CA2492822A1 - A method and apparatus for collecting and displaying consumption data from a meter reading system - Google Patents
A method and apparatus for collecting and displaying consumption data from a meter reading system Download PDFInfo
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- CA2492822A1 CA2492822A1 CA002492822A CA2492822A CA2492822A1 CA 2492822 A1 CA2492822 A1 CA 2492822A1 CA 002492822 A CA002492822 A CA 002492822A CA 2492822 A CA2492822 A CA 2492822A CA 2492822 A1 CA2492822 A1 CA 2492822A1
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- utility
- display
- consumption data
- circuitry
- user
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01D4/00—Tariff metering apparatus
- G01D4/002—Remote reading of utility meters
- G01D4/006—Remote reading of utility meters to a non-fixed location, i.e. mobile location
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q50/00—Systems or methods specially adapted for specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
- G06Q50/06—Electricity, gas or water supply
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B23/00—Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q9/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2209/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems
- H04Q2209/40—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems using a wireless architecture
- H04Q2209/43—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems using a wireless architecture using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2209/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems
- H04Q2209/50—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems using a mobile data collecting device, e.g. walk by or drive by
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2209/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems
- H04Q2209/60—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2209/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems
- H04Q2209/80—Arrangements in the sub-station, i.e. sensing device
- H04Q2209/82—Arrangements in the sub-station, i.e. sensing device where the sensing device takes the initiative of sending data
- H04Q2209/823—Arrangements in the sub-station, i.e. sensing device where the sensing device takes the initiative of sending data where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02B90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02B90/20—Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
- Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
- Y04S20/00—Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
- Y04S20/30—Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading
Abstract
A method and an apparatus for collecting and displaying real-time utility consumption data and an estimate of utility costs from various utility metering modules upon request by the consumer within the comfort of their own home or business. According to one aspect of the invention, a utility display module is is communication with a utility end point device that monitors and displays consumption of a utility (water, gas, and/or electricity). The source of the data received by the module may be generated by utility meter transmitters that are attached to the various utility delivery end points or meters. In a related embodiment, a repeater may be used with a battery powered energy display module to make the module transportable.
Description
A METHOD ANA A1~PARATUS FOR COLL1~CTYNG AND DfSPLAYI1~TG
CONSUMPTION DATA I~tOM A METER READING SXSTEM
g~ A~lications and ~:laim to Priority Thin application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application N'o.
60J5? :~,419, Sled on January 14, 2()04, and entitled "A Method and Apparat«s for Collocaag cad DesF.!ayrin$
C.ons~ption Data frone a Meter Reading System," which is herein ineorpoarated by rafaa~.~:~ in its entirety. In addition, this a~lication inoozporates by ref~aca is its antircty, 'U S. °'ateut AppIi~Cation No. 1 W9ti5,283, filed October 14, 2Q04, entitled "Conammptive Leak Dal , ction System."
Field of die Imremion The inv~ioa relates to a method and apparatus for collaoting cad displaying str~aered data from remote a:ility mettrs.
llack~nnd of the lay ion Waaloss aut~msbc meter reading systamns are well known. Typically, each utility : netsr is provided wish a battery-powered encoder that collects meter readings sad perio~lical~y tt~uuita those readini;s over a wireless network to a central station. Tho power Zimi~atiens impoeal by the need fvr the enoodcr to be battery powered and by regulatiarls govadio tisa,smissions effectivdy prevent direct radio transmissions tn the central station. ln,:lead, wireleaa motor reading syssems typically utilize a layered network of overlapping intermediate receiving stations that reoeiva transmissions fiorn a group of mater encoders a:ad :Forward rhose messagos on to the acxt higher layer in the netwo~t as described, fur example, in U.S. Pab:nt No.
5,056,147. These typos of layerul wireless mission networks allow for the age o:. lower power. uuliceaased wireless transmitters in the thousands of end point encoder tra~uitw;~s that arc deployod as part of a utility mcrGr needing aysteai for a large Titan area.
~! cbatl~enge faced by utilities and coasumars in attem~ing to reduce ~r ca~mse,nptian {gas andlor eioctric) as well as water cbasumption, is the lack of access to real-titme data am t~
part of the actual consumer of the t of actual arergy still being uaod once the co7:.~er bas atoomptod to conserve energy or pre~orve water consumption. Por instance, it woulc, bo of value to the oa~er to la~ow the imtnaliato ocvno~ic impact of water a eacrgy oonsnri>ption {gas aad/or electric) once the thanrnostat is fumed down in the winter for a few hour, tlt~ tights arc tied off is tho baae~t when sot in use or the impact of water conservation of fa~:gaiag watering tho lawn for one day. Today's sy9toms evehiuatly provide this information bacl~; to the consumer, but not on command by the consumer err real-tune.
Aocor~ngly, dtrxe is n hoed for a system for collecting and. displaying dst~, from motoring unit8 loeatod close to the paint of use or consmanption. An approach that addrx,: es the afoarrmentionod problems, as well as other r~alated pmblenta, i8 therefore desirable $yg~r ofthe Iaventia~n Various emboof tho iaventioa arc di:GCtod to a method and as apparr.:us for collexting and c~o~nveuio~atly displaying rest-timo data sad an estimate of coats $~om various; rnatar modules {erg., mfg units) upon request by tht oonxu~raar within the comfort of th~:ir owe home or business. The display of rral time data permits an roorgy (or water) consumer 1 ~: males better decisions cancmning mcrgy upon or consumption. Further, the imrWrtica can prevent or minimize unpleasant surprises on the part of the energy consumer caw,, rd by intentional or inadvatlmt excessive eaargy consumption. Continuously througtrout the trilling period a consuraar oar end cant can monitor hislher energy consumption and costs sad make appropriate changes to reduce expenses if they ao dositr. Tdenlifying wasteful habits or a.~:: fisting cyst conscious end users are avdditional benefits of the invention.
Acco~iingto ono aspect of the invention, an tnergy display module is iu eommuni~;anon with ~ utility end point drviee that monitors oonaumption of water gas, andlor clectricit;,~. The display module provides s spume of energy consumption infonmati~ or data for the ent: user.
The source of the data rocaived by the module rnay be gtn~ed by spxial tcansmitte~ ~;allod I'sRTs (mcodorhecaivar/brat~mitbor) that arc attached to the various utility delivery :ad/or metarng points (such as meters) and which are capabio of continuously monito~g utilita~ usage and forwarding the conauna~ioa data to the energy display module via a radio frequcuay li. l;. rn ono ambodixnant, the module eau display, c~utinuously, for the naer, consumption inEorma i o~n or data along with date and time sud an estimate of cost to date based on thv energy (or water) utilized. Tht module can be used in hoales andlor businesses err any other entity that oonsi nas a utility.
In a related anbodiment; through the use of a repeat, the energy display moduh; could be operated on disposable or rechargeable battios, thea~eby malting the module transpc~:table.
Tho portability of t>ue ruodulo p~ita an energy consumer to place it near a consumption ~:avico such as a user's rcfrigczator or othar appliance. In ono om~boditmerlt, the mater n my be removably mountable to a wah to gather data From the end points, via a radio froquo~ ~ ::y (or power lint cattier) Iink The repeater may be adapted to systematically rebroadcast the ;:near eonswaption infon~nation in such a meaner as to allow battery savings for the home .3 splay module receiver. Ia aaothar embodiment, the ene~ display zxeiver elecfironics rr ay be integrated into a rhaxrnosfdt housing that retains its existing functionality while disl:.aying consumption data in real-limo.
'ifie above snrnmary of the invention is not intendod to dcsczt'bo each ills.
~ trated embodiment or cveryr implementation of tho invo~on. Thus f gores in the detailed dear, viption that follow more particularly exemplif~r these embodiments.
brief D~otioa of the D~awing~s The invention may be more completely understood in conssdezation of the fo1 I
oaring detailed description of various cmbodimonts of the invention in cona~octio~n wn. z the accompanying drewingc, in which:
PIGS. 1 and 2. illustrate an onorgy display module, which caa be coupled to a ,~r~. xr pit meter. which displays tioa Bats according to the i~~on.
FIo. 3 illustrates the energy home module of FIG.1 with a display of consumptio~a 9ata FIGS. 4A-4H are examples of a wah repeater adapted for use with the module of F I ~~. 1.
FICi_ SA ie a block diagram of the operation of the energy home module with a:-. ERT
coupled to a utility nnrt~x acing to the iaveatiotr.
FIG. 58 is a t~~blc illue~ating opex~adone of conrospondJimg buttons oa the arcrgy :lisplay module, ZO FIG. SC is a flow chart illustrating vaaious seloctabla mono options sad aub-maru options Prod is the display modnlo.
FIG. SD is a flow chart of an alternate embodiment illustrating various seloctabl~ menu options and sub-uyenu options pmgrammod in the amorgy display module.
A
FIG 5E is a bL~cic diagram of a utility consumption monitoring nccwoi3c according; to the invaition.
FIG SF is a flow chart illustrating a delivery eetvices inierfaee menu aption ar.:l sub-maw options mad into the aner~ display moduto-FIGS. 6A-68 ~e acluunahc diagrams of a display module log'ra (PCB) board u:;cd in coimection vrith tbte c~~r display modulo of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6C is a schGm;atic diagram of real time clock with s battery power back-~.a and sepawato crystal a~ordi~g to ttte invention.
FIGS. 7A-7B sine eeh~ematic dial of the radio module ~hutrxted in FIG. :: nsod within the display rrrodule.
FIC'r. $ is a achnaustic diagram of the >oeyboard of the mo~dale of FIG.1.
While the iavar~tiorl is amenable to various modifications and altemativo forms, specifics thereof have bem ebowa by way of example is the drawings atsd will be described in de~siil. It should be understood, haweva~. that the int~tion is not to limit t>zo invention to the pa<:.icular amibodimants dcscxibod. Un the eontruy, the intention is to cover alt modi~~cations, adnin.: Ira, and alteanatives falli~ within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by fhe ap~:~nrded The inve~ion is g~aa~iy dirc~cd to a method and an sppfor cotleetin; l and conveniently displaying real time data from various uti3ity meter modules {or watering urr :) by the eomsumar wetbiu the comfrnt of their own lwme or business. While the invention s not necessarily limited to such an application, the invention will bo better a~r~ecie~ted e~,:ing a discuasians of example embodiments in such a speciSc context.
Ia one mcample ambudimeat, as depicted in FIQS_ 1 sad 2, a oamsompbion ,~
.splay module 10 is iltustratad that is 'ble with odsting ERTs as well as FCC
comiplisnl under the new Part 13.?r~7 digital modttlaticm rules. In this embodiment, oonavmaption display module I O is comprised of a housing 12 cocntainiag a radio modals (not shown) that iachuies a gcmariy low coat raoaiver sad a gully low power tr~mitter. Far ~ iaereased signal roceptie~~ area, the high power tr~onsmitterr may be ads~pted to ttat~nit signals in the 900 Mhz ~mquency mngc.
Hovvevcr, othez froqe~ncir~s eommo~on is this sector may be utilized. rn another ennboda»aet, a transceivac (sot aho~rn} may be utilized to recesses the portability of crnosumption wsplay modals 10.
Aa antenna I4 is connected to the radio module for receiving and transr~dttiag consumption i~mation er data tr'aommitied by the ERT. Antoima 14 may oos~ias c whip amtemna, s patch antenna, or say othcx lika dowice that facilitates reception and transmisF on of the coasaruption in~~nati~on. A keypad 16 anti a display panel 18 ara disposed as or it~tv;~ated to housing 12 to permit sa end user to nntarfare with consumption display ruab~le 10.
Consumption display (ar home display) module 10 can Rtao be connacted to s Pc:~anal Ccxn(PC) fot initial configuration, data e~xt~tion or foruse as a Rca1 Time data sowce far ezternBl application so8ware.
ZO l~feariag to FIG. 3, a phuality of consumption display modules 10 display re:.l-time coa~sumpbioa info~matioa accaa~ding to the invaariom. fn this Gxamigle, display Panel 1$ is a back lit Liquid Crystal Display (LG)D). Howevar, Light Emitting Diodes (LED) or other low c~,:t!!ow eneagy using displays can also be nsod. Consumption display module 10 tnay be eda~:~tod t4 facilitate continuous LCD display of the most roeeatly roccived consumption data.
Rafeorcing back to FTG. 2, consumption display module 10 is shown with a wst~;:r BRT
unit 20 that is adapted too monitor and display, for example, water consumption data on .:isplay panel 18. Tire iavmtioa is not nocaasarily limited to water meters and can l~
used in ca~rectivn with gas sad eleetri~yooetas that are usually provided to a consumer close to flue point a : nse at the home or business. 1n addition to being able to deroennine total utility comaumptiean of ~ home or business, consu~tiaa display module 10 may include additional Radio FYequaor =' {RPM
and/or Power rime l.".a:rier (PLC) inputs to tlu3ilitate the transmission of utiftty consu. nptia:n informabivn firm individual utility consuming appliaacos, such as pool ptmaps, hot water kW, sump pumps end other like de ices to display module 10. The ability is know the utility usage of intlividnal sfrplisaces peumiis an end user to make a more informed decision ~:o theEr utility consumption ur usage. Tu another example ambodim~eok the RF andlor PLC
_ inpata facilitate co~muiricatioa ova a broadband cvoanaction and/or pmovide a radio i~o~C f:a data i5 communications {or FRT transmitted data). sad may allow parameter changes or co:'rot of appliaacos.
In addition to being able to mt~face with PRTs, consumption display module 10 may also include t6a capability to unberface with Residential P~ne~ Ivtanagament Systems {13.EMS), Mobile Data Colledium Systems (Mobile), Head Held Computers (AFiC), sad Fixed N~~wot~
(~ to facilitate the trms:nission of utility oo~mption iafiormatian. Those iumtW . a also allow head-esvd calcul~atians as well as tim pricing updates to be transmitted to ooonswaption display madula IO or Can be calculated locally.
With roapeet W the mobile (or vsa operated) s~rbodi~teut, the consumption c ispley module of the invention is configurable to be reset by the reader fmm the utility travelia:.; in a van aRcr tho road is completed. This would start the new monthly billing cycle sutoaaa~ically and without customer interveatti,on. The display module's microprocessor can also be cam: igurad to add a xmoothing alb that would utilizo. that same cuetomer'a historical data to ;insure that billing calculationslatim~s aro not calculated just from the iirat few days of data from the mod. Y 8~~~8 ~ ~' . For instance, tho customer may ate I: ibit a historical average of 51)4 gallons of monthly water oottaumption, but the fizst day after thL meter is read and react by the utility the cusbom~ decides to fill his pool or spa and utilizes d1°',-lOK
gallons of water, Tbo microprocessor uses tho smoothing algoritlm~ to pull historical water usage data and avaragcs same with the cutrcnt high usage to level out billing far the real of the moth.
In an eocampie cm'bodiment, consumption display modulo 10 bas the capability of ;~ooring at least ono year's wartb, of 15-minute timo-of use storage data or other foams of data gee:. rested by the »i.T and/or individually mombored appliances. An end user may utilize keypad ' 6 and display panel 18 to review the stored time-of use storage data. Consumption display mva~J ale 10 may also be capable of sampling rnctgy use on apociSc iced lines for accurate projec°.ion bo deneimine if a feeder upgrade is required. Consmnptio~n display module 10 in~poratea full trenscoiva to accomplish tbo above functional roquircmcrrts.
In a related embodiment, consuroptioas display module IO is appliance (e.g., refril;wstor) mountable where the repeater ftmetiomatity is mar'actad and placed nearby {such as in ; ~ wall repeater discussed below). In this modified form factor, consumption display module 10 can now be a magnet-monated device (or other monitoring systems, such as adhesive or ho~~k and loop aysteme). With respoct to battery opcratia~, batt:ary life can be axte~Cd ~yhare intamittont dory cycle is implemantrd. Ia another embodiment, the energy display r.~:eIver clect<n~ca raay bo integratod into a thermostat housing that retains the thermostat's e.~:iat~g ltmctivoaality.
heEaring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, there is illustrated an examapte of a wall rEpea :x 30 adaptod for use with consumption display module 10 of .FIC~S_ 1-3. Wall rrpca~r 30 pr~c: videa for improvod oommunsicatioa range, reliability and tcaaslabioa of multi'band eq~uipmer : and pmtoeols. Wall repeal 30 can include at last one outlet cover porHoa 31a for dctamably coupling to a wall outlet sad a repeats housing pottioa 310 on or coupled to :oust portion 31a ibr bousiag a board 32 sad antcnns. Repeater 30 facilitates commuui~: anon between an FdtT disposed Gxtaior a heave or business, and coupled to a utility meter. smd consumptiaoa display nodule 10. Cover portion 31 a may inclcuie at leant ova apertiu~ ~ 31b exteadin~g thorvt>mough for rxaving as electzia outlat_ A.s ilhrsttated is FIG. 4A, taro ap y~tures may extend tluough coveor portion 31a bo accommodste coupling of cover 3la to conventional wall outlets. Cover portion 3Is may be detachably couplable to a wall oath:: is a maonner similar to ooave~tiomal outlet covers.
Refeaiag particularly to FICi_ 4B, a repeater circuit board 3Z of repe~nter 34 may corn prise at least one prmtad digital circuit board capable of propagating and/or amplifying a signs) tom as )rRT. However, in a related Embodiment, multiple digitat ac analog caeuit boards nmy be utilized. An antenna housing portion 31d may be formed oax or coupled to repeatEr hmnsiug portion 31c for housing an autanoa (not shown) coupled to repeater circuit board 3Z. T', one anbodim~ent, sateuna bousmg portion 31d may extend along at least a porbivn of outlet :over portion 31 a.
Powering wal! repeater 34 may be aoconaplished by a plug 40 connected to n:
pester circuit board 32 or by replaceable or rechargeabld batteries housed is repeater housing !: onion 31c. Wall repatar 30 can utilize a normal house 110-volt AC outld as a mount and can a true as a support for v~atious types of RF transceiving devioea. The traa,sceiving drviosa may i. ~clnde (but are not limited to) RF to RF, RF to PLC, sad RF tn iafrared commuaieatioo devirx:.. The RF to RF conversion may inchido 900 M~z to 1.4 Gl3z. 900 MI~Z to 900 lvJ>EiZ
at in.:.
power. 900 to 2.4 GHZ, 900 to 5.6 C$IZ or any combxnabion of these RF bands as woll xr: bang bi-~ixectivaal_ 'fhe unique moui~rog of wall repeater 30 described above provides oom~~a~aient installati~ with littlo custoxnar incoence. Additionally, tlro datachablo ~~ ' wall zep~tvr 30 paauts it to be easily moved, thereby enabling an end use to s~ust a m~~e of reoeptioa of utility eonsetooptiam information by coztsmmption d>splay module 10. 1a tl-.~a sad other relmbod embodimea~a, wall ropostar 30 also includes other functional featfurs sw:'i as a night-light, ~e ala:m, e~nergyr oor~ol morio~a sec~sing and but$tar a'Isim motion t~y way of cxampla Refecriag further too FIG. 4B, err access panel 33 may bo removably coupled to a portion of rpausing portion 31c for eolectively providing aooesa to regoater circuit boards : 2 ~d the a~na. A~sa paael 33 also msy also include at least one opening exteadiag ti~etl:rough to provide ventilation and heat dissipation of repeater circuit boards 32.
Access p~-6el 33 providos convenient acccsa for hiss and upgrade of repeater circuit boards 32 andlor a:~t~na.
Tho avail repcata, in one ambodima~t, as assist a sleeve repester unit that is operably coin: led to a meting device to ~hanlce Lhe signal either back to the diepiay module or to cr~e ~f the IO
Rafenyag stow to FIGS. 5-8, cansumptioa display modulo 10 along with the me c:
iod of coilecaag and displaying utility cortwumptioa data will bo d~cn'bed in maso derail. R::~xrri~g more specifically to FIG. SA,, there is iltnstrated s block diagram I 00 of the opera i on of consucsptioa display module 1!0 with au ERT 130 coupled bo a utility mete 132 aooot~lir~g to S the invention. In parti~~ular, consuo~ion display module 110 is powered by a power suy y 11Z, such as an AC wall power supply, that is coupled to regulators 113 which power all ~f the circuits of consumption display modals 1 I0. Consmaiptyo~o display module 110 fiuthaor im.Hndes a micropr0cossor 114 6sving a radio module I 15 (with aatGOna 124) and a keyboard (or 1:~: ypad) 116 couplai thecato. A idl time clock 117 is also coupled to mietoprocessor 114 as we_I as a display psaol 118 sad a flash memory axodula 119. xa this emboditnont, bandy back-up l20 is also included is a~asnm~ptio~ display module 110 and a c~eahon for a RS232 port ;. :~2 for ranote PC applicatioa~s is iaclud,od. Block 140 repros~ts the carious applications th : x can irwtarfemo with conaum~~tion display module I 10 via port IZZ.
As illustrated in the example msbodiment of FI(1.1, k~oyboard I 16 includes a plural ity of buttoa~s or actuator$ (140, I42, 144, and 146) to permit an sad user to interact wi°.I~ any applicaboas ar fuaotions of coasis~tion display module 110_ 'Iha buttons may include a meotiu buffos 140 or switch far selecting andJor scrolling through various mruu and sub-meaau oE~6oas, pzompts or cues; an upward I42 sadlor down~wud scroll button 144 to facilitate ac_ ullirrg through the menu options, attd a "Go" or "F.ntsr" button 146 fns selecting a particular fu~wtioa from the menu optioma. 'fbe table of FIGf. SB iZh~ratas example functions of each of b ,pons 140-146 of keyboard 116 (see also k'1G.1). For anstanca, selecting of d~ar~ag menu f mttom 140 may g~ato a ecrollsble list of maru prompts or cues on display 118. A user m8~~ then select ~ ar dowawand scroll buttons 142, 144 to previeuv diilbrarrt menu optics. Cnu:e a II
desitnd mtau option is displayed, a uses may select the dashed mean option by depr:~aing (E1V'T13R) button 146.
In an example cmbodimmt, ion of {ENT'BR) button 146 displays a sub-mom for the particular mare option selected. Hy navigating the mono options and sub-menu options t user is able to progam consu~tiaa display module l 10 to display various types of iaforn~: ~tion.
Examples of the type of ia~o~nnation that :oaiay be displayed by consumption display mode , ~ I10 is illushatod in FIGS. SGSD. Examples of displayable infornoafiian may include (but ~s not lisnitad to) utility east 150, utility u~sago 152, billing information I54, set a date to el.attia~g mo>ritoring utility wnsumption 156, cuwant date andlor time Z60, aud/or srtting the c~er.~t date to ~~t;m~ 1s2.
~is~oos..~ztilitxSati~a Ia this example embodiment, the me~od far displaying utility cast infoamatioa as 150 on ~~ ~P~Y module 110 iacludoc dop~sing menu bntoon 140 to display a mono ,:plies 1 s 8or "LTI'ISTI'Y COST" lso or a similar message. next, a user may adeet enter button 14h to net a cost display mode at 1 s 1. Various methods of coat display may be prod' into conanmption display rnodnlo 110, such as cost per hour, day, vveelc and/or month Ad6W al cost display nr~odoa ~~c al,so envisioned within the spirit awd 9oopo of the invention ~A,ftca displaying a coostunplioa cost, coasumptian display tzlodule 110 may wait a pzodetd°.vinod 20 amount of time to receive the next i:ucoming carnsuutptio~ iaforniation signal from m ELtT
andlor applisouca, wh,oroin it may display a cast of the utility consumed. Iu smother embo~l: nod, consuanptian display module 110 may be capable of automatically, continuously ;~adlor 1~Y ~P~ymB ~tY costs.
~p~3r'~~ Utili tY US:~g~
In a related embodiment, energy usage info~oatioa may also be displa.::~d va eoasumption display module 110 by depressing menu button 140 at least onto sz.~: then deprnc;ing scroll button 144 to scroll tbmugli displayed memo options until "ITTILfI"Y LTg.4GE"
or sinuilar message is displayed. In another aanbodimant, a user may repeatedly deprems menu button 140 to scroll through and view various displayed mono options. Onae the m~u :~ptiaa far 'UTB,ITY LTSAt~E 152 ie displayed a user may then select enter button 146 to set a uility usage display mode 153. Utility usage dispLy modes i~abctude utility usage pea '9cilowatK hour"
for eler~riaity. "cubic foot" for avatar, and "thermx" for ~. fjther utility uaaga display r.~odes axe also within ttue spirit and scope of the invention. Similar to the display of utilit., cost informatian at x50, consumption display module 110 may be preprogrammed to autorna°.ically display utility usage iaPormatioa at 152 aftac receiving a cousumptivn information dal 8,: ~m su ERT andJar applian~ca.
DI&1 a '$$iilin~ 1~0~
In yet another embodiment, a user is able to obtain billing infozxnation from oo~au~r:ptioa display module 110 by depressing menu buttv:n 140 andlos scroll button 144 to display a menu option for "B>LL>rTG INFORMATIaN' 8t 154. A user may then depreeis LNTER
button 1 t6 to display a "IJLlMBEIt OF DAYS S1NCE START' 135a sub-menu option. Enter button I4i~ may be depr~d again to display a "START DATE" lSSb of billing sub-menu option. A
user may again depress enter button. 146 to display a "BiLI,fl~TO CYCL~? INFORMATION"
155: sub-me~uu option. DeQrassion of enter button 146 ag8in displays Aa "ERT D7" lSSd sub-menu uE~#ion of the ERT curmatly being monitored. A user may then doss enter button 146 to dis ~ ~ lay an "INITIAL READING" at 155e of their utility bill up to that partieul~ poittt.
Gamsu nption display module 110 may iediSplsy or refi~esh the billing information aBer each signal r:~:civea finan an ERT and/or appliance. In another ernbodimant of the inveoation, as i~Ilustratod .. a FTG
S 5D, consumption display module 110 may be capable of monitoring several ERT
~adlor appliaacea iu a lu~m~e or business. In this embodiment, a user may be presented with a suh~ menu option of "SBLF.CTJrfG AN BRT TYPE" I55f (see PIG. SD) or appliance before viewin;~ other billing infozrna~ion 155a-o.
Setting Stan Date of r A start data of monitoring one or more BRTs and/ar appliances may be pmgramm ud into conannptian display moduie 110. 'The following method may ba used to review an,~ set a monitoring start daft. A user may depress menu bottom 140 and/or scroll button 144 to ol; taro a menu option for "SBTT1TTG A START DATE" at 156. A user may access sub-mam,~~~tions "SET TE~B YEAR" at 157a, "SET THE Mf3NTH" at I57b, "SET TAB DAY" at I57a ;n~d/or "INTTIAL IJSE" at 157d by using saroIl buttons 142 and 144 to iacxease andlor decraaso Woos, xnonu button I40 to st;leat next field ox digit and enter button 146 to move between sub~me~nn options SBT THE YEAR at 157x, SET' TffE MONTIi at 157b, SET THE DAY at 157c :
udlar T1~1TIT.AL USE at 1574. Next, a user niay be prosentod with a sub-menu ~:~ption ACCBPTANCFJREDO at 157e. The user may select scroll button 142 to accept the sir t data previously eniaed or scroll button 144 to redo or reset the set date. If a user seloctS to rec: rt the start date, tha mono ptia~ns SET THE YEAR at 157x, SET '~ M4NTH at 157b, SE'.I' THE
DAY at 157c andlor l~l'ITItIL USE at 157d are automatically ro-displayed for user ia~pot. In another embod~~t, as ~iUusorat~ed in FIG. SD, a user may be presmtad with a menu oFn an to "SELECT AN SRT TYPE" at 157~ prior to sub-meuu options at 157ar157d This nub .numu option permits a user to select x particular start date for each ERT andlor appliance being taonitrored.
Select FTtT to DiatilaY
In au embodimantt of this invention where mnltiplo l~tTs andlor apptia~ces are ~eiag monitored, energy module 110 may include a menu optical "SIrLECT ERTs Ar;
I)/4R
APPLIANCES TO DISPLAY" at 158. 'This menu option perrmits a user to set ~nptioa~
display module 110 to receive a ~gnal finm a particular FRT andlcr applia~o~co, rn auotbar eombodia~ent, anerglr module 110 may bo capable of simulfi'aneously rxeiving multiple comsunnpaon signals from diiTeraut EItTs aedloa~ applia~ocas. To select a particnlsr SRT ~.ld/or appvauoe a u~ cx~n dq~sees mono button 140 until 9ELBCT ERTs Ta DISPLAY at 15B
,nenu option Is displayed. Depressing alts button 1-0b again presents a user with sub-ma~ru r~ption "$BLBGT ERT TXP~:" at 159. A use noay scroll through or view pious ERT e.id/or appliances by rely depr~iag mitt batt4n 140. A desired ER.? andlvr appliaaoe n7ny be sel~ed by depreasnng button I46. This method of selecting a particular B,RT a idler appliance to display on consumption display module 110 may be used in otvOr sub-menu or,tions that utilize selecting as BRT a~oud/or appliance to display.
~gpla '~ng_Cu~t Date. and Time ra eaotlier embodiment, consumption display module I I O also displays a cuaeat dot; ~ sad time. A menu option '~1SPLAX CZJRRBNT DATB AND Tn4tE" at 160 is aoc~'b l3 by dep~sioag ~ butto~a 140 and/or deter button 146 to cycle through menu opt:ioaa. '7.'hm a use depeater huttam 146 the current date and time at 161 is displayed on displa; r 118.
Display of the cuaa>t data and limo is not limited to any particular foxmat and ma ~ ~ vary depending upon the user and/or region of use.
In this example embodiment, consumption display module 110 inchides a mean option "SETTTNG CURRENT DATE AND T1MB" at 162 to enable an end user to sot a oorrr~a date and time for their particular region or location. This ~n~u option is accessible by dep r using m~u button 140 andlor scroll button 144 to cycle through the menu options.
De~r~sio,; enter button 146 causes co~~tion display module 110 to display sub-menu options 'SE'i' THIr 'YEAR" at 163a, "SE7" THE MONTH" ax 163b, "SET TIC AAY" at 163c, "SET TF~
fi>>UR"
at 163d, and "SET THE r~ICTTE" at 163x. The year, month, day, hour and minutes :~-ay be modi~~od by depress~ir~g maun button 140, scroll buttons 142 and 144 and/or mtea butdm 14b.
An end usat~ may mono bctweon sub-mono options 163a-163e by depressing menu butt:~n 140 andlor enter buttouA 1~16. Once the date and time have been entorod an end user may .J spress mter button 146, wherein the current data and time are displayed on oonsumption ~:lisplay module 110.
Consumption display module 110 is also configurable to listen for one umqu~c Water ERT, one unique Gas ERT, and one unique Electric ERT. Consumption display zr~od~ile 114 can bo configured to avely Elter out all other ERT transmissions that it receives. This allows consumption display module 110 to focus its data gathering effort on aU
of the ~:nergy utilized for s speciSc building or home and to display these three consumptions on the 1_~~ or display 118 by scrolling the infomra>xon for the user. In contrast to this feature, consu~aption display module 110 can also report all of the ERT cessions that it receives through its serial pent allowing oonsnmption display module 110 to become a data eollectian center for r earby FRTs. This is important with regards to fiRT discrimination far focusing on a speci~~c ~:nexgy source. A user can access energy con8umption information of eaah appliance by the ru ethod described above, Additionally, a repeater may also be used to pmpagata an consuruption signal of agrpliancoc a distance away from consumption display module 1 I0.
As meutionod above consumption display module 110 ie capable of monitoring .:
ad/or sub-mctaring one or more aQplisnces witbin a house or business. Consumption display n~:adulc 110 may be capable of mo>rilaring utility comsumpLton by electric heat sources such as fn: ~: ices, baseboard hostess and liyce devices. Othcs electrical energy caaixuaning devices that ~_;~n, be monitored include elxtrie hot wabar hcatcxs, e1aetcie dyers, electric pool pumps, samp f.~mps, air coaditianers or ccnlral sir devices, andlor wbole house or building flan aysboms. Yn another embodiment, oonau~aptlon display module 110 eau monitor indoor sad outdoor water consGtnption. rn another embad~i~onant, enargy module 110 can monitor gas consumplioa of rte, aboves aadlor ovens, dothcs dryers, gee water heattrs ~dlor furnaces. In a bti.! mess setting, consumption display module 110 can monitor doctric, $as and/or water consumlr~ m of particular machines or deparimeata within the facility.
Refaring now to 1~('~. SE, a utility consumption-monitoring network ("ECNM'~ 1 % ~) can be utilized to monitor utility camsun~rion by ono or more a~rpliaacoa. EC1~1M
170 can r se au ERT err similar device placed in communication with each appliance b~.ng monitored. Each ERT would rhea transmit utility consumption information to consumption display module 110 fur display to the egad user. In another embodiment, ~onajor appliance manufacturers are cuir:ntly oonsidccing the implca~aat~an of Hluetooth sad Wi Fi connectivity to the Internet. The dmctroaality of these typos of Ornclioas and devices lands itself to utilixatloa with F,Ch n 1 170 without substantial aystcm rocon~tguration. REMS and cans~gtioa display ntoduic t .0 can easily provide this capability by utilizing a translator function (BluetootJs to 900IV>liz, ~G'i.Fi to 900IvHiz or altetaatively l.~t GHz).
In anothct enubodi:nant, consiunption display modules 110 can measure and n::~aitor inte~oal and/or eaternnt environmental parameters such as house or building te~nxpmatm~:, attic teooapearatuxv, outside tcmpe:~u~e, wind direction and/or speed, humidity, sad otly: i ~ li7ce p~mete~. C,ons~pfiion display module 110 can then coarelaDe the eaviraauoaartal par~uebe~s and utifity coa~smap6«n meassu~erne~ts of each or all of the utilities monitored.. Consm:
display acodule 110 can also correlate enviroaimet~l parameters with the ecomsy on of a particular appliance. Hy cornelating this vavironmental parameters and utility consumprion an end naar stay be able to predict or forecast utility caasumptiau ~ ~lizatioa sad adjW their ~8e H1Y
~ The ability to xnanitor and forecast utility utilization may be of particular importar.ra fvr periodically dclwerablc utilities such ss propane end oil. Referring sow to FIt ~. 5F, comsump4ou display module 110 may includes a memi option for "DBIZYERY
SfiR'WC13S
INTZ~tFACE" 180 that is acacesstble by the methods descxibed above. Upon the delivery of a utility such as propane ox ail, an and user may access DLLIVBRY SERVI~G"BS
xNTERF~a.~E at 180 end seloat orator button I46 to access sub-maru option "I~TIAL I.~RGY
AMOtJI,T" at 181a Lo set sa acooant of utility delivered. At the same time, an end user access snl:~-mann "LQWER LIh?IT" 181 b and 'NOT)<FICA?ION' 181c, to sat a lowrr limit or level of unlit.; ~ such that conxumption displ ay module 110 can notify xa and user whan the utility utilized tract:. ~ the xs set lows limit. Xa anotbat embodiment, vonaumption display module 110 can initiate c~:livery I81 d of additioael utility upon detection of the sat lower limit.
Contuarption display moth .e 110 can utilize Hlu~oath andlor Wi-Fi tocbnology to cosoo~ect to the Internal and place the ordrr.
Canaumption display module 110 cart also include as alarm, warning or noti5' :anon mecbmaamt for notif~riag an end useQ of a particular avaiat or events. In one embal.ment, coon display module i 10 c~a notify an end user of excessive utility ~mawoaq~tion, which can ba an indicator of water Iealtaga, gas leakage and/or electricity tha$.
ion ~:I(e~play module 110 can dotarrnino vxcoss utility oonaumption by determining a utility utilization upper >imit daring off peak tmnaa and nodfyiug ~ end user if the upper liu~t is eou_mded.
14 Con~tiaat display module 1 I O can also notify an and usmr if a pricing tier or block I : val is axceed4d, thereby parrnitrmg an end ussx to raduca usage of x particular utility and/or avriteh to as altetnative utility Cons~on display module 110 can also notify as end urxr if t)ns total utility oust ~oacl~es ar exceeds a prosat limit. Preset limits caan be m~usUy programm~'d into conception display module 110 by the methods deaaribed previously.
Consumption display module li0 includes at least one software program ada~ :od w prat data gate from BRT and similar de~icea. Tha at least one sothvare pmf.iam ix con$gurable to display actual utilization, predietinn of energy ~nse~ption, year to a» a and comparisaa with leaf year, dollars spent, identify Breatast carrsurrsption and expense ass: ~ciated with specific devices, 'what if' pradictaa~ of utilization, correlation with utility liIling ZO information, aeoaptance of actual billing data from utility, correlation with weather data, acr~amoe of weather informetian and gap5icai prosea~tetion of utilixatiom and/or data gtv:lemd The ao$ware program can be prelvaded or preprogrammed at the time of mauau~cttwe or r;an be updated remotely via transmissions from the utility company.
Rcferriag now to FIGS. 6A-8, FIC3S. 6A-68 illustrate schematic diagrams of tb:: logic boards within module 10. FIG. GC is a schematic diagram of the rcal time clock with t:attory power bacl~ up amd separate crystal. In p~ular, these fi~ar~ illustrate the 'l"exas hLSEv mneat lV~cooeaeor MSP430F149 (Ul8), with 7TAG progmtr~ug cormection (Jl l~
cotenec~isyne to the hiqaid Cxystal Display (JS and J3) and oonnoctions to the radio transceiver board dea~:n'bed in FIGS. 7A and ?a (115). Thtre is also illustrate power supply regulators (U30 and U'~ y that are eaonected to the real limo clock shows is Fig. 6C (Pearl 2.x of U'28~ as RS232 level i (TJ267, and as 8.26Mhz aysral olbar dxodGr timing (i122 and 'Y'3). In this s;~. ample embodaa~t, the mieroprocesecor eoatsins the application software is its iatamal TraASH
memory. This device controls the operatioxi of the Home Display. Packet data ie maaag: d sad verified by the micmprocessor. Tha transceiver (FIGS. 7A arid 7$) is co~ollai through :~ serial SPT bus by the miaaproceasor.
FIG. 6B illuRtzates a Field programmable Logic Array (FPGA, EP1KSOQC208-.:.
U20) with a serial flash crntfigwcation memaury (>~C2LC20, U19) aad a JTAG
coanoction (J: ;. The FPGA is placed in tht path betwooa the microprocessor and the radio transeavar boar i (see FIGS. ?A and 7B~, sad docodds the .Manchester encoded data stream $om the radiA bo ad far user by the aticmpwcesaar. Diaiag receive data is buffered within the FPQA for subs~xluedt n~trieval by the miczopxaceseor. During traoamit the FPGA receives serial data 5rc~ar the mieroprocesaor, convcxts it to Manchester encoded data and controls the OOK
(0'I~~~ QFF
KE'~BD) moduledon of the ttcr. Tra~u~mit power control is also performed by the I rPGA.
The micrvproreseor eummtmicates with tha FPGA over a serial SPI bus far data fr~.ns, and power settings.
FIG. 6C illustrates as MSP430F1121 microprocessor ~U38) sad its 3ZKHz c:cyatal (Y9), bscln~p battery (BTl), asld connection to ttu main mia~oprocesaor (FICi.
bA). This support microprncassor {U38) maintains in its m~ory date send time inon and per io~ms as a cotxtinuous source of real time clock and calendar iafoimaxioa for the main microprc,;,essor (F~G.6A).
FIGS. 7A 7H are schomatie diagrams of the radio module illustrated i~ov FIG.
.'~ used within module 10 of the pre8mt invention. FIG. 7A illustrates in~eludes the Philips UAA_,515A
RF ASIC (U7) which is a trauaooiver applicatio~a specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and ~.~y regulator (Ul). This part coataiue the majority of the zadio transmit and roceiva cirauitr;~~, Tho IO UAA35ISA communieataa with the u~icroprncessor over a serial SPI bus (Pisa 3,4, and S of JZ
FTf~?. 'r8). ?he UAA.3515A rwpoads to sat up a~ud froquancy cormol inform &r~:a the miaopracessor. .
FIG. TB illustrates the arc~try between the emteana and the RF ASIC alanc;
with p~mrid~g coaaections to the main ptiated circuit board via connxtor (72). FIG.
TEl also provides ItSSI signal buffering (U9), a data slicer (U10) and Iatelmediate I~equour;,~ (~
filtering of the roccivcd signal (F~oer ! and Filter 2). The recrived data firm the data sliaor leaves the transceiver board on J2 and is co~mnectod tn the FGA which resides in FIG. bD The power amplifier (U6), ~mtenna switch (CT2~ SAW (FLl), sad row noise arnplifirr (x.NA, r!~D) are also ior.Iuded on flue figume. Tho aut~ra switch selects either rocsive or t~a~arit mode: 'char operating in ttansunit moat tho pownx amplifier boosts the transmit signal destined ~ ~: r the antenna. When opea~ing in roeeive mode, the SAW sand discrato filtering componont& reject unwanted signals before azrivaig at the LNA. The LNA increases the signal love) for use L y the UAA3515 RP ASIC. The SAW and discrete filtering eompononb rej xt out of bead, um i mired signals before arriving at the UAA3515A. The iaotermediate frequency filters are ooniuctod directly to the ItF A,5)<C in FIG. 7A and provide recaiver filtering that occurs within tae RF
~szc.
PIG. 8 is a schematic of the keyboard of module 10 of FIG. 1. In paro.cular, the 4 push buttons available to the operator oa the front of the emit of this aabodimcat ali~:w the operator to cdtarlge modes, adjust parameters, reset rngistcrs, sad request additional inf'ormtion that is kept in the memory of the microprocasaor. The push buttons along with the I,Cb ~~ .splay provide the user inteudhce for tha display module.
In a related ~nbodvm~ait, the display module is oamfigurablo to receive data d .ceetly $rna the F.ItT where the ERT has high power lrvels, suab, as a 1.4GHz veraiou for the w;ai er pit ERT version. Also periodic trana~niaBiona from the water pit SRT can be coordinated w i~,h the display module collection mode to increase reliability imythering data. Thfs would privida flerability sad lower coat is locating the display awdule since the watt rapoat~ would a of be necvsaary. In ather am~bodima~ of the display module. the wall repeater would be interposed with the display module and the water pit ERT to cns3we data collactiaa in inatauces an~~o the wataor pit 13RT is located a fair distance fi~ the display module sod the 13RT
signal is weal. ~c.
In another related embodiment, the consumption display module is simplified .n its design to include a single frequency radio roeeiver, as inexpensive nxicroprocessor, a rm~all opacity memory for minor data storage and an iae~cpd~ive display, alI intended to opat.;.x on battery power, so as to generate an inexpensive module. The module may also include a r nor feature of oollectiag and displaying small ~o~mta of iafornaataon as directed by the conu~ , mcr, similar to a trip odometer is automotive applications. In tt~as and other ~mbodimaats, the di,rplay nuodule can be fitted with a ma~et or a hook and type system to facilitate loc~ar. am a latchcn appliance for easo of use end viearing. Ia this and other embodiments, tho ~: isplay module can be fitted with a battery to also facilitate location oa a ldtch~en appliance r,: other location in the home for ones ofuse and viewing.
In tho various embodiments descn'bod about, the nsicroproceseor of the tti~splay nwdulc eaa be configurod to include a leer detection algorithm or sche~ne~ such as described i i i U.S.
Patmt Applicatioa, eatitlod '~assivc Consuxnptivo Leak Dctxtion". havictg U.S.
Patent Application Number 101965,283, filed on October i4, 2004, which hereby ixicorpo~r~;od by reference in its ~ety. With tho lock dotoction capability, tba display module is able ~:~ tales data provided by tho water meter >;RT sad detcrnnine if there is a leak by continuous wd low quantity of water usage, such as when a toilet is leaking or s faucet is leaking svmewhore; in the premiser. Also tlx time of day usage is also a clue that there may be a leak, ospacially wl'. : ~'c the water meter ERT is grncratmg data in the middle of the night or whey everyone is ~ vacs . ion.
In yet another related ambodimorlt, the olcetrorJics of co~nsut~ion display mod> >: a 110 can be applied to autumotive diagnostics and consumables. As an example, the displa~w could 1 S communicate with the personnel vehicle to ro1$y infofmation on the status of the car. ?hv~ ~ ~ that could be cammuaicatad might be Reel level, maintenance related tun~ona such as oil ~:I~ange, interrruittaat sensors, warranty recalls and gcrraral health of the vehicle-We also mont~~; nod a data repository of the homeowner the he or she can take with them. In geaea~al all infrn~r nation that is available from the on board computer can be couimuraicatbd to the co~os~uuption ~:lisplay module I10. Rather, in a fvcod ~twork application, this inform~zan can bo forwarded il~rongh the system to a lxead end or in the cast of RlrMS, directly into the Internet for direct corer. x;tiam to the appropriate service department.
The presort iavmtio~n may be embodied is other spacific forms without depamn;;; From the apitit of the essential attributes theroot; therefore, the illustrated embodiments she i.ld be considaod it au respe~.~.ta ss ilh~strauvc aad not restrictive, rofer~enec being made to the aprnaded ctsims rather than to the lioregoiag description to indicate the scope of the invGation.
CONSUMPTION DATA I~tOM A METER READING SXSTEM
g~ A~lications and ~:laim to Priority Thin application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application N'o.
60J5? :~,419, Sled on January 14, 2()04, and entitled "A Method and Apparat«s for Collocaag cad DesF.!ayrin$
C.ons~ption Data frone a Meter Reading System," which is herein ineorpoarated by rafaa~.~:~ in its entirety. In addition, this a~lication inoozporates by ref~aca is its antircty, 'U S. °'ateut AppIi~Cation No. 1 W9ti5,283, filed October 14, 2Q04, entitled "Conammptive Leak Dal , ction System."
Field of die Imremion The inv~ioa relates to a method and apparatus for collaoting cad displaying str~aered data from remote a:ility mettrs.
llack~nnd of the lay ion Waaloss aut~msbc meter reading systamns are well known. Typically, each utility : netsr is provided wish a battery-powered encoder that collects meter readings sad perio~lical~y tt~uuita those readini;s over a wireless network to a central station. Tho power Zimi~atiens impoeal by the need fvr the enoodcr to be battery powered and by regulatiarls govadio tisa,smissions effectivdy prevent direct radio transmissions tn the central station. ln,:lead, wireleaa motor reading syssems typically utilize a layered network of overlapping intermediate receiving stations that reoeiva transmissions fiorn a group of mater encoders a:ad :Forward rhose messagos on to the acxt higher layer in the netwo~t as described, fur example, in U.S. Pab:nt No.
5,056,147. These typos of layerul wireless mission networks allow for the age o:. lower power. uuliceaased wireless transmitters in the thousands of end point encoder tra~uitw;~s that arc deployod as part of a utility mcrGr needing aysteai for a large Titan area.
~! cbatl~enge faced by utilities and coasumars in attem~ing to reduce ~r ca~mse,nptian {gas andlor eioctric) as well as water cbasumption, is the lack of access to real-titme data am t~
part of the actual consumer of the t of actual arergy still being uaod once the co7:.~er bas atoomptod to conserve energy or pre~orve water consumption. Por instance, it woulc, bo of value to the oa~er to la~ow the imtnaliato ocvno~ic impact of water a eacrgy oonsnri>ption {gas aad/or electric) once the thanrnostat is fumed down in the winter for a few hour, tlt~ tights arc tied off is tho baae~t when sot in use or the impact of water conservation of fa~:gaiag watering tho lawn for one day. Today's sy9toms evehiuatly provide this information bacl~; to the consumer, but not on command by the consumer err real-tune.
Aocor~ngly, dtrxe is n hoed for a system for collecting and. displaying dst~, from motoring unit8 loeatod close to the paint of use or consmanption. An approach that addrx,: es the afoarrmentionod problems, as well as other r~alated pmblenta, i8 therefore desirable $yg~r ofthe Iaventia~n Various emboof tho iaventioa arc di:GCtod to a method and as apparr.:us for collexting and c~o~nveuio~atly displaying rest-timo data sad an estimate of coats $~om various; rnatar modules {erg., mfg units) upon request by tht oonxu~raar within the comfort of th~:ir owe home or business. The display of rral time data permits an roorgy (or water) consumer 1 ~: males better decisions cancmning mcrgy upon or consumption. Further, the imrWrtica can prevent or minimize unpleasant surprises on the part of the energy consumer caw,, rd by intentional or inadvatlmt excessive eaargy consumption. Continuously througtrout the trilling period a consuraar oar end cant can monitor hislher energy consumption and costs sad make appropriate changes to reduce expenses if they ao dositr. Tdenlifying wasteful habits or a.~:: fisting cyst conscious end users are avdditional benefits of the invention.
Acco~iingto ono aspect of the invention, an tnergy display module is iu eommuni~;anon with ~ utility end point drviee that monitors oonaumption of water gas, andlor clectricit;,~. The display module provides s spume of energy consumption infonmati~ or data for the ent: user.
The source of the data rocaived by the module rnay be gtn~ed by spxial tcansmitte~ ~;allod I'sRTs (mcodorhecaivar/brat~mitbor) that arc attached to the various utility delivery :ad/or metarng points (such as meters) and which are capabio of continuously monito~g utilita~ usage and forwarding the conauna~ioa data to the energy display module via a radio frequcuay li. l;. rn ono ambodixnant, the module eau display, c~utinuously, for the naer, consumption inEorma i o~n or data along with date and time sud an estimate of cost to date based on thv energy (or water) utilized. Tht module can be used in hoales andlor businesses err any other entity that oonsi nas a utility.
In a related anbodiment; through the use of a repeat, the energy display moduh; could be operated on disposable or rechargeable battios, thea~eby malting the module transpc~:table.
Tho portability of t>ue ruodulo p~ita an energy consumer to place it near a consumption ~:avico such as a user's rcfrigczator or othar appliance. In ono om~boditmerlt, the mater n my be removably mountable to a wah to gather data From the end points, via a radio froquo~ ~ ::y (or power lint cattier) Iink The repeater may be adapted to systematically rebroadcast the ;:near eonswaption infon~nation in such a meaner as to allow battery savings for the home .3 splay module receiver. Ia aaothar embodiment, the ene~ display zxeiver elecfironics rr ay be integrated into a rhaxrnosfdt housing that retains its existing functionality while disl:.aying consumption data in real-limo.
'ifie above snrnmary of the invention is not intendod to dcsczt'bo each ills.
~ trated embodiment or cveryr implementation of tho invo~on. Thus f gores in the detailed dear, viption that follow more particularly exemplif~r these embodiments.
brief D~otioa of the D~awing~s The invention may be more completely understood in conssdezation of the fo1 I
oaring detailed description of various cmbodimonts of the invention in cona~octio~n wn. z the accompanying drewingc, in which:
PIGS. 1 and 2. illustrate an onorgy display module, which caa be coupled to a ,~r~. xr pit meter. which displays tioa Bats according to the i~~on.
FIo. 3 illustrates the energy home module of FIG.1 with a display of consumptio~a 9ata FIGS. 4A-4H are examples of a wah repeater adapted for use with the module of F I ~~. 1.
FICi_ SA ie a block diagram of the operation of the energy home module with a:-. ERT
coupled to a utility nnrt~x acing to the iaveatiotr.
FIG. 58 is a t~~blc illue~ating opex~adone of conrospondJimg buttons oa the arcrgy :lisplay module, ZO FIG. SC is a flow chart illustrating vaaious seloctabla mono options sad aub-maru options Prod is the display modnlo.
FIG. SD is a flow chart of an alternate embodiment illustrating various seloctabl~ menu options and sub-uyenu options pmgrammod in the amorgy display module.
A
FIG 5E is a bL~cic diagram of a utility consumption monitoring nccwoi3c according; to the invaition.
FIG SF is a flow chart illustrating a delivery eetvices inierfaee menu aption ar.:l sub-maw options mad into the aner~ display moduto-FIGS. 6A-68 ~e acluunahc diagrams of a display module log'ra (PCB) board u:;cd in coimection vrith tbte c~~r display modulo of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6C is a schGm;atic diagram of real time clock with s battery power back-~.a and sepawato crystal a~ordi~g to ttte invention.
FIGS. 7A-7B sine eeh~ematic dial of the radio module ~hutrxted in FIG. :: nsod within the display rrrodule.
FIC'r. $ is a achnaustic diagram of the >oeyboard of the mo~dale of FIG.1.
While the iavar~tiorl is amenable to various modifications and altemativo forms, specifics thereof have bem ebowa by way of example is the drawings atsd will be described in de~siil. It should be understood, haweva~. that the int~tion is not to limit t>zo invention to the pa<:.icular amibodimants dcscxibod. Un the eontruy, the intention is to cover alt modi~~cations, adnin.: Ira, and alteanatives falli~ within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by fhe ap~:~nrded The inve~ion is g~aa~iy dirc~cd to a method and an sppfor cotleetin; l and conveniently displaying real time data from various uti3ity meter modules {or watering urr :) by the eomsumar wetbiu the comfrnt of their own lwme or business. While the invention s not necessarily limited to such an application, the invention will bo better a~r~ecie~ted e~,:ing a discuasians of example embodiments in such a speciSc context.
Ia one mcample ambudimeat, as depicted in FIQS_ 1 sad 2, a oamsompbion ,~
.splay module 10 is iltustratad that is 'ble with odsting ERTs as well as FCC
comiplisnl under the new Part 13.?r~7 digital modttlaticm rules. In this embodiment, oonavmaption display module I O is comprised of a housing 12 cocntainiag a radio modals (not shown) that iachuies a gcmariy low coat raoaiver sad a gully low power tr~mitter. Far ~ iaereased signal roceptie~~ area, the high power tr~onsmitterr may be ads~pted to ttat~nit signals in the 900 Mhz ~mquency mngc.
Hovvevcr, othez froqe~ncir~s eommo~on is this sector may be utilized. rn another ennboda»aet, a transceivac (sot aho~rn} may be utilized to recesses the portability of crnosumption wsplay modals 10.
Aa antenna I4 is connected to the radio module for receiving and transr~dttiag consumption i~mation er data tr'aommitied by the ERT. Antoima 14 may oos~ias c whip amtemna, s patch antenna, or say othcx lika dowice that facilitates reception and transmisF on of the coasaruption in~~nati~on. A keypad 16 anti a display panel 18 ara disposed as or it~tv;~ated to housing 12 to permit sa end user to nntarfare with consumption display ruab~le 10.
Consumption display (ar home display) module 10 can Rtao be connacted to s Pc:~anal Ccxn(PC) fot initial configuration, data e~xt~tion or foruse as a Rca1 Time data sowce far ezternBl application so8ware.
ZO l~feariag to FIG. 3, a phuality of consumption display modules 10 display re:.l-time coa~sumpbioa info~matioa accaa~ding to the invaariom. fn this Gxamigle, display Panel 1$ is a back lit Liquid Crystal Display (LG)D). Howevar, Light Emitting Diodes (LED) or other low c~,:t!!ow eneagy using displays can also be nsod. Consumption display module 10 tnay be eda~:~tod t4 facilitate continuous LCD display of the most roeeatly roccived consumption data.
Rafeorcing back to FTG. 2, consumption display module 10 is shown with a wst~;:r BRT
unit 20 that is adapted too monitor and display, for example, water consumption data on .:isplay panel 18. Tire iavmtioa is not nocaasarily limited to water meters and can l~
used in ca~rectivn with gas sad eleetri~yooetas that are usually provided to a consumer close to flue point a : nse at the home or business. 1n addition to being able to deroennine total utility comaumptiean of ~ home or business, consu~tiaa display module 10 may include additional Radio FYequaor =' {RPM
and/or Power rime l.".a:rier (PLC) inputs to tlu3ilitate the transmission of utiftty consu. nptia:n informabivn firm individual utility consuming appliaacos, such as pool ptmaps, hot water kW, sump pumps end other like de ices to display module 10. The ability is know the utility usage of intlividnal sfrplisaces peumiis an end user to make a more informed decision ~:o theEr utility consumption ur usage. Tu another example ambodim~eok the RF andlor PLC
_ inpata facilitate co~muiricatioa ova a broadband cvoanaction and/or pmovide a radio i~o~C f:a data i5 communications {or FRT transmitted data). sad may allow parameter changes or co:'rot of appliaacos.
In addition to being able to mt~face with PRTs, consumption display module 10 may also include t6a capability to unberface with Residential P~ne~ Ivtanagament Systems {13.EMS), Mobile Data Colledium Systems (Mobile), Head Held Computers (AFiC), sad Fixed N~~wot~
(~ to facilitate the trms:nission of utility oo~mption iafiormatian. Those iumtW . a also allow head-esvd calcul~atians as well as tim pricing updates to be transmitted to ooonswaption display madula IO or Can be calculated locally.
With roapeet W the mobile (or vsa operated) s~rbodi~teut, the consumption c ispley module of the invention is configurable to be reset by the reader fmm the utility travelia:.; in a van aRcr tho road is completed. This would start the new monthly billing cycle sutoaaa~ically and without customer interveatti,on. The display module's microprocessor can also be cam: igurad to add a xmoothing alb that would utilizo. that same cuetomer'a historical data to ;insure that billing calculationslatim~s aro not calculated just from the iirat few days of data from the mod. Y 8~~~8 ~ ~' . For instance, tho customer may ate I: ibit a historical average of 51)4 gallons of monthly water oottaumption, but the fizst day after thL meter is read and react by the utility the cusbom~ decides to fill his pool or spa and utilizes d1°',-lOK
gallons of water, Tbo microprocessor uses tho smoothing algoritlm~ to pull historical water usage data and avaragcs same with the cutrcnt high usage to level out billing far the real of the moth.
In an eocampie cm'bodiment, consumption display modulo 10 bas the capability of ;~ooring at least ono year's wartb, of 15-minute timo-of use storage data or other foams of data gee:. rested by the »i.T and/or individually mombored appliances. An end user may utilize keypad ' 6 and display panel 18 to review the stored time-of use storage data. Consumption display mva~J ale 10 may also be capable of sampling rnctgy use on apociSc iced lines for accurate projec°.ion bo deneimine if a feeder upgrade is required. Consmnptio~n display module 10 in~poratea full trenscoiva to accomplish tbo above functional roquircmcrrts.
In a related embodiment, consuroptioas display module IO is appliance (e.g., refril;wstor) mountable where the repeater ftmetiomatity is mar'actad and placed nearby {such as in ; ~ wall repeater discussed below). In this modified form factor, consumption display module 10 can now be a magnet-monated device (or other monitoring systems, such as adhesive or ho~~k and loop aysteme). With respoct to battery opcratia~, batt:ary life can be axte~Cd ~yhare intamittont dory cycle is implemantrd. Ia another embodiment, the energy display r.~:eIver clect<n~ca raay bo integratod into a thermostat housing that retains the thermostat's e.~:iat~g ltmctivoaality.
heEaring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, there is illustrated an examapte of a wall rEpea :x 30 adaptod for use with consumption display module 10 of .FIC~S_ 1-3. Wall rrpca~r 30 pr~c: videa for improvod oommunsicatioa range, reliability and tcaaslabioa of multi'band eq~uipmer : and pmtoeols. Wall repeal 30 can include at last one outlet cover porHoa 31a for dctamably coupling to a wall outlet sad a repeats housing pottioa 310 on or coupled to :oust portion 31a ibr bousiag a board 32 sad antcnns. Repeater 30 facilitates commuui~: anon between an FdtT disposed Gxtaior a heave or business, and coupled to a utility meter. smd consumptiaoa display nodule 10. Cover portion 31 a may inclcuie at leant ova apertiu~ ~ 31b exteadin~g thorvt>mough for rxaving as electzia outlat_ A.s ilhrsttated is FIG. 4A, taro ap y~tures may extend tluough coveor portion 31a bo accommodste coupling of cover 3la to conventional wall outlets. Cover portion 3Is may be detachably couplable to a wall oath:: is a maonner similar to ooave~tiomal outlet covers.
Refeaiag particularly to FICi_ 4B, a repeater circuit board 3Z of repe~nter 34 may corn prise at least one prmtad digital circuit board capable of propagating and/or amplifying a signs) tom as )rRT. However, in a related Embodiment, multiple digitat ac analog caeuit boards nmy be utilized. An antenna housing portion 31d may be formed oax or coupled to repeatEr hmnsiug portion 31c for housing an autanoa (not shown) coupled to repeater circuit board 3Z. T', one anbodim~ent, sateuna bousmg portion 31d may extend along at least a porbivn of outlet :over portion 31 a.
Powering wal! repeater 34 may be aoconaplished by a plug 40 connected to n:
pester circuit board 32 or by replaceable or rechargeabld batteries housed is repeater housing !: onion 31c. Wall repatar 30 can utilize a normal house 110-volt AC outld as a mount and can a true as a support for v~atious types of RF transceiving devioea. The traa,sceiving drviosa may i. ~clnde (but are not limited to) RF to RF, RF to PLC, sad RF tn iafrared commuaieatioo devirx:.. The RF to RF conversion may inchido 900 M~z to 1.4 Gl3z. 900 MI~Z to 900 lvJ>EiZ
at in.:.
power. 900 to 2.4 GHZ, 900 to 5.6 C$IZ or any combxnabion of these RF bands as woll xr: bang bi-~ixectivaal_ 'fhe unique moui~rog of wall repeater 30 described above provides oom~~a~aient installati~ with littlo custoxnar incoence. Additionally, tlro datachablo ~~ ' wall zep~tvr 30 paauts it to be easily moved, thereby enabling an end use to s~ust a m~~e of reoeptioa of utility eonsetooptiam information by coztsmmption d>splay module 10. 1a tl-.~a sad other relmbod embodimea~a, wall ropostar 30 also includes other functional featfurs sw:'i as a night-light, ~e ala:m, e~nergyr oor~ol morio~a sec~sing and but$tar a'Isim motion t~y way of cxampla Refecriag further too FIG. 4B, err access panel 33 may bo removably coupled to a portion of rpausing portion 31c for eolectively providing aooesa to regoater circuit boards : 2 ~d the a~na. A~sa paael 33 also msy also include at least one opening exteadiag ti~etl:rough to provide ventilation and heat dissipation of repeater circuit boards 32.
Access p~-6el 33 providos convenient acccsa for hiss and upgrade of repeater circuit boards 32 andlor a:~t~na.
Tho avail repcata, in one ambodima~t, as assist a sleeve repester unit that is operably coin: led to a meting device to ~hanlce Lhe signal either back to the diepiay module or to cr~e ~f the IO
Rafenyag stow to FIGS. 5-8, cansumptioa display modulo 10 along with the me c:
iod of coilecaag and displaying utility cortwumptioa data will bo d~cn'bed in maso derail. R::~xrri~g more specifically to FIG. SA,, there is iltnstrated s block diagram I 00 of the opera i on of consucsptioa display module 1!0 with au ERT 130 coupled bo a utility mete 132 aooot~lir~g to S the invention. In parti~~ular, consuo~ion display module 110 is powered by a power suy y 11Z, such as an AC wall power supply, that is coupled to regulators 113 which power all ~f the circuits of consumption display modals 1 I0. Consmaiptyo~o display module 110 fiuthaor im.Hndes a micropr0cossor 114 6sving a radio module I 15 (with aatGOna 124) and a keyboard (or 1:~: ypad) 116 couplai thecato. A idl time clock 117 is also coupled to mietoprocessor 114 as we_I as a display psaol 118 sad a flash memory axodula 119. xa this emboditnont, bandy back-up l20 is also included is a~asnm~ptio~ display module 110 and a c~eahon for a RS232 port ;. :~2 for ranote PC applicatioa~s is iaclud,od. Block 140 repros~ts the carious applications th : x can irwtarfemo with conaum~~tion display module I 10 via port IZZ.
As illustrated in the example msbodiment of FI(1.1, k~oyboard I 16 includes a plural ity of buttoa~s or actuator$ (140, I42, 144, and 146) to permit an sad user to interact wi°.I~ any applicaboas ar fuaotions of coasis~tion display module 110_ 'Iha buttons may include a meotiu buffos 140 or switch far selecting andJor scrolling through various mruu and sub-meaau oE~6oas, pzompts or cues; an upward I42 sadlor down~wud scroll button 144 to facilitate ac_ ullirrg through the menu options, attd a "Go" or "F.ntsr" button 146 fns selecting a particular fu~wtioa from the menu optioma. 'fbe table of FIGf. SB iZh~ratas example functions of each of b ,pons 140-146 of keyboard 116 (see also k'1G.1). For anstanca, selecting of d~ar~ag menu f mttom 140 may g~ato a ecrollsble list of maru prompts or cues on display 118. A user m8~~ then select ~ ar dowawand scroll buttons 142, 144 to previeuv diilbrarrt menu optics. Cnu:e a II
desitnd mtau option is displayed, a uses may select the dashed mean option by depr:~aing (E1V'T13R) button 146.
In an example cmbodimmt, ion of {ENT'BR) button 146 displays a sub-mom for the particular mare option selected. Hy navigating the mono options and sub-menu options t user is able to progam consu~tiaa display module l 10 to display various types of iaforn~: ~tion.
Examples of the type of ia~o~nnation that :oaiay be displayed by consumption display mode , ~ I10 is illushatod in FIGS. SGSD. Examples of displayable infornoafiian may include (but ~s not lisnitad to) utility east 150, utility u~sago 152, billing information I54, set a date to el.attia~g mo>ritoring utility wnsumption 156, cuwant date andlor time Z60, aud/or srtting the c~er.~t date to ~~t;m~ 1s2.
~is~oos..~ztilitxSati~a Ia this example embodiment, the me~od far displaying utility cast infoamatioa as 150 on ~~ ~P~Y module 110 iacludoc dop~sing menu bntoon 140 to display a mono ,:plies 1 s 8or "LTI'ISTI'Y COST" lso or a similar message. next, a user may adeet enter button 14h to net a cost display mode at 1 s 1. Various methods of coat display may be prod' into conanmption display rnodnlo 110, such as cost per hour, day, vveelc and/or month Ad6W al cost display nr~odoa ~~c al,so envisioned within the spirit awd 9oopo of the invention ~A,ftca displaying a coostunplioa cost, coasumptian display tzlodule 110 may wait a pzodetd°.vinod 20 amount of time to receive the next i:ucoming carnsuutptio~ iaforniation signal from m ELtT
andlor applisouca, wh,oroin it may display a cast of the utility consumed. Iu smother embo~l: nod, consuanptian display module 110 may be capable of automatically, continuously ;~adlor 1~Y ~P~ymB ~tY costs.
~p~3r'~~ Utili tY US:~g~
In a related embodiment, energy usage info~oatioa may also be displa.::~d va eoasumption display module 110 by depressing menu button 140 at least onto sz.~: then deprnc;ing scroll button 144 to scroll tbmugli displayed memo options until "ITTILfI"Y LTg.4GE"
or sinuilar message is displayed. In another aanbodimant, a user may repeatedly deprems menu button 140 to scroll through and view various displayed mono options. Onae the m~u :~ptiaa far 'UTB,ITY LTSAt~E 152 ie displayed a user may then select enter button 146 to set a uility usage display mode 153. Utility usage dispLy modes i~abctude utility usage pea '9cilowatK hour"
for eler~riaity. "cubic foot" for avatar, and "thermx" for ~. fjther utility uaaga display r.~odes axe also within ttue spirit and scope of the invention. Similar to the display of utilit., cost informatian at x50, consumption display module 110 may be preprogrammed to autorna°.ically display utility usage iaPormatioa at 152 aftac receiving a cousumptivn information dal 8,: ~m su ERT andJar applian~ca.
DI&1 a '$$iilin~ 1~0~
In yet another embodiment, a user is able to obtain billing infozxnation from oo~au~r:ptioa display module 110 by depressing menu buttv:n 140 andlos scroll button 144 to display a menu option for "B>LL>rTG INFORMATIaN' 8t 154. A user may then depreeis LNTER
button 1 t6 to display a "IJLlMBEIt OF DAYS S1NCE START' 135a sub-menu option. Enter button I4i~ may be depr~d again to display a "START DATE" lSSb of billing sub-menu option. A
user may again depress enter button. 146 to display a "BiLI,fl~TO CYCL~? INFORMATION"
155: sub-me~uu option. DeQrassion of enter button 146 ag8in displays Aa "ERT D7" lSSd sub-menu uE~#ion of the ERT curmatly being monitored. A user may then doss enter button 146 to dis ~ ~ lay an "INITIAL READING" at 155e of their utility bill up to that partieul~ poittt.
Gamsu nption display module 110 may iediSplsy or refi~esh the billing information aBer each signal r:~:civea finan an ERT and/or appliance. In another ernbodimant of the inveoation, as i~Ilustratod .. a FTG
S 5D, consumption display module 110 may be capable of monitoring several ERT
~adlor appliaacea iu a lu~m~e or business. In this embodiment, a user may be presented with a suh~ menu option of "SBLF.CTJrfG AN BRT TYPE" I55f (see PIG. SD) or appliance before viewin;~ other billing infozrna~ion 155a-o.
Setting Stan Date of r A start data of monitoring one or more BRTs and/ar appliances may be pmgramm ud into conannptian display moduie 110. 'The following method may ba used to review an,~ set a monitoring start daft. A user may depress menu bottom 140 and/or scroll button 144 to ol; taro a menu option for "SBTT1TTG A START DATE" at 156. A user may access sub-mam,~~~tions "SET TE~B YEAR" at 157a, "SET THE Mf3NTH" at I57b, "SET TAB DAY" at I57a ;n~d/or "INTTIAL IJSE" at 157d by using saroIl buttons 142 and 144 to iacxease andlor decraaso Woos, xnonu button I40 to st;leat next field ox digit and enter button 146 to move between sub~me~nn options SBT THE YEAR at 157x, SET' TffE MONTIi at 157b, SET THE DAY at 157c :
udlar T1~1TIT.AL USE at 1574. Next, a user niay be prosentod with a sub-menu ~:~ption ACCBPTANCFJREDO at 157e. The user may select scroll button 142 to accept the sir t data previously eniaed or scroll button 144 to redo or reset the set date. If a user seloctS to rec: rt the start date, tha mono ptia~ns SET THE YEAR at 157x, SET '~ M4NTH at 157b, SE'.I' THE
DAY at 157c andlor l~l'ITItIL USE at 157d are automatically ro-displayed for user ia~pot. In another embod~~t, as ~iUusorat~ed in FIG. SD, a user may be presmtad with a menu oFn an to "SELECT AN SRT TYPE" at 157~ prior to sub-meuu options at 157ar157d This nub .numu option permits a user to select x particular start date for each ERT andlor appliance being taonitrored.
Select FTtT to DiatilaY
In au embodimantt of this invention where mnltiplo l~tTs andlor apptia~ces are ~eiag monitored, energy module 110 may include a menu optical "SIrLECT ERTs Ar;
I)/4R
APPLIANCES TO DISPLAY" at 158. 'This menu option perrmits a user to set ~nptioa~
display module 110 to receive a ~gnal finm a particular FRT andlcr applia~o~co, rn auotbar eombodia~ent, anerglr module 110 may bo capable of simulfi'aneously rxeiving multiple comsunnpaon signals from diiTeraut EItTs aedloa~ applia~ocas. To select a particnlsr SRT ~.ld/or appvauoe a u~ cx~n dq~sees mono button 140 until 9ELBCT ERTs Ta DISPLAY at 15B
,nenu option Is displayed. Depressing alts button 1-0b again presents a user with sub-ma~ru r~ption "$BLBGT ERT TXP~:" at 159. A use noay scroll through or view pious ERT e.id/or appliances by rely depr~iag mitt batt4n 140. A desired ER.? andlvr appliaaoe n7ny be sel~ed by depreasnng button I46. This method of selecting a particular B,RT a idler appliance to display on consumption display module 110 may be used in otvOr sub-menu or,tions that utilize selecting as BRT a~oud/or appliance to display.
~gpla '~ng_Cu~t Date. and Time ra eaotlier embodiment, consumption display module I I O also displays a cuaeat dot; ~ sad time. A menu option '~1SPLAX CZJRRBNT DATB AND Tn4tE" at 160 is aoc~'b l3 by dep~sioag ~ butto~a 140 and/or deter button 146 to cycle through menu opt:ioaa. '7.'hm a use depeater huttam 146 the current date and time at 161 is displayed on displa; r 118.
Display of the cuaa>t data and limo is not limited to any particular foxmat and ma ~ ~ vary depending upon the user and/or region of use.
In this example embodiment, consumption display module 110 inchides a mean option "SETTTNG CURRENT DATE AND T1MB" at 162 to enable an end user to sot a oorrr~a date and time for their particular region or location. This ~n~u option is accessible by dep r using m~u button 140 andlor scroll button 144 to cycle through the menu options.
De~r~sio,; enter button 146 causes co~~tion display module 110 to display sub-menu options 'SE'i' THIr 'YEAR" at 163a, "SE7" THE MONTH" ax 163b, "SET TIC AAY" at 163c, "SET TF~
fi>>UR"
at 163d, and "SET THE r~ICTTE" at 163x. The year, month, day, hour and minutes :~-ay be modi~~od by depress~ir~g maun button 140, scroll buttons 142 and 144 and/or mtea butdm 14b.
An end usat~ may mono bctweon sub-mono options 163a-163e by depressing menu butt:~n 140 andlor enter buttouA 1~16. Once the date and time have been entorod an end user may .J spress mter button 146, wherein the current data and time are displayed on oonsumption ~:lisplay module 110.
Consumption display module 110 is also configurable to listen for one umqu~c Water ERT, one unique Gas ERT, and one unique Electric ERT. Consumption display zr~od~ile 114 can bo configured to avely Elter out all other ERT transmissions that it receives. This allows consumption display module 110 to focus its data gathering effort on aU
of the ~:nergy utilized for s speciSc building or home and to display these three consumptions on the 1_~~ or display 118 by scrolling the infomra>xon for the user. In contrast to this feature, consu~aption display module 110 can also report all of the ERT cessions that it receives through its serial pent allowing oonsnmption display module 110 to become a data eollectian center for r earby FRTs. This is important with regards to fiRT discrimination far focusing on a speci~~c ~:nexgy source. A user can access energy con8umption information of eaah appliance by the ru ethod described above, Additionally, a repeater may also be used to pmpagata an consuruption signal of agrpliancoc a distance away from consumption display module 1 I0.
As meutionod above consumption display module 110 ie capable of monitoring .:
ad/or sub-mctaring one or more aQplisnces witbin a house or business. Consumption display n~:adulc 110 may be capable of mo>rilaring utility comsumpLton by electric heat sources such as fn: ~: ices, baseboard hostess and liyce devices. Othcs electrical energy caaixuaning devices that ~_;~n, be monitored include elxtrie hot wabar hcatcxs, e1aetcie dyers, electric pool pumps, samp f.~mps, air coaditianers or ccnlral sir devices, andlor wbole house or building flan aysboms. Yn another embodiment, oonau~aptlon display module 110 eau monitor indoor sad outdoor water consGtnption. rn another embad~i~onant, enargy module 110 can monitor gas consumplioa of rte, aboves aadlor ovens, dothcs dryers, gee water heattrs ~dlor furnaces. In a bti.! mess setting, consumption display module 110 can monitor doctric, $as and/or water consumlr~ m of particular machines or deparimeata within the facility.
Refaring now to 1~('~. SE, a utility consumption-monitoring network ("ECNM'~ 1 % ~) can be utilized to monitor utility camsun~rion by ono or more a~rpliaacoa. EC1~1M
170 can r se au ERT err similar device placed in communication with each appliance b~.ng monitored. Each ERT would rhea transmit utility consumption information to consumption display module 110 fur display to the egad user. In another embodiment, ~onajor appliance manufacturers are cuir:ntly oonsidccing the implca~aat~an of Hluetooth sad Wi Fi connectivity to the Internet. The dmctroaality of these typos of Ornclioas and devices lands itself to utilixatloa with F,Ch n 1 170 without substantial aystcm rocon~tguration. REMS and cans~gtioa display ntoduic t .0 can easily provide this capability by utilizing a translator function (BluetootJs to 900IV>liz, ~G'i.Fi to 900IvHiz or altetaatively l.~t GHz).
In anothct enubodi:nant, consiunption display modules 110 can measure and n::~aitor inte~oal and/or eaternnt environmental parameters such as house or building te~nxpmatm~:, attic teooapearatuxv, outside tcmpe:~u~e, wind direction and/or speed, humidity, sad otly: i ~ li7ce p~mete~. C,ons~pfiion display module 110 can then coarelaDe the eaviraauoaartal par~uebe~s and utifity coa~smap6«n meassu~erne~ts of each or all of the utilities monitored.. Consm:
display acodule 110 can also correlate enviroaimet~l parameters with the ecomsy on of a particular appliance. Hy cornelating this vavironmental parameters and utility consumprion an end naar stay be able to predict or forecast utility caasumptiau ~ ~lizatioa sad adjW their ~8e H1Y
~ The ability to xnanitor and forecast utility utilization may be of particular importar.ra fvr periodically dclwerablc utilities such ss propane end oil. Referring sow to FIt ~. 5F, comsump4ou display module 110 may includes a memi option for "DBIZYERY
SfiR'WC13S
INTZ~tFACE" 180 that is acacesstble by the methods descxibed above. Upon the delivery of a utility such as propane ox ail, an and user may access DLLIVBRY SERVI~G"BS
xNTERF~a.~E at 180 end seloat orator button I46 to access sub-maru option "I~TIAL I.~RGY
AMOtJI,T" at 181a Lo set sa acooant of utility delivered. At the same time, an end user access snl:~-mann "LQWER LIh?IT" 181 b and 'NOT)<FICA?ION' 181c, to sat a lowrr limit or level of unlit.; ~ such that conxumption displ ay module 110 can notify xa and user whan the utility utilized tract:. ~ the xs set lows limit. Xa anotbat embodiment, vonaumption display module 110 can initiate c~:livery I81 d of additioael utility upon detection of the sat lower limit.
Contuarption display moth .e 110 can utilize Hlu~oath andlor Wi-Fi tocbnology to cosoo~ect to the Internal and place the ordrr.
Canaumption display module 110 cart also include as alarm, warning or noti5' :anon mecbmaamt for notif~riag an end useQ of a particular avaiat or events. In one embal.ment, coon display module i 10 c~a notify an end user of excessive utility ~mawoaq~tion, which can ba an indicator of water Iealtaga, gas leakage and/or electricity tha$.
ion ~:I(e~play module 110 can dotarrnino vxcoss utility oonaumption by determining a utility utilization upper >imit daring off peak tmnaa and nodfyiug ~ end user if the upper liu~t is eou_mded.
14 Con~tiaat display module 1 I O can also notify an and usmr if a pricing tier or block I : val is axceed4d, thereby parrnitrmg an end ussx to raduca usage of x particular utility and/or avriteh to as altetnative utility Cons~on display module 110 can also notify as end urxr if t)ns total utility oust ~oacl~es ar exceeds a prosat limit. Preset limits caan be m~usUy programm~'d into conception display module 110 by the methods deaaribed previously.
Consumption display module li0 includes at least one software program ada~ :od w prat data gate from BRT and similar de~icea. Tha at least one sothvare pmf.iam ix con$gurable to display actual utilization, predietinn of energy ~nse~ption, year to a» a and comparisaa with leaf year, dollars spent, identify Breatast carrsurrsption and expense ass: ~ciated with specific devices, 'what if' pradictaa~ of utilization, correlation with utility liIling ZO information, aeoaptance of actual billing data from utility, correlation with weather data, acr~amoe of weather informetian and gap5icai prosea~tetion of utilixatiom and/or data gtv:lemd The ao$ware program can be prelvaded or preprogrammed at the time of mauau~cttwe or r;an be updated remotely via transmissions from the utility company.
Rcferriag now to FIGS. 6A-8, FIC3S. 6A-68 illustrate schematic diagrams of tb:: logic boards within module 10. FIG. GC is a schematic diagram of the rcal time clock with t:attory power bacl~ up amd separate crystal. In p~ular, these fi~ar~ illustrate the 'l"exas hLSEv mneat lV~cooeaeor MSP430F149 (Ul8), with 7TAG progmtr~ug cormection (Jl l~
cotenec~isyne to the hiqaid Cxystal Display (JS and J3) and oonnoctions to the radio transceiver board dea~:n'bed in FIGS. 7A and ?a (115). Thtre is also illustrate power supply regulators (U30 and U'~ y that are eaonected to the real limo clock shows is Fig. 6C (Pearl 2.x of U'28~ as RS232 level i (TJ267, and as 8.26Mhz aysral olbar dxodGr timing (i122 and 'Y'3). In this s;~. ample embodaa~t, the mieroprocesecor eoatsins the application software is its iatamal TraASH
memory. This device controls the operatioxi of the Home Display. Packet data ie maaag: d sad verified by the micmprocessor. Tha transceiver (FIGS. 7A arid 7$) is co~ollai through :~ serial SPT bus by the miaaproceasor.
FIG. 6B illuRtzates a Field programmable Logic Array (FPGA, EP1KSOQC208-.:.
U20) with a serial flash crntfigwcation memaury (>~C2LC20, U19) aad a JTAG
coanoction (J: ;. The FPGA is placed in tht path betwooa the microprocessor and the radio transeavar boar i (see FIGS. ?A and 7B~, sad docodds the .Manchester encoded data stream $om the radiA bo ad far user by the aticmpwcesaar. Diaiag receive data is buffered within the FPQA for subs~xluedt n~trieval by the miczopxaceseor. During traoamit the FPGA receives serial data 5rc~ar the mieroprocesaor, convcxts it to Manchester encoded data and controls the OOK
(0'I~~~ QFF
KE'~BD) moduledon of the ttcr. Tra~u~mit power control is also performed by the I rPGA.
The micrvproreseor eummtmicates with tha FPGA over a serial SPI bus far data fr~.ns, and power settings.
FIG. 6C illustrates as MSP430F1121 microprocessor ~U38) sad its 3ZKHz c:cyatal (Y9), bscln~p battery (BTl), asld connection to ttu main mia~oprocesaor (FICi.
bA). This support microprncassor {U38) maintains in its m~ory date send time inon and per io~ms as a cotxtinuous source of real time clock and calendar iafoimaxioa for the main microprc,;,essor (F~G.6A).
FIGS. 7A 7H are schomatie diagrams of the radio module illustrated i~ov FIG.
.'~ used within module 10 of the pre8mt invention. FIG. 7A illustrates in~eludes the Philips UAA_,515A
RF ASIC (U7) which is a trauaooiver applicatio~a specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and ~.~y regulator (Ul). This part coataiue the majority of the zadio transmit and roceiva cirauitr;~~, Tho IO UAA35ISA communieataa with the u~icroprncessor over a serial SPI bus (Pisa 3,4, and S of JZ
FTf~?. 'r8). ?he UAA.3515A rwpoads to sat up a~ud froquancy cormol inform &r~:a the miaopracessor. .
FIG. TB illustrates the arc~try between the emteana and the RF ASIC alanc;
with p~mrid~g coaaections to the main ptiated circuit board via connxtor (72). FIG.
TEl also provides ItSSI signal buffering (U9), a data slicer (U10) and Iatelmediate I~equour;,~ (~
filtering of the roccivcd signal (F~oer ! and Filter 2). The recrived data firm the data sliaor leaves the transceiver board on J2 and is co~mnectod tn the FGA which resides in FIG. bD The power amplifier (U6), ~mtenna switch (CT2~ SAW (FLl), sad row noise arnplifirr (x.NA, r!~D) are also ior.Iuded on flue figume. Tho aut~ra switch selects either rocsive or t~a~arit mode: 'char operating in ttansunit moat tho pownx amplifier boosts the transmit signal destined ~ ~: r the antenna. When opea~ing in roeeive mode, the SAW sand discrato filtering componont& reject unwanted signals before azrivaig at the LNA. The LNA increases the signal love) for use L y the UAA3515 RP ASIC. The SAW and discrete filtering eompononb rej xt out of bead, um i mired signals before arriving at the UAA3515A. The iaotermediate frequency filters are ooniuctod directly to the ItF A,5)<C in FIG. 7A and provide recaiver filtering that occurs within tae RF
~szc.
PIG. 8 is a schematic of the keyboard of module 10 of FIG. 1. In paro.cular, the 4 push buttons available to the operator oa the front of the emit of this aabodimcat ali~:w the operator to cdtarlge modes, adjust parameters, reset rngistcrs, sad request additional inf'ormtion that is kept in the memory of the microprocasaor. The push buttons along with the I,Cb ~~ .splay provide the user inteudhce for tha display module.
In a related ~nbodvm~ait, the display module is oamfigurablo to receive data d .ceetly $rna the F.ItT where the ERT has high power lrvels, suab, as a 1.4GHz veraiou for the w;ai er pit ERT version. Also periodic trana~niaBiona from the water pit SRT can be coordinated w i~,h the display module collection mode to increase reliability imythering data. Thfs would privida flerability sad lower coat is locating the display awdule since the watt rapoat~ would a of be necvsaary. In ather am~bodima~ of the display module. the wall repeater would be interposed with the display module and the water pit ERT to cns3we data collactiaa in inatauces an~~o the wataor pit 13RT is located a fair distance fi~ the display module sod the 13RT
signal is weal. ~c.
In another related embodiment, the consumption display module is simplified .n its design to include a single frequency radio roeeiver, as inexpensive nxicroprocessor, a rm~all opacity memory for minor data storage and an iae~cpd~ive display, alI intended to opat.;.x on battery power, so as to generate an inexpensive module. The module may also include a r nor feature of oollectiag and displaying small ~o~mta of iafornaataon as directed by the conu~ , mcr, similar to a trip odometer is automotive applications. In tt~as and other ~mbodimaats, the di,rplay nuodule can be fitted with a ma~et or a hook and type system to facilitate loc~ar. am a latchcn appliance for easo of use end viearing. Ia this and other embodiments, tho ~: isplay module can be fitted with a battery to also facilitate location oa a ldtch~en appliance r,: other location in the home for ones ofuse and viewing.
In tho various embodiments descn'bod about, the nsicroproceseor of the tti~splay nwdulc eaa be configurod to include a leer detection algorithm or sche~ne~ such as described i i i U.S.
Patmt Applicatioa, eatitlod '~assivc Consuxnptivo Leak Dctxtion". havictg U.S.
Patent Application Number 101965,283, filed on October i4, 2004, which hereby ixicorpo~r~;od by reference in its ~ety. With tho lock dotoction capability, tba display module is able ~:~ tales data provided by tho water meter >;RT sad detcrnnine if there is a leak by continuous wd low quantity of water usage, such as when a toilet is leaking or s faucet is leaking svmewhore; in the premiser. Also tlx time of day usage is also a clue that there may be a leak, ospacially wl'. : ~'c the water meter ERT is grncratmg data in the middle of the night or whey everyone is ~ vacs . ion.
In yet another related ambodimorlt, the olcetrorJics of co~nsut~ion display mod> >: a 110 can be applied to autumotive diagnostics and consumables. As an example, the displa~w could 1 S communicate with the personnel vehicle to ro1$y infofmation on the status of the car. ?hv~ ~ ~ that could be cammuaicatad might be Reel level, maintenance related tun~ona such as oil ~:I~ange, interrruittaat sensors, warranty recalls and gcrraral health of the vehicle-We also mont~~; nod a data repository of the homeowner the he or she can take with them. In geaea~al all infrn~r nation that is available from the on board computer can be couimuraicatbd to the co~os~uuption ~:lisplay module I10. Rather, in a fvcod ~twork application, this inform~zan can bo forwarded il~rongh the system to a lxead end or in the cast of RlrMS, directly into the Internet for direct corer. x;tiam to the appropriate service department.
The presort iavmtio~n may be embodied is other spacific forms without depamn;;; From the apitit of the essential attributes theroot; therefore, the illustrated embodiments she i.ld be considaod it au respe~.~.ta ss ilh~strauvc aad not restrictive, rofer~enec being made to the aprnaded ctsims rather than to the lioregoiag description to indicate the scope of the invGation.
Claims (38)
1. An apparatus for collecting and displaying consumption data for use by a user of utility service, the apparatus being configured to communicate with at least one utility metering device or appliance adapted to transmit utility consumption data, the apparatus comprising:
communication circuitry configured to receive the transmitted utility consumption data;
a display adapted to display the utility consumption data to the user, control circuitry operably coupled to the communication circuitry and display to control the receipt and display of the utility consumption data to a user;
power circuitry operably coupled to the control circuitry to regulate a flow of power thereto; and a housing to house the control circuitry, communication circuitry, power circuitry and display.
communication circuitry configured to receive the transmitted utility consumption data;
a display adapted to display the utility consumption data to the user, control circuitry operably coupled to the communication circuitry and display to control the receipt and display of the utility consumption data to a user;
power circuitry operably coupled to the control circuitry to regulate a flow of power thereto; and a housing to house the control circuitry, communication circuitry, power circuitry and display.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an actuating member disposed in the housing end operably coupled to the control circuitry to facilitate operating the apparatus.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the actuator includes a plurality of buttons.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry comprises a microprocessor
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry comprises a FPLG.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry comprises a PLC.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication circuitry comprises a radio module adapted to at least receive the transmitted utility composition data.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the radio module includes a receiver, a transmitter, and as antenna.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising storage operably coupled to the control circuitry to facilitate the storage of the received utility consumption data.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a real-time clock operably coupled to the control circuitry to facilitate accurate display of utility consumption data.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication circuitry is adapted to interface with a computing device.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the computing devise is selected from group consisting essentially of a handled computing device, a residential energy management system, a mobile data collection system, and a fixed network.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a repeater adapted to propagate the transmitted utility consumption data from the monitoring device to the communication circuitry.
14.~ The apparatus of claim 13,wherein the repeater comprises a generally portable wall repeater removably couplable to a wall outlet, wherein the wall includes repeater circuitry configured to receive, amplify and transmit the utility consumption data from the monitoring device to the communication circuitry of the apparatus.
15. ~The apparatus of claim 14,wherein the wall repeater additionally includes a housing having:
a circuitry housing portion to removably house the repeater circuitry; and a outlet cover portion that is removably couplable to the wall outlet.
a circuitry housing portion to removably house the repeater circuitry; and a outlet cover portion that is removably couplable to the wall outlet.
16. ~The apparatus of claim 15,wherein the housing includes an antenna housing portion to house an antenna of the repeater circuitry.
17. ~The apparatus of claim 1,further including a RS232 operably coupled to the control circuitry to facilitate communication between the apparatus and a remote computing device.
18. ~The apparatus of claim 1,further including a backup power source operably coupled to the control circuitry.
19. ~The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the display comprises a liquid crystal display.
20. ~The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the display comprises a plasma display.
21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.
22. A method for collecting and displaying utility consumption data for use by a user of a utility service, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving the utility consumption data by communication circuitry;
processing the utility consumption data by control circuitry operably coupled to the communication circuitry; and displaying the utility consumption data to a user.
receiving the utility consumption data by communication circuitry;
processing the utility consumption data by control circuitry operably coupled to the communication circuitry; and displaying the utility consumption data to a user.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein displaying the utility consumption data to ~ user includes displaying the utility consumption data to a consumer utilizing the utility.
24. The method of claim 22, further including the step receiving utility consumption data from a plurality of utility monitoring devices adapted to monitor and transmit utility consumption data.
25. The method of claim 22, including the step of displaying utility consumption data selected from tho group consisting essentially of cost of utility, billing information, current date and time, setting current date and time, setting a start date of monitoring, selecting as ERT, and selecting an appliance to monitor.
26. ~The method of claim 22, further including the step of notifying a user of an event selected from the group consisting essentially of a predetermined amount of utility consumed an amount of excess utility consumed, a date, a time, and ordering of utility.
27. ~The method of claim 22, further including the step of programming the control circuitry by navigating displayable menu options and sub-menu options.
28. ~A system for collecting and displaying consumption data for use by a user of at least one utility, the system comprising:~
means of metering a utility being operably coupled to a utility meter and adapted to transmit utility consumption data; and means of displaying utility consumption data to a user being adapted to receive the utility consumption data from the means of metering a utility.
means of metering a utility being operably coupled to a utility meter and adapted to transmit utility consumption data; and means of displaying utility consumption data to a user being adapted to receive the utility consumption data from the means of metering a utility.
29. A system for collecting and displaying utility consumption data for use by a user of at least one utility, the system comprising:
a plurality of utility metering devices, each of the utility metering devices being operably coupled to a respective utility meter and adapted to transmit utility consumption data; and at least one utility display module configured to receive and display the utility consumption data from the plurality of utility metering devices.
a plurality of utility metering devices, each of the utility metering devices being operably coupled to a respective utility meter and adapted to transmit utility consumption data; and at least one utility display module configured to receive and display the utility consumption data from the plurality of utility metering devices.
30. The system of claim 29,further including at least one utility metering device adapted to transmit utility consumption data being operably coupled to an appliance consuming a utility.
31. The system of claim 29, wherein the utility display module comprises:
communication circuitry configured to receive the transmitted utility consumption data;
a display adapted to display the utility consumption data to the user;
control circuitry operably coupled to the communication circuitry and display to control the receipt and display of the utility consumption data to a user;
power circuitry operably coupled to the control circuitry to regulate a flow of power thereto; and a housing to house the control circuitry, communication circuitry, power circuitry and display.
communication circuitry configured to receive the transmitted utility consumption data;
a display adapted to display the utility consumption data to the user;
control circuitry operably coupled to the communication circuitry and display to control the receipt and display of the utility consumption data to a user;
power circuitry operably coupled to the control circuitry to regulate a flow of power thereto; and a housing to house the control circuitry, communication circuitry, power circuitry and display.
32. The system of claim 30, wherein the utility metering device includes a Blue tooth connectivity device.
33. The system of claim 30, wherein the utility metering device includes wireless fidelity devices.
34. The system of claim 31, further including circuitry operably coupled to the control circuitry and adapted to measure at least one environmental parameter, wherein the control circuit compares the utility consumption data and the at least one environmental parameter,
35. The system of claim 34, wherein the circuitry is adapted to measure at least one measurable environmental parameter selected from the group consisting essentially of indoor temperature, outdoor temperature, indoor humidity, outdoor humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and barometric pressure.
36. An apparatus for collecting and displaying monitored status data for use by a user of a device, the apparatus being configured to communicate with at least one component of a device adapted to transmit monitored status data, the apparatus comprising:
communication circuitry configured to receive the transmitted monitored status data;
a display adapted to display the transmitted monitored status data to the user;
control circuitry operably coupled to the communication circuitry and display to control the receipt and display of the transmitted monitored status data to a user, power circuitry operably coupled to the control circuitry to regulate a flow of power thereto; and a housing to house the control circuitry, communication circuitry, power circuity and display.
communication circuitry configured to receive the transmitted monitored status data;
a display adapted to display the transmitted monitored status data to the user;
control circuitry operably coupled to the communication circuitry and display to control the receipt and display of the transmitted monitored status data to a user, power circuitry operably coupled to the control circuitry to regulate a flow of power thereto; and a housing to house the control circuitry, communication circuitry, power circuity and display.
37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the communication circuitry receives monitored status data from a vehicle adapted to monitor electrical and mechanical operations of the vehicle.
38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the monitored electrical and mechanical operations comprise at least one selected from the group consisting essentially of a fluid levels, maintenance related functions, electrical and mechanical sensors, warranty recalls and general health of the vehicle.
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| CA2492822A Active CA2492822C (en) | 2004-01-14 | 2005-01-14 | A method and apparatus for collecting and displaying consumption data from a meter reading system |
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| US20080180274A1 (en) | 2008-07-31 |
| AU2005200227C1 (en) | 2010-09-09 |
| US7317404B2 (en) | 2008-01-08 |
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| AU2005200227A1 (en) | 2005-07-28 |
| MXPA05000702A (en) | 2005-10-05 |
| CA2492822C (en) | 2016-03-15 |
| US20050190074A1 (en) | 2005-09-01 |
| US20110210862A1 (en) | 2011-09-01 |
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