US 5,153,837 A · Utility consumption monitoring and control system

Abstract

The present invention is a digital and analog system for generating an energy log for instant recall and display. The system is permanently programmed in read-only memory with the task of scanning sensor inputs, performing consumption calculations, updating the non-volatile memory, responding to external commands, and monitoring peripheral performance. The stored information is available for real-time query of individual sensor data or as a composite hard copy report on a month-to-date or month-end basis. The apparatus accepts inputs from both analog and digital sensors whose outputs produce information related to data such as current consumption, water consumption, or fuel consumption and provides an optional interface for the control of these functions based on pre-programmed upper/lower limits. Based on the various inputs, data is stored in specified memory locations and consumption rates and costs are computed based on sensor calibration factors and energy cost factors stored in non-volatile memory at the time of calibration. The system is programmed to detect invalid data and failed sensor inputs in addition to automatically calibrating.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for individually monitoring utility resource consumption in a multi-occupant dwelling, said system comprising:

a plurality of utility receiving means for providing utility resources to occupants of the multi-occupant dwelling;
a plurality of sensors operably coupled to said utility receiving means, each said sensor producing a signal indicative of measured utility consumption;
processor means for observing, recording, and calculating the cost of utility consumption;
and
interface means for individually and selectively receiving said utility consumption signals, said utility consumption signals including at least two signals employing different communications schemes, said interface means also for providing a digital signal corresponding to a selected one of said utility consumption signals for use by said processor means, said interface means operably interconnecting said processor means with each said sensor;
said processor means including means for self calibrating said measured utility consumption according to dynamically calculated gain and offset parameters stored in said processor means for each one of said sensors.

3 more elements

A system for individually monitoring utility resource consumption in a multi-occupant dwelling, said system comprising:

a plurality of utility receiving means for providing desired resources to occupants of the multi-occupant dwelling;
a plurality of first sensors operably coupled to said utility receiving means, each said first sensor producing a first signal indicative of measured utility consumption;
a plurality of second sensors operably coupled to said utility receiving means, each said second sensor producing a second signal indicative of measured utility consumption, said second signal employing a communication scheme which is distinguishable from said first signal;
processor means for observing, recording, and calculating cost of utility consumption;
and
interface means for receiving said first and second signal and providing a digital signal for said processor means, said interface means operably connected to each said sensor and said processor means;
said interface means including means for selecting one of said first sensors and said second sensors according to said processor means to thereby provide said digital signal.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Utility consumption monitoring and control system

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Utility consumption monitoring and control system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20