Intelligent temperature management based on energy usage profiles and outside weather conditions
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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 kilowatts per hour without context, making it difficult for consumers to understand their energy usage in relation to other devices and the household as a whole.
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 preprogrammed rules or demand-response calls from utility companies, to optimize overall energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If energy usage measurements are provided in standard units (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 raw energy usage data (kilowatts per hour) into contextualized comparisons (e.g., 'this device uses as much energy as X other devices'). This intermediary processing makes the data comprehensible to average consumers while preserving the precision of the original measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the parameter representation from absolute values (kilowatts per hour) to relative values (comparisons with other devices or household averages). This parameter change maintains measurement accuracy while improving consumer comprehension by presenting data in familiar contextual terms.
2Measurement precision
If detailed energy usage data is collected from all devices, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for monitoring and processing multiple data streams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple individual device monitors into a single centralized energy management system. This consolidation reduces overall system complexity by eliminating redundant monitoring components while maintaining comprehensive data collection across all devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy management system is designed as a universal platform that can monitor and manage energy usage across multiple different device types through a single interface. This multi-functionality reduces complexity by providing a unified approach rather than requiring separate specialized systems for each device.
3Productivity
If real-time energy usage monitoring is implemented, then productivity is improved through immediate feedback, but use of energy increases due to the power consumption of monitoring systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements selective monitoring that discards redundant or low-value data collection activities while recovering and focusing computational resources on the most impactful energy usage patterns. This approach maintains productivity by concentrating monitoring efforts where they provide the greatest energy management benefit while reducing overall monitoring energy consumption.
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.