Mobile energy management system

• US 9,800,463 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2013
• Issued: 10/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Imes, Kevin R., Hollister, James, Cottrell, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Karim, Ziaul
• Application Number:
  US13/956,636
• Publication Number:
  US 20130318217A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,545 Days
• Field of Search: 700276, 3405451, 455 411, 455 68
• 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 11/47 Responding to energy costs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• 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 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: F24F 2140/60 Energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00001 characterised by the display of information or by user interaction, e.g. supervisory control and data acquisition systems [SCADA] or graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00028 involving the use of Internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• 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: H04L 41/0813 : characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/08 : Monitoring or testing based on specific metrics, e.g. QoS, energy consumption or environmental parameters
• 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: Y02B 90/20 : Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 : End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/242 : Home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/244 : the home appliances being or involving heating ventilating and air conditioning [HVAC] units
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 : using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses

Abstract

A system includes a network device installed at a site, the network device including an operating condition configured to be altered by an input initiated external to the site. The system also includes at least one multi-user configurable geographical boundary capable of being established about the site to alter the operating condition in response to a location based information of a user relative to the site and the geographical boundary. A method of managing a site includes detecting a network device installed at a site, the network device having an operating condition configured to be altered by an input initiated external to the site. The method also includes enabling configuration of at least one multi-user configurable geographical boundary capable of being established about the site to alter the operating condition in response to a location based information of a user relative to the site and the geographical boundary.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a network device configured to be installed at a site and including an operating condition configured to be altered by a plurality of separate inputs initiated external to the site;

a first geographical boundary associated with the network device and having a first boundary distance established about the site, the first geographical boundary configured to be associated with a first user and a first input associated with the first user to alter the operating condition of the network device in response to a location based information of the first user relative to the site and the first geographical boundary;

a second geographical boundary associated with the network device and having a second boundary distance that is different than the first boundary distance and established about the site, the second geographical boundary configured to be associated with a second user and a second input associated with the second user to alter the operating condition of the network device in response to a location based information of the second user relative to the site and the second geographical boundary;

wherein the first and second boundary distances are automatically scaled relative to one another based on input from one of the first and second user, and

wherein the network device includes at least one of a wireless thermostat, a lighting system, a HVAC system, a door lock system, a security system, and an alarm system capable of being altered by a setpoint provided in response to detecting the mobile device relative to the geographical boundary.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a server-based user interface configured to enable the users to configure the geographical boundaries.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a mobile application configured to be used by a mobile device and capable of providing the location based information; and

a server-based application configured to use the location based information and at least one of the geographic boundaries to initiate the input to alter the operating condition of the network device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the network device includes a wireless thermostat capable of being altered by a setpoint provided in response to detecting the mobile device relative to the geographical boundary.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the input is provided in response to the second location based information of the second user relative to the site and the second geographical boundary.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a mobile application configured to be used with a mobile device capable of providing the location based information to be used in combination with at least one of the geographical boundaries to alter the operating condition of the network device.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the first geographic boundary is associated with the first user having a first mobile device; and

wherein the second geographic boundary is associated with the second user having a second mobile device.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a location detection module operable to detect a location of the first or second user, wherein the location detection module uses one or more of WIFI detection, GPS detection, Bluetooth detection, Geofence detection, triangulation detection, significant change detection, motion detection, Zigbee detection, Z-wave detection, WiMax detection.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one network device includes at least one or more of:

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 co-operative 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, 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.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one operating condition of the network device is configured to be automatically altered by the location based information of the first or second user closest to the network device.

11. A method of managing a site comprising:

providing a network device to be installed at a site, the network device including an operating condition configured to be altered by an input initiated external to the site;

detecting a first geographical boundary having a first boundary distance established about the site and associated with a first user to alter the operating condition in response to a location based information of the first user relative to the site and the first geographical boundary;

detecting a second boundary having a second boundary distance that is different than the first boundary distance and established about the site and associated with a second user to alter the operating condition in response to a location based information of the second user relative to the site and the second geographical boundary;

automatically scaling the first and second boundary distances relative to one another based on input from one of the first and second users; and

wherein the network device includes at least one of a wireless thermostat, a lighting system, a HVAC system, a door lock system, a security system and an alarm system capable of being altered by a setpoint provided in response to detecting the mobile device relative to the geographical boundary.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

detecting an enabled automatic away mode of the network device;

setting the network device to the automatic away mode;

detecting when the first or second user crosses the respective geographic boundary during the automatic away mode; and

initiating an altering of the operating condition of the network device in response to detecting the respective geographic boundary being crossed.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

detecting a disabled automatic away mode of the network device;

detecting a non-presence of either the first or second user at the site;

communicating a message to the respective user that the automatic away mode is not enabled in response to the detected non-presence.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

initiating an altering of the operating condition of the network device using the second geographical boundary.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving an input from the first user to establish the first geographical boundary about the site; and

graphically illustrating the first geographical boundary as a circular-like boundary about the site.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising establishing the first geographical boundary using a geofence.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprisng establishing the second geographical boundary using a location information that is different than the geofence.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the network device is a thermostat, the method further comprising altering the operating condition of the thermostat in response to the detecting the respective geographic boundary being crossed.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one network device is a lighting system, the method further comprising altering the operating condition of the lighting system in response to the detecting the respective geographic boundary being crossed.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one network device is an HVAC system, the method further comprising altering the operating condition of the HVAC system in response to the detecting the respective geographic boundary being crossed.

21. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one network device is a broadband gateway device, the method further comprising altering the operating condition of the broadband gateway device in response to the detecting the respective geographic boundary being crossed.

22. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one network device includes at least one or more of:

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 co-operative 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, 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.

23. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

automatically altering at least one operating condition in response to the location based information of the first or second user that is closest to the network device.

24. A system comprising:

a network device configured to be installed at a site and including an operating condition configured to be altered by an input initiated external to the site; and

a detection module configured to be used with multi-user configurable geographical boundaries capable of being established about the site to alter the operating condition in response to a location based information;

wherein the multi-user configurable geographical boundaries include;

a first geographic boundary associated with the network device and having a first boundary distance and configured to be stored within a memory and associated with a first user, the first boundary capable of being compared to a first location based information of the first user relative to the site and the first geographical boundary;

a second geographic boundary associated with the network device and having a second boundary distance that is different than the first boundary distance and configured to be stored within the memory and associated with a second user, the second boundary capable of being compared to a second location based information of the second user relative to the site and the second geographical boundary;

wherein the detection module is programmable to alter the operating condition in response to the first location based information during a scheduled first period of time associated with the first user and in response to the second location based information during a scheduled second period of time associated with the second user, wherein the scheduled first and second periods of time are different; and

wherein the network device includes at least one of a wireless thermostat, a lighting system, a HVAC system, a door lock system, a security system and an alarm system capable of being altered by a setpoint provided in response to detecting the mobile device relative to the geographical boundary.

25. The system as set forth in claim 24, further comprising;

a second network device located at the site;

wherein the detection module is further configured to;

associate altering an operating condition of the first network device with the first geographic boundary; and

associate altering an operating condition of the second network device with the second geographic boundary.

26. The system as set forth in claim 24, wherein the detection module is configured to:

detect a presence of the user relative to a geofence used to establish the first geographic boundary; and

initiate the change in the operating condition of the network device in response to the user being detected either inside or outside the geofence.

27. The system as set forth in claim 24, further comprising:

an electronic device associated with the site; and

said detection module configured to alter the operating condition of the network device in response to a detected presence or absence of the electronic device in proximity to the site.

28. The system of claim 24, wherein the at least one network device is a thermostat capable of being altered in association with one or more of the first geographical boundary and the second geographical boundary.

29. The system of claim 24, further comprising;

wherein the network device includes a thermostat;

an alarm system capable of being altered using the at least one or the first geographical boundary or the second geographical boundary.

30. The system of claim 24, wherein the first geographical boundary or the second geographical boundary can be configured to used with at least one or more network device that can include:

a security system having armed, disarmed, and stay operating conditions;

a video camera capable of capturing video content at a site;

a thermostat;

a light control;

a door lock control; and

an image sensor.

31. The system of claim 24, further comprising a server including:

a system status module configured to indicate a current operating status of the network device; and

a searchable historical activity database configured to store current and historical data including one or more of control data, usage data, user initiated actions, date information, time information, user information, setpoint information, heating and cooling information, energy savings information, mobile device information, zone information, distance information, location information, savings rate information, inside temperature, and outside temperature.

32. The system of claim 24, wherein the at least one network device includes at least one or more of:

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 co-operative 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, 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.

33. The system of claim 24, wherein at least one operating condition of the network device is automatically altered by the location based information of the first or second user closest to the network device.