Added features of HEM/HEG using GPS technology

• US 9,207,658 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2014
• Issued: 12/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Besore, John K, Beyerle, Michael, Worthington, Timothy, Kurfess, Elizabeth
• Primary Examiner(s): BARNES-BULLOCK, CRYSTAL JOY
• Application Number:
  US14/310,602
• Publication Number:
  US 20140304111A1
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 700/11, 700/22, 700/286, 700/291, 700/295, 700/297, 702/57, 702 60- 62, 705/14.25, 705/14.5, 705/14.53, 705/14.58, 705/14.66, 705/26.1, 705 267- 269, 715/771, 235/385, 340/540, 455/403, 455/404.1, 455/404.2, 455/405, 455418-420, 455/422.1, 455/456.1, 455/456.3
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/395 Information to users, e.g. alarms
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/414 using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/457 using telephone networks or Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/2007 for water heaters
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing

Abstract

A GPS-based energy management system for a home network is provided that includes a plurality of enemy consuming devices. The system comprises a central controller operatively connected to each energy consuming device, and one or more GPS-enabled devices configured to communicate with the central controller. The central controller is programmed to modify the behavior of the energy consuming devices based on the location of at least one member of a home network.

Claims

1. An energy management system configured to operate a home network according to the location of one or more members of the home network, said system comprising:

one or more energy consuming devices;

a central controller operationally coupled to a home network of power consuming devices, and central controller being programmed to modify the behavior of the energy consuming devices, wherein said central controller is configured to download weather information based on the geographical location of said one or more members of the home network and provide said one or more members of the home network with weather event alerts and updates; and

at least one navigation device corresponding to at least one member of the home network, said navigation device configured to communicate with said central controller, wherein said navigation device is configured to provide said central controller with the geographical location of said one or more home network members.

2. The energy management system of claim 1, wherein said navigation device comprises one or more of a mobile phone, computer, vehicle, and standalone navigation device.

3. The energy management system of claim 1, wherein said navigation device is a GPS-enabled device.

4. The energy management system of claim 1, wherein the central controller is programmed to alert said one or more home network members of a weather event if said member is within a designated proximity the weather event.

5. The energy management system of claim 1, further including an application for storing and managing shopping lists for the one or more members of the home network.

6. The energy management system of claim 5, wherein said shopping list includes one or more of a list of items to be purchased, at least one store where the items are sold, and a price comparison for items sold at multiple stores.

7. The energy management system of claim 5, wherein each item on the shopping list is prioritized based on the urgency of obtaining said item.

8. The energy management system of claim 5, wherein said central controller is configured to alert at least one home network member when a store selling an item on the shopping list is within a designated radius of the home network member.

9. The energy management system of claim 8, wherein said alert comprises at least one of a text message, email, and voice alert.

10. The energy management system of claim 8, wherein said application enables said at least one home network member to communicate feedback to the central controller in response to an alert.

11. The energy management system of claim 10, wherein said feedback comprises one or more of confirmation of purchase of an item on the shopping list, postponing the purchase or the item, and deleting an item from the list.

12. The energy management system of claim 8, wherein said central controller is configured to monitor the usage of parts in each home network device and add parts to the shopping list when a part should be replaced.

13. The energy management system of claim 1, further including an application configured to store recipes, monitor available grocery items in a home, and determine what grocery items should be purchased based on a selected recipe.

14. The energy management system of claim 13, wherein grocery items are entered into said central controller by one of scanning a barcode and manually entering the item.