Data acquisition module

Abstract

A data acquisition module includes: a connection panel subassembly having a housing; a computing device subassembly electrically coupled to the connection panel subassembly, the computing device subassembly having a housing for mechanically coupling to the connection panel subassembly housing; and a user interface subassembly electrically coupled to the computing device subassembly, the user interface subassembly having a housing for mechanically coupling to the computing device subassembly housing.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present patent application generally relates to power systems, and more specifically to a data acquisition module. [Background technology]

[0002] In related art systems, energy metering can be used to determine how much electricity a consumer is using. In earlier related art systems, metering is usually accomplished by using an electric meter attached to the power line between a building (home, business, or other place) and the power company. However, such systems can usually only provide information about the total electricity consumption of the entire building, and cannot provide information about the energy consumption associated with a specific circuit within the building.

[0003] The related art smart metering system is used to analyze each circuit in a building by connecting sensors to each circuit (usually at the circuit breaker box). However, the circuit breaker box usually provides limited space for installing data acquisition modules, and the related art system may require a large number of sensors and data processing modules to be installed, which are gathered in the circuit breaker box, or require the installation of additional conduits and junction boxes. [Summary of the invention]

[0004] The present patent application provides a data acquisition module. In one embodiment, a data acquisition module can be installed inside or outside an electrical panel to collect current data of one or more circuits in the electrical panel, and the data acquisition module includes: a connection panel subassembly having a housing for connecting one or more power sensors; an intermediate subassembly fixed to the housing of the connection panel subassembly, the intermediate subassembly including at least one housing cover, the housing cover surrounding a support frame, the support frame being physically fixedly connected to the housing of the connection panel subassembly; a computing device subassembly electrically coupled to the connection panel subassembly and surrounded by the intermediate subassembly, the computing device subassembly having a housing for mechanically coupling to the housing of the connection panel subassembly, the computing device subassembly being used to control the data acquisition module and allow the data acquisition module to communicate with other data acquisition modules or another computing device; and a user interface subassembly electrically coupled to the computing device subassembly, the user interface subassembly having a housing for mechanically coupling to the housing of the computing device subassembly.

[0005] Preferably, the housing of the connection panel subassembly is stacked on the housing of the computing device subassembly.

[0006] Preferably, the housing of the computing device subassembly is stacked on the housing of the user interface subassembly.

[0007] Preferably, the housing of the user interface subassembly includes a slidable panel for selectively allowing access to a user interface of the user interface subassembly.

[0008] Preferably, the data acquisition module further comprises a power light ring sub-component for indicating the power status of the data acquisition module.

[0009] Preferably, the power halo subassembly is located between the connection panel subassembly and the computing device subassembly.

[0010] Preferably, the connection panel subassembly includes one or more data transmission cables.

[0011] Preferably, the data acquisition module further comprises a cover for enclosing the one or more data transmission cables.

[0012] Preferably, the data acquisition module further comprises a mounting plate, the mounting plate mechanically coupling the data acquisition module to a circuit panel of a building.

[0013] Preferably, the mounting plate is provided with an opening penetrating the mounting plate; the opening mates with an opening on the cover and allows the one or more data transmission cables to pass from the data acquisition module into the circuit panel.

[0014] In another embodiment, a data acquisition module includes: a connection panel subassembly having a housing; a user interface subassembly electrically coupled to the connection panel subassembly, the user interface subassembly having a housing for mechanically coupling to a computing device subassembly housing; and a mounting plate for mechanically coupling the data acquisition module to a building circuit panel.

[0015] Preferably, the connection panel subassembly includes one or more data transmission cables.

[0016] Preferably, the data acquisition module further comprises a cover for enclosing the one or more data transmission cables.

[0017] Preferably, the mounting plate is provided with an opening penetrating the mounting plate; the opening mates with an opening on the cover and allows the one or more data transmission cables to pass from the data acquisition module into the circuit panel.

[0018] Preferably, the data acquisition module further includes a computing device subcomponent electrically coupled to the connection panel subcomponent and the user interface subcomponent, the computing device subcomponent having a housing for mechanically coupling to the housing of the connection panel subcomponent, the housing of the computing device subcomponent being located between the connection panel subcomponent and the user interface subcomponent.

[0019] Preferably, the housing of the connection panel subassembly is stacked on the housing of the computing device subassembly.

[0020] Preferably, the housing of the computing device subassembly is stacked on the housing of the user interface subassembly.

[0021] Preferably, the housing of the user interface subassembly includes a slidable panel for selectively allowing access to a user interface of the user interface subassembly.

[0022] Preferably, the data acquisition module further comprises a power light ring sub-component for indicating the power status of the data acquisition module.

[0023] Preferably, the power halo subassembly is located between the connection panel subassembly and the computing device subassembly.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] Figure 1A and 1B is an exploded perspective view of a data acquisition module according to an embodiment of the present patent application;

[0025] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a power halo subassembly of a data acquisition module according to an embodiment of the present patent application;

[0026] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a connection panel subassembly of a data acquisition module according to one embodiment of the present patent application;

[0027] Figure 4A The on-board computing subassembly of the data acquisition module according to one embodiment of the present patent application

[0028] An exploded perspective view of a computing subassembly;

[0029] Figure 4B is a partially enlarged view of a load calculation subassembly of a data acquisition module according to an embodiment of the present patent application;

[0030] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of an intermediate subassembly of a data acquisition module according to an embodiment of the present patent application;

[0031] Fig. 6A is a perspective view of the bottom of a connection panel subassembly located within a middle subassembly of a data acquisition module according to one embodiment of the present patent application;

[0032] Figure 6B yes Fig. 6A An enlarged schematic diagram of a portion of the bottom portion of the connection panel subassembly is shown;

[0033] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a user interface (UI) subassembly of a data acquisition module according to one embodiment of the present patent application;

[0034] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of a bottom subassembly of a data acquisition module according to an embodiment of the present patent application;

[0035] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a data acquisition module according to an embodiment of the present patent application;

[0036] Fig.10 is a perspective view of a data acquisition module for external attachment to a circuit panel according to one embodiment of the present patent application;

[0037] Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of a data acquisition module installed in an electrical panel in an internal configuration according to an embodiment of the present patent application;

[0038] Fig.12 is a schematic diagram of a data acquisition module installed in an electrical panel in an external configuration according to one embodiment of the present patent application;

[0039] Fig.13 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary computing environment including exemplary computing devices suitable for use with some embodiments of the present patent application. [Specific implementation method]

[0040] The following detailed description provides further detailed description of the drawings and embodiments of the present patent application. For the sake of clarity, repeated element reference numerals and descriptions between the drawings have been omitted. The terms used throughout the description are provided as examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the use of the term "automatic" may include fully automatic or semi-automatic implementations, involving user or operator control of certain aspects of the implementation, depending on the desired implementation of a person of ordinary skill in the art practicing the embodiments of the present application.

[0041] Figure 1A and 1B1 is an exploded perspective view of a data acquisition module 100 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The exploded perspective view is divided into two figures so that the subassemblies of the data acquisition module 100 can be viewed. As shown, the data acquisition module 100 may include a connection panel subassembly 105 for connecting to one or more electrical sensors that can be connected to a live cable. Figure 3 The connection panel subassembly 105 will be described in more detail.

[0042] The data acquisition module 100 also includes a power light ring subassembly 110 , which can be used to indicate the power status of the data acquisition module 100 . Figure 2 The power halo subassembly 110 will be described in more detail.

[0043] Furthermore, the data acquisition module 100 also includes a computing device subassembly. In this embodiment, preferably, the computing device subassembly is an on-board computing subassembly 115, which is used to control the data acquisition module 100 and allow the data acquisition module 100 to communicate with other data acquisition modules or another computing device, such as Fig.13 The computing device 1305 is shown communicating. Figure 4A and 4B The payload calculation subcomponent 115 will be described in more detail.

[0044] In addition, the data acquisition module 100 also includes a middle subassembly 120 surrounding the load calculation subassembly 115 . Figure 5 The intermediate subassembly 120 will be described in more detail.

[0045] The data collection module 100 also includes a user interface subassembly 125 for providing information to the user. Figure 7 The user interface subcomponent 125 will be described in more detail.

[0046] The data acquisition module 100 further includes a bottom subassembly 130 surrounding the user interface subassembly 125 . Figure 8 The bottom subassembly 130 will be described in more detail.

[0047] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a power light ring subassembly 110 of the data acquisition module 100 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The power light ring subassembly 110 may include a plastic support ring 5 that provides rigid support for a light emitting diode ring 7 that may be used to indicate the power status of the data acquisition module 100. The light emitting diode ring 7 may be electrically coupled to and controlled by the load computing subassembly 115. In addition, a plurality of reflective pieces 6, such as reflective tape, may be provided adjacent to the light emitting diode ring 7 to provide directionality to any light emitted by the light emitting diode ring 7, thereby improving visibility. The power light ring subassembly 110 is located between the connection panel subassembly 105 and the computing device subassembly.

[0048] Figure 3 It is an exploded perspective view of the connection panel subassembly 105 of the data acquisition module 100 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The connection panel subassembly 105 may include a connection face 1 having a plurality of openings 305, a plurality of signal cables 3 (also referred to as data transmission cables), a terminal board 8 and a plurality of terminal blocks 310 thereon. The plurality of signal cables 3 and the plurality of terminal blocks 310 on the terminal board 8 may be inserted into and pass through the plurality of openings 305. Once inserted, the signal cable 3 may be fixed to the connection face 1 by one or more retaining rings 4. The power light ring subassembly 110 may surround the edge of the connection face 1 and be fixed by the terminal board 8, and the terminal board 8 may be fixed to the connection face 1 by a plurality of screws 9.

[0049] The terminal board 8 may send and receive signals through the plurality of signal cables 3 and / or the plurality of terminal blocks 310. The terminal board 8 may also include one or more connectors 315, such as a mini-HDMI connector, a mini-USB connector, a micro USB connector, or any other connector apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0050] The connection panel subassembly 105 may also include a housing 10, which is fixed to the connection surface 1 by one or more screws 11. A circuit board 12 may be placed in the housing 10. The circuit board 12 may be electrically coupled to the terminal board 8 to receive and transmit signals to the terminal board 8, and transmit the received signals to the load calculation subassembly 115 after processing.

[0051] Figure 4A 1 is an exploded perspective view of a load calculation subassembly 115 of a data acquisition module 100 according to an embodiment of the present patent application. Figure 4B Yes Figure 4A An enlarged view of a portion A of an on-board computing subassembly 115 of the data acquisition module 100 is shown. The on-board computing subassembly 115 may include a pre-configured computing board 17 that controls on-board processing of the data acquisition module 100. The computing board 17 may include an on-board processor, a flash memory chip, a graphics accelerator, a floating-point accelerator, and one or more microcontrollers. The computing board 17 may also include a plurality of connection ports 405 that may be used to connect to other peripheral devices, such as external memory or external communication devices.

[0052] The connection port 405 is not particularly limited and may include an Ethernet port, a USB port, or any other port that is apparent to a person skilled in the art. As shown, the connection port 405 of the computing board 17 may be equipped with a 180-degree port alignment connector 18 so that a peripheral device can be installed without increasing the overall length of the load computing subassembly 115. For example, a USB antenna or transceiver may be plugged into the 180-degree port alignment connector 18 to allow the computing board 17 to be connected to another computing device such as a Fig.13 The computing device 1305 shown communicates to send and receive information. Alternatively, a USB storage device can be plugged into the 180 degree port alignment connector 18 to allow the computing board 17 to store data internally.

[0053] The computing board 17 may be coupled to the interface control board 16, which connects the computing board 17 to the circuit board 12 of the connection panel subassembly 105. As shown, the 180 degree port alignment connector 18 may be inserted through an opening 410 formed through the interface control board 16.

[0054] The interface control board 16 of the load computing subassembly 115 may also include a pin connector 610, which is connected to the circuit board 12 of the connection panel subassembly 105, as shown below. Fig. 6A and 6B Furthermore, the interface control board 16 of the load calculation subassembly 115 may also include a user interface connector 415, and the user interface connector 415 is connected to the user interface subassembly 125 below.

[0055] Figure 5 1 is an exploded perspective view of an intermediate subassembly 120 of a data acquisition module 100 according to aspects of the present disclosure. As shown, the intermediate subassembly 120 includes two housing cover plates 13 and 14, which surround a support frame 15. The support frame 15 is fixed to the threaded holes 505 at the bottom of the housing 10 of the connection panel subassembly 105 by one or more screws 11. The load calculation subassembly 115 is located within the housing cover plates 13 and 14 and the support frame 15 of the intermediate subassembly 120. Within the intermediate subassembly 120, the load calculation subassembly 115 is coupled to the circuit board 12 of the connection panel subassembly 105, which will be described in more detail below.

[0056] Fig. 6A is a perspective view of the bottom of the connection panel subassembly 105 located within the middle subassembly of the data acquisition module 100 according to aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 6B yes Fig. 6A The enlarged view of the bottom portion B of the connection panel subassembly 105 is shown. As described above, within the intermediate subassembly 120, the on-load computing subassembly 115 is coupled to the circuit board 12 of the connection panel subassembly 105. The coupling between the on-load computing subassembly 115 and the connection panel subassembly 105 is mechanical and electrical.

[0057] like Fig. 6A and 6BAs shown, the housing 10 of the connection panel subassembly 105 includes a pair of slots 605, into which the on-load computing subassembly 115 is inserted to mechanically couple the on-load computing subassembly 115 to the connection panel subassembly 105. In addition, a pin connector 610 is located on the on-load computing subassembly 115. The pin connector 610 is used to be inserted into a receiver port 615, which is located on the circuit board 12 of the connection panel subassembly 105. Inserting the pin connector 610 of the on-load computing subassembly 115 into the receiver port 615 of the circuit board 12 of the connection panel subassembly 105 provides electrical coupling between the on-load computing subassembly 115 and the connection panel subassembly 105.

[0058] Figure 7 1 is an exploded perspective view of a user interface subassembly 125 of a data acquisition module 100 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The user interface subassembly 125 may include a circuit board 20 that processes output received from the on-load computing subassembly 115 for display to a user and processes input from a user for transmission to the on-load computing subassembly 115. The user interface subassembly 125 may be electrically coupled to the on-load computing subassembly 115 via a pin connector 715 that is configured to be inserted into a user interface connector 415 of the on-load computing subassembly 115.

[0059] The user interface subassembly 125 may also include an output device 21 that can be used to display information or instructions to a user. For example, the output device 21 can be an LED light bar including one or more LEDs that can be used to indicate status or situation information to a user. However, in other embodiments, the output device 21 can be a display screen, such as an LCD screen, an LED screen, or any other display device that is apparent to a person skilled in the art.

[0060] The user interface subcomponent 125 may also include one or more input devices 705 and 710, which may be used to receive input data or information from a user. Figure 7 As shown, the input device 705 can be a button or control interface that a user can use to input data or information without using a separate computing device. Further, the input device 710 can be a control port or data port (such as a serial port, USB port, HDMI port, etc.), which can be used to access a separate computing device, such as Fig.13The computing device 1305 shown controls the data acquisition module 100 or compiles a program for the data acquisition module 100 .

[0061] However, other configurations apparent to those skilled in the art may be used for the user interface subassembly 125, utilizing more or fewer input devices or different combinations of input devices.

[0062] The user interface subassembly 125 may also include structural components 22, 24, and 23, which may be used to support the user interface subassembly 125 and mechanically couple the user interface subassembly 125 to the data acquisition module 100. As shown, the structural component 22 is a male and female standoff screw, which is inserted into and passes through a hole 720, which passes through the circuit board 20 of the user interface subassembly 125. Each male and female standoff screw 22 may be inserted through a washer 24 and screwed with a nut 23 to fix the circuit board 20 on the male and female standoff screw 22.

[0063] Figure 8 1 is an exploded perspective view of the bottom subassembly 130 of the data acquisition module 100 according to aspects of the present disclosure. As shown, the bottom subassembly 130 surrounds the user interface subassembly 125. The pin connector 715 of the user interface subassembly 125 can be inserted into the user interface connector 415 of the interface control board 16 of the on-board computing subassembly 115 to electrically couple the user interface subassembly 125 to the on-board computing subassembly 115.

[0064] The bottom subassembly 130 may include a hidden housing 19 and a sliding plate 29, the user interface subassembly 125 is mechanically coupled to the hidden housing 19, and the sliding panel 29 is used to surround the hidden housing 19 to selectively cover the hidden housing 19. The hidden housing 19 may include a recessed edge 805, which is used to be inserted into the support frame 15 of the middle subassembly 120, and a plurality of screws 11 may be used to mechanically couple the bottom subassembly 130 to the middle subassembly 120.

[0065] The concealed housing 19 may also include a plurality of screw holes 810 through which a plurality of screws 25 may be inserted. The plurality of screws 25 inserted through the screw holes 810 may be screwed into the male and female studs 22 of the user interface subassembly 125 to fix the user interface subassembly 125 in the concealed housing 19. The concealed housing 19 may also be provided with one or more openings 815 to expose the input devices 705 and 710 and the output device 21 of the user interface subassembly 125. In some embodiments, a removable plug 27 may selectively cover some of the openings 815 and fix the removable plug 27 by a set screw or a machine screw 28. In addition, in some embodiments, a mandatory notice decal 26 (e.g., FCC compliance decal, model no. decal, etc.) may be affixed to the concealed housing 19.

[0066] The bottom subassembly 130 may also include an end plate 30 that is mechanically coupled to the concealed housing 19 via one or more screws 11. An end cover 31 may be snapped onto the end plate 30 to surround the interior of the data acquisition module 100, thereby preventing debris from entering the data acquisition module 100 when the data acquisition module 100 is operating normally.

[0067] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a data acquisition module 100 according to aspects of the present disclosure. Fig. 9 As shown, the data acquisition module 100 may also include a cover 135, which surrounds the plurality of signal cables 3 and the plurality of terminal blocks 310 of the connection panel subassembly 105 to reduce dust and debris accumulation. The cover 135 may have an opening 140, through which a cable connector may pass to connect the data acquisition module 100 to one or more sensors connected to live cables of the power distribution system in the building to achieve intelligent monitoring of power consumption.

[0068] Fig.101 is a perspective view of a data acquisition module 100 for external attachment to a circuit panel according to aspects of the present disclosure. Again, a cover 135 is attached to the data acquisition module 100 to enclose the plurality of signal cables 3 and the plurality of terminal blocks 310 of the connection panel subassembly 105 to reduce dust and debris accumulation. As shown, the cover 135 may include an end plate 150 that is secured to the data acquisition module 100 by one or more screws 145.

[0069] Further, an external mounting plate 1000 may be provided to secure the data acquisition module 100 to the exterior of a circuit panel. The external mounting plate 1000 may include a plurality of screw holes 1005, which may be used to secure the external mounting plate 1000 to the exterior of a circuit breaker panel. In addition, the external mounting plate 1000 may also be provided with an elongated opening 1015 to allow for small adjustments in the placement of the external mounting plate 1000. The external mounting plate 1000 also has an annular protrusion 1010 extending through the mounting plate 1000, which may be inserted into the opening 140 formed in the cover 135 of the data acquisition module 100. The annular protrusion 1010 mates with the opening 140 in the cover 135 and allows one or more data transmission cables to pass from the data acquisition module into the circuit panel. The annular protrusion 1010 may have a threaded exterior, and a retaining nut (not shown) may be used within the cover 135 to secure the data acquisition module 100 to the external mounting plate 1000 .

[0070] Fig.11 1 is a schematic diagram of a data acquisition module 100 installed in an internally arranged manner within a circuit panel. As shown, an electrical panel 1100 may include a housing 1102, and a circuit breaker panel 1105 may be placed within the housing 1102. The circuit breaker panel 1105 may include a plurality of circuit breakers 1110a-1110e. Each circuit breaker 1110a-1110e may electrically couple individual circuits within a building, structure, or location to power supply lines 1125. By toggling any of the circuit breakers 1110a-1110e, the associated circuit may be disconnected from the plurality of power supply lines 1125 and de-energized.

[0071] The electrical panel 1100 may also include a master breaker 1115 located within the enclosure 1102. By switching the master breaker 1115, all circuits within a building, structure, or location may be disconnected from the plurality of power lines 1125 and de-energized.

[0072] In addition, Fig.11 In the embodiment, the data acquisition module 100 is installed in the housing 1102. The data acquisition module 100 can be connected to one or more sensors through a plurality of signal cables 1120 (i.e., data transmission cables), and the one or more sensors are coupled to one or more circuits in a building, structure, or a certain location. In some embodiments, the plurality of sensors can be electrically connected to the circuit to directly measure the current through the circuit. In other embodiments, the plurality of sensors may not be directly electrically connected to the circuit, but can measure the current through the circuit using a ferrite core and a hall-effect sensor, which almost completely surrounds a live cable in the circuit. In some embodiments, the plurality of sensors can be sensors connected to a plurality of live cables, and the plurality of live cables enter and exit the circuit breakers 1110a-1110e. In other embodiments, the plurality of sensors can be integrated into each circuit breaker 1110a-1110e.

[0073] The data acquisition module 100 may process the data signals received from each sensor through the plurality of signal cables 1120 and store the data internally. Alternatively, the data acquisition module 100 may process the data signals received from each sensor through the plurality of signal cables 1120 and transmit the data to another computing device through an antenna or a transceiver, for example Fig.13 Computing device 1305 is shown.

[0074] Fig.12 The data acquisition module 100 is a schematic diagram of an externally mounted circuit panel. Again, the electrical panel 1100 includes a housing 1102 , a circuit breaker panel 1105 including a plurality of circuit breakers 1110 a - 1110 e , and a main circuit breaker 1115 .

[0075] exist Fig.12, the data acquisition module 100 is fixed to the exterior of the housing 1102 via the mounting plate 1000. In some embodiments, the data acquisition module 100 may be fixed to the exterior of the housing 1102 before the load calculation subassembly 115 is installed in the data acquisition module 100. As shown, the plurality of signal cables 1120 (also referred to as data transmission cables) pass through the sidewall 1103 of the housing 1102 and the mounting plate 1000 to penetrate the data acquisition module 100. Once again, the data acquisition module 100 may be connected to one or more sensors that are coupled to one or more circuits within a building, structure, or location. In some embodiments, the plurality of sensors may be electrically connected to the circuit to directly measure the current passing through the circuit. In other embodiments, the plurality of sensors may not be directly electrically connected to the circuit, but may measure the current passing through the circuit using a ferrite core and Hall effect sensor that almost completely surrounds a live cable within the circuit. In some embodiments, the plurality of sensors may be sensors connected to a plurality of live cables that enter and exit the circuit breakers 1110a-1110e. In other embodiments, the sensors may be integrated into each circuit breaker 1110a-1110e.

[0076] The data acquisition module 100 may process the data signals received from each sensor through the plurality of signal cables 1120 and store the data internally. Alternatively, the data acquisition module 100 may process the data signals received from each sensor through the plurality of signal cables 1120 and transmit the data to another computing device through an antenna or a transceiver, for example Fig.13 Computing device 1305 is shown.

[0077] Fig.13 1 is an example computing environment 1300 including an example computing device 1305 suitable for use in some embodiments. The computing device 1305 in the computing environment 1300 may include one or more processing units, cores or processors 1310, memory 1315 (such as random access memory, read-only memory, etc.), internal storage 1320 (such as magnetic, optical, solid-state storage and / or organic), and / or input / output interfaces 1325, any of which may be coupled to a communication mechanism or bus 1330 for transmitting information, or embedded in the computing device 1305.

[0078] The computing device 1305 may be communicatively coupled to an input / user interface 1335 and an output device / interface 1340. Either or both of the input / user interface 1335 and the output device / interface 1340 may be wired or wireless interfaces and may be detachable. The input / user interface 1335 may include any physical or virtual device, component, sensor, or interface that may be used to provide input (e.g., buttons, touch screen interfaces, keyboards, pointing / cursor controls, microphones, cameras, braille, motion sensors, optical readers, etc.).

[0079] Output devices / interfaces 1340 may include displays, televisions, monitors, printers, speakers, Braille, etc. In some embodiments, input / user interfaces 1335 (e.g., user interfaces) and output devices / interfaces 1340 may be embedded in the computing device 1305 or physically coupled to the computing device 1305. In other embodiments, other computing devices may be used as input / user interfaces 1335 and output devices / interfaces 1340 of the computing device 1305 or provide the functionality of input / user interfaces 1335 and output devices / interfaces 1340 for the computing device 1305. These elements may include, but are not limited to, well-known augmented reality (AR) hardware inputs to enable users to interact with an augmented reality environment.

[0080] Examples of computing devices 1305 may include, but are not limited to, devices that are often moved (e.g., smart phones, devices in vehicles and other machines, devices carried by humans and animals, etc.), mobile devices (e.g., tablet computers, laptops, handheld computers, personal computers, portable televisions, radios, etc.), and devices that are not designed for mobility (e.g., desktop computers, server equipment, other computers, kiosks, televisions having one or more processors embedded therein, televisions having one or more processors coupled thereto, radios, etc.).

[0081] The computing device 1305 can be communicatively coupled (e.g., through input / output interface 1325) to external memory 1345 and network 1350 to communicate with any number of networked components, devices, and systems, including one or more computing devices of the same or different configurations. The computing device 1305 or any connected computing device can act as, provide services of, or be referred to as a server, a client, a thin server, a general purpose machine, a special purpose machine, or another label.

[0082] Input / output interface 1325 may include, but is not limited to, wired and / or wireless interfaces using any communication or input / output protocol or standard (e.g., Ethernet, 802.11xs, universal system bus, WiMAX, modems, cellular network protocols, etc.) for transmitting information to and / or from at least all connected components, devices, and networks in computing environment 1300. Network 1350 may be any network or combination of networks (e.g., the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, a telephone network, a cellular network, a satellite network, etc.).

[0083] The computing device 1305 may communicate using and / or utilizing computer-usable or computer-readable media (including both transitory and non-transitory media). Transitory media include transmission media (e.g., metal cables, optical fibers), signals, carrier waves, etc. Non-transitory media include magnetic media (e.g., magnetic disks and tapes), optical media (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD ROM), digital video discs, Blu-ray discs), solid-state media (e.g., random access memory, read-only memory, flash memory, solid-state memory), and other non-volatile storage or memory.

[0084] The computing device 1305 can be used to implement a variety of techniques, methods, applications, processes, or computer-executable instructions in some example computing environments. The computer-executable instructions can be retrieved from a transient medium and stored on a non-transitory medium and retrieved from a non-transitory medium. The executable instructions can originate from one or more of any programming, scripting, and machine languages ​​(e.g., C, C++, C#, Java, Visual Basic, Python, Perl, JavaScript, etc.).

[0085] In a native or virtual environment, the processor 1310 can be executed under any operating system (OS) (not shown in the figure). One or more applications can be deployed, and the application includes a logic unit 1355, an application programming interface (API) unit 1360, an input unit 1365, an output unit 1370, a data receiving unit 1375, a data processing unit 1380, a power management unit 1385, and an inter-unit communication mechanism 1395 for enabling different units to communicate with each other, with the operating system (OS) and with other applications (not shown in the figure).

[0086] For example, the data receiving unit 1375, the data processing unit 1380, and the power management unit 1385 may implement one or more power management processes based on the data received from one or more data acquisition modules described herein. The above units and components may differ in design, function, configuration, or implementation, and are not limited to the above description.

[0087] In some embodiments, when information or execution instructions are received by the application programming interface (API) unit 1360, the information or execution instructions may be transmitted to one or more other units (e.g., a data receiving unit 1375, a data processing unit 1380, a power management unit 1385). For example, the data receiving unit 1375 may receive power system performance data from one or more sensors associated with the data acquisition module described herein and provide the data to the data processing unit 1380. Further, the data processing unit 1380 may process the received data to detect usage patterns and form a usage model to predict power demand based on various situations. The formed usage model may be provided to the power management unit 1385, which controls one or more devices to change power demand based on the formed usage model.

[0088] Although some embodiments have been shown and described, these embodiments are provided to convey the technical contents described herein to those skilled in the art. It should be understood that the technical contents can be implemented in various forms, not limited to the embodiments. The technical contents described herein can be implemented without those specifically defined or described things or with other or different elements or things that are not described. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these embodiments can be changed without departing from the technical contents described herein as defined in the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A data acquisition module, which can be installed inside or outside an electrical panel, is used to collect current data of one or more circuits in the electrical panel, and the data acquisition module comprises: a connection panel subassembly having a housing for connecting one or more power sensors; an intermediate subassembly fixed to the connection panel subassembly housing, the intermediate subassembly comprising at least one housing cover, the housing cover surrounding a support frame, the support frame being physically fixedly connected to the connection panel subassembly housing; a computing device subassembly electrically coupled to the connection panel subassembly and surrounded by the intermediate subassembly, the computing device subassembly having a housing for mechanically coupling to the connection panel subassembly housing, the computing device subassembly for controlling the data acquisition module and allowing the data acquisition module to communicate with other data acquisition modules or another computing device; and A user interface subassembly is electrically coupled to the computing device subassembly, the user interface subassembly having a housing for mechanically coupling to the computing device subassembly housing.

2. The data acquisition module according to claim 1, wherein: The housing of the connection panel subassembly is stacked on the housing of the computing device subassembly.

3. The data acquisition module according to claim 2, wherein: The housing of the computing device subassembly is stacked on the housing of the user interface subassembly.

4. The data acquisition module according to claim 3, wherein: The housing of the user interface subassembly includes a slidable panel for selectively allowing access to a user interface of the user interface subassembly.

5. The data acquisition module according to claim 4 further comprises a power light ring subcomponent for indicating the power status of the data acquisition module.

6. The data acquisition module according to claim 5, wherein: The power halo subassembly is located between the connection panel subassembly and the computing device subassembly.

7. The data acquisition module according to claim 1, wherein: The connection panel subassembly includes one or more data transmission cables.

8. The data acquisition module according to claim 7 further comprises a cover for enclosing the one or more data transmission cables.

9. The data acquisition module of claim 8, further comprising a mounting plate that mechanically couples the data acquisition module to an electrical panel of a building.

10. The data acquisition module according to claim 9, wherein: The mounting plate is provided with an opening penetrating the mounting plate; the opening is docked with an opening on the cover and allows the one or more data transmission cables to pass from the data acquisition module into the circuit panel.

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