KR101167903B1 - Service terminal over internet protocol, method of monitoring power usage and smart grid system using the terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention proposes an IP-based service terminal for remote metering service and power usage monitoring of various meters installed in each home, a power usage monitoring method using the same, and a smart grid system having the same. The IP-based service terminal collects meter reading information for collecting meter reading information according to the amount of electricity used in the home provided by a smart meter, an information transmitter connected to the electric service provider system through the IP network, and collects meter reading information with the consent of the user in the home. And a control unit for controlling the meter reading information collected by the unit to be provided to the electric utility system through the information transmitting unit. Accordingly, by using the IP-based service terminal as a smart grid controller, it is possible to implement a smart grid using a wired communication network rather than a smart grid using a mobile communication network to reduce the operating cost of the electric service provider.

Power usage, monitoring, smart grids, power bills

Description

IP-based service terminal, power usage monitoring method using the same and smart grid system having the same {SERVICE TERMINAL OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL, METHOD OF MONITORING POWER USAGE AND SMART GRID SYSTEM USING THE TERMINAL}

The present invention relates to an IP (Internet Protocol) based service terminal, a power usage monitoring method using the same, and a smart grid system having the same. More particularly, the remote meter reading service and power usage monitoring of various meters installed in each home are provided. An IP-based service terminal, a power usage monitoring method using the same, and a smart grid system having the same.

In general, each household receives gas, water and electricity from each supplier and pays for the amount of energy it uses. In each household, various meters are installed to measure the amount of energy supplied to each household, and meter readers employed by each energy supplier visit each household periodically (usually monthly) to read each meter. Each household's energy usage was identified.

Accordingly, the meter reading method by visiting has a problem that a lot of labor costs, especially in the case of the gas meter installed in the home (or home) can not be read in the absence of the user.

On the other hand, the smart grid is an identity cache table (ICT) technology in the power grid--where ICT is the MAC address of each terminal connected to the bridge, and a point-to-point connection between the bridge and each terminal. An intelligent power grid that optimizes energy efficiency by exchanging real-time information in both directions between a power supply provider and a consumer by combining an identifier, an IP address, and a valid flag value. It refers to a structure that transmits and operates power consumption to the power management server every 15 minutes by installing an AMR equipped with a CDMA wireless modem terminal using a mobile communication network between the electric meter and the power management server.

In particular, the electricity providers connect the wireless meter with the short-range wireless communication technology to connect air conditioners, lighting devices, thermometers, and security devices, called smart meters. By monitoring and controlling power usage and supply through smart meter-based networks, This can reduce energy waste and contribute to efficiency.

However, installation cost, communication network construction cost and time of electric service providers are hindering smart grid construction. In particular, it has the ability to control the power consumption of many home appliances and collect data beyond simply measuring the amount of power used wirelessly. It is an inhibitor.

Accordingly, the technical problem of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an IP-based service terminal for remote meter reading service and power usage monitoring of various meters installed in each home.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a power usage monitoring method using the IP-based service terminal.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a smart grid system having the above IP-based service terminal.

In order to realize the above object of the present invention, an IP-based service terminal according to an embodiment includes a meter reading information collecting unit for collecting meter reading information according to power consumption in a home provided by a smart meter, and an electric service system through an IP network. And a control unit for controlling the connected information transmitter and the meter information collected by the meter information collection unit to be provided to the electric utility system through the information transmitter with the consent of the user in the home.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a power consumption monitoring method includes: (a) receiving a metered power consumption information based on a user's consent in a home and receiving the metered power consumption information from an IP network; And transmitting (b) the cumulative usage information according to the power usage from the electric utility system.

In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, a smart grid system according to an embodiment is provided in a premises system, and provides meter reading information corresponding to power consumption in a home to an electric service provider system through an IP network with the user's consent in the home. Based on the provided IP-based service terminal and the customer information usage agreement sent from the user of the indoor system, the meter receives information from the terminal and stores the generated information, and generates power consumption and electricity value information for each time period based on the stored meter information. It includes a service provider system to send to the terminal.

According to such an IP-based service terminal, a power consumption monitoring method using the same, and a smart grid system having the same, an SoIP terminal is used as a smart grid controller to implement a smart grid using a wired communication network instead of a smart grid using a mobile communication network. Reduce operating costs In addition, the customer can check the power usage information provided from time to time through the SoIP terminal always on (always on) to reduce the electricity bill by avoiding the time period when the electricity consumption is the maximum.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As the inventive concept allows for various changes and numerous modifications, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a smart grid system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a smart grid system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an indoor system 100, a wired communication network 200 such as an IP network, and an electric service provider system 300.

The indoor system 100 includes a plurality of smart meters 110 and the SoIP terminal 120, and read the power consumption in the home, and the metered information via the wired communication network (or IP network) 200 And transmit to the electrician system 300. At this time, a kind of customer information usage agreement to use customer information for exposure of personal information of a possible customer in the home should be sent to the electric service provider system 300. In this embodiment, the SoIP terminal 120 is used as a smart grid controller. In general, SoIP (Service over Internet Protocol) is a kind of voice IP phone, video IP phone, mobile phone, smart phone, audio / video home appliance, portable multimedia device, electronic photo frame, TV, game machine, robot, etc. It refers to a service that uses various services such as call, information, and media easily and conveniently with digital devices. In the present specification, the SoIP terminal 120 may also be referred to as an IP-based service terminal. Preferably, the SoIP terminal 120 is a video IP phone that can transmit and receive images even through a home IP network.

The indoor system 100 receives power consumption and time value information for each time zone provided from the electric utility system 300 and displays it. In addition, the indoor system 100 receives and displays the current power usage status and electric value information in the home provided from the electric utility system 300. The smart meters 110 and the SoIP terminal 120 may be connected by wire or wirelessly.

When the smart meters 110 and the SoIP terminal 120 are connected by wire, a wired data communication method using an RS232 protocol may be applied. Meanwhile, when the smart meters 110 and the SoIP terminal 120 are connected wirelessly, a short range wireless communication technology may be used. For example, a Bluetooth communication method, a Zigbee communication method, an RFID communication method, a CDMA communication method, a WLAN communication method, and the like may be adopted.

The electric service provider system 300 receives and stores metering information from the corresponding premises system 100 based on the customer information usage agreement sent from the premises system 100, and uses power consumption by time based on the stored meter reading information. And generates electric value information and sends it to the corresponding indoor system 100. In addition, the home use status and electrical value information is generated and sent to the corresponding indoor system (100).

As such, the user agrees to use the power usage information used by the customer through the in-house system 100, and transmits the power usage information in the home to the electric service provider system 300 in real time or at regular intervals. The service provider 300 receives power consumption and usage status information in the home. Accordingly, the customer of the indoor system 100 can check the power usage and the home usage status information provided through the SoIP terminal 120, and use the power avoiding the time zone when the power usage is the maximum. For example, under a power bill that charges for different uses at different times of day, customers can save money from using electricity by avoiding peak hours.

In addition, the electric service provider side can avoid the unstable supply and demand of the power supply that is generated by using a lot of air conditioner can be used by customers to avoid the time zone of the maximum power consumption. Of course, utility providers can provide some kind of incentive to customers who use electricity, avoiding peak hours of use. As a result, the customer can use the power to avoid the maximum power use time, so that the power can be smoothly supplied and additionally incentives can be secured.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the SoIP terminal 120 shown in FIG. 1.

1 and 2, the SoIP terminal 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a meter reading information collector 121, an information transmitter 122, and a controller 123.

The meter reading information collection unit 121 collects meter reading information according to the power consumption in the home provided by the smart meter 120. The meter reading information may be received at regular intervals, or may be received when the set power consumption is exceeded.

The information transmitter 122 is connected to the electric service provider system 300 through the IP network 200.

The control unit 123 controls the meter reading information collected by the meter reading information collection unit 121 to be provided to the electric utility system 300 through the information transmitting unit 122 with the consent of the user in the home.

Meanwhile, the SoIP terminal 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a display unit 124, an information receiver 125, a storage unit 126, and a keypad unit 127.

The information receiving unit 125 is connected to the electric service provider system 300 through the IP network 200, and receives power consumption and electric value information for each time slot provided from the electric service provider system 300 and stores the information. Provided at 126.

The storage unit 126 stores power consumption and electric value information for each time zone received through the information receiver 125. The storage unit 126 may store a program for executing a process of performing a power usage monitoring method using the SoIP terminal 120 to be described later. Of course, the storage unit 126 has a voice IP phone, a video IP phone, a mobile phone, a smart phone through a home IP network in addition to a program for executing a process related to the remote meter reading or a power monitoring process described in the present invention. Also, a program that executes a process of executing a service for easily and conveniently using various services such as call, information, and media with various digital devices such as audio / video home appliances, portable multimedia devices, electronic frames, TVs, game consoles, robots, and the like may be stored. have.

The control unit 123 controls the display unit 124 to output power consumption and electric value information for each time zone received through the information receiving unit 125.

The keypad unit 127 may be used for a user's operation, for example, a command according to an operation for requesting display of power consumption and electric value information for each time zone, an operation for requesting display of home usage status and electric value information, and the like. It is provided to receive a command according to. Of course, if a separate touch screen is provided on the display unit 124 to receive a user's manipulation, the keypad unit 127 may be omitted.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the electric utility system shown in FIG. 1.

1 and 3, an electrician system 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an IP network interface 310, a central server 320, and a database management server (DBMS) 330. It includes a DB unit 340 and the web server 350. In the present embodiment, for convenience of description, the electric service provider system 300 is logically divided, but not hardware. For example, the IP network interface 310 may be implemented in the central server 320, the database management server 330 may be omitted, the central server may act as a database management server.

The IP network interface 310 is connected to the SoIP terminal 120 of the indoor system 100 through the IP network 200.

The central server 320 provides metered power consumption information transmitted through the IP network interface 310 to the database operation server 330. In addition, the central server 320 requests the database operation server 330 for power consumption and electricity value information or home use status and electricity value information according to time of a specific customer, and is provided according to the response of the specific customer. Power consumption and time value information for each time zone is transmitted to the SoIP terminal 120 of the specific customer via the IP network interface 310.

The database operation server 330 is posted on the central server 320 and the DB unit 340 to provide information provided from the central server 320, for example, a customer information use agreement or meter reading information for each customer. Provided to the DB unit 340, the information stored in the DB unit 340 is retrieved and provided to the central server 320 in response to the request of the central server (320).

The DB unit 340 is a DB (341) for storing the customer information usage agreement for each customer, a DB (342) for storing the meter reading information for each customer, a DB (343) for storing the power consumption and electric value for each time zone of the customer, It may include a DB 344 for storing the home use status and electric value information, a DB 345 for storing incentive information for each customer. In the present embodiment, for convenience of description, the DB unit 340 is logically divided, but not hardware.

The web server 350 may be connected to a computer of a customer connected through a computer through the IP network 200 and provide various web pages according to a request of the customer. For example, the power consumption and electricity value for each time slot provided to the SoIP terminal 120 may be provided, and the home use status and electricity value information may be provided to the customer's computer. In addition, the customer information usage agreement provided by the SoIP terminal 120 may be provided through the customer's computer.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a power usage monitoring method using the SoIP terminal 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, 2 and 4, the control unit 123 of the SoIP terminal 120 displays the customer information use agreement through the display unit 124 (step S102).

Then, it is checked whether or not the customer's consent is operated by the user's operation in the home (step S104).

If it is checked in step S104 that the customer agrees, the control unit 123 of the SoIP terminal 120 transmits the customer information agreement to the electric service provider system 300 connected to the IP network 200 through the information transmitting unit 122. To transmit (step S106). As such, in the present embodiment, since the customer goes through an agreement process directly through the SoIP terminal 120, it is possible to prevent the customer's dissatisfaction due to the arbitrary use of the customer information that is an obstacle to the smart grid.

Subsequently, the SoIP terminal 120 checks whether the metered power usage information is received (step S108).

In step S108, if it is checked that the metered power usage information is received, the SoIP terminal 120 transmits the metered power usage information to the electric utility system 300 connected to the IP network 200 (step S110). ). In step S108, if the metered power consumption information is not received, it is shown to wait until it is received. However, if the metered power consumption information is not received, steps such as step S112, step S116, step S120, and step S124 described later may be performed.

Subsequently, the SoIP terminal 120 checks whether the power consumption and electricity value information for each time zone are received from the electric utility system 300 connected to the IP network 200 (step S112).

In step S112, when it is checked that power consumption and electricity value information for each time zone are received from the electric service provider system side connected to the IP network 200, the SoIP terminal 120 stores the received power consumption and electricity value information. 126) (step S114). In step S112, when the time-consuming power consumption and electricity value information is not received from the electric utility system 300, it is shown to wait until it is received. However, if time-phase power consumption and electricity value information are not received, the feedback to step S108 described above, or steps such as step S116, step S120, step S124 described later may be performed.

Subsequently, the SoIP terminal 120 checks whether there is a request for displaying power consumption information for each time zone by an operation of a user in the home (step S116). The user manipulation may be performed through the keypad unit 127. In step S116, if it is checked that there is no display request of time-phase power consumption information, it is shown to wait until there is a display request. However, if it is checked that there is no request for displaying power consumption information for each time zone, the feedback may be fed back to the above-described step S108 or step S112, or a step such as the following steps S120 and S124 may be performed.

In step S116, when it is checked that there is a request for displaying power consumption and electric value information for each time zone by an operation of a user in the home, the SoIP terminal 120 displays the electric power consumption and electric value information stored in the storage unit 126. Indicated via 124 (step S118). The electrical value information may include information on the amount of money converted into a charge charged according to the used power. In the present embodiment, when the power consumption and electricity value information for each time zone is received from the electric service provider system 300 connected to the IP network 200, the information is stored in the storage unit 126 and then displayed information stored at the request of the user. Although display through) has been described, the corresponding information may be displayed through the display unit 124 in real time while storing the information in the storage unit 126.

Subsequently, the SoIP terminal 120 checks whether the power usage status and electric value information in the home are received from the electric utility system 300 connected to the IP network 200 (step S120).

If it is checked in step S120 that the home power usage status and electric value information are received, the SoIP terminal 120 stores the received home usage status and electric value information in the storage unit 126 (step S122). In operation S120, when the in-home electric power usage status and electric value information are not received from the electric utility system 300, it is shown to wait until it is received. However, when the domestic power usage status and electric value information are not received from the electric utility system 300, the feedback may be performed to the above-described step S108, step S112, step S116, or step S124 described later.

Subsequently, the SoIP terminal 120 checks whether or not there is a request for displaying the home usage status information by the user's operation in the home (step S124).

In step S124, when it is checked that there is a request for displaying the home use status information by the user's operation in the home, the SoIP terminal 120 displays the home use status and electric value information stored in the storage unit 126, and displays the display unit 124. (Step S126). The electrical value information may include information on the amount of money converted into a charge charged according to the used power. In the present embodiment, when the electric power usage status and electric value information in the home is received from the electric service provider system connected to the IP network 200, the information is stored in the storage unit 126 and then displayed on the user's request. However, the corresponding information may be displayed in real time while storing the corresponding information in the storage unit 126.

In step S124, when it is checked that there is no display request of the home use status information by the user's operation, it is shown to wait until there is a display request. However, if it is checked by the user's operation that there is no request for displaying the home use status information, it may be fed back to the above-described step S108, step S112, step S116, and step S120.

While the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art may variously modify and change the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. I can understand that you can.

According to the present invention, a method of using a SoIP terminal as a smart grid controller that provides a service for easily and conveniently using various services such as call, information, and media to various digital devices such as voice IP phone and video IP phone through a home IP network By using a wired communication network rather than using a mobile communication network, it is possible to reduce the operating costs of electric service providers.

In addition, through the direct consent process through the SoIP terminal, it is possible to resolve the customer complaints about the random use of the customer information, which is a barrier to the smart grid.

In addition, the customer can check the power usage information provided from time to time through the SoIP terminal always on (always on) to reduce the electricity bill by avoiding the time period when the electricity consumption is the maximum.

In addition, the electric service provider incentives to the customer to induce positive corporate image and active customer participation, which has the advantage of forming a virtuous cycle of power distribution efficiency.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a smart grid system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the SoIP terminal shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the electric utility system shown in FIG. 1.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a power usage monitoring method using a SoIP terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: home system 110: smart meter

120: SoIP terminal 121: meter reading information collection unit

122: information transmission unit 123: control unit

124: display unit 125: information receiving unit

126: storage unit 127: keypad unit

200: IP network 300: electricity provider system

310: IP network interface 320: central server

330: DBMS 340: DB unit

350: web server

Claims (10)

As a SoIP (Service over Internet Protocol) terminal in the home that can connect to the IP network, Meter reading information collecting unit for collecting the meter reading information according to the power consumption in the home measured by the smart meter in the home and wireless network; An information transmitter connected directly to an electric service provider system through an IP network to transmit meter reading information to the electric service provider system; An information receiving unit directly connected to the electric service provider system through an IP network to receive cumulative usage information according to power usage from the electric service provider system; And IP-based service terminal, characterized in that it comprises a control unit for controlling the transmission and reception of information between the information transmission unit and the information receiving unit and the utility system under the consent of the user in the home. The method of claim 1, A display unit displaying power usage related information; And The apparatus may further include a storage unit configured to store power consumption information and electricity value information for each time zone included in the power usage related information received through the information receiver. And the controller controls the cumulative usage information to be output through the display unit. (a) With the consent of the user in the home, as the power consumption information received from the smart meter is received through the wired / wireless network in the home, the IP-based service terminal in the home is directly connected to the electricity supplier through the IP network. Transmitting to the system; And and (b) displaying, by the IP-based service terminal, the cumulative usage information according to the power usage from the utility service system directly connected through the IP network. The method of claim 3, The cumulative usage information includes power consumption and electricity value information for each time zone, Step (b) is, Storing power consumption information and electricity value information according to time slot power consumption information received from the electric utility system; And And displaying information on the stored power consumption and the electric value in response to a request for displaying the time-consuming power consumption information from the user in the home. The method of claim 3, The cumulative usage information includes home usage status and electricity value information, Step (b) is, Storing the received home usage status and electric value information as the home power usage status information is received; And And displaying the stored home usage status and electricity value information when the home user is requested to display the home usage status information. It is equipped in the indoor system and collects meter reading information corresponding to the power consumption in the home from the smart meter through the wired / wireless network in the home and provides it directly to the electric service provider system through the IP network, and accumulates according to the power usage from the electric service provider system. An IP-based service terminal directly receiving usage information; And Based on the customer information usage agreement sent from the user of the indoor system, the meter information is directly received and stored from the corresponding IP-based service terminal, and the cumulative usage information according to the power usage is generated and transmitted directly to the corresponding IP-based service terminal. Smart grid system comprising a electricity provider system. The method of claim 6, The cumulative usage information is, Smart grid system, characterized in that it comprises at least one or more of the current state of electricity use, time-specific power consumption or electricity value information. delete The method of claim 6, The IP based service terminal, Smart grid system characterized in that it is connected to any one of the smart meter measuring the power consumption in the home and a wired or wireless method to collect meter reading information from the smart meter. delete

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