Abstract:
A scheduler detects a change in one of an electricity consumption pattern and appliance cycle scheduling that affects electricity consumption in a future time slot of an appliance cycle schedule for a plurality of appliances. The appliance cycle schedule comprises a plurality of future time slots. Appliances scheduled for use during the future time slot are determined. A total electricity consumption for the future time slot is then computed. The total electricity consumption comprises a sum of predicted background electricity consumption during the future time slot and predicted appliance cycle electricity consumption during the future time slot. It is determined that the total electricity consumption exceeds a threshold electricity consumption associated with an electric meter associated with the plurality of appliances. A new appliance cycle schedule with each of the plurality of future time slots having total electricity consumption below the threshold electricity consumption is generated.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This continuation application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/208,197 filed Sep. 10, 2008 under 35 U.S.C. §120. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present inventive subject matter relates generally to controlling electricity consumption, and in particular, to adapting appliance scheduling for managing electricity consumption. 
         [0003]    Domestic electrical appliances in a residence consume a certain quantity of electricity, and the usage of two or more appliances at the same time has a cumulative effect on the amount of electricity being consumed at that time. Many domestic contracts for electricity supply, stipulate an upper limit for the amount of electricity that can be consumed at any point in time, and if that limit is exceeded it is common practice for the electricity meter to interrupt the electricity supply. This can be, at best, annoying, and in many cases it can have a negative impact on domestic chores or habits. Conventional approaches to addressing interruption are reactive to the consumption reaching maximum threshold, and switch off low priority appliances to prevent interruption of power to all devices. Even with such approaches in place, a residence is still prone to electricity disruption since certain appliances are turned off if a maximum threshold is reached. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Embodiments of the inventive subject matter include a method that detects a change in one of an electricity consumption pattern and appliance cycle scheduling that affects electricity consumption in a future time slot of an appliance cycle schedule for a plurality of appliances. The appliance cycle schedule comprises a plurality of future time slots that include the future time slot. A set of one or more of the plurality of appliances scheduled for use during the future time slot is determined. A total electricity consumption for the future time slot is computed in response to said detecting the change. The total electricity consumption comprises a sum of predicted background electricity consumption during the future time slot and predicted appliance cycle electricity consumption during the future time slot. It is determined that the total electricity consumption exceeds a threshold electricity consumption associated with an electric meter associated with the plurality of appliances. A new appliance cycle schedule with each of the plurality of future time slots having total electricity consumption below the threshold electricity consumption is generated. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the inventive subject matter, as well as a preferred mode of use, reference should be made to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  shows a functional block diagram of a system implementing a method for organizing, managing and optimizing electrical consumption, according to an embodiment of the inventive subject matter. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  shows an example interface for scheduling appliance operation cycles in time slots, according to an embodiment of the inventive subject matter. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  shows a process for defining, scheduling and modifying an appliance cycle, according to an embodiment of the inventive subject matter. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  shows a process for monitoring electrical power consumption by the scheduled appliances, according to an embodiment of the inventive subject matter. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  shows a functional block diagram of an example computing system in which the inventive subject matter is implemented. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]    The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the inventive subject matter and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular features described herein can be used in combination with other described features in each of the various possible combinations and permutations. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be given their broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied from the specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in the art and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc. 
         [0012]    The inventive subject matter provides a method and system for organizing, managing and optimizing electrical consumption. One embodiment involves scheduling the operation of domestic electrical appliances through an interface that allows determining the most appropriate time for operating each appliance in a residence, without risk of exceeding the maximum permitted consumption for the residence. The interface is provided by an application that supports scheduling and organizing of appliance operations, and can automatically adjust domestic appliance operation schedule to react to new events or new scheduled activities 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a functional block diagram of a system  10  including multiple electrical appliances  11  and a scheduling system  12  running on a computing module, according to an embodiment of the inventive subject matter. Example electrical appliances may include washing machine, dishwasher, oven, air conditioner, consumer electronics, etc. The scheduling system  12  includes a scheduler engine  13  that provides a scheduling application, an interface module  14  that generates said interface for scheduling appliance operations, and an appliance cycles repository  15 . 
