Abstract:
The present application is directed to a system and method of providing flexible real-time two-way energy control and monitoring between utility providers and consumers. Consumer friendly nodes permit communication of targeted information and control, while permitting the utility provider to remotely communicate and control in a real-time environment. Data collection of and accessibility by a community of utility consumers provides social feedback through comparative usage statistics.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/139,090 (“the &#39;090 application”), filed Dec. 19, 2008, entitled “System, Method and Apparatus for Providing Telephony and Digital Media Services”. The contents of the &#39;090 application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to utility metering, and in particular to utility control, monitoring and conservation using real-time communication and feedback through comparative usage statistics. 
     2. Background Art 
     Usage measurement by utility providers is a routine process whereby utility providers seek to measure the usage of the commodity involved (e.g., water, gas, electricity) by each consumer. Consumers are then billed based on their usage at periodic times, typically monthly. Traditionally, usage was measured manually by utility workers who visited each point-of-use location and read the utility meter to ascertain the usage since the previous reading. In fact, the oldest style utility meters supported only visual reading. Such manual measurements posed a variety of issues, such as the time and cost of visiting every meter each month, obtaining access to each meter during difficult weather conditions, as well as the cost of human error in reading the meters and the resulting public relations consequences. 
     The next generation meters, known as automatic meter reading (“AMR”) devices, were designed to offset the above manual meter reading issues. AMR devices permit automated or semi-automated reading of meters as an alternative to having the utility workers physically access every meter each month. Various technologies are used for AMR meter readings including radio and powerline networking links. By using these various technologies to remotely read every meter, the cost of human access and human error are substantially reduced. For example, utility workers can use handheld computers coupled with short range transceivers to remotely interrogate every meter from the street. The AMR approach avoids the need for the same level of physical access to each meter, automates the entry of each meter reading, and reduces the likelihood of reading and transcription errors. 
     More advanced AMR devices use electronic communication such that each meter device can communicate directly to the utility company computer systems, without the need for a utility worker to physically approach every meter each month. Such electronic communication takes the form of either wired or wireless communications. Wired communications includes telephone line connectivity, as well as power-line communications to forward the usage data back to the utility company computers. Wireless communications includes the use of radio frequencies (RF) and other suitable high frequencies for data transmission to the utility company computers. The choice between wired and wireless communications is typically driven by density of meter locations in a given area, as well as by the existence of telephone wiring in the particular area. 
     Thus, in its various forms, AMR devices provide a more cost-effective and less error-prone approach to the routine collection of utility usage data. However, new utility challenges have arisen that expose the limitations of AMR devices. For example, the limited communications bandwidths used by AMR devices do not enable utility companies to readily receive usage data on a more frequent basis. As such, access to additional data such as usage over various times of the day at each location is thwarted by low bandwidth connectivity between each meter location and the utility company. Thus, the modern-day need for utility companies to better understand the usage profile of each customer demands receipt of real-time data, and thus a real-time communications protocol. In addition, the passage by Congress of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 mandates that each public utility regulator consider the provision of a time-based rate schedule. Time-based rate schedules provide utility commodities (e.g., electricity, water, gas) at variable prices during a 24-hour period, with higher prices being charged during peak loading periods. For a customer to be able to take advantage of time-based rate schedules, utilities are thereby challenged to provide advanced metering, control and communications technologies. 
     The initial response to these challenges and the Congressional legislation has been the latest generation of meters, namely the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (“AMI”) meters. Unlike AMR meters, AMI meters offer two-way communication between the meter and the utility company. Usage data is transmitted to the utility company, while messages are forwarded to the customer from the utility company. In addition, AMI meters can also control and/or monitor home appliances by communicating to the home appliances using a short range wireless protocol, such as Zigbee wireless protocol. Communication between the numerous AMI meters and the utility company creates a communications network topology. The AMI network topology is typically a mesh structure formed by each of the AMI meters in a particular area. 
     AMI meters are often referred to as “smart meters” since they can store data over a period of time for subsequent retrieval and transmission. However, the bandwidth of an AMI meter and its associated communications network are typically narrow, and therefore data updates to and from the utility company are slow. For example, data updates may be limited to being no faster than every 15 minutes. Thus, real-time load management is not available to the utility company. In addition, the ability for customers to receive and view real-time usage data also limits their understanding of actual usage patterns over a typical day. Thus, such narrow bandwidths preclude meaningful real-time management by the utility company as well as the comprehensive understanding of real-time customer usage so necessary to take advantage of the Congressionally-mandated variable pricing schedules. 
     Thus, although AMI meters are capable of storage and subsequent transmission of usage data over a range of periods of time, various usage, control and conservation challenges are left unaddressed. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     What is needed is a system, apparatus and method to provide real-time management of utility loads on a per-customer basis, as well as receive real-time usage data to facilitate better understanding of customer usage. In addition, it is desirable that customers can control their appliances to take advantage of variable rate schedules offered by the utility companies. Further, it is desirable that customers receive comparative usage data on a regular basis in order to make and implement informed changes in their utility usage patterns. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, a legacy AMR meter can be provided with two-way communication functionality. An IP multi-media device communicates with the AMR meter using the particular interface the AMR meter supports. The interface includes Zigbee, 900 MHz and narrowband powerline network interfaces. The IP multi-media device in turn communicates with the central monitoring station and forwards usage data to the central monitoring station. Using its bidirectional communication link, the IP multi-media device also receives commands from the central monitoring such as meter reading requests. In an optional embodiment, the IP multi-media device also communicates with controllable appliances on the consumer premises. Controllable appliances include thermostats, HVAC systems, hot-water heaters, etc. Communication with the controllable appliances includes providing monitoring/control commands using a suitable communication interface, e.g., a Zigbee transceiver with a Smart Energy Profile. The IP multi-media device can receive remote utility management commands (e.g., for demand-response control) from the central monitoring station and forward appropriate monitoring/control commands to the controllable appliances in response to the remote utility management commands. 
     In a further embodiment of the present invention, a communications device (or IP multi-media device) is provided that receives usage data from a utility meter (which can be any form of utility meter having the ability to communicate, including an AMR or an AMI meter), and forwards this data to a central monitoring station using a real-time communications link. Using the same real-time communications link, the communications device receives control signals, data and information from the central monitoring station. In an optional embodiment, the data and/or information is displayed on a visual interface. 
     In a still further embodiment of the present invention, the communications device (or IP multi-media device) includes a processing device which can be algorithmically programmed to respond to received control signals, data and information from the central monitoring station. Such algorithmic response includes adjusting one or more appliances in response to a particular customer profile. Real-time usage in excess of certain goals can result in powering down appliances. 
     In a still further embodiment of the present invention, the communications device (or IP multi-media device) forwards the received usage data to a data aggregator using a real-time communications link. Using the same real-time communications link, the communications device receives aggregated data and/or statistical data (e.g., peer group usage data) from the data aggregator. Based on the received aggregated data and/or statistical data, the data can be displayed on a visual interface of the communications device and/or actions can be taken in response to the received data, such as providing instructions to one or more appliances. 
     Further embodiments, features, and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES 
       Embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. 
         FIG. 1  depicts an AMR-based system and infrastructure. 
         FIG. 2  depicts an AMI-based system and infrastructure. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an advanced control, monitoring and conservation solution, according to an embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a user interface of an advanced control, monitoring and conservation solution, according to an embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a further user interface of an advanced control, monitoring and conservation solution, according to an embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates another user interface of an advanced control, monitoring and conservation solution, according to an embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates another user interface of an advanced control, monitoring and conservation solution, according to an embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates another user interface of an advanced control, monitoring and conservation solution, according to an embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a further advanced control, monitoring and conservation solution using a database aggregator, according to an embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 10  provides a flowchart of a method that uses an advanced control, monitoring and conservation solution, according to an embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram of a computer system on which the methods and systems herein described can be implemented, according to an embodiment of the invention 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art with access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility. 
     Introduction 
       FIG. 1  depicts an AMR meter-based infrastructure  100 . AMR meter  110  measures usage of the utility&#39;s commodity (e.g., electricity, water, gas) and displays the cumulative usage on its display to facilitate visual reading. In addition, AMR meter  110  communicates usage to a utility company  130  through an AMR communications path  120 . AMR communications path  120  can include a handheld device, drive-by a utility employee or by a fixed network (e.g., mesh network). The handheld device, utility employee and the fixed network use narrow bandwidths at authorized frequencies such as 900 MHz to effect the required one-way communications of usage data. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an AMI infrastructure  200 . In such an infrastructure, both AMR meters  110  and AMI meters  210  co-exist in such an infrastructure. As before, AMR meter  110  communicates usage to a utility company  230  through the use of a communications path; in this case, the communications path is provided by AMI communication path  220 . Like AMR meter  110 , AMI meter  210  measures usage of the utility&#39;s commodity (e.g., electricity, water, gas), displays the cumulative usage on its display, and communicates usage back to utility company  230  through AMI communications path  220 . Unlike AMR communications path  120 , AMI communications path  220  is a two-way communications path such that utility company  230  can use to forward control signals and other information to each consumer. Although the communications in AMI infrastructure  200  are two-way, AMI communications path  220  also uses narrow bandwidths such as 900 MHz to effect the required two-way communications. As such, the two-way communications are slow and the provision of modern day functionality is limited. 
     AMI meter  210  also communicates using intra-customer communications path  250  with appliances  240   a  through  240   z  located in the customer&#39;s premises. For example, AMI meter  210  communicates with thermostat  240   a . Intra-customer communications path  250  uses protocols such as Zigbee, and narrow bandwidths at frequencies such as 900 MHz to effect the required two-way communications. Thus, signals from utility company  230  can be forwarded via AMI meter  210  through to customer appliance  240   a , and thereby effect a change of setting on customer appliance  240   a , e.g., thermostat. However, as noted above, AMI communications path  220  is typically slow and therefore limits the effective functionality available to the consumer and the utility company. 
     Example of an Advanced Metering Solution: Control, Monitoring, and Conservation 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an advanced utility solution  300 , according to an embodiment of the current invention. AMR meter  110  communicates usage via AMR communication link  320  to IP multi-media device  310 . AMR communication link  320  proceeds by the conventional means such as using narrow bandwidths at frequencies such as 900 MHz. The IP multi-media device  310  is backwards compatible with existing AMR meters  110 , and therefore no costly upgrade of AMR meters  110  is required in order to support the superior functionality of IP multi-media device  310 . This embodiment of the current invention allows an AMR meter to work like a two-way AMI meter, which obviates the need to replace or physically upgrade existing legacy meters or to build up or maintain new communications infrastructure where IP or cellular service already exists. An example of IP multi-media device  310  is the OpenFrame® multi-media device developed and distributed by OpenPeak Inc. of Boca Raton, Fla. Further details of the OpenFrame® multi-media device are provided in the &#39;090 application, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     Continuing to refer to  FIG. 3 , AMI meter  210  also communicates usage via AMI communication link  340  to IP multi-media device  310 . As in the case of AMR meters, AMI communication link  340  uses conventional means, e.g., narrow bandwidths at frequencies such as 900 MHz. The IP multi-media device  310  is compatible with existing AMI meters  210 . Importantly, because the IP multi-media device  310  has the ability to connect with either AMR meter  110  or AMI meter  210 , the solution of  FIG. 3  is not dependent on what type of legacy meter technology is used. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , IP multi-media device  310  supports a two-way customer link  350  to central monitoring station  330  in a utility company. Customer link  350  can be any type of communications link, although those skilled in the art recognize that a broadband link is preferred for reasons of speed and functionality. Customer link  350  can be realized in a variety of ways. For example, such connectivity can be made via satellite, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, wireless, cellular radio, cable modem, power line or DSL. In an exemplary embodiment, customer link  350  includes the use, at least in part, of the Internet. Because IP multi-media device  310  is connected to the central monitoring station  330  via a broadband network, e.g., Internet, this architecture allows faster and more robust communication between an AMR meter or an AMI two-way meter and the utility company in receiving and responding to meter-reading and appliance-control requests. Accordingly, embodiments of the current invention realize a higher bandwidth to and from the consumer that is available through existing AMI systems. This allows for rapid querying of the state of a consumer&#39;s meter and the ability to send additional data to the consumer, such as text, graphic and audio/visual information, advertising and alerts. 
     Customer link  350  enables IP multi-media device  310  to forward usage data recorded by at least one of AMR meter  110  and AMI meter  210  to central monitoring station  330 . In addition, customer link  350  enables IP multi-media device  310  to receive control signals, data and other information from central monitoring station  330 . Control signals include, but are not limited to, requests for appliances to be shut down (and conversely to be allowed to power up). Control signals are particularly useful for central monitoring station  330  to shape its load at any time during the day so as to minimize the load peaks which typically result in the highest marginal prices to consumers. Thus, IP multi-media device  310  receives these control signals and either allows them to pass through to targeted household appliances that are not in direct communication with IP multi-media device  310 , or alternatively redirects the control signals to appliances  240   a  through  240   z , which are in communication with IP multi-media device  310 . 
     As noted above, in addition to control signals, data is communicated to IP multi-media device  310 , where such data can include variable pricing data. By providing variable pricing data to customers, customers can tailor their usage (e.g., by switching off certain appliances) to minimize their utility usage costs. The communication of variable pricing data to customers requires that the utility company through central monitoring station  330  be able to capture real-time usage data so that the appropriate variable price rates can be matched against the actual usage during each time interval of interest. 
     In addition to communicating with central monitoring station  330 , IP multi-media device  310  also communicates with appliances  240   a  through  240   z  through internal communication link  360 . In an exemplary embodiment, internal communications link  360  uses a Zigbee-based protocol. Other protocols and frequency bands commensurate with FCC regulations and the desired information bandwidths are also contemplated to be within the spirit of internal communications link  360 . Appliances  240   a  through  240   z  include, but are not limited to, thermostats, water heaters, washers, dryers, and lighting. Appliances  240   a  through  240   z  can be controlled at the customer premises remotely by IP multi-media device  310  to accomplish conventional functionality (such as programming the thermostats to follow a temperature curve based on time of day, e.g., raise the temperature of residential premises at night while occupied, while lower the temperature of residential premises by day while unoccupied). Since IP multi-media device  310  in an exemplary embodiment is connected to the Internet via customer link  350 , customers are also able to remotely program appliances  240   a  through  240   z  while away from the customer premises using remote connectivity, e.g., via the Internet. 
     Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, a legacy AMR meter  110  can be provided with two-way communication functionality In another embodiment, a legacy AMI meter  210  can be provided with broadband communication functionality. In either embodiment, IP multi-media device  310  communicates with the legacy meter using the particular interface that the meter supports. The interface includes Zigbee, 900 MHz and narrowband powerline network interfaces. IP multi-media device  310  in turn communicates with the central monitoring station  330  and forwards usage data to central monitoring station  330 . Using its bidirectional customer link  350 , IP multi-media device  310  also receives commands from central monitoring station  330  such as meter reading requests. As noted above, IP multi-media device  310  can also communicate with controllable appliances  240   a  through  240   z  on the consumer premises. Controllable appliances  240   a  through  240   z  include thermostats, HVAC systems, hot-water heaters, etc. Communication with the controllable appliances  240   a  through  240   z  includes providing monitoring/control commands uses a suitable communication interface, e.g., a Zigbee transceiver with a Smart Energy Profile. IP multi-media device  310  can receive remote utility management commands (e.g., for demand-response control) from central monitoring station  330  and forward appropriate monitoring/control commands to the controllable appliances  240   a  through  240   z  in response to the remote utility management commands. 
     Smart versions of appliances  240   a  through  240   z , or embodiments of IP multi-media device  310 , can receive information such as weather forecasts and ambient humidity data via two-way customer link  350  from an appropriate provider of such information, e.g., weather service, weather.com, etc. In the case of a smart version of appliance  240   a  through  240   z , IP multi-media device  310  forwards at least a portion of the received information, including a command if necessary, to smart version of appliance  240   a  through  240   z . Based on this received weather forecast and ambient humidity information, appliances  240   a  through  240   z  can adjust their settings, e.g., controlling HVAC system based on received heat index information. As a further example, if appliance  240  knows the temperature will become cold in the evening, appliance  240  can shut off an air conditioner earlier. Similarly, based on humidity information, if the ambient humidity is low, appliance  240  can adjust the comfort temperature range to a higher temperature in summer, or a lower temperature in winter. 
     In addition to the ability to program and configure appliances  240   a  through  240   z , IP multi-media device  310  can also include a computing device  1100  to execute algorithms so as to control appliances  240   a  through  240   z  in response to control signals, data and other information received from central monitoring station  330 . For example, algorithms can be included so that appliances  240   a  through  240   z  are shut down or powered up depending on load conditions at the utility company. More sophisticated algorithms can be included so that appliances  240   a  through  240   z  can be controlled in response to real-time pricing fluctuations so that customer usage costs are thereby optimized. Other algorithms can be included so that appliances  240   a  through  240   z  can be controlled in accordance with a desired customer usage profile, a utility conservation objective, or other usage goals. 
     In addition to serving as the connection node on the customer premises and to incorporate algorithmic responses to control signals, data or information received from central monitoring station  330 , IP multi-media device  310  can also include simple and user-friendly interface for display of information, and for ease of use in appliance control and programming. With respect to appliance programming, studies show that people almost never reprogram their programmable thermostat after initial installation. Thermostats typically have limited interfaces, making such programming difficult or, at best, tedious. Moreover, it is generally impossible to get a convenient display of what is actually programmed for the course of a week or to switch between set programs. 
     Embodiments of the current invention introduce several improvements to the programming of connected appliances  240   a  through  240   z . User-friendly improvements include:
         (1) icon-driven user interface;   (2) easy appliance setting, such as dragging the temperature setting over the scale using your finger. Optionally, one can allow users to drag multiple temperature settings over a timeline to program an entire day;   (3) week-at-glance view by providing a graphical depiction of appliance settings (such as temperature settings) for the entire week;   (4) guided wizard or explicit modification options;   (5) definition of daily profiles, such as weekday, weekend, and away. For multi-zone control, embodiments of the current invention can further qualify the profiles to include “in bed”, “watching TV”, “dining” etc. These profiles can be assigned to days of the week or to specific calendar dates;   (6) synchronize with a networked or local calendar to select specific profiles. For example, identify out-of-home vacations. With demand-response control, this information can be propagated to the utility to allow it to exert more aggressive control over the consumer premises;   (7) provide comfort range and control range settings. A consumer defines a comfort range from a minimum temperature, T min  (e.g., 66-77° F.). This covers the range for all seasons, avoiding the need for separate heat/cool settings. The thermostat controller (either the thermostat or a separate controlling device, such as OpenFrame® device from OpenPeak Inc.) will operate the furnace or air conditioner if the ambient temperature falls outside this range until the temperature drops (for air conditioning) or increases (for heat) by some value, Δ°. This value can be preset to some value, such as 3° F., or can be learned by the device to optimize the duty cycle of the furnace and air conditioners; and   (8) a graphically rich display of IP multi-media device  310 , multiple on-wall appliances such as thermostats can be programmed from a central place. Thus, one simple user-friendly interface can replace a multiplicity of difficult to use interfaces for each of the appliances  240   a  through  240   z . Exemplary embodiments of the simple and user-friendly interface are shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 .
 
User Interface
       

       FIG. 4  illustrates an example of an icon-based user interface of IP multi-media device  310 . In addition to the time and date, an array of icons is displayed. The icon entitled “energy” represents the portal by which the consumer can access the functionality of IP multi-media device  310  described in this specification. Thus, “energy” provides access to the energy based monitoring, control and interface functionality. Since IP multi-media device  310  provides access to the Internet, other icons are used to identify access to various Internet sites relevant to the name of the icon. In  FIG. 4 , icons including contacts, weather, movies, media, cameras, Sudoku, news, horoscope, recipes, SIRIUS™ radio, calendar, stocks, YouTube™, Flicker®, as well as an icon permitting the consumer to access further icons that are not able to be included on the first page. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example of an interface for easy appliance setting, by enabling such actions as dragging the temperature setting over the scale using your finger. Displayed are inside and outside temperature and humidity. The normal HVAC controls of cool/heat and fan setting of on/auto/off are also shown and are available for manipulation. This example interface is in the folder identified as “Thermostat.” Other folders are “Energy Use”, “Ways to Save” and “Settings.” 
