Low cost home energy manager adaptor

Abstract

A home energy management (HEM) device for use in a HEM system including a plurality of energy consuming devices and a HEM gateway adaptor module connectable to a host device. The home energy gateway (HEG) module is configured to utilize services / components of existing household electronics. Accordingly, a HEM device for controlling a plurality of energy consuming devices in a HEM network comprises a host device having hardware for performing at least one service, and a HEG adaptor module connectable to the host device, the HEG module including at least a home energy usage database for storing data related to usage of energy consuming devices in the home energy management network. The HEG module is configured to utilize at least one service of the host to carry out at least one function related to controlling the plurality of energy consuming devices.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 304,712, filed on, Feb. 15, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]The following disclosure relates to energy management, and more particularly to energy management of household consumer appliances, as well as other energy consuming devices and / or systems found in the home. The present disclosure finds particular application to a device which controls operation of consumer appliances, as well as other energy consuming devices and / or systems, and acts as a gateway between a Utility company network and the consumer appliances, as well as other energy consuming devices and / or systems. The controller / gateway device to be discussed below is at times called herein a Home Energy Gateway (HEG).[0003]Currently Utility companies commonly charge a flat rate for energy, but with the increasing cost of fuel prices and high energy usage ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a home energy gateway (HEG) that allows for the efficient management of energy in a home or building. The HEG is a single board computer with multiple communication interfaces and a database to store data. It can be connected to existing devices in the home and utilize their resources. The HEG can also communicate with utility companies and control the operation of energy consuming devices. The technical effects of the HEG include low cost, flexibility, and the ability to interface with existing consumer electronics products in the home.

Problems solved by technology

Currently Utility companies commonly charge a flat rate for energy, but with the increasing cost of fuel prices and high energy usage during certain parts of the day, Utility companies have to buy more energy to supply customers during peak demand.

However, there is no active control beyond the mere on / off switching.

Similarly, known systems do not communicate directly with the appliance using a variety of communication methods and protocols, nor is a modular and standard method created for communication devices to interface and to communicate operational modes to the main controller of the appliance.

Both of the current existing types have significant disadvantages due to higher consumer cost, low flexibility and increased system complexity.

The first category requires a large upfront cost to the consumer, because the cost of providing an integrated display on the HEM very expensive.

In addition, the electronics required to drive the display is complex and expensive.

The second category of HEM involves a substantial cost to provide the server infrastructure and data transfer.

In addition, this type of HEM must be connected continuously with a remote server otherwise energy data logging and energy saving commands for the devices in the home will be lost during service disruptions.

Therefore this second configuration is very limiting in areas where Internet penetration is very low

Current HEM systems result in payback of about 3-5 years at best.

Therefore, since the standard life of an electronic device is about 5 years, the consumer is never paid back for their investment; as they will need to procure a new device before the investment payback period is reached.

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