← Back to Patent Explorer
US7009493B2 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Electronic device with paging for energy curtailment and code generation for manual verification of curtailment

Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd
•
Filing: 2001-06-22
•
Granted: 2006-03-07
•
Expires: 2021-06-22
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A curtailment module is disclosed for enabling an energy provider to send a request to curtail energy use to a user. The curtailment module includes an interface for electronic communications with a temperature control device. A paging module is used to receive the request from the energy provider through a paging network. The curtailment module also includes a processor in electronic communication with the paging module for receiving the request from the paging module. Memory is also included and is in electronic communication with the processor.

Inventors

  • 👤 Michael L. Howard
  • 👤 William R. Harper, Jr.

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 22:47
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J13/00; H02J13/10; H02J13/13; H02J13/1331; H02J3/00; H02J3/17; H02J2105/00; H02J2105/50; H02J2105/52; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B70/00; Y02B70/30; Y02B70/3225; Y04; Y04S; Y04S20/00; Y04S20/20; Y04S20/222

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim 117 words
A curtailment module for enabling an energy provider to send a request to curtail energy use to a user, the curtailment module comprising: an interface for electronic communications with a temperature control device; a paging module for receiving the request from the energy provider through a paging network; a processor in electronic communication with the paging module for receiving the request from the paging module; and memory in electronic communication with the processor, the memory storing history data, and the memory being programmed with verification instructions to generate a verification code to be used by a user to manually verify whether the request was followed, wherein the history data is not the same as the verification code.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 117 words
A curtailment module for enabling an energy provider to send a request to curtail energy use to a user, the curtailment module comprising: an interface for electronic communications with a temperature control device; a paging module for receiving the request from the energy provider through a paging network; a processor in electronic communication with the paging module for receiving the request from the paging module; and memory in electronic communication with the processor, the memory storing history data, and the memory being programmed with verification instructions to generate a verification code to be used by a user to manually verify whether the request was followed, wherein the history data is not the same as the verification code.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 29 words
The curtailment module as defined in claim 1 wherein the memory is further programmed with instructions to cause the curtailment module to receive the request from the energy provider.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 23 words
The curtailment module as defined in claim 1 wherein the memory is further programmed with instructions for communicating with the temperature control device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 12 words
The curtailment module as defined in claim 1 further comprising a display.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 22 words
The curtailment module as defined in claim 1 further comprising an input device for enabling the user to enter a user input.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 39 words
The curtailment module as defined in claim 1 wherein the history data relates to the temperature control device and wherein the memory is further programmed with instructions to cause the processor to store the history data in the memory.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 22 words
The curtailment module as defined in claim 1 , wherein the verification instructions use a device ID in generating the verification code.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 26 words
The curtailment module as defined in claim 1 , wherein the verification instructions use a device ID and the history data in generating the verification code.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 29 words
The curtailment module as defined in claim 1 , wherein the verification instructions use a device ID, the history data and a curtailment message in generating the verification code.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 26 words
The curtailment module as defined in claim 1 , wherein the verification instructions further display the verification code on a display after generating the verification code.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 138 words
A curtailment module for enabling an energy provider to send a curtailment message to a remote structure, the curtailment module comprising: an interface for electronic communications with a temperature control device; a paging module for receiving the curtailment message from the energy provider through a paging network; a processor in electronic communication with the paging module for receiving the curtailment message from the paging module; memory in electronic communication with the processor, the memory storing history data, and the memory being programmed with verification instructions to generate a verification code to be used by a user to manually verify whether the curtailment message was followed, wherein the history data is not the same as the verification code; a display for outputting information to a user; and an input device for enabling the user to enter a user input.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 138 words
A curtailment module for enabling an energy provider to send a curtailment message to a remote structure, the curtailment module comprising: an interface for electronic communications with a temperature control device; a paging module for receiving the curtailment message from the energy provider through a paging network; a processor in electronic communication with the paging module for receiving the curtailment message from the paging module; memory in electronic communication with the processor, the memory storing history data, and the memory being programmed with verification instructions to generate a verification code to be used by a user to manually verify whether the curtailment message was followed, wherein the history data is not the same as the verification code; a display for outputting information to a user; and an input device for enabling the user to enter a user input.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 32 words
The curtailment module as defined in claim 11 wherein the memory is programmed with communication instructions for communicating with the temperature control device and for monitoring settings of the temperature control device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 32 words
The curtailment module as defined in claim 12 wherein the history data relates to the temperature control device and wherein the memory is programmed with history instructions for storing the history data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 24 words
The curtailment module as defined in claim 13 wherein the verification instructions use the history data and the curtailment message and a device ID.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 24 words
The curtailment module as defined in claim 14 wherein the memory is programmed with display instructions to display the verification code on the display.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 143 words
A curtailment module for enabling an energy provider to send a curtailment message to a remote structure, the curtailment module comprising: means for interfacing the curtailment module with a temperature control device; means for receiving the curtailment message from the energy provider through a paging network; means for processing, the processing means being in electronic communication with the receiving means for receiving the curtailment message; memory in electronic communication with the processing means, the memory storing history data, and the memory being programmed with verification instructions to generate a verification code to be used by a user to manually verify whether the curtailment message was followed, wherein the history data is not the same as the verification code; means for displaying information to a user; and means for inputting by the user, the inputting means enabling the user to enter a user input.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 143 words
A curtailment module for enabling an energy provider to send a curtailment message to a remote structure, the curtailment module comprising: means for interfacing the curtailment module with a temperature control device; means for receiving the curtailment message from the energy provider through a paging network; means for processing, the processing means being in electronic communication with the receiving means for receiving the curtailment message; memory in electronic communication with the processing means, the memory storing history data, and the memory being programmed with verification instructions to generate a verification code to be used by a user to manually verify whether the curtailment message was followed, wherein the history data is not the same as the verification code; means for displaying information to a user; and means for inputting by the user, the inputting means enabling the user to enter a user input.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 32 words
The curtailment module as defined in claim 16 wherein the memory is programmed with communication instructions for communicating with the temperature control device and for monitoring settings of the temperature control device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 32 words
The curtailment module as defined in claim 17 wherein the history data relates to the temperature control device and wherein the memory is programmed with history instructions for storing the history data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 24 words
The curtailment module as defined in claim 18 wherein the verification instructions use the history data and the curtailment message and a device ID.
Claim 23
Independent Claim 123 words
A method for requesting that energy use be curtailed at a structure and for verifying curtailment, the method comprising: creating a curtailment message to send to the structure; sending the curtailment message to the structure through a pager network; receiving the curtailment message by a curtailment module at the structure; displaying the curtailment message at the structure; monitoring a temperature control device in electronic communication with the curtailment module; saving history data that relates to settings from the temperature control device; generating a verification code to be used by a user to manually verify whether the curtailment message was followed, wherein the history data is not the same as the verification code; and displaying the verification code at the structure for the user.
Claim 24
Independent Claim 123 words
A method for requesting that energy use be curtailed at a structure and for verifying curtailment, the method comprising: creating a curtailment message to send to the structure; sending the curtailment message to the structure through a pager network; receiving the curtailment message by a curtailment module at the structure; displaying the curtailment message at the structure; monitoring a temperature control device in electronic communication with the curtailment module; saving history data that relates to settings from the temperature control device; generating a verification code to be used by a user to manually verify whether the curtailment message was followed, wherein the history data is not the same as the verification code; and displaying the verification code at the structure for the user.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method as defined in claim 20 further comprising using the history data, the curtailment message and a device ID in generating the verification code.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 143 words
A combination temperature-control curtailment module for enabling an energy provider to send a curtailment message to a remote structure, the temperature-control curtailment module comprising: a temperature control module for controlling the temperature of the remote structure; a paging module for receiving the curtailment message from the energy provider through a paging network; a processor in electronic communication with the paging module for receiving the curtailment message from the paging module; memory in electronic communication with the processor, the memory storing history data, and the memory being programmed with verification instructions to generate a verification code to be used by a user to manually verify whether the curtailment message was followed, wherein the history data is not the same as the verification code; a display for outputting information to a user; and an input device for enabling the user to enter a user input.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 143 words
A combination temperature-control curtailment module for enabling an energy provider to send a curtailment message to a remote structure, the temperature-control curtailment module comprising: a temperature control module for controlling the temperature of the remote structure; a paging module for receiving the curtailment message from the energy provider through a paging network; a processor in electronic communication with the paging module for receiving the curtailment message from the paging module; memory in electronic communication with the processor, the memory storing history data, and the memory being programmed with verification instructions to generate a verification code to be used by a user to manually verify whether the curtailment message was followed, wherein the history data is not the same as the verification code; a display for outputting information to a user; and an input device for enabling the user to enter a user input.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 33 words
The temperature-control curtailment module as defined in claim 22 wherein the memory is programmed with communication instructions for communicating with the temperature control module and for monitoring settings of the temperature control module.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 33 words
The temperature-control curtailment module as defined in claim 23 wherein the history data relates to the temperature control device and wherein the memory is programmed with history instructions for storing the history data.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 25 words
The temperature-control curtailment module as defined in claim 24 wherein the verification instructions use the history data and the curtailment message and a device ID.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 25 words
The temperature-control curtailment module as defined in claim 25 wherein the memory is programmed with display instructions to display the verification code on the display.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2009-03-06 2009-09-05 2010-03-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2013-03-06 2013-09-05 2014-03-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2017-03-06 2017-09-05 2018-03-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag