G01D2204/18

Method for determining and monitoring gas consumption in a gas network under pressure or under vacuum and gas network

A method is provided for determining and monitoring gas consumption in a gas network under pressure or under vacuum. The gas network may include a sensor(s) capable of recording the state or status of a source(s), consumers, consumer areas or applications. The method includes: a start-up phase, during which the aforementioned sensors are calibrated before use; an optional leak quantification phase, in which unrecorded consumers or leaks are quantified on the basis of measurements from the aforementioned sensors; an operational phase, in which the flow and/or gas volume consumed by each consumer, consumer areas, application or possibly the leak/non-registered consumer is calculated or determined using a cumulative algorithm and a predefined, adjustable time horizon; an output phase, in which the calculated or determined flow and/or gas volume consumed by each consumer, consumer area, application or possibly the leak/non-registered consumer is displayed.

Intelligent electronic device having user-authenticating capabilities

An intelligent electronic device (IED) includes a user authentication module configured for authenticating authorized users of the IED and preventing an access by non-authorized personnel to a user-selectable portion of operational features of the IED. In exemplary embodiments, the user authentication module includes a database of information authenticating an authorized user and a sensor acquiring user-identifying information (e.g., a biometric sensor, a reader of magnetic, holographic, RFID, or smart ID cards, or a keypad). In one application, these techniques are implemented in IEDs such as electrical power and energy meters and used to control access to reset, configuration, billing, communication, and data acquisition/processing functions of the meters.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ON-LOCATION RESOURCE CONSUMPTION MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT
20180364689 · 2018-12-20 ·

A system and method for on-location resource consumption monitoring and management including, a sensor attachable to a resource consumption meter monitoring raw resource consumption data outputted by the meter, an on-location network receiving the raw consumption data; a controller interfacing the network for processing the raw consumption data into processed consumption data; and a device linked to the network for displaying the processed consumption data to a user. The network may be linked to a remote server for uploading the processed data, further processing the data, and/or incorporating the data with third party analytical and reporting tools for resource consumption monitoring and management. The system and method may be used for monitoring and managing the resource consumption data of appliances and electronic devices through the use of control modules connected between an electrical supply and an appliance/electronic device.

INTELLIGENT ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING IMAGE CAPTURE CAPABILITIES
20180332038 · 2018-11-15 ·

An intelligent electronic device (IED) includes an image capture module configured for capturing images or video in a location of the IED. The IED may also include a heat sensor for sensing heat inside or outside a housing of the IED. In one application, these techniques are implemented in IEDs such as electrical power and energy meters and used to control access to reset, configuration, billing, communication, and data acquisition/processing functions of the meters. Additionally, image processing techniques are employed by the IED to detect events in an electrical distribution system and implement control functions thereof.

ELECTRICAL POWER SWITCH CONTROL WITH SHOPPING FUNCTION
20180321058 · 2018-11-08 ·

A device to be connected to first electrical power wiring and for displaying electrical power usage information of at least one first electrical load connected to the first electrical power wiring, the device including terminals to electrically connect to the first electrical power wiring of a building, a controller to receive information representing at least a current to the at least one first electrical load, determine first electrical power usage information of the at least one first electrical load using the received information, a user interface to display the determined first electrical power usage information of the at least one first electrical load, and a communications interface to transmit the determined first electrical power usage information to at least one second electrical device for display, and receive determined second electrical power usage information of at least one second electrical load from the at least one second electrical device for display.

Electrical power switch control with usage data display
10054464 · 2018-08-21 ·

A device to be connected to first electrical power wiring and for displaying electrical power usage information of at least one first electrical load connected to the first electrical power wiring, the device including terminals to electrically connect to the first electrical power wiring of a building, a controller to receive information representing at least a current to the at least one first electrical load, determine first electrical power usage information of the at least one first electrical load using the received information, a user interface to display the determined first electrical power usage information of the at least one first electrical load, and a communications interface to transmit the determined first electrical power usage information to at least one second electrical device for display, and receive determined second electrical power usage information of at least one second electrical load from the at least one second electrical device for display.

Intelligent electronic device having image capture capabilities
10033970 · 2018-07-24 · ·

An intelligent electronic device (IED) includes an image capture module configured for capturing images or video in a location of the IED. The IED may also include a heat sensor for sensing heat inside or outside a housing of the IED. In one application, these techniques are implemented in IEDs such as electrical power and energy meters and used to control access to reset, configuration, billing, communication, and data acquisition/processing functions of the meters. Additionally, image processing techniques are employed by the IED to detect events in an electrical distribution system and implement control functions thereof.

SENSOR HUB AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME
20180188218 · 2018-07-05 · ·

The present disclosure relates a sensor hub that allows users to visually and easily check the air environment and power consumption of a room, and a method for operating the same. The sensor hub may include a housing having ventilation ports on lateral and rear sides. A fine dust sensor may be provided to sense a concentration of fine dust introduced through the ventilation ports. A CO.sub.2 sensor may be provided in the housing that senses a concentration of CO.sub.2. A display plate and a display unit and an illumination plate including a plurality of light emitting units may be provided in the housing. A main board and processor may be disposed in the housing to control the plurality of light emitting units and the display unit based on data on the fine dust concentration and the CO.sub.2 concentration received respectively from the fine dust sensor and the CO.sub.2 sensor.

Utility monitoring device, system and method

A monitoring device, system and method are provided for in-home/on-premises monitoring of usage of utilities, such as electricity and other services. The monitoring device receives information from a smart meter, and displays usage through a display, illuminating an area using a color indicative of the current cost of consumption, and varying the illuminated area at a rate indicative of a rate of consumption or other metric, the varying of the illuminated area simulating movement in the display. The display provides a consumer with at a glance visual information on current usage. Optionally a digital display screen provides detailed alphanumeric and graphical information, through a number of selectable display modes. One or more devices may be networked, and interface directly or indirectly with a transceiver of a smart metering system, or a retrofit transceiver for a conventional meter. Monitoring of other utilities and services may alternatively or additionally be provided.

ELECTRICAL POWER SWITCH CONTROL WITH USAGE DATA DISPLAY
20170307406 · 2017-10-26 ·

A device to be connected to first electrical power wiring and for displaying electrical power usage information of at least one first electrical load connected to the first electrical power wiring, the device including terminals to electrically connect to the first electrical power wiring of a building, a controller to receive information representing at least a current to the at least one first electrical load, determine first electrical power usage information of the at least one first electrical load using the received information, a user interface to display the determined first electrical power usage information of the at least one first electrical load, and a communications interface to transmit the determined first electrical power usage information to at least one second electrical device for display, and receive determined second electrical power usage information of at least one second electrical load from the at least one second electrical device for display.