Device State Detection via Power and Network Data Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in accurately identifying device state changes and power usage of individual devices within a building, especially when using aggregate power monitoring data from electrical panels.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that combines power data and network data to identify device state changes. This involves using electrical sensors to measure power usage and disaggregate it to determine individual device activity, while also leveraging network data from connected devices to confirm device presence and state changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a power monitor is installed at an electrical panel to monitor many devices simultaneously, then convenience and coverage are improved, but the ability to extract specific information about individual device power usage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the aggregate power signal into individual device components through disaggregation algorithms. The system segments the complex electrical signal to identify and measure power consumption of specific devices (refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, etc.) within the aggregate signal, enabling precise individual device monitoring while maintaining the convenience of a single electrical panel installation.
2Measurement precision
If disaggregation techniques are used to extract individual device information from aggregate power signals, then specific device power usage information is improved, but accuracy and reliability of device state identification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two different measurement approaches: power monitoring data from electrical sensors and network data from connected devices. By combining these complementary data sources, the system achieves both the ability to extract specific device power usage information through disaggregation and the reliability of accurate device state identification, as network data provides confirmation and context for power signal interpretations.
3Measurement precision
If individual power monitors are installed for each device to obtain precise power usage information, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single electrical panel power monitor a universal monitoring system that can identify and measure power consumption of multiple different device types (refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, furnace, light bulbs) simultaneously. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple separate monitors while maintaining the ability to provide precise power usage information for individual devices through signal disaggregation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Devices state changes in a building may be determined using a combination of power monitoring and network monitoring. Power monitoring may be performed by obtaining a power monitoring signal and processing the power monitoring signal with models to determine information about state changes of one or more devices in the building. Network monitoring may be performed by receiving information about network packets transmitted by devices in the building and processing the information about the network packets to determine information about state changes of one or more devices in the building. For some devices and some implementations, information about state changes of a device may be determined by using both power monitoring and network monitoring.