Including Communication Means Patents (Class 702/62)
  • Patent number: 8630745
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an energy consumption management system includes: a movement information creating device; a power consumption amount measuring device; an accumulating device; and a display device. The movement information creating device creates movement information regarding a person in a management target area. The power consumption amount measuring device measures a power consumption amount of an instrument in the management target area. The accumulating device creates management information in which the movement information and a power consumption amount measurement value measured are associated with each other. The display device displays the management information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shuhei Noda, Kenji Baba, Takaaki Enohara, Kazumi Nagata, Nobutaka Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8624583
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) adapted to measure Alternating Current flowing through an electricity supply distribution unit (204) having a plurality of distribution cables (202). The apparatus (100) includes a plurality of current measuring devices (102), each of the current measuring devices (102), in use, measuring current flowing through one of the distribution cables (202), at least some of the current measuring devices (102) being mounted on a rigid/semi-rigid body (104), and a device configured to store and/or transfer information representing current measured by at least one of the current measuring devices (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ecoauditors Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Simon Clegg
  • Patent number: 8626461
    Abstract: An efficiency monitor for monitoring the efficiency of power transmission by an inductive power outlet. The efficiency monitor includes an input power monitor, for measuring the input power delivered to the primary coil, and an output power monitor, for measuring the output power received by the secondary coil. The input and output powers are used by a processor to determine an index of power-loss. A circuit breaker may be used to disconnect the inductive power outlet in case of excessive power loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Powermat Technologies, Ltd
    Inventors: Yossi Azancot, Amir Ben-Shalom, Oola Greenwald, Arik Rofe
  • Patent number: 8620343
    Abstract: Inexpensive position sensing devices that allow widespread use and availability of position information are disclosed. One embodiment of the position-sensing device acquires, down converts and extracts raw position data from position signals. Then, the position-sensing device wirelessly transmits the raw position data to a position-computing device, which converts the raw position data into the position of the device. The position-computing device can also receive auxiliary information from auxiliary sensors, and perform analyzes based on the position and the auxiliary information. The position-computing device can re-transmit the position and auxiliary information to a remote site for further analysis and/or central storage. The remote site can also download information to the position-computing device. The position-computing device can also control an actuator to perform an operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
    Inventors: Chung Lau, Peter P. Tong, C. Douglass Thomas
  • Patent number: 8620607
    Abstract: System and methods to determine the energy consumption per event type from usage data of portable devices are described. An example method includes determining a first plurality of linear equations representative of energy expended in a portable device for a second plurality of functions, the second plurality of functions including at least one software function of the portable device, the first plurality being more than the second plurality, and determining, using a processor, energy values corresponding to the second plurality of functions by applying a statistical method to the first plurality of linear equations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: John Houston, Arun Ramaswamy, Brian Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20130338949
    Abstract: An electricity monitoring system of monitoring electricity usage within a unit. The electricity monitoring system may include a transceiver module configured to receive an electricity usage report from a smart device associated with a unit. The electricity usage report may indicate electricity usage for the smart device. The electricity monitoring system may also include a determination module configured to generate a unit electricity usage report for the unit based on the received electricity usage report. The unit electricity usage report may indicate electricity usage for the unit. The transceiver module may be further configured to transmit the unit electricity usage report to a provider of electricity for the unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Jorjeta G. JETCHEVA, Wei-Peng CHEN
  • Patent number: 8612029
    Abstract: A system includes at least one piece of equipment. The system also includes a state detector adapted to measure one or more operating parameters of the equipment. The system has a signature generator adapted to encode a plurality of data streams from the state detector into an operating signature for the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Michael Edward Cottrell, Kenneth John Innes, James Po-Cheung Kong, Charles Anthony Lickteig, Robert Frank Parchewsky, Steven Michael Schultheis, Daniel Dazhang Ying
  • Patent number: 8612792
    Abstract: A device to measure power consumption includes a processor connected to a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory module, a switch for setting the power measurement device to measure either the power supplied to the CPU or the power supplied to the memory, and a display to show the results of such measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying-Bin Fu, Ting Ge, Ya-Jun Pan
  • Patent number: 8601287
    Abstract: A method for use in deploying computers into a data center includes calculating in a computer an expected peak power draw for a plurality of computers. The expected peak power draw for the plurality of computers is less than a sum of individual expected peak power draws for each computer from the plurality of computers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Exaflop LLC
    Inventors: Wolf-Dietrich Weber, Xiaobo Fan, Luiz Andre Barroso
  • Patent number: 8594976
    Abstract: One or more example diagnostics may be performed by a network server for a network of intelligent luminaire managers or other radio frequency (RF) devices. The network server may receive messages or information from one or more of the plurality of networked intelligent luminaire managers or RF devices. The network server may perform diagnostics based upon the received messages or information from one or more of the plurality of networked intelligent luminaire managers or RF devices. The network server may also leverage knowledge of respective statuses of at least a portion of the plurality of the networked intelligent luminaire managers or RF devices to determine a system-level status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Michael Dorogi, James English, Jeff Walters
  • Patent number: 8589095
    Abstract: A power measuring device includes an induced current meter and a power consumption indicator. The induced current meter measures and outputs a first current information of a power circuit or a second current information of a main power circuit. A voltage information of one of the branching power circuits is measured by the power consumption indicator, and the power consumption indicator receives the first or the second current information from the induced current meter. A first information is calculated according to the first current information and the voltage information, a second information is calculated according to the second current information and the voltage information, and both of the current information is displayed by the indicator. The first current information and the voltage information are obtained by the induced current meter and the indicator respectively and synchronously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Aten International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu Chin Shen, Kuo-Feng Kao
  • Patent number: 8589093
    Abstract: A network including powerline adapters (“PLAs”) of the HomePlug Alliance variety or similar implementations such as the European in Opera standard provides for diagnostic capability and software enhanced powerline adapters. The diagnostic capability includes collecting network performance data and either analyzing or forwarding data for analysis. In addition, mechanical design for the PLA with an isolating filter provides for secure mounting while blocking access to a second wall outlet of a duplex unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Adaptive Spectrum and Signal Alignment, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Baran, Eugene R. Wilson, Robert S. Parnell, Hugo Haselhuhn
  • Patent number: 8587445
    Abstract: A system and method of monitoring a plurality of electrical assets comprise an electricity distribution infrastructure, including a plurality of electrical asset sensors coupled to the electrical assets for monitoring an operating condition of the electrical assets as well as any fault conditions. The sensors may include a current transformer for obtaining a current waveform, a GPS receiver for applying a synchronized time-stamp to the waveform data, and a mesh network radio for transmitting the time-stamped waveform data. Data from the plurality of sensors may be encrypted and transmitted over a mesh network to one or more gateways that are in communication with a central command processor. In response to an abnormal operating condition of any electrical asset, the central command processor may determine a probable fault location, a probable fault type, and a fault response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: Daniel J. Rockwell
  • Patent number: 8565927
    Abstract: A irrigation interrupter is disclosed herein. The irrigation interrupter learns the watering patterns established by an irrigation controller and takes action to intelligently limit watering based on knowledge of time, temperature and soil moisture. The interrupter learns the watering pattern of the controller by monitoring behavior over a set period (two weeks), and mapping the start and duration of each zone's irrigation. A default profile is preferably set to enable users to ignore a setting and only adjust it after observing overall plant results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Green Badge LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Campbell, Clayton R. Karmel
  • Patent number: 8565787
    Abstract: A method of estimation of a location of a terminal within an area of coverage of a wireless network comprising at least one fixed node. The method comprises estimating the location of the terminal on the basis of at least a comparison between data representing a first metric of a complex frequency response of a radio channel between the terminal and one of the at least one fixed node and data representing a plurality of stored metrics. Each of the plurality of stored metrics being related to one of a plurality of different locations within the network and each stored metric being of a complex frequency response measured between the one of the fixed nodes and the location within the network to which the metric relates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventors: David Damian Bevan, Ilya Averin, Denis Lysyakov
  • Patent number: 8566048
    Abstract: A method of providing estimated power consumption information when content is used, the method including receiving a command to select one of a plurality of content; receiving first device information indicating information about a first portable device of a first user who is to use the selected content; and providing power consumption information estimated when the first portable device uses the selected content, based on the first device information and a power consumption database generated by pre-measuring power consumption of the plurality of content in a predetermined reference device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kwang-hyuk Kim, Hue-yin Kim
  • Patent number: 8560255
    Abstract: An intelligent electronic device (IED) integrating a power metering unit (PMU) and a merging unit that combines signals from both analog transformers and digital transformers into a set of merged digital samples. Analog current/voltage signals from analog CTs/PTs are received at the IED's analog inputs and converted to digitized samples. Digital current/voltage samples from digital CTs/PTs are received via point-to-point connections at digital inputs of the IED. A tagging unit applies metadata tags to the digitized and digital samples. The metadata tags include the transformer providing the input signal, sampling rate, primary and/or secondary timestamps, scaling values, calibration values, and/or the location of the IED in the electrical system. The PMU performs metering and/or power quality calculations on the samples, and the calculation results are formatted and transmitted via a master-slave protocol to a requesting master.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Basem Elwarry, David T. Tuckey
  • Patent number: 8560256
    Abstract: Electrical power system sensor devices, electrical power system monitoring methods, and electrical power system monitoring systems are disclosed according to some aspects of the description. In one aspect, an electrical power system sensor device includes sensor circuitry configured to monitor a characteristic of electrical energy which is conducted using an electrical conductor of an electrical power system, an attachment assembly configured to position the sensor circuitry with respect to the electrical conductor wherein the sensor circuitry monitors the characteristic of the electrical energy which is conducted within the electrical conductor of the electrical power system, and wherein the sensor circuitry is electrically isolated from the electrical conductor of the electrical power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Nexlent, LLC
    Inventors: John A. Gu, Chuck-yan Wu, Matthew K. Donnelly, Jerry C. L. Kwok
  • Patent number: 8560137
    Abstract: An over-current input conditioning limiter is disclosed for remote equipment. The over-current input conditioning limiter includes a current sensing apparatus, a semiconductor switch, and a programmable controller for controlling the peak current drawn from a pair of supply lines. The over-current input conditioning limiter is particularly useful for overcoming voltage collapse and over-current shutdowns of network power supplies feeding remote apparatus known in the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Simon Whittam, Marcos Vivas
  • Publication number: 20130268135
    Abstract: A method of managing electric energy consumption and/or production dynamics, includes the steps of: sampling an electric energy flow, adapted to be measured by an electricity metering device (1) within a network (15) of an electrical company; calculating a variation ?Ei=(Ei?Ei?1)/?t at regular intervals, where Ei and Ei?1 are two integral sum values of electric energy amounts consolidated over a given number of cycles and ?t represents a time interval between the respective times at which the two values are obtained; adding the variation (?Ei) to analogous variations calculated at previous times, to obtain a cumulative sum of such variations; determining whether the variation and/or the cumulative sum exceed a predetermined threshold value (?DE); transmitting a message over the network (15) from the electricity metering device (1) if the variation and/or cumulative sum exceed the predetermined threshold value (?DE).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: ISTITUTO SUPERIORE MARIO BOELLA SULLE TECNOLOGIE DELL' INFORMAZIONE E DELLE TELECOMUNICAZIONI
    Inventor: Mikhail Simonov
  • Patent number: 8554386
    Abstract: Techniques for providing localized power infrastructure and data infrastructure are disclosed. A transportable system for providing localized power infrastructure and data infrastructure can include: a data network service engine configured to function as a local data network service provider; a power generation engine configured to function as a local power service provider that generates and distributes power locally; a deployment engine configured to assist in deploying one or more components of the transportable system; and a maintenance engine configured to maintain operation and security of the transportable system. In some embodiments, multiple transportable systems can be deployed and then centrally monitored or controlled as a single, utility system and/or a single data delivery infrastructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: Serge Rutman
  • Patent number: 8553395
    Abstract: A motor control center comprises a plurality of bays in which switchgear components, circuit protective components, automation components and power electronic components are disposed for driving motors and other loads. Network optical conductors are routed through one or more wireways adjacent to the bays. Distribution nodes are coupled to the conductors and are interconnected with respective network terminals within the bays. Components within individual bays for which EtherNet and/or Internet connectivity is desired are coupled to the network terminals. The conductors may comprise plastic optical fibers and may be designed to operate in the relatively high voltage environment of the motor control center bays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Brian Blodorn, David Lee Jensen
  • Patent number: 8555325
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are described for testing a data connection provided over a power supply line. A testing apparatus is coupled to a socket of the power supply line. The AC power supply line communicatively couples the testing apparatus to a communication device or another testing apparatus. The testing apparatus identifies the signal strengths of signals received by the testing apparatus and identifies the signal strengths of signals received by the communication device. The testing apparatus outputs an indicator of the first signal strength and the second signal strength to a user and this information may be utilized to detect noise or other problems in the data connection provided over the AC power supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Anthony Kozlowski, David Belt, Benjamin Cooke
  • Publication number: 20130253861
    Abstract: A method of monitoring power usage includes 1) accessing power usage data for power distribution unit infeeds of a plurality of power distribution units; 2) accessing stored circuit descriptions describing interconnections of the power distribution unit infeeds to a number of power feed circuits; 3) transforming the plurality of power distribution units into a power usage monitor for monitoring power usage of the power feed circuits by aggregating at least some of the power usage data based on the interconnections of the power distribution unit infeeds to the number of power feed circuits; and 4) outputting representations of the aggregated power usage data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: SERVER TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Calvin Nicholson, Michael Gordon
  • Patent number: 8543246
    Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with controlling distributing of electrical power in a power distribution region. To effectively control the distribution of power in the distribution region, the substation of the region is provided with a distribution controller or Intelligent Substation Control System (ISCS). The distribution controller is connected to various process devices, which in turn are connected to primary devices of the region. The process devices send data corresponding to the primary devices to the distribution controller, and the distribution controller includes a processor which proposes a set of actions based on the received data. Further, the distribution controller includes a coordinating device which selects the final action from the set of proposed actions. The final action is implemented on the primary devices of the distribution region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Cherry Yuen, Andrew Paice, Mats Larsson, Christian Frei
  • Patent number: 8538712
    Abstract: Battery life data may be collected from a number of mobile devices. The battery life data for each of the mobile devices may be correlated with one or more characteristics of each of the mobile devices. The battery life data for the mobile devices may be aggregated based on at least one of the one or more characteristics. In some examples, a report of the aggregated battery life data for the mobile devices including at least one common characteristic is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Shirriff, Dan Egnor, Jason Parks
  • Patent number: 8538595
    Abstract: A home appliance can operate in a future time frame. Information is obtained from a power distributor in order to determine a time when to operate the home appliance in this future time frame. The home appliance then operates at the time determined with information from the power distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventors: Philip Scott Lyren, William James Lyren, William Christopher Lyren
  • Patent number: 8532837
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a household appliance (1) comprising a control unit (4) that maintains to execute the selected program as much as possible within the discounted rate interval when the user enters the end time (tf) for the selected program, by evaluating the clock (2) data and the momentary energy tariff signal received from the sensing means (3) within the time passing until the end time (tf) and guarantees completion of the program to be executed before the selected end time (tf).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
    Inventors: Bulent Efecik, Latif Tezduyar, Ufuk Levan Yakut
  • Patent number: 8527222
    Abstract: A method for determining installation locations of a plurality of fault indicators in a power network includes a database retrieving step, an installation location setting step, a fault analyzing step, a communication quality analyzing step, a successful probability determination step and an installation location updating step. An apparatus for determining installation locations of a plurality of fault indicators in a power network includes a database, a processor, a fault analyzing module and a communication analyzing module. The processor retrieves graphical information, communication quality information, and fault rate information of feed lines of the power network from the database. The fault analyzing module generates a plurality of fault points in different zones of the power network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: I-Shou University
    Inventors: Chao-Shun Chen, Shang-Wen Luan, Jen-Hao Teng
  • Patent number: 8525692
    Abstract: An electricity meter capable of performing a method for limiting an electricity load in communication with the electricity meter is disclosed. The electricity meter includes at least one load control and the electricity meter has one or more predetermined time-of-use tiers. Each of the one or more predetermined time-of-use tiers has a corresponding time-of-use demand threshold. The method comprises determining a present time-of-use tier; determining a present time-of-use demand for the electricity load in the present time-of-use tier; comparing the present time-of-use demand to the time-of-use demand threshold corresponding to the present time-of-use tier; and setting the at least one load control to a de-energize mode when a de-energize condition is satisfied. The de-energize condition may include sub-conditions such as the present time-of-use demand exceeding the time-of-use demand threshold corresponding to the present time-of-use tier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Elster Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Robert T. Mason, Jr., Keith D. Richeson, Charlie E. Minton, III
  • Publication number: 20130226485
    Abstract: An adapter, and a method of using the adapter, for an electric meter, which includes a set of connections for interfacing to a panel box, a set of connectors for interfacing to the electric meter; and circuitry for intercepting FAN or HAN traffic, injecting FAN or HAN traffic and communicating intercepted traffic and local information from the electric meter and sensors over a network to a management entity that collects and process the data. Data from environmental, electric quality, and usage sensors are supplied to the network. External commands, originating in a management entity or with a customer are provided from the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: TT GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: TT GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, INC.
  • Patent number: 8521337
    Abstract: One embodiment of the instant invention is a computer-implemented method that includes steps of: receiving load data for a load, where the load is associated with a smart node that controls a flow of electricity, where the load data includes a service type indication; where the service type indication identifies whether the load receive in a non-firm electricity service, a firm electricity service, or both, where the non-firm electricity service is based on a non-firm service supply arrangement associated with the load and a supplier of electricity, where the non-firm service supply arrangement defines electricity usage based on a reliability level of the electrical supply provided by the supplier of electricity without a guaranteed level of uninterrupted electricity supply, and where the reliability level of the electrical supply is based on an ability to instruct to reduce or shut off the electricity supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Calm Energy Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20130218495
    Abstract: A field deployable sensor node for determining electrical usage in an electrical power grid comprises a sensor capable of removable engagement with a supply line electrical wire and capable of measurement of at least one of current and voltage to produce measurement data; an analog to digital conversion means; a microcontroller circuit; a transceiver; storage memory for data; and a means to communicate with other nodes and self-form into a communications network selected from the group consisting of a mesh, star, and tree network topology forming a Field Area Network (FAN).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: David Benjamin Boone, Mischa Steiner-Jovic
  • Patent number: 8515348
    Abstract: An intelligent electronic device (IED), e.g., an electrical power meter, having wireless communication capabilities, e.g., Bluetooth connectivity, for transmitting and receiving data without a hardwire connection is provided. A system and method for retrieving revenue metering data from at least one IED, e.g., a revenue meter, are also provided. The system includes at least one intelligent electronic device including a transceiver configured for receiving calculated energy consumption data from a processor and transmitting the calculated energy consumption data via a spread-spectrum frequency hopping technique; and a data collection device configured for receiving the calculated energy consumption data from the at least one intelligent electronic device in response to supplying a pairing passkey to the intelligent electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Electro Industries/Gauge Tech
    Inventor: Erran Kagan
  • Patent number: 8515698
    Abstract: A digital power meter communication system includes terminal network communication devices, at least one concentrator network communication device and a digital power meter communication device. The digital power meter communication device is electrically connected with the at least one concentrator network communication device. Each of the terminal network communication devices is electrically connected with a terminal digital power meter. The digital power meter communication device includes a storage unit and a processing unit. The storage unit stores pieces of electrical connection information and digital power meter communication programs. The processing unit constructs a virtual tunnel to build connection with the target network communication device through the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Institute For Information Industry
    Inventors: Hsueh-Han Lu, Tzu-Che Huang
  • Publication number: 20130211753
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, apparatuses, and systems for mirroring instruments. In an embodiment, a plurality of mirror capable devices may report their capability. A mirror capable device may be selected from the plurality of mirror capable devices based on signaling conditions associated with the utility device's power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bradley Richard Ree, John Christopher Boot
  • Publication number: 20130211754
    Abstract: An embodiment of an electronic assembly may include a power meter, a network interface, and a processing unit to log data received from the power meter and upload the data through the network interface, wherein the processing unit operates an extensible run-time environment for add-on software modules. Another embodiment of an electronic assembly may include a meter interface, a network interface, and a processing unit to perform power calculations on signals received at the meter interface, log meter data from the power calculations, and upload the meter data through the network interface, wherein the processing unit operates an extensible run-time environment for add-on software modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Edmund Herzog, Steven M. Lewis, Andrew B. Levy
  • Publication number: 20130197835
    Abstract: A system of using electrical detection and reporting devices in conjunction with existing electrical protection devices by an electrical installation, wherein the said measuring devices are used by existing circuit breakers and terminal blocks to measure and identify electrical load and residual current in said electrical installation. The system measures residual current, current and voltage and displays information on said measurements by LEDs wherein the system consists of using a dedicated CPU for collecting, analysing and transmitting the data of the system through wireless and Ethernet/internet connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: RE-MAKE ELECTRIC EHF
    Inventors: Hilmir Ingi Jonsson, Halldor Axelsson, Bjarni Malmquist Jonsson, Ragnar Einarsson, Jon Thor Olafsson
  • Patent number: 8494661
    Abstract: Managing electrical power usage in a power distribution system. Power usage data indicative of electrical current flow through electrical outlets in the system are collected and displayed for a user. The user may select an outlet and issue a command to control current flow through that outlet. Environmental data may also be collected and displayed. Outlets in different Cabinet Power Distribution Units (CDUs) in different locations may be clustered for reporting and control. A database structure provides a “system” table for data descriptive of the system, a “tower” table for data descriptive of outlets and other elements in the system, an “infeed” table for data descriptive of input electrical power, and an “outlet” table for data descriptive of electrical power flowing through the outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Andrew J. Cleveland, James P. Maskaly, Dennis W. McGlumphy, Brian P. Auclair, Marc Eisenberg, Calvin Nicholson, Andy Szeto
  • Patent number: 8494792
    Abstract: Disclosed are methodology and corresponding apparatus subject matters for providing improved efficiency in the collection of data from a large number of metrology devices associated with an Automated Meter reading (AMR) network. AMR network operation produces randomly spaced transmissions from individual nodes in the network. When an AMR system wishes to retrieve data from a large number of points over an AMR network, a broadcast or multicast request is transmitted to appropriate nodes. A time window is defined either in such request or in the devices themselves such that start and end offsets from the time of the request are received by the node. The start offset provides a quiet period to insure request delivery to all the appropriate nodes. The end offset provides a time by which the requested data must be returned. Responses are sent randomly within the window established by the start and stop offset times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Garrison Stuber, John Buffington
  • Patent number: 8489344
    Abstract: This application relates to a network including powerline adapters (“PLAs”) of the HomePlug Alliance variety or similar implementations such as the European in Opera standard. The technology disclosed provides diagnostic capability and software enhanced powerline adapters. The diagnostic capability includes collecting network performance data and either analyzing or forwarding data for analysis. In addition, mechanical design for the PLA with an isolating filter provides for secure mounting while blocking access to a second wall outlet of a duplex unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Adaptive Spectrum and Signal Alignment, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Baran, Eugene R. Wilson, Robert S. Parnell, Hugo Haselhuhn
  • Patent number: 8489347
    Abstract: The battery pack monitoring apparatus is for monitoring a battery pack constituted of battery blocks connected in series and each including battery cells connected in series. The battery pack monitoring apparatus includes a cell monitoring circuits provided respectively for the battery blocks, and a control circuit. Each of the cell monitoring circuits includes a cell voltage detection circuit to detect cell voltages of the battery cells included in a corresponding one of the battery blocks, and a block voltage detection circuit to detect a block voltage of the corresponding one of the battery blocks. The control circuit is configured to detect states of the battery cells based on the cell voltages and the block voltages transmitted from the respective cell monitoring circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takumi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8489346
    Abstract: A method and apparatus measures electrical power usage and quality, while mitigating the effects of noise on measured signals or parameters. Specifically, a digital electrical power and energy meter employs a method in which a processor averages a parameter, such as voltage or current, over a plurality of cycles of a time-varying signal, such as an AC electrical signal. The method employed by the meter samples a parameter over the plurality of cycles and computes the average of the samples corresponding to the same phase angle of the signal to produce an average signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Electro Industries/Gauge Tech
    Inventor: Tibor Banhegyesi
  • Patent number: 8478550
    Abstract: A calibration system for a generator set controller is disclosed. The calibration system may have a source of electric power, a controller in communication with the source and configured to monitor a parameter of the electric power and produce at least one output corresponding to the monitored parameter, and a power meter configured to measure the parameter of the electric power. The calibration system may also have a processor in communication with the source of electric power, the controller, and the power meter. The processor may be configured to direct electric power having a first test voltage from the source to the controller, and directly relate a value of the at least one output corresponding to the first test voltage and a value of the measured parameter to an offset error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Ronald Folken, Michael Allen Dvorsky, Matthew Joseph Meinhart
  • Publication number: 20130166232
    Abstract: A power quality monitoring apparatus is developed for a railway power system. The apparatus is calculating the energy flow and the power consumption and recording the by using the voltage and current sensors at AC and DC power source in the various industrial fields. The voltage and current phases are detected for the AC power. The direction of current is detected to calculate the power consumption for the DC power. Then, the detected data is analyzed. It is possible to monitor the variation of the voltages and current values of the railway vehicle in real time. It is possible to display the variations of the vehicle loads, the AC power output, the voltage and current value fluctuations, the power consumption and power flows in a form of the graphic or text format. Thereby, it is possible to easily understand the overall status of the overhead line's environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Eun Kyu LEE, Tae-Suk KIM, Kyoung-Min KWON, Kyoung-Min SON, Se-Wan PYO
  • Patent number: 8473230
    Abstract: A system for detecting conflicts between a power supply guarantee request (PSGR) and an outage request (OR) in a power grid. The system comprises: an accompanying outage analysis device for receiving a first outage device set including OR related devices, and using geographic information about devices in the power grid to determine a second outage device set, the second outage device set including devices in the first outage device set and accompanying outage devices that need to be in outage together with the devices in the first outage device set; an outage scale determination device for using topology information about the power grid to determine a power grid outage scale in which all of the devices in the second outage device set can be in outage; and a conflict detection device for receiving a power supply guarantee device set including PSGR related devices, and judging, for each device in the power supply guarantee device set, whether the device is included in the power grid outage scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Dong, Feng Jin, Hai Rong Lv, Qi Ming Tian, Wen Jun Yin
  • Publication number: 20130158911
    Abstract: A power-consumption monitoring device, for taking measurements of the power consumed by an appliance. The device is connectable to a mains electrical circuit and operable to transmit the measurements to a master device through the circuit. The device is adapted: to measure the energy consumed by the appliance in each of a series of time intervals, and maintain a first cumulative sum of the resulting energy measurements; to periodically transmit, to the master device, a first quantised value representing the cumulative sum; and to subtract the transmitted quantised value from the cumulative sum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: ENMODUS LIMITED
    Inventors: Philip Young, Andrew James Heaton
  • Publication number: 20130155126
    Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to determination of display device power consumption. In example embodiments, an operating parameter of a display device of a computing device is received, which, in some embodiments, may be a current level of brightness of the display device. A level of power consumption of the display device may then be determined based on the operating parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Frederick L. Lathrop, John Frederick, Thong Thai
  • Publication number: 20130158910
    Abstract: An electric power monitor device is provided. The electric power monitor device is electrically connected to an alternating current source which supplies electric power to a plurality of under-test current loops. The electric power monitor device comprises a voltage input interface, a voltage measuring unit, a plurality of current measuring components and a processing unit. The voltage input interface is configured to receive an input power source from the alternating current source. The voltage measuring unit is configured to generate voltage values based on the input power source. The current measuring components are capable of adjusting phase configuration based on different phases of the wires of the current loops, and are configured to determine current values of the current loops. The processing unit is configured to calculate an electric power monitor value according to the voltage values and the current values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Chi-Cheng Chuang, Ji-Tsong Shieh
  • Patent number: 8468380
    Abstract: A power supply unit of an information handling system determines that a power consumption module of the information handling system is available. If the power consumption module is available, the power supply unit measures input power of the power supply unit and provides a representation of the input power to the power consumption module in response to receiving a power measurement request from the power consumption module. If the power supply unit determines that the power consumption module is not available, the power supply unit measures input power of the power supply unit and stores a representation of the input power at the power supply unit independent of a power measurement request from the power consumption module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Dell Products, LP
    Inventors: Ashish Munjal, Alan Brumley, Jaydev Reddy