         [0014]    The electricity consumption of each domestic appliance  11  is known (e.g., provided by the manufacturer, measured and maintained as historical information, etc.). The consumption of each appliance  11  need not be constant, but can vary at different points in its usage cycle. Some appliances can have different consumption patterns depending on manner of use (e.g., a washing machine supports different cycles with different consumption patterns), while others are constant (e.g., a 60 W light bulb always consumes 60 W). Consumption pattern of each appliance is maintained in the repository  15  as an appliance cycle. 
         [0015]    Utilizing the interface module  14 , a user may schedule a new appliance cycle, modify an existing appliance cycle schedule, add a new appliance cycle to the existing list in the repository  15 , etc. The scheduler engine  13  manages operation schedules of the appliances, monitors their schedules to store historical data in the repository  15  and performs recovery actions. 
         [0016]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , in one implementation, the interface module  14  provides a graphical user interface  20  that provides information from a scheduling application function of the scheduler engine  13 , whereby a user can easily schedule appliance cycles for multiple electrical appliances (e.g., washing machine, dishwasher, oven). In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , a washing machine is scheduled to run at 9:00 o&#39;clock, and from the cycle information recorded in the repository it is known that the cycle will last for 60 minutes with a peak consumption beginning after 30 minutes and then trailing off to a lower consumption towards the end of the cycle. At 9:45 a dishwasher cycle is scheduled to begin, and it is known that it too will last for 60 minutes with consumption constant until the last 15 minutes where it increases. At 10:15 an oven cycle is scheduled to begin, with constant consumption for 60 minutes. Even with overlapping cycles, the consumption remains below the limit except for a 15 minute slot in which the dishwasher peak coincides with the oven. In this case, the user interface clearly indicates that a reschedule of one of the cycles is required to avoid exceeding the threshold. 
         [0017]    To schedule the operation of an appliance  11  via the user interface (UI)  20 , the user selects the appropriate appliance cycle (task) from a list that is appropriately filtered and ordered. The scheduling application then automatically adds the task in the best available time slot  21  based on the other scheduled appliance cycles (tasks) and on the allowed electricity consumption (e.g., kw/h) upper limit. The user can then move the appliance cycle to another time slot by dragging the bar related to the appliance cycle (in the example UI  20 , identified by a unique shading or color for each appliance). In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , to resolve the problem of exceeding the threshold at 10:30, for example, the user may select one or more cycles for the oven and drag the selected cycles to the right until the sum of each column lies below the threshold. In the example, the start of the oven cycle would need to be dragged to 10:45 until the sum of each column lies below the threshold. 
         [0018]    The repository  15  may use preloaded information from domestic appliance manufacturers as a predefined set of appliance cycles. Alternatively, users can also create their own appliance cycles by providing related information, wherein the scheduling application discovers the consumption information during the first run of the appliance cycle. The application cycle in the repository  15  may be refined during subsequent runs to filter out noise and improve accuracy of the appliance cycle for each appliance. 
         [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a flowchart of a process  30  to define, schedule and modify an appliance cycle, using the system  12 . When a new appliance cycle is added to the schedule, it may cause the consumption limit to be exceeded, whereby the cycles are rescheduled to remove the risk. This is performed according to predefined schedule constraints and prioritization of cycles. The user can override the reschedule by dragging the cycle on the interface. 
         [0020]    In processing block  31 , user consults a list of appliance cycles (e.g., from repository  15 ) for a desired appliance cycle. In processing block  32 , it is determined if the appliance cycle is in the list. If not, the process proceeds to block  33 , otherwise the process proceeds to block  34 . In process block  33 , the user adds the appliance cycle to the list, and the process proceeds back to block  31 . In process block  34 , the scheduling application retrieves the cycle characteristics from the repository  15 . In process block  35 , the scheduling application selects the best time slot for the appliance cycle, as a function of one or more of: other scheduled appliance cycles, the kw/h upper limit and on the background noise. In process block  36 , the scheduling application may reschedule existing appliance cycles based on predefined cycle constraints and prioritization of cycles, as necessary. In process block  37 , the scheduling application determines a projected power consumption level based on the current schedule, and it is determined if the schedule meets the upper limit electrical consumption limits for the residence. If the power consumption level based on the current schedule meets the upper limit, the process proceeds to process block  38 , otherwise the process proceeds to process block  39 . In process block  38 , the user may choose to exit the scheduling application. In process block  39 , the user may drag the processing cycle in another slot, and the process then proceeds back to process block  37 . 
         [0021]    In any time-slot, the total projected consumption level is the sum of the predicted consumption levels of each of the appliances scheduled to be active in that time-slot (respecting their cycle pattern) plus the background consumption “noise” predicted according to calendar patterns (based on historical observations). If the projected consumption level, so calculated, exceeds the threshold value (hard limit imposed by the utility company contract) then an action must be taken. 
         [0022]    Historical usage patterns are utilized by the system  12  to proactively plan and schedule the use cycles of appliances. The system provides automatic rescheduling based on power consumption projections. The system proactively schedules appliance activity to ensure that the maximum power consumption limit is not exceeded. Power consumption projections are based on at least the historical power consumption observations, and the system recognizes power consumption patterns which are then applied to future projections (e.g., power usage on weekends is different from weekdays, and so on). The user need not be directly involved in the scheduling of the appliance usage (except to optionally override the system and ask for a reschedule). This proactive scheduling is predictable and repeatable. The user can be reasonably sure that the schedule will be respected (and therefore that, for example, the dishes will be washed and ready before the next time they are needed) using such predictable scheduling. The schedule is readily viewable at all times and the user can override it when desired (e.g., generating a new schedule based on the user priorities) The system allows predicting future usage patterns based on a historical usage pattern, therefore generating a schedule that stands a good chance of being maintained (remain unchanged). An example implementation is described in relation to the process in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  shows a flowchart of a process  40  for monitoring electrical power consumption by the scheduled appliances, using the system  12 . The process  40  is performed for each scheduled appliance based on the scheduled time slots. The description below relates to an instance of the process  40  for a scheduled appliance cycle (comprising one or more scheduled time slots). In process block  41 , background noise information is obtained and if needed updates historical data. The scheduling application handles background noise due to low voltage and ad-hoc power usage (e.g., light bulbs). This noise is maintained as a background appliance cycle, and is based on historical patterns taking into account time-of-day, day-of-week, etc. 
         [0024]    Background noise is obtained by observing power consumption constantly. If there are no scheduled cycles running, then the background noise is simply the total power consumption at that point in time (due to unscheduled activities like fridge, light bulbs, radio, etc.). If there are scheduled cycles active, then the background noise is the total actual consumption minus the predicted consumption for the scheduled cycles at that point-in-time. The historical data is used to ensure that the total consumption never exceeds the threshold, but it is possible that on occasion the background noise can exceed the predicted value based on historical observations (e.g., a birthday party that has loud music and more lighting that is typically employed). In this case, calculation of the total overall consumption in the plan is redone to ensure that this extra unplanned consumption does not push the total consumption over the threshold. If it is calculated that the extra consumption will at some future time, push the overall consumption over the threshold, then one or more of the scheduled cycles will be rescheduled to avoid this from happening. In general, historical data is updated according to a statistical calendar-based observation of power consumption. 
         [0025]    In process block  42 , it is determined if another appliance cycle running with the current appliance cycle. If not, the process proceeds to block  43 , otherwise the process proceeds to block  44 . In process block  43 , the process enters a specified wait time period (e.g., one or more appliance time slots), then proceeds back to block  41 . Since there is no other appliance cycle in the current time slot with the current appliance cycle (i.e., no more than one appliance is operating in the current time slot), after a delay the process gain checks for concurrency, which then necessitates determining if total power consumption of the appliance cycles meet power consumption limits (i.e., planned limits). In process block  44 , the actual power consumption level by all appliance cycles in the current time slot is determined. In process block  45 , it is determined if the actual power consumption level is different from the planned limit. If not, the process proceeds back to block  42 , otherwise, the process proceeds to block  46 . In process block  46 , the historical power consumption levels are updated in the repository  15 . In process block  47 , it is determined if the planned consumption limit is less than the actual consumption. If not, the process proceeds back to block  42 , otherwise the process proceeds to block  48 . 
         [0026]    In process block  48 , the difference between planned and actual consumption (i.e., delta) at multiple data points (time slots) in a future period are compared, and rescheduling is performed as necessary. Proceed back to block  42 . Specifically, in process block  48 , just as the background noise cycle is used to plan the schedule, the current consumption is tracked, and when it differs from the planned consumption then the system evaluates whether a reschedule is required. If the actual consumption in a time slot exceeds the planned consumption, then the delta is compared to the difference between the planned consumption and the upper limit at all data points in a future period. If there is a possibility of exceeding the threshold then a reschedule is performed to reduce (eliminate) the risk. If, on the other hand, the current collective consumption is lower than the planned consumption, then future appliance cycles can be rescheduled to run them earlier. The multiple appliances  11  interconnected to the system  12  (e.g., via a network) for providing consumption information thereto and receiving operation cycle schedules. 
         [0027]    In one example, if predicted power consumption at a future point is 20% of the threshold due to background consumption plus 70% of the threshold due to scheduled cycles (i.e., 90% of threshold in total), then the situation looks to be under control. If however, the actual background consumption is observed to be 40% of the threshold due to some deviation from the normal pattern, then this deviation is applied to near-future time-slots to assess the risk of exceeding the threshold. In this example, 40%+70%=110% and so a rescheduling of one of the scheduled cycles would be required to avoid the risk of exceeding the threshold. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  shows a block diagram of an example architecture of an embodiment of a system  100  configured as above, according to an embodiment of the inventive subject matter. The system  100  includes one or more client devices  101  connected to one or more server computing systems  130 . A server  130  includes a bus  102  or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a processor (CPU)  104  coupled with the bus  102  for processing information. The server  130  also includes a main memory  106 , such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus  102  for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor  104 . The main memory  106  also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution or instructions to be executed by the processor  104 . The server computer system  130  further includes a read only memory (ROM)  108  or other static storage device coupled to the bus  102  for storing static information and instructions for the processor  104 . A storage device  110 , such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided and coupled to the bus  102  for storing information and instructions. The bus  102  may contain, for example, thirty-two address lines for addressing video memory or main memory  106 . The bus  102  can also include, for example, a 32-bit data bus for transferring data between and among the components, such as the CPU  104 , the main memory  106 , video memory and the storage  110 . Alternatively, multiplex data/address lines may be used instead of separate data and address lines. 
         [0029]    The server  130  may be coupled via the bus  102  to a display  112  for displaying information to a computer user. An input device  114 , including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to the bus  102  for communicating information and command selections to the processor  104 . Another type or user input device comprises cursor control  116 , such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicating direction information and command selections to the processor  104  and for controlling cursor movement on the display  112 . 
         [0030]    According to one embodiment of the inventive subject matter, the functions of the system  10  ( FIG. 1 ) are performed by the server  130  in response to the processor  104  executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in the main memory  106 . Such instructions may be read into the main memory  106  from another computer-readable medium, such as the storage device  110 . Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in the main memory  106  causes the processor  104  to perform the process steps described herein. One or more processors in a multi-processing arrangement may also be employed to execute the sequences of instructions contained in the main memory  106 . In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the inventive subject matter. Thus, embodiments of the inventive subject matter are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software. 
         [0031]    The terms “computer program medium,” “computer usable medium,” “computer readable medium”, and “computer program product,” are used to generally refer to media such as main memory, secondary memory, removable storage drive, a hard disk installed in hard disk drive, and signals. These computer program products are means for providing software to the computer system. The computer readable medium allows the computer system to read data, instructions, messages or message packets, and other computer readable information from the computer readable medium. The computer readable medium, for example, may include non-volatile memory, such as a floppy disk, ROM, flash memory, disk drive memory, a CD-ROM, and other permanent storage. It is useful, for example, for transporting information, such as data and computer instructions, between computer systems. Furthermore, the computer readable medium may comprise computer readable information in a transitory state medium such as a network link and/or a network interface, including a wired network or a wireless network, that allow a computer to read such computer readable information. Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored in main memory and/or secondary memory. Computer programs may also be received via a communications interface. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the computer system to perform the features of the present inventive subject matter as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable the processor multi-core processor to perform the features of the computer system. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of the computer system. 
         [0032]    Generally, the term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any medium that participated in providing instructions to the processor  104  for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as the storage device  110 . Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as the main memory  106 . Transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise the bus  102 . Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave and infrared data communications. 
         [0033]    Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer can read. 
         [0034]    Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to the processor  104  for execution. For example, the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can load the instructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to the server  130  can receive the data on the telephone line and use an infrared transmitter to convert the data to an infrared signal. An infrared detector coupled to the bus  102  can receive the data carried in the infrared signal and place the data on the bus  102 . The bus  102  carries the data to the main memory  106 , from which the processor  104  retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received from the main memory  106  may optionally be stored on the storage device  110  either before or after execution by the processor  104 . 
         [0035]    The server  130  also includes a communication interface  118  coupled to the bus  102 . The communication interface  118  provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link  120  that is connected to the world wide packet data communication network now commonly referred to as the Internet  128 . The Internet  128  uses electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams. The signals through the various networks and the signals on the network link  120  and through the communication interface  118 , which carry the digital data to and from the server  130 , are exemplary forms or carrier waves transporting the information. 
         [0036]    In another embodiment of the server  130 , interface  118  is connected to a network  122  via a communication link  120 . For example, the communication interface  118  may be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line, which can comprise part of the network link  120 . As another example, the communication interface  118  may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such implementation, the communication interface  118  sends and receives electrical electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information. 
         [0037]    The network link  120  typically provides data communication through one or more networks to other data devices. For example, the network link  120  may provide a connection through the local network  122  to a host computer  124  or to data equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP)  126 . The ISP  126  in turn provides data communication services through the Internet  128 . The local network  122  and the Internet  128  both use electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams. The signals through the various networks and the signals on the network link  120  and through the communication interface  118 , which carry the digital data to and from the server  130 , are exemplary forms or carrier waves transporting the information. 
         [0038]    The server  130  can send/receive messages and data, including e-mail, program code, through the network, the network link  120  and the communication interface  118 . Further, the communication interface  118  can comprise a USB/Tuner and the network link  120  may be an antenna or cable for connecting the server  130  to a cable provider, satellite provider or other terrestrial transmission system for receiving messages, data and program code from another source. 
         [0039]    The example versions of the inventive subject matter described herein are implemented as logical operations in a distributed processing system such as the system  100  including the servers  130 . The logical operations of the present inventive subject matter can be implemented as a sequence of steps executing in the server  130 , and as interconnected machine modules within the system  100 . The implementation is a matter of choice and can depend on performance of the system  100  implementing the inventive subject matter. As such, the logical operations constituting said example versions of the inventive subject matter are referred to for e.g. as operations, steps or modules. 
         [0040]    Similar to a server  130  described above, a client device  101  can include a processor, memory, storage device, display, input device and communication interface (e.g., e-mail interface) for connecting the client device to the Internet  128 , the ISP  126 , or LAN  122 , for communication with the servers  130 . 
         [0041]    The system  100  can further include computers (e.g., personal computers, computing nodes)  105  operating the same manner as client devices  101 , wherein a user can utilize one or more computers  105  to manage data in the server  130 . 
         [0042]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventive subject matter. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the inventive subject matter may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.