Abstract:
Apparatus for providing energy management with automation control features are invented. Power consumption details for building or household can be known as well as the expected power bill in advance. The operation status of specific appliance can also be monitored and controlled. Wireless technology is used as a communication medium with a plurality of appliances which facilitates the management of energy consumption with different applications, like checking the operation status, operating hours and consumption data. An advanced feature of communication with the utility provides power information and instant messaging to users. A consumption target can also be set to economize the electricity bill.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of energy management system and more particularly to apparatus and methods to provide energy management features for user to monitor and control power consumption of a plurality of devices and light switches for energy saving purpose. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Energy Management has become a highly prevalent issue in recent years, due to the increasing concerns about the global warming phenomena and its detrimental effects it is causing to our environment. Global warming refers to the increase of the average temperature on Earth, and is largely a result of the increased atmospheric greenhouse gases caused by human activities over the past 20 years. These human activities include the burning of fossil fuels for producing energy such as electricity, but burning fossil fuels is also one of the largest contributors to global warming due to the vast amount of the greenhouse gas CO2 that is produced. The Global warming phenomena is therefore recognized as a continuous issue and actions must be undertaken immediately to counteract the effects. 
         [0003]    One of the solutions to counteracting the effects of global warming is to effectively and efficiently manage our already scarce energy resources. An automated energy management system will maximize efficiency and result in the greatest environmental and economic benefits. Installation and maintenance expenses continue to rise in building/home automation, and therefore an automated energy management system must place emphasis on affordability as well as design, flexibility and security. 
         [0004]    A wireless approach to an automated energy management has many benefits over wired networks, such as flexibility, lower costs, ease of deployment and also high scalability. Flexibility is one of the greatest benefits, due to the fact that devices in a wireless system can be relocated easily to optimize system performance or adapt to changes in the environment. This results in cost and time saving benefits because there is no re-wiring required for the entire building. 
         [0005]    An automated energy management system must monitor energy consumptions of each individual operating device in the system. This will allow the system to see which device is consuming the most energy, and determine whether there are any devices that can be regarded as redundant and wasting energy. One concept of an automated energy management system is for each device in the system to run according to a schedule, where the amount of power supplied to each device is varied depending on On-Peak or Off-Peak times. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to the apparatus and methods to provide energy management features in automation system. From a broad sense aspect, the present invention provides wireless enabled gadget with methods to figure out and report the building/apartment electricity consumption based on the recorded consumption data. The capability of communication with the utility facilitates the power bill computation. The energy consumption of the whole system including each device and light switch can also be monitored by user through the user interface of the apparatus. In addition, a number of functions regarding energy management can be provided as well. Scheduling control can also be included in the present invention. The said device and light switch can be applied to a variety of household appliances and lightings as an integrated system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a graphical illustration of an energy management system which is to be implemented according to the present invention, 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention, 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  is a preferred embodiment displaying the menu for the power consumption of the system, 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  illustrates the display of power consumption details of the system in a graphical representation, 
           [0011]      FIG. 3C  illustrates the display of power bill details of the system in a graphical representation, 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A  is a preferred embodiment showing the power consumption details of a specific device in the system, 
           [0013]      FIG. 4B  illustrates the display of power consumption details for the selected device or light switch in a graphical representation, 
           [0014]      FIG. 4C  illustrates the display of power bill details for the selected device or light switch in a graphical representation, 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a preferred embodiment showing the power bill information, 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a communication flow diagram illustrating the packet flow of the present invention, 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a preferred embodiment for the present invention to control the on/off status of a particular device or light switch in the system, 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a preferred embodiment for the present invention displaying the messages from the utility. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The following detailed description of present embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments having different structures and operations do not depart from the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described herein are also susceptible to variations, modifications and/or additions other than those specifically described and it is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations, modifications and additions which fall within the spirit and scope of the above description. 
         [0020]    Present invention related to the energy management which provides a portable gadget for monitoring and managing a plurality of devices and light switches by using wireless as a communication medium in an energy management system. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a graphical illustration of an energy management system which is to be implemented according to the present invention. An overview of the preferred implementation is shown where a utility server computer  101  may be connected to a utility electricity meter  103  in a building/apartment which is further connected to an energy management system. It is understood that the utility server computer  101  is responsible for all meters  103  in a territory and the communication between utility and users. The data communication between the utility server computer  101  and the meter  103  may be via a private wired network  102  while the data communication between the meter  103  and the energy management system may be via a wireless home area network  104 . The energy management system comprises the present invention, a wireless gadget  105 , controlling and connecting with a plurality of wireless devices  106 ,  110  and a plurality of wireless light switches  107 ,  108 ,  109  at multiple locations. Examples of the wireless devices may be smart appliance/equipment such as wireless socket  110  where natural electrical appliance can be plugged into the socket for adoption and wireless enabled air-conditioner  106  which further means an appliance may be refitted with a wireless enabled module. It is understood that the device and light switch may be applied to a variety of household appliances and lightings as an integrated system. As for the wireless light switches  107 ,  108 ,  109 , preferred variations are known to be one-gang light switch  107 , two-gang light switch  108  and dimmer  109 . The on/off status of lighting  112  can be controlled by the one-gang light switch  107  and the on/off status of lightings  113 ,  114  can be controlled by the two-gang light switch  108 . The luminance of lighting  115  is dimmable by the dimmer  109 . For specialty, the electricity consumed details of the devices  106 ,  110  and light switches  107 ,  108 ,  109  can be recorded. Preferred consumption details may comprise power consumed, duration of operation, on/off status, etc. In addition, the operation status of the devices  106 ,  110  and light switches  107 ,  108 ,  109  can be controlled by the gadget  105 . Furthermore, scheduling function can be provided based on the operation control function. For managing the devices as a whole, the wireless gadget  105  operates as performing an energy management role for user, data management for environmental conditions, a medium of communication for both users and the utility and a controlling means for the devices. In addition, a database is embedded inside the gadget  105  for storing useful data. Furthermore, humidity and thermostat are embedded inside the gadget for detecting moisture and temperature respectively. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention. A LCD monitor  201  is provided for displaying a series of user interface menus for specific operations and two groups of buttons are provided for operation inputs. The group of four rectangular buttons  205 ,  206 ,  209 ,  210  is a set of functioning buttons for each specific menu where the function of each button varies according to the menu. The group of two circular buttons  207 ,  208  comprises a navigation button  208  and a select button  207  for input selection. In particular, the navigation button  208  comprises four directions: up, down, left and right representing cursor movement. Three indicators  202 ,  203 ,  204  will be lit whenever messages, warning or signals are reported to users. 
         [0023]    A preferred scenario of a home menu named Power Manager  212  is showcased on the monitor  201  where power management details are shown. Both graphical and text representation are available for the displaying means. The preferred embodiments of the details displayed comprise date and time  213 , total power bill  214 , total power consumption  211 , indoor humidity  215 , indoor temperature  216  and energy consumed indicator  217 . The object of setting an energy quota is to limit the amount of electricity consumed within a period time. More specifically, the energy consumed indicator  217  is considered as a progress checking with respect to the energy quota set. The energy quota may be a self-defined or utility-defined consumption quota on a daily or a weekly or a monthly or yearly basis. Thus, the higher level of indication, the less energy quota available is left for use. In the preferred menu, the functioning buttons  205 ,  206 ,  209 ,  210  are referred to the functions as shown in the function blocks  218 ,  219 ,  220 ,  221 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 3A  is a preferred embodiment displaying the menu for the power consumption for the whole system. As shown in the menu selection  301  scenario, multiple menus are available for selection in which a number of functions can be provided upon entering the corresponding menu. The function showcased herein is the display of power consumption details  302  since the wireless gadget is accessible to figure out the power consumption data of either a specific device or the whole system. A preferred text representation is shown for displaying the power consumption checking request. It is shown that the four function blocks bottommost are showing the respective functions in the current menu. Upon clicking the functioning button with respect to home  303 , the home menu will be proceeded which can be referred to  FIG. 2 . Upon clicking the functioning button with respect to back  304 , the previously accessed menu will be returned depending on the accessed menu. If there is no other function available, the function block  305  will be left empty as shown. 
         [0025]    After the consumption menu  302  is chosen by the confirmation of the selection button, a couple of inquiries are required before power consumption details can be shown. The first inquiry of consumption menu  307  is shown where either the whole system or a specific device can be further selected for reference. In this consumption menu  307 , a menu  309  is available in the function block wherein the menu selection  301  scenario can be preceded by clicking the corresponding functioning button. Upon choosing the system consumption selection  308 , a further option menu based on the timing reference for the whole system consumption  310  is displayed. The power consumption details can be as detailed as showing in a day  311 , week  312 , month  313  or year  314 . If power consumption in a day  311  is chosen, a further option menu  315  will be displayed for asking a specific date  316 . The date  316  shown is amendable by user upon using the navigation and select buttons. Likewise, if a week  312 , a month  313  or a year  314  basis is chosen, a corresponding option will be available for amendment. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3B  illustrates the display of power consumption details for the whole system in a graphical representation. After the inquiries have been finished, a data retrieving and processing is performed. Energy profile in a day  317 , week  320 , month  323  or a year  326  on the chosen date  318 , week  321 , month  324  or year  327  can be available. A preferred graphical representation of the energy profile is shown displaying a chart of energy consumed (y-axis) versus every hour in a day (x-axis), every day in a week (x-axis), every day in a month (x-axis) and every month in a year (x-axis). As a user friendly purpose, the switching between the previous or next day can be done by clicking the left or right button respectively. Similarly, the previous or next week, month and year can be clicked in the same way. Upon clicking the up or down button, the switching from a daily profile to weekly profile, a daily profile to monthly profile and a monthly to yearly profile can be done. 
         [0027]    Upon clicking the functioning buttons with respect to mode  319 ,  322 ,  325 ,  328 , a graphical representation of a chart of power bill (y-axis) versus every hour in a day (x-axis), every day in a week (x-axis), every day in a month (x-axis) and every month in a year (x-axis) can be displayed as shown in  FIG. 3C . 
         [0028]    When further clicking the functioning buttons with respect to mode  330 ,  332 ,  334 ,  336 , the graphical representation of energy profile in  FIG. 3B  can be returned. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4A  is a preferred embodiment showing the power consumption details on a specific device in the system. As shown, the device inquiry process is similar to that of the system in which consumption menu  402  is chosen in the main menu  401 . It is then followed by choosing the device consumption option  404  in the consumption menu  403 . A device list menu  405  is shown where all devices and light switches registered in the system are listed. In the current scenario, air-conditioner  1   406  is chosen for a day  408  in the device consumption menu  407 . After a date  410  is chosen in the date selection menu  409 , the data retrieving and processing will be performed as shown in  FIG. 4B . It is understood that the power bill and power consumption displayed for the specific device or light switch are estimated bill and estimated consumption respectively since no utility approved data is known for a specific device. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4B  illustrates the display of power consumption details for the selected device or light switch in a graphical representation. After the inquiries have been finished, a data retrieving and processing is performed. Energy profile in a day  411 , week  414 , month  417  or a year  420  on the chosen date  413 , week  416 , month  419  or year  422  can be available. A preferred graphical representation of the energy profile is shown displaying a chart of energy consumed (y-axis) versus every hour in a day (x-axis), every day in a week (x-axis), every day in a month (x-axis) and every month in a year (x-axis). As a user friendly purpose, the switching between the previous or next day can be done by clicking the left or right button respectively. Similarly, the previous or next week, month and year can be clicked in the same way. Upon clicking the up or down button, the switching from a daily profile to weekly profile, a daily profile to monthly profile and a monthly to yearly profile can be done. 
