Energy management system and method

• US 8,626,344 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2010
• Issued: 01/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kingston Consulting, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Allure Energy Incorporated
• Inventors: Imes, Kevin R., Hollister, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Ali, Mohammad
• Assistant Examiner(s): WHITTINGTON, ANTHONY T
• Application Number:
  US12/840,169
• Publication Number:
  US 20110046799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,267 Days
• Field of Search: 700/286, 700/276, 709/249, 455/419
• US Class Current: 700/276
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/67 Switching between heating and cooling modes
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/70 Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/75 for maintaining constant air flow rate or air velocity
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/79 for controlling the direction of the supplied air
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/88 Electrical aspects, e.g. circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/00 Control inputs relating to air properties
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/00 Control inputs relating to environmental factors not covered by group F24F2110/00
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/10 Weather information or forecasts
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/00 Control of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1904 : variable in time
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 : using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/66 : Regulating electric power
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 : Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 : Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 : Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 : Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2816 : Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities 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 H04Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 : from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2825 : Reporting to a device located outside the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with telemetering systems H04M11/002
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 : Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/08 : Monitoring or testing based on specific metrics, e.g. QoS, energy consumption or environmental parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/105 : Multiple levels of security
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 : in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/141 : Setup of application sessions admission control or resource allocation in data switching networks H04L47/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/10 : Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 : Photovoltaic [PV]
• 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: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 : Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/76 : Power conversion electric or electronic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 : Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 : End-user application control systems

Abstract

According to an aspect of the disclosure, an energy management apparatus for a home energy management system and method includes a processor operable to manage energy use at a site. The processor is configured to convert an incoming message received from a wireless energy network into XML enabled output data and format an outgoing message to be output to the wireless energy network using XML enabled input data. A communication interface is configured to enable access to a communication device having access to the wireless energy network, wherein the communication interface is further configured to detect the outgoing message formatted by the processor to be output using the wireless energy network; configure the outgoing message to a message bus format, detect the incoming message received from the wireless energy network, and convert the incoming message from the message bus format to access the incoming network device data.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a network device disposed at a site;

a mobile application stored within each of a first mobile device and a second mobile device and each configured to individually alter the network device at the site;

a processor configured to generate control action data in response to a comparison of a location of the first mobile device relative to the site as well as a location of the second mobile device relative to the site;

the processor further configured to alter an operating condition of the network device in response to the control action data reflecting the comparison;

wherein the network device includes a wireless thermostat responsive to the control action data being communicated to the network device;

a first user profile associated with the first mobile device, wherein the first user profile includes information to alter an operating condition of the network device according to a preference of a first user; and

a second user profile associated with the second mobile device, wherein the second user profile includes information to alter an operating condition of the network device according to a preference of a second user.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a remote server configured to:

receive a location based input from the first mobile device;

detect the first user profile of the first mobile device and the second user profile of the second mobile device;

determine whether to alter the network device in response to the location based input and the first user profile of the first mobile device and the second user profile of the second mobile device.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

wherein the first user profile of the first mobile device includes an enabled proximity setting;

wherein the second user profile of the second mobile device includes a disabled proximity setting; and

wherein the location based input is a distance away from the site.

4. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

wherein the first user profile of the first mobile device includes an enabled proximity setting;

wherein the second user profile of the second mobile device includes an enabled proximity setting;

wherein the location based input is a first distance away from the site;

wherein a location of the second mobile device is greater than the location of the first mobile device;

wherein a user preference of the second mobile device is used to initiate altering an operating condition at the site; and

wherein a user preference of the first mobile device is not used to initiate an altering of the operating condition at the site.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first user schedule including a first identifier to identify a first user and a network device identifier to identify the network device to control; and

a second user schedule including a second identifier to identify a second user and a network device identifier to identify the network device to control.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a remote server configured to:

detect zone based data of the first mobile device associated with the site;

detect zone based data of the second mobile device associated with the site; and

initiate an altering of the operating condition using the zone based data of the first mobile device and the zone based data of the second mobile device.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first range of thermostat set points associated with the first mobile device;

a second range of thermostat set points associated with the second mobile device; and

wherein the wireless thermostat is responsive to an operating condition of the first mobile device and the second mobile device.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a thermostat set point generated using the first range of thermostat set points, wherein the first range of thermostat set points is used in response to the first mobile device being disposed closer to the site than the second mobile device.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is disposed on each of the first mobile device and the second mobile device.

20. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is disposed at the site.

21. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is disposed on a remote server.

22. The system of claim 1, further comprising a geofence that can be used with the first mobile device and the second mobile device.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the processor is configured to:

detect a presence of one of the first mobile device and the second mobile device relative to the geofence; and

alter the operating condition of the network device in response to one of the first mobile device and the second mobile device being detected either inside or outside the geofence.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the processor is configured to alter the operating condition in response to detecting one of the first mobile device and the second mobile device entering the geofence.

25. The system of claim 23 wherein the processor is configured to alter the operating condition in response to detecting one of the first mobile device and the second mobile device leaving the geofence.

30. The system of claim 1 wherein the network device further comprises is one or more of the following:

a tablet, a smart phone, an energy management system, an energy management device, a personal computer, a consumer electronic device, a media device, a smart utility meter, an advanced metering infrastructure, a smart energy device, an energy display device, a home automation controller, an energy hub, a smart energy gateway, a set-top box, a digital media subscriber system, a cable modem, a broadband communication device, a fiber optic enabled communications device, a media gateway, a home media management system, a media server, a network server, a network storage device, a wireless speaker, a retail energy provider'"'"'s server, a wholesale energy provider'"'"'s server, a COOP energy provider'"'"'s server, a retail business server, a commercial site server, an industrial site server, a multi-residential site server, a temporary lodging server, a hotel server, a motel server, a condominium server, a utility provider'"'"'s server, which can include waste, water, power or combinations thereof, an energy substation, a news media server, a weather server, an advertisement server or service provider, a network radio server or service provider, a network media server or service provider, a music server or server provider, a search engine server or service provider, an information server or service provider, a wireless information network device, a vehicle charging station, a renewable energy production device, a renewable energy control device, an energy storage management system, a smart appliance, an HVAC system, a water pump, a heat pump, a hot water heater, a thermostat (TSTAT), an energy controller, an irrigation system, a lighting system, an alarm system, a smart power outlet, an energy detection device, a garage door opening system or device, a power management device, a power measurement unit (PMU), an air handler, a wireless air damper, a humidity control system, a heat and motion sensing device, a smart power outlet, a switch router, a wireless router, an automobile or transportation device, or a network communication device.

9. A method comprising:

detecting an availability of a network device disposed at a site;

detecting a location of a first mobile device associated with the site;

detecting a location of a second mobile device associated with the site;

initiating communication of a location based input of the first mobile device to a network location configured to compare the location based input of the first mobile device to a location based input of the second mobile device;

comparing the location of the first mobile device and the location of the second mobile device relative to the site;

initiating a communication of a control action data in response to detecting the location of the first mobile device and the second mobile device being disposed away from the site;

altering the network device using the control action data;

receiving a communication from a network location indicating that an operating condition of the network device has been altered; and

updating the operating condition at the first mobile device.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

initiating a communication of the control data in response to detecting the location of the first mobile device being disposed near the site.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

detecting the location of the first mobile device being disposed closer to the site than the second mobile device; and

initiating a communication using a setting of the first mobile device.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

detecting a first travel distance setting of the first mobile device;

detecting a second travel distance setting of the second mobile device, wherein the second travel distance setting is different than the first travel distance setting;

using the first travel distance setting of the first mobile device and a current location of the first mobile device to initiate the communication; and

using the second travel distance setting of the second mobile device and a current location of the second mobile device to initiate the communication.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving a communication at the first mobile device that the operating condition of the network device has been altered; and

displaying the communication within a display of the mobile device.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

initiating communication of zone based data of the first mobile device to a network location configured to compare the zone based data of the first mobile device to zone based data of a second mobile device.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

initiating communication of a location based input of the first mobile device to a network location configured to compare the location based input of the first mobile device to zone based data of the first mobile device and zone based data of a second mobile device.

26. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

establishing a geofence about the site; and

entering a first mobile device number for the first mobile device and a second mobile device number for the second mobile device.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

initiating the communication of the control action data in response to detecting the location of one of the first mobile device and the second mobile device leaving the geofence.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

initiating a communication of control action data in response to detecting the location of one of the first mobile device and the second mobile device entering the geofence.

29. The method of claim 9 wherein the network device is one of or a part of one or more of the following:

a tablet, a smart phone, an energy management system, an energy management device, a personal computer, a consumer electronic device, a media device, a smart utility meter, an advanced metering infrastructure, a smart energy device, an energy display device, a home automation controller, an energy hub, a smart energy gateway, a set-top box, a digital media subscriber system, a cable modem, a broadband communication device, a fiber optic enabled communications device, a media gateway, a home media management system, a media server, a network server, a network storage device, a wireless speaker, a retail energy provider'"'"'s server, a wholesale energy provider'"'"'s server, a COOP energy provider'"'"'s server, a retail business server, a commercial site server, an industrial site server, a multi-residential site server, a temporary lodging server, a hotel server, a motel server, a condominium server, a utility provider'"'"'s server, which can include waste, water, power or combinations thereof, an energy substation, a news media server, a weather server, an advertisement server or service provider, a network radio server or service provider, a network media server or service provider, a music server or server provider, a search engine server or service provider, an information server or service provider, a wireless information network device, a vehicle charging station, a renewable energy production device, a renewable energy control device, an energy storage management system, a smart appliance, an HVAC system, a water pump, a heat pump, a hot water heater, a thermostat (TSTAT), an energy controller, an irrigation system, a lighting system, an alarm system, a smart power outlet, an energy detection device, a garage door opening system or device, a power management device, a power measurement unit (PMU), an air handler, a wireless air damper, a humidity control system, a heat and motion sensing device, a smart power outlet, a switch router, a wireless router, an automobile or transportation device, or a network communication device.

16. A method comprising:

identifying a first mobile device with a site having a network device;

identifying a second mobile device with the site;

detecting an enabled proximity setting of the first mobile device;

detecting location information of the first mobile device in response to the enabled proximity setting of the first mobile device;

detecting an enabled proximity setting of the second mobile device;

detecting location information of the second mobile device in response to the enabled proximity setting of the second mobile device;

comparing location information of the first mobile device to location information of the second mobile device; and

initiating altering an operating condition of the network device in response to the comparison of the location information of the first mobile device to the location information of the second mobile device.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

detecting a disabled proximity setting of the first mobile device; and

initiating altering the operating condition using a setting of the second mobile device in response to the disabled proximity setting of the first mobile device.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

detecting the first mobile device being disposed at the site;

detecting the first mobile device moving away from the site;

enabling the proximity setting of the first mobile device in response to detecting the first mobile device moving away from the site; and

altering the operating condition of the network device in response to the first mobile device being disposed at a distance from the site.