US6671586B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for controlling power demand over an integrated wireless network
Assignee: Landis and Gyr Technologies LLC
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Filing: 2001-08-15
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Granted: 2003-12-30
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Expires: 2021-08-15
Abstract
Abstract An intelligent network demand control system provides a system and method for controlling demand in an energy delivery system. The intelligent network demand control system employs a transceiver network with a plurality transceivers coupled to meters and appliances residing at a plurality of customer premises. Control room operators instruct a customer premises (CP) energy management controller to implement a reduction in system demand. A demand reduction control signal is relayed out to a predefined group of transceivers to shut off their respective controlled appliances. The predefined transceivers, identified by their identification codes, are specified in the demand reduction control signal. When the transceivers shut off the appliances in response to a broadcasted demand reduction control signal, the actual demand reduction is metered and relayed back to the CP energy management controller. The total demand reduction is aggregated into a single number and then communicated to the operators.
Inventors
- 👤 James Davis
- 👤 Thomas D. Petite
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:16
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J3/00; H02J3/38; H02J13/00; H02J13/12; H02J13/13; H02J13/1321; H02J13/1323; H02J13/1331; H02J13/14; H02J13/18; H02J13/333; H02J3/12; H02J3/14; H02J2105/00; H02J2105/10; H02J2105/12; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A30/00; Y02A30/60; Y02B; Y02B70/00; Y02B70/30; Y02B70/3225; Y02B90/00; Y02B90/20; Y04; Y04S; Y04S20/00; Y04S20/20; Y04S20/222; Y04S40/00; Y04S40/12; Y04S40/124; Y04S40/126
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 98
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A system which controls appliances comprising: at least one appliance controller unit, the appliance controller unit coupled to at least one appliance; an energy management controller configured to communicate a demand reduction control signal; a site controller configured to receive the demand reduction control signal and configured to communicate a first radio frequency (RF) signal corresponding to the demand reduction signal; a first transceiver residing in the appliance controller unit and configured to receive the first radio control signal so that the appliance coupled to the appliance controller unit is shut off upon receipt of the first RF signal; a second transceiver coupled to a meter, the meter configured to detect demand, and configured to communicate a second RF signal corresponding to the metered demand to the site controller, wherein the second RF signal is received by the site controller, and wherein information corresponding to the metered demand is communicated by the site controller to the energy management controller.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
A system which controls appliances comprising: at least one appliance controller unit, the appliance controller unit coupled to at least one appliance; an energy management controller configured to communicate a demand reduction control signal; a site controller configured to receive the demand reduction control signal and configured to communicate a first radio frequency (RF) signal corresponding to the demand reduction signal; a first transceiver residing in the appliance controller unit and configured to receive the first radio control signal so that the appliance coupled to the appliance controller unit is shut off upon receipt of the first RF signal; a second transceiver coupled to a meter, the meter configured to detect demand, and configured to communicate a second RF signal corresponding to the metered demand to the site controller, wherein the second RF signal is received by the site controller, and wherein information corresponding to the metered demand is communicated by the site controller to the energy management controller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
92 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising: a plurality of appliance controller units, each one of the plurality of appliance controller units coupled to at least one of a plurality of appliances; and a plurality of first transceivers residing in one of the plurality of appliance controller units and configured to receive the first RF signal corresponding to the demand reduction control signal generated by the energy management controller so that each of the appliances coupled to the appliance controller units are shut off upon receipt of the first RF signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
103 words
The system of claim 2 , further comprising: an appliance controller unit memory residing in each one of the plurality of appliance controller units, the appliance controller unit memory configured to have a unique identification code identifying the appliance controller unit; and an energy management controller memory residing in the energy management controller, the energy management controller memory having a database identifying each one of the plurality of appliance controller units and the associated unique identification code such that the demand reduction control signal generated by the energy management controller is selectively communicated to selected ones of the plurality of appliance controller units.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 3 , further comprising logic residing in the energy management controller memory configured to select at least one unique appliance controller unit identification code such that when the demand reduction control signal is generated the selected ones of the plurality of appliance controller units are identified by the appliance controller unit identification code.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
99 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising: an appliance controller unit memory residing in each one of the plurality of appliance controller units, the appliance controller unit memory having logic configured to detect the operating status of a plurality of components residing in the appliance controller unit and configured to generate a status report that is transmitted by the first transceiver as a third RF signal to the site controller such that the energy management controller generates a component failure report when the status report indicates failure of at least one component residing in the appliance controller unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the metered demand information communicated as the second RF signal to the energy management controller is used to determine the difference between the metered demand information before generation of the demand reduction control signal and the metered demand information after the demand reduction control signal causes the appliance to be shut off.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