         [0031]    Upon clicking the functioning buttons with respect to mode  412 ,  415 ,  418 ,  421 , a graphical representation of a chart of power bill (y-axis) versus every hour in a day (x-axis), every day in a week (x-axis), every day in a month (x-axis) and every month in a year (x-axis) can be displayed as shown in  FIG. 4C . 
         [0032]    When further clicking the functioning buttons with respect to mode  424 ,  426 ,  428 ,  430 , the graphical representation of energy profile in  FIG. 4B  can be returned. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a preferred embodiment showing the power bill information. The detailed billing information  502  for user from the utility can be read by selecting the bill option in the power consumption menu  501 . As shown, the power bill menu  503  in a specific period of time  504  lists a detailed computation of a user&#39;s power bill. The rule of progressive billing method from the utility is demonstrated to user with the multiplication of power usage in kWh  508  with rate in dollar  509  to obtain a set of power based bills  505 . A summation of the power usage  507  and total bill  506  will be shown in which users can be budgeted of the expected power bill. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a communication flow diagram illustrating the packet flow of the present invention. Periodically, the wireless gadget  601  polls a consumption details request  607  to each of the device and light switch in the system to update the consumption status. As an example, a wireless enabled air-conditioner  602 , a two-gang light switch  605  for two individual lightings  603 ,  604  and a wireless socket  606  are implemented in the system. The aforementioned devices and light switches are capable of recording electricity consumed details. Preferred consumed details may comprise power consumed, duration of operation, on/off status, etc. Thus, upon receiving the polling message of consumption details request  607 , a response  608  reporting the consumption details will be replied. 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is a preferred embodiment for the present invention to control the on/off status of a particular device or light switch in the system. In choosing the device control function  702  in the main menu  701 , a device list  703  in the whole system is shown listing the devices and light switches with the current operation status in the system. The status of the devices and light switches can be controlled  704  in this preferred embodiment. In this preferred embodiment, some features are provided in the function blocks undermost. Upon using the all ON  705  function, the power supply to all the devices and light switches are permitted which means that all the devices and light switches can be switched on. Upon using the all OFF  706  function, the power supplied to all devices and light switches are blocked which means that all devices and light switches are not possible to switch on. Upon using the status function  707 , the current on/off status of individual device and light switch are updated. It is understandable that the device and light switch can be brought under control by the aforementioned features. 
         [0036]    Additionally, with the element of timing, a scheduling function can be provided on top of the device control function as well. The operation status of a particular device or light switch in a specified period of time can be set by user. Additional function may be applied to repeated setting for every day or every week. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the temperature, humidity and energy consumed indicator shown are alternative method of scheduling. For instance, it is understood that air-conditioner consumes a majority of household and building electricity especially in summer, therein conditions can be set for the operation of the air-conditioner. A decision rule on temperature, humidity and energy consumed indicator may be used to determine the suitability of using air-conditioner. As the operation status of the air-conditioner is under control, it is therefore energy efficient to employ decision rule on air-conditioner operation. 
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is a preferred embodiment for the present invention displaying the messages from the utility. In choosing the message history function  802  in the main menu  801 , a message list  803  from the utility is shown listing the message received. In the current example, an underlined message is shown which indicates a new message. The cursor also points to the latest unread message by default. When choosing the message topic in the list  804 , a full text view of the message  806  can be viewed in the message menu  805 . This is an advanced feature where real-time information, such as power failure, expected power bill, service request, can be conveyed to users by this means. Alternative method to access the message list can be done by clicking the functioning button with respect to message  808  in any other menu  807 , a message appear in the function block  808  represents at least one unread message is in the message list.