     As noted above, the user interface of IP multi-media device  310  can display received information. In an exemplary embodiment, IP multi-media device  310  can display multiple views of information related to utility usage at the customer premises. By way of example, and not by way of limitation, those multiple views can include energy usage history, thermostat control interface, advertising interface, conservation tips and a settings view. The energy usage history information provided can include usage over any time interval (e.g., hourly, daily or monthly view), as well as accumulated cost over those same time periods. Such a display also can accommodate variable pricing as well as providing a visual display of actual usage and associated actual costs versus other parameters. For example, actual usage could be displayed versus goals, or versus peer group usage. An exemplary embodiment of the display capability is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an example user-interface that is made available to the consumer via the folder “Energy Use.” Shown in  FIG. 6  is information relating to the instantaneous power usage, the instantaneous pricing rate for energy use, as well as a bar graph representation of usage over a period of time. Selectable periods of time shown in this example are hour, day and month. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates another example user-interface that is made available to the consumer via the folder “Energy Use.” Shown in  FIG. 7  is information relating to the instantaneous power usage, the instantaneous pricing rate for energy use, as well as a continuous graph representation of cost over a period of time. Selectable periods of time shown in this example are again hour, day and month. 
     In a further optional feature, IP multi-media device  310  can also receive targeted advertising from outside sources (including central monitoring station  330 ) on its user interface, as well as providing utility usage conservation tips. An exemplary embodiment of the advertising portal functionality is shown in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates another example user-interface that is made available to the consumer via the folder “Ways to Save”. A message, with possible advertising or other associated content, is displayed. Various categories are available to and selectable by the consumer, including appliances, heating and cooling, light, insulation, and electronic devices. 
     Finally, IP multi-media device  310  can optionally contain a further communications interface for connections to an external device, for various purposes including test purposes, maintenance, update purposes, as well as providing additional remote programming opportunities. Such a communications interface can be realized using Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-Wave, 900 MHz transceiver or a USB port. 
     Example of an Advanced Metering Solution: Data Aggregation 
       FIG. 9  illustrates another advanced metering solution, according to an embodiment of the current invention. Here, IP multi-media device  310  supports a database communications link  910  to a data aggregator  920 , which includes database  930 . Database communications link  910  can be any type of communications link, although those skilled in the art recognize that a broadband link is preferred for reasons of speed and functionality. For example, database communications link  910  can be realized using satellite, wireless, cable modem, power line or DSL approaches. In an exemplary embodiment, database communications link  910  includes the Internet. Database communications link enables IP multi-media device  310  to forward usage date recorded by at least one of AMR meter  110  and AMI meter  210  to database  930 . Data aggregator  920  receives usage data from numerous customers, including those other customers that constitute a peer group to a given customer. Data aggregator  920  stores received usage data into database  930 . From the usage data, statistical data and other aggregated data can be determined by data aggregator  920  and forwarded back to the customers. For example, average usage by customers in a particular peer group or community over a particular time period can be determined and forwarded to each customer for comparison and display purposes at IP multi-media device  310 . Display at IP multi-media device  310  can show a visual comparison of historical usage with the average usage of customers in the particular peer group or community. In addition to manual adjustments by customers of usage based on receipt of this data, algorithms within IP multi-media device  310  can also be activated to respond to the receipt of aggregated or statistical data and make adjustments to appliances  240   a  through  240   z  in response to the received data. 
     Thus, providing such information to consumers encourages better energy use by providing consumers with comparative real-time feedback from a community of energy consumers. In addition, messages can be sent to participants relating to their relative consumption of energy, e.g. “Your neighbors with homes like yours have average electric bills of $400/month. Why is yours $600/month?” The community or peer concept can include the immediate neighborhood or comparable houses in the same climate zone. In addition, comparative usage (power, water, gas, etc.) can be shown in near-real time. For example, a graph of average, minimum and maximum usage can be shown overlaid on the consumer&#39;s usage. 
     In a further embodiment, better energy use can be enabled by providing real-time and appliance-specific data. For example, a plug-in monitoring module for power (or equivalently a flow-meter for water and gas) can provide a consumer with the amount of usage provided via a specific outlet. This data can be used to partition the consumer&#39;s graph of overall usage into components. Components can also be created from statistical data, such as known values for average washer/dryer use (at specific settings) or refrigerator use (again at specific settings). 
     Data aggregator  920  and central monitoring station  330  can be managed by separate organizations, with central monitoring station  330  being a part of a utility company and data aggregator  920  being a part of a separate third party. However, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, data aggregator  920  and central monitoring station  330  can both be a part of a utility company. 
     The breadth and scope of the present invention is not limited to electricity usage, control, monitoring and conservation. The use of AMR meters  110  and AMI meters  210  is for exemplary purposes only. Embodiments of the present invention are applicable to all utility usage, control, monitoring and conservation situations. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to situations involving electricity, gas and water. In an exemplary embodiment, IP multi-media device  310  can be connected to a mixture of electricity, gas and water meters, and also be connected the associated central monitoring stations for electricity, gas and water utility companies. 
     Example of a Method for Advanced Energy Use Control 
       FIG. 10  provides a flowchart of an exemplary method  1000  that uses an IP multi-media device  310  to forward usage data to a central monitoring station  330 , and to receive control signals from the central monitoring station  330 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The process begins at step  1010 . In step  1010 , usage data is received by a communication device from a utility meter. The communication device could be provided by IP multi-media device  310 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The utility meter can be provided, for example, by at least one of AMR meter  110  and AMI meter  210 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . 
     In step  1020 , the received usage data is forwarded by the communication device to central monitoring station  330  via customer link  3100 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     In step  1030 , at least one of control signals, data and information are received by the communication device from the central monitoring station via customer link  3100 . 
     In optional step  1040 , the received control signals, data and/or information are acted upon by IP multi-media device  310  and appliances are adjusted using intra-customer communications path  2100 . The appliances can be provided, for example, by appliances  240   a  through  240   z , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     In optional step  1050 , the received data and/or information are displayed on a user interface of IP multi-media device  310 . Appliances can be adjusted manually be customers. Alternatively, IP multi-media device  310  can apply algorithms on the basis of the received data and/or information, and adjust the appliances based on those algorithms. 
     In optional step  1060 , advertising is received by IP multi-media device  310  and displayed on its user interface. 
     In optional step  1070 , usage data can be forwarded via a database communications link  910  to a database  930 , wherein aggregated and/or statistical data can be determined and returned via database communications link  910  to IP multi-media device  310  for at least one of display, manual action by customer, or an algorithmic adjustment of appliances  240   a  through  240   z  by IP multi-media device  310 . 
     At step  1080 , method  1000  ends. 
     Computer System Implementation 
     Computer  1100  includes one or more processors (also called central processing units, or CPUs), such as processor  1110 . Processor  1110  can include the Intel Atom processor. Processor  1110  is connected to communication bus  1120 . Computer  1100  also includes a main or primary memory  1130 , preferably random access memory (RAM). Primary memory  1130  has stored therein control logic (computer software), and data. 
     Computer  1100  may also include one or more secondary storage devices  1140 . Secondary storage devices  1140  include, for example, hard disk drive  1150  and/or removable storage device or drive  1160 . Removable storage drive  1160  represents a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compact disk drive, an optical storage device, tape backup, ZIP drive, JAZZ drive, etc. 
     Removable storage drive  1160  interacts with removable storage unit  1170 . As will be appreciated, removable storage unit  1160  includes a computer usable or readable storage medium having stored therein computer software (control logic) and/or data. Removable storage drive  1160  reads from and/or writes to the removable storage unit  1170  in a well known manner. 
     Removable storage unit  1170 , also called a program storage device or a computer program product, represents a floppy disk, magnetic tape, compact disk, optical storage disk, ZIP disk, JAZZ disk/tape, or any other computer data storage device. Program storage devices or computer program products also include any device in which computer programs can be stored, such as hard drives, ROM or memory cards, etc. 
     In an embodiment, the present invention is directed to computer program products or program storage devices having software that enables computer  1100 , or multiple computer  1100   s  to perform any combination of the functions described herein. 
     Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored in main memory  1130  and/or the secondary storage devices  1140 . Such computer programs, when executed, direct computer  1100  to perform the functions of the present invention as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable processor  1110  to perform the functions of the present invention. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of the computer  1100 . 
     Computer  1100  also includes input/output/display devices  1180 , such as monitors, keyboards, pointing devices, etc. 
     Computer  1100  further includes a communication or network interface  1190 . Network interface  1190  enables computer  1100  to communicate with remote devices. For example, network interface  1190  allows computer  1100  to communicate over communication networks, such as LANs, WANs, the Internet, etc. Network interface  1190  may interface with remote sites or networks via wired or wireless connections. Computer  1100  receives data and/or computer programs via network interface  1190 . 
     The invention can work with software, hardware, and operating system implementations other than those described herein. Any software, hardware, and operating system implementations suitable for performing the functions described herein can be used. 
     It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and not the Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention as contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the present invention and the appended claims in any way. 
     The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. 
     The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance. 
     The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.