`United States Patent
`c191
`
`Ehlers et al.
`
`
`
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`US005696695A
`5,696,695
`[UJ Patent Number:
`Dec. 9, 1997
`[45J Date of Patent:
`
`
`[54) SYSTEM FOR RATE-RELATED CONTROL
`OF ELECTRICAL
`LOADS
`
`[75) Inventors: Gregory A. Ehlers, Tampa, Fla.;
`
`
`Robert D. Howerton; Gary E.
`
`
`Speegle, both of Decatur, Ga.
`
`10/1991
`2660511
`France.
`3/1993
`
`0534839 Al
`France.
`4/1993
`WO93/08653
`WlPO.
`1/1994
`WO94/00824
`WlPO.
`2/1994
`WO94/03989
`WlPO.
`4/1994
`W094/09572
`WlPO.
`
`
`
`[73) Assignee: TeCom Inc., Tampa, Fla.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`[21) Appl. No.: 486,805
`
`Jun. 7, 1995
`[22] Filed:
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`Eaton Corporation, Cutler-Hammer-Westinghouse Prod­
`
`
`
`
`
`ucts, Power Distribution Components Division, "IMPACC
`
`
`System Communications," JL 17384, May 1995, Revision
`
`
`
`
`2.1, Appendix E (title page, contents listing and pages E-1
`
`through E-4 ).
`Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Electrical Components
`
`
`
`Il..
`
`
`Division, "Instructions for F Frame, IQ Energy Sentinel,"
`[62]Division of Ser. No. 369,679, Jan. 5, 1995, Pat No. 5,572,
`
`17459, Effective Nov. 1992.
`
`
`438.
`[51]Int. CL 6 ........
`................................................ H02J 3/00
`
`
`
`
`
`[52]U.S. Cl ............................. 364/492; 364/483; 307/38;
`P. Trammell
`Primary Examiner-James
`
`307/115; 307/126
`J. Choi
`
`Assistant Examiner-Kyle
`
`[58]Field of Search ..................................... 364/492, 493,
`
`
`
`
`
`Attomey, Agent, or Fi�Wolf,
`
`364/464.04. 132, 138, 139, 483; 307/38,
`49, 41, 115, 116, 126, 132 E
`[57]
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`[56]
`
`
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PJJENT DOCUMENTS
`1,547,242 7/1925 Strieby.
`
`
`4,324,987 4/1982 Sullivan, II et al ..
`4,336,462
`6/1982 Hedges et al ..
`4,474,193
`10/1984
`Brown.
`4,503,288
`3/1985 Kessler.
`4,513,189
`4/1985 Ueda et al ..
`4/1985 Brown et al ..
`4,514,594
`4,520,576
`6/1985 Vander Molen .
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`6/1985 Carroll .
`4,523,307
`6/1985 Brown et al ..
`1/1987
`4,633,775
`Old:.
`
`4,665,544 5/1987 Honda et al ..
`4,728,949
`
`3/1988 Platte et al ..
`
`4,771,185 9/1988 Feron et al ..
`4,772,870
`9/1988 Reyes.
`
`
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`FOREIGN PJJENT DOCUMENTS
`
`An energy management and building automation system
`
`
`
`
`
`including a local area network or home automation data bus
`
`such as the CEBus. Each load to be controlled is connected
`
`to the bus via a control module. A control module may
`
`
`contain a relay or switch (hereafter referred to as a "breaker"
`
`
`
`or "circuit breaker") to disconnect the load from the mains
`
`
`upon command or upon occurrence of a power outage, or in
`
`
`either case. Current monitoring control modules determine
`
`
`whether connected loads are drawing current and power
`
`
`monitor modules monitor the power consumed by selected
`
`loads (from which energy consumption may be calculated).
`
`
`Both types of monitors may place on the bus messages to
`
`
`
`
`indicate load status or changes in load status. A first micro­
`
`
`computer preferably is placed externally to the customer
`
`
`
`premises, adjacent ( or even within the housing of) the
`
`
`
`electric utility power meter. A second microcomputer pref­
`
`
`
`erably is placed inside the customer premises. The two
`
`
`microcomputers communicate with each other and with the
`
`
`
`
`various load control modules via the network/data bus.
`
`2645968 10/1990 France.
`
`11 Claims, 43 Drawing Sheets
`
`22
`
`SECOND
`
`MICROCOMPUTER
`
`2 4
`
`24
`
`APPLIANCE
`CURRENT
`SENSOR
`
`CONTROL
`
`CURRENT
`
`SENSOR
`
`BURGLAR
`ALARM
`
`MOTION
`SENSOR
`
`LOAD
`SHEDDING
`
`26
`
`26
`
`26
`
`26
`
`TO AC
`POWER
`GRID
`
`Emerson Exhibit 1007
`Emerson Electric v. Ollnova
`IPR2023-00626
`Page 00001
`
`Page 00001
`
`

`

`5,696,695
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,819,180 4/1989 Hedman et al..
`4,847,781
`7/1989 Brown, III et al..
`4,847,782 7/1989 Brown, Jr. et al..
`4,888,495 12/1989 Feron et al.,
`4,899,129 2/1990 MacFadyen et al..
`4,899,217 2/1990 MacFadyen et al..
`4977,515 2/1990 Rudden et al. .
`5,033,112 7/1991 Bowling et al..
`5,045,823 9/1991 Nichols, III.
`5,086,385 2/1992 Launey et al..
`5,090,024 2/1992 Vander Mey et al.,
`5,101,191
`3/1992 MacFadyen et al.,
`5,109,222 4/1992 Welty.
`5,126,934 6/1992 MacFadyen.
`5,134,356 7/1992 El-Sharkawi et al..
`5,196,982 3/1993 Landsberg et al. ....................... 361/93
`5,218,552 6/1993 Stirk et al..
`5,263,046 11/1993 Vander Mey.
`5,278,862
`1/1994 Vander Mey.
`5,315,499 5/1994 Bilas et al. .
`5,323,307 6/1994 Wolfetal. .
`5,347,167 9/1994 Singh.
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Eaton Corporation, Cutler-Hammer-Westinghouse Prod
`ucts,
`Power Distribution
`Components
`Division,
`Cutler-Hammer Consulting Application Guide, "Metering
`and Monitoring Devices". pp. 610-613 and Metering, Moni
`toring, and Protective Devices, pp. 636-649 date unknown.
`"Boosting Your Home's IQ; Manufacturers agree on stan
`dards for creating the smart house". Technology, p. 70 (not
`dated).
`Schrock, Clifford B., "Conservation and safety for the 90's
`using cable TV networks". Cable Bus Systems Corp. (no ref
`or date).
`Dawson, Fred, "Energy saver can support voice and data".
`Multichannel News, Oct. 21, 1991,
`"Schlumberger launches new venture for building automa
`tion systems in Europe using Echelon Technology". Bus.
`Wire, Jul 13, 1992.
`Saladyga, John S., "New home automation systems integrate
`security, energy and entertainment'. Newsday, Inc., Oct. 15,
`1992.
`Rupinski, Patrick, "New device automatically alerts com
`pany of power interruption”, (no ref or date).
`Niggli, Michael R. "PowerView: Two-Way Customer
`Communications" (no refor date).
`"Demonstrating smarts; bright home: a demonstration home
`that utilized consumer electronics..." Popular Science, Jul.
`1991.
`'Scientific-Altanta, Bel Atlantic To Offer Cost-Effective
`Information", PR Newswire, Sep. 23, 1991 (Mary Nagel
`hout).
`"Entergy moves into fiber optics to control residential com
`sumption", Energy Report, Dec. 14, 1992, vol. 20, No. 49 (sr
`abst).
`"Commonwealth Edison installs Metricom's communica
`tion network” Business Wire, Mar. 4, 1993.
`Sanders, Michele, "Interfacing with the home of the future",
`Information Access, Apr. 1993.
`"PGW to begin automatic meter reader installations in
`500,000 homes in Jun.", PRNewswire Assoc., Apr. 2, 1993.
`Jones, David A. "Smart Money? Home automation sys
`tems”. Builder Jun. 1993, pp. 162-166.
`
`Millar, Heather, "Smart houses: getting switched on", Busi
`ness Week, Jun. 28, 1993.
`"Is DSM having an impact on electric-utility credit rat
`ings?". Electrical World, Aug. 1993.
`"Entergy Enterprises CC2000 test joined by Sprint, Honey
`well ..." PR Newswire Assoc, Aug. 26, 1993.
`Kaplan, Daniel, "DSM Monitoring a key issue for utiltiy
`industry E-source", The Enegery Daily, Oct. 5, 1993.
`Jones, David A., "Cutting edge; three houses that break the
`rules and breaknew ground...", Builder Info Access, Nov.
`1993.
`Piepmeier, James M. et al. "The tools of competition:
`differentiation, segmentation...". The Electricity Journal,
`Nov. 1993.
`Colman, Andrew et al., "Competitive edge-Power View: a
`DSM-focused technology", Fortnightly, Nov. 1, 1993.
`Wizard, Frank, "Building the information superhighway”.
`Popular Mechanics, Jan. 1994.
`"Entergy announces a major development in its residential
`customer-controlled load manage ...", PR Newsire Assoc,
`Jan. 19, 1994.
`McLeister, Dan, "Dramatic changes lie ahead for home
`automation' Professional Builder & Remodeler, Feb. 1994.
`"Cebus (R) power line carrier technologies from Intellon
`Corp. support home automation application . . . " PR
`Newswire, Mar. 1, 1994.
`"Honeywell, Oracle Corp. unveil joint technology and mar
`keting alliance", Electric Utiltiy Week's Demand-Side
`Report, Mar. 3, 1994.
`Phillips, Tim, “Welcome to the computerized home". The
`Guardian, Mar. 10, 1994.
`"First Pacific Networks, Central and South West Corp. to
`conduct energy management project in Laredo, TX", Busi
`ness Wire, Mar. 24, 1994.
`"Johnson Controls makes entry into home energy automa
`tion market, ...", PR Newswire, Mar. 28, 1994.
`"Re-engineering electric utility metering and communica
`tions”, Transmission & Distribution, Apr. 1994.
`Cain, Charles J. "Metering gets real". Fortnightly, Apr. 1,
`1994, pp.39-40.
`'Itron signs $27 million contract with Baltimore Gas and
`Electric", PRNewswire, Apr. 4, 1994.
`"Leading companies demonstrate home automation based
`on Echelon's technology", Business Wire, Apr. 14, 1994.
`Salpukas, Agis, "Big hopes put on electric wires", The New
`ork Times, Jul. 6, 1994.
`Karve, Anita, "Brainy Buildings". LAN Magazine, Aug.
`1994.
`"LonWorks-the choice in home automation", Motorola,
`Mar. 1994.
`"Home automation: what's in it for utilities?". EPRI, Apr.
`1990.
`"50 Successful DSM Programs”, The Results Center, lists
`date unknown.
`'Variable electric rates', Transtext date unknown.
`"Bell of Pennsylvania's automatic meter reading could mean
`greater security and privacy for customers". PR Newswire,
`Feb. 28, 1990.
`'NetComm matures as advanced communication and meter
`ing system". Research Newsletter, 4th quarter 1990.
`Teletimer Energy Savings Service: "Low-cost-high value
`building automation” date unknown.
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00002
`
`

`

`5,696,695
`Page 3
`
`"PLC features & specifications", Regency Electronics, Inc.
`date unknown.
`"Using the line sharing switch in power utility load study
`applications", Teltone Telesolutions, 1993.
`
`Home Automation Laboratories, Fall 1994 Catalog.
`o
`"S87C752 CMOS single-chip 8-bit microcontroller".
`Signetics date unknown.
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 1 of 43
`
`5,696,695
`
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`
`GNO2I3S
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`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00004
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00004
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 2 of 43
`
`5,696,695
`
`8
`
`TO NETWORK
`2O
`
`coMPUTER
`PROGRAMS
`
`
`
`MCROPROCESSOR
`
`
`
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`PosMs 122f
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`
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`TO NEWORK
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 3 of 43
`
`5,696,695
`
`AZINONYHOINAS
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`HLIM
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`IPR2023-00626 Page 00006
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00006
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 4 of 43
`
`5,696,695
`
`Struct CUSTOMER
`42A
`double cost kh, | | Customer's cost per 1 kilowatt hour
`11 electricity usage.
`v 42B
`name(21); 1 1 Customer's name
`- 42C
`addr31;
`1 1 Customer's address
`- 42D
`acct(21);
`11 Customer's account number
`
`char
`char
`char
`
`F G. 5
`
`Struct METER
`{
`
`53A
`unsigned int cebushc;
`/ 538
`unsigned int Cebus unit;
`53C
`/ 53D
`double current start (24);
`1. 53E
`double current reading 24;
`
`double current;
`
`153F
`double mtd (24);
`
`/ 53 G
`double last month;
`
`53H
`double yta (24);
`
`11 CEBus House Code
`
`f / CEBus unit code (MAC address)
`f / Last reading recorded
`
`f / 24 hour table (1 entry for each hour)
`11 of first reading for the hour
`
`1 / 24 hour table (1 entry for each hour)
`f / of last reading for that hour
`
`1 / 24 hour table (1 entry for each hour)
`lf of energy usage during that hour (not
`lf including today).
`
`1 / 24 hour table (1 entry for each hour)
`lf of energy usage during that hour for
`If all of last month.
`
`1 / 24 hour table (1 entry for each hour)
`f / of energy usage during that hour for
`11 all of this year to date (not including
`f / today).
`
`F G. 8
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00007
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 5 of 43
`
`5,696,695
`
`44A
`fue DEVICE
`unsigned short watts;
`
`/1 44 B
`unsigned short amps;
`
`- 44C
`unsigned char volts;
`
`4 4)
`/
`unsigned char power factor,
`
`unsigned char load type;
`unsigned char priority;
`
`unsigned char circuit; 44G
`unsigned char code number
`44H
`
`unsigned char code letter,
`1 44
`Cebushc;
`- 44 J
`cebus unit;
`44K
`
`unsigned int
`unsigned int
`char desc (13);
`
`lf Watts this device uses when on.
`f / Used to compute POWER usage when
`df Only offlon status is available,
`
`df AMPS this device uses when on.
`f f Used to compute POWER usage when
`f f only offlon status is available,
`
`ff VOLTS this device uses when on.
`1 / Used to compute POWER usage when
`f / only offlon status is available.
`
`44
`
`f / The Power factor for this device
`1 / (Power Factor = W / VA
`f
`W = Watts
`f
`VA = Wolts Amps)
`lf note: in Alternating Current circuits,
`f / the current is not necessarily in
`f / phase with the voltage. Hence, the
`f / product of volts and amps does not
`f / always equal power. E. a typical
`// power factor for an electric motor is
`1 / .8 (80% of the wattage times voltage
`// times amps).
`
`f / resistive, inductive, florescent
`// Priority: O = Not controlled by power
`f
`Company
`f f
`1 = Last device to be turned
`ff
`off during loadshedding
`ff
`2 = Moderate priority
`If
`3 = First type of device
`to be turned off during
`loadshedding requests.
`
`f / Not in use
`
`If X10 address - Number
`
`f / X10 address - Letter
`
`// CEBus house COde
`
`// CEBus unit number
`
`f / Description (informational filed)
`
`F. G. 6A
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 6 of 43
`
`5,696,695
`
`44L
`char location (18);
`44M
`nsigned Char Status;
`44N
`unSig
`unsigned int current hours (24);
`A40
`unsigned int mtd hours (24);
`A4P
`unsigned int last month (24);
`
`44Q
`unsigned int ytd hours (24):
`
`char cebus noack,
`
`lf Location (informational field)
`11 Current offlon status
`
`f / Current day's device on count.
`f / each "tick represents 30 seconds of
`f / on activity.
`
`f / month to date device On count.
`f / each "tick represents 30 seconds of
`11 on activity.
`
`1 ? last month's device on Count.
`If each "tick' represents 30 seconds of
`11 on activity.
`
`11 year to date device on count.
`11 each "tick represents 30 seconds of
`11 on activity.
`
`ff if a CEBus device, flag to designate
`f / whether or not to expect an ACK from
`ff this device
`
`struct DEVICE
`
`F G. 6B
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00009
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 7 of 43
`
`5,696,695
`
`48
`
`com - yr, 49A
`
`f f
`
`year of this interval
`
`com - mo; 49B
`
`ff
`
`month of this interval
`
`corn - da; 49C
`
`| 1
`
`day of month of this
`interval
`
`COr - hr, 49D
`
`1 /
`
`hour of day, this interval
`
`com - qtr., 49E
`
`If
`
`this interval no within
`hour
`
`f
`
`meter id - in case of
`multiple meters
`
`Struct COMMERCIAL
`
`unsigned short
`unsigned
`
`short
`
`unsigned
`
`Short,
`
`unsigned
`
`short
`
`unsigned
`
`Short
`
`unsigned
`
`short
`
`com - id; 49F
`
`unsigned
`
`shot
`
`com - interval; 49G
`
`ff
`
`interval size, in minutes
`
`double
`
`double
`
`double
`
`double
`
`double
`
`double
`
`double
`
`com - kwh; 49H
`
`//
`
`kWh Consumed this interval
`
`Com - kwarh; 49
`
`f /
`
`kwarh Consumed this interval
`
`com - kvarth, 49J
`
`//
`
`kVarh Consumed this
`interval
`
`com - demand; 49K
`
`f f
`
`demand this interval
`
`com - min; 49L.
`
`ff
`
`com - mt, 49M
`
`f
`
`no minutes device was on
`in this interval
`meters reading at end of
`interval
`
`com - inter, 49N
`
`f
`
`interval length
`
`F. G. 7
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00010
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 8 of 43
`
`5,696.695
`
`54
`Ya
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`54A
`
`54B
`
`DEVICE NO.
`VOLTS
`CURRENT ( in-2)
`CURRENT ( reactive)
`
`55A
`55B
`
`CURRENT reactive)
`
`
`
`KWAH
`KWARH
`
`F G. 9
`
`#define MAX EVENTS 128
`
`Struct event
`{
`
`unsigned char device;
`
`unsigned char hour,
`
`unsigned charmin;
`unsigned char type day;
`
`unsigned charaction;
`
`56
`
`If device this event acts on
`1 / hour that it is to occur (O - 23)
`1 / minute that it is to occur (O - 59)
`11 days of the week during which it is
`/ I to occur. Bit O = Sunday, Bit 1 =
`| | Monday, etc. if bit set this event
`ll is to occur that day.
`lf Action: O = off
`ff
`1 = On
`f /
`2 + 16 " Dinamount - Dim
`
`struct event events (MAX-EVENTS);
`
`F. G.O
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00011
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 9 of 43
`
`5,696.695
`
`
`
`
`
`suo?eooT
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00012
`
`

`

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`U.S. Patent
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`
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 10 of 43
`Sheet 10 of 43
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`5,696.695
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`IPR2023-00626 Page 00013
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
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`Sheet 11 of 43
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`Dec. 9, 1997
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`Sheet 12 of 43
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`Dec. 9, 1997
`Dec. 9, 1997
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`Sheet 13 of 43
`Sheet 13 of 43
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 9, 1997
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`Sheet 14 of 43
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 15 of 43
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 16 of 43
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`5,696,695
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 9, 1997
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`Sheet 17 of 43
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`Dec. 9, 1997
`Dec. 9, 1997
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`Sheet 19 of 43
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`5,696,695
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`IPR2023-00626 Page 00022
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`IPR2023-00626 Page 00022
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 9, 1997
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`Sheet 20 of 43
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 9, 1997
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 9, 1997
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`Sheet 22 of 43
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`Dec. 9, 1997
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`Sheet 23 of 43
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`202 (9 | -}
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
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`Sheet 24 of 43
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`5,696,695
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`IPR2023-00626 Page 00027
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 25 of 43
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`5,696,695
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`IPR2023-00626 Page 00028
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 26 of 43
`
`5,696.695
`
`START
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`32
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`AUTOMATIC
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00029
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 27 of 43
`
`5,696,695
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`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00030
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 28 of 43
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`5,696,695
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`IPR2023-00626 Page 00031
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 29 of 43
`
`5,696.695
`
`
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`F. G. 27
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00032
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 30 of 43
`
`5,696,695
`
`242A
`
`
`
`
`
`HAS
`LOAD SHEDDING
`STATUS CHANGED SINC
`LAST TIME 2
`
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`NO
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`NEXT EVENT 2
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`NO
`SET DEVICE STATUS FLAG TO SHOW NEW CONDITION
`
`242E
`
`
`
`242F
`
`NO
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`
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`DOES THIS
`DEVICE'S PRORTY 8.
`SYSTEM SHEDDING STATUS
`ALLOW UPDATE
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`
`242
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`SEND ON/OFF COMMAND
`
`POINT TO NEXT EVENT
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`242H
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`
`F. G. 28A
`
`NO
`
`246F
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00033
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 31 of 43
`
`5,696.695
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`
`
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`THIS DEVICE's
`PRIORITY AFFECTED
`BY CURRENT SHEDDING
`LEVEL
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`
`
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`
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`
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`
`246C
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`
`
`ST
`SCHED UED TO
`BE ON NOW
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`24 SD
`TURN TON
`
`
`
`F. G. 28B
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00034
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 32 of 43
`
`5,696,695
`
`
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`I S.
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`IPR2023-00626 Page 00035
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 33 of 43
`
`5,696.695
`
`WHOLE HOUSE CONSUMPTION ANALYSIS
`Cost By Load Center
`
`
`
`For Week Ending September 2, 1994
`
`F G. 3O
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00036
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 34 of 43
`
`5,696.695
`
`RESIDENTAL CONSUMPTION
`Analysis By Major Appliance
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`NOllc?WNTI SNOO -JO 3 LV8 AT] MJT-OH
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`No. SOE
`
`T ME OF DAY
`
`F G3
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00037
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 35 of 43
`
`5,696,695
`
`WHOLE HOUSE CONSUMPTION ANALYSIS
`Daily Average Cost By Load Center
`
`$4.00
`
`$ 3.5 O
`
`
`
`$ 2.5O
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`WATER
`EAER DRYER
`
`For September 1, 1994
`
`F G. 32
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00038
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 36 of 43
`
`5,696,695
`
`WHOLE HOUSE CONSUMPTION ANALYSIS
`
`Cost For Air Conditioning
`
`
`
`For Calendar Year 1994
`
`F G. 33
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00039
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 37 of 43
`
`5,696,695
`
`WHOLE HOUSE CONSUMPTION ANALYSIS
`
`Cost By Load Center
`
`AR
`CONDITONING
`
`
`
`For Calendar Year 1994
`
`F G. 34
`
`IPR2023-00626 Page 00040
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
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`Dec. 9, 1997
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`1
`SYSTEM FOR RATE-RELATED CONTROL
`OF ELECTRICAL LOADS
`This application is a division of application Ser. No.
`08/369,679, filed Jan, 5, 1995, entitled ENERGY MAN
`AGEMENT AND BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEM,
`now U.S. Pat No. 5,572.438.
`1. This invention relates to the fields of home or business
`automation and to electrical power distribution system man
`agement. More particularly, the invention relates to a
`10
`computer-controlled system for demand-side management
`of electrical loads in residential and commercial premises,
`and for otherwise controlling those loads. The system pref
`erably uses power-line carrier (PLC) technology within the
`premises for communications between a control computer
`and the loads, and PLC or RF technology for communica
`tions with the facility's (i.e. customer's) local watt-hour
`meter supplied by the utility company. It may use PLC
`technology or another communication technology for com
`munications between the utility company and the customer
`premises. Additionally, the invention relates to the use of
`such a system for providing a bridge between an external
`data communication service, appliances, entertainment ser
`vices and communications devices within a customer pre
`mises (e.g., a home).
`2. Background of the Invention
`For some years, there has been a great deal of interest in
`achieving more efficient utilization of electrical power gen
`eration capabilities and more sophisticated control of elec
`trical loads by users. With a growing awareness of the
`ecological impact and economic cost of inefficient utiliza
`tion of resources, electrical power consumers have become
`aware of the desirability of altering their usage patterns.
`Some power companies already offer rates which vary
`according to the time of day, to encourage customers to
`operate appliances such as clothes dryers, pool pumps and
`dishwashers during off-peak times. Generally, a high rate is
`charged during certain hours of peak demand and a lesser
`rate is charged during other hours of off-peak demand. An
`alternative approach would permit extension of time-of-day
`rate setting to allow more frequent (e.g., hourly) changes in
`rates. That would require, though, that the customer be
`advised of each rate change and then decide what appliances
`the customer is willing to operate at such rate. To automate
`this process, it is necessary that the power customer be able
`to monitor and control power usage by the more significant
`loads in the customer's residence or business.
`However, the customer typically sees the benefits of
`time-managed appliance usage only when studying a
`monthly bill, which provides very little information. The
`customer does not really know, under real usage conditions,
`how much it costs to operate one appliance compared with
`another. To make these cost comparisons using monthly
`billing statements probably is not practical because it is not
`realistic to conduct a multi-month-long controlled experi
`ment wherein all other energy consumption is constant
`except for the use of a first appliance one month and the use
`of a different, second appliance another month. Without such
`a controlled experiment, one cannot determine, from a
`monthly bill, the cost of operating a specific appliance or
`even the comparative cost of operating two different
`appliances, or how much will be saved by operating a given
`appliance at any specific rate. Accordingly, a need exists for
`a system which will provide to a customer, on a timely basis,
`reports on the amount of power consumed by one or more
`appliances and the cost of operating those appliances.
`A need further exists for allowing a customer to make
`cost-based decisions as to the operation of appliances, and
`
`65
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`35
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`50
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`55
`
`2
`for effectuating those decisions. Many utility customers may
`wish to control their expenditure for electric power. For
`example, the customer might be willing to operate a swim
`ming pool heater only so long as the energy cost is below an
`amount set (i.e., predetermined) by the customer, or only so
`long as the outside temperature is in a certain range. As yet
`another example, the decision to replace an aged, inefficient
`appliance may be deferred by a customer who does not know
`how quickly a new, more efficient appliance will pay for
`itself through reduced energy consumption because the
`consumption by the old, existing appliance is not known.
`Commercial customers may be enabled to make process
`selection decisions based on relative energy costs, if those
`costs can be demonstrated.
`Since the rates charged for electric energy are at least in
`part a function of system-wide demand at the time (as, for
`example, reflected in fuel cost), a customer with a fixed
`budget can consume more power when rates are low than it
`can