The system of claim 6 , further comprising a means for communicating information to components residing in an energy delivery system control center, the communicating means coupled to the energy management controller, such that operators understand the determined difference between the metered demand information before generation of the demand reduction control signal and the metered demand information after the demand reduction control signal causes the appliance to be shut off.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising a means for receiving an instruction from components residing in an energy delivery system control center, the instruction receiving means coupled to the energy management controller such that the demand reduction control signal is communicated when the instruction is received.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising; an interface coupled to the energy management controller and configured to interface with a communication network such that the generated demand reduction control signal is communicated to the site controller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein the communication network is a public switched telephone network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein the communication network is a utility legacy communication system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein the communication network is a digital communication system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein the communication network is a radio frequency (RF) communication system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein the communication network is an Internet network.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
89 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising an appliance controller unit memory residing in the appliance controller unit, the appliance controller unit memory configured to have logic that compares a unique identification code identifying the appliance controller unit with an identification code residing in the first RF signal corresponding to the demand reduction control signal, such that when the appliance controller unit unique identification code corresponds to the demand reduction control signal identification code, the appliance controller unit shuts off the appliance coupled to the appliance controller unit.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
191 words
A method for controlling demand in an energy delivery system, the method comprising the steps of: generating a demand reduction control signal by an energy management controller; transmitting a first radio frequency (RF) signal corresponding to the demand reduction control signal generated by the energy management controller to a plurality of first transceivers, one first transceiver residing in one of a plurality of appliance control units, wherein each one of the plurality of appliance control units is coupled to at least one appliance; shutting off the appliance coupled to the appliance control unit in response to receiving the first RF signal; metering a first change in demand at a plurality of meters, each one of the meters coupled to one of the appliances; transmitting plurality of second RF signals each corresponding to one of the plurality of first changes of demand to the energy management controller from a plurality of second transceivers, each one of the second transceivers coupled to one of the plurality of meters; and determining a first aggregate change in demand, the first aggregate change in demand equaling a sum of the plurality of first changes in demand.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
191 words
A method for controlling demand in an energy delivery system, the method comprising the steps of: generating a demand reduction control signal by an energy management controller; transmitting a first radio frequency (RF) signal corresponding to the demand reduction control signal generated by the energy management controller to a plurality of first transceivers, one first transceiver residing in one of a plurality of appliance control units, wherein each one of the plurality of appliance control units is coupled to at least one appliance; shutting off the appliance coupled to the appliance control unit in response to receiving the first RF signal; metering a first change in demand at a plurality of meters, each one of the meters coupled to one of the appliances; transmitting plurality of second RF signals each corresponding to one of the plurality of first changes of demand to the energy management controller from a plurality of second transceivers, each one of the second transceivers coupled to one of the plurality of meters; and determining a first aggregate change in demand, the first aggregate change in demand equaling a sum of the plurality of first changes in demand.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
93 words
The method of claim 16 , further comprising the steps of: assigning a unique identification code to each one of the plurality of appliance control units; selecting a plurality of identification codes such that selected ones of the plurality of appliance control units are selected; and receiving the first RF signal corresponding to the generated demand reduction control signal by the selected ones of the plurality of appliance control units perform the step of shutting off each one of the appliances coupled to the selected ones of the plurality of appliance control units.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 16 , further comprising the step of communicating the demand reduction control signal through a communication network from the energy management controller to a site controller such that the site controller transmits the first RF signal to the at least one of a the plurality of appliance control units.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the communication network is a public switched telephone network.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the communication network is a utility legacy communication system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the communication network is a digital communication system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the communication network is a radio frequency (RF) communication system.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the communication network is an Internet network.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 16 , further comprising the step of receiving by the energy management controller a demand reduction instruction from operators of the energy delivery system such that the step of generating the demand reduction control signal is made in response to the received demand reduction instruction.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
204 words
The method of claim 16 , further comprising the steps of: determining a difference between the determined first aggregate change in demand with a demand reduction instruction specifying a desired amount of demand reduction; generating a second demand reduction control signal; transmitting a third RF signal corresponding to the second demand reduction control signal to a plurality of third transceivers, wherein each one of the third transceivers resides in one of a second plurality of appliance control units, and wherein each one of the second plurality of appliance control units is coupled to at least one appliance; shutting off at least one of the appliances coupled to the second plurality of appliance control units in response to receiving the third RF signal; metering a second change in demand at a second plurality of meters; transmitting a plurality of fourth RF signals each corresponding to one of the plurality of second changes of demand to the energy management controller from a plurality of fourth transceivers, each one of the fourth transceivers coupled to one of the plurality of second meters; and determining a second aggregate change in demand, the second aggregate change in demand equaling the sum of the plurality of second changes in demand.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 25 , further comprising the step of selecting a number of appliance control units to be members of the second plurality of appliance control units such that the second aggregate change in demand substantially equals the difference between the first aggregate change in demand and the desired amount of demand reduction.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 16 , further comprising the steps of: selecting at least one of the plurality of appliance control units; and transmitting the first radio frequency (RF) signal corresponding to the generated demand reduction control signal to the selected appliance control units such that the appliances coupled to the selected appliance control units are shut off.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 16 , further comprising the steps of: generating a terminating signal; and transmitting a third RF signal corresponding to the terminating signal from the energy management controller to the plurality of appliance control units such that the demand reduction control signal is ended.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 28 , further comprising the steps of: metering a second change in demand at each one of the plurality of meters after receiving the third RF signal; and determining a second aggregate change in demand, the second aggregate change in demand equaling a second sum of the plurality of second changes in demand.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
127 words
The method of claim 29 , further comprising the steps of: selecting a number of appliance control units to be members of a second plurality of appliance control units; generating a second demand reduction control signal; transmitting the second demand reduction control signal to the second plurality of appliance control units, each one of the second plurality of appliance control units coupled to at least one appliance; and shutting off each one of the appliances coupled to the second plurality of appliance control units in response to receiving the second demand reduction control signal such that a third aggregate change in demand substantiallly equals a difference between the second aggregate change of demand and the aggregate metered demand determined before the demand reduction control signal is ended.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method of claim 16 , further comprising the steps of: assigning a unique identification code to each one of the plurality of appliance control units; selecting a plurality of identification codes to define a first demand reduction load block; and associating the selected identification codes with the generated demand reduction control signal such that when the demand reduction control signal is transmitted, only the appliance control units having their identification code selected perform the step of shutting off at least one of the appliances coupled to the appliance control unit.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
88 words
The method of claim 31 , further comprising the steps of: defining a load block identification code such that the load block identification code corresponds to the selected unique identification codes; and associating the load block identification code with the generated demand reduction control signal such that when the demand reduction control signal is transmitted, only the appliance control units having their identification code associated with the load block identification code perform the step of shutting off each one of the appliances coupled to the appliance control unit.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
131 words
The method of claim 32 , further comprising the steps of: defining a plurality of load block identification codes, each one of the load block identification codes corresponding to the selected unique group of identification codes, such that a plurality of demand reduction load blocks are defined; estimating an aggregate amount of demand reduction for each of the plurality of demand reduction load blocks; receiving a demand reduction instruction specifying an amount of a desired aggregate demand reduction; and selecting at least one of the plurality of demand reduction load blocks such that the estimated amount of demand reduction for the selected demand reduction load blocks approximately equals the amount of the desired aggregate demand reduction, wherein the generated demand reduction control signal corresponds to the selected demand reduction load blocks.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
118 words
The method of claim 33 , further comprising the steps of: determining a difference between the first aggregate change in demand and the amount of the desired aggregate demand reduction; selecting at least one second demand reduction load block such that the sum of the estimated aggregate amount of demand reduction associated with the selected second demand reduction load block substantially equals the determined difference; and generating a second demand reduction control signal such that when the second demand reduction control signal is transmitted, only the appliance control units having their identification code associated with the second demand reduction load block perform the step of shutting off each one of the appliances coupled to the appliance control unit.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 16 , further comprising the steps of: generating an acknowledgment RF signal from each one of the transceivers residing in the appliance control units that successfully shut off its respective appliance; and communicating the acknowledgement RF signal to the energy management controller.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 16 , further comprising the steps of; indicating failure of at least one component residing in one of the plurality of appliance control units by generating a status RF signal that is transmitted from the transceiver residing in the appliance control unit to the energy management controller; and requesting maintenance for the failed component.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 36 , further comprising the step of generating a status request signal by the energy management controller, such that when the status request RF signal is received by the plurality of appliance control units, the step of indicating failure of at least one component is initiated.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
127 words
The method of claim 16 , further comprising the steps of: generating a notification control signal by the energy management controller, the generation of the notification control signal occurring before the step of generating the demand reduction control signal by a predefined amount of time; transmitting a RF notification control signal corresponding to the notification control signal to a selected one of the first transceivers; receiving the RF notification control signal by the selected first transceiver; and generating a notification communication signal by the at least one appliance control unit in which the selected first transceiver resides, such that a customer understands that the step of shutting off the appliance will occur at a future time, the future time substantially corresponding to the predefined amount of time.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
197 words
A system for controlling demand in an energy delivery system, comprising: means for generating a demand reduction control signal by an energy management controller; means for transmitting a first radio frequency (RF) signal corresponding to the demand reduction control signal generated by the energy management controller to a plurality of first transceivers, one first transceiver residing in one of a plurality of appliance control units, wherein each one of the plurality of appliance control units is coupled to at least one appliance; means for shutting off the appliance coupled to the appliance control unit in response to receiving the first RF signal; means for metering a first change in demand at a plurality of meters, each one of the meters coupled to one of the appliances; transmitting a plurality of second RF signals each corresponding to one of the plurality of first changes of demand to the energy management controller from a plurality of second transceivers, each one of the second transceivers coupled to one of the plurality of meters; and means for determining a first aggregate change in demand, the first aggregate change in demand equaling a sum of the plurality of first changes in demand.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
197 words
A system for controlling demand in an energy delivery system, comprising: means for generating a demand reduction control signal by an energy management controller; means for transmitting a first radio frequency (RF) signal corresponding to the demand reduction control signal generated by the energy management controller to a plurality of first transceivers, one first transceiver residing in one of a plurality of appliance control units, wherein each one of the plurality of appliance control units is coupled to at least one appliance; means for shutting off the appliance coupled to the appliance control unit in response to receiving the first RF signal; means for metering a first change in demand at a plurality of meters, each one of the meters coupled to one of the appliances; transmitting a plurality of second RF signals each corresponding to one of the plurality of first changes of demand to the energy management controller from a plurality of second transceivers, each one of the second transceivers coupled to one of the plurality of meters; and means for determining a first aggregate change in demand, the first aggregate change in demand equaling a sum of the plurality of first changes in demand.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
96 words
The system of claim 39 , further comprising: means for assigning a unique identification code to each one of the plurality of appliance control units; means for selecting a plurality of identification codes such that selected ones of the plurality of appliance control units are selected; and means for receiving the first RF signal corresponding to the generated demand reduction control signal by the selected ones of the plurality of appliance control units perform the step of shutting off each one of the appliances coupled to the selected ones of the plurality of appliance control units.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 39 , further comprising means for communicating the demand reduction control signal through a communication network from the energy management controller to a site controller such that the site controller transmits the first RF signal to the at least one of the plurality of appliance control units.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 39 , further comprising means for receiving by the energy management controller a demand reduction instruction from operators of an energy delivery system such that the step of generating the demand reduction control signal is made in response to the received demand reduction instruction.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
228 words
The system of claim 39 , further comprising: means for receiving a demand reduction instruction, the demand reduction instruction having at least a requested amount of demand reduction; means for determining a difference between the determined first aggregate change in demand with the requested amount of demand reduction; means for generating a second demand reduction control signal; means for transmitting a third RF signal corresponding to the second demand reduction control signal to a plurality of third transceivers, wherein each one of the third transceivers resides in one of second plurality of appliance control units, and wherein each one of the second plurality of appliance control units is coupled to at least one appliance; means for shutting off at least one of the appliances coupled to the second plurality of appliance control units in response to receiving the third RF signal; means for metering a second change in demand at a second plurality of meters; means for transmitting a plurality of fourth RF signals corresponding to one of the plurality of second changes of demand to the energy management controller from a plurality of fourth transceivers, each one of the fourth transceivers coupled to one of the plurality of second meters; and means for determining a second aggregate change in demand, the second aggregate change in demand equaling the sum of the plurality of second changes in demand.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
96 words
The system of claim 43 , further comprising means for selecting a number of appliance control units to be members of the second plurality of appliance control units such that the second aggregate change in demand substantially equals the difference between the first aggregate change in demand and the demand reduction instruction selecting the number of appliance control units to be members of the second plurality of appliance control units such that the second aggregate change in demand substantially equals the difference between the first aggregate change in demand and the requested amount of demand reduction.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system of claim 39 , further comprising: means for selecting at least one of the plurality of appliance control units; and means for transmitting the first radio frequency (RF) signal corresponding to the generated demand reduction control signal to the selected appliance control units such that the appliances coupled to the selected appliance control units are shut off.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 39 , further comprising: means for generating a terminating signal; and means for transmitting a third RF signal corresponding to the terminating signal from the energy management controller to the plurality of appliance control units such that the demand reduction control signal is ended.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
89 words
The system of claim 46 , further comprising: means for metering a second change in demand at each one of the plurality of meters after the demand reduction control signal is ended; means for determining a second aggregate change in demand, the second aggregate change in demand equaling the sum of the metered second change in demand at each one of the plurality of meters; and means for comparing the second aggregate change of demand with an aggregate metered demand determined before the demand reduction control signal is ended.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
132 words
The system of claim 47 , further comprising: means for selecting a number of appliance control units to be members of a second plurality of appliance control units; means for generating a second demand reduction control signal; means for transmitting the second demand reduction control signal to the second plurality of appliance control units, each one of the second plurality of appliance control units coupled to at least one appliance; and means for shutting off each one of the appliances coupled to the second plurality of appliance control units in response to receiving the second demand reduction control signal such that a third aggregate change in demand substantially equals the difference between the second aggregate change of demand and the aggregate metered demand determined before the demand reduction control signal is ended.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
94 words
The system of claim 39 , further comprising: means for assigning a unique identification code to each one of the plurality of appliance control units; means for selecting a plurality of identification codes to define a first demand reduction load block; and means for associating the selected identification codes with the generated demand reduction control signal such that when the demand reduction control signal is transmitted, only the appliance control units having their identification code selected perform the step of shutting off at least one of the appliances coupled to the appliance control unit.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
89 words
The system of claim 49 , further comprising: means for defining a load block identification code such that the load block identification code corresponds to the selected unique identification codes; and means for associating the load block identification code with the generated demand reduction control signal such that when the demand reduction control signal is transmitted, only the appliance control units having their identification code associated with the load block identification code perform the step of shutting off each one of the appliances coupled to the appliance control unit.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
129 words
The system of claim 50 , further comprising: means for defining a plurality of load block identification codes, each one of the load block identification codes corresponding to the selected unique group of identification codes, such that a plurality of demand reduction load blocks are defined; means for estimating an aggregate amount of demand reduction for each of the plurality of demand reduction load blocks; means for receiving a demand reduction instruction specifying an amount of a desired aggregate demand reduction; and means for selecting at least one of the plurality of demand reduction load blocks such that the estimated aggregate amount of demand reduction for the selected demand reduction load blocks approximately equals the amount of the desired aggregate demand reduction specified by the demand reduction control signal.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
143 words
The system of claim 51 , further comprising: means for metering an aggregate change in demand after the demand reduction control signal is transmitted to the plurality of appliance control units; means for determining a difference between the aggregate metered demand change and the amount of the desired aggregate demand reduction; means for selecting at least one second demand reduction load block such that the sum of the estimated aggregate amount of demand reduction associated with the selected second demand reduction load block substantially equals the determined difference; and means for generating a second demand reduction control signal such that when the second demand reduction control signal is transmitted, only the appliance control units having their identification code associated with the second demand reduction load block perform the step of shutting off each one of the appliances coupled to the appliance control unit.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 39 , further comprising: means for generating an acknowledgment RF signal from each one of the transceivers residing in the appliance control units that successfully shut off its respective appliance; and means for communicating the acknowledgement RF signal to the energy management controller.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system of claim 39 , further comprising: means for indicating failure of at least one component residing in one of the plurality of appliance control units by generating a status RF signal that is transmitted from the transceiver residing in the appliance control unit to the energy management controller; and means for requesting maintenance for the failed component.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 54 , further comprising means for generating a status request signal by the energy management controller, such that when the status request RF signal is received by the plurality of appliance control units, the step of indicating failure of at least one component is initiated.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
132 words
The system of claim 39 , further comprising: means for generating a notification control signal by the energy management controller, the generation of the notification control signal occurring before the demand reduction control signal is generated by a predefined amount of time; means for transmitting a RF notification control signal corresponding to the notification control signal from the energy management controller to a selected one of the first transceivers; means for receiving the RF notification control signal by the selected first transceiver; and means for generating a notification communication signal by the at least one appliance control unit in which the selected first transceiver resides, such that a customer understands that the appliance will be shut off at a future time, the future time substantially corresponding to the predefined amount of time.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
292 words
A method for controlling demand in an energy delivery system, the method comprising the steps of: generating a demand reduction control signal by an energy management controller; transmitting the demand reduction control signal from the energy management controller to a site controller; communicating a first radio frequency (RF) signal from the site controller to a transceiver network comprising a plurality of network transceivers, the first RF signal having a first identification code corresponding to a plurality of transceivers; communicating the first RF signal through the transceiver network to the plurality of transceivers residing in the appliance controller unit; receiving the first RF signal by each of the plurality of transceivers, each transceiver residing in one of a plurality of appliance controller units, each appliance controller unit coupled to at least one appliance and configured to shut off the appliance coupled to the appliance control unit in response to its corresponding transceiver receiving the first RF signal; detecting a first metered change in demand at each of a plurality of meters, each of the meters coupled to at least one of the appliances; communicating a plurality of second RF signals to the transceiver network from a plurality of second transceivers, each one of the second transceivers uniquely coupled to one of the plurality of meters, and each of the second RF signals uniquely corresponding to the first metered change in demand at its respective meter; receiving the plurality of second RF signals at the site controller; communicating the plurality of second RF signals from the site controller to the energy management controller; and determining a first aggregate change in demand, the first aggregate change in demand equaling a sum of the first metered change in demand in the plurality of second RF signals.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
292 words
A method for controlling demand in an energy delivery system, the method comprising the steps of: generating a demand reduction control signal by an energy management controller; transmitting the demand reduction control signal from the energy management controller to a site controller; communicating a first radio frequency (RF) signal from the site controller to a transceiver network comprising a plurality of network transceivers, the first RF signal having a first identification code corresponding to a plurality of transceivers; communicating the first RF signal through the transceiver network to the plurality of transceivers residing in the appliance controller unit; receiving the first RF signal by each of the plurality of transceivers, each transceiver residing in one of a plurality of appliance controller units, each appliance controller unit coupled to at least one appliance and configured to shut off the appliance coupled to the appliance control unit in response to its corresponding transceiver receiving the first RF signal; detecting a first metered change in demand at each of a plurality of meters, each of the meters coupled to at least one of the appliances; communicating a plurality of second RF signals to the transceiver network from a plurality of second transceivers, each one of the second transceivers uniquely coupled to one of the plurality of meters, and each of the second RF signals uniquely corresponding to the first metered change in demand at its respective meter; receiving the plurality of second RF signals at the site controller; communicating the plurality of second RF signals from the site controller to the energy management controller; and determining a first aggregate change in demand, the first aggregate change in demand equaling a sum of the first metered change in demand in the plurality of second RF signals.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 57 , further comprising the step of communicating the demand reduction control signal from the energy management controller to the site controller through a communication network.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 58 , wherein the communication network is a public switched telephone network.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 58 , wherein the communication network is a utility legacy communication system.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 58 , wherein the communication network is a digital communication system.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 58 , wherein the communication network is a radio frequency (RF) communication system.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 58 , wherein the communication network is an Internet network.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 57 , further comprising the step of receiving by the energy management controller a demand reduction instruction from operators of an energy delivery system such that the step of generating the demand reduction control signal is made in response to the received demand reduction instruction.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
290 words
The method of claim 57 , further comprising the steps of: receiving a demand reduction instruction, the demand reduction instruction having at least a requested amount of demand reduction; determining a difference between the determined first aggregate change in demand with the requested amount of demand reduction; generating a second demand reduction control signal; transmitting the second demand reduction control signal to the site controller; communicating a third RF signal from the site controller through the transceiver network, the third RF signal having a second identification code corresponding to a plurality of third transceivers residing in a second plurality of appliance control units, each one of the second plurality of appliance control units coupled to at least one second appliance so that the second appliances coupled to the second plurality of appliance control units are shut off in response to its corresponding third transceiver receiving the second RF signal; detecting a second metered change in demand at each of a plurality of second meters, each of the second meters coupled to at least one of the second appliances; communicating a plurality of fourth RF signals to the transceiver network from a plurality of fourth transceivers, each one of the fourth transceivers uniquely coupled to one of the plurality of second meters, and each of the fourth RF signals uniquely corresponding to the second metered change in demand at its respective second meter; receiving the plurality of fourth RF signals at the site controller; communicating the plurality of fourth RF signals from the site controller to the energy management controller; and determining a second aggregate change in demand, the second aggregate change in demand equaling the sum of the second metered change in demand in the plurality of fourth RF signals.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 65 , further comprising the step of selecting a number of appliance control units to be members of the second plurality of appliance control units such that the second aggregate change in demand substantially equals the difference between the first aggregate change in demand and the requested amount of demand reduction.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 57 , further comprising the steps of: generating a terminating signal; and transmitting a terminating RF signal corresponding to the terminating signal to the plurality of transceivers such that the demand reduction control signal is ended.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method of claim 57 , further comprising the steps of: assigning a unique identification code to each one of the plurality of appliance control units; selecting a plurality of identification codes to define a first demand reduction load block; and associating the selected identification codes with the generated demand reduction control signal such that when the demand reduction control signal is transmitted, only the appliance control units having their identification code selected shut off the appliance coupled to the appliance control unit.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 68 , further comprising the steps of: defining a load block identification code such that the load block identification code corresponds to the selected unique identification codes; and associating the load block identification code with the generated demand reduction control signal such that the when the demand reduction control signal is transmitted, only the appliance control units having their identification code associated with the load block identification code shut off the appliance coupled to the appliance control unit.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
106 words
The method of claim 69 , further comprising the steps of: defining a plurality of load block identification codes, each one of the load block identification codes corresponding to the selected unique group of identification codes, such that a plurality of demand reduction load blocks are defined; estimating an aggregate amount of demand reduction for each of the plurality of demand reduction load blocks; and selecting at least one of the plurality of demand reduction load blocks such that an estimated amount of demand reduction for the selected demand reduction load blocks approximately equals a desired aggregate demand reduction specified by the demand reduction control signal.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 57 , further comprising the steps of: generating an acknowledgment RF signal from each one of the transceivers residing in the appliance control units that successfully shut off its respective appliance; and communicating the acknowledgment RF signal to the energy management controller through the transceiver network.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 57 , further comprising the steps of: generating a status RF signal generated by one of the transceivers residing in the plurality of appliance control units, the status RF signal indicating failure of at least one component residing in the appliance control unit; and communicating the status RF signal to the energy management controller through the transceiver network thereby requesting maintenance for the failed component.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
100 words
The method of claim 72 , further comprising the steps of: generating a status request signal by the energy management controller; communicating the status request signal to the site controller; communicating a status request RF signal from the site controller through the transceiver network to at least one of the transceivers, the status request RF signal corresponding to the status request signal; generating a return status request RF signal indicating the status of the appliance control unit; and communicating the return status request signal to the energy management controller through the transceiver network, the site controller, and the communication network.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
120 words
The method of claim 57 , further comprising the steps of: generating a notification control signal by the energy management controller, the generation of the notification control signal occurring before the step of generating the demand reduction control signal by a predefined amount of time; and transmitting a RF notification control signal corresponding to the notification control signal from the energy management controller to a selected one of the transceivers, such that when the notification control signal is received by the at least one appliance control unit in which the transceiver resides, a customer understands that the step of shutting off the appliance will occur at a future time, the future time substantially corresponding to the predefined amount of time.
Claim 79
Independent Claim
314 words
A system for controlling demand in an energy delivery system comprising: means for generating a demand reduction control signal by an energy management controller; means for transmitting the demand reduction control signal from the energy management controller to a site controller; means for communicating a first radio frequency (RF) signal from the site controller to a transceiver network comprising a plurality of network transceivers, the first RF signal having a first identification code corresponding to a plurality of transceivers; means for communicating the first RF signal through the transceiver network to the plurality of transceivers residing in the appliance controller unit; means for receiving the first RF signal by each of the plurality of transceivers, each transceiver residing in one of a plurality of appliance controller units, each appliance controller unit coupled to at least one appliance and configured to shut off the appliance coupled to the appliance control unit in response to its corresponding transceiver receiving the first RF signal corresponding to the demand reduction control signal; means for detecting a first metered change in demand at each of a plurality of meters, each of the meters coupled to at least one of the appliances; means for communicating a plurality of second RF signals to the transceiver network from a plurality of second transceivers, each one of the second transceivers uniquely coupled to one of the plurality of meters, and each of the second RF signals uniquely corresponding to the first metered change in demand at its respective meter; means for receiving the plurality of second RF signals at the site controller; means for communicating the plurality of second RF signals from the site controller to the energy management controller; and means for determining a first aggregate change in demand, the first aggregate change in demand equaling a sum of the first metered change in demand of the plurality of second RF signals.
Claim 80
Independent Claim
314 words
A system for controlling demand in an energy delivery system comprising: means for generating a demand reduction control signal by an energy management controller; means for transmitting the demand reduction control signal from the energy management controller to a site controller; means for communicating a first radio frequency (RF) signal from the site controller to a transceiver network comprising a plurality of network transceivers, the first RF signal having a first identification code corresponding to a plurality of transceivers; means for communicating the first RF signal through the transceiver network to the plurality of transceivers residing in the appliance controller unit; means for receiving the first RF signal by each of the plurality of transceivers, each transceiver residing in one of a plurality of appliance controller units, each appliance controller unit coupled to at least one appliance and configured to shut off the appliance coupled to the appliance control unit in response to its corresponding transceiver receiving the first RF signal corresponding to the demand reduction control signal; means for detecting a first metered change in demand at each of a plurality of meters, each of the meters coupled to at least one of the appliances; means for communicating a plurality of second RF signals to the transceiver network from a plurality of second transceivers, each one of the second transceivers uniquely coupled to one of the plurality of meters, and each of the second RF signals uniquely corresponding to the first metered change in demand at its respective meter; means for receiving the plurality of second RF signals at the site controller; means for communicating the plurality of second RF signals from the site controller to the energy management controller; and means for determining a first aggregate change in demand, the first aggregate change in demand equaling a sum of the first metered change in demand of the plurality of second RF signals.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 75 , further comprising means for communicating the demand reduction control signal from the energy management controller to the site controller through a communication network.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 76 , wherein the communication network is a public switched telephone network.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 76 , wherein the communication network is a utility legacy communication system.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 76 , wherein the communication network is a digital communication system.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 76 , wherein the communication network is a radio frequency (RF) communication system.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 76 , wherein the communication network is an Internet network.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 75 , further comprising means for receiving by the energy management controller a demand reduction instruction from operators of an energy delivery system such that the step of generating the demand reduction control signal is made in response to the received demand reduction instruction.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
307 words
The system of claim 75 , further comprising: means for receiving a demand reduction instruction, the demand reduction instruction having at least a requested amount of demand reduction; means for determining a difference between the determined first aggregate change in demand with the requested amount of demand reduction; means for generating a second demand reduction control signal; means for transmitting the second demand reduction control signal to the site controller; means for communicating a third RF signal from the site controller through the transceiver network, the third RF signal having a second identification code corresponding to a plurality of third transceivers residing in a second plurality of appliance control units, each one of the second plurality of appliance control units coupled to at least one second appliance so that the second appliances coupled to the second plurality of appliance control units are shut off in response to its corresponding third transceiver receiving the second RF signal; means for detecting a second metered change in demand at each of a plurality of second meters, each of the second meters coupled to at least one of the second appliances; means for communicating a plurality of fourth RF signals to the transceiver network from a plurality of fourth transceivers, each one of the fourth transceivers uniquely coupled to one of the plurality of second meters, and each of the fourth RF signals uniquely corresponding to the second metered change in demand at its respective second meter; means for receiving the plurality of fourth RF signals at the site controller; means for communicating the plurality of fourth RF signals from the site controller to the energy management controller; and means for determining a second aggregate change in demand, the second aggregate change in demand equaling the sum of the second metered change in demand in the plurality of fourth RF signals.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 83 , further comprising means for selecting a number of appliance control units to be members of the second plurality of appliance control units such that the second aggregate change in demand substantially equals the difference between the first aggregate change in demand and the requested amount of demand reduction.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 75 , further comprising: means for generating a terminating signal; and means for transmitting a terminating RF signal corresponding to the terminating signal to the plurality of transceivers such that the demand reduction control signal is ended.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
86 words
The system of claim 75 , further comprising: means for assigning a unique identification code to each one of the plurality of appliance control units; means for selecting a plurality of identification codes to define a first demand reduction load block; and means for associating the selected identification codes with the generated demand reduction control signal such that when the demand reduction control signal is transmitted, only the appliance control units having their identification code selected shut off the appliance coupled to the appliance control unit.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
82 words
The system of claim 86 , further comprising: means for defining a load block identification code such that the load block identification code corresponds to the selected unique identification codes; and means for associating the load block identification code with the generated demand reduction control signal such that when the demand reduction control signal is transmitted, only the appliance control units having their identification code associated with the load block identification code shut off the appliance coupled to the appliance control unit.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
109 words
The system of claim 87 , further comprising: means for defining a plurality of load block identification codes, each one of the load block identification codes corresponding to the selected unique group of identification codes, such that a plurality of demand reduction load blocks are defined; means for estimating an aggregate amount of demand reduction for each of the plurality of demand reduction load blocks; and means for selecting at least one of the plurality of demand reduction load blocks such that an estimated amount of demand reduction for the selected demand reduction load blocks approximately equals a desired aggregate demand reduction specified by the demand reduction control signal.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 75 , further comprising: means for generating an acknowledgment RF signal from each one of the transceivers residing in the appliance control units that successfully shut off its respective appliance; and means for communicating the acknowledgment RF signal to the energy management controller through the transceiver network.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
70 words
The system of claim 75 , further comprising: means for generating a status RF signal generated by one of the transceivers residing in the plurality of appliance control units, the status RF signal indicating failure of at least one component residing in the appliance control unit; and means for communicating the status RF signal to the energy management controller through the transceiver network thereby requesting maintenance for the failed component.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
102 words
The system of claim 90 , further comprising; means for communicating a status request signal generated by the energy management controller to the site controller; and means for communicating a status request RF signal from the site controller through the transceiver network to at least one of the transceivers the status request RF signal corresponding to the status request signal; means for generating a return status request RF signal indicating the status of the appliance control unit; and means for communicating the return status request signal to the energy management controller through the transceiver network, the site controller, and the communication network.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
121 words
The system of claim 75 , further comprising: means for generating a notification control signal by the energy management controller, the generation of the notification control signal occurring before the step of generating the demand reduction control signal by a predefined amount of time; and means for transmitting a RF notification control signal corresponding to the notification control signal from the energy management controller to a selected one of the transceivers such that when the notification control signal is received by the at least one appliance control unit in which the transceiver resides, a customer understands that the step of shutting off the appliance will occur at a future time, the future time substantially corresponding to the predefined amount of time.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 29 , further comprising the step of comparing the second aggregate change in demand with an aggregate metered demand determined before the terminating signal is generated.
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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) | 2006-12-29 | 2007-06-30 | 2007-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-12-29 | 2011-06-30 | 2011-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-12-29 | 2015-06-30 | 2015-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |