This invention relates to a device for providing a projected display of energy use, and is particularly, although not exclusively, useful for providing a projected display of domestic energy use. In-home energy displays have continued to develop in functionality, appearance, and user experience. However, they are becoming increasingly reliant on small touchscreen displays, and as such, limit ease of use and accessibility for many important user groups. Current examples of such displays rely on tabletop locations which occupy valuable domestic workspace. Poor usability and work surface space requirements can contribute to shortened useful lifespan and premature disposal by the end user because users quickly lose interest, and reduce interaction or discard the devices completely".

The present invention seeks to prioritise usability and inclusive design principles and uses simple mechanical controls in a device which has an appearance simulating a single basin water tap, and which incorporates a large downward projected display to communicate to a user selective energy use information.

The projected display emitted from the spout of the tap-shaped form of the device is suggestive of running water to communicate rate of domestic energy use. This visual effect of lost or wasted energy increases user interest and involvement which are incentives in reducing home energy use. The present invention provides a device for transmitting, by way of a projected display, information relating to any one or more of historic, current or predicted energy use by an energy consumer, the information to be transmitted including any combination of digital, analogue and pictorial representations in the projected display, wherein the device is adapted to be plugged directly into a power socket in order to wirelessly receive energy consumption data from a smart meter system, and wherein means are provided by which the device can be instructed to change the format of the projected display. In a preferred construction, the device further is adapted to display transmitted information onto a surface adjacent the power socket to which it is connected. It is further preferred that the device incorporates a power supply to enable temporary disconnection from a power socket to allow the display of information to be projected onto a chosen display surface remote from the power socket and/ or to allow the device to be disconnected from one power socket and reconnected to another. According to a still further feature of the invention the device may be adapted to transmit energy tariff/pricing information in a real-time using a dedicated visual display.

According to another feature of the invention the instructing means of the device may comprise a plurality of control elements to adjust display parameters such as the 'utility' being consumed including electricity and/or gas consumption, the 'measure' such as local currency cost, consumed energy (kilowatt hours) and/or other characteristic such as C0 ₂ content, and the 'period' of consumption including intervals of an hour or less, day, week, month, quarter and/or year.

According to yet another feature of the invention, the device may be in the form of a single basin water tap incorporating projecting means, and wherein the spout of the tap emits, in use, the projected display. Preferably, the instructing means of the device comprises a plurality of rotary mechanical controls provided by the body and/or the spout of the tap. It is also a preferred feature of the invention that the displayed information comprises an animated water-ripple effect upon projection surface to communicate the rate of energy use. According to a still further feature of the invention, the device may incorporate a visual and/or audible alarm to warn of low ambient temperature.

According to a yet another feature of the invention, the device may incorporate a motion detector which is adapted to actuate means for changing the status of the device from a standby display to a more detailed display mode. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the device shown in Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device shown in one mode of operation, and

Figure 5 is another perspective view of the device shown in another mode of operation.

The invention works in collaboration with existing smart-meter technologies to receive personal usage data and comprises a single electronic device whose main body plugs directly into a standard wall socket. The device projects a large user-interface onto the horizontal surface immediately below the socket site, typically a work surface or covered floor. Preferably, the device incorporates an onboard power-supply to enable temporary removal from the wall for hand-held magnified projection against a chosen alternative surface. The independent power supply also allows movement of the device around a domestic setting without loss of data so that it can be unplugged from one socket and re-plugged into another socket.

Referring to the drawings, a device 10 for transmitting information by way of a projected display is in a form which resembles a single basin water tap as shown in Figures 1 to 5. The body 12 of the device includes electrical pins 14 which in this case, comprise a standard UK three pin array, for connecting the device to an electrical wall socket 16 (Figures 4 and 5). In order to use the device a user plugs the device into the wall socket 16, switching on the supply. The user can then customise the display parameters by actuating one or more of a number of control elements.

In this embodiment of the invention, the user control elements are all mechanical and are all based on physical manipulation of rotary dial switches for optimal clarity and ease of use. First, a three-position handle 18 which has a 'Utility' selection comprising electricity, gas, or both can be rotated to select one or more chosen utilities. A further dial 20 provided on the body of the device adjacent the spout 22 can be indexed to select a reporting measure such as local currency, consumed energy (kWh) and/or some other characteristic such as C0 ₂ emission. A further dial 24 provided at the mouth of the spout can be rotated to select the time period for the data such as increments up to and including an hour, day, week, month, quarter and/or year.

All changes update immediately on a projected display 26 which is emitted by projecting means (not shown), provided within the device, from the mouth 22a of the spout.

This information increases energy-use understanding by the user. Preferably, the device is capable of projecting basic status alerts and custom messages to the user in the form of icons and scrolling text.

In this particular embodiment, the colour of the projected display is a single colour of green, amber, or red depending on the ongoing usage intensity, where a red display represents high energy usage and a green display represents a low energy usage. A glowing light ring 28 incorporated into the body 12 adjacent the pin array 14 uses a combination of flashing and solid light states to communicate changes of energy tariff. In this example, an amber light output represents a medium priced tariff, and a red light output represents a high priced tariff. A further glowing light ring 30 provided adjacent the mouth of the sprout communicates ongoing usage intensity using green, amber, or red pulsing light output.

The tariff light ring indicator 28 and usage indicator light ring 30 remain active at all times. These are the desired visual outputs whilst the device is in predetermined 'sleep' mode. In a standby mode, the glowing ring outputs 28 and 30 are accompanied by an animated water- ripple effect e.g. a 'dripping-tap' visual effect 26a as shown in Figure 4 so as to communicate the rate of energy use. The device also incorporates a motion-sensor 32 located on the bridge of the spout by which a passing end-user triggers the display into a more detailed mode which may include full digital and analogue information relating to current, historic and/or predicted energy use.