Abstract: A method of communicating with one or more RFID sensor tags within a predetermined area. The method comprises: providing an RFID sensor tag interrogation apparatus comprising an RF transceiver configured to enable control of a transmitted RF power level; setting the transmitted RF power level to provide an RF signal detectable by RFID sensor tags located within a corresponding region of the predetermined area; transmitting, by the RFID sensor tag interrogation apparatus, an RFID sensor tag interrogation signal; and receiving, by the RFID sensor tag interrogation apparatus, one or more responses transmitted by the RFID sensor tags located within the predetermined area. In some embodiments the transmitted RF power level is adjusted to increase or decrease the size of the corresponding region of the predetermined area, based upon responses received from RFID sensor tags located within the region.

Abstract: An RFID sensor tag includes a processor, a power source, an RF transceiver, one or more sensors accessible to the processor via a sensor interface, and at least one memory device. In one example, the tag is configured to operate in a low power-consumption state, a medium power-consumption state in which sensor measurements are performed, and a high power-consumption state used when engaged in RF communications. In another example, power consumption and memory usage are reduced by configuring the tag to record sensor data only upon satisfaction of a predetermined condition. In a further example, the tag is configured to respond to an RF interrogation signal only when the signal includes an instruction in accordance with a predetermined communications protocol. In another example, the tag is configured, upon interrogation, to confirm whether new recorded sensor data is available, to minimise transmission in the event that no new data is available.

Abstract: A method (300) of managing energy consumption associated with premises includes firstly generating (302) and storing an initial energy profile (304) of the premises. The profile (304) includes information characterizing the premises, such as occupancy patterns, function of the premises, geographical location, installed appliances (108), and so forth. An expected energy usage (308) associated with the premises is computed over a predetermined time period based upon the information in the initial energy profile (304). Actual energy usage (312) associated with the premises is then recorded over the predetermined time period and the energy profile (304) is adaptively updated based upon the recorded energy usage (312). The energy profile (304) and the actual energy usage (312) are used to manage energy consumption associated with the premises. An installable system (100) and apparatus (102) for implementing the method at premises are also provided.

Abstract: A method (300) of managing energy consumption associated with premises includes firstly generating (302) and storing an initial energy profile (304) of the premises. The profile (304) includes information characterising the premises, such as occupancy patterns, function of the premises, geographical location, installed appliances (108), and so forth. An expected energy usage (308) associated with the premises is computed over a predetermined time period based upon the information in the initial energy profile (304). Actual energy usage (312) associated with the premises is then recorded over the predetermined time period and the energy profile (304) is adaptively updated based upon the recorded energy usage (312). The energy profile (304) and the actual energy usage (312) are used to manage energy consumption associated with the premises. An installable system (100) and apparatus (102) for implementing the method at premises are also provided.