US6622097B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for reading and controlling electric power consumption
Assignee: TRENDPOINT SYSTEMS Inc
•
Filing: 2001-06-28
•
Granted: 2003-09-16
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Expires: 2021-06-28
Abstract
Abstract An electro-optical, automatic meter reader for enabling a consumer to view and manage power consumption through a browser. A sensor attached to a bracket is mounted to the outside cover of a utility meter without modification of the meter or removal of its housing. A data-collector stores data obtained from the sensor via a serial port which may also provide power for the sensor, thus avoiding use of a dedicated power supply. The data-collector connects to a computer which provides a centralized object through which to view and manage power consumption. The real-time and combined historic data can be used to forecast whether usage will fall above or below a predetermined usage level at the end of a given period of time. In response to a forecast exceeding the level, the computer displays the appropriate graph in a red colored bar within a quantity vs. time chart. The computer may control power consuming devices. A communication system may be established to the system for remote management by the consumer or by the utility company for its own billing and management purposes.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert R. Hunter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R22/00; G01R22/06; G01R22/061; G01R22/063; G01D; G01D4/00; G01D4/002; G01D4/004; G01D4/008; G01R21/00; G01R21/133; H; H02; H02J; H02J13/00; H02J13/10; H02J13/13; H02J13/1321; H02J13/1323; H02J13/14; H02J2105/00; H02J2105/10; H02J2105/12; H02J3/00; H02J3/008; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B90/00; Y02B90/20; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y04; Y04S; Y04S20/00; Y04S20/30; Y04S40/00; Y04S40/12; Y04S40/124; Y04S50/00; Y04S50/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for reading electric power consumption, comprising: an optical sensor for sensing indicia of electricity consumption from an electric utility meter, wherein the optical sensor obtains power for operation of the optical sensor from a serial cable coupled to the optical sensor; a bracket having unitary body for positioning the optical sensor with respect to the electric utility meter the sensor positioned externally to a translucent cover of the electric utility meter; and a means for mounting the bracket to the electric utility meter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for reading electric power consumption, comprising: an optical sensor for sensing indicia of electricity consumption from an electric utility meter, wherein the optical sensor obtains power for operation of the optical sensor from a serial cable coupled to the optical sensor; a bracket having unitary body for positioning the optical sensor with respect to the electric utility meter the sensor positioned externally to a translucent cover of the electric utility meter; and a means for mounting the bracket to the electric utility meter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a data collector coupled to the serial cable for collecting data related to electricity consumption.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for reading electric power consumption, comprising: an optical sensor for sensing indicia of electricity consumption from an electric utility meter; a bracket having unitary body for positioning the optical sensor with respect to the electric utility meter, the sensor positioned externally to a translucent cover of the electric utility meter; a means for mounting the bracket to the electric utility meter; and a data collector coupled to the optical sensor by a serial cable for collecting data related to electricity consumption wherein the data collector includes memory for storing data related to electricity consumption.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for reading electric power consumption, comprising: an optical sensor for sensing indicia of electricity consumption from an electric utility meter; a bracket having unitary body for positioning the optical sensor with respect to the electric utility meter, the sensor positioned externally to a translucent cover of the electric utility meter; a means for mounting the bracket to the electric utility meter; and a data collector coupled to the optical sensor by a serial cable for collecting data related to electricity consumption wherein the data collector includes memory for storing data related to electricity consumption.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the data collector stores the data despite a power failure.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
81 words
An apparatus for reading electric power consumption, comprising: an optical sensor for sensing indicia of electricity consumption from an electric utility meter, wherein the optical sensor obtains power for operation of the optical sensor from a serial cable coupled to the optical sensor; a bracket for positioning the optical sensor with respect to the electric utility meter, the sensor positioned externally to a translucent cover of the electric utility meter; and means for mounting the bracket to the electric utility meter.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
81 words
An apparatus for reading electric power consumption, comprising: an optical sensor for sensing indicia of electricity consumption from an electric utility meter, wherein the optical sensor obtains power for operation of the optical sensor from a serial cable coupled to the optical sensor; a bracket for positioning the optical sensor with respect to the electric utility meter, the sensor positioned externally to a translucent cover of the electric utility meter; and means for mounting the bracket to the electric utility meter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the optical sensor senses rotation of a disk located inside the translucent cover of the electric utility meter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the bracket is unitary.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the serial cable is coupled to a data collector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the data collector includes memory for storing data related to electricity consumption.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the data collector stores the data despite a power failure.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
83 words
A system for monitoring and controlling power consumption comprising: a reader for obtaining power consumption data from an electric utility meter; and a computer system for collecting the data from the reader wherein the computer system computes a forecast of electric power consumption for a predetermined period of time based on usage for a portion of the predetermined period of time and wherein the computer system controls an amount of power consumption by controlling a device that consumes electricity based on the forecast.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
83 words
A system for monitoring and controlling power consumption comprising: a reader for obtaining power consumption data from an electric utility meter; and a computer system for collecting the data from the reader wherein the computer system computes a forecast of electric power consumption for a predetermined period of time based on usage for a portion of the predetermined period of time and wherein the computer system controls an amount of power consumption by controlling a device that consumes electricity based on the forecast.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 11 , wherein the computer system repeatedly computes the forecast.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 11 , wherein the computer system controls the device so that usage for the predetermined time period falls below a predetermined amount.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 11 , wherein the device includes a climate control device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 14 , wherein the climate control device is an air conditioning unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 13 , wherein the predetermined amount represents a baseline above which cost of the electricity increases.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system according to claim 13 , wherein the predetermined amount represents a target and when usage falls below the target for the predetermined time period the user becomes entitled to a rebate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 11 , further comprising a user interface at the computer system wherein the user interface displays indicia related to power consumption to the user.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 18 , wherein the indicia related to power consumption is representative of historical usage.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 18 , wherein the indicia related to power consumption is representative of then-current usage in real time.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 20 , wherein the indicia related to power consumption includes a moving picture.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 21 , wherein the moving picture includes a chart of usage.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 11 , further comprising means for accessing the user interface from a location remote from the computer system for providing the user input.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 23 , further comprising means for displaying indicia related to power consumption at the remote location.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of monitoring and controlling power consumption comprising: reading power consumption data from an electric utility meter using an automatic reader; collecting the data from the reader in a computer memory device; computing a forecast of electric power consumption for a predetermined period of time based on usage for a portion of the predetermined time period using a computer system; and controlling an amount of power consumption by the computer system controlling a device that consumes electricity based on the forecast.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of monitoring and controlling power consumption comprising: reading power consumption data from an electric utility meter using an automatic reader; collecting the data from the reader in a computer memory device; computing a forecast of electric power consumption for a predetermined period of time based on usage for a portion of the predetermined time period using a computer system; and controlling an amount of power consumption by the computer system controlling a device that consumes electricity based on the forecast.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 25 , wherein said controlling controls the device so that usage for the predetermined time period falls below a predetermined amount.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 25 , wherein the predetermined amount represents a baseline above which cost of the electricity increases.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 25 , wherein the predetermined amount represents a target and when usage falls below the target for the predetermined time period the user becomes entitled to a rebate.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 25 , further comprising displaying indicia related to power consumption.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 29 , wherein the indicia related to power consumption is representative of historical usage.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 29 , wherein the indicia related to power consumption is representative of then-current usage in real time.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 31 , wherein the indicia related to power consumption includes a moving picture.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 32 , wherein the moving picture includes a chart of usage.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
61 words
A system for monitoring and controlling power consumption comprising: a reader for obtaining power consumption data from an electric utility meter; a computer system for collecting the data from the reader and including a software algorithm for avoiding spurious data created by an external light; and p 1 a user interface at the computer system for accepting input from the user.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
61 words
A system for monitoring and controlling power consumption comprising: a reader for obtaining power consumption data from an electric utility meter; a computer system for collecting the data from the reader and including a software algorithm for avoiding spurious data created by an external light; and p 1 a user interface at the computer system for accepting input from the user.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 34 , wherein the system senses an occurrence of more than two passes in one second.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 35 , wherein the system ignores a second one of the two passes.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 34 , wherein the system senses a time interval between each pass.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 37 , wherein the system ignores a middle one of the intervals if a long-short-long pattern is sensed.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 38 , wherein the system ignores the middle short reading if the long-short-long pattern is seen twice.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 34 , wherein in response to sensing the spurious data, the system alerts an end user when an adjustment to the optical sensor is needed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-09-15 | 2007-03-17 | 2007-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-09-15 | 2011-03-17 | 2011-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-09-15 | 2015-03-17 | 2015-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |