Field of the invention

This disclosure relates but is not limited to a method, a system and a computer program and/or a computer program product for identification of electrical devices in properties.

Background

In order to identify customers having an electrical device of interest, manufacturers of electrical devices try and record information at a point of sale of the electrical device. Known recording processes are lengthy, costly and ineffective. They cost manufacturers large sums of money and yield low and inaccurate returns.

It is therefore difficult to identify and locate an electrical device having a technical fault after it is sold to customers. Summary of the invention

Aspects and embodiments of the invention are set out in the appended claims. These and other aspects and embodiments of the invention are also described herein.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a flow chart illustrating an example method according to the disclosure;

Figure 2 schematically illustrates an example system configured to implement the example method of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a flow chart illustrating an example detail of a method according to the disclosure;

Figures 4A to 4D respectively schematically show examples of unique electrical signatures of a washing machine over time, with a one minute resolution;

Figure 5 schematically shows an example of a unique electrical signature of a fridge freezer over time, with a one second resolution;

Figure 6A and Figure 6B respectively schematically show two identical fridge/freezers which are simultaneously measured, at one second intervals; and Figure 7 A and Figure 7B schematically show, respectively, details of Figure 6A and Figure 6B, on a shorter time span.

In the figures, similar elements bear identical numerical references.

Description of Example Embodiments

Overview

The disclosure relates to a method where it is measured how much of a reference electrical signature associated with a reference electrical device of interest is present in electricity consumption data of a plurality of properties having at least one electrical device. A likelihood that a property has at least one electrical device corresponding to the reference electrical device of interest is estimated, based on the measure. A subset of properties may be identified as likely to have at least one electrical device corresponding to the reference electrical device of interest, based on the estimated likelihood.

In some examples, the measure of the presence of the reference electrical signature may be determined by comparing the reference electrical signature with the received electricity consumption data, e.g. using a correlation between the reference electrical signature and the received electricity consumption data.

In some non-limiting examples, an electrical signature of at least one electrical device may be determined from the electricity consumption data received from the plurality of properties. In some examples, the determined electrical signature may be compared to the reference electrical signature of the reference electrical device of interest, in order to identify which properties in the plurality of properties are likely to have an electrical device corresponding to the reference electrical device of interest.

In the present disclosure,“electrical device of interest” and/or“electrical device” mean an apparatus such as an appliance, e.g. a refrigerator and/or a washing machine as non limiting examples. In the present disclosure, “reference electrical device of interest” and/or“reference electrical device” means e.g. an electrical device of a particular brand and/or model and/or serial number of interest.

The reference electrical device may be of interest because it is identified as having a technical fault, and may thus be dangerous to a user of the electrical device corresponding to the reference electrical device of interest. In some examples, details about the properties identified as being likely to have an electrical device corresponding to the reference electrical device of interest may be provided, at least partly, to e.g. a manufacturer and/or a distributor of the reference electrical device of interest. In some examples, the manufacturer and/or the distributor may send a message, such as a recall message, to e.g. a resident and/or an owner of the property. Action may thus be taken by the resident and/or the owner of the property to return the electrical device corresponding to the reference electrical device of interest, e.g. for their safety.

In some examples, the identification of the properties may be relatively short, cheap, effective and accurate compared to the known recording processes.

This disclosure also relates to a system and a computer program and/or a computer program product for implementing, at least partly, the above described method.

Detailed Description of Example Embodiments

The example illustrated in Figure 1 shows a flow chart illustrating an example method 100 according to the disclosure, with reference to a system of Figure 2.

The method 100 comprises:

obtaining, at 102, at least one reference electrical signature of a reference electrical device of interest;

receiving, at 104, over a monitoring period of time, electricity consumption data of a plurality of properties 60 having at least one electrical device 61 ;

for each property 60 of the plurality of properties 60:

determining, at 106, based on the received electricity consumption data, a measure of a presence of the reference electrical signature, and

estimating, at 110, a likelihood that the property 60 has at least one electrical device 61 corresponding to the reference electrical device of interest, based on the determining; and

identifying, at 1 12, a subset of properties 61 of the plurality of properties as likely to have at least one electrical device 61 corresponding to the reference electrical device of interest, based on the estimating. In some examples, obtaining at 102 the at least one reference electrical signature of the reference electrical device of interest may comprise determining the reference electrical signature and/or receiving the at least one reference electrical signature of the reference electrical device of interest.

In some examples, the determining at 106 may be performed retrospectively, e.g. once a sufficient amount of electricity consumption data is received.

Figure 2 schematically illustrates an example system 10 configured to implement, at least partly, the example method 100 of Figure 1.

The system 10 of Figure 2 comprises at least a memory 1 1 , a processor 12 and a communications interface 13. In Figure 2, the system 10 is configured to communicate with a plurality of electricity consumption data providers 20, via the interface 13 and a first link 30 between the interface 13 and the providers 20. The system 10 of Figure 2 is also configured to be connected to one or more user interfaces 50, via the interface 13 and a second link 40 between the interface 13 and the user interfaces 50.

The memory 11 is configured to store data, for example for use by the processor 12. The memory 1 1 may also comprise a first database server 111 configured to store data. The data may comprise the electricity consumption data, received over the monitoring period of time, from the plurality of properties 60 having the at least one electrical device 61 , over the link 30. The memory 11 may also comprise a second database server 1 12 configured to store data received from the user interfaces 50 over the link 40.

In some examples, the processor 12 of the system 10 may be configured to perform, at least partly, at least some of the steps of the above method. Alternatively or additionally, some of the steps of the above method may be performed, at least partly, by another entity in the system 10, such as the server 111 or 112 as non-limiting examples.

In some examples, at least one provider 20 may comprise at least one of:

an electricity meter of the property, such as a smart meter; and/or

a consumer unit and/or a circuit breaker of the property, such as a current clamp and/or a connected switch gear; and/or

a power socket and/or a spur socket for the at least one electrical device, such as a smart plug. At least some of the meters are configured to generate one or more readings comprising energy consumption data. In some example, the energy consumption data may be associated with energy (for example in kW.h (kWh)) and/or power (for example in Watts or kilowatts). In some examples, at least some of the meters may be classical meters. In that example, the readings are displayed on a user interface of the meter, and need to be transmitted to the system 10 by a person associated with the property or by an operator of the utility provider (electricity) as non-limiting examples. The readings can be transmitted to the system 10 using the user interfaces 50.

In some examples, at least some of the meters may comprise an automatic meter reading functionality. The automatic meter reading functionality may be configured to automatically collect the energy consumption data relating to the meter, and transfer the data to the system 10 over the first link 30. The period between each transfer may correspond, for examples, to a billing period, such as a month, a quarter, or a year as non-limiting examples. In some examples, at least some of the meters may be smart meters. The smart meters are meters comprising an automatic meter reading functionality, as well as other functionalities, for example for communication to the system 10, such as a short term readings (for example a reading may be generated every half hour or every 10 seconds) and/or real-time or near real-time readings, and/or power outage notification and/or power quality monitoring, as non-limiting examples.

In some examples, at least one of the properties may comprise a domestic property and/or an industrial property and/or a commercial property.

In some examples, the reference electrical device of interest and/or the at least one electrical device may comprise an appliance, such as a refrigerator and/or a wine chiller and/or a freezer and/or a washing machine and/or a tumble dryer and/or a microwave oven and/or an over and/or a kettle and/or a toaster and/or a dishwasher as non-limiting examples.

In some examples, the determining at 106 of the measure of the presence of the reference electrical signature may comprise comparing the reference electrical signature with the received electricity consumption data. In some examples, the comparing may comprise determining a correlation between the reference electrical signature and the received electricity consumption data.

As explained in more detail below, the comparing at 106 may be performed in the received electricity consumption data.

In some examples, the determining at 106 of the measure of the presence of the reference electrical signature comprises analysing, in the received electricity consumption data, electricity consumption data associated with the operation of the at least one electrical device. in some examples, analysing the electricity consumption data associated with the operation of the at least one electrical device may comprise obtaining the electricity consumption data associated with the operation of the at least one electrical device from the received electricity consumption data, such as by isolating the electricity consumption data associated with the operation of the at least one electrical device from the received electricity consumption data associated with a property.

It will now be explained how the electricity consumption data associated with the operation of the at least one electrical device may be obtained from the received electricity consumption data.

In some examples, the electricity consumption data associated with the electrical device may be isolated (e.g. disaggregated) from the received electricity consumption data associated with a property. An example of a method for isolating electricity data associated with a particular electrical device in electricity data associated with a property is disclosed in WO2017/064492. The method disclosed in WO2017/064492 comprises receiving energy consumption data from the electricity meters associated with the property and receiving context information about the property. Variations indicative of switching on or off of devices of the property are determined from the received energy consumption data, and one or more events associated with the devices are identified based on the determined variations, and the identified events are classified into predetermined sub-categories associated with the devices, so that the electricity consumption data of the electrical device may be isolated from the received electricity consumption data. Other methods to isolate the electricity consumption data from the received electricity consumption data may be envisaged.

Alternatively or additionally, in some examples, disaggregation of the electricity consumption data might not be needed, e.g. in cases where the reference electrical signature and the electricity consumption data associated with the electrical device can be compared directly from the overall received electricity consumption data for the property. Non-limiting examples include:

when the reference electrical signature and the received electricity consumption data for the property may be directly compared using signal processing (e.g. including a correlation); and/or

when the reference electrical signature of the reference electrical device may be identified directly from the overall received property electricity consumption data, e.g. it is known that the electrical device is the only electrical device running in the property (e.g. a fridge, e.g. at night).

In some examples, the estimating, at 1 10, comprises performing statistical analysis on one or more of the results of the determining performed at 106, for one or more of the properties.

The estimating at 110 may also comprise determining that one or more of the properties is likely to have at least one electrical device corresponding to the reference electrical device of interest, based on the performed statistical analysis. In other words, in some examples of the disclosure, it may be enough to determine that the property has a high probability (e.g. a probability which is greater than a statistical threshold) of having at least one electrical device 61 corresponding to the reference electrical device of interest to determine that the property is likely to have at least one electrical device 81 corresponding to the reference electrical device of interest.

In some examples, determining at 110 that one or more properties is likely to have at least one electrical device corresponding to the reference electrical device of interest using statistical analysis may enable e.g. identifying properties of greater interest.

Performing statistical analysis may comprise using statistical tools, e.g. to estimate at 110, based on the determining at 106, that the property is likely to have at least one electrical device corresponding to the reference electrical device of interest, e.g. when the property has a probability which is greater than a statistical threshold and/or, alternatively or additionally, when the probability is greater than a predetermined threshold, such as greater than 0.8 as a non-limiting example. In some examples, it is determined that the property has at least one electrical device corresponding to the reference electrical device of interest when at least a portion of the received electricity consumption data corresponds to the reference electrical signature with a probability which is greater than a predetermined threshold (such as 0.8 as a non limiting example) and/or a statistical threshold.

In some examples, the identifying at 112 may comprise identifying, e.g. a top x% of properties ranked in a decreasing order of a likelihood of having at least one electrical device corresponding to the reference electrical device of interest and/or y first properties ranked in a decreasing order of the likelihood, with x and y being predetermined numbers. It should be understood that y and x may be decided based on the reference electrical device of interest - e.g. y may be of the order of a few thousands to a few hundreds of thousands or of the order of a few millions, as non-limiting examples.

Alternatively or additionally, identifying at 112 the subset of properties may comprise: ranking the properties according to a likelihood of having at least one electrical device corresponding to the reference electrical device of interest, such as in a decreasing order of likelihood; and

identifying a given x% and/or a given number y of the ranked properties, with x being such that 10<x<90 and/or with y being such that 1000<y<5,000,000.

In some examples, the plurality of properties 60 may comprise target properties already identified as being likely to have one or more devices corresponding to the reference electrical device. In other words, in some examples receiving the electricity consumption data at 104 may be limited to target properties, such as target properties identified using information such as information recorded at a point of sale of the electrical device 61 , as a non-limiting example.

As illustrated in Figure 3, in some examples, the method 100 may further comprise, after 112 described with reference to Figure 1 , generating, at 1 13, a list associated with the identified subset of properties 60 of the plurality of properties 60. The generated list may comprise, for at least one property 60 of the subset, information about the property. The information may comprise at least one of:

information about a location of the property, such as a mailing address and/or GPS coordinates; and/or

information about a person related to the property, such as a name and/or an email address and/or a telephone number of a resident and/or an owner of the property; and/or

information about the at least one electrical device corresponding to the reference electrical device of interest, such as a brand and/or a model and/or a serial number.

It should be understood that at least part of the information may be known to the utility provider (e.g. electricity provider) providing electricity to the properties 60 and/or receiving the electricity consumption data (e.g. for billing purposes).

As illustrated in Figure 3, in some examples the method 100 may further comprise, after 113:

providing, at 114, at least partly, the list associated with the identified subset of properties 60 to at least one user, such as a manufacturer and/or a distributor of the reference electrical device of interest, and/or providing, at 114, a message, such as a recall message, to at least one person related to at least one property of the identified subset of properties, such as a resident and/or an owner of the property The message may be a recall message, e.g. when the reference electrical device of interest is identified as needing a recall, such as recall for a technical fault.

In some examples, the message may be sent by e.g. an operator of the utility supplier after the subset is identified, and/or the message may be sent by an operator of the manufacturer and/or the distributor after the subset is received by the manufacturer and/or the distributor.

The message may comprise a letter and/or a SMS (Short Message Service) message and/or an email and/or a phone call as non-limiting examples.

In some examples, the reference electrical device of interest and/or the at least one electrical device comprises at least one of:

at least one microprocessor, and/or

at least one electro-mechanical component, such as a pump and/or a motor and/or a heating element and/or a compressor and/or a valve and/or a solenoid and/or a magnetron.

In some examples the determining at 106 of the measure of the presence of the reference electrical signature comprises:

determining, based on the received electricity consumption data, an electrical signature of the at least one electrical device, and

comparing the determined electrical signature with the reference electrical signature. It will now be explained in greater detail a non-limiting example of how the reference electrical signature and/or the electrical signature of the electrical device may be obtained and/or determined. As far as the reference electrical signature is concerned, in some examples, obtaining at 102 the at least one reference electrical signature of the reference electrical device of interest may comprise receiving the reference electrical signature, e.g. from at least one user, such as a manufacturer and/or a distributor of the reference electrical device of interest.

Alternatively or additionally, obtaining at 102 the at least one reference electrical signature of the reference electrical device of interest may comprise determining the reference electrical signature. Alternatively or additionally, in some examples, determining, at 102, the at least one reference electrical signature of the reference electrical device of interest comprises receiving information about the reference electrical device of interest (e.g. such as a brand and/or a model and/or a serial number) from at least one user, such as a manufacturer and/or a distributor of the reference electrical device of interest. Alternatively or additionally, in some examples, determining at 102 the at least one reference electrical signature of the reference electrical device of interest, may comprise analysing electricity consumption data associated with operation of at least one specific device corresponding to the reference electrical device of interest, e.g. in a laboratory, to obtain the electrical signature of the specific device. Analysing the electricity consumption data associated with the operation of the at least one specific device may comprise, e.g. obtaining electricity consumption data by running one or more times one or more specific devices corresponding to the reference electrical device of interest (e.g. one or more specific devices known to have a fault) for analysis. In some examples, the analysis may comprise obtaining the reference electrical signature based on an average of the signatures of the one or more specific devices, e.g. based on the number of specific devices and/or based on the number of times of running.

In some examples, and as described in more detail below, the reference electrical signature may be associated with at least one envelope based on statistical tools, e.g. a mean and/or variance of the signatures of the one or more specific devices, e.g. based on the number of specific devices and/or based on the number of times of running. Other statistical tools may be envisaged. In some examples, the comparing at 106 may thus comprise comparing the envelope of the reference electrical signature with the received electricity consumption data. In some examples comparing the reference electrical signature with the received electricity consumption data comprises determining whether or not the at least one envelope of the reference electrical signature corresponds to at least one portion of the received electricity consumption data, e.g. by determining whether or not at least one portion of the received electricity consumption data is included in and/or is close to and/or similar to the at least one envelope of the reference electrical signature.

As far as the electrical signature of the electrical device is concerned, in some examples, determining the electrical signature of the at least one electrical device may comprise analysing electricity consumption data associated with operation of the at least one electrical device to determine the electrical signature of the electrical device.

Analysing the electricity consumption data associated with the operation of the at least one eiectrica! device may comprise obtaining the electricity consumption data from the received electricity consumption data. In some examples, the electricity consumption data associated with the electrical device may be isolated (e.g. disaggregated) from the received electricity consumption data associated with a property, e.g. using the method disclosed in WO2017/064492 or another method. Alternatively or additionally, in some examples, disaggregation of the electricity consumption data might not be needed, e.g. in cases where the reference electrical signature and the determined electrical signature can be compared directly from the overall received property electricity consumption data. Non-limiting examples include:

when the reference electrical signature and the determined electrical signature may be directly compared using signal processing; and/or

when the signature of the electrical device may be identified directly from the overall received property electricity consumption data, e.g. it is known that the electrical device is the only electrical device running in the property (e.g. a fridge, e.g. at night).

In some examples, and as described in more detail below, the determined electrical signature may be associated with an envelope based on statistical tools, e.g. based on a mean and/or variance of the signature of the at least one device, e g. based on the number of cycles of operation. Other statistical tools may be envisaged.

In some examples, the reference electrical signature and/or the determined electrical signature may be based on at least one electrical signal associated with at least one of: algorithmic logic coded in a microprocessor of the reference electrical device of interest and/or of the at least one electrical device, and/or

a pattern of operation of at least one electro-mechanical component of the reference electrical device of interest and/or of the at least one electrical device.

In the UK alone there are over 500k different brands and models of appliances belonging to a category often referred to as“white goods” (such as refrigerators and/or washing machines). However, the algorithmic logic and/or the pattern of operation of at least one electro-mechanical component of the device may make the electrical signature unique to a device. The microprocessor (which in some examples may comprise a printed circuit board) may be algorithmically coded with bespoke logic. Alternatively or additionally, although at least some of the electro-mechanical components of the device may be generic, the pattern of operation of the at least one electro-mechanical components may be unique to the device, because of e.g. the design choices of the manufacturer.

In some examples, the at least one electrical signal associated with the algorithmic logic coded in the microprocessor comprises at least one of:

a sequence of readings from at least one component of the reference electrical device of interest and/or of the at least one electrical device, such as a comparator and/or a thermostat and/or a reed switch and/or a sensor; and/or

a sequence of instructions, such as ON/OFF switching instructions, to at least one component of the reference electrical device of interest and/or of the at least one electrical device, such as a pump and/or a motor and/or a heating element and/or a compressor and/or a valve and/or a solenoid and/or a magnetron.

Alternatively or additionally, in some examples the pattern of operation of the at least one electro-mechanical component comprises at least one of:

a sequence and/or a frequency of operation of at least one component of the reference electrical device of interest and/or of the at least one electrical device, such as a pump and/or a motor and/or a heating element and/or a compressor and/or a valve and/or a solenoid and/or a magnetron; and/or

an ON period of at least one component of the reference electrical device of interest and/or of the at least one electrical device, such as a pump and/or a motor and/or a heating element and/or a compressor and/or a valve and/or a solenoid and/or a magnetron;

a wattage and/or a current draw and/or a voltage draw of at least one component of the reference electrical device of interest and/or of the at least one electrical device, such as a pump and/or a motor and/or a heating element and/or a compressor and/or a valve and/or a solenoid and/or a magnetron.

Examples will now be described with reference to Figures 4A to 7B. Figure 4A schematically shows an example of a unique electrical signature of a washing machine over time, with a one minute resolution. At marker 5, the consumption is about 2000W, starting approximately after 7mins, running for more than 30mins, the wash cycle being approximately 73mins. Figure 4B schematically shows an example of another unique electrical signature of a washing machine over time, with a one minute resolution. At marker 5, the consumption is about 2000W, starting approximately after 15mins, running for less than 30mins, the wash cycle being approximately 169mins. Figure 4C schematically shows an example of another unique electrical signature of a washing machine over time, with a one minute resolution. At marker 5, the consumption is about 1800W, starting approximately after 15mins, running for less than 30mins, the wash cycle being approximately 1 16mins. Figure 4D schematically shows an example of another unique electrical signature of a washing machine over time, with a one minute resolution. At marker 5, the consumption is about 2000W, starting approximately after 8mins, running for less than 15mins, the wash cycle being approximately 60mins. In Figures 4A to 4D, market 3 indicates a door interlock, and fill and tumble operations, marker 4 indicates the heating of the water, marker 6 indicates drain, rinse and spin operations, marker 7 indicates a draining operation and marker 8 indicates a final spin.

By comparing e.g. Figure 4A and Figure 4C, it will be appreciated that:

the respective patterns of operation of the electro-mechanical components are different (i.e. in Figure 4A the washing machine fills, heats and spins simultaneously, whereas in Figure 4C the washing machine fills and spins for 10 minutes prior to heating);

the respective ON periods of the electro-mechanical components are different (i.e. in Figure 4A the washing machine heats for about 33mins, whereas in Figure 4C the washing machine heats for 20mins);

the respective wattage of the electro-mechanical components are different (i.e. in Figure 4A the washing machine consumes more than 2000W during the heating cycle, whereas in Figure 4C the washing machine consumes less than 2000W during the heating cycle);

Figure 5 schematically shows an example of a unique electrical signature of a fridge freezer over time, with a one second resolution.

In the example illustrated in Figure 5, an auxiliary winding of a compressor of the fridge freezer is activated at 127W (see spike referred to as 1 in Figure 5). A defrost heater of the fridge freezer is activated (see spike referred to as 2 in Figure 5 - 130W) and the freezer section of the fridge freezer defrosts. A drain heater of the fridge freezer is activated (the drain heater is operating at a current corresponding to 32W). The compressor of the fridge freezer is cycling consistently (the compressor is operating at a current corresponding to 80W). The algorithmic logic is controlling the compressor start and cycling times. In addition the algorithmic logic is also switching the defrost heater and the drain heater on and off. The electrical signature is thus unique.

Figures 4A to 5 schematically show that the electrical signature is thus unique for a device. Figure 6A and Figure 6B schematically show two identical fridge/freezers (Fr1 and Fr2, respectively) which are simultaneously measured, at one second intervals. By comparing Figures 6A and 6B, it will be appreciated that the electrical signatures of Fr1 and Fr2 are almost identical and the electricity consumptions are almost the same. Figure 7A and Figure 7B schematically show, respectively, details of Figure 6A and Figure 6B, on a shorter time span.

Figures 6A to 7B schematically show that the electrical signatures are thus almost identical for identical electrical devices. As already stated, an electrical signature may thus be associated with an envelope, e.g. including the variations of the electrical signatures for identical electrical devices. In some examples, the envelope may be determined using statistical tools, such as the mean and the variance of the electrical signatures. Other statistical tools may be envisaged.

Therefore, alternatively or additionally, in some examples:

the pattern of operation of the at least one electro-mechanical component of the reference electrical device of interest and/or of the at least one electrical device may be associated with at least one envelope, and/or

the algorithmic logic coded in the microprocessor of the reference electrical device of interest and/or of the at least one electrical device may be associated with at least one envelope.

In some examples comparing the determined electrical signature with the reference electrical signature comprises determining whether or not the at least one envelope associated with the at least one electrical device corresponds to the at least one envelope associated with the reference electrical device of interest, e.g. determining whether or not the at least one envelope associated with the at least one electrical device is included in and/or is close to and/or similar to the at least one envelope associated with the reference electrical device of interest.

In some examples estimating, at 110, that the property is likely to have at least one electrical device corresponding to the reference electrical device of interest may occur when the at least one envelope associated with the at least one electrical device corresponds to the at least one envelope associated with the reference electrical device of interest with a confidence coefficient greater than a predetermined threshold, such as confidence coefficient greater than 0.8 as a non-limiting example. Other values of predetermined threshold are possible.

In some examples, the monitoring period of time comprises at least one of:

a period of time comprised between one week and six months (e.g. when the electrical device 61 is powered on constantly, such as a refrigerator); and/or

a period of time comprising between once cycle of operation of the at least one electrical device and ten cycles of operation of the at least one electrical device (e.g. when the electrical device 61 is powered on and off on demand, such as a washing machine). The disclosure may further be valuable to:

manufacturers & distributors, as it may facilitate a product recall in a country, region or globally, as the electrical devices may be identified and located by the electrical signatures;

insurance companies, as it may facilitate promoting cost effective premiums, e.g. by identifying specific devices which pose a risk to properties;

service providers, as it may facilitate maintenance of the devices;

people associated with the properties, as they want to be reassured that their property does not have a particular recalled device. Modifications and variations

In some examples the pump may be used e.g. to drain water and/or to circulate water (e.g. for a washing machine and/or a tumble dryer and/or a washer dryer and/or a dishwasher). In some examples the motor may be used e.g. to dispense ice (e.g. for a refrigerator and/or a freezer and/or a refrigerator freezer) and/or to spin a drum (e.g. for a washing machine and/or a tumble dryer and/or a washer dryer). In some examples the compressor may be used e.g. to cool the device (e.g. for a refrigerator and/or a freezer and/or a refrigerator freezer and/or a wine chiller). In some examples the valve may be used e.g. to dispense water (e.g. for a refrigerator and/or a freezer and/or a refrigerator freezer and/or e.g. for a washing machine and/or a tumble dryer and/or a washer dryer and/or a dish washer). In some examples the solenoid may be used e.g. to make ice (e.g. for a refrigerator and/or a freezer and/or a refrigerator freezer) and/or to dispense washing tablet (e.g. for a dish washer). In some examples the magnetron may be used e.g. to cook food (e.g. for a microwave oven).

It should be understood that the properties may be deployed globally and/or across different territories, and that the electrical devices and/or the reference electrical devices of interest may correspond to one or more standards for voltage and/or frequency (e.g. in the US the voltage is 120 volts for 60Hz and in the UK the voltage is 240 volts for 50Hz, as non-limiting examples.

The user interface 50 may be a user interface of a communications device associated with a client associated to the property 60 and/or a device associated with an operator of the utility provider (electricity provider) and/or a device associated with a third party. The communications device may comprise at least one of a computer, a telephone, such as a cell phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop or electronic notebook, a smart phone, a tablet, any other type of smart device, and/or a server of the operator and/or a server of a third party, as non-limiting examples.

In some examples, the links 30 and 40 may be any communications network (such as the Internet or a mobile telephony network, using technology such as wired, such as cable and/or Ethernet, or wireless, such as mobile telephony or Wi-Fi technologies, as non-limiting examples.

In example embodiments, the system 10 may be configured as one or more networks. Additionally, networks may be provisioned in any form including, but not limited to, local area networks (LANs), wireless local area networks (WLANs), virtual local area networks (VLANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), virtual private networks (VPNs), Intranet, Extranet, any other appropriate architecture or system, or any combination thereof that facilitates communications in a network. In some embodiments, a communication link may represent any electronic link supporting a LAN environment such as, for example, cable, Ethernet, wireless technologies (e.g., IEEE 802.11x), ATM, fiber optics, etc. or any suitable combination thereof. In other embodiments, communication links may represent a remote connection through any appropriate medium (e.g., digital subscriber lines (DSL), telephone lines, T1 lines, T3 lines, wireless, satellite, fiber optics, cable, Ethernet, etc. or any combination thereof) and/or through any additional networks such as a wide area networks (e.g., the Internet).

In example embodiments, elements of the system 10 may be coupled to one another through one or more interfaces employing any suitable connection (wired or wireless), which provides a viable pathway for electronic communications. Additionally, any one or more of these elements may be combined or removed from the architecture based on particular configuration needs. The system 10 may include a configuration capable of transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) communications for the electronic transmission or reception of packets in a network. The system 10 may also operate in conjunction with a user datagram protocol/IP (UDP/IP) or any other suitable protocol, where appropriate and based on particular needs. In addition, gateways, routers, switches, and any other suitable network elements may be used to facilitate electronic communication between various elements.

In example embodiments, components of the system 10 may use specialized applications and hardware. The system 10 can use Internet protocol (IP) technology.

In example implementations, at least some portions of the system 10 may be implemented in software. In some embodiments, one or more of these portions may be implemented in hardware, provided external to these elements, or consolidated in any appropriate manner to achieve the intended functionality. In still other embodiments, these elements may include any suitable algorithms, hardware, software, components, modules, interfaces, or objects that facilitate the operations thereof.

In a particular implementation, the system 10 is a server provisioned to perform the activities discussed herein. A server may be located on a single real or virtual location, but may also distributed on a number of different real or virtual locations.

In some of example embodiments, one or more memory elements (e.g., the memory element 1 1) can store data used for the operations described herein. This includes the memory element being able to store software, logic, code, or processor instructions that are executed to carry out the activities described in this disclosure.

A processor can execute any type of instructions associated with the data to achieve the operations detailed herein in this disclosure. In one example, the processor 12 could transform an element or an article (e.g., data) from one state or thing to another state or thing. In another example, the activities outlined herein may be implemented with fixed logic or programmable logic (e.g., software/computer instructions executed by a processor) and the elements identified herein could be some type of a programmable processor, programmable digital logic (e.g., a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM)), an ASIC that includes digital logic, software, code, electronic instructions, flash memory, optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD ROMs, magnetic or optical cards, other types of machine-readable mediums suitable for storing electronic instructions, or any suitable combination thereof. In operation, components in the system 10 can include one or more memory elements (e.g., the memory element 11) for storing information to be used in achieving the operations as outlined herein. These devices may further keep information in any suitable type of memory element (e.g., random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), field programmable gate array (FPGA), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), etc.), software, hardware, or in any other suitable component, device, element, or object where appropriate and based on particular needs. The information being tracked, sent, received, or stored in the system 10 could be provided in any database, register, table, cache, queue, control list, or storage structure, based on particular needs and implementations, all of which could be referenced in any suitable timeframe. Any of the memory items discussed herein should be construed as being encompassed within the broad term 'memory element.' Similarly, any of the potential processing elements, modules, and machines described in this disclosure should be construed as being encompassed within the broad term 'processor.'

Additionally, some of the processors and memory elements associated with the system may be removed, or otherwise consolidated such that a single processor and a single memory location are responsible for certain activities. In a general sense, the arrangements depicted in the FIGURES may be more logical in their representations, whereas a physical architecture may include various permutations, combinations, and/or hybrids of these elements. Countless possible design configurations can be used to achieve the operational objectives outlined here. Accordingly, the associated infrastructure has a myriad of substitute arrangements, design choices, device possibilities, hardware configurations, software implementations, equipment options, etc.

Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to particular arrangements and configurations, these example configurations and arrangements may be changed significantly without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.