Household Energy Load Balancing With Scheduled Device Reductions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy usage measurement systems are cryptic and not user-friendly for average consumers, as they provide measurements in complex units like kilowatts per hour without context, making it difficult for consumers to understand and manage their energy usage effectively.
Innovation Solution
An energy management system that monitors and compares energy usage data from various devices within a household, generating instructions to modify energy profiles based on pre-programmed rules or utility demands, using energy-measuring modules and a central server to optimize energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If energy usage measurements are provided in standard units like kilowatts per hour, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because average consumers cannot understand or contextualize these measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer that converts technical energy measurements (kilowatts per hour) into consumer-friendly contextual information (comparisons with household appliances, cost implications, environmental impact). This mediator bridges the gap between precise scientific measurement and consumer comprehension without sacrificing measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the parameter representation of energy usage from abstract physical units (kilowatts per hour) to multiple contextual parameters including equivalent appliance comparisons, monetary cost, and environmental equivalence. This parameter transformation maintains the precision of original measurements while presenting them in multiple understandable formats.
2Measurement precision
If static energy usage measurements are provided for individual devices, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because consumers cannot understand energy usage in context with other devices and household policies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges individual device energy measurements with household-level context including energy policies, other device usage patterns, and temporal factors. This combination transforms isolated static measurements into integrated contextual information that enables comprehensive energy management decisions across the entire household system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a universal energy management framework that serves multiple functions: monitoring individual devices, aggregating household consumption, comparing against policies, providing contextual comparisons, and enabling both immediate and scheduled control actions. This multi-functional approach adapts the same measurement infrastructure to various energy management needs.
3Manufacturing precision
If consumers manually monitor and adjust each device's energy usage, then energy management precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple measuring devices and manual tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual device measuring functions into a single centralized energy management system that automatically aggregates data from all devices. This consolidation eliminates the need for consumers to manage multiple separate measuring devices while maintaining precise monitoring and control capabilities across the entire household.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service automation where the energy management platform automatically monitors, measures, compares, and controls device energy usage without requiring manual consumer intervention. The system performs measurements, contextual analysis, policy comparison, and control actions autonomously, reducing complexity for the end user while maintaining high precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Accessing an energy management policy for a plurality of devices is described, wherein the devices are coupled with a first structure. The energy usage of the devices is monitored. An energy usage rule and energy usage is then compared. The energy management policy and energy usage is also compared. Based on the comparing, an instruction is generated to modify an energy usage profile of said device to correlate with the energy usage rule associated with the devices and the energy management policy, thereby enabling efficient energy management.