Source: http://patents.com/us-9690684.html
Timestamp: 2017-11-22 22:19:30
Document Index: 320399063

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US Patent # 9,690,684. Component for network system - Patents.com
United States Patent 9,690,684
Ahn , et al. June 27, 2017
A component for a network system is provided. The component includes an information notification part capable of notifying of one or more pieces of certain information among energy information, additional information except the energy information, and new information based on one or more the energy information and the additional information and a control unit controlling the information notification part. The information notification part notifies of the certain information when satisfying conditions for notifying of the certain information.
Ahn; Junho (Gyeongsangnam-do, KR), Kim; Yanghwan (Gyeongsangnam-do, KR), Lee; Hoonbong (Gyeongsangnam-do, KR), Lee; Koonseok (Gyeongsangnam-do, KR), Kim; Minchel (Gyeongsangnam-do, KR), Kim; Yonghun (Gyeongsangnam-do, KR), Park; Seungje (Gyeongsangnam-do, KR), Seo; Eunkyung (Gyeongsangnam-do, KR), Son; Younghyo (Gyeongsangnam-do, KR), Yeo; Sangmin (Gyeongsangnam-do, KR)
Ahn; Junho
Kim; Yanghwan
Lee; Hoonbong
Lee; Koonseok
Kim; Minchel
Kim; Yonghun
Park; Seungje
Seo; Eunkyung
Son; Younghyo
Yeo; Sangmin
Family ID: 1000002673718
13/806,522
PCT/KR2011/004650
WO2011/162579
US 20140040458 A1 Feb 6, 2014
Jun 26, 2010 [KR] 10-2010-0060881
Jun 26, 2010 [KR] 10-2010-0060904
Jun 26, 2010 [KR] 10-2010-0060908
Sep 17, 2010 [KR] 10-2010-0091438
Nov 26, 2010 [WO] PCT/IB2010/003388
Current CPC Class: G06F 11/3065 (20130101); G06F 11/3058 (20130101); G06Q 10/10 (20130101); G06Q 50/06 (20130101)
Current International Class: G06F 11/30 (20060101); G06Q 50/06 (20120101); G06Q 10/10 (20120101)
Field of Search: ;700/286,291,295,296 ;702/60,61,62 ;705/412 ;709/224
6437799 August 2002 Shinomi
6972771 December 2005 Nakano
7343226 March 2008 Ehlers
7379997 May 2008 Ehlers
7418428 August 2008 Ehlers
7949615 May 2011 Ehlers
8121737 February 2012 West
8406933 March 2013 Nagel
2004/0139038 July 2004 Ehlers
2005/0033707 February 2005 Ehlers
2005/0138929 June 2005 Enis et al.
2007/0043477 February 2007 Ehlers
2007/0043478 February 2007 Ehlers
2010/0004791 January 2010 West
2011/0164055 July 2011 McCullough
2012/0068854 March 2012 Shiflet
2002-51462 Feb 2002 JP
2008-295193 Dec 2008 JP
10-0701110 Mar 2007 KR
10-2007-0098172 Oct 2007 KR
10-2008-0015032 Feb 2008 KR
10-2008-0092408 Oct 2008 KR
10-2009-0046543 May 2009 KR
C Potter, et al.: "Building a Smarter Smart Grid Through Better Renewable Energy Information", IEEE/PES Power Systems Conference and Exposition, Mar. 15, 2009, pp. 1-5. cited by applicant.
1. A component capable of communicating with a network system, the component comprising: a communication unit to communicate with the network system; an information notification part to notify one or more pieces of information among energy information, additional information except the energy information, and new information based on one or more of the energy information and the additional information except the energy information; and a control unit to control the information notification part, wherein the information notification part notifies one or more pieces of the information when the control unit determines that a condition for notifying one or more pieces of the information is satisfied, wherein one or more of the information comprises character information and graph information displayed simultaneously on a screen, wherein the screen includes a first region that displays the character information, a second region that displays the graph information, and a third region surrounding the first and second regions, wherein when one of the first and second regions is selected, the selected region is enlarged and the un-selected region is reduced.
2. The component of claim 1, wherein the energy information comprises energy cost information and information except energy cost, wherein the energy cost information comprises one or more of cost for energy and energy consumption cost, and wherein the information except energy cost comprises one or more of energy reduction, emergency situation, grid safety, energy increase, operation priority, and energy consumption amount.
3. The component of claim 1, wherein the energy information comprises one or more of present energy information, past energy information, and estimated future energy information.
4. The component of claim 1, wherein the energy information comprises one or more of information in a time period, information at a time point, information related to operation, and accumulated information related to operation.
5. The component of claim 1, wherein the energy information comprises one or more of a number of residual times, a residual cost, and a residual amount of power capable of operating before a reference energy cost.
6. The component of claim 1, wherein the energy information comprises information on a kind of an energy supply source.
7. The component of claim 1, wherein the additional information comprises one or more of environment information, time information, information related to one or more components, information related other components, and a user using the one or more components.
8. The component of claim 1, wherein the control unit receives or generates one or more pieces of the information among the energy information, the additional information except the energy information, and the new information based on one or more of the energy information and the additional information except the energy information.
9. The component of claim 1, wherein one or more pieces of the information notified by the information notification part is changed when one or more of the energy information, the additional information except the energy information, and the new information based on one or more the energy information and the additional information except the energy information is changed.
10. The component of claim 1, wherein the information notification part notifies one or more pieces of the information in one or more of a case of at least one of inputting a kind of information to be notified and a commencement of selecting a subject, a case of sensing at least one of a contact of a human body, a case of satisfying an environment condition previously set, a case of satisfying a time previously set, a case where a value sensed by a sensor meets a predetermined reference value, a case corresponding to an operation restriction condition previously set in relation to at least one of the energy information and the additional information, a case where the control unit recognizes new information, a case where at least one of operation and phase of the component varies, and a case where at least one of phase and kind of information recognized by the control unit varies.
11. The component of claim 1, wherein the condition for notifying one or more of the information varies with received information among energy information, additional information except the energy information, and new information based on one or more of the energy information and the additional information except the energy information.
12. The component of claim 1, wherein a time period of notifying of one or more of the information is set based on information among energy information, additional information except the energy information, and new information based on one or more of the energy information and the additional information except the energy information.
13. The component of claim 1, wherein a notification method is set differently depending on a subject of the information notified by the information notification part.
14. The component of claim 1, wherein a notification method of one or more of the information is varied with a change of the information among energy information, additional information except the energy information, and new information based on one or more of the energy information and the additional information except the energy information.
15. The component of claim 1, wherein the information notification part comprises one or more of a display unit, a light emitting unit, a sound generation unit, an aroma generation unit, and a vibration generation unit.
16. The component of claim 1, wherein one or more of the character information and the graph information is capable of disappearing from the screen or being reduced.
17. The component of claim 1, wherein, in a phase where one or more of the character information and the graph information is displayed on the screen, the displayed information is capable of being converted into another one of the character information and the graph information.
18. The component of claim 1, wherein the new information comprises a recommended driving method for saving an energy cost or an energy consumption amount.
19. The component of claim 18, wherein the control unit determines the recommended driving method based on a driving method having a driving time and a course.
20. The component of claim 18, wherein if a time related to an operation of the component is received by the control unit, the control unit controls the information notification part to notify a power saving operation time for the component for reducing the energy cost or the energy consumption amount based on the received time and the energy information.
21. The component of claim 18, wherein if an operation method of the component is received by the control unit, the control unit controls the information notification part to notify a power saving operation method for the component for reducing the energy cost or the energy consumption amount based on the received operation method and the energy information.
22. The component of claim 18, wherein if an energy usage cost or an energy usage amount of the component is received by the control unit, the control unit controls the information notification part to notify an operation method for the component based on the energy information and the received energy usage cost or energy usage amount so as to result in the energy cost or the energy consumption amount lower than the received energy usage cost or energy usage amount.
23. The component of claim 18, wherein in a state where an operation condition is not received by the control unit for the component, the control unit controls the information notification part to notify an optimal operation time from a current time to a certain time for the component.
24. The component of claim 1, wherein the energy information comprises a high period, an output of the component is decreased by the control unit after the control unit recognizes the high period.
25. The component of claim 1, wherein the energy information comprises a high price time period, when the high price time period is included within at least one portion of a driving time period of the component, the control unit causes the driving time period of the component to be changed.
26. The component of claim 1, wherein one or more of the character information and the graph information is designated as activation of the information notification part, and the other of the character information and the graph information is reduced is designated as deactivation.
This application is a 35 U.S.C. .sctn.371 National Stage entry of International Application No. PCT/KR2011/004650, filed on Jun. 27, 2011, and claims priority to U.S. Korean Application Nos. 10-2010-0060908, filed Jun. 26, 2010, Korean Application Nos. 10-2010-0060881, filed Jun. 26, 2010, Korean Application Nos. 10-2010-0060904, filed Jun. 26, 2010, Korean Application Nos. 10-2010-0091438, filed Sep. 17, 2010, and PCT/IB2010/003388, filed Nov. 26, 2010, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.
Providers simply provide energy sources such as electricity, water, and gas, and consumers simply use supplied energy sources. Accordingly, it is difficult to effectively manage energy in aspects of producing, distributing, or using the same. Accordingly, there is required a network system for effectively managing energy.
Embodiments provide a component for a network system capable of effectively administrating energy sources.
In one embodiment, a component for a network system includes an information notification part capable of notifying about one or more pieces of certain information among energy information, additional information except the energy information, and new information based on one or more the energy information and the additional information and a control unit controlling the information notification part. When satisfying conditions for notifying of the certain information, the information notification part notifies the certain information.
FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating a home area network according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 13 is a block view illustrating a component constituting the network system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an example of the arrangement of an input unit and a display unit in the component of FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is a front view illustrating a component forming the network system according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a view illustrating another example of the display unit of the component of FIG. 13.
FIG. 17 is a view illustrating another example of a display unit of the component of FIG. 15.
FIG. 18 is a view illustrating examples of a method of displaying information.
FIG. 19 is a configuration view illustrating a display unit of a component according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 20 is a view illustrating a screen of the display unit of FIG. 19 in a power-saving mode.
FIG. 21 is a view illustrating a character-display part in the screen of FIG. 20 being in an active mode.
FIG. 22 is a view illustrating a daily information graph in the screen of FIG. 20 being in an active mode.
FIG. 23 is a view illustrating another example of the display unit of FIG. 20.
FIGS. 24 and 25 are views illustrating graphs displayed in the display unit of FIG. 23, respectively.
In this specification, the term "home" means not only a household as a lexical meaning but also a group in which specific components such as buildings or companies gather. Also, the term "utility" means a group in which specific components outside the home gather.
Additionally, the home area network 20 may further include one of an accessory component and a consumable handling component. The accessory component is only for an energy grid, performing additional functions for the energy grid. For example, the accessory component may be a weather forecast receiving antenna only for the energy grid.
The consumable handling component is a component for storing, supplying, and transferring consumables and may check or recognize information on the consumables. The consumables may be, as an example, products or materials used or handled during the operation of the component. The consumable handling component may be managed by, as an example, the energy management unit in the energy grid. For example, the consumables may be laundry in a washing machine, items to be cooked in a cooking appliance, detergent or a fabric conditioner for laundry in a washing machine, and seasoning for cooking food.
Meanwhile, the information related to energy cost corresponding to at least time may be recognized as information for determining a power saving driving scheme of the specific component. That is, the information related to energy cost may be recognized by dividing a time slot (time period) or pricing zone (time period) into at least two or more. As described above, the divided time period or pricing period may be determined based on the kinds of the recognized information (the Boolean signal, the plurality of levels and the real-time information).
The specific component that receives the message may provide a response related to energy. Here, the term "response" may be understood as a concept including an operation through which the specific component can perform a function. As an example, the HAN 20 may perform an operation related to energy by receiving a message.
In other words, if specific reference information related to energy information is recognized in a period after the output of the specific component is controlled, the response for controlling the output may be released. Here, the term "period" may be divided based on a point of time when the high-cost information is recognized.
Here, the term "limitation" may be understood as the release of the output control performed or not performed.
On the other hand, the component 30 may include a display unit 31 for displaying information. The display unit 31 may be detachably connected to or fastened to the component 30. When the display unit 31 is detachable from the component 30, the display unit 31 may perform a wired/wireless communication with the component 30, and more particularly, with a controller of the component 30. However, when the display unit 31 is fastened to the component 30, the display unit 31 may performed the wire/wireless communication with the component 30.
When the display unit 31 is detachable from the component 30, there may be provided a communication unit and an input part for inputting or selecting information on the display unit 31. Accordingly, while the display unit 31 is being separated from the component 30, information may be inputted or selected via the input part. However, the component 30 may include a communication unit, and only the display unit 31 may be separated from the component 30. The display unit 31 may be one of the energy management component 24, the energy metering component 25, and the central management component 27 and may be an additional controller.
When the display unit 31 includes the communication unit, the component 30 may include the communication unit. When the display unit 31 and the component 30 may communicate with each other and may transmit and receive information using communication signals, it is possible to use the display unit 31. In other words, the display unit 31 is in a phase of being available when there is provided signal strength allowing a communication signal to include information therein. On the contrary, the display unit 31 is in a phase of being impossible to be used when the display unit 31 cannot communicate with the component 30 or signal strength is weak in such a way that a communication signal cannot include information. One of the display unit 31 and the component 30 transmits a communication signal and another thereof transmits a response signal. According to whether receiving the communication signal and response signal and to the signal strength, it may be determined whether to use the display unit 31. That is, when one of the display unit 31 and the component 30 cannot receives a signal or signal strength of the received signal is lower than reference strength, it may be determined to be impossible to use. Strength of a transmitted signal may be increased till any one of the display unit 31 and the component 30 receives a response signal with strength higher than the reference strength.
Also, on one of the display unit 31 and the component 30, there is displayed information notifying of whether the display unit 31 is available. When it is recognized that the display unit 31 is not available, the component 30 may be controlled to increase unique performance thereof, perform a door-locking function, and be limited in operation. Also, power of the component 30 may be turned off while allowing a communication unit such as a modem needed in communication in the network system to be turned on. Otherwise, while maintaining a memory function for storing information on a phase of the component 30, the power of the component 30 may be turned off.
Meanwhile, the display unit 31 and the component 30 may include sensors, respectively, to sense whether the display unit 31 is mounted thereon. It may be checked while the component 30 is being operated that the display unit 31 is mounted thereon. The respective sensors may be vibration sensors for sensing a vibration. When the display unit 31 is mounted on the component 30, a vibration occurring while the component 30 is being operated may be transferred to the display unit 31. Thus, when a difference between vibration values sensed by the respective sensors is smaller than a certain value, it is possible to recognize the display unit 31 as being mounted on the component 30. When it is determined that the display unit 31 is being mounted on the component 30, the operation of the component 30 may be controlled to reduce a vibration or noise occurring while operating the component 30.
As an example, when the component 30 is one of a washing machine or a drying machine, rotation speed of a motor thereof may be reduced. Also, when the component 30 is a refrigerator, a driving cycle of a compressor thereof may be reduced. On the contrary, when it is recognized that the display unit 31 is separated from the component 30, the component 30 may be controlled to increase unique performance thereof, perform a door-locking function, or be limited in operation. As another example, the respective sensors may be temperature sensors. Also, when a difference between numerical values of temperatures sensed by the respective sensors is smaller than a certain value, it is possible to recognize the display unit 31 as being mounted on the component 30.
In a phase when the display unit 31 is separated from the component 30, the component 30 may include an auxiliary display unit to allow the component 30 to be operated. Whether to operate the auxiliary display unit may be determined depending on whether the display unit 31 is available. As an example, when the display unit 31 is separated from the component 30 or not available, the auxiliary display unit may be turned on.
As an example, if any one of the first and second comunicators is powered on, one of the two communicators may transmit a network participation request signal, and the other of the two communicators may transmit a permission signal. As another example, if any one of the first and second comunicators is powered on, the powered-on communicator may transmit a network participation request signal to a communicator previously participated in the network, and the communicator that receives the request signal may transmit a permission signal to the powered-on communicator.
The first component 92 includes a communication unit 970 for performing communication with another component, a central manager 920 for managing the entire operation and/or information transmission/reception of the first component 92, and an application programming interface 930 (hereinafter, referred to as an "API") that serves as an interface between the communication unit 970 and the central manager 920 (specifically, application software).
FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating a home network according to the present disclosure.
Referring to FIG. 12, the home area network 20 includes an energy metering component 25 capable of metering one or more of the cost of power and electricity supplied to each residential customer from the utility network 10, as an example, a smart meter and an energy management component 24 connected to the energy metering component 25 and electronic appliances to control operations thereof.
On the other hand, electricity cost of the each residential customer may be charged per hour. For example, the electricity cost per hour may become expensive in a time while power consumption amount is being increased and may become inexpensive in a time while the power consumption amount is being relatively decreased such as midnight.
The energy management component 24 may be connected to electric products as the energy consumption component 26 such as a refrigerator 101, a washing machine 102, an air-conditioner 103, a drying machine 104, and a cooking appliance 105 and may communicate therewith in two ways via an in-house network.
A communication in house may be performed via one of a wireless method such as Zigbee and wifi and a wired method such as power line communication (PLC). Also, one electric product may be connected to other electric products to communicate therewith.
Referring to FIG. 13, the component constituting the network system may be one of the energy generation component 21, the energy distribution component 22, the energy storage component 23, the energy management component 24, the energy metering component 25, the central management component 27, the energy grid assistance component 28, and the energy consumption component 26. Hereinafter, as an example, it will be considered that the component is the refrigerator 102 that is the energy consumption component 26.
The component 102 may include a control unit 111, a communication unit 112, an input unit 113, a memory unit 116, and an information notification part.
The information notification part may include one or more of a display unit 114, a light emitting unit 115, a sound generation unit 117, an aroma generation unit 118, and a vibration generation unit 119.
The communication unit 112 may communicate with other components constituting the network system. Also, the communication unit 112 may communicate with the control unit 111. The control unit 111 may recognize many kinds of information.
The control unit 111 may recognize energy information, additional information, and information generated based on one or more of the energy information and the additional information. Also, the control unit 111 may generate the energy information, the additional information, and new information based on one or more of the energy information and the additional information.
The input unit 113 may allow inputting an operating condition of the component 102. As an example, a kind of objects to be displayed on the display unit 114, a displaying method, and a time for displaying may be set or changed by using the input unit 113.
In addition, with respect to energy, it is possible to select one of a general mode and a smart mode for efficiently managing energy by using the input unit 113. In the present embodiment, the smart mode means not only a mode for reducing an energy consumption or energy costs but also a mode for effectively manage energy such as conserving energy by using the energy in a time when energy costs are inexpensive. Also, before a start of operating the component 102, it is possible to select one of the general mode and the smart mode by using the input unit 113. Additionally, while the component 102 is being operated in a selected mode, it is possible to change to one of the general mode and the smart mode.
The control unit 111 may receive energy information via the communication unit 112. The control unit 111 may check operating information thereof autonomously and may receive information related to other components, that is, additional information via the communication unit 112. The display unit may display one or more of the energy information and additional information except the energy information.
There may be provided one or more the light emitting parts 115. When there are provided a plurality of the light emitting parts 115, a kind thereof may be the same or different from each other. The light emitting unit 115 may be turned on when operating the component 102 or may be turned on being related to an object displayed on the display unit 114. A user may check a kind or a phase of information and a phase of operating the component 102 by using light emitted from the light emitting unit 115. That is, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 115 may include information capable of being recognized by the user. Also, the strength of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 115 may be controlled. In addition, the color of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 115 may be changeable. The strength and color of the light may vary with information to be displayed. Additionally, the light emitting unit 115 may be turned on/off periodically depending on the kind of information, and a period of being turned on/off or a ratio of being turned on/off may be changeable.
The sound generation unit 117 may include a buzzer circuit and a speaker. The sound generation unit 117 may be operated in relation to the operation of the component 102 or may be operated to notify information recognized by the control unit 111. Sounds generated by the sound generation unit 117, such as a certain sound, a melody, and a voice of a human, may be set or changed via the input unit 113 and may vary with the kind of the information.
The aroma generation unit 118 may indicate information by generating an aroma. An amount of the aroma generated by the aroma generation unit 118 may vary with the kind of the information.
The vibration generation unit 119 may indicate information by generating a vibration. The strength and time of the vibration generated by the vibration generation unit 119 may vary with the kind of the information.
In the memory part 116, there may be stored the energy information and the additional information. Also, in the memory part 116, there may be stored conditions set or changed via the input unit 113.
According to the present disclosure, since the energy information and the additional information may be transmitted and received among components, an energy source may be effectively produced, used, distributed, and stored, thereby effectively managing the energy source. Also, since the information notification part displays one or more of the energy information and the additional information, the user may check the information and effectively manage the component.
FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an example of the arrangement of the input unit 113 and the display unit 114 in the component of FIG. 13.
Referring to FIG. 14, the input unit 113 and the display unit 114 may be located being adjacent to each other. Also, the light emitting unit 115 may be located being adjacent to one or more of the input unit 113 and the display unit 115. Also, via the input unit 113, a subject of the information to be displayed may be selected and may vary.
The input unit 113 may include a plurality of selection parts 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, and 126. The plurality of selection parts 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, and 126 may be buttons or knobs. When each selection part is operated, the light emitting unit 115 emits light toward the selection part in such a way that it may be checked whether the selection part is operated.
FIG. 15 is a front view illustrating a component 130 constituting the network system according to a second embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 15, the component 130 may include at least a display unit 131 and an input unit 132. Not shown in the drawing, the component 130 may further include a control unit, a memory unit, and a light emitting part like those in FIG. 13. A detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The display unit 131 may display energy information and additional information including information related to a plurality of components. For example, any one of the plurality of energy consumption components is selected and information related thereto may be displayed. Alternatively, according to the kind of information, information on the plurality of components may be displayed simultaneously. As an example, power consumption information and whether a component being operated of each of the plurality of components may be displayed. Via the input unit 132, it is possible to select one component to be displayed from the plurality of components.
The component 130 may transmit and receive information of the plurality of components. As an example, the component 130 may be one of the energy management component 24, the energy metering component 25, the central management component 27, and the energy consumption component 26.
FIG. 16 is a view illustrating another example of a display unit 140 of the component of FIG. 13.
Referring to FIG. 16, the display unit 140 may include a touch screen 141 for selecting various functions using a touch. In this case, the touch screen 141 performs functions of an input unit. That is, without an additional input unit, a subject of information to be displayed, a display method, and a display time may be selected or set by touching the touch screen 141.
FIG. 17 is a view illustrating another example of the display unit of the component of FIG. 15.
Referring to FIG. 17, a display unit 150 in the present embodiment may include a touch screen 151 for selecting various functions using a touch. In this case, the touch screen performs functions of an input unit. Different from the display unit 140 of FIG. 16, in the display unit 150 of the present embodiment, one of the plurality of components may be selected, information of the selected component may be displayed, or operation conditions may be inputted.
Hereinafter, there will be described in detail the subject of the information to be displayed on the display unit, a method of displaying the information, and the display time thereof.
(1) Subject to be Displayed
The information notification part of the present disclosure may display one selected from the energy information and the additional information or display both of them at the same time. Also, one or more of one or more pieces of the energy information and one or more pieces of the additional information. That is, the display unit 31 may display two or more pieces of information.
First, the information notification part may display energy cost information, as an example, electricity cost as energy information. The energy cost information may include present cost, past cost, or estimated cost in the future. The energy cost information displayed in the information notification part may be one of real-time information and schedule information.
The energy cost information may include not only information on cost in a specific period or time but also information on cost used with respect to the operation of a component, cost used in the present, and cost to be used, that is, estimation cost, which are energy information related to the additional information. As an example, there may be displayed information on cost used for a certain component using for a certain period, cost used for operating the certain component in a certain mode, and estimated cost to operate the certain component in the certain mode.
In this case, use cost may be determined by the component with the display unit for displaying the use cost or may be received from other components. The use cost may be determined using an energy consumption amount and energy cost information.
Also, the information notification part may display information except the energy cost information. The information except the energy cost information includes information on energy reduction, emergency situation, grid safety, power generation quantity, operation priority, energy consumption, energy supply amount, information (e.g., cost change rate, average cost, level or the like) newly generated based on two or more pieces of information (one or more pieces of energy cost information and/or information except the one or more pieces of energy cost information), and the like. In this case, the energy consumption may be energy consumption used two or more home networks, and may be simultaneously or selectively displayed.
For example, there may be displayed information of receiving an energy reduction signal, on/off peak time information, present/past/future power generation information, information on an energy consumption component to be operated prior to others, and energy consumption amount information of one or more of the plurality of energy consumption components.
The energy consumption component, as described above, may be a single component or the plurality of components, and energy consumption amount information of each of the plurality of components.
The energy consumption amount information may include past consumption amount information, present consumption amount information, and estimated future consumption amount information. Also, the energy consumption amount may include information on an accumulated consumption amount, an average consumption amount, an increasing consumption rate, a decreasing consumption rate, a maximum consumption amount, and a minimum consumption amount in a certain period (time). In this case, the energy consumption amount information may be determined by the component or may be received from other components, as an example, the energy metering unit directly or indirectly.
Also, with respect to an energy consumption amount, there may be displayed a residual energy consumption amount available before applying an cumulative tax, a residual number of times available before applying the cumulative tax, and a residual time.
Also, with respect to the information except the energy cost information, there may be displayed a source of supplying energy or a place of an origin of energy consumed in present. In other words, there may be displayed whether energy is supplied from the utility network 10 or the energy storage unit 23 of the home area network 20.
On the other hand, the information notification part may display environment information as the additional information.
The environment information, as described above, may include carbon dioxide emission rate, concentration of carbon dioxide in air, temperature such as indoor temperature and outdoor temperature, humidity, precipitation, presence of rainfall, amount of solar radiation, and an amount of wind. The carbon dioxide emission rate information may include an estimated emission amount when an energy consumption component is operated, an emission amount related to power consumed by the energy consumption component, and an actual emission amount in the air.
Also, the information notification part may display time information as the additional information. The time information may include time related to the energy information and time related to other additional information such as information on the operation of the component.
Also, the information notification part may display one of component operation information and component phase information as the additional information. As an example, there may be displayed information on a mode of the component being operated in present, information for notifying of a change in mode, an operation time, an operation estimation time, a finish time, a finish estimation time so far, disorder information, program update information, and information on whether a program is in need of being updated.
In this case, the information for notifying of a change in mode includes not only a case where a mode is changed by an input from the input unit but also a case where a mode is automatically changed. As an example of the case where a mode is automatically changed, a general mode may be changed to a smart mode when a door of a component such as a refrigerator is not open for a certain period of time. Also, when a door is open after the general mode is changed to the smart mode, the smart mode may be changed to the general mode.
In addition to the information as described above, the information notification part may display one of information processed based on one or more pieces of information or newly generated information.
For example, when a certain condition is inputted by the input unit, the display unit may display one or more of the energy information and the time information related to the operation of the component. The energy information may be one of energy cost information for unit power and energy cost information while the component is operated in a certain way. The time information related to the operation of the component may be one of a start time, a finish time, and a duration time from a start to a finish of the operation of the component. In this case, one or more of the energy information and the time information displayed on the display unit may not be a certain value but labeled information. For example, an energy cost may be displayed as 1, 2, and 3 or high, medium, and low. Alternatively, the time information may be displayed 1, 2 and 3 or morning, afternoon, and evening.
In this case, when the energy cost is displayed as being labeled, the time information may be displayed as one of being labeled and a certain value. On the contrary, when the time information is displayed as being labeled, the energy cost may be displayed as one of being labeled and a certain value. Alternatively, when a certain time is inputted, there may be displayed one of an energy cost being labeled and an energy cost for unit power. Alternatively, when a certain cost is inputted, there may be displayed time information as being labeled. Alternatively, in a phase before inputting time information, there may be displayed one of an energy cost being labeled or an energy cost for unit power. When the energy cost is displayed being in labeled, there may be arranged sequentially a plurality of pieces of labeled information.
When the component is one of the energy storage components 13 and 23, there may be displayed whether using stored electricity and a residual amount of the stored electricity. When the residual amount of the stored electricity is less than a certain value, there may be displayed alert information.
Also, the information notification part may display whether a certain function of a component is available or not.
Also, the information notification part may display whether a door of a component such as a refrigerator, a washing machine, and a cooking appliance is open or not and an alert against a certain operation of the component.
As an example, when a door is open, there may be displayed certain information. In this case, information to be displayed may vary with the kind of energy information when opening a door. For example, when a door is open in an off peak section, a light emitting unit may be turned on (the additional information related to the energy information). On the contrary, when a door is open in an on peak section, the light emitting unit may be turned on, may flicker on and off, and may change a color thereof. Also, two or more of the light emitting unit, the sound generation unit, and the display unit constituting the information notification part may be operated simultaneously.
As another example, one or more of times of opening a door of the component for a certain time period and an accumulated amount of time for opening a door reach reference values, there may be displayed information notifying of them.
Also, the information notification part may display information on practices of a user of the component. As an example, there may be displayed times of opening a door of the component such as a refrigerator, a washing machine, and a cooking appliance, a time amount for once opening a door, a time period of opening a door, and information on a rank list of time periods of opening a door, which is information newly generated based on a plurality of pieces of the additional information.
As another example, information on an energy consumption amount for once opening a door, which is energy information related to the additional information, and a total power consumption amount for once or more opening a door for a certain time period.
Also, the information notification part may display recommendation information related to the component. As an example, when the user would like to operate the component in a time section with a high energy cost, there may be displayed information recommending a time section with a low energy cost.
As another example, in case where certain references with respect to a cost, a power consumption amount, and a time are previously set, when selecting an operation mode or a course of the component, there may be displayed information recommending an optimum operation method or time of the component based on the energy information.
As another example, there may be displayed information recommending an operation method or time of the component based on the energy information and the environment information.
For example, when a certain condition is inputted via the input unit, recommendation information related to an operation method or time period of the component, which is the energy information or the additional information, may be displayed on the display unit. There may be recommended a driving method, a power consumption amount, a power-saving level, and a start time for driving with respect to the component. In this case, there may be displayed information whose kind is different from that of information inputted via the input unit. For example, when a driving method is inputted, there may be recommended information in addition to the driving method. The display unit may further display, together with recommendation information, information on energy used while the component is being operated, and particularly, operated in a certain mode in a certain time period, such as a cost for using electricity. In this case, the user may select one of the recommendation information and a preferable operation method or time. Alternatively, though the user inputs a command for an operation in a certain mode, the component may be operated in a changed mode to reduce a cost for using electricity. In this case, information on the changed mode may be displayed on the display unit.
Also, the information notification part may display information newly generated based on a plurality of pieces of the energy information. For example, based on an energy cost in a certain time period and a cost of using energy in the time period, it may be displayed whether a component is operated in the time period or not. The user may recognize displayed information and consider the same when operating the component later.
Also, one of the display unit and the input unit may display a function or menu available of being operated in present. Alternatively, one of the display unit and the input unit may display available ones and unavailable ones from a plurality of functions as being distinguished by size, color, and location. Alternatively, when there are present additional input units, only input units for selecting available functions are activated or input units for selecting available functions may be displayed in a color different from that of input units for selecting unavailable functions.
The described subject of display may be selected or changed using an input unit, and it may be selected and changed whether to display the subject of display or not.
(2) Display Method
All information corresponding to the described subject of display may be displayed using methods as follows.
Methods of displaying information may include a visual display method, an aural display method, and a mixed method of the visual display method and the aural display method. Also, methods of displaying information and display forms of the respective methods may be changed automatically or manually.
FIG. 18 is a view illustrating examples of a method of displaying information. Referring to FIG. 18, information may be displayed in the forms of a graph for a time section or a time period, a level, and a table. As an example, an energy cost for unit time may be displayed in the forms of a level, a graph, and a table.
Also, information may be displayed in numbers, characters, sentences, figures, symbols, and images such as avatars via the display unit. In this case, depending on the kind of the information, a shape, a color, brightness, size, and location of the information displayed on the display unit may vary.
As an example, cost information may be displayed being distinguished by a plurality of colors. Alternatively, based on a reference value inputted by the user, different colors may be displayed when the cost information is greater or smaller than the reference value. For example, a portion where an energy consumption amount exceeds the reference value may be displayed in a different color from that of a portion where the energy consumption amount does not exceed the reference value.
As another example, information displayed on the display unit may flicker on and off on a regular cycle.
Meanwhile, information may be displayed via the light emitting unit. In this case, strength, color, flickering of light emitted from the light emitting unit may vary with the kind of the information. As an example, when energy costs are divided into levels, a color may vary with a level. As another example, an on/off time period or an on/off time rate of the light emitting unit may vary with the kind of the information. Also, when there are in present a plurality of light emitting units, the number of light emitting units turned on/off may vary with the kind of the information. For example, when energy costs are divided into three levels, the number of light emitting units turned on may be increased or decreased as a cost becomes expensive.
On the other hand, information may be displayed via a sound generation unit. A kind, time, and strength of a sound generated by the sound generation unit may vary with the kind of the information. Also, information may be displayed by a vibration generation unit, which is tactile information. Also, strength and time of a generated vibration may vary with the kind of the information. As an example, when the user operates an input unit on peak, there may be generated a vibration.
Also, information may be displayed via an aroma generation unit, which is olfactory information. In addition, kind of a generated aroma may vary with the kind of the information. As an example, when the user operates an input unit, there may be generated an aroma.
In case of means for displaying information as described above, such as the display unit, the light emitting unit, the sound generation unit, the vibration generation unit, and the aroma generation unit, only one thereof may be operated or more than two thereof may be operated at the same time.
(3) Display Time
All information corresponding to the subject of display as described above may be displayed at times as follows.
The information may be notified via the information notification part when satisfying conditions for notifying the information.
As an example, one or more pieces of information may be displayed by selecting information display and selecting information to be displayed using the input unit. Alternatively, regardless of selecting information display, when the user is in contact with a part of a component such as an input unit, a handle, and a display unit or operates one or more buttons or knobs constituting the input unit, a portion of information may be displayed. Also, in this case, the information to be displayed may be set or changed. Of course, the component may include a sensing unit for sensing contact of the user.
As an example, when an operation mode of the component is selected by the input unit, the display unit may display energy information related to the selected mode. For example, when selecting a certain operation mode, there may be displayed an electricity cost for unit power for each time period, a total amount of electricity use cost while operating in a corresponding mode, and a total amount of power consumption.
Alternatively, the information may be displayed when a human body sensor of the component senses a human body in a phase where the user is not in contact with the component.
Alternatively, the information may be displayed according to variables in an environment where the component is installed or an outdoor environment thereof. For example, when intensity of illumination in a place where the component is installed is less than a certain value, information may be displayed or may disappear. Alternatively, the information may be displayed at a set time. As an example, certain information may be displayed automatically every hour. Alternatively, the certain information may be displayed when a sensed value becomes a certain reference. For example, in case of setting up the number of times of opening a door for a certain amount of time to be 5 or setting up a time of opening a door to be 10 minutes, information notifying of the set-ups may be displayed when satisfying the set-ups.
Alternatively, the certain information may be displayed when corresponding to an operation restriction condition previously set. As an example, when inputting a command of starting a component in an on peak section or setting the command as a reservation, there may be displayed alert information. Alternatively, certain information may be displayed when receiving new information. Alternatively, certain information may be displayed when kind or phase thereof varies. As an example, a light emitting unit may be turned off in an off peak section and be turned on when on peak section comes. Alternatively, certain information may be displayed automatically when operation or phase of the component varies. For example, when a mode of the component is changed, information related to the changed mode may be displayed automatically. As another example, when a door of a component is open, certain information may be displayed. In this case, a subject to be displayed and a display method when changing to a certain mode of the component may be changed or set up automatically or manually.
The subject of display, the display method, and the display time as described above may be updated. As an example, a certain component may receive information related to a subject of display, a display method, and a display time from another component and update. Alternatively, a certain component may update information via a connection with a computer or a portable storage device.
FIG. 19 is a configuration view illustrating a display unit 160 of a certain component according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.
Referring to FIG. 19, the display unit 160 includes a main screen 161 where information related to driving the certain component, energy information, and additional information are displayed. The main screen 161 includes a time display unit 162 displaying a present date and time.
The main screen 161 may include a stores management selector 163 selected for managing stores, a power-saving mode selector 164 selected for power-saving drive, and a diagnosis selector 165 selected for diagnosing the operation of a network system.
When selecting the stores management selector 163, it is possible to check a list of stores stored in a storeroom of a certain component such as a refrigerator. The list includes a date when starting storage of stores and a storable date in the future and may be updated according to putting into or taking out the stores.
When selecting the diagnosis selector 165, it may be recognized whether transmission and reception of information are performed perfectly on the network system. When the transmission and reception of information are not performed smoothly, the user may be notified of it.
A method of notifying the user may include flickering of the diagnosis selector 165, outputting an additional message on the main screen 161, and outputting a voice signal.
When selecting the power-saving mode selector 164, one of energy information related to driving a certain component and additional information related thereto may be displayed. Hereinafter, contents displayed when selecting a power-saving mode will be described in detail.
FIG. 20 is a view illustrating a power-saving mode screen of the display unit 160 of FIG. 19. FIG. 21 is a view illustrating a character-display part 170 in the screen of FIG. 20 being in an active mode. FIG. 22 is a view illustrating a daily information graphs in the screen of FIG. 20 being in an active mode.
FIG. 20 illustrates a configuration of the screen of the display unit 160 when the power-saving mode selector 164 is selected.
The display unit 160 includes the character-display part 170 where there is displayed at least one of a power consumption amount and a supply price and a graph-display part 180 where there are displayed a daily information change and a statistical information change related to an electricity cost and a power supply amount. The character-display part 170 may be referred to as a first display part, and the graph-display part 180 may be referred to as a second display part.
The character-display part 170 includes a portion where there is displayed an amount of power consumed by the certain component and a portion there is displayed an hourly cost of electricity supplied to the certain component. The first display part and the second display part may be displayed in characters, numbers, and figures. Energy information displayed on the character-display part 170 may be one of energy information at a certain point of time such as present, past, and future.
The graph-display part 180 includes a daily information graph 181 and a statistical information graph 182 displaying energy information related to supplied electricity, that is, electricity cost or a change in an power supply amount. The daily information graph 181 illustrates a change of the energy information on a daily basis. When a power supply amount is great, it may be considered as an increase of electricity cost. Also, the statistical information graph 182 illustrates a change in energy information on daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly bases. On top of the statistical information graph 182, there may be provided a plurality of touch portions capable of selecting a time section desired to be checked, that is, day, week, month, or year.
In other words, the graph-display part 180 illustrates a time-based change of energy information. In this case, it may be considered that "time-based" indicates points in time of present, past, and future.
The character-display part 170 and the graph-display part 180 are displayed at the same on the display unit 160, there is provided an effect of easily checking energy information.
Meanwhile, though energy information is displayed via the character-display part 170 and the graph-display part 180 in the drawing, different from this, there may be displayed additional information received outside via a communication unit. The display unit 160 further includes an on/off selector 166 capable of driving in a power-saving mode in such a way that the certain component is driven in the power-saving mode. The on/off selector 166 includes an on input unit and an off input unit, which are selectable. When the on input unit is selected, the certain component may be driven in the power-saving mode. When the off input unit is selected, the certain component may be not driven in the power-saving mode. Also, the display unit 160 further includes a previous phase selector 167 capable of allowing the main screen 161 to turn back to a previous phase and an initial screen converter 168 allowing the main screen 161 to be converted into an initial screen.
On the other hand, since there are displayed various information display parts such as the character-display part 170 and the graph-display part 180 on the display unit 160 with a limited size, a size of the respective display parts may be limited. Particularly, it may be limited that displayed contents are definitely recognized by elders and kids.
FIG. 21 illustrates a configuration of the display unit 160 displayed when the character-display part 170 is selected, and FIG. 22 illustrates a configuration of the display unit 160 displayed when the graph-display part 180 is selected.
The character-display part 170 or the graph-display part 180 may be selected automatically or manually. First, there will be described a case where the character-display part 170 or the graph-display part 180 is selected automatically.
In a phase where the character-display part 170 and the graph-display part 180 are displayed simultaneously as shown in FIG. 20, the character-display part 170 may be displayed being enlarged as shown in FIG. 21 when a first set time elapses and the graph-display part 180 may be displayed being enlarged as shown in FIG. 22 when a second set time elapses. That is, one of the character-display part 170 and the graph-display part 180 may be displayed alternately according to the elapse of time. Of course, it may be previously set to select which one of the character-display part 170 and the graph-display part 180 to be displayed first.
Meanwhile, one of the character-display part 170 and the graph-display part 180 may be selected manually. In the phase where the character-display part 170 and the graph-display part 180 are displayed simultaneously as shown in FIG. 20, when the character-display part 170 is touched or a certain input unit is inputted, there is displayed a screen as shown in FIG. 21. On the contrary, when the graph-display part 180 is touched or a certain input unit is inputted, there is displayed a screen as shown in FIG. 22. In this case, the certain input unit may be an additional input unit for converting a display screen or may be a previously provided input unit that is an existing input unit to perform a certain function of a certain component. When the certain input unit is an existing input unit, the display screen may be converted by one of the number of pushing the existing input unit and operating a push time thereof. For example, the display screen may be converted by pushing the existing input unit two times or pushing the existing input unit two or more seconds.
Referring to FIG. 21, when the character-display part 170 is selected in FIG. 20, the selected character-display part 179 is displayed on the main screen 161 being enlarged and the graph-display part 180 not selected is displayed thereon being reduced. As another example, when the character-display part 170 is selected, the graph-display part 180 not selected may be controlled to disappear or to be turned off.
In FIG. 22 contrary to FIG. 21, when the graph-display part 180 is selected in FIG. 20, the selected graph-display part 180 may displayed on the main screen 161 being enlarged and the character-display part 170 not selected is displayed thereon being reduced. Of course, the character-display part 170 not selected may disappear from the main screen 161.
In this case, a case where the size of a display unit not selected is reduced or the display unit disappears is designated as "deactivation" of the display unit. On the contrary, a case where the size of another display unit that is selected becomes enlarged is designated as "activation".
In one of the phases as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, it may return to the screen as shown in FIG. 20 when selecting the previous phase selector 167, touching the main screen 161, or after a previously set amount of time elapses.
Hereinafter, another example of the display method described with reference to FIGS. 20 to 22.
FIG. 23 is a view illustrating another example of the display unit 160 of FIG. 20, and FIGS. 24 and 25 are views illustrating graphs displayed on the display unit 160 of FIG. 23, respectively.
Referring to FIGS. 23 to 25, the display unit 160 includes the character-display part 170 and a graph selector 185. As described above, the character-display part 170 includes a first display portion displaying a power consumption amount and a second display portion displaying a supply price. The graph selector 185 includes a daily information selector 186 capable of displaying a change of daily information related to energy information and a statistical information selector 187 capable of displaying a change in statistical information related to the energy information.
The display unit 160 further includes an option selector 190 capable of setting an environment of displayed contents. The option selector 190 allows setting up a reference point in time, that is, one point in time of present, past, and future of information illustrated in one of the character-display part 170 and the graphs 181 and 182. Also, the option selector 190 may set up a top limit of electricity cost or power consumption amount in relation to driving the certain component.
In other words, the display unit 160 is formed to display the character-display part 170 first. Also, graphs related daily information and statistical information are not displayed and may be displayed by inputting the additional graph selector 185.
In FIG. 24, there is illustrated a graph displayed in the display unit 160 when inputting the daily information selector 186, which corresponds to the daily information graph 181 of FIG. 20.
When the daily information selector 186 is inputted, a change in daily information related to energy information is illustrated as a graph. The display unit 160 includes a display content selector 169 capable of selecting one of displays for electricity cost and power consumption amount.
The user may select a subject of display by touching the display content selector 169.
In FIG. 25, there is illustrated a graph displayed in the display unit 160 when inputting the statistical information selector 187, which corresponds to the statistical information graph 182.
When the statistical information selector 187 is inputted, a change in statistical information related to energy information is illustrated as a graph. The user may select a statistical time period to be displayed, that is, any one of daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly. An energy information change in the selected statistical time period may be illustrated.
In one of the phases as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, a conversion to a previous screen may be performed by inputting a certain input unit or touching the main screen 161. On the other hand, in one of the phases as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, when a previously set amount of time elapses, there may be performed an automatic conversion to the screen illustrated in FIG. 23. Also, it may be selected whether to perform a screen conversion manually such as inputting an input unit or automatically according to the elapse of time.
Not shown in the drawing, when selecting the option selector 190, it may be selected whether the screen conversion is performed manually or automatically.
Also, a speed of automatic screen conversion may be set. When the speed of automatic screen conversion is set, the screens shown in FIGS. 23, 24, and 25 may be sequentially displayed according to the elapse of time.
There is provided another embodiment.
In FIGS. 23 to 25, it is disclosed that the character-display part 170 is displayed first and one of daily information and statistical information is displayed by selecting the graph selector 185.
However, on the contrary, one of the daily information and the statistical information may be displayed first and the character-display part 170 may be displayed by inputting an additional input unit or touching the screen.
Therefore, it may be considered that any one of the character-display part 170 and the graph-display part 180 may be displayed on the display unit 160 and another one thereof may be displayed by inputting an additional command such as inputting an input unit or touching the screen, or automatic conversion.
According to embodiments, an energy source can be efficiently produced, used, distributed, and stored, thus enabling the effective management of the energy source.
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