(12) United States Patent
`Schurr et al.
`
`USOO6868293B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,868,293 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Mar. 15, 2005
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENERGY
`USAGE CURTAILMENT
`(75) Inventors: Allan J. Schurr, Danville, CA (US);
`Gaymond Yee, Oakland, CA (US)
`
`(73) ASSignee: Itron, Inc., Spokane, WA (US)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`p isS. listed under 35
`S.C. 154(b) by 808 days.
`
`FR
`WO
`WO
`
`1/2002 Bannai et al. .............. 709/104
`2002/OOO7388 A1
`2002/0019758 A1 * 2/2002 Scarpelli........................ 705/7
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2660511
`10/1991
`............ HO2J/13/00
`WO 02/27639 A1 * 4/2002 ........... GO6F/19/00
`WO O2/O27687 A1 * 4/2002 ........... GO8E/23/00
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`PCT Written Opinion dated Feb. 13, 2003 corresponding to
`PCT/US01/42363.
`NETO: “Distribution by demand side management'; Trans
`mission & Distribution World, Dec. 1997, vol. 49, No. 13,
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/677,700
`pp. 39–44, See entire article.
`(22) Filed:
`Sep. 28, 2000
`* cited by examiner
`(51) Int. Cl." ................................................ G05B 11/01
`(52) U.S. Cl. ......................... 700/22; 700/276; 700/286;
`Primary Examiner Ramesh Patel
`700,201.700205. 3232,323/30.323/sis
`(58) Field of Search ..............................
`... (74). Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Gray Cary Ware &
`Goos. 27, 20.205.3.20. Freidenrich LLP
`318
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A System and method are disclosed for performing energy
`usage management within a network. The System may
`include an energy management System, Such as a thermostat
`device, that may be associated with an energy consuming
`entity, Such as a residence. A server may be remotely located
`from the energy consuming entity and may perform one or
`more energy curtailment management operations within the
`network. The server may be in communication with the
`energy management System over the network. One or more
`Software applications may be Stored thereon for remotely
`controlling the energy management System in accordance
`with a particular energy curtailment management operation.
`Additionally, a database may be associated with the Server
`for Storing curtailment event information relating to the
`network. A Signal may be transmitted by the Server to the
`thermostat device to alter an offset temperature Setting of the
`thermostat device thereby remotely controlling the operation
`of the thermostat device. The thermostat device may also
`include a networking Software application for enabling the
`remote monitoring and controlling of the thermostat device.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,551812 A 11/1985 Gurr et al. .................. 364/492
`5,216,623 A 6/1993 Barrett et al. ............... 364/550
`5,404,136 A 4/1995 Marsden ................ 340/870.03
`5,566,084 A 10/1996 Cmar ......................... 364/492
`5,572.438 A 11/1996 Ehlers et al. ............... 364/492
`5,576,700 A 11/1996 Davis et al. ........... 340/825.16
`5,696,695 A 12/1997 Ehlers et al. ............... 364/492
`5,706,191 A
`1/1998 Bassett et al. .............. 364/138
`5,729.474. A 3/1998 Hildebrand et al. ........ 364/557
`5,732,193 A 3/1998 Aberson ...................... 395/10
`5,761,083 A 6/1998 Brown, Jr. et al. ......... 364/492
`5,793.974 A
`8/1998 Messinger ............. 395/200.54
`5,794.212 A
`8/1998 Mistr, Jr. ..................... 705/26
`5,924.486 A 7/1999 Ehlers et al. ............... 165/238
`5,958,012 A 9/1999 Battat et al. ................ 709/224
`5,974,403 A 10/1999 Takriti et al. ............... 705/412
`6,021,402 A 2/2000 Takriti ........................ 705/412
`6,088.659 A
`7/2000 Kelley et al. ......
`... 702/62
`6,105,000 A 8/2000 Hickman et al. ...... ... 705/10
`6,141,595 A 10/2000 Gloudeman et al. .......... 700/83
`6,178,362 B1
`1/2001 Woollard et al. ............ 700/295
`
`
`
`ENERGY
`SERVICE
`PROVIDER
`
`15 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
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`1
`SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR ENERGY
`USAGE CURTAILMENT
`
`The present invention is related to a System and method
`for managing the use of energy.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Energy management and energy cost management has
`always been an issue for many residents because of the
`increasing cost of energy. It is desirable to manage and
`analyze the energy consumption of a residence in order to
`reduce the total energy costs of the residence.
`With a conventional energy management approach, a
`residence may manage its own energy. However, due to
`conventional energy management devices, Such as thermo
`Stats and the like, it can be difficult for a residence to
`efficiently and effectively manage energy usage on its own.
`Unfortunately, conventional thermost at Systems, while
`capable of maintaining a desired temperature in the
`residence, are not generally precise in maintaining a par
`ticular temperature and thus fluctuate through a temperature
`range. This fluctuation can result in varying energy
`consumption, and variable energy cost, just to maintain a
`particular temperature in the residence over time.
`During peak energy demand periods, utilities and Service
`providers are often forced to purchase short-term energy
`resources at prices that are significantly higher than average
`and pass on the high costs to its energy customers. Failure
`of utilities and Service providers to maintain adequate
`energy resources can lead to power outages that affect the
`general public and can tarnish the reputation of the utilities
`and Service providers and adversely affect their business. AS
`a result, utility and Service providers often lose millions of
`dollars every day in order to maintain adequate energy
`CSOUCCS.
`In order to manage peak energy demand periods, Some
`utilities and Service providers establish reduction compen
`sation programs and pay consumers to temporarily reduce
`their energy consumption during peak energy demand peri
`ods. Advantageously, consumers electing to participate in a
`curtailment event (i.e., compensation program) may be
`incentivized by being able to purchase energy during peak
`energy demand periods at energy costs lower than normally
`available. However, due to the high volatility of wholesale
`energy prices and the absence of energy management Sys
`tems for determining real-time information tracking energy
`usage, consumer participation in reduction compensation
`programs is limited.
`To achieve large-scale energy reduction programs, utili
`ties and Service providers need to be able to rapidly inform
`consumers of high energy cost periods. Unfortunately, cur
`rent curtailment programs lack historical data relating to
`high cost energy consumption by consumers, and do not
`rapidly inform consumers of peak energy demand periods.
`Thus, consumers generally are not afforded a cost Savings
`benefit by participating in curtailment programs. Moreover,
`Since wholesale power markets are ordinarily highly
`Volatile, delays and notice periods can cause mismatches
`between the cost of energy actually purchased by the con
`Sumer and the market value of that purchased energy.
`Further, conventional curtailment Systems typically notify
`consumers of peak energy demand periods by broadcast
`facsimile or telephone messages, and conventional curtail
`ment program administration does not currently Support
`grouping consumers by program design, likely response,
`load Zone, or other means. Conventional curtailment Sys
`
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`tems also do not provide the capability for both a Service
`provider operator and a consumer user to view, in real-time,
`the results of participating in an energy reduction program.
`Thus, there is a need for a system and method that affords
`customization of curtailment events for individual consumer
`users and provides real-time notification and monitoring of
`curtailment events. There is also a need for a System and
`method for remotely controlling a thermostat device in a
`residence to achieve efficient energy management. It is to
`these ends that the present invention is directed.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention affords a system and method for
`performing energy usage management within a network.
`The System may include an energy management device,
`Such as a thermostat device, that may be associated with an
`energy consuming entity, Such as a residence. A Server may
`be remotely located from the energy consuming entity and
`may perform one or more energy curtailment management
`operations within the network. The Server may be in com
`munication with the energy management System over the
`network. One or more Software applications may be Stored
`thereon for remotely controlling the energy management
`System in accordance with a particular energy curtailment
`management operation. Additionally, a database may be
`asSociated with the Server for Storing curtailment event
`information relating to the network.
`A signal may be transmitted by the Server to the thermo
`Stat device to alter an offset temperature Setting of the
`thermostat device thereby remotely controlling the operation
`of the thermostat device. The thermostat device may also
`include a networking Software application for enabling the
`remote monitoring and controlling of the thermostat device.
`In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a Software
`application for enabling remote monitoring and controlling
`of an energy management System within an energy consum
`ing entity may include an indoor temperature indicator
`module for monitoring the current temperature of the entity,
`a temperature setpoint module for establishing operating
`temperature points for the energy management System, a
`System Setting module for activating the energy management
`System and for Selecting the mode of operation of the energy
`management System, and a curtailment event override mod
`ule for overriding an active curtailment event.
`In another aspect of the invention, a Software application
`for monitoring one or more curtailment events within a
`network may include a curtailment manager module for
`initiating one or more load curtailment events within the
`network, a curtailment Summary module for indicating
`curtailment event Status information within the network, a
`curtailment history module for indicating historical curtail
`ment information relating to current and prior curtailment
`events within the network, a user Status module for indicat
`ing user-specific curtailment information, and a user history
`module for indicating curtailment history information relat
`ing to a particular user of the network.
`The curtailment manager module includes an interface for
`Selecting a starting time and duration for initiating one or
`more load curtailment events, and for Selecting a particular
`offset temperature Setting for remotely controlling pre
`Selected energy management Systems within the network
`upon the occurrence of the load curtailment event. Curtail
`ment event Status information may include the current Status
`of a curtailment event and the number of entities Scheduled
`to participate in, or electing to override, the curtailment
`event. User-specific curtailment information may include
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`current curtailment State information and energy manage
`ment System-specific information. Energy management
`System-Specific information may include current tempera
`ture information and temperature Setpoint information.
`In another aspect of the invention, a method for remotely
`controlling an energy management System, comprises the
`Steps of establishing a data communication Session with an
`energy management System, retrieving temperature infor
`mation from the energy management System, altering tem
`perature setpoint information for the energy management
`System to remotely program the operating conditions for the
`energy management System, and transmitting the altered
`temperature Setpoint information to the energy management
`System for operating the energy management System.
`
`4
`the remote control of thermostat devices 24 at a client node
`14 both of which may be executed by a CPU 20. The
`Software applications 18, 19 will be described in more detail
`below. A database 21 may be associated with the server 12
`for Storing curtailment event and other information relating
`to different client nodes 14 within the system 10. Preferably,
`the Server 12 may be capable of Sustaining a high transaction
`rate, Such as hundreds of transactions per Second, and may
`utilize local queuing layerS for handling bursty traffic. The
`System is preferably Scalable to Support the addition of other
`client nodes. Advantageously, the functionality of the Server
`12 may be distributed across multiple CPUs and may
`employ a unique “push” technology to rapidly deliver tar
`geted information Securely via the network.
`The client nodes 14 may be associated with different
`energy consumers, Such as individual residences. The client
`nodes 14 may include devices that operate and consume
`energy, such as an HVAC unit 22. The client nodes 14 may
`also include the thermostat device 24 connected with the
`HVAC unit 22 for controlling the operation of the HVAC
`unit 22. The thermostat device 24 may be controlled
`remotely, for example by the server 12, via modern 28 or
`other Similar communications device, Such as by transmit
`ting a signal over the Internet 16 to alter the offset tempera
`ture of the thermostat device 24 and thereby control the
`operation of the HVAC unit 22 remotely. Such two-way
`Internet control is described in more detail in ASSignee's
`co-pending patent application Ser. No. 09/677,484, filed
`Sep. 28, 2000, and herein incorporated by reference.
`The thermostat device 24 is preferably a 7-day program
`mable thermostat available from Carrier Corporation;
`however, those skilled in the art will recognize that other
`thermostat devices may be utilized without departing from
`the invention. The thermostat device 24 may include a
`networking Software application 30 that operates in con
`junction with the application code of the thermostat device
`24 to enable remote monitoring and controlling of the
`thermostat device 24. For example, the Software application
`30 enables communication with and data transmission to and
`from the residence, and the server 12 via the Internet 16.
`Advantageously, the thermostat device 24 may provide
`numerous functions for controlling indoor temperature and
`optimize energy efficiency. For example, the thermostat
`device 24 may reduce energy consumption by gradually
`adjusting the temperature within the residence, or by acti
`Vating and de-activating the energy consuming device SyS
`tem accordingly. Additionally, for example, the thermostat
`device 24 may automatically Switch between heating and
`cooling operation during periods when both heating and
`cooling are necessary. Moreover, to optimize energy
`efficiency, the thermostat device 24 may notify the residence
`when an HVAC air filter is needed to be cleaned or replaced
`to maintain optimal indoor air quality and energy efficiency.
`FIG. 2 is an exemplary representation of a thermostat device
`24 that may be utilized by the present invention.
`The thermostat device 24 shown in FIG.2 may be a 7-day
`programmable thermostat device 24 and may permit tem
`perature programming for multiple periods during a day. The
`thermostat device 24 may include a communications port
`25a permitting two-way communications between the ther
`mostat device 24 and a remote System, Such as the Server 12,
`via the Internet as described in ASSignee's co-pending U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 09/677,484, filed Sep. 28, 2000,
`which was incorporated by reference above. The thermostat
`device 24 may also include a large, backlit LCD display
`Screen 25b for indicating temperature Settings and other
`message information, Such as a clean filter indicator 25c for
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a load curtailment System
`in accordance with the invention;
`FIG. 2 is an exemplary representation of a thermostat
`device that may be utilized by the system of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is an exemplary screenshot of a user interface for
`remotely controlling a thermostat device in accordance with
`the invention;
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the software mod
`25
`ules that make up the curtailment management System
`embodied as the first software application of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 5 is an exemplary representation of a user interface
`that may be displayed to a Service provider operator upon
`accessing the curtailment management Software application
`module of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 6 is an exemplary representation of a user interface
`that may be displayed to a Service provider operator upon
`accessing the curtailment Summary Software application
`module of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 7 is an exemplary representation of a user interface
`that may be displayed to a Service provider operator upon
`accessing the curtailment history Software application mod
`ule of FIG. 4;
`40
`FIGS. 8A-8C are exemplary representations of a user
`interface that may be displayed to a Service provider opera
`tor upon accessing the customer Status Software application
`module of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 9 is an exemplary representation of a user interface
`that may be displayed to a Service provider operator upon
`accessing the customer history Software application module
`of FIG. 4; and
`FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a preferred method of
`operation of the System in accordance with the invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a load curtailment System
`10 in accordance with the invention. As shown, the load
`curtailment System 10 may include a Server 12 connected
`with one or more client nodes 14 acroSS a data network 16,
`such as a wide area network (WAN) 16. In a preferred
`embodiment, the data network may be the Internet, or more
`particularly, the World Wide Web. It should be noted that
`while the invention is described as being provided over the
`World WideWeb, it may also be provided over a local area
`network, Such as an intranet, and other network Structures.
`The server 12 may include a first software application 18
`for performing energy management functions within the
`network, and a Second Software application 19 for allowing
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`notifying a user of the need to replace the System air filter,
`The thermostat device 24 may also include a curtailment
`override button 25d for enabling a user to independently
`choose to override participation of a curtailment event.
`Advantageously, the thermostat device 24 is environmen
`tally friendly and may be operated electronically without
`requiring a battery.
`Referring again to FIG. 1, the computer System 26 that
`may be connected with the thermostat device 24 may
`include a display device 32, a CPU unit 34, one or more user
`input devices, such as a mouse 36 and a keyboard 38 and
`may be configured to communicate with the Server 12 over
`the WAN 16. The CPU unit 34 may house a permanent
`Storage System 40, Such as a hard disk drive, optical disk
`drive, tape drive, or the like, which may store one or more
`Software applications Such as a web browser application.
`The computer System 26 may have a resident memory 42
`and the software application from the disk 40 may be
`transferred to the memory 42 to be executed by a CPU 44.
`A browser application may connect the computer System 26
`to the server 12 over the WAN 16 and receive data and
`graphical information (Such as web pages, reports, etc.) that
`may be displayed on the display device 32 of the computer
`System 26. The browser application may also permit the
`computer System 26 to interact with the Server 12, Such as
`for monitoring energy usage of different residences and for
`generating energy usage reports, or for remotely controlling
`a thermostat device 24.
`FIG. 3 is an exemplary screenshot of a user interface 50
`for remotely controlling a thermostat device in accordance
`with the invention. A user may access the server 12 (FIG. 1)
`via the Internet 16, Such as by using a web browser Software
`application, as described above. Upon accessing the Server
`12, the Second Software application 19 resident thereon may
`cause a particular user interface 50 to be displayed to the
`user on the display device 32 of the user's computer System.
`The user interface 50 may allow the user to remotely control
`the thermostat device 24, Such as by modifying the tem
`perature setpoints of the thermostat device 24, by interacting
`with the user interface 50 as will be described below.
`The user interface 50 may include an indoor temperature
`indicator area 52 for indicating the indoor temperature at a
`particular residence with which the thermostat device 24 is
`asSociated. Preferably, temperature may be indicated on a
`Fahrenheit Scale, however, other temperature indicator
`Scales may be utilized without departing from the invention.
`The user interface 50 may also include a temperature set
`point area 54 for indicating heating and cooling temperature
`Settings for Setting the operating temperature points for the
`thermostat device 24. Advantageously, the user may
`manipulate the temperature values in the Setpoint area 54,
`Such as by interacting with increase/decrease temperature
`buttons 56 to change the desired setpoint temperatures for
`the thermostat device 24. Preferably, the setpoint tempera
`tures may be indicated on a Fahrenheit Scale, however, other
`temperature indicator Scales may be utilized without depart
`ing from the invention.
`The user interface 50 may also include a thermostat
`Setting area 56 for remotely activating the thermostat fan and
`for Selecting the mode of operation (e.g., heating or cooling)
`for the thermostat device 24. Additionally, the user interface
`50 may include a curtailment notice area 58 for indicating
`the time remaining for a particular curtailment event and for
`allowing a user to override a currently active curtailment
`event participation.
`The first software application 18 resident on the server 12
`(FIG. 1) may include different application modules for
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`operating as a curtailment management System in accor
`dance with the invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illus
`trating the Software modules that make up the curtailment
`management System embodied as the first Software applica
`tion 18. Other software application modules may be pro
`Vided and the following are merely exemplary.
`As shown in FIG. 4, the software application modules
`may include a curtailment manager Software application
`module 60 for initiating load curtailment events within the
`network. A load curtailment event is broadly defined as any
`event causing reduction in peak energy demand within the
`System. Creation of curtailment events is described in detail
`in ASSignee's co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`09/675,999, filed Sep. 28, 2000, and herein incorporated by
`reference. The Software application modules may also
`include a curtailment Summary Software module 62 for
`indicating information relating to curtailment event
`participation, a curtailment history Software module 64 for
`identifying prior curtailment event information, a customer
`Status Software module 66 and a customer history Software
`module 68 for indicating customer information. The above
`modules may be enabled for performing curtailment man
`agement operations and will be described in more detail
`below.
`In operation, an operation Service provider may access the
`Server 12 and log into the first Software application 18, Such
`as by entering a unique user identifier and password. Once
`the user is logged into the application 18, the Service
`provider operator may select from the different application
`modules shown in FIG. 4 for operating the residential
`curtailment manager System. For example, the user may
`initiate a curtailment event, may view a curtailment Sum
`mary or curtailment history information, and may review
`customer history and/or Status information.
`For example, a Service provider operator may access the
`Server 12 and initiate a curtailment event. Upon accessing
`the Server 12 to initiate a curtailment event, the Software
`application 18 may invoke the curtailment management
`Software application module 60 that may cause a user
`interface 70 to be displayed to the service provider operator
`to facilitate initiation of curtailment events. An exemplary
`Screenshot of a user interface 70 is shown in FIG. 5. The user
`interface 70 may display the current time 72a, and provide
`an interacting means for the Service provider operator to
`establish and initiate a new curtailment event. AS shown, the
`user interface 70 may display, in an area 72b, a customizable
`Start time for establishing the Starting time for a curtailment
`event, and a customizable duration (e.g., in hours) for the
`curtailment event. The user interface 70 may also display, in
`another area 72c, the offset temperature (e.g., Fahrenheit
`Scale) for remotely controlling a thermostat device 24 during
`the curtailment event. Finally, the user interface 70 may have
`an area 73 to allow the service provider operator to establish
`the date for the curtailment event, and Select to which
`customers to direct the curtailment event.
`Preferably, only one curtailment initiation message is
`transmitted to a thermostat device 24 when the server 12 is
`communicating with the thermostat device 24, but additional
`messages may be transmitted without departing from the
`invention. Moreover, the thermostat device 24 preferably
`receives curtailment event commands up to 24 hours in
`advance of the start of the event; however, the device 24 may
`receive event commands earlier or just before the event.
`A Service provider operator may also access the Server 12
`and review a curtailment Summary. Upon accessing the
`Server 12 to review a curtailment Summary, the Software
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`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1038
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 16
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`application 18 may invoke the curtailment Summary Soft
`ware module 62 shown in FIG. 4 that may cause a user
`interface 80 to be displayed to the service provider operator
`to facilitate review. An exemplary Screenshot of a user
`interface 80 is shown in FIG. 6. The user interface 80 may
`display the current Status of a curtailment event showing the
`number of residential households Scheduled or overridden.
`The user interface 80 may also display tallies of thermostat
`devices 24 having reporting message timestamps occurring
`at particular periods, Such as less than 6, 12, or 24 hours old.
`The last timestamp of the last message received from a
`thermostat device 24 may also be indicated. Preferably, the
`Service provider operator may review this information to
`determine the efficiency and operation of the System.
`A Service provider operator may also access the Server 12
`and review curtailment history information. Upon accessing
`the server 12 to review curtailment history information, the
`Software application 18 may invoke the curtailment history
`Software module 64 that may cause a user interface 90 to be
`displayed to the Service provider operator to facilitate
`review. An exemplary screenshot of a user interface 90 is
`shown in FIG. 7. The user interface 90 may display the
`historical Summaries of both current and prior curtailment
`events. Preferably, curtailment Summaries are displayed in
`reverse chronological order; however, the user may display
`the curtailment Summaries in any desired order. Information
`that may be displayed includes curtailment event dates and
`times, temperature offset information, number of households
`Scheduled to participate in the event, the number of house
`holds overriding participation in the event, and the percent
`age of households overriding a particular curtailment event
`participation. Other information may be displayed and the
`above is merely exemplary.
`A Service provider operator may also access the Server 12
`and review customer Status information. Upon accessing the
`Server 12 to review customer Status information, the Soft
`ware application 18 may invoke the customer Status Soft
`ware module 66 shown in FIG. 4 that may cause a user
`interface 100 to be displayed to the service provider operator
`to facilitate review. Exemplary Screenshots of a user inter
`face 100 are shown in FIGS. 8A-8C. The user interface 100
`of FIG. 8A may display customer information, such as
`customer address, customer account number, customer Serial
`number, customer telephone number, and other customer
`specific information. The user interface 101 of FIG. 8B may
`display customer curtailment Status information, Such as the
`current curtailment state (i.e., none, Scheduled, override) of
`customers. Depending on the current curtailment State of the
`customer, different information may be displayed by the user
`interface 101. For example, for a scheduled state, the start
`time, end time and degree offset information for a curtail
`ment event may be displayed. For an override State, the time
`a customer performed a curtailment override may be dis
`played. The user interface 102 of FIG. 8C may display
`thermostat device 24 status information, Such as current
`temperature, and cool setpoint and heat Setpoint information.
`A Service provider operator may also access the Server 12
`and review customer history information. Upon accessing
`the server 12 to review customer history information, the
`Software application 18 may invoke the customer history
`Software module 68 shown in FIG. 4 that may cause a user
`interface 110 to be displayed to the service provider operator
`to facilitate review. An exemplary Screenshot of a user
`interface 110 is shown in FIG. 9. The user interface 110 of
`FIG. 9 may display curtailment history information for a
`particular customer. Advantageously, curtailment history
`information may be exported as database records that can be
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`incorporated into spreadsheet format to facilitate data man
`agement.
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`FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a preferred method of
`operation for the System described above. Initially, a user
`may log onto the server 12 (FIG. 1), as described above, and
`acce