Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to premises energy management, and in particular to systems and methods for virtual energy management display utilizing an intelligent radio communication memory storage device that creates a virtual energy display and smart thermostat using a digital photo display and other picture display devices.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Many energy markets around the world are currently moving away from fixed energy pricing and towards dynamic or tiered pricing. A major element of these markets includes smart meter networks commonly referred to as Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) that measure, collect and analyze energy usage, from advanced devices such as smart electric, gas and water meters, through various communication networks to meter data management software systems where the data are made available for various business systems. For example, AMI systems monitor energy usage and report period usage for the purpose of allocating time-based prices.

[0003] In some cases, these markets are also presently advocating implementation of remote control of consumer appliance assets with systems that respond to prices or reliability-driven reduction by reducing the aggregate energy demand during peak demand periods for the purpose of mitigating extreme price volatility, black-out and regional emissions problems due to the inefficient use of power.

[0004] So-called smart thermostats and other direct load control devices are connected to these AMI network systems. Smart thermostats are programmable and allow, for example, the creation of adjustment schedules based on the occupants' routine and communication-enabled smart thermostats can have a feature of being able to react to other systems in the premises, such as the status of the security system (whether it's armed or disarmed) which can trigger the thermostat to adjust. In some markets, consumer advocates and regional planners are additionally working on ways to effectively notify consumers of impending price swings or soliciting behavioral changes by requesting reductions in advance of, or about the same time as, a system peak load event. [0005] There is a present need for specially purposed energy display devices that can operate as information and messaging portals allowing price notifications, critical peak pricing notices, and other information needed to help consumers. There is also a present need for such specially purposed energy display devices that would allow, for example, meter usage to be conveniently displayed in the home as opposed to display only on the remote and somewhat cryptic dial of the meter itself which most consumers are likely to be unable to read or interpret.

[0006] Such specially purposed energy display devices should provide, for example, energy efficiency information about appliances or home comfort level information without a need for unique, redundant and dedicated energy display devices and allow consumers to effectively participate in a dynamic pricing or tiered energy market.

[0007] Such information could include, for example, critical peak energy warnings notifying customers of anticipated peak energy periods during which prices will increase temporarily during variable periods, current and historical meter readings from the meters, and utility account balance (payment and/or prepaid information) and other account information from the local utility.

Summary of the Invention

[0008] Embodiments of the invention utilize, for example, computer hardware, operating systems, programming languages, software applications, and other technology to provide methods and systems for virtual energy management display that involves, for example, periodically receiving electronic data representing energy management-related information via a mesh local area network by a radio frequency (RF) communication-enabled memory storage device coupled to an electronic display device within a home area network. Embodiments of the invention further comprise, for example, periodically receiving electronic data representing telemetry information by the RF communication-enabled memory storage device from one or more RF communication-enabled energy management-related devices within the home area network. The received electronic data are converted to a common format displayable on a screen associated with the display device by an application running at least in part on the memory storage device, and the converted energy management-related information and telemetry information are displayed on the screen associated with the display device by the application. [0009] In embodiments of the invention, the electronic data representing energy management-related information further comprises electronic data representing real time energy management-related messages regarding, for example, energy pricing information, energy usage information, energy account information, energy-related weather information, and/or energy- related security information.

[0010] The RF communication-enabled memory storage device for embodiments of the invention further comprises, for example, a RF communication-enabled integrated circuit (IC) data storage card, such as a secure digital card (SD card), a micro-SD card, a CompactFlash card (CF card), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) storage device, and/or a network memory stick. Further, in embodiments of the invention, the electronic display device further comprises, for example, a digital photo device, a Screensaver application on a computing device, or the RF communication-enabled memory storage device integrated with the electronic display device, such as a smartphone, a wireless computing device with a screen saver application, a RF communication-enabled PDA liquid crystal display (LCD) television, and/or a RF communication-enabled PDA docking station.

[0011] According to embodiments of the invention, the electronic data representing telemetry information further comprises electronic data representing localized telemetry information, local weather delivered from sensors, and/or energy management telemetry data from local loads such as meters. In addition, the RF communication-enabled energy management-related device in embodiments of the invention further comprises, for example, an energy management load management control device coupled to an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) network system, such as a smart meter and/or a smart thermostat, either or both of which can have a card slot for receiving an RF communication-enabled integrated circuit (IC) data storage card. The RF communication-enabled energy management-related device in embodiments of the invention can also comprise, for example, an energy meter, a thermostat, a solar panel system control, wind generator system control, a pool pump control, and/or a water heater control.

[0012] Converting the received electronic data to a format displayable on the screen associated with the display device for embodiments of the invention further comprises, for example, converting the received electronic data into a display of scrolling text and graphics in a format, such as GIF or PDF format. Additionally, in embodiments of the invention, displaying the converted energy management-related information and telemetry information further comprises, for example, alternating between the display of the converted energy management- related information and telemetry information and pre-selected graphics or photographs.

[0013] In further embodiments of the invention, displaying the converted energy management-related information further comprises, for example, displaying the converted energy management-related information in the form of a ticker, and displaying the converted telemetry information further comprises, for example, displaying the converted telemetry information in the form of a virtual thermostat and/or a virtual energy meter.

[0014] Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned from practice of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram that illustrates an overview example of key components and the flow of information between key components of the virtual energy management display method and system for embodiments of the invention; and

[0016] Fig. 2 is a schematic flow chart that illustrates an example of the process of virtual energy management display for embodiments of the invention.

Detailed Description

[0017] As required, detailed features and embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed features and embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein, and any particular combination of these details, are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention. [0018] Referring now in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not as a limitation of the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations that come within the scope of the invention.

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for virtual energy management display that afford a universally applicable and affordable approach to the need for specially purposed energy display devices in which one or more simple, familiar devices are converted and/or adapted from one purpose to another by employing messaging and peer-to-peer device communication functionality. Thus, embodiments of the invention involve converting network messages into forms which can be displayed among scrolling pictures.

[0020] According to embodiments of the invention, for example, a simple digital photo device or screen-saver on a PC can be converted into a scrolling information display which alternates basic information, such as weather, time and local forecast with valuable energy efficiency information, such as usage during the current month, savings thus far in the current year, local smog conditions, personal carbon footprint, carbon reduction, and the like.

[0021] The approach for embodiments of the invention actually improves the esthetics of a home with pre-selected or personal pictures and replaces a few alternating photos with customizable displays of messages and simulations of other familiar devices such as thermostats or weather stations.

[0022] As previously noted, embodiments of the invention involve computer hardware and software applications and other technology. Hardware according to embodiments of the invention includes, for example, dual purpose networked devices for delivering messages, providing a virtual energy management portal, providing a meter display and/or providing a remote smart thermostat interface using any of one or more common consumer computing device products.

[0023] Such dual purpose networked devices for embodiments of the invention include, for example, radio frequency (RF) communication-enabled memory devices that communicate directly with a network, such as RF communication-enabled smart meters that can communicate over wireless mesh networks. By enabling real-time messaging with additional recommendations, embodiments of the invention provide critical peak price warnings which can effectively protect consumers from unnecessary cost inflation while helping to reduce aggregate demand and emissions.

[0024] A significant deficiency of many prior art approaches to providing energy display devices is that such displays are generally unfamiliar, cluttered, cumbersome and cryptic. Moreover, such devices typically meet with a certain level of resistance to introduction of yet another special appliance. Thus, in markets in which regulators, politicians and environmentalists are trying to encourage energy awareness and control price volatility and emissions content by soliciting consumer behavior patterns, they have little success in interesting consumers in new devices that are unfamiliar and costly. To overcome such deficiencies, embodiments of the invention employ general purpose and familiar devices that have the advantage of operating as dual purpose portals for consumers.

[0025] As used herein from time-to-time, the term "network" refers to a mesh local area network (LAN) connection from embodiments of the invention to a neighborhood area network (NAN), grid area network (GAN) or home area network (HAN) that comprises, for example, energy meters, thermostats, solar panel systems, wind generator systems, other clean tech resources and other home control devices such as pool pumps, water heater controls and the like.

[0026] As also used herein from time-to-time, the term "card" refers to any one or more memory/storage devices, including without limitation, a secure digital card (SD Card), a micro- SD card, a CompactFlash (CF) card, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) storage device or integrated component supporting the network within consumer devices, such as smartphones; personal computers (PCs), laptops, or personal digital assistants (PDAs) screen savers; liquid crystal display (LCD) televisions; or the like.

[0027] SD cards are integrated circuit (IC) cards designed to store data and to enable the transfer of data between devices equipped with SD card slots, and micro-SD is a format for removable flash memory cards. CompactFlash is a mass storage device format used in portable electronic devices, and CF cards are designed to store data and to enable the transfer of data between devices equipped with CF slots. Likewise, memory stick is a removable flash memory card format, and a memory stick is an IC storage device designed to store data and enable the transfer of data between devices equipped with memory stick slots.

[0028] Embodiments of the invention propose hardware aspects, such as a network memory stick, for example, in SD and/or USB storage device form or similar component reduced to integrated form that comprises the same functionality. Examples include product applications, such as dedicated displays, e.g., simple photo sticks used in scrolling digital photo displays, smartphones, PCs or PDA screen savers, or LCD televisions with SD and USB memory stick options.

[0029] Other embodiments of the invention propose hardware aspects, such as a combination PDA docking station with an integrated communications device that allows the device to receive messages via a network. Still other embodiments of the invention propose hardware aspects, such as a thermostat provided with an SD or similar slot that can operate as a messaging device. Further embodiments of the invention propose hardware aspects, such as a universal remote control with a card slot or with integrated network and energy management functions.

[0030] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram that illustrates an overview example of key components and the flow of information between key components of the virtual energy management display system for embodiments of the invention. Referring to Fig. 1, embodiments of the invention employ, for example, a plurality of RF-enabled smart energy meters 100, such as gas 105 and/or electric 110 meters in a home area network (HAN) 115 coupled over a wireless mesh local area network (LAN) 120 to a gateway device 125, which is in turn coupled over a wide area network (WAN) 130 to one or more servers 135, such as web servers, head end servers, back end servers, communication servers, or the like. The particular types of smart energy meters identified is not exhaustive, and embodiments of the invention include any and all types of smart meters.

[0031] Referring further to Fig. 1, likewise in the HAN 1 15 coupled over the wireless mesh LAN 120 to the gateway device 125 are a plurality of RF-enabled home control devices 140, such as universal remote controls 141 with card slots acting as messaging devices, pool pump controls 142, thermostats 143 with card slots acting as messaging devices, appliance controls 144, water heater controls 145, solar panel system controls 146, and wind generator system controls 147. Likewise, the itemization of home control devices is not exhaustive, and embodiments of the invention include home control devices of any and all types.

[0032] According to embodiments of the invention, additionally in the HAN 115 coupled over the wireless mesh LAN 120 to the gateway device 125 are display devices 150, such as a digital photo device 151 with an integrated communication device such as photo stick slot 152, a smart phone 153 with a card slot 154, a screen saver of a PC or PDA 155 with a card slot 156, a LCD television 157 with a card slot 158, and/or a PDA docking station 159 with integrated communication device or card slot 160. The respective card slots are adapted for one or more RF communication-enabled cards 170, such as an SD card 171, a micro-SD card 172, a CF card 173, a USB card 174, and/or a photo stick 175. Again, the itemization of display devices and/or RF communication-enabled cards is not exhaustive, and embodiments of the invention include any and all types of electronic display devices and RF communication-enabled cards.

[0033] Software aspects proposed by embodiments of the invention include, for example, network application functionality and card functions which convert messages to static, alternating, event-driven or scrolling screen forms that alternate common information displays with consumer and energy information delivered via the network. According to such aspect, messages are delivered to hardware aspect devices of embodiments of the invention via the network and converted to common formats, displayable through or on the above devices.

[0034] These screen display graphic forms for embodiments of the invention combine consumer customizable information, local device status and notices that relate to significantly improved levels of comfort, energy and environmental stewardship. Such information can include, for example, pricing information such as rate tier prices, critical peak prices, variable prices; personal energy management information such as account balance, usage comparison; personal environmental stewardship information carbon footprint calculations.

[0035] Other examples of such information for embodiments of the invention include localized telemetry information such as local weather delivered from sensors connected to the network or via a network gateway device that integrates other networks, relevant energy management telemetry data from local loads such as meters; weather forecasts and energy news; warnings, such as critical peak events and/or smog days; helpful tip messages for conserving power; and city, state, community or homeland security information.

[0036] On a digital display for embodiments of the invention, the forms are periodically updated with the message information and display in the common format, such as GIF or PDF. The forms include the use of familiar virtual display devices, such as a virtual thermostat, a ticker tape, or energy meter.

[0037] Fig. 2 is a schematic flow chart that illustrates an example of the process of virtual energy management display for embodiments of the invention. Referring to Fig. 2, at 200, electronic data representing energy management-related information is periodically received via the mesh local area network 120 by a radio frequency (RF) communication-enabled memory storage device 170 coupled to an electronic display device 150 within the home area network 1 15. At 201, electronic data representing telemetry information is likewise periodically received by the RF communication-enabled memory storage device 170 from at least one RF communication-enabled energy management-related device 100 or 140 within the home area network 115.

[0038] Referring further to Fig. 2, at 202, the received electronic data is converted to a common format displayable on a screen associated with a display device 150 by an application running at least in part on the memory storage device 170, and at 203, the converted energy management-related information and telemetry information are displayed on the screen associated with the display device 150 by the application. [0039] Various embodiments of the present invention have now been generally described in a non-limiting manner. It will be appreciated that these examples are merely illustrative of the present invention, which is defined by the following claims. Numerous variations, adaptations, and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.