Energy Use Monitoring via Smart Plugs for Device Status Inference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional energy consumption management systems face challenges in determining the current operation status of electronic devices that do not actively transmit their operation information, due to varying data formats, making it difficult for central control units to manage effectively.
Innovation Solution
An energy consumption management system and method that detects electricity status, calculates energy consumption parameters, determines feature values based on these parameters and feature rules, and uses an activity model learned from historical data to estimate the current operation status, allowing for controlled management of electronic devices according to preset schedules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electronic devices actively transmit operation information to central control unit, then the central control unit can identify current operation status, but the system complexity increases and devices must consume additional energy for transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (smart plug or power strip) between the power source and electronic devices. This intermediary detects electricity data (voltage, current, power) and transmits it to the central control unit, eliminating the need for devices to actively report their status. The intermediary acts as a mediator that infers operation status from power consumption patterns without requiring direct communication from each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the central control unit to determine operation status automatically based on electricity detection data. The smart plug or power strip autonomously monitors power parameters and generates operation status information without human intervention or active device participation, making the system self-sufficient in gathering operational information.
2Device complexity
If electronic devices do not actively transmit operation information, then system complexity is reduced, but it becomes difficult to determine current operation status
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/communication-based information transmission system (where devices actively send status data) with an electrical measurement-based system. By substituting direct status reporting with electrical parameter detection (voltage, current, power consumption), the system infers operation status indirectly through physical measurements, thereby reducing complexity while preserving information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter being measured from direct operation status indicators to electrical parameters (electricity data). By monitoring changes in electrical parameters such as power consumption levels, the system infers operation status without requiring direct status information from devices, thus preventing information loss while simplifying the system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electronic devices transmit operation information with different formats, then each device can use its own data structure, but the central control unit has difficulty managing and processing the data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal data acquisition approach where the smart plug or power strip serves as a common interface for all electronic devices. Instead of each device using its own data format, the universal intermediary standardizes the collection of electricity data (voltage, current, power) for all devices, enabling the central control unit to manage all devices through a single standardized data format while maintaining flexibility in device connectivity.
Data Source
AI summary
An energy consumption management system and an energy consumption management method are provided. The method includes detecting an electricity status of an electronic device at a current time point to generate electricity detection data; calculating an energy consumption parameter set having a plurality of energy consumption parameters; determining a plurality of feature value corresponding to a plurality of feature rules according to the energy consumption parameters and the feature rules, wherein the feature values form a feature set corresponding to the current time point; determining a current energy consumption operation status of the electronic device according to the feature values and an activity model corresponding to the electronic device; and controlling the electronic device according to the current energy consumption operation status and a preset operation schedule of the electronic device. The method further includes learning the activity model according to electricity detection history data of the electronic device.