Data processing: measuring – calibrating – or testing – Measurement system in a specific environment – Electrical signal parameter measurement system
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-03
2001-05-01
Hoff, Marc S. (Department: 2857)
Data processing: measuring, calibrating, or testing
Measurement system in a specific environment
Electrical signal parameter measurement system
C340S315000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226600
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention refers to a system and methods for monitoring electricity usage, preferably a system for continuously measuring and displaying electrical power consumption and cost at a consumer's residence or business through use of existing power lines.
2. Background Information
Our society recognizes its dependence upon electricity for day to day living, as well as the need to develop alternate forms of energy. Reducing power consumption, though advantageous for the public as a whole as well as the private individual, is difficult for the average consumer. The average consumer only receives feedback regarding power consumption upon receipt of a monthly bill from the power company.
A need exists for a practical, programmable, user friendly, affordable, portable system for continuous, contemporaneous monitoring of power consumption without input from the utility company; a system which can easily be installed in the residence or business and understood by the consumer. In general, standard methods of measuring electrical power are known, as are systems for transmitting data through power line carrier transmission technology.
The present invention provides continuous, contemporaneous feedback concerning power usage and cost in the consumer's residence or place of business. The present electricity consumption monitoring system includes a measuring transmitting unit, which is installed in or near the consumer's main electrical panel at the residence or business, and a separate receiving display unit, which is plugged into any wall receptacle inside the residence or business. The measuring transmitting unit encodes and transmits digitally encoded signals over existing power circuits within the home or business. The receiving display unit decodes the signals and translates them to an easy-to-read display. This programmable electrical monitoring system monitors power usage and translates power usage into dollars and cents so that it is understandable to the average consumer. Feedback to the consumer is contemporaneous with each action by the consumer, e.g. tuning on an overhead light in a room. The consumer can use this system to conserve electricity and reduce one's power bill. This monitoring system uses power line carrier transmission technology to transmit information from the measuring transmitting unit to the receiving display unit. Thus, no additional wiring is required within the consumer's premises.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a consumer-friendly, easily installed system for monitoring electricity consumption and cost by a residence or business without input from a utility company. The system comprises:
(a) a measuring transmitting unit, comprising:
(1) at least two current transformers for connecting the measuring transmitting unit to main service power circuits which enter the residence or business;
(2) means for connecting the measuring transmitting unit to the circuit breaker panel at the residence or business;
(3) means for receiving AC analog signals from the current transformers, converting the AC analog signals to DC analog signals, summing the DC analog signals, and outputting the information;
(4) a measuring transmitting unit microcontroller for converting the DC analog signals to digital signals, encoding the digital signals for power line carrier transmission, and performing timing functions;
(5) a power line carrier transmission interface controller for transmitting the digital signals over existing power circuits within the residence or business; and
(6) a power supply for powering the measuring transmitting unit; and
(b) a programmable receiving display unit, which comprises:
(1) a power supply for powering the receiving display unit;
(2) a power plug for plugging the receiving display unit into an AC wall receptacle;
(3) a power line carrier transmission interface controller for receiving the digital signals from the measuring transmitting unit;
(4) a data decoder for decoding the digital signals from the measuring transmitting unit;
(5) a receiving display unit microcontroller for processing information received by the receiving display unit;
(6) memory for storage of data;
(7) a liquid crystal diode display for displaying information for viewing by the consumer; and
(8) one or more input or mode buttons for allowing the consumer to input setup data and control the mode of the liquid crystal diode display; and
wherein the measuring transmitting unit is capable of translating current flowing in main service power circuit conductors to digitally encoded signals, and transmitting the digitally encoded signals over existing power circuits in the residence or small business; and wherein the receiving display unit is capable of receiving the digitally encoded signals being emitted by the measuring transmitting unit, decoding the digitally encoded signals, and translating them to the liquid crystal diode display for viewing by the consumer. A method for monitoring electricity consumption by a residence or business is also included.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 343803 (1994-02-01), Ouellette et al.
patent: 4147978 (1979-04-01), Hicks
patent: 4207557 (1980-06-01), Gilkeson et al.
patent: 4697182 (1987-09-01), Swanson
patent: 4701698 (1987-10-01), Karlsson et al.
patent: 4760334 (1988-07-01), Crowell et al.
patent: 4901007 (1990-02-01), Sworm
patent: 4904995 (1990-02-01), Bonner et al.
patent: 5128611 (1992-07-01), Konrad
patent: 5136514 (1992-08-01), Laumann
patent: 5153837 (1992-10-01), Shaffer et al.
patent: 5216357 (1993-06-01), Coppela et al.
patent: 5396168 (1995-03-01), Heep et al.
patent: 5430430 (1995-07-01), Gilbert
patent: 5446370 (1995-08-01), Voight
patent: 5451923 (1995-09-01), Seberger et al.
patent: 5548527 (1996-08-01), Hemminger et al.
patent: 5555508 (1996-09-01), Munday et al.
patent: 5559894 (1996-09-01), Lubliner et al.
patent: 5631843 (1997-05-01), Munday et al.
patent: 5737730 (1998-04-01), Alvarenga et al.
Borden Robert Richard
Rodenberg, III Ernest A.
Harleston Kathleen M.
Harleston Law Firm
Hoff Marc S.
Raymond Edward
LandOfFree
Programmable electricity consumption monitor does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Programmable electricity consumption monitor, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Programmable electricity consumption monitor will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2566217