Mobile Energy Data Collection Service Using Image-Based Profiling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for collecting energy efficiency data at individual consumer residences or buildings are inefficient and inaccurate, relying on expensive on-site surveys or self-reported data, which limits the ability to obtain granular, spatially and temporally detailed information needed for improving energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A data collection service that uses a mobile application to gather energy efficiency data from users, including images of equipment and location data, which is then processed to generate profiles for analytics, enabling targeted energy efficiency programs and improved distribution capacity planning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If on-site surveys with trained energy engineers are used to collect energy efficiency data, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mobile devices to capture images and data that copy the information collected by traditional on-site surveys. Users take photos of equipment, enter building details, and provide energy consumption data through a mobile application, creating digital copies of the information that would otherwise require engineer visits to collect
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to self-collect energy efficiency data without requiring trained energy engineers to visit their properties. Users independently complete the data collection process by using their mobile devices to capture equipment images, input building characteristics, and report energy consumption patterns
2Measurement precision
If on-site surveys are used to collect energy efficiency data, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex engineer survey equipment with simple mobile device cameras and forms. The mobile application provides structured templates for data collection, image capture capabilities for equipment documentation, and automated processing that eliminates the need for specialized measurement instruments
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses widely available, inexpensive mobile devices instead of specialized expensive equipment. The mobile application runs on standard smartphones or tablets that users already possess, eliminating the need for costly proprietary data collection tools
3Device complexity
If self-reported data collection methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances self-reported data by requiring users to capture actual images of their equipment and premises. These visual copies provide objective verification of the self-reported information, allowing automated systems to verify equipment types, building characteristics, and energy consumption patterns against visual evidence
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile application provides structured guidance and feedback to users during the data collection process. The system validates inputs in real-time, provides prompts for missing information, and uses image recognition to automatically verify equipment details, creating a feedback loop that improves the accuracy of self-reported data
Data Source
AI summary
An energy efficiency data collection system architecture may be configured to enable efficient and accurate collection of energy efficiency data associated with users and/or sites associated with users and generation of profiles associated with the users based on the energy efficiency data. An energy efficiency data collection service may receive location information, image data, and user-input data from an application operating on a mobile device associated with a user. The energy efficiency data collection service may generate profiles based on the information received from the application and may provide incentives to the users in response to participating in an energy efficiency data collection survey.