WO2002056039A1 - Method and apparatus for monitoring the health of individual electrical devices - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for monitoring the health of individual electrical devices Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002056039A1
WO2002056039A1 PCT/US2002/000159 US0200159W WO02056039A1 WO 2002056039 A1 WO2002056039 A1 WO 2002056039A1 US 0200159 W US0200159 W US 0200159W WO 02056039 A1 WO02056039 A1 WO 02056039A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
electrical device
electrical
value
current drawn
values
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/000159
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Richard N. Jurmain
Daris L. Thon
Frederick W. Eaves
Original Assignee
Jurmain Richard N
Thon Daris L
Eaves Frederick W
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Jurmain Richard N, Thon Daris L, Eaves Frederick W filed Critical Jurmain Richard N
Publication of WO2002056039A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002056039A1/en

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    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01RMEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R31/00Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/28Testing of electronic circuits, e.g. by signal tracer
    • G01R31/282Testing of electronic circuits specially adapted for particular applications not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/2825Testing of electronic circuits specially adapted for particular applications not provided for elsewhere in household appliances or professional audio/video equipment

Abstract

A diagnostic device (500), system, apparatus, and method, including subsystem and underlying methodology, for monitoring the use and/or health of electrical devices (24), such as those found in common household appliances.

Description


  



   METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING THE HEALTH
OF INDIVIDUAL ELECTRICAL DEVICES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to devices, systems, apparatuses, and methods for monitoring the health of electrical devices.



   BACKGROUND
Monitoring the Health of Electrical Devices
Electric induction motors are widely used in industrial, commercial, and residential facilities. An impaired motor will generally utilize more electrical energy than a healthy motor to produce the same work, while a failed motor can interrupt production in an industrial or commercial facility and force a homeowner to make a hasty decision regarding repair or replacement of a household appliance to avoid a prolonged interruption in lifestyle.



   A wide variety of techniques have been suggested for monitoring the health of electrical induction motors. A common practice used in industrial settings is to measure mechanical vibration of the motor as many failures result in abnormally high vibrations.



  While generally effective for detecting certain failures, this technique is only effective for detecting failures which result in abnormal vibration, and is relatively expensive to implement. Two relatively recent techniques for monitoring the health of electrical induction motors are disclosed in United States Patents Nos. 5,629,870 and 5,893,047.



   United States Patent No. 5,629,870 issued to Farag et al. and assigned to Siemens
Energy  &  Automation, Inc. discloses a method and apparatus for predicting electrical induction machine failure by monitoring spectral content of the power signature and associating spectral components of the spectral content with device operating conditions. 



     Phe    apparatus   of Farag    et al. utilizes sophisticated monitoring and analysis techniques, nvolving the spectral content of an electrical device's power signature. Such techniques, while cost effective for use in monitoring electrical motors whose operation is critical to continued operation of a facility, are not cost effective for widespread use to monitor the performance of collateral motors used in commercial and industrial facilities nor residential electrical appliances.



   United States Patent No. 5,893,047 issued to Gimblett et al. and assigned to
Drallium Industries, Ltd. discloses a method and system for monitoring the performance of a cyclic system by measuring and recording a single parameter, such as electrical current. The monitoring system initially cycles the cyclic system a number of times to generate a database of values for the measured parameter correlated to operational status of the cyclic system (e. g., time since commencement of operation through a cycle or operational status of specific devices within the cyclic system, etc.) from which a range of acceptable values is determined.

   Once the range of acceptable values is determined the monitoring system compares subsequently measured values with the range of acceptable values and generates a signal when the subsequently measured value falls outside the range of acceptable values, referenced as a fault. The values measured at detection of a fault can be stored in a library for subsequent use in identifying future faults. While effective for use with new cyclic systems for which initial cycling can be expected to produce a range of acceptable values indicative of a properly functioning cyclic system, it is not well suited for use with aged or won1 cyclic systems as the range of acceptable values would incorporate any existing impairments.

   It is also not well suited for use with systems which are not cyclic, such as household appliances, as the timing, order, and duration of electrically-powered functions is usually unpredictable from operation cycle to operation cycle.



   Such techniques have also been used to monitor the performance of industrial converting equipment. United States Patent No. 3,839,628 issued to Higgins et al. discloses a method and apparatus for monitoring the cyclic performance of electrical machinery used in the conversion of raw materials by measuring and recording a characteristic change in power applied to the drive motor (e. g., magnitude of applied power, changes in selected frequency components of applied power, or changes in amount of power demanded) correlated with a change in a physical parameter (e. g., point in operation cycle at which measurement is taken, degeneration of a tool such as a drill bit, or change in the raw material being processed such as an increase in density).



   Accordingly, a continuing need exists for a simple, reliable, and inexpensive technique for monitoring the health of individual electrical induction motors, which is cost-effective for widespread use throughout commercial, industrial, and residential facilities.



  Monitoring Energy Consumption
Effective plans for encouraging off-peak use of electricity, conserving electrical energy and managing electrical energy costs requires detailed information about power usage. A wide variety of information gathering techniques have been suggested and implemented over the years for gathering such information.



   United States Patent No. 4,572,432 issued to Ehlers et al. and assigned to TECO
Energy Management Services discloses a building automation and energy consumption management system which monitors energy consumption of individual loads within a household utilizing a current monitor connected to each load, a voltage divider for sensing line voltage, and a central processing unit for receiving, storing, processing and reporting energy usage data from the current monitors and voltage divider correlated to each load. This system is primarily intended to sense when an appliance is on or off, and provide the capability for the appliance to be turned off remotely by an interested party, such as by a power company for purposes of"load shedding"during a power shortage.



   United States Patent No. 4,858,141 issued to Hart et al. and assigned to MIT and
Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. discloses a non-intrusive method and system for monitoring energy consumption of residential appliances by measuring changes in electrical load parameters at the power circuits entering a residence and using cluster analysis techniques and logic to correlate energy consumption with a specific electrical appliance within the residence. 



   While generally effective for obtaining information about power usage, these systems and techniques do not provide any information regarding energy consumption by each separate electrical device on an electrical appliance so as to allow monitoring of the health of each electrical device. In addition, the systems and techniques do not suggest using the information gathered by the systems to assist in the formation of a database regarding regional consumption of electricity by type of electrical device sufficient to allow an electrical power company to target selected types of electrical appliances (e.   g.,    air conditioners or clothes dryers) in an effort to time-shift or reduce energy consumption.



   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a diagnostic device, system, apparatus, and method, including subsystems and underlying methodology, for monitoring the use and/or health of electrical devices, such as those found in common household appliances.



  Signaling Impairment
A first aspect of the present invention is a system, apparatus, diagnostic device, and method for signaling a need for repair, replacement, or maintenance of an electrical device.



   A first embodiment of a system within the first aspect of the invention includes a comparative means and a signaling means. The comparative means computes the difference between one past value of current drawn by the electrical device and one subsequent past value of current drawn by the electrical device to determine a change in current drawn for the electrical device, and compares the change in current drawn to a threshold value established independently from the past values of current drawn by the electrical device. The signaling means generates a perceptible signal when the change in current drawn exceeds the threshold value. The comparative means obtains past values of current drawn by the electrical device from a database containing such values. 



   A second embodiment of a system within the first aspect of the invention also includes a comparative means and a signaling means. The comparative means computes the difference between one past value of current drawn by the electrical device and one subsequent past value of current drawn by the electrical device in the absence of any correlation of timing during the operational cycle of the electrical device at which the values were obtained to determine a change in current drawn for the electrical device, and compares the change in current drawn. to a threshold value. The signaling means generates a perceptible signal when the change in current drawn exceeds the threshold value. The comparative means obtains past values of current drawn by the electrical device from a database containing such values for different operational cycles.



   The database used in the first and second embodiments of the first aspect of the invention can include values of current drawn for a single electrical device, but preferably includes values of current drawn for a number of different electrical devices correlated by electrical device. The values of current drawn are correlated by electrical device so that the comparative means can match the values by electrical device and compute a difference between the value of one past value of current drawn and one subsequent past value of current drawn for the same electrical device. A suitable threshold value for use in determining when to signal impairment is a 20% change from the subsequent past value.



   A third embodiment of a system within the first aspect of the invention includes a database, a comparative means, and a signaling means. The database contains past values of current drawn by a plurality of electrical devices correlated by electrical device.



  The comparative means computes the difference between one past value of current drawn by the electrical device and one subsequent past value of current drawn by the for the same electrical device to determine a change in current drawn for the electrical device, and compares the change in current drawn to a threshold value. The signaling means generates a perceptible signal when the change in current drawn exceeds the threshold value.



   A fourth embodiment of a system within the first aspect of the invention includes a plurality of sensors for measuring electricity usage, a computer with memory and an interface system, a control program resident in the computer memory, a comparative means, and a signaling means. The sensors are individually matched and in non-invasive electrical communication with a plurality of electrical appliances for automatically and separately sensing and measuring electricity usage by the matched electrical appliance.



  The control program automatically receives and stores correlated electricity usage and sensor identification data from the sensors so as to compile a database containing past values of current drawn correlated by electrical device. The comparative means computes the difference between one past value of current drawn by the electrical device and one subsequent past value of current drawn by the for the same electrical device to determine a change in current drawn for the electrical device, and compares the change in current drawn to a threshold value. The signaling means generates a perceptible signal when the change in current drawn exceeds the threshold value.



   A fifth embodiment of a system within the first aspect of the invention includes a database, a sensor for measuring an operating mode variable, a comparative means, and a signaling means. The database contains expected values or value ranges for an operating mode variable of an electrical device indicative of a healthy electrical device wherein the expected values are established independently from any actual measured value of the operating mode variable measured from operation of the specific electrical device being monitored for impairment. The sensor is in electrical communication with the electrical device for sensing and measuring an actual value of the operating mode variable of the electrical device when the electrical device is operating.

   The comparative means compares the actual measured value of the operating mode variable with the value or value range of the operating mode variable indicative of a healthy electrical device. The signaling means generates a perceptible signal when the actual measured value of the operating mode either (i) varies from the value of the operating mode variable indicative of a healthy electrical device by a defined amount, or (ii) falls outside the value range of the operating mode variable indicative of a healthy electrical device.



   A sixth embodiment of a system within the first aspect of the invention includes a database, a sensor for measuring an operating mode variable, a comparative means, and a signaling means. The database contains expected values or value ranges for an operating mode variable of an electrical device indicative of a healthy electrical device. The sensor is in electrical communication with the electrical device for sensing and measuring an actual value of the operating mode variable of the electrical device when the electrical device is operating. The comparative means compares the actual measured value of the operating mode variable with the value or value range of the operating mode variable indicative of a healthy electrical device in the absence of any correlation of timing during the operational cycle of the electrical device at which the values were obtained.

   The signaling means generates a perceptible signal when the actual measured value of the operating mode either (i) varies from the value of the operating mode variable indicative of a healthy electrical device by a defined amount, or (ii) falls outside the value range of the operating mode variable indicative of a healthy electrical device.



   A seventh embodiment of a system within the first aspect of the invention includes a database, a sensor for measuring an operating mode variable, a comparative means, and a signaling means. The database contains expected values or value ranges of current drawn for an electrical device indicative of an impaired electrical device. The sensor is in electrical communication with the electrical device for sensing and measuring an actual value of current drawn by the electrical device when the electrical device is operating. The comparative means compares the actual measured value of current drawn with the value or value range of current drawn indicative of an impaired electrical device without correlating any other operating mode variable for the electrical device detected or measured at the time the current drawn value was obtained.

   The signaling means generates a perceptible signal when the actual measured value of the operating mode either (i) falls within a defined proximity of the value of current drawn indicative of an impaired electrical device, or (ii) falls within the value range of current drawn indicative of an impaired electrical device.



   An eighth embodiment of a system within the first aspect of the invention includes a database, a current sensor, a comparative means, and a signaling means. The database contains at least two different values or value ranges of current drawn indicative of an impaired electrical device, with each of the impaired values or value ranges correlated with an identification of the electrical device and a predicted reason for the impairment wherein the correlation of impaired values or value ranges and predicted reason for impairment is independent of any other operating mode variable for the electrical device. The sensor is in electrical communication with the electrical device for sensing and measuring an actual value of current drawn by the electrical device.

   The comparative means compares the actual measured value of current drawn with the value or value range of current drawn indicative of an impaired electrical device. The signaling means generates a perceptible signal when the actual measured value of current drawn either (i) falls within a defined proximity of one of the values of current drawn indicative of an impaired electrical device, or (ii) falls within one of the value ranges of current drawn indicative of an impaired electrical device. The perceptible signal includes an identification of the predicted reason for the impairment correlated with the value or value range indicative of an impaired electrical device proximate which or within which the actual measured value fell.



   One embodiment of an apparatus within the first aspect of the invention includes a current sensor, a data collection and processing device, and a communications means.



  The current sensor is connected to a power line, which supplies electrical power to a plurality of electrical devices, and is effective for sensing current levels for the plurality of electrical devices connected to the power line. The communications means is effective for transmitting the indicia of the current levels for the electrical devices from the sensor to the data collection and processing device. The data collection and processing device is effective for receiving indicia of current levels from the sensor and detecting a variance of the indicia of the sensed current levels for the electrical devices and the current levels of a healthy device.



   A first embodiment of   a    diagnostic device within the first aspect of the invention includes a computer with memory and an interface system, a control program resident in the computer memory, and signaling means. The computer interface system is effective for receiving remotely transmitted data and communicating with systems external to the computer.

   The control program is effective for (i) automatically receiving and storing measured values of current drawn by at least two different remotely located electrical devices, (ii) automatically comparing the value of one received measured value of current drawn and a subsequent received measured value of current drawn for a single identified electrical device to produce a AI value for the identified electrical device, and (iii) automatically comparing the AI value for the identified electrical device to a threshold value for the identified electrical device resident within the computer memory, wherein the threshold value is established independently from the values of current drawn stored in electronic memory.

   The signaling means is effective for automatically generating a perceptible signal and communicating an identification of the identified electrical device, when AI exceeds the threshold value.



   A second embodiment of a diagnostic device within the first aspect of the invention includes a computer with memory and an interface system, a control program resident in the computer memory, and signaling means. The computer interface system is effective for receiving remotely transmitted data and communicating with systems external to the computer.

   The control program is effective for (i) automatically receiving and storing measured values of current drawn by at least two different remotely located electrical devices, (ii) automatically comparing the value of one received measured value of current drawn and a subsequent received measured value of current drawn for a single identified electrical device in the absence of any correlation of timing during the operational cycle of the electrical device at which the values were obtained, to produce a
Al value for the identified electrical device, and (iii) automatically comparing the AI value for the identified electrical device to a threshold value for the identified electrical device resident within the computer memory.

   The signaling means is effective for automatically generating a perceptible signal and communicating an identification of the identified electrical device, when AI exceeds the threshold value.



   A first embodiment of a method within the first aspect of the invention includes the steps of (i) automatically measuring current drawn by operation of an electrical device for at least an earlier and a later operational cycle, (ii) automatically storing the measured value of current drawn in electronic memory, (iii) automatically computing the difference between the value of the current drawn for the earlier operational cycle and the value of the current drawn for the later operational cycle, and (iv) automatically generating a perceptible signal when the computed difference is greater than a threshold value wherein the threshold value is established independently from the values of current drawn stored in electronic memory. 



   A second embodiment of a method within the first aspect of the invention includes the steps of (i) automatically measuring current drawn by operation of an electrical device for at least an earlier and a later operational cycle, (ii) automatically storing the measured value of current drawn in electronic memory, (iii) automatically computing the difference between the value of the current drawn for the earlier operational cycle and the value of the current drawn for the later operational cycle in the absence of any correlation of timing during the operational cycle of the electrical device at which the values were obtained, and (iv) automatically generating a perceptible signal when the computed difference is greater than a threshold value.



  Providing Relevant Data with Signal of Impairment
A second aspect of the present invention is a method for detecting and signaling a need for correction of an electrical device, with data useful in handling correction of the electrical device provided along with the signal.



   A first embodiment of the second aspect of the invention includes the steps of (i) automatically and periodically monitoring operation of an electrical device so as to detect impairment of the electrical device, and (ii) upon detecting an impairment of the electrical device, (A) automatically accessing a database containing repair data for various impairments of various electrical devices, (B) automatically selecting the repair data correlated to the detected impairment for the monitored electrical device, and (C) either (1) automatically reporting the selected repair data to an interested party, or (2) automatically generating a perceptible signal indicating detection of an impairment and allowing an interested party to access and view the selected repair data in a form highlighting the selected repair data relative to other repair data in the database.



   A second embodiment of the second aspect of the invention includes the steps of (i) automatically and periodically monitoring operation of an electrical device so as to detect impairment of the electrical device, and (ii) upon detecting an impairment of the electrical device, (A) automatically accessing a database containing warranty data for various impairments of various electrical devices, (B) automatically selecting the warranty data correlated to the detected impairment for the monitored electrical device, and (C) either (1) automatically reporting the selected warranty data to an interested party, or (2) generating a perceptible signal indicating detection of an impairment and allowing an interested party to access and view the selected warranty data in a form highlighting the selected warranty data relative to other warranty data in the database.



   A third embodiment of the second aspect of the invention includes the steps of (i) automatically and periodically monitoring operation of an electrical device so as to detect impairment of the electrical device, and (ii) upon detecting an impairment of the electrical device, (A) automatically accessing a database containing purchasing information on devices available for purchase correlated to electrical devices for which the available device is a suitable replacement, (B) automatically selecting purchasing information on devices available for purchase which are correlated to the detected impaired electrical device, and (C) either (1) automatically reporting the selected purchasing information to an interested party, or (2)

   automatically generating a perceptible signal indicating detection of an impairment and allowing an interested party to access and view the selected purchasing information in a form highlighting the selected purchasing information relative to other purchasing information in the database.



  Signaling Trend Towards Impairment
A third aspect of the present invention is a system for signaling potential future failure of an electrical device.



   A first embodiment of the third aspect of the invention includes a database, a sensor for measuring an operating mode variable, a means for analyzing any trend, an extrapolative means, and a reporting means. The database contains a value range for an operating mode variable of an electrical device indicative of a healthy electrical device.



  The sensor is in electrical communication with the electrical device for sensing and measuring an actual value of the operating mode variable of the electrical device when the electrical device is operating. The trend analysis means is effective for analyzing the values of current drawn by the electrical device relative to the chronological sequence of the actual measured values to determine any trend in the values. The extrapolative means is effective for extrapolating any trend to obtain a prediction of operation cycles remaining before failure determined from extrapolation as the operation cycle when the operating mode variable of the electrical device first falls outside the range of the operating mode variable indicative of a healthy electrical device. The reporting means reports the predicted operational cycle at failure.



   A second embodiment of the third aspect of the invention includes a database, a sensor for measuring an operating mode variable, a means for analyzing any trend, an extrapolative means, and a reporting means. The database contains a value range for an operating mode variable of an electrical device indicative of an impaired electrical device. The sensor is in electrical communication with the electrical device for sensing and measuring an actual value of the operating mode variable of the electrical device when the electrical device is operating. The trend analysis means is effective for analyzing the values of current drawn by the electrical device relative to the chronological sequence of the actual measured values to determine any trend in the values.

   The extrapolative means is effective for extrapolating any trend, without correlating another operating mode variable for the electrical device detected or measured at the time the value of the operating mode variable was obtained, to obtain a prediction of operation cycles remaining before failure determined from extrapolation as the operation cycle when the operating mode variable of the electrical device first falls within the range of the operating mode variable indicative of an impaired electrical device. The reporting means reports the predicted operational cycle at failure.



   A third embodiment of the third aspect of the invention includes a database, a sensor for measuring an operating mode variable, a means for analyzing any trend, an extrapolative means, and a reporting means. The database contains at least two different values or value ranges for a first operating mode variable of an electrical device indicative of an impaired electrical device, with each of the values or value ranges correlated with a predicted reason for the impairment. The sensor is in electrical communication with the electrical device for sensing and measuring an actual value of the operating mode variable of the electrical device. The trend analysis means is effective for analyzing the values of current drawn by the electrical device relative to the chronological sequence of the actual measured values to determine any trend in the values.

   The extrapolative means is effective for extrapolating any trend, without correlating another operating mode variable for the electrical device detected or measured at the time the value of the operating mode variable was obtained, to obtain a prediction of operation cycles remaining before failure determined from extrapolation as the operation cycle when the operating mode variable of the electrical device first falls within the range of the operating mode variable indicative of an impaired electrical device. The reporting means reports the predicted operational cycle at failure and an identification of the predicted reason for the impairment correlated with the impaired value matched by the extrapolated value or the value range within which the extrapolated value fell.



  Reporting Typical Service Age and/or Performance
Age of Electrical Device at Impairment
A fourth aspect of the present invention is a method for reporting the service age   and/or    purchase age at which a type of electrical equipment typically needs correction.



   A first embodiment of the fourth aspect of the invention includes the steps of (i) automatically and periodically monitoring operation of an electrical device so as to detect impairment of the electrical device, and (ii) upon detecting an impairment of the electrical device, (A) automatically establishing and electronically storing the date on which impairment is detected as an impairment date,   (B)    automatically accessing a database containing an in-service date and/or a purchase date for the electrical device, (C) automatically determining (1) the service age of the electrical device at impairment by calculating the difference between the impairment date and the in-service date, and/or (2) the purchase age of the electrical device at impairment by calculating the difference between the impairment date and the purchase date, (D)

   correlating the service age   and/or    the purchase age of the electrical device at impairment with information about the type of the electric device, and (E) statistically reporting service age   and/or    purchase age at impairment for a plurality of electrical devices grouped by type of electrical device.



   A second embodiment of the fourth aspect of the invention includes the steps of (i) automatically and periodically monitoring operation of an electrical device so as to detect failure of the electrical device, and (ii) upon detecting a failure of the electrical device, (A) automatically establishing and electronically storing the date on which failure is detected as a failure date, (B) automatically accessing a database containing an inservice date   and/or    a purchase date for the electrical device, (C) automatically determining (1) the service age of the electrical device at failure by calculating the difference between the failure date and the in-service date, and/or (2) the purchase age of the electrical device at failure by calculating the difference between the failure date and the purchase date, (D)

   correlating the service age and/or the purchase age of the electrical device at failure with information about the type of the electric device, and (E) statistically reporting service age and/or purchase age at failure for a plurality of electrical devices grouped by type of electrical device.



  Indicating Operating Status of Individual Electrical
Devices From Plurality of Electrical Devices
A fifth aspect of the present invention is a system for determining the operating status of each of a plurality of different electrical devices on a single electrical appliance.



   One embodiment of a system within the fifth aspect of the invention includes a database, a plurality of current sensors, a comparative means, a correlating means and computer memory. The database contains values of expected current draw for at least two different electrical devices on a single electrical appliance with the values of expected current draw associated with an identification of the electrical device. The current sensors are in electrical communication with the electrical appliance for sensing and measuring actual current drawn by the electrical devices on the electrical appliance.



  The comparative means compares the actual measured value of current drawn with the expected current draw values and matches the actual measured value of current drawn with an expected current draw value. The correlating means matches an actual measured value of current drawn with the identity of the electrical device associated with the matched expected current drawn value. The actual measured values of current drawn, correlated with data identifying the matched electrical device, are stored on the computer memory. 



  Signaling Impairment of Individual Electrical Device From
Plurality of Electrical Devices on a Single Electrical Appliance
A sixth aspect of the present invention is a system for signaling a need for repair, replacement, or maintenance of an electrical device from a plurality of electrical devices on a single electrical appliance.



   One embodiment of a system within the sixth aspect of the invention includes a database, a comparative means, and a signaling means. The database contains (i) past values of current drawn by a plurality of electrical devices on a single electrical appliance correlated by electrical device, and (ii) a value of AI for one electrical device on the electrical appliance correlated with at least one other value of AI for a different electrical device on the electrical appliance, with at least one of the correlated values of
AI exceeding a threshold value.

   The correlated values of Al are coordinated with an identification of an electrical device on the electrical appliance predicted as the electrical device responsible for the correlated values   of Al.    In a preferred embodiment at least one of the correlated values of AI in the database is coordinated with a predicted electrical device other that an electrical device whose value of Al is included in the correlated values   of AI.    The comparative means computes the difference between the value of one past value of current drawn and one subsequent past value of current drawn for the same electrical device to determine a   Al,    compares the AI value for at least one of the electrical devices on the electrical appliance to a threshold value,

   and matches contemporaneous values of Al obtained for the electrical devices on the electrical appliance with the correlated values of AI in the database. The signaling means generates a perceptible signal, including an identification of the predicted responsible electrical device coordinated with the matched correlated values of AI in the database, when a AI exceeds a threshold value.



   A second embodiment of a system within the sixth aspect of the invention includes a database, a sensor, a comparative means, and a signaling means. The database contains (i) threshold values or value ranges of an operating mode variable for each of a plurality of electrical devices on a single electrical appliance correlated by electrical device and indicative of a healthy electrical device, and (ii) a value of an operating mode variable for one electrical device on the electrical appliance correlated with at least one other value of the same operating mode variable for a different electrical device on the electrical appliance, with at least one of the correlated values of the operating mode variable exceeding a threshold value.

   The correlated values of the operating mode variable are coordinated with an identification of an electrical device on the electrical appliance predicted as the electrical device responsible for the correlated values of the operating mode variable. In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the correlated values of the operating mode variable in the database is coordinated with a predicted electrical device other than an electrical device whose value of the operating mode variable is included in the correlated values of the operating mode variable. The sensor is in electrical communication with the electrical devices for sensing and measuring an actual value of the operating mode variable of each electrical device when each electrical device is operating.

   The comparative means compares the actual measured value of the operating mode variable for each electrical device with the value or value range of the operating mode variable for that electrical device indicative of a healthy electrical device, and matches contemporaneous values of the operating mode variable obtained for the electrical devices on the electrical appliance with the correlated values of the operating mode variable in the database. The signaling means generates a perceptible signal, including an identification of the predicted responsible electrical device coordinated with the matched correlated values of the operating mode variable in the database, when an operating mode variable exceeds a threshold value.



  Remote Scheduling of Download
A seventh aspect of the present invention is a system for scheduling remotely initiated communications in the absence of a real-time clock at the remote location.



   One embodiment of a system within the seventh aspect of the invention includes a computer, a remotely located microprocessor, and a control program. The computer has a real-time clock and an interface system for transmitting data to a remote location and receiving remotely transmitted data. The microprocessor has an elapsed time clock, memory, and an interface system for transmitting data to a remote location and receiving remotely transmitted data.

   The control program is resident in the microprocessor and is effective for (i) initiating a first communication with the computer, (ii) initiating succeeding communications with the computer after passage of a defined period of time with the duration of the defined period of time is communicated to the microprocessor by the computer in a previous communication initiated by the control program, and (iii) transmitting data to the computer during the communication.



  Time Tagging Data
An eighth aspect of the present invention is a system for correlating remotely collected data with real time at which the data was collected in the absence of a real-time clock at the remote location.



   One embodiment of a system within the eighth aspect of the invention includes a computer, a remotely located microprocessor, a sensor, a control program resident in the microprocessor, and a control program resident in the computer. The computer has a real-time clock, memory, and an interface system for transmitting data to a remote location and receiving remotely transmitted data. The microprocessor has an elapsed time clock, memory, and an interface system for transmitting data to a remote location and receiving remotely transmitted data. The sensor is effective for periodically sensing a value for a variable of interest and periodically communicating the sensed value for the variable to the microprocessor as data.

   The control program resident in the microprocessor is effective for (i) collecting data from the sensor contemporaneously with sensing of the variable by the sensor, (ii) storing collected data within the microprocessor memory, (iii) correlating the collected data with an elapsed time value from the elapsed time clock established at the time the data was collected, and (iv) periodically communicating with the computer to (A) transmit collected data and correlated elapsed time values to the computer, and (B) reset and restart the elapsed time clock based upon receipt of an elapsed time reset signal from the computer.

   The control program resident in the computer is effective for (i) periodically communicating with the microprocessor to (A) receive collected data and correlated elapsed time values, and (B) transmit an elapsed time reset signal, (ii) establishing the real time value, at the time the reset signal is transmitted, as a baseline real time value, and (iii) converting correlated elapsed time values received from the microprocessor to correlated real time values by combining the elapsed time values with the baseline real time value most recently established before receipt of the correlated elapsed time values being converted.



  Reporting Regional Energy Usage by Type of Equipment
A ninth embodiment of the present invention is a system for statistically reporting regional levels of electrical usage by type of electrical equipment.



   One embodiment of a system within the ninth aspect of the invention includes a plurality of sensors, a database, a computer with memory, and a control program resident in the computer memory. The sensors are individually matched and in electrical communication with a plurality of electrical appliances located within a geographical region. The sensors are effective for automatically sensing and measuring electricity usage by the electrical devices on the matched electrical appliance. The database contains sensor identification information correlated to information about the type of electrical appliance or electrical devices on the electrical appliance to which the sensor is matched. The computer includes memory and an interface system for communicating with systems external to the computer.

   The control program is effective for (i) automatically receiving and storing correlated electricity usage and sensor identification data from the sensors, (ii) accessing the database and correlating electricity usage with the type of electrical appliance or electrical device based upon the sensor identification data, (iii) producing a statistical report of electrical usage data grouped by type of electrical equipment, and (iv) either automatically transmitting a statistical report of regional electrical usage data for a type of electrical equipment bearing an indication of the type of electrical equipment to an interested party, or allowing an interested party to remotely access and view a statistical report of regional electrical usage data for a type of electrical equipment bearing an indication of the type of electrical equipment.



   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the invention employing single building current monitoring and appliance taggers. 



   Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the invention employing neighborhood current monitoring, building taggers and appliance taggers.



   Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the invention employing
S & Ts.



   Figure 4 is an electrical schematic of an embodiment of a current sensor with
CEBus power line communications.



   Figure 4a is an enlarged view of a portion of the electrical schematic of Figure 4.



   Figure 4b is an enlarged view of a portion of the electrical schematic of Figure 4.



   Figure 4c is an enlarged view of a portion of the electrical schematic of Figure 4.



   Figure 5 is an electrical schematic of an embodiment of a tagger with CEBus power line communications.



   Figure 6 is an electrical schematic of an embodiment of an S & T with a radio frequencytransmitter.



   Figure 7 is an electrical schematic of an embodiment of a radio frequency    /    receiver and data logger.



   Figure 8 is an exemplary graph   of Itotal (amps)    at each change in current over time (minutes) for an electrical appliance having multiple electrical devices.



   Figure 9 is a graph of total current drawn (amps) each minute based upon the data from the graph shown in Figure 8.



   Figure 10 is a graph of Al (amps) at each change in current based upon the data from the graph shown in Figure 8 wherein each AI is labeled with the specific electrical device on the appliance responsible for the   AI.    



   Figure 11 is the graph of Figure 9 wherein the portion of the total current drawn by each electrical device is indicated for each minute.



   Figure 12 is an exemplary graph of current drawn (amps) verses operation cycle for two electrical devices with an indication of the upper and lower threshold values for each electrical device.



   Figure 13 is an exemplary graph of current drawn (amps) verses operation cycle for an electrical device with an indication of the upper and lower threshold values and a trend line for the data.



   Figure 14 is an exemplary graph of duty ratio (%) verses time (weeks) for two electrical devices with an indication of the upper and lower threshold values for each electrical device.



   Figure 15 is an exemplary graph of duty ratio (%) verses time (weeks) for an electrical device with an indication of the upper and lower threshold values and a trend line for the data.



   Figure 16 is an exemplary graph of current drawn (amps) verses duty ratio (%) with an indication of the threshold values establishing the healthy zone and boundaries between impairment zones.



   Figure 17 is an exemplary 3-dimensional graph of current drawn (amps) and duty ratio   (%)    over time (weeks) with an indication of the threshold values establishing the healthy zone and the boundaries between impairment zones.



   Figure   18a    is an exemplary current signature for the compressor of a household   dehumidifier.   



   Figure 18b is an exemplary current signature for the drum motor of a household dryer. 



   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
INCLUDING A BEST MODE
Nomenclature    verticalplaneX alid Alorizosltalplalle B   
A Vertical Plane
B Horizontal Plane    C    Vertical Plane    Tl    Horizontal Plane Boundary Between Healthy and Impairment
Zones
T2 Horizontal Plane Boundary Between Healthy and Impairment
Zones
T3 Vertical Plane Boundary Between Healthy and   Impairment    Zones
T4 Vertical Plane Boundary Between Healthy and Impairment Zones
15 Appliance Tagger
16 Computer
19 Building Tagger
20 Combination Current Sensor and Tagger (S & T)
22 Radio Frequency Receiver and Data Logger
24 Electrical Appliance
45 Voltage Comparator in Tagger
57 Microcontroller of Current Sensor
PO Port 0 (Pins P00-P07) on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
PI Port 1 (Pins P10-P17)

   on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P2 Port 2 (Pins P20-P27) on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P3 Port 3 (Pins P30-P37) on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P00 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P01 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P02 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P03 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P04 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P05 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P06 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor 
P07 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P10 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor   PI 1    Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor   P12    Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P13 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P14 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P15 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor   P16    Pin on 

  Microcontroller of Current Sensor   P17    Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P20 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P21 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P22 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P23 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P24 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P25 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P26 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P27 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P30 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P31 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P32 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P33 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P34 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P35 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
P36 Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor   P37    Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor   1EA    External 

  Program Memory Access Pin on Microcontroller of
Current Sensor 1ALE Address Latch Enable Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor   1PSEN    Program Store Enable Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor   1RST    Reset Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
   1XTAL1    Clock Signal Input Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor
1XTAL2 Clock Signal Input Pin on Microcontroller of Current Sensor 58 Address Line AGO output from Port 0 Pin 0   (P00)    on
Microcontroller of Current Sensor 59 Address Line A01 output from Port 0 Pin 1   (P01)    on
Microcontroller of Current Sensor 60 Address Line A02 output from Port 0 Pin 2 (P02) on
Microcontroller of Current Sensor 61 Address Line A03 output from Port 0 Pin 3 (P03)

   on
Microcontroller of Current Sensor 62 Address Line A04 output from Port 0 Pin 4 (P04) on
Microcontroller of Current Sensor 63 Address Line A05 output from Port 0 Pin 5   (P05)    on
Microcontroller of Current Sensor 64 Address Line A06 output from Port 0 Pin 6 (P06) on
Microcontroller of Current Sensor 65 Address Line A07 output from Port 0 Pin 7   (P07)    on
Microcontroller of Current Sensor 66 Line from Port PI Pin 0   (P10)    on Microcontroller of Current
Sensor 67 Line from Port   P 1    Pin 1   (P 11)    on Microcontroller of Current
Sensor 68 Line from Port P 1 Pin 2 (P 12) on Microcontroller of Current
Sensor 69 Line from Port P1 Pin 3   (P13)    on Microcontroller of Current
Sensor 70 Line from Port P 1 Pin 4   (P 14)

      on Microcontroller of Current
Sensor 71 Line from Port   P1    Pin 5   (P 15)    on Microcontroller of Current
Sensor
72 Line from Port   P 1    Pin 6 (P16) on Microcontroller of Current
Sensor
73 Line from Port P 1 Pin 7   (P 17)    on Microcontroller of Current
Sensor 74 Address Line A08 output from Port 2 Pin 0 (P20) on
Microcontroller of Current Sensor 75 Address Line A09 output from Port 2 Pin 1 (P21) on
Microcontroller of Current Sensor 76 Address Line   A10    output from Port 2 Pin 2 (P22) on
Microcontroller of Current Sensor 77 Address Line Al   l    output from Port 2 Pin 3 (P23) on
Microcontroller of Current Sensor 78 Address Line   A 12    output from Port 2 Pin 4 (P24)

   on
Microcontroller of Current Sensor 79 Address Line   A13    output from Port 2 Pin 5 (P25) on
Microcontroller of Current Sensor 80 Address Line A14 output from Port 2 Pin 6 (P26) on
Microcontroller of Current Sensor 81 Address Line   Al 5    output from Port 2 Pin 7 (P27) on
Microcontroller of Current Sensor 82 Line from Port P3 Pin 0 (P30) on Microcontroller of Current
Sensor 83 Line from Port P3 Pin 1   (P31)    on Microcontroller of Current
Sensor 84 Line from Port P3 Pin 2 (P32) on Microcontroller of Current
Sensor 85 Line from Port P3 Pin 3 (P33) on Microcontroller of Current
Sensor 86 Line from Port P3 Pin 4 (P34) on Microcontroller of Current
Sensor 87 Line from Port P3 Pin 5 (P35) on Microcontroller of Current
Sensor 88 Line from Port P3 Pin 6 (P36)

   on Microcontroller of Current
Sensor
89 Line from Port P3 Pin 7 (P37) on Microcontroller of Current
Sensor
90 Line from reset Pin 1RST on Microcontroller of Current Sensor 91 Line from input Pin   1XTAL1    on Microcontroller of Current
Sensor 92 Line from input Pin   1XTAL2    on Microcontroller of Current
Sensor 93 Enable Line from Pin lEA on Microcontroller of Current Sensor 94 Enable Line from Pin 1ALE on Microcontroller of Current Sensor 96 Resistor in Current Sensor 97 Resistor in Current Sensor 98 Resistor in Current Sensor 99 Capacitor in Current Sensor 100 Crystal in Current Sensor 101 Capacitor in Current Sensor 102 Capacitor in Current Sensor 103 Transistor in Current Sensor 104 Resistor in Current Sensor 105 Resistor in Current Sensor 106 External Register of Current Sensor 2DE Pin on External Register of Current Sensor 2CC Pin 

  on External Register of Current Sensor
DO Pin on External Register of Current Sensor   Dl    Pin on External Register of Current Sensor
D2 Pin on External Register of Current Sensor
D3 Pin on External Register of Current Sensor
D4 Pin on External Register of Current Sensor
D5 Pin on External Register of Current Sensor
D6 Pin on External Register of Current Sensor
D7 Pin on External Register of Current Sensor
QO Pin on External Register of Current Sensor
Q1 Pin on External Register of Current Sensor
Q2 Pin on External Register of Current Sensor
Q3 Pin on External Register of Current Sensor
Q4 Pin on External Register of Current Sensor
Q5 Pin on External Register of Current Sensor 
Q6 Pin on External Register of Current Sensor
Q7 Pin on External Register of Current Sensor 107 Output Enable Line from Pin   1 OE    on External Register of 

  Current
Sensor 108 Latch Output Line from Pin 2CC on External Register of Current
Sensor 109 Input Line A00 into Pin DO on External Register of Current
Sensor 110 Input Line   AO1    into Pin   D 1    on External Register of Current
Sensor 111 Input Line A02 into Pin D2 on External Register of Current
Sensor 112 Input Line A03 into Pin D3 on External Register of Current
Sensor 113 Input Line A04 into Pin D4 on External Register of Current
Sensor 114 Input Line A05 into Pin D5 on External Register of Current
Sensor 115 Input Line A06 into Pin D6 on External Register of Current
Sensor 116 Input Line A07 into Pin D7 on External Register of Current
Sensor 117 Latched Output Line AOO from Pin QO on External Register of
Current Sensor 118 Latched Output Line A01 from Pin Ql on External Register of
Current Sensor 119 Latched Output Line A02 from 

  Pin Q2 on External Register of
Current Sensor 120 Latched Output Line A03 from Pin Q3 on External Register of
Current Sensor
121 Latched Output Line A04 from Pin Q4 on External Register of
Current Sensor 122 Latched Output Line A05 from Pin Q5 on External Register of
Current Sensor 123 Latched Output Line A06 from Pin Q6 on External Register of
Current Sensor 124 Latched Output Line A07 from Pin Q7 on External Register of
Current Sensor 125 Memory of Current Sensor (SRAM)

  
AO Pin on Memory of Current Sensor
Al Pin on Memory of Current Sensor
A2 Pin on Memory of Current Sensor
A3 Pin on Memory of Current Sensor
A4 Pin on Memory of Current Sensor
A5 Pin on Memory of Current Sensor
A6 Pin on Memory of Current Sensor
A7 Pin on Memory of Current Sensor
A8 Pin on Memory of Current Sensor
A9 Pin on Memory of Current Sensor
A10 Pin on Memory of Current Sensor
All Pin on Memory of Current Sensor
A12 Pin on Memory of Current Sensor   A13    Pin on Memory of Current Sensor
A14 Pin on Memory of Current Sensor
DQO Pin on Memory of Current Sensor
DQ1 Pin on Memory of Current Sensor
DQ2 Pin on Memory of Current Sensor
DQ3 Pin on Memory of Current Sensor   DQ4    Pin on Memory of Current Sensor   DQ5    Pin on Memory of Current Sensor
DQ6 Pin on Memory of Current Sensor
DQ7 Pin on Memory of Current 

  Sensor 3WE Pin on Memory of Current Sensor 3DE Pin on Memory of Current Sensor 3CE Pin on Memory of Current Sensor 126 Address Line AGO input to Pin AO on Memory of Current Sensor 127 Address Line   A01    input to Pin Al on Memory of Current Sensor 128 Address Line A02 input to Pin A2 on Memory of Current Sensor 129 Address Line A03 input to Pin A3 on Memory of Current Sensor 130 Address Line A04 input to Pin A4 on Memory of Current Sensor 131 Address Line A05 input to Pin A5 on Memory of Current Sensor 132 Address Line A06 input to Pin A6 on Memory of Current Sensor 133 Address Line A07 input to Pin A7 on Memory of Current Sensor 134 Address Line A08 input to Pin A8 on Memory of Current Sensor 135 Address Line A09 input to Pin A9 on Memory of Current Sensor 136 Address Line A10 input to Pin A10 on Memory of Current Sensor 137 Address Line   Al 

  1    input to Pin Al 1 on Memory of Current Sensor 138 Address Line A12 input to Pin A12 on Memory of Current Sensor 139 Address Line A13 input to Pin A13 on Memory of Current Sensor 140 Address Line A14 input to Pin A14 on Memory of Current Sensor 141   Illput/Output    Line AGO attached to Pin DQO on Memory of
Current Sensor 142 Input/Output Line A01 attached to Pin DQ1 on Memory of
Current Sensor 143 Input/Output Line A02 attached to Pin DQ2 on Memory of
Current Sensor 144 Input/Output Line A03 attached to Pin DQ3 on Memory of
Current Sensor 145 Input/Output Line A04 attached to Pin DQ4 on Memory of
Current Sensor 146 Input/Output Line A05 attached to Pin DQ5 on Memory of
Current Sensor 147 Input/Output Line A06 attached to Pin DQ6 on Memory of
Current Sensor 148 Input/Output Line A07 attached to Pin DQ7 on Memory of
Current Sensor 149 Line attached to 

    3WE    Pin on Memory of Current Sensor 150 Line attached to 20E Pin on Memory of Current Sensor 151 Line attached to 3CE Pin on Memory of Current Sensor 152 Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor   DO/8    Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor   Dl/9    Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor
D2/10 Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor
D3/11 Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor
D4 Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor
D5 Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor
D6 Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor
D7 Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor
D8 Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor
D9 Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor
D10 Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of 

  Current Sensor
D11 Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor   4NC1    Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor 4NC2 Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor 4DGND Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor 4VDD Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor 4VSS Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor 4VREF Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor 4AGND Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor 4AIN Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor 4HBEN Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor 4RD Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor 4BUSY Pin on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor   4CS Pin    on Analog to Digital Converter of Current Sensor 153 Output Line AGO from Pin   DO/8    selectable 

  between bit 0 and bit 8 on A/D Converter of Current Sensor 154 Output Line A01 from Pin Dl/9 selectable between bit 1 and bit 9 on A/D Converter of Current Sensor 155 Output Line A02 from Pin D2/10 selectable between bit 2 and bit
10 on A/D Converter of Current Sensor 156 Output Line A03 from Pin D3/11 selectable between bit 3 and bit
11 on A/D Converter of Current Sensor 157 Output Line A04 from Pin D4 on A/D Converter of Current
Sensor 158 Output Line A05 from Pin D5 on A/D Converter of Current
Sensor 159 Output Line A06 from Pin D6 on A/D Converter of Current
Sensor 160 Output Line A07 from Pin D7 on A/D Converter of Current
Sensor 167 Input Line to Pin 4VREF on A/D Converter of Current Sensor 168 Input Line to Pin 4AIN on A/D Converter of Current Sensor 169 Line to Pin 4HBEN on A/D Converter of Current Sensor 170 Line to Pin 4RD on A/D Converter of Current Sensor 171 Line to 

  Pin 4BUSY on A/D Converter of Current Sensor 172 Line to Pin 4CS on A/D Converter of Current Sensor 173 Capacitor in Current Sensor 174 Capacitor in Current Sensor 175 Power Supply of Current Sensor 176 Capacitor in Current Sensor 177 Capacitor in Current Sensor 178 Capacitor in Current Sensor 179 Capacitor in Current Sensor 180 Capacitor in Current Sensor 181 Capacitor in Current Sensor 182 Capacitor in Current Sensor 183 CEBus Power Line Communications Circuit Board of Current
Sensor 5VDD Pin on CEBus of Current Sensor 5VAA Pin on CEBus of Current Sensor 5CEBAM Pin on CEBus of Current Sensor 5CEBIN Pin on CEBus of Current Sensor 5CEBOUT Pin on CEBus of Current Sensor   5CEBUS¯I/O    Pin on CEBus of Current Sensor 5VSS Pin on CEBus of Current Sensor 184 +5V Power Input Line connected to Pin 5VDD on CEBus of
Current Sensor 185   +15V    

  Power Input Line connected to Pin 5VAA on CEBus of
Current Sensor 186 Amplifier Enable Input Line connected to Pin 5CEBAM on
CEBus of Current Sensor 187 Input Line connected to Pin 5CEBIN on CEBus of Current Sensor 188 Output Line connected to Pin 5CEBOUT on CEBus of Current
Sensor 189 Input Output Line connected to Pin   5CEBUS I/O    CEB on CEBus of Current Sensor 190 Ground connection connected to Pin 5VSS on CEBus of Current
Sensor 191 Current Transformer of Current Sensor 192 Current Transformer of Current Sensor 193 Resistor in Current Sensor 194 Resistor in Current Sensor 195 Transient Voltage Suppressor in Current Sensor 196 Transient Voltage Suppressor in Current Sensor 197 Capacitor in Current Sensor 198 Capacitor in Current Sensor 199 Resistor in Current Sensor 200 Resistor in Current Sensor 201 Operational Amplifier in Current Sensor 202 Capacitor 

  in Current Sensor 203 Resistor in Current Sensor 204 Resistor in Current Sensor 205 Capacitor in Current Sensor 206 Capacitor in Current Sensor 207 Microcontroller of Tagger
PA Port A (Pins RAO-RA4) on Microcontroller of Tagger 
PB Port B (Pins   RBO-RB7)    on Microcontroller of Tagger
RAO Pin on Microcontroller of Tagger
RA1 Pin on Microcontroller of Tagger
RA2 Pin on Microcontroller of Tagger
RA3 Pin on Microcontroller of Tagger
RA4 Pin on Microcontroller of Tagger
RBO Pin on Microcontroller of Tagger   RB1    Pin on Microcontroller of Tagger
RB2 Pin on Microcontroller of Tagger
RB3 Pin on Microcontroller of Tagger
RB4 Pin on Microcontroller of Tagger
RB5 Pin on Microcontroller of Tagger
RB6 Pin on Microcontroller of Tagger
RB7 Pin on Microcontroller of Tagger   60SC1/CLKIN    Pin on Microcontroller of Tagger 

  60SC2/CLKOUT Pin on Microcontroller of Tagger 6MCLR Pin on Microcontroller of Tagger 6VDD Pin on Microcontroller of Tagger
6VSS Pin on Microcontroller of Tagger 208 Line from Port PA Pin RAO on Microcontroller of Tagger
209 Line from Port PA Pin RA1 on Microcontroller of Tagger
210 Line from Port PA Pin RA2 on Microcontroller of Tagger
211 Line from Port PA Pin RA3 on Microcontroller of Tagger
212 Line from Port PA Pin RA4 on Microcontroller of Tagger
213 Line from Port PB Pin RBO on Microcontroller of Tagger
214 Line from Port PB Pin RB 1 on Microcontroller of Tagger
215 Line from Port PB Pin RB2 on Microcontroller of Tagger
216 Line from Port PB Pin RB3 on Microcontroller of Tagger
217 Line from Port PB Pin RB4 on Microcontroller of Tagger
218 Line from Port PB Pin RB5 on Microcontroller of Tagger
219 Line from Port PB Pin RB6 on Microcontroller of Tagger
220 Line from Port PB 

  Pin RB7 on Microcontroller of Tagger
221 Line from Pin 6MCLR on Microcontroller of Tagger 222 Line from Pin   60SC1/CLKIN    on Microcontroller of Tagger 223 Line from Pin 60SC2/CLKOUT on Microcontroller of Tagger 224 Potentiometer in Tagger 225 Resistor in Tagger 226 Resistor in Tagger 227 Resistor in Tagger 228 Resistor in Tagger 229 Capacitor in Tagger 230 Resistor in Tagger 231 Resistor in Tagger 232 Resistor in Tagger 233 Resistor in Tagger 234 Resistor in Tagger 235 Light Emitting Diode (LED)

   in Tagger 236 Crystal in Tagger 237 Capacitor in Tagger 238 Capacitor in Tagger 239 Coded Rotary Switch in Tagger 240 Resistor in Tagger 241 CEBus Power Line Communications Circuit Board of Tagger 7VDD Pin on CEBus of Tagger 7VAA Pin on CEBus of Tagger 7CEBAM Pin on CEBus of Tagger 7CEBIN Pin on CEBus of Tagger 7CEBOUT Pin on CEBus of Tagger   7CEBUS I/O    Pin on CEBus of Tagger 7VSS Pin on CEBus of Tagger 242 +5V Power Input Line connected to Pin 7VDD on CEBus of
Tagger 243   +15V    Power Input Line connected to Pin 7VAA on CEBus of
Tagger 244 Amplifier Enable Input Line connected to Pin 7CEBAM on
CEBus of Tagger 245 Input Line connected to Pin 7CEBIN on CEBus of Tagger 246 Output Line connected to Pin 7CEBOUT on CEBus of Tagger 247 Input Output Line connected to Pin   7CEBUS¯I/O    CEB on CEBus of Tagger 248 Ground 

  connection connected to Pin 7VSS on CEBus of Tagger 249 Current Transformer in Tagger 250 Resistor in Tagger 251 Transient Voltage Suppressor in Tagger 252 Diode in Tagger 253 Capacitor in Tagger 254 Resistor in Tagger 255 Operational Amplifier in Tagger 256 Capacitor in Tagger 257 Resistor in Tagger 258 Resistor in Tagger 259 Power Supply in Tagger 260 Capacitor in Tagger 261 Capacitor in Tagger 301 Microcontroller of S & T with RF Transmitter 8VDD Pin on Microcontroller of S & T with RF Transmitter 80SC1 Pin on Microcontroller of S & T with RF Transmitter 80SC2 Pin on Microcontroller of S & T with RF Transmitter 8MCLR Pin on Microcontroller of S & T with RF Transmitter 8VSS Pin on Microcontroller of   S & T    with RF Transmitter   8AN0    Pin on Microcontroller of S & T with RF Transmitter   8GP1    Pin on 

  Microcontroller of S & T with RF Transmitter
8GP2 Pin on Microcontroller of S & T with RF Transmitter 302 Inductive Pickup or Transformer Current Sensor in S & T with RF
Transmitter
303a Resistor in S & T with RF Transmitter
303b Resistor in S & T with RF Transmitter
304 Operational Amplifier in   S & T    with RF Transmitter
305 Diode in S & T with RF Transmitter 306 Resistor in S & T with RF Transmitter 307 Resistor in S & T with RF Transmitter 308 Operational Amplifier in S & T with RF Transmitter 309 Resistor in S & T with RF Transmitter 310 Resistor in S & T with RF Transmitter 311 Resistor in S & T with RF Transmitter 312 Crystal in S & T with RF Transmitter 313 Capacitor in S & T with RF Transmitter 314 Capacitor in S & T with RF Transmitter 315 Resistor in S & T with RF Transmitter 316 Capacitor in S & T with RF Transmitter 317 Resistor in S & T with RF 

  Transmitter 318 Switch in S & T with RF Transmitter 319 Resistor in S & T with RF Transmitter 320 Input to RF Transmitter in S & T with RF Transmitter 321 Wall Transformer   322-Switch    (power   on/off)    in S & T with RF Transmitter 323 Regulator in S & T with RF Transmitter 324 Regulator in S & T with RF Transmitter 325 Capacitor in S & T with RF Transmitter 326 Capacitor in S & T with RF Transmitter 327 Capacitor in S & T with RF Transmitter 328 Capacitor in S & T with RF Transmitter 329 Capacitor in S & T with RF Transmitter 330 Resistor in S & T with RF Transmitter 331 LED (power on/off status) in S & T with RF Transmitter 332 Capacitor in S & T with RF Transmitter 333 Capacitor in S & T with RF Transmitter 334 RF Transmitter in S & T with RF Transmitter 351   Line)

   from    Pin 8VDD on Microcontroller of S & T with RF
Transmitter 352 Line from Pin   80SC1    on Microcontroller of S & T with RF
Transmitter 353 Line from Pin 80SC2 on Microcontroller of S & T with RF
Transmitter 354 Line from Pin 8MCLR on Microcontroller of S & T with RF
Transmitter 355 Line from Pin 8VSS on Microcontroller of S & T with RF
Transmitter 356 Line from Pin 8ANO on Microcontroller of S & T with RF
Transmitter 357 Line from Pin 8GP 1 on Microcontroller of S & T with RF
Transmitter 358 Line from Pin 8GP2 on Microcontroller of S & T with RF
Transmitter 400 Radio Frequency (RF)

   Receiver of Combination RF Receiver/
Data Logger 401 Capacitor in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger 402 Microcontroller of Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger 9VDD Pin on Microcontroller of RF Receiver/Data Logger   90SC1    Pin on Microcontroller of RF Receiver/Data Logger   90SC2    Pin on Microcontroller   of RF Receiver/Data    Logger 9MCLR Pin on Microcontroller of RF Receiver/Data Logger 9VSS Pin on Microcontroller of RF Receiver/Data Logger   9ANO    Pin on Microcontroller of RF Receiver/Data Logger   9GP1    Pin on Microcontroller of RF Receiver/Data Logger 9GP2 Pin on Microcontroller of RF Receiver/Data Logger 403 Resistor in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger 404 Diode in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger
405 Operational Amplifier in Combination RF Receiver/Data 

  Logger
406 Resistor in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger
407 Resistor in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger
408 Resistor in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger
409 Resistor in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger
410 Crystal in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger
411 Capacitor in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger 412 Capacitor in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger   413    Resistor in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger 414 Capacitor in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger 415 Resistor in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger 416 Capacitor in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger 417 Wall Transformer 418 Switch (power   on/off)

      in Combination RF   Receiver/Data    Logger 419 Regulator in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger 420 Capacitor in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger 421 Capacitor in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger 422 Capacitor in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger 423 Resistor in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger 424 LED (power on/off status)

   in Combination RF Receiver/Data
Logger 425 Operational Amplifier in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger 426 RF Transmitter and Receiver of Combination RF Receiver/Data
Logger 427 Capacitor in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger 428 Capacitor in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger 429 Capacitor in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger 430 Capacitor in Combination RF   Receiver/Data    Logger 431 Capacitor in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger 432 Serial Port 433 Capacitor in Combination RF Receiver/Data Logger 451 Line from Pin 9VDD on Microcontroller   of RF Receiver/Data   
Logger 452 Line from Pin   90SC1    on Microcontroller   of RF Receiver/Data   
Logger 453 Line from Pin   90SC2    on Microcontroller of RF   Receiver/Data   
Logger 454 Line from Pin 

  9MCLR on Microcontroller of RF Receiver/Data
Logger 
455 Line from Pin 9VSS on Microcontroller   of RF Receiver/Data   
Logger
456 Line from Pin   9AN0    on Microcontroller   of RF Receiver/Data   
Logger
457 Line from Pin 9GP1 on Microcontroller   of RF Receiver/Data   
Logger
458 Line from Pin 9GP2 on Microcontroller   of RF Receiver/Data   
Logger
500 Monitoring System
601 Threshold Values (Current Level)
602 Threshold Values (Duty Ratio)
801 Building
802 Electrical Breaker Box for Building
812 Neighborhood Power Line    813    Main Power Line into Building
814 Branch Power Line within Building
820 Telecommunications Line in Building
830 Transformer
Definitions
As utilized herein, including the claims,

   the phrase"acoustic signature"means the characteristic shape, appearance and pattern of precisely measured sound emitted directly by an electrical device (e. g., rotation of bearings within the electric motor) or as a result of work performed by the electrical device, (e.   g.,    flow of water through pipes or movement of heated air through a duct).



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the terms"automatic"and "automatically"mean done, occurring or accomplished without operator intervention. 



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the   phrase"comparative    means" includes electrical circuitry and computer software capable of comparing two or more items of data.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the   phrase"comtamzication    means" includes the various means of transmitting and receiving data from one electrical device to another including, by way of example, wired and wireless modems, radio frequency transceivers, power-line carrier communications systems, a global computer network, intranets, telemetry lines, and direct computer-to-computer connections.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase"correction of an electrical devices an inclusive term intended to encompass any and all means available for preventing impairment or correcting an impaired electrical device including preventative maintenance, refurbishment, renovation, repair, restoration, replacement, etc.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase"current   signature"means    the characteristic shape, appearance and pattern of precisely measured flow of current drawn by an electrical device immediately upon start-up of the device. By way of example, Figures 18a and 18b illustrate the current signatures for the compressor of a household dehumidifier and the drum motor of a household clothes dryer respectively.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase"data collection and processing device"includes, any and all known devices and assembly of devices capable of storing and processing data including, by way of example, a personal computer equipped with memory and a control program, a microcontroller equipped with memory and a control program, an analog computer equipped with memory, and combinations of these system.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase"duty ratio"means the ratio of operational time to total passage of time over a defined period of time. By way of example, an electrical device which operates for 4 minutes every half hour between the hours of 6: 00 am and 2: 00 pm (first shift), 12 minutes every half hour between the hours of 2: 00 pm and 10: 00 pm (second shift) and 0 minutes between the hours of 10: 00 pm and 6:

   00 am (third shift) has a 1 hour duty ratio during the first shift of 0.13   ( (4    min per operation/60 min/hrs) (2 operations per hr)), a 1 hour duty ratio during the second shift of 0.40 ( (12 min per operation/60 min/hrs) (2 operations per hr)), a 1 hour duty ratio during the third shift   of 0 ( (0    min per operation/60 min/hrs) (2 operations per hr)), and a 24 hour duty ratio of 0.18   ( (4    min per operation/60 min/hrs) (2 operations per hr) (8 hrs) + (12 min per operation/60 min/hrs) (2 operations per hr)   (8    hrs) + (0 min per operation/   60 min/hrs)    (2 operations per hr) (8 hrs)/ (24 hrs)).



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the term"dispersed,"when used to describe electrical appliances, means electrical appliances located downstream from different electrical billing meters, and when used to describe electrical devices, means electrical devices associated with different electrical appliances.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase"electrical   appliance"means    a device powered by electricity and effective for converting electricity into useful work or energy. Exemplary electrical appliances include household appliances such as air conditioners, central processing units (CPU), computer monitors, dehumidifiers, freezers, hot water heaters, humidifiers, microwaves, refrigerators, space heaters, stoves, sump pumps, televisions, water softeners, etc. ; and commercial and industrial appliances such as compressors, conveyors, drill presses, fans, motors, photocopiers, pumps, reciprocating presses, robotic arms, turbines, etc. Electrical appliances may include one or more electrical devices.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase"electrical   equipmelzt"    encompasses both electrical appliances and electrical devices.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase"electricalperformance data" means information about electrical usage of an electrical device. Exemplary electrical performance data includes specifically, but not exclusively, current drawn, current signature, wattage, kWh used, power factor, usage trends, usage spikes and peaks.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase"electrical device"refers to a separately operational electrical mechanism. By way of example, a sump pump has a single electrical device (i. e., an electric motor) while a frost free refrigerator freezer with ice maker has several electrical devices (i. e., a compressor, a light, an air circulation fan, a first heating element to defrost the freezer, a second heating element for preventing condensation, a third heating element to release ice cubes from the ice cube tray, an ice cube dumping motor, and an ice cube dispenser motor).



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase "expected current draw," when used in connection with an electrical device, means the amount of current, expressed as a single value or a range of values, which the electrical device would be expected to draw based upon previously measured values of current draw used by that exact electrical device, the same type of electrical device, or electrical devices which are sufficiently similar that a similar value of current drawn by the device would be expected.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the   term' ! failure," when    used to describe an electrical device, means an inability to function as necessary to achieve the results for which the electrical device was purchased. By way of comparison, poor performance is impairment (e. g., a clothes dryer requiring 10% more time than a healthy dryer to dry clothes), while no performance or performance so defective that continued use of the electrical device is unacceptable to a user of the device is failure (e. g., a clothes dryer requiring 100% more time than a healthy dryer to dry clothes).



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the term"healthy,"when used to describe an electrical device, means an electrical device believed to be operating without significant impairment due to the limited service age and/or purchase age of the electrical device (e.   g.,    the electrical device has never been used) or the results of a recent inspection and diagnosis of the electrical device shows that the electrical device has no significant impairments.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the term"impairment,"when used to describe an electrical device, means an operational condition or change in an operational condition of the electrical device suggestive of a failure or an impending failure of a component within the electrical device or an external mechanism upon or with which the electrical device operates or cooperates.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the   phrase"in-service    date,"when used to describe an electrical device, means the date the electrical device was connected to a source of power and is operational.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase"individually   matched,"when    used to describe the relationship between a sensor and an electrical appliance, means that each sensor is in electrical communication with a single electrical appliance so as to sense and report operation of only one electrical appliance, including each electrical device within the. electrical appliance.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the   phrase"interested person"means (i)    a person who owns, rents, leases, operates or manages operation of an electrical appliance, (ii) a person who provides the electrical power used to operate an electrical appliance, (iii) a person who sells or repairs electrical appliances,   (iv)    a person who offers or underwrites warranty or service contracts for electrical appliances,   and/or    (v) a person who holds a financial interest in an electrical appliance which is owned, operated or managed by another.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the   term"intermediary"means    a person other than an interested person who has been trained and educated to interpret the significance of a perceptible signal generated by the present claimed invention and determine whether an interested person should be notified and/or the urgency with which the notice should be communicated to the interested person.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the term"new,"when used to describe an electrical device, means an electrical device having a service-life of less than 10 hours.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the   term"non-itavasive,"when    used to describe the relationship between a sensor and an electrical device or electrical appliance means that the housing or any other part of the electrical device or electrical appliance does not need to be opened, removed or disassembled nor the electrical wiring or circuitry of the electrical device or electrical appliance accessed or exposed in order to repair, replace or install the sensor.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase"operating mode variable," when used to describe an electrical device, means a measurable condition produced during operation of the electrical device which would be expected to vary as a result of an impairment of the electrical device. Operating mode variables include specifically, but not exclusively, current drawn, duty ratio, electrical power consumed, pressure, temperature, vibration, speed, fluid flow and start-up time.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the   phrase"operation    cycle"means functioning of an electrical device through completion of the task for which the electrical appliance was activated. By way of example, the operation cycle of a washing machine drive motor includes operation of the motor through the entire sequence of fill, wash, drain, spin, fill, rinse, drain and spin which is performed for each load of laundry.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase"witlzout operator   intervention"means    the absence of any contemporaneous human interaction or communication.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the   phrases"original past value of    current   drawn"and"original tneasured value of current drawn"mean    a single or typical value selected or established from a chronologically first set of several values of current drawn.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase"perceptible   signal" means    any and all means of electronic communication capable of conveying notice to a person, including specifically, but not exclusively audible signals (e.   g.,    a ding from a speaker), visual signals (e.   g.,    a display on a computer monitor), and multimedia signals (e.   g.,    generation of musical tones from a computer speaker and transmission of a facsimile message). 



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the   phrase"promotional infor   aation,"    when used in connection with an electrical device, means information promoting a particular brand of the electrical device   and/or    a particular manufacturer and/or retailer of the electrical device.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the   phrase"purchase age,"when    used to describe an electrical device, means the period of time since the electrical device was first purchased by an end-user, regardless of when and whether the end-user actually used the electrical device. By way of example, a clothes dryer manufactured two years ago, purchased eighteen months ago by a first consumer, installed and first used one year ago by a second consumer, and used one hundred times during that year with an average operational cycle of 30 minutes per use has a purchase age of eighteen months, a service age of one year and a service life of 50 hours.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the   phrase"purchasing iszfomation,"    when used in connection with an electrical device, means information useful for (i) identifying and/or contacting persons selling such electrical devices, (ii) identifying electrical devices available for purchase,   and/or    (iii) selecting an electrical device to purchase.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the   term"remote"means    located in a different room within a common structure (e.   g.,    kitchen and laundry room), located inside and outside of a common structure (e.   g.,    refrigerator in the kitchen and air conditioner outside the house), located in a different structure (e. g., two different single family homes) or physically separated by more than 20 yards.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase"repair data,"when used in connection with an electrical device, means information useful for (i) identifying, selecting   and/or    contacting someone capable of diagnosing and/or repairing the impairment or failure, (ii)   identifying, selecting and/or    obtaining repair parts, (ii) estimating cost of repair, including any special offers or coupons,   and/or    (iii) assisting a novice in diagnosing   and/or    repairing the electrical device. 



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase"service age,"when used to describe an electrical device, means the period of time since the electrical device was installed or first placed into service. By way of example, a clothes dryer manufactured two years ago, purchased eighteen months ago by a first consumer, installed and first used one year ago by a second consumer, and used one hundred times during that year with an average operational cycle of 30 minutes per use has a purchase age of eighteen months, a service age of one year and a service life of 50 hours
As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase"service life,"when used to describe an electrical device, means the actual hours of operation.

   By way of example, a clothes dryer manufactured two years ago, purchased eighteen months ago by a first consumer, installed and first used one year ago by a second consumer, and used one hundred times during that year with an average operational cycle of 30 minutes per use has a purchase age of eighteen months, a service age of one year and a service life of 50 hours.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the   tenn"sigzaling      means"means    electrical circuitry and/or computer software capable of generating a perceptible signal and includes, by way of example, visual displays such as a blinking LED or a flashing icon on a computer monitor, and audible sounds from a speaker such as musical tones or voice synthesis.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the term"typical"means one of average, mean, median, mode, or norm.



   As utilized herein, including the claims, the   phrase"warranty    data,"when used in connection with an electrical device, means information (i) useful for locating someone to contact regarding any warranty covering the electrical device, (ii) indicating whether the electrical device is covered by a warranty, (iii) setting forth the terms and conditions of any warranty covering the electrical device,   and/or    (iv) facilitating efforts to obtain repair or replacement of the electrical device under warranty. 



  Construction
I have discovered that the health of an electrical device can be monitored and an impairment or failure of the electrical device detected by measuring the amount or level of current drawn by the electrical device   and/or    measuring the duty ratio of the electrical device and comparing the current level   and/or    duty ratio to a known value indicative of a healthy or an impaired electrical device.



   I have also discovered that the health of an electrical device can be monitored and an impairment or failure of the electrical device predicted by measuring the amount or level of current drawn by the electrical device and/or measuring the duty ratio of the electrical device, performing a chronological trend analysis of the data, and extrapolating the data until the value reaches a known value indicative of an impaired or failed electrical device.



   I have further discovered that individual electrical devices on an electrical appliance having more than one electrical device can be separately identified as the electrical device responsible for a change in the level of current drawn by the electrical appliance   (AI)    so as to allow the health of each electrical device on the electrical appliance to be monitored and an impairment or failure of the electrical device determined or predicted by measuring the amount or level of current drawn by the electrical appliance and correlating the current level to a known value for each of the electrical devices on the electrical appliance.



   Referring to Figure   1,    one embodiment of the invention monitors current building-by-building. A current sensor 14 is installed as a component of the main circuit breaker (not shown) in the electrical breaker box 802 for a building 801. The current sensor 14 detects each change in current caused by a change in the operating status of an electrical device (not shown) on an electrical appliance 24 within the building 801. The current sensor 14 transmits current data, such as the total amount of current drawn after the change (total) or the difference in the amount of current drawn before and after the change   (AI),    to a computer 16. 



   The computer 16 can be located locally (i. e., within the same building 801) or remotely (i. e., within a neighboring building) so long as the current sensor 14 can reliably communicate with the computer 16. Unless the sensor 14 is equipped with memory (not shown) the sensor 14 needs to communicate with the computer 16 on a relatively frequent basis throughout each day. Hence, the computer 16 is preferably located in sufficient proximity to the sensor 14 that a dedicated telecommunications line is not necessary as the cost of a dedicated telecommunications line would be cost prohibitive for most applications.



   Current Sensor   14   
A suitable current sensor 14 for sensing and capturing current flow data, performing an initial analysis of the current flow data, storing the current flow data and transmitting the current flow data via power lines 812,813 and 814 is shown in Figure 4.



  The sensor 14 includes a microcontroller 57, a communications interface, an inductive pickup, a signal conditioner, an analog to digital converter 152, memory 125, and a power supply 175.



   A suitable microcontroller 57 shown in Figures 4 and 4b is an   Intel@    8051 family microcontroller model   # 87C5 lFC.    The microcontroller 57 has 256 bytes of RAM and 32K bytes of internal ROM for program storage.



   The microcontroller 57 has four ports   PO,      PI,    P2, and P3, with 8 bits to each port. Port PO and P2 are combined to provide 16 bit addressing for devices external to the microcontroller 57. Time multiplexing provides an 8-bit data bus on Port PO. An external register 106, such as an Intel model # 74HC573 register stores the lower half of the 16-bit address bus AGO through A07 58-65 and A08 through   A105    74-81 so that time multiplexing can produce data on the lower half of the same bus.



   Ports Pl and P3 provide assorted gating functions for devices external to the microcontroller 57 as set forth below in Table One. 



  TABLE ONE
EMI48.1     


<tb>  <SEP> PORT <SEP> EXTERNAL <SEP> CONNECTION
<tb> Port <SEP> No. <SEP> Line <SEP> Device <SEP> Pin <SEP> on <SEP> Device
<tb>  <SEP> P1 <SEP> 66 <SEP> A/D <SEP> Converter <SEP> 152 <SEP> High <SEP> Byte <SEP> Enable <SEP> Pin
<tb>  <SEP> 4HBEN
<tb>  <SEP> p <SEP> 1 <SEP> 67 <SEP> A/D <SEP> Converter <SEP> 152 <SEP> Busy <SEP> Signal <SEP> Pin <SEP> 4BUSY
<tb>  <SEP> pi <SEP> 68 <SEP> CEBus <SEP> 183 <SEP> Amplification <SEP> Input
<tb>  <SEP> Control <SEP> Pin <SEP> 5CEBAM
<tb>  <SEP> pi