Abstract:
A method and system for controlling electric power consumption using a computer to create a forecast and then controlling devices that use power based on the forecast. An automatic reader device is used to gather power consumption data from a point of utility service. The power consumption data is then provided to a computer. The computer is used to create a forecast of energy use for instantaneous demand and time-based usage. The computer then provides alerts based on the forecast for the manual or automatic control of devices that consume electricity. The system may be managed locally or remotely by a computer, PDA, cell phone or other network enabled device.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of prior application Ser. No. 10/615,572, filed Jul. 8, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/896,159, filed Jun. 28, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,097. The entire contents of application Ser. No. 10/615,572 and of U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,097 are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    There are various types of electrical power monitoring devices on the market today. These include a number of units which operate as an automatic meter reading (AMR) device or which work in conjunction with an AMR device. Such devices were typically developed as a cost saving method for the collection of data for electrical service providers but have provided little usability to the consumer. In cases where consumers have been given some features through AMR systems, there has not been an ability to reliably monitor and control power use while maintaining a comfortable environment.  
           [0003]    Controlling the amount of electricity use is advantageous both for the electric utility provider and for the consumer. The utility company can avoid building costly new power plan ts and consumers can avoid excess power costs. In order for proper control to be facilitated, however, it must be done in a manner that provides a comfortable environment for the user. In the present invention, a means and device are shown that provide monitoring and control of power consumption in a manner that may be used by and provide benefit to both the utility service provider and the user.  
           [0004]    A number of methods and systems exist for the monitoring or control of electric power. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,589,764, Lee shows a system for measuring the amount of power use for an individual device. While such an invention is useful to measure segments of power use, for example, washer, dryer, air conditioning, heating, etc, it does little to give a user the ability to understand their total power consumption and their usage patterns. Further it provides no means cohesively view multiple devices or multiple locations.  
           [0005]    In U.S. Pat. No. 6,618,707, Sneeringer shows a method of monitoring multiple locations in a global fashion. By monitoring complete facilities such a whole houses or buildings, a user is able to see their power consumption. Further, as a global method, a utility company may view aggregate amounts of power consumption from multiple locations. However, no control means are shown as a way to reduce actual power consumption to the user&#39;s and provider&#39;s mutual benefit.  
           [0006]    In U.S. Pat. No. 6,542,791 Perez shows a system that provides control of power use by the utility provider. However, this system does not allow control by a user and may allow the utility to take actions unwise to the user&#39;s condition. For example it may allow the utility to turn off air conditioning when vitally necessary. Further, the system does not provide direct feed back to the user for their benefit.  
           [0007]    Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,389, Davis et. al. shows a system that provides utility service providers with the ability to prevent overloading a grid when controlling power consumption of remote users. This system does little to provide feedback to a consumer and contains no ability to take actions based on dynamic events.  
           [0008]    In U.S. Pat. No. 6,429,642 Rodilla Sala shows a system that provides utility consumers with a certain form of usage control. However, this system uses a single set point for instantaneous or time-based usage control. As such, when that limit is reached, the system must take an action, assumedly, to shut off power. Thus the system provides a management function but only at the point when a single target amount of usage is reached. Once that target amount is reached, the system reacts to that singular event. Thus system does not provide continuous management in order to achieve a target, nor does it do so while maintaining a comfortable environment.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention provides a means for control of electrical power use by both user and supplier alike in a manner which is beneficial to both. The system gathers electrical use data from an automatic reader placed at an electrical service point. The system then gathers data into computer memory for processing.  
           [0010]    A forecast of consumption is computed on a computer for a predetermined period of time, for example; today, each weekday, peak-cost periods, summer, etc. On the basis of the forecast, one or more devices or locations which consume power are controlled to enable the user to reach one or more energy targets while maintaining an acceptable environment.  
           [0011]    A graphical representation is made of the actual use and forecast amounts so as to indicate to the user, in a visual means, the present status of use and forecast amounts. For example, information may be arranged in three graphs that are analogous to information common to automobile travel. These include the real-time rate-of-use, comparable to the speedometer of an automobile. This graph tells the user their consumption rate on an instantaneous basis at the present moment. The second graph, a time-segment-based graph for displaying quantity vs. time data, is comparable to the trip odometer. This graph shows the user their consumption on a day-to-date, daily, month-to-date, or other calendar-based time basis. It may also display utility or other time-based segments such as peak period, summer, Mondays, etc. The final graph is comparable to the general odometer. It may show the total energy consumption for the year-to-date or through the life of the system. Each graph can be displayed in units of measurement as desired, for example, kilowatt hours for usage quantity or currency for cost. By presenting this data in three logical and understandable formats, data can be displayed to show whether the user will be under his specified usage or cost level of consumption. Such forecasts are commonly used by trip computers in automobiles to tell the consumer whether they should adjust their speed to reduce fuel consumption, when they will arrive at their destination based upon present and average speed, and how many miles they have to go to complete their trip.  
           [0012]    In the present invention, if the calculated forecast indicates that the present usage rate will cause that consumer to exceed a predetermined target unit or cost level, a signal is provided by the computer to allow for the manual or automatic control of power-consuming devices to assure that the power use falls at or below the specified requirement. This is especially advantageous during energy crisis situations. A forecast rate for use may be shown as a red colored line graph. A second line, the baseline target consumption, may be displayed as a blue line graph. If a user is under their baseline target amount for the period in question, the area under the forecast line graph may show as green. If the user is averaging over the baseline amount for the period in question, the area for that particular graph may show as a red. For example, if the consumer is averaging a rate of consumption use that will exceed the daily baseline level if continued for the rest of the cycle, the area above the baseline would show as red. In this way the consumer and utility can always be aware of the power-use status to achieve baseline levels for the hour, day, and month or any time segment used by a utility or chosen by the consumer.  
           [0013]    Further, the consumer or utility may program the computer to automatically control the rate of utility-based consumption based on the forecast. In an automatically controlled system, graphs may be used as well for visual feedback. This is advantageous because in an automatically controlled system a red area on a graph may indicate that control operations are between sequences or that control operations are failing, thus an alert could be sent. A number of commonly available products accept control commands and allow for the facilitating of automatic control. Such devices include thermostats, lighting, dimmers, appliances, valves and other items. Thus, the computer may control such devices through automatic commands to, for example, adjust the thermostat on an air conditioning unit in response to the forecast. In addition, a communication system, such as the Internet, can also be utilized to allow the computer to communicate to the utility company, the consumer and third parties for access and management of consumption from a remote computer, PDA, cell phone or other network connected device. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments of the invention, given only by way of example, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 illustrates a block schematic diagram of an apparatus for reading and managing power consumption in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the reader for gathering data on electricity use;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 illustrates the preferred data collection unit for gathering data from the reader, converting it into usable data to a computer and transferring that data to the computer;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 illustrates a user interface displayed on the screen of the computer;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is an illustration of the computer connected to power consuming device through a serial port or Ethernet interface of the computer;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 provides an illustration of the computer connected to a communication system for remote access to the data stored and compiled on the computer; and  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention using wireless communication to transmit the data obtained by the reader. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 illustrates a block schematic diagram of an apparatus  100 ′ for reading and managing power consumption in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a reader  104  is attached to a typical utility service point,  102  such as an electrical panel commonly found on homes, apartment buildings and commercial buildings. The reader  104  provides a means for automatically reading power. The data generated by the reader  104  may be continuously transferred through a connection such as a serial cable  120 , to a data collection unit  106  or alternatively directly to the monitoring device  110 , such as a computer.  
         [0023]    The data collector  106  is therefore optional. When provided, the data collection unit stores data generated by the reader  104 . The data collection unit  106  may store data for a limited time when the monitoring device (computer)  110  is shut off or in the event of a power failure. With appropriate memory, the unit  106  may be able to store data for up to a year. The preferred embodiment of the data-collection unit  106  may include a single input port interface for the reader  104 , such as a RJ-11 or RJ-45 port. The reader  104  also contains a single serial port out, to the computer  110 , such as a DB-9. The preferred data-collection unit  106  is approximately 2″ wide and 3″ long and includes a 12 volt power supply, such as from a wall mounted AC to DC converter  108 . A battery, such as a standard watch battery, may be provided for backup. Further, the data collection unit  106  may be powered by the serial driver of one pin on the serial port of the computer. The preferred data-collection unit  106  includes a microprocessor such as a PIK Microprocessor including non-volatile memory and a timer crystal. It will be apparent that any microprocessor or controller could be used.  
         [0024]    In a preferred application of the invention where multiple power meters are monitored, such as an apartment building or a commercial building, multiple reader inputs may be provided in a single data collector unit  106 . For example, the data collection unit  106  may be provided with inputs for additional readers  104 , such as four to eight inputs and an optional Ethernet connector for networking to a single monitoring device  110 .  
         [0025]    The preferred embodiment of the monitoring device  110  may be a conventional general-purpose computer system or an embedded computer containing one or more input/output ports and need not be specific to this application. Thus, as an embedded computer, it may also be a microprocessor embedded into an energy consuming device such as an air conditioning unit, an energy controlling device, such as a thermostat or an energy distribution devices, such as an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). The computer  110  need not be dedicated solely to the purpose of this invention. It may, for example, also run another functional program such as general building management or control tasks. The computer  110  may also be a simple microprocessor.  
         [0026]    When receiving information direct from the reader  104 , the monitoring device  110  receives the data through a direct path connection  118 , which may be a wired connection such as a serial cable. When the data collection unit  106  is employed, it transfers data to the computer  110  via a direct path connection which may also be a wired connection such as a serial or Ethernet connection. The monitoring device  110  will not lose information during power failure as it stored its data in non-volatile memory and real-time data is only gathered when power is present and being consumed. In addition, when employed, the data collector  106  will not lose its data during an outage because it holds historic values in non-volatile memory and real-time data is only gathered when power is present and, thus, being consumed.  
         [0027]    The monitoring device  110  may be connected to a communication system  112  or network, such as the Internet to allow remote access  114  of the data. For example, a utility company may obtain the data for billing purposes or by the end-user who wants to control his power consumption from his PDA or computer from a remote location, such as his office.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the reader  104 . The reader  104 , in a preferred embodiment, is an EnerSure Model 1 from TrendPoint Systems. The reader  104  is connected to one or more current transducers  202  to measure the amount of current, or amperage, flowing through a wire. The current transducers- 202  are connected around the load-carrying power wires  210  which bring utility power into a facility. When wrapped around the load-carrying wires  210 , a signal is transduced from the within the current transducer  202  and carried to the current input signal connectors  204  on the reader  104 . The transducers  202  have their signals carried to the current signal connectors  204 , via the current signal carrier wires  206 . The reader  104  may also include direct wiring connections  206  to the voltage source that is being monitored  210 . The direct wiring connections  208  to the voltage load-carrying power wires  210  carry the voltage signal directly to the voltage signal input connectors  212 .  
         [0029]    The reader  104  may calculate energy use purely as a function of amperage and amperage hours. When calculating amperage and amperage hours, no direct voltage connection need be made. The reader may also calculate energy use on the basis of kilovolts and kilovolt hours. The reader may further calculate energy use on the basis of watts and watthours. When calculating kilovolts and watts, a connection to the voltage source needs to be made. In the preferred embodiment, the reader  104  then provides a pulse output from the output connector  214 . This pulse output is in direct proportion to the number of watts and watt-hours having been registered in the reader  104 . In an alternative embodiment, the output connector  214  may also provide a wireless pulse signal. In another alternative embodiment, the output connector  214  may provide a powerline carrier signal. In still another embodiment, the reader may provide a serial output signal. Alternatively, in still another embodiment, the output connector  212  may provide an Ethernet signal. Thus, it may be seen that the data may be sent directly to the computer  110  and that the collection unit  106  is therefore optional.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 3 illustrates the data collection unit  106 . The preferred embodiment of the data collection unit is the EnerSure Data Collection Module from TrendPoint Systems. The reader  104  may send its information directly to the computer  110 , thus the data collector  106  is optional. When provided, the data collection unit stores data generated by the reader  104 . The data collection unit  106  may store data in non-volatile memory  304  when the monitoring device (computer)  110  is shut off or not communicating. With appropriate memory, the unit  106  may be able to store data in the non-volatile memory  304  for up to a year. The preferred embodiment of the data-collection unit  106  may include a data input port  306  to receive the pulse signals provide by the reader  104 . In an alternative embodiment, should the reader  104  be a unit other than the TrendPoint EnerSure Data Gathering Module, the data collection unit  106  may have an input serial port configured as an RS-232 or RS-485 port or other input medium. Thus, the reader  104  is not specific to the system and another commercially available or custom-built reader  104  may be used. The preferred data-collection unit  106  is approximately 21″ wide and 3″ long and includes a 12 volt input  308 , such as from a wall mounted AC to DC converter  310 . A battery,  312 , such as a standard watch battery, may be provided for backup. Further, the data collection unit  106  may be powered by the serial driver of the serial port of the computer  110 . The preferred data-collection unit  106  includes a microprocessor  302 , such as a PIK Microprocessor and a data output port  314 . The output port may be a serial, Ethernet wired or wireless port. It will be apparent that any microprocessor or controller could be used for this purpose. Thus, the data collection unit  106  is not only optional but another unit of comparable function from another supplier may be substituted, when the data collection unit  106  is to be employed.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 4 illustrates a user interface displayed on the screen of the computer  110  (FIG. 1). As Illustrated in FIG. 4, the computer  110  may provide a central location for the end-user to remotely connect to or use directly to view the data collected by the reader  104 . Software stored in the computer  110  memory causes the computer  1110  to compile counted intervals from the reader. The software may be compliant to all automatic meter reading devices, and therefore might not be specific to the aforementioned reader  104 . In addition, the software may incorporate an adjustable architecture to optimize for various sizes and complexities fitting to the end-user&#39;s need.  
         [0032]    An interface  402  such as web-based interface (e.g. a browser or web-based spreadsheet) allows the end-user to monitor the information relating to power consumption. If the interface  402  is a browser, it may for example, render all graphic data as line or bar graphs  408  using Macromedia Corporation&#39;s Flash program. By choosing to render data via flash, the vast majority of the program overhead for rendering the interface  402  is handled directly in the browser of the computer used to display the interface  402 . Thus, the computer  110  may be an inexpensive device such as a serial server, embedded computing device, or other device which contains one or more input/output connections. Because an end user might want to view real-time, daily or monthly bar graphs  408  of power consumption, Macromedia Flash provides the ability to present real-time moving graphs or pictures. This might be utilized when providing real-time power consumption rate  406  such as a line graph or chart depicting power usage over time or up-to-date/cost per billing cycle costs. In addition the interface  402  may provide other data such as peak demand rate including date and time of the peak demand. The interface  402  may be structured in automobile-familiar methods for ease of use and so that an end-user need not require special training or skills for use.  
         [0033]    In addition, a spreadsheet with web-based query capabilities may also be used to allow users to both view live and historical data and save data to files for later review. Using Microsoft Excel&#39;s remote web-query feature also allows the user to manipulate power data by creating custom time intervals and other valuable methods to view all data.  
         [0034]    Illustrated in FIG. 5 are devices  502  such as Heating Ventilation Air Condition (HVAC) systems and other power consuming devices that may be connected to the computer  110  through a serial port or Ethernet interface of the computer  110 . The interface  402  may provide the end-user with information on what devices are being currently used, the rate of power consumption the device operates at, and the ability to control these devices based on measured consumption. Therefore, allowing the end-user to manage the rate of consumption for that household.  
         [0035]    The ability to manage the rate of consumption may be especially advantageous when dealing with utility companies that use peak or penalty-level billing systems. In a peak-level billing system, a customer is charged on the basis of peak and non-peak time-based-usage with peak time usage being much higher than non peak. In a penalty-level billing system, if a customer exceeds a predetermined level of power consumption or baseline level, then the utility company may charge a premium rate for the power consumed above the baseline. Some utility companies may also provide rebates on future bills when a customer falls below a predetermined level of usage for a given peak or penalty period.  
         [0036]    The interface  402  may provide a forecast based on a real-time rate of consumption to determine whether the end-user will be under his target utility usage level of consumption or other predetermined level. The forecast may be computed by taking historical and real-time data and computing a forecast based on that data for any time segment. For example, data can be gathered and used to forecast chronological time segments such as total daily, weekly and monthly use. Data may also be gathered and used to forecast non-chronological time segments such as Mondays, Peak-Time periods, Summer Off-Peak periods, etc. In an example of a chronological time period, the average power consumption used per day thus far in the current billing cycle may be used. This number is then multiplied by the number of days in a billing cycle to create a billing cycle forecast of usage. So, for example, if the customer was on day  5 , the forecast will divide the total power usage at that time by 5 to compute a daily average and then multiply the daily average by the number of days in the billing cycle. In an example of a non-chronological time period, past usage for each Monday during the summer may be used to compute a forecast for the present Monday&#39;s power use. A real-time adjustment to the forecast may be made as the present Monday progresses in time. Thus, a new forecast may be computed continuously based upon present and historical usage. If the forecast indicates that the usage will exceed the baseline level a user may control the power usage of end-use devices from the computer  110  to fall below this requirement, especially during power crisis situations. For example, the end-user may turn off unnecessary lights or decrease the length of time certain devices will run such as a dryer or a HVAC system from the computer  110 .  
         [0037]    Further, the consumer may program the computer  110  to automatically manage the rate of power consumption. For example, if the forecast is indicating that the consumer will exceed the baseline level if continued for the entire billing cycle, the end-user might program the computer  110  to automatically raise or lower the temperature on the thermostat a few degrees. This may provide the end-user with the consumption rate of each device and plan use of certain devices accordingly. This may be useful in setting up exact budgets and strictly adhering to them in an automated manner using the computer  110 .  
         [0038]    In addition, to avoid being charged a premium rate for power consumption, the forecast can allow the end user to fully utilize all of the non-premium power allocated to him. For example, rather than shutting off the HVAC system and enduring an uncomfortable climate, the end user can use the forecast to determine and adjust the thermostat to a certain temperature. The forecast may allow the end user to adjust the temperature so that he can stay under the baseline and yet enjoy a comfortable temperature.  
         [0039]    Using the interface  402  provided by the software stored on the computer  110 , the end-user may also determine an optimization schedule for running the devices  502 . The end-user may obtain data such as cost per hour device used or cost/cycle (washing machine). This may help determine whether the device is properly running as efficient as intended by the manufacturer. Also based on this information, the end-user may program  105  or choose from created device-operating schedules to maximize cost effectiveness and power conservation.  
         [0040]    In addition to monitoring and controlling of power-consuming devices, the monitoring device  110  may perform other control functions. For example home security systems and fire alarm systems may be connected. The end-user may control these devices through the interface and program the monitoring device to treat to signals sent by these systems.  
         [0041]    Illustrated in FIG. 6, the computer  110  may be connected to a communication system  604 , such as the Internet. This may allow remote access to the data stored and compiled on the computer  110 . By allowing remote access to the data on the computer  110 , the end-user may control devices from any location such as a computer at work  608  or from his PDA  610 . For example, the end-user may want raise the temperature setting on the thermostat during the hours when he is at work and then remotely lower the temperature of his house before coming home, thus saving significant amounts of electricity use  
         [0042]    There may be situations when the end-user wants to make sure that no consumption is taking place, when the end-user is on vacation or business trip, for instance. Remote access to consumption information may provide the end-user with information on whether a particular item is being consumed, at what rate it is being consumed, what device is involved and the ability to control that device.  
         [0043]    The utility company  606  may also communicate with the computer  110 . The utility company  606  may download the monthly consumption information from the Internet and bill the end-user accordingly. In addition the utility company  606  may set up an on-line billing service and thus cut down on costs incurred in mailing the bill. Further, the utility company  606  may be alerted by the computer  110  when the forecast shows that consumption is exceeding its forecast allowable demand. The utility company  606  may then send an alert to households or apartment/office buildings to control the usage during a crisis situation. This alert could be sent via pager, text messaging or other means other means for manual adjustment of consumption. The alert could also be sent for direct control of the consuming devices by the computer  110 . In addition, the consumer and utility could agree for the consumer to install a certain version of the program within the computer that manages consuming devices in a manner agreed upon between the parties in such a way that both parties benefit economically while maintaining the integrity of the end user&#39;s environment.  
         [0044]    Remote access to the data may provide landlords of apartment/commercial buildings with readily available utility cost information. Landlords can provide potential lessees current and historic monthly averages of utility bills from their PDA/computer/laptop  614 . Also, landlords may live in locations far from the property they own, possibly in a different state; thus, the landlord may use the data to determine at what rate each tenant is consuming power and directly or, via alert to the consumer, adjust their power use accordingly. Further, landlords may use such information from the computer  110  to automatically adjust or charge for the rent, common area expenses or utility charges accordingly.  
         [0045]    By having remote access to control power-consuming devices, the landlord or utility company  606  or, both acting together under contract, might regulate the rate of power consumption while not physically going there. For example, the landlord may control the temperature of the common area of the building from his home computer  614  or even programming the lights to turn off at certain times during the day when sunlight is adequate. The utility company  606  may raise the temperature of thermostats for HVAC systems in summer periods when the power-grid is approaching maximum capacity.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Unless specifically stated, all elements, of FIG. 7 have a one-to-one functional correspondence with those of FIG. 1. FIG. 9 differs from FIG. 1 in that the data cable  120  (from FIG. 1) that connects the reader  104  and the data-collection unit  106  is replaced with a wireless communication channel. A transmitter  706  for sending wireless communications may be attached to the reader  104  using a shorter serial cable. A receiver  708  may be attached via another shorter serial cable to the data-collection unit  106  for accepting the transmitted communications from the transmitter  706 . The transmitter  706  may send data via a wireless carrier frequency, such as 433 MHz, which is standard for garage door openers. It will be apparent, however that another frequency (e.g., 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, WiFi or others) could be used. The signals sent via the transmitter  706 , may be in the format of pulses that are created directly from the intervals of lower levels of reflected light sensed by the sensor  210 . Thus, each pulse formed by the reader may result in a pulse at the carrier frequency communicated by the transmitter  706 . To communicate the pulse to the data-collection unit  106 , the transmitter  706  may send a burst of the carrier frequency to represent each pulse from the output of the reader  104 . The wireless signal from the transmitter  706  may be encoded with identification information placed on the carrier frequency to prevent interference from other sources. It will be apparent that a number of different schemes may be used for communicating the data from the reader  104  including WiFi or other wireless means. The transmitter  706  and the receiver  708  may receive operating power from a battery or a wall-mounted AC to DC converter.  
         [0047]    Similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the reader  104  may communicate directly with the computer  110 . In which case, the receiver and cable  704  may be mounted to the computer  110  rather than the data collection unit  106 . In addition, the data collection unit  106  may be omitted.  
         [0048]    Wireless communication may be used to help eliminate routing problems when using serial cables such as length of the cable needed and outdoor to indoor routing. The wireless communication device would also be helpful for small businesses in which there are multiple readers which all have to be connected to a monitoring device  110 .  
         [0049]    While the foregoing has been with reference to particular embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes in these embodiments may be made without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims.