Patent ID: 8396821
Filing Date: 2013-03-12
Classification: G06Q,G08C,H02J

Abstract:
1. A utility monitoring method comprising: measuring an amount of a first utility consumed by a first device at a first time to determine a first utility amount consumed by the first device; measuring an amount of a second utility, which may be the same as the first utility, consumed by a second device at a second time, which may be the same as the first time, to determine a second utility amount consumed by the second device; identifying a relationship between the first and second devices from the relative timing of the utility consumption of the first device at the first time and the utility consumption of the second device at the second time; and determining the identity of the first device based at least in part on the utility amounts consumed by the first and second devices at the first and second times and the relationship identified between the first and second devices, wherein the first and second devices are different appliances.