Energy Manager for Dynamic Appliance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy management systems for homes and buildings lack the granularity and efficiency in controlling high-energy consuming devices like heaters and air-conditioners, as they rely on static schedules and do not effectively account for dynamic factors such as energy prices, weather, and user presence.
Innovation Solution
An energy manager system that leverages external and internal data sources, including energy prices, weather forecasts, and user location, to optimize the operation of energy-consuming appliances, using algorithms to minimize energy costs while maintaining desired comfort levels, and also delivers relevant information and advertisements to users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If static schedules are used to control energy-consuming devices, then device complexity is reduced, but energy cost efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static thermostat schedules into dynamic control systems that continuously adapt to changing conditions. The energy manager dynamically adjusts appliance operation based on real-time energy prices, weather forecasts, and user presence data, replacing fixed time-based schedules with flexible, condition-responsive control logic that optimizes energy costs while maintaining comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring energy prices, weather conditions, and user presence, then using this information to adjust appliance operation. The energy manager receives real-time data from external sources and internal sensors, processes this information through optimization algorithms, and dynamically modifies heating, cooling, and appliance schedules to respond to changing conditions and minimize energy costs.
2Use of energy by moving object
If dynamic control based on multiple data sources is implemented, then energy cost efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an energy manager as an intermediary component that handles the complexity of integrating multiple data sources and control logic. This central controller receives energy price data, weather forecasts, and user presence information from various sources, processes this information through optimization algorithms, and generates coordinated control signals for multiple appliances and thermostats, thereby managing system complexity in a centralized manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy manager serves multiple functions simultaneously: it optimizes energy costs, coordinates appliance scheduling, manages thermostat settings, and delivers information to users. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single universal controller, managing complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation of separate components.
3Loss of energy
If energy management system integrates multiple data sources and optimization algorithms, then energy cost reduction is achieved, but information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing and storing energy price data, weather forecasts, and user preference information before they are needed for optimization. The energy manager proactively retrieves and caches this data in advance, preparing optimization algorithms with pre-processed information, thereby reducing the real-time information processing burden when making control decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates managing energy consumption with an energy sink device in order to reduce energy costs. An energy sink device can consume a portion of energy. An interface component can receive a portion of data related to at least one of a real time energy rate or a user presence. An energy manager can dynamically control the energy sink device for efficient consumption of the portion of energy for reduced energy costs based at least in part upon the evaluation of the portion of received data. The energy manager can leverage the real time energy rate and the user presence in order to employ at least one of a power on the energy sink device, a power off the energy sink device, or an adjust a setting for the energy sink device.