Patent Publication Number: US-11656255-B2

Title: Measuring power consumption of a display assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 16/744,318 filed Jan. 16, 2020, which is a divisional of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 15/972,904 filed May 7, 2018, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully restated. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate generally to systems and methods for measuring power consumption of electronic display assemblies. 
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Electric meters have long been a staple of the home. These meters are typically located on or near the side of the house where the electric line connecting the home to the electrical grid enters the home. The electric meter is interposed at the entry into the home to determine the amount of power consumed by the home so that the owner may be billed based upon the actual usage. The same is generally true of other types of buildings (e.g., commercial). 
     Electronic displays are increasingly being used in both indoor and outdoor applications. Such electronic displays are sometimes placed in assemblies with a ruggedized housing in order to fit the intended application of the electronic display. Such applications include, but are not limited to, placement on city sidewalks, the sides of buildings, bus shelters, the tops of vehicles, billboards, entrances, stadiums, malls, airports, public transportation areas, and the like. Consumers have increasingly begun demanding larger, brighter, clearer displays, and the like. Consumers have also increasingly begun demanding more features associated with the electronic displays. Examples of such associated features include, but are not limited to, video conferencing, telephonic systems, internet connectivity, cameras, sensors, wayfinding, and the like. The result of these larger displays and added features is greater power consumption by the assembly. 
     In many cases, one party owns the assembly itself or the physical real estate (e.g., bus stop, sidewalk, building, entrance, signage, or the like) where the assembly is located. In many cases, this owning party is responsible for payment of the assembly&#39;s power consumption. However, in some cases it would be desirable to charge another party for the power consumption of the assembly—such as the party showing images on the display. For example, without limitation, in some cases, a city is responsible for the power consumption of such assemblies located on its sidewalks. However, it would be desirable to charge the owner of the assemblies for their power consumption. As another example, without limitation, in some cases, one party owns the display but rents out advertising time on the display to third parties. In such cases, it may be desirable to charge the particular advertiser for power consumed by the assembly while the third party&#39;s advertisement is being shown on the assembly. 
     In such cases, the party responsible for the assembly&#39;s power consumption might be forced to interject a power meter on or near the assembly to measure its power consumption. However, this is costly, labor intensive, unaesthetic, and takes up valuable real estate. Therefore, what is needed is an assembly for an electronic display having a simulated electric meter. 
     The present invention is an assembly for an electronic display having a simulated electric meter. The assembly may comprise a housing for one or more electronic display subassemblies. Each electronic display subassembly may comprise an illumination device, a display layer, and a cover. In exemplary embodiments, a closed loop of air may pass between the display layer and the cover of each subassembly and into a compartment located between the subassemblies. An open loop of ambient air may pass through each subassembly and may pass along the rear surface of the illumination device located therein. A number of electronic components for operating the assembly may be located in the compartment. The simulated electric meter may be in electrical connection with a utility electric supply and all of the electricity consuming components of the assembly such that all electricity consumed by the assembly may pass through the simulated electric meter. 
     The simulated electric meter may comprise a processor, an electronic storage device, a timing device, a current sensor, and a voltage sensor. The electronic storage device may comprise software instructions, which when executed, cause the processor to take measurements from the sensors. In exemplary embodiments, the sensors may determine the current and the voltage of the incoming electricity, which may be multiplied together to determine the power being consumed. In other exemplary embodiments, the voltage may already be known and multiplied with the current reading to determine power consumption. Such readings and power consumption calculations may be repeated over a period of time at a given frequency. The elapsed time may be measured by the timing device. After a predetermined amount of time has passed, the power measurements may be summed and divided by the total number of readings to determine an average consumption measure for the given period of time. 
     The simulated electric meter may be in electronic communication with a remote electronic device to monitor power consumption as well as review past power consumption and predict future power consumption. Additionally, the simulated electric meter may be in communication with the video player or a proof of play device in order to track what images are shown on the electronic display subassemblies of the assembly when the power is consumed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein like reference numerals across the several views refer to identical or equivalent features, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an exemplary assembly for an electronic display comprising a simulated electric meter; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the assembly of  FIG.  1    with some components removed and one of the electronic display subassemblies in an open position so as to illustrate additional components of the assembly; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the assembly of  FIG.  2    with a second electronic display subassembly in an open position so as to illustrate additional components of the assembly; 
         FIG.  4    is an exploded view of the assembly of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of the assembly of  FIG.  2    with one of the electronic display subassemblies removed so as to illustrate additional components of the assembly; 
         FIG.  6    is a top sectional view of one of the subassembly of  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a simplified diagram illustrating an exemplary system utilizing the assembly of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a detailed view of the simulated electric meter of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a flowchart of exemplary logic that may be used with the simulated electric meter; and 
         FIG.  10    is a flowchart of exemplary logic that may be used with the simulated electric meter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S) 
     Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, specific details such as detailed configuration and components are merely provided to assist the overall understanding of these embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an exemplary assembly  10  for an electronic display comprising a simulated electric meter  44 . The assembly  10  may comprise one or more electronic display subassemblies  12  located on a housing  14 . In exemplary embodiments, a first and second electronic display subassembly  12  may be mounted to the housing  14  in a hinged fashion such that the electronic display subassemblies  12  are capable of being rotated between a closed position, wherein the electronic display subassembly  12  is in contact with the housing  14 , and an opened position wherein the electronic display subassembly  12  is located away from the housing  14 . One or more openings  16  may be located on or around the housing  14  such that ambient air  28  may be ingested into, or exhausted from, the assembly  10 . The housing  14  may be configured to permit the assembly  10  to be mounted to a sidewalk, the ground, a building, a bus shelter, a vehicle, a wall, a billboard, in a window, in a storefront, or the like. 
       FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the assembly of  FIG.  1    with some components removed and one of the electronic display subassemblies  12  in an open position so as to illustrate additional components of the assembly  10 . In exemplary embodiments, the rear surfaces of the two electronic display subassemblies  12  and the housing  14  may define a compartment  15  located therebetween. The compartment  15  may be substantially sealed. Gaskets may extend along the perimeter of the housing  14  where the display subassemblies  12  meet the housing to provide such a seal. Various electronic components  18  may be mounted between or to one or more of the electronic display subassemblies  12  or to structures located within the compartment  15 . Such electronic component  18  may be used to operate the assembly  10  and include, but are not limited to, video players, processors, electronic storage devices, camera, sensors, power sources, power modules, network connectivity devices, some combination thereof, or the like. Fans  22  may be located at various positions on the housing  14  or within the compartment  15  formed between the electronic display subassemblies  12 . 
       FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the assembly of  FIG.  2    with one of the electronic display subassemblies  12  located in an open position so as to illustrate additional components of the assembly  10 . Assist devices  24  may extend between the housing  14  and the electronic display subassemblies  12  to assist in moving the electronic display subassemblies  12  between the opened and closed positions. These assist devices  24  may also assist in securing the electronic display subassemblies  12  in the opened or closed positions. The assist devices  24  may be gas springs, gas struts, pullies, levels, ratcheting devices, struts, members, springs, counter weights, cams, some combination thereof, or the like. 
       FIG.  4    is an exploded view of the assembly of  FIG.  3   . Additional fans  22  may be located at various positions on the housing  14  or in the compartment  15 . Additional equipment  42  may be located within the compartment  15 . The additional equipment  42  may be various electronic and other components which facilitate the inclusion of additional features such as, but not limited to, video conferencing, telephonic systems, internet connectivity devices, cameras, and the like. For example, without limitation, the additional equipment  42  may comprise video players, processors, electronic storage devices, cameras, microphones, sensors, power sources, wayfinding equipment, power modules, network connectivity devices, some combination thereof, or the like. 
       FIG.  5    is a perspective view of the assembly of  FIG.  2    with one of the electronic display assemblies  12  removed so as to illustrate additional components of the assembly  10 .  FIG.  6    is a top sectional view of the assembly of  FIG.  5   . In particular,  FIG.  5    and  FIG.  6    illustrate an exemplary flow of ambient air  28  and circulating air  26  through the assembly  10 . Ambient air  28  may enter from the ambient environment through the intake opening  16  and may pass through a gap  36  in one or more of the electronic display subassemblies  12 . In exemplary embodiments, the gap  26  may be located such that ambient air  28  passes behind an illumination device  32  for an electronic display layer  31 , though any located is contemplated. The illumination device  32  may be a backlight. In other exemplary embodiments, the ambient air  28  may instead pass through the compartment  15 . 
     The electronic display layer  31  may be a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), Light Emitting Diode (“LED”), Organic LED (“OLED”), type display or the like. The illumination device  32  may comprise one or more incandescent light bulbs, LEDs, OLEDs, or the like. In exemplary embodiments, the illumination device  32  multiple light bulbs, LEDs, OLEDs, or the like, which may be arranged in an array on a sheet behind the electronic display layer  31  in a direct-lit arrangement, or adjacent thereto in an edge-lit arrangement, such as but not limited to, along the edge of a light guide located behind the display layer  31 . In exemplary embodiments, a cover  34  may be located in front of the display layer  31 . The cover  34  may be a transparent sheet, such as but not limited to, a cover glass. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the electronic display layer  31  may transparent or translucent. The housing  14  may be configured to locate the electronic display layer  31  over a compartment, such as but not limited to, a cooler, vending machine, display case, or the like. 
     Ambient air  28  may exit the assembly  10  though the opening  16  where it is returned to the ambient environment. This pathway for the ambient air  28  may define an open loop. The ambient air  28  may be moved by one or more fans  22  placed along or near the open loop. One or more filtration devices may likewise be placed along the open loop. While the ambient air  28  is illustrated as traveling vertically from bottom to top, it is contemplated that the ambient air  28  may also travel vertically from top to bottom. Alternatively, or in addition, the ambient air  28  may travel horizontally. 
     Circulating air  26  may travel from the compartment  15  through one or more of the electronic display subassemblies  12 . In exemplary embodiments, the circulating air  26  may travel through a channel  25  located between the cover  34  and the display layer  31 . A similar pathway may be taken with a second flow of circulating air  26  within the second electronic display subassembly  12 . Regardless, the circulating air  26  may be returned to the compartment  15 . This pathway of the circulating air  26  may define a closed loop. The circulating air  26  may be moved by one or more fans  22  placed along the closed loop. While the circulating air  26  is illustrated as traveling horizontally, it is contemplated that alternatively, or in addition, the circulating air  26  may travel vertically. In exemplary embodiments, the open loop and the closed loop may be configured to substantially prevent the ambient air  28  and the circulating air  26  from mixing. In particular, the closed loop may be substantially sealed to prevent particulate in the ambient air  28  from mixing with the circulating air  26 . 
     The illustrated open loop and closed loops are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting. Any pathway for ambient air  28  is contemplated. Likewise, any pathway for circulating gas  26  is contemplated. It is contemplated that in some embodiment, the closed loop and circulating gas  26  may not be required. In still other exemplary embodiments, the circulating gas  26  and closed loop may be limited to traveling within the compartment  15 . It is similarly contemplated that in some embodiment, the open loop and ambient air  28  may not be required. Heat may be removed by the use of thermoelectric devices, air conditioning, fins, heat sinks, thermal plates, or the like. 
     As will be described in greater detail herein, the assembly  10  may additionally comprise a simulated electric meter  44 . The simulated electric meter  44  may be located in the compartment  15  or on the housing  14 , though any location on the assembly  10  is contemplated. The simulated electric meter  44  may be electrically connected to the electrical supply for the assembly  10 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, the simulated electric meter  44  is located on, or in close proximity with, a connector  56 . The connector  56  may be located on the housing  14  or other portion of the assembly  10  or the electrical display subassembly  12 . In exemplary embodiments, the connector  56  is a pass-through device configured to permit one or more wires to pass through the housing  14  and into the assembly  10  while maintaining a substantially air-tight seal. The connector  56  may be configured to place the assembly  10  in electrical connection with a utility electric supply  54  by way or one or more utility electrical supply lines. The utility electric supply  54  may be an electrical grid, battery, generator, power plant, or the like. In exemplary embodiments, the connector  56  may serve as a connection point for the utility electrical supply line on one end and the simulated electric meter  44  (and thus the electricity consuming components of the assembly  10 ) on the other end. Any kind of connector  56  is contemplated including, but not limited to, an outlet, port, sealed passage, or the like. In exemplary embodiments, the connector  56  provides a substantially air tight seal so that the compartment  15  remains substantially sealed. 
       FIG.  7    is a simplified diagram illustrating an exemplary system utilizing the assembly  10 . The simulated electric meter  44  may be in electrical connection with all of the electricity consuming components of the assembly  10 , including but not limited to, the electronic components  18 , the illumination device  32 , the additional equipment  42 , and a network connectivity device  46 . In this way, the simulated electric meter  44  may be positioned to encounter all of the electricity flowing into the assembly  10 . 
       FIG.  8    is a detailed view of the simulated electric meter  44  of  FIG.  7   . The simulated electric meter  44  may comprise a processor  62 , an electronic storage device  64 , a timing device  66 , a current sensor  68 , and a voltage sensor  67 . The simulated electric meter  44  may comprise other electrical components, including but not limited to, capacitors, resistors, relays, diodes, inductors, voltage sources, logic gates, microcontrollers, and the like. The current sensor  68  and the voltage sensor  67  may be in contact (direct or indirect) with the electrical wiring passing into or through the assembly  10 . For example, without limitation, the simulated electric meter  44  may be located immediately adjacent to the connector  56 , though any location is contemplated. While the current and voltage sensors,  68  and  67  respectively, are described as separate components herein, it is contemplated that a single sensor may be used to measure both current and voltage. Alternatively, or in addition, it is contemplated that the voltage may be a known, preprogramed value and only the current sensor  68  is required. 
     The current sensor  68  may be configured to detect the current of the electricity in contact therewith. Similarly, the voltage sensor  67  may be configured to detect the voltage of the electricity in contact therewith. The measured current and voltage values may be actual, approximate, peak, root mean square, average, median, mode values, or the like. Alternatively, or in addition, the voltage or current values may already be known and preprogrammed. For example, without limitation, the voltage of the supplied electricity may be known to be  120   v  or  220   v.    
     As additionally shown in  FIG.  9   , the electronic storage device  64  may comprise software instructions, which when executed, cause the processor  62  to take one or more readings from the current sensor  68  and the voltage sensor  67  for the electricity in contact with the current sensor  68  and the voltage sensor  67 —that is, the electricity passing through the simulated electric meter  44  to be consumed by the assembly  10 . In exemplary embodiments, such readings may be taken approximately once per second, though any frequency of readings is contemplated. The processor  62  may be configured to multiply the measured current value with the measured voltage value to determine a power consumption reading. This value may be stored at the electronic storage device  64  or elsewhere. 
     The electronic storage device  64  may comprise software instructions, which when executed, cause the processor  62  to take readings from the timing device  66  to measure the current time or the elapsed time. In exemplary embodiments, the processor  62  may be configured to measure the elapsed time, by way of the timing device  66 , from when a first current or voltage measurement is taken and continue monitoring the elapsed time each instance a current or voltage measurement is taken. Once the elapsed time is greater than or equal to a predetermined target time, the processor  62  may be configured to sum the power consumption readings taken during the time period in question and divide the summed total by the number of readings to determine an average power consumption reading for the time period. The processor  62  may be configured to update various power consumption measures as described in greater detail herein. This information can be used to, for example, determine the kilowatt-hours (“kW hours”) consumed by the assembly  10 . Alternatively, or in addition, the processor  62  may calculate the elapsed time by multiplying the inverse of the known frequency of measurements by the number of measurements taken. 
     In exemplary embodiments, at least the following power consumption measures are tracked and periodically updated: monthly power consumption (e.g., accumulated kW hours for the current calendar month); yearly power consumption (e.g., accumulated kW hours for the current calendar year); lifetime power consumption (e.g., accumulated kW hours from time 0 to infinity); last month power consumption (e.g., the accumulated kW hours for the last calendar month); last year power consumption (e.g., the accumulated kW hours for the last calendar year); average monthly power consumption (e.g., average of average hourly or daily power consumption for all hours or days in the previous month); average yearly power consumption (e.g., average of average hourly, daily, or monthly power consumption for all hours, days, or months in the previous month); and monthly averages for the last calendar year. These measurements are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting. Any number or type of measurements are contemplated. An exemplary report of power consumption is provided below. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Cumulative 
                   
                   
                   
                 Cumulative 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Day of 
                 Daily 
                 Actual Daily 
                 Average 
                 Predicted 
                   
                 Actual Daily 
                 Predicted 
                   
               
               
                 Month of 
                 the 
                 kwh 
                 Values for the 
                 Daily Kw 
                 Monthly Kwh 
                 Days/Given 
                 Values for the 
                 Yearly Kwh 
                 Day of 
               
               
                 the Year 
                 Month 
                 Value 
                 month 
                 Value 
                 Consumption 
                 Month 
                 Year 
                 Consumption 
                 the Year 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Jan. 
                 1 
                 0.678 
                 0.678 
                 0.678 
                 21.024 
                 31 
                 0.678 
                 247.538 
                 1 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 2 
                 0.959 
                 1.638 
                 0.819 
                 25.382 
                 31 
                 1.638 
                 298.855 
                 2 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 3 
                 0.428 
                 2.066 
                 0.689 
                 21.349 
                 31 
                 2.066 
                 251.366 
                 3 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 4 
                 0.413 
                 2.479 
                 0.620 
                 19.215 
                 31 
                 2.479 
                 226.239 
                 4 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 5 
                 0.070 
                 2.549 
                 0.510 
                 15.805 
                 31 
                 2.549 
                 186.086 
                 5 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 6 
                 0.724 
                 3.273 
                 0.546 
                 16.912 
                 31 
                 3.273 
                 199.127 
                 6 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 7 
                 0.126 
                 3.399 
                 0.486 
                 15.052 
                 31 
                 3.399 
                 177.228 
                 7 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 8 
                 0.257 
                 3.656 
                 0.457 
                 14.166 
                 31 
                 3.656 
                 166.797 
                 8 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 9 
                 0.681 
                 4.337 
                 0.482 
                 14.939 
                 31 
                 4.337 
                 175.889 
                 9 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 10 
                 0.145 
                 4.482 
                 0.448 
                 13.893 
                 31 
                 4.482 
                 163.577 
                 10 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 11 
                 0.579 
                 5.060 
                 0.460 
                 14.261 
                 31 
                 5.060 
                 167.907 
                 11 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 12 
                 0.905 
                 5.966 
                 0.497 
                 15.411 
                 31 
                 5.966 
                 181.454 
                 12 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 13 
                 0.602 
                 6.568 
                 0.505 
                 15.662 
                 31 
                 6.568 
                 184.407 
                 13 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 14 
                 0.719 
                 7.287 
                 0.520 
                 16.134 
                 31 
                 7.287 
                 189.970 
                 14 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 15 
                 0.971 
                 8.257 
                 0.550 
                 17.065 
                 31 
                 8.257 
                 200.931 
                 15 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 16 
                 0.409 
                 8.667 
                 0.542 
                 16.792 
                 31 
                 8.667 
                 197.710 
                 16 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 17 
                 0.910 
                 9.577 
                 0.563 
                 17.464 
                 31 
                 9.577 
                 205.629 
                 17 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 18 
                 0.499 
                 10.076 
                 0.560 
                 17.354 
                 31 
                 10.076 
                 204.326 
                 18 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 19 
                 0.370 
                 10.446 
                 0.550 
                 17.044 
                 31 
                 10.446 
                 200.677 
                 19 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 20 
                 0.309 
                 10.756 
                 0.538 
                 16.671 
                 31 
                 10.756 
                 196.292 
                 20 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 21 
                 0.401 
                 11.156 
                 0.531 
                 16.469 
                 31 
                 11.156 
                 193.908 
                 21 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 22 
                 0.263 
                 11.419 
                 0.519 
                 16.090 
                 31 
                 11.419 
                 189.453 
                 22 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 23 
                 0.820 
                 12.239 
                 0.532 
                 16.497 
                 31 
                 12.239 
                 194.233 
                 23 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 24 
                 0.472 
                 12.711 
                 0.530 
                 16.418 
                 31 
                 12.711 
                 193.314 
                 24 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 25 
                 0.137 
                 12.848 
                 0.514 
                 15.931 
                 31 
                 12.848 
                 187.578 
                 25 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 26 
                 0.344 
                 13.192 
                 0.507 
                 15.729 
                 31 
                 13.192 
                 185.198 
                 26 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 27 
                 0.974 
                 14.166 
                 0.525 
                 16.265 
                 31 
                 14.166 
                 191.505 
                 27 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 28 
                 0.647 
                 14.813 
                 0.529 
                 16.400 
                 31 
                 14.813 
                 193.093 
                 28 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 29 
                 0.135 
                 14.948 
                 0.515 
                 15.979 
                 31 
                 14.948 
                 188.135 
                 29 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 30 
                 0.157 
                 15.105 
                 0.504 
                 15.609 
                 31 
                 15.105 
                 183.778 
                 30 
               
               
                 Jan. 
                 31 
                 0.182 
                 15.287 
                 0.493 
                 15.287 
                 31 
                 15.287 
                 179.989 
                 31 
               
               
                 Feb. 
                 1 
                 0.210 
                 0.210 
                 0.210 
                 5.873 
                 28 
                 15.497 
                 176.757 
                 32 
               
               
                 Feb. 
                 2 
                 0.467 
                 0.677 
                 0.338 
                 9.475 
                 28 
                 15.964 
                 176.567 
                 33 
               
               
                 Feb. 
                 3 
                 0.054 
                 0.731 
                 0.244 
                 6.824 
                 28 
                 16.018 
                 171.957 
                 34 
               
               
                 Feb. 
                 4 
                 0.680 
                 1.412 
                 0.353 
                 9.881 
                 28 
                 16.698 
                 174.139 
                 35 
               
               
                 Feb. 
                 5 
                 0.551 
                 1.963 
                 0.393 
                 10.991 
                 28 
                 17.249 
                 174.890 
                 36 
               
               
                 Feb. 
                 6 
                 0.048 
                 2.011 
                 0.335 
                 9.384 
                 28 
                 17.298 
                 170.640 
                 37 
               
               
                 Feb. 
                 7 
                 0.301 
                 2.312 
                 0.330 
                 9.246 
                 28 
                 17.598 
                 169.036 
                 38 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The processor  62  may store these measurements and others from the simulated electric meter  44  in the electronic storage device  64  or elsewhere. The simulated electric meter  44  may be in electronic communication with the network connectivity device  46 , which may be in electronic communication with a remote electronic device  52  by way of a network  48 . The network  48  may be the internet, cellular network, intranet, or the like. The connection between the network connectivity device  46 , the network  48 , and the remote electronic device  52  and other components may be wired or wireless. The remote electronic device  52  may be a personal computer, smart phone, tablet or the like and may be configured to receive data from the simulated electric meter  44  and generate a report of power consumption. 
     The measurements taken from the simulated electric meter  44 , such as but not limited to those stored on the electronic storage device  64 , may be transmitted to the remote electronic device  52 . The processor  62 , or the remote electronic device  52 , may be configured to track the measurements from the simulated electric meter  44  over a period of time. The processor  62  or the remote electronic device  52  may be further configured to generate a user interface illustrating the measurements from the simulated electric meter  44 . 
     As additionally shown in  FIG.  10   , the processor  62 , or the remote electronic device  52 , may be configured to project, predict, or otherwise estimate future power consumption based on past usage. Such estimation may be accomplished by projecting past usage over a future time period, by determining average usage over a period of time, or the like. It is notable that power consumption may vary significantly by time of the year because, for example, of varying weather conditions. For example, without limitation, warmer or cooler ambient air, the number of sunny days, the intensity of the sun, the amount of cloud cover, and the like may affect illumination requirements, cooling requirements, and the like. 
     If, for example without limitation, data is available regarding average hourly consumption from the same month of a previous year, the same month&#39;s average hourly power consumption may be multiplied by the number of hours in the current month to arrive at a predicted monthly consumption. If such data is not available, then the previous day&#39;s average daily power consumption may be multiplied by the number of days in the current month to arrive at a predicted monthly consumption. As a further example, again without limitation, if data is available regarding average hourly power consumption from the previous year, the previous year&#39;s average consumption may be multiplied by the number of days in the current year and 24 hours to arrive at the predicted annual consumption. If such data is not available, then the previous day&#39;s average daily consumption may be multiplied by the number of days in the current year to arrive at the predicted annual consumption. These measurements and predictions are merely exemplary any not intended to be limiting. Any consumption measurements may be used and multiplied by any time period to determine a predicted consumption measurement for a corresponding time period. 
     At the end of each month, a monthly consumption measurement may be determined by averaging or accumulating all power consumption measurements tracked during the month. For example, without limitation, all daily power consumption measurements tracked during the month may be summed to arrive at a monthly consumption measurement. As another example, again without limitation, all daily power consumption measurement tracked during the month may be summed and divided by the number of measurements taken to arrive at an average daily consumption measurement for the given month. The same or similar measurements may be taken for other time periods such as hours, weeks, days, or years. For example, without limitation, a yearly consumption may be determined by summing all values tracked during the year, all monthly values tracked during the year, or all daily values tracked during the year. These measurements may be stored as described herein. 
     The simulated electric meter  44  may be in electrical connection with the electronic components  18  or the additional equipment  42 . Some of these components may be configured to track the images being shown on the various electronic display subassemblies  12 . For example, without limitation, the processor  62 , electronic storage device  64 , and timing device  66  may be in electronic communication with the video player  18 . As a further example, the additional equipment  42  may comprise a proof of play device configured to track what image(s) are shown on the electronic display subassemblies  12 . 
     Regardless, the processor  62  may be configured to monitor the activity of the video player  18 . The processor  62  may be further configured store data on the electronic storage device  64 , the electronic components  18 , the additional equipment  42 , or the remote electronic device  52 , indicating what was shown on the electronic display subassemblies  12  at given times, which may be measured by the timing device  66 . In this way, the simulated electric meter  44  and related components may be configured to measure the power consumed while a particular image or images is displayed on the assembly  10 . For example, without limitation, this information may be used to charge advertisers for the power consumed by the assembly  10  while their advertisement is shown on the display. As another example, without limitation, this data may permit an advertiser to better understand the power or power consumed by the assembly  10  and adjust their operations or prices accordingly. This data may be transmitted to the remote electronic device  52 . 
     The illustrated assembly  10  and electronic display subassemblies  12  are merely exemplary. Other size, shape, and configuration assemblies  10  are contemplated with other size, shape, number, and configuration electronic display subassemblies  12 . 
     Any embodiment of the present invention may include any of the optional or preferred features of the other embodiments of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present invention so that others skilled in the art may practice the invention. Having shown and described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will realize that many variations and modifications may be made to the described invention. Many of those variations and modifications will provide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimed invention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by the scope of the claims.