Configurable Wireless Power Management With Smartphone Demand Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power management systems lack the ability to be efficiently controlled and managed through portable computing devices using a configurable wireless communications link, particularly during peak consumption periods.
Innovation Solution
A power management system comprising a power management device with configurable wireless communications capabilities, a battery-powered personal controller, and a service platform, enabling demand response mechanisms through Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, and cellular networks for controlling and managing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If power management systems use traditional control methods, then system reliability is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of portable device control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a microcontroller as an intermediary component that bridges the smartphone and power management circuitry. The microcontroller receives control signals via wireless communication protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC) from the smartphone and translates them into appropriate power control actions, enabling portable device control while maintaining system reliability through controlled signal processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical power control interfaces (physical switches, buttons) with wireless electronic control through smartphones. The system substitutes mechanical interaction with electromagnetic communication protocols, allowing users to control power management functions remotely through mobile applications while the microcontroller handles the translation of digital signals to power control commands
2Productivity
If power management systems lack demand response capability, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates during peak consumption periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements demand response capability through a feedback mechanism where the system monitors power consumption data and communicates with utility providers to receive pricing signals and demand information. The microcontroller processes this feedback information and automatically adjusts power management strategies to optimize productivity during peak periods while managing complexity through automated decision-making algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring power management strategies and demand response protocols before peak consumption periods occur. The microcontroller is pre-programmed with demand response logic and can automatically execute power optimization routines when triggered by utility signals, enabling proactive productivity management without requiring complex real-time decision-making during critical periods
Data Source
AI summary
A power control device for controlling the supply of electricity to an electrical apparatus or system. The power control device includes a microcontroller having an operating system with a firmware component that has at least one sandboxed software plug-in slot for accepting a communications protocol software plug-in to configure the microcontroller according to the communications protocol of the communications protocol software plug-in.