Patent US7039532B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7039532B2
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US
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Method and apparatus for reading and controlling utility consumption
Assignee: TRENDPOINT SYSTEMS Inc
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Filing: 2003-10-10
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Granted: 2006-05-02
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Expires: 2023-10-10
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for controlling electric power consumption using a computer to create a forecast and then controlling devices that use power based on the forecast. An automatic reader device is used to gather power consumption data from a point of utility service. The power consumption data is then provided to a computer. The computer is used to create a forecast of energy use for instantaneous demand and time-based usage. The computer then provides alerts based on the forecast for the manual or automatic control of devices that consume electricity. The system may be managed locally or remotely by a computer, PDA, cell phone or other network enabled device.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert R. Hunter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:05
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R21/00; G01R21/133
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of monitoring and controlling power consumption comprising: connecting a current transducer and a voltage wire to an automatic reader to measure power consumption; collecting data from one or more readers into a data collection unit; transferring the data from one or more readers to a computer system; creating a target amount of power consumption for a predetermined period of time wherein the target amount may be any of a group including amperage, amperage hours, kilovolts, kiloyolt hours, watts, watt hours and currency; creating a forecast of electric power consumption for the predetermined period of time using the computer system, wherein the computer system is used in the controlling one or more devices based on the forecast so that usage for the predetermined period of time falls below the target amount.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of monitoring and controlling power consumption comprising: connecting a current transducer and a voltage wire to an automatic reader to measure power consumption; collecting data from one or more readers into a data collection unit; transferring the data from one or more readers to a computer system; creating a target amount of power consumption for a predetermined period of time wherein the target amount may be any of a group including amperage, amperage hours, kilovolts, kiloyolt hours, watts, watt hours and currency; creating a forecast of electric power consumption for the predetermined period of time using the computer system, wherein the computer system is used in the controlling one or more devices based on the forecast so that usage for the predetermined period of time falls below the target amount.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said controlling is done manually by hand.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said controlling is done manually using the computer system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said controlling is done automatically through the computer system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said predetermined period of time is instantaneous.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method, according to claim 1 , wherein said predetermined period of time is a chronological period of time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method, according to claim 1 , wherein said predetermined period of time is a non-chronological period of time.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the data obtained from the automatic reader is power consumption data for one or more circuits measured in amperage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the data obtained from the automatic reader is power consumption data for one or more circuits measured in wattage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the data obtained from the automatic reader is power consumption data for one or more circuits measured in kilowatt-hours.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the data is transferred from the reader to the computer memory device via wireless communications.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the data is transferred from the reader to the computer memory device via wired communications.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the data is transferred from the reader to the computer system via wireless communications.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the data is transferred from the reader to the computer system via wired communication.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined period of time is two or more instantaneous time periods.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the computer system is used to control a security system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the computer system is used to control a fire alarm system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the computer system employs the use of Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
147 words
A system for monitoring and controlling power consumption comprising: a current transformer and a voltage wire connected to a reader wherein the reader calculates power consumption data for a power circuit; and, a data collection unit to obtain the data from one or more readers and, a target amount for power consumption for a predetermined period of time for the power circuit wherein the target amount may be any of a group including amperage, amperage hours kilovolts, kilovolt hours, watts, watt hours and currency; and, a computer system for collecting the data from the one or more data collection units wherein the computer system is used in the creation of a forecast of electric power consumption and wherein a device that consumes power is controlled based on the forecast to allow power consumption for the circuit to end the predetermined period of time below the target amount.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
147 words
A system for monitoring and controlling power consumption comprising: a current transformer and a voltage wire connected to a reader wherein the reader calculates power consumption data for a power circuit; and, a data collection unit to obtain the data from one or more readers and, a target amount for power consumption for a predetermined period of time for the power circuit wherein the target amount may be any of a group including amperage, amperage hours kilovolts, kilovolt hours, watts, watt hours and currency; and, a computer system for collecting the data from the one or more data collection units wherein the computer system is used in the creation of a forecast of electric power consumption and wherein a device that consumes power is controlled based on the forecast to allow power consumption for the circuit to end the predetermined period of time below the target amount.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 19 , wherein said controlling is done manually using a computer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 19 , wherein said controlling is done automatically through a computer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 19 , wherein said predetermined period of time is instantaneous.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 19 , wherein said predetermined period of time is a chronological period of time.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 19 , wherein said predetermined period of time is a non-chronological period of time.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 19 , wherein the data obtained from the automatic reader is power consumption data for one or more circuits measured in amperage.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 19 wherein the data obtained from the automatic reader is power consumption for one or more circuits measured in wattage.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 19 , wherein the data obtained from the automatic reader is power consumption data for one or more circuits measured in kilowatt-hours.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 19 , wherein the data is transferred from the reader to the computer memory device via wireless communications.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 19 , wherein the data is transferred from the reader to the computer memory device via wired communications.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 19 , wherein the data is transferred from the reader to the computer system via wireless communications.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 19 , wherein the data is transferred from the reader to the computer system via wired communication.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 19 , wherein the controlling is done manually by hand.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 19 , wherein the predetermined period of time is two or more instantaneous time periods.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 19 , wherein the computer system controls a security system.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 19 , wherein the computer system controls a fire alarm system.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 19 , responsive to a remote user interface, and operative to control a security system.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 19 , wherein the computer system employs the use of a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet.
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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) | 2009-05-01 | 2009-10-31 | 2010-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-05-01 | 2013-10-31 | 2014-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-05-01 | 2017-10-31 | 2018-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |