GB2508282A

GB2508282A - Monitoring and Indicating System for Resource Usage

Info

Publication number: GB2508282A
Application number: GB1317568.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Hugh Mccorkindale; Harry William Bach
Original assignee: Tayeco Ltd
Current assignee: Tayeco Ltd
Priority date: 2012-10-07
Filing date: 2013-10-04
Publication date: 2014-05-28
Also published as: GB201217928D0; GB201317568D0

Abstract

Consumption of resources such as electricity, water and gas, is monitored for consecutive periods of time e.g. 12 hours or 24 hours, segmented into smaller subdivisions e.g. 20 minutes. Expected usage of the resources during each segment is input or calculated and compared with the actual usage in real time to provide a consumption indicator. A user interface is provided to display the consumption indicator for each segment of time. The user interface (24, Figure 1) may be connected to the monitoring system by transceivers (18, 20, Figure 1). The user interface may be a clock dial having bar indicators 30 each representing a 20 minute time segment. Each block 30 may have three LEDs in red, orange and green to provide a traffic light output, green indicating efficient resource usage in line with expected levels, orange signifying slightly higher usage and red indicating very high and uneconomic resource usage. A single combined output for use of electricity, gas and water may be provided or a single resource may be independently displayed. Accurate and relevant indication of resource usage can be displayed at any given time.

Description

RESOURCE MONITORING SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a resource monitoring system, in particular, the invention relates to a resource monitoring system for determining consumption of resources such as utilities.

Excessive consumption of natural resources is an increasing problem. Such consumption depletes natural resources and in turn, this can cause environmental problems as well as causing an increase in the cost of these resources, such as oil and gas. In turn, thcsc rising costs can put significant strain on thc budgets of users of the resources.

Awareness raising campaigns to try and encourage more careful use of natural resources on a personal basis has made knowledge of the issues mainstream.

However, awareness raising has not been successflil in seeing the changes in behaviour required to see significant conservation of resources through decreased utility use.

When managing use of these resources, for example the use of electricity within a school building or office building or even within a home, the abstract measure of utility consumption based simply on the use of appliances means that it is difficult for individuals to correlate particular actions to a reduced use of power or water for example. This is compounded by the utilities companies sending out monthly or quarterly bills, which means that any specific action is lost within the context of utility consumption over a period of 30 days or more.

To overcome this disconnect between the actions which use the utilities and the overall resource consumption, a variety of different utility monitoring systems have been developed. These utility monitoring systems monitor the consumption of utilities such as gas, electricity, LPG, oil and water, and provide an easy to interpret display which enables users to assess the current level of usage and compare this to an optimum or a maximum desired level of usage. By having the connection between actual usage and optimal usage clearly visible and easy to interpret, users can, in real time, modify their behaviour and see the results in terms ofutility consumption.

Such a utility monitoring system is disclosed in W02008/025939 wherein the energy monitoring systcm dctcrmines thrcshold and maximum consumption valucs then monitors ongoing resource usage, providing a display output which a user can easily interpret to understand how current resource consumption compares to the average, the threshold and maximum consumption values.

However, utility monitoring systems such as that detailed above, work on the basis that relevant usage limits are developed over time based on average consumption. In most environments, usage yaries over the course of any giyen period of time, for examplc during a day there will be periods of utility usage surges and othcr periods when little resource is being used at all therefore the average consumption usage limits developed to which consumption is referenced may be of little relevance.

It is thcreforc an object of thc prcscnt invention to providc a resourcc monitoring system which obviates or mitigates the drawbacks of the abovementioned prior art.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a resource monitoring system for determining resource consumption such as utilities on a relevant real time comparative basis.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a resource monitoring system comprising: monitoring apparatus operable to monitor the consumption of at least one resource over consecutive predefined time periods and to create a monitor output indicative of the monitored consumption; a proccssor, opcrable to rcccivc and process the monitor output ovcr a first predefined time period formed of a consecutive series of equal segments to create a data profile and use this to crcatc a monitored consumption output, which is asscsscd in relation to a prcdetcrmined consumption criteria data profile such that a consumption indicator is generated; a user interface, operable to receive said consumption indicator and provide display information relating said consumption indicator for each segment during the time period.

A resource monitoring system which uses an ongoing measure of continuous segmented predefined time periods in an overall time period to record resource consumption and generate a consumption profile and subsequently monitor resource consumption and create an indicator of actual and relative usage which can be displayed for each segment in the time period as it occurs provides a real time and historical mechanism. Consequently, a user can determine the appropriate level of ongoing resource usage at any given time segment relative to relevant predetermined consumption as well as highlighting any developing consumption patterns in a real time manner thus they can manage resource consumption more effectively on a tcmporal basis.

The data profile may be recorded as simple linear data of resource consumption against time over the first time period.

Preferably, the user interface is operable to display the consumption in each time period segment and relevant time period simultaneously. A clock based representation of actual and relative status of the data profile and consumption indicator can facilitate user interpretation of the relative resource consumption.

The user interface may comprise one or more light sources. Preferably the light sources arc operable to provide an indication of the relative resource consumption.

Thc usc of light sources to indicatc relative rcsourcc consumption can cnsurc user attention is drawn to the system.

Preferably, the monitored consumption output corresponds to current consumption data relating to resource usage. By having the monitored consumption output indicating the current consumption data at any given time, a real time indication of resource consumption is provided.

The time period may be any suitable period of time depending on the environment in which the system is used. For example in a domestic environment the time period may be a 12 or 24 hour period segmented into 20 minute blocks.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of resource monitoring comprising: monitoring the consumption of at least one resource over consecutive predefrned time periods formed of consecutive segments and creating a monitor output indicative of the monitored consumption in each segment; processing consumption data for each time period segment to create a monitored consumption output, and generating a consumption profile based on a predetermined data profile and generating a consumption indicator of monitored consumption output relative to said consumption data profile; and providing said consumption indicator to an interface for processing to generate display information for each segment during the time period.

In this way, rcsourccs arc monitorcd using a mcthod based on an ongoing rcal timc measure of continuous predefined time periods and segments. The method firstly records resource consumption and generates a consumption data profile which, with the provision of input consumption criteria to which the consumption data profile is related, allows the generation of a usage indicator which is displayed and collated on a temporal basis such that an actual and historical indication mechanism is provided.

Thus a user can determine the appropriate level of ongoing resource usage at any giyen time segment and thus manage current resource consumption more effectiyely.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures, by way of example only, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a monitoring systcm in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a user interface in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.

In Figure 1 there is shown a system, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, for monitoring the consumption of three resources (not shown), in this case electricity, watcr and gas which arc each provided for use through a conduit (not shown). The system 10 is provided with monitoring transducers 12a, 12b and 12c which are associated with electricity, water and gas respectively. The output from the transducers is provided to multiplexer 14 which is associated with processor 16. Data output from processor 16 is provided to transceiver 18 which can transmit a signal to or receive a signal from receiver 20 which is connected to user interface 24.

The system 10 is ananged to work on continuous cycles of predetermined time periods which are then segmented into smaller subdivisions of time. For example, a 12 hour period can be chosen by a user and this is segmented into 20 minute blocks.

The duration of the time period and segnients can be input into the system processor 16 during assembly of the system 10. Alternatively the duration of the time period and segments can be determined by the user and input to the processor 16 via the user interface 24 so as to suit the operational requirements of the user. In addition, expected levels of consumption of the utilities combined can be input into the processor 16 during assembly of the system 10, or can be determined by the user and input into the processor 16 via the user interface 24, or can be determined by an intelligent process embedded within the processor 16 itself Each transducer 12a, b, c provides a signal indicative of the flow in the conduit with which it is associated. Alternatively each transducer could be an output from a meter, such as a meter register, the processor could then determine the flow rate by measuring the time between register reads and the difference between the present and previous register read. In this case, the transducers provide signals in the form of a potential difference in the range of 0-bY with a calibration factor selected to conelate to the potential difference range with the full scale range of flow possible in the conduit. However, it will be clearly understood that any suitable potential difference range or any suitable measurement or transducer arrangement may be used with a suitably selected calibration factor if necessary.

The transducer 12a can be arranged for use with the electrical conduit so that it provides a vohage signal corresponding to the current flowing in the conduit. The current can be measured by inserting an inline ammeter or power meter or in a non-invasive fashion by attaching a clamp meter or transducer to the conduit.

As transducers 12b, and 12c are associated with water and gas respectively, they are in-flow transducers capable of producing a voltage signal corresponding to the flow rate of the gas or water respectively. The transducer may determine the flow rate by one of a number of means, for example by a piston meter or a Venturi meter.

Alternatively, if the conduits are made of a non-conducting material, a magnetic flow meter can be used to determine the rate of flow of water and a mass flow meter could be used to determine the flow rate of the gas.

Voltage signals generated by each of the transducers 12a, 12b and 12c arc input into multiplexer 14 which multiplexes the received signals and passes these to the processor 16 thus providing the processor 16 with information relating to the consumption of each utility.

During each segment of the time period, the system 10 is operating and, the information relating to the consumption of each utility is recorded, collated and processed to create a usage profile such that the overall energy consumption occurring at each point in time during the period is established. The processor 16 will then compare the generated profile with the template criteria profile to create actual and relative consumption data which will be provided to user interface 24, via transceivers 18 and 20 creating a consumption indicator. An output indicative of thc consumption indication providcs an indicator of the current level of consumption in comparison to the template profile for the comparative time within the time period.

During subsequent time period segments, the information relating to the consumption of each utility is collected in real time and the processor 16 creates a consumption indicator based on subsequently monitored consumption output compared to the predetermined profile of consumption. The consumption indicator is subsequently provided to user interface 24 via transceiver 18 and transceiver 20 where display 26 displays an output indicative of the consumption indicator to provide an indication of the current level of consumption in comparison to the template profile for the comparative time within the time period. This process is repeated iteratively so that historical and ongoing data is output enabling consumption level patterns and real time data to be output simultaneously.

In Figure 2 there is shown a component of a display 26 of user interface 24. The display 26 presents actual and relative consumption data on a stylised clock dial 30 which is provided with bar indicators 30 each representative of a 20 minute segment and which in this casc is used to display combined consumption data relating to usc of electricity, water and gas as a single combined output. The blocks 30 of display 26 arc each provided with 3 LEDs (not shown) which arc red, orange and green such that the display can employ a traffic light representation of the current usage in relation to the expected usage or predetermined desired level of resource usage. In this system a green block indicates that resource consumption is economic and is roughly equivalent to the expected profile consumption at any given time an orange block indicates that resource consumption is slightly above the expected profile consumption at any given time and a red block indicates that resource consumption is very uneconomic in relation to the expected profile consumption at any given time.

Employing such a display system enables a user to easily determine the appropriateness of resource consumption levels. An alternative example of the user interface could be imagined in which only one resource, such as electricity, is represented by the segments in the clock type display 26.

For example, in usc in a home, the predetermined time period is set at 12 hours which is segmented into 20 minute blocks as input by the user using interface 24. Over each minute period, the processor records consumption data as collated consumption data which is then reviewed against the predetermined profile. So, for example, on Tuesday at 1.2Opm -140pm, the profile consumption for electricity is 4.5kw however the house is only using 3kW of electricity, thus block 30a will be displaying green indicating economic consumption. However later that day at 3pm, the expected consumption provided by the profile is 0.8kw however the house is consuming 3kW and therefore block 30b will be displaying red signifying high, uneconomic consumption.

The principle advantage of the invention is that the monitoring of resource consumption can be determined relatively to a profile usage thus providing a more accurate and relevant indication of resource usage at any given time.

S

A further advantage of the invention is that relative resource consumption at any given time can be displayed simply enabling appropriate measures to be implemented to improve resource consumption.

It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the invention herein described without departing from the scope thereof For example, although waler, gas and electricity have been given as example utilities, any meterable utility may be monitored by the system, including, but not limited to LPG, oil, chemicals, material or the like. Any number of rcsources may be monitored. In addition, while in the system 10 shown the processor 16 provides and receives data to and from user interface 24 via transceivers 20, 22, processor 16 may be connected to user interface 24 by a cabled connection, plug connection or any other suitable connection means. While an arrangement of three LEDs is described for the display this could be any light system such as a colour LCD where each segment could be any colour or shade. Further more, whilst display 26 has been detailed as having a segmented 12 hour clock traffic light system of indicators, any suitable display mechanism can be used providing a predetermined time and time segment output to provide a relevant data output form.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A resource monitoring system comprising: monitoring apparatus operable to monitor the consumption of at least one resource over consecutive prcdcfined time periods and to create a monitor output indicative of the monitored consumption; a processor, operable to receive and process the monitor output over a first prcdctincd time period formed of a consecutive series of equal segments to create a data profile and use this to create a monitored consumption output, which is assessed in relation to a predetermined consumption criteria data profile such that a consumption indicator is generated; a user interface, operable to receive said consumption indicator and provide display information relating said consumption indicator for each segment during the time period.
2. A resource monitoring system according to claim 1 wherein the data profile is recorded as linear data of resource consumption against time over the first time period.
3. A resource monitoring system according to any preceding claim wherein the user interface is operable to display the consumption in each time period segment and relevant time period simultaneously.
4. A resource monitoring system according to any preceding claim wherein the user interface comprises one or more light sources.
5. A resource monitoring system according to claim 4 wherein the light sources are operable to provide an indication of the relative resource consumption.
6. A resource monitoring system according to any preceding claim wherein the monitored consumption output corresponds to current consumption data relating to resource usage.
7. A resource monitoring system according to any preceding claim wherein the timc pcriod is any suitabic period of time dcpcnding on thc dnvironment in which the system is used.
8. A resource monitoring system according to claim 7 wherein the time period is a 12 or 24 hour period segmented into 20 minute blocks.
9. A method of resource monitoring comprising: monitoring the consumption of at least one resource over consecutive prcdcfined time periods formed of consecutive scgmcnts and creating a monitor output indicative of the monitored consumption in each segment; processing consumption data for each time period segmeilt to create a monitored consumption output, and gcnerating a consumption proflic bascd on a prcdetcrmincd data proflic and generating a consumption indicator of monitored consumption output relative to said consumption data profile; and providing said consumption indicator to an interface for processing to generate display information for each segment during the time period.