Patent ID: 8078431

Claim:
A system for monitoring and managing power usage by at least one power consumer, the system comprising: an apparatus comprising (i) a programmable microprocessor, (ii) at least one input mechanism, (iii) a first memory having program instructions and (iv) a display; at least one power device separate from the apparatus and having at least one sensor associated therewith, the sensor being operable to (i) monitor electrical current or power consumption associated with operation of the power device and (ii) produce one or more signals carrying usage data representative of the monitored electrical current or power consumed; a server remotely located from the apparatus and the power device; and a transceiver device connectable in signal communication with both the programmable microprocessor and the sensor, wherein the program instructions are executable by the programmable microprocessor to, (i) cause first information stored in the first memory to be presented to the power consumer on the display, wherein the first information comprises a plurality of queries, (ii) collect consumer data from an interaction of the power consumer with the input mechanism in response to the queries on the display and store the consumer data in the first memory, (iii) collect the usage data from the sensor via the transceiver device and store the usage data in the first memory, (iv) cause the usage data and the consumer data to be transmitted via a communication channel to the server, wherein the server generates second information based on the consumer data and the usage data, (v) cause second information to be received via the communication channel from the server, wherein the second information facilitates changes in the power consumer's behavior through consumer education and/or feedback, and (vi) cause the second information to be presented to the power consumer on the display.