an electrical wall socket;

in the wall socket;

along a connection between the electrical wall socket and a junction box, or in the junction box.

20. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising determining whether the device is malfunctioning based on a previously determined classification of the device and a current electricity usage pattern for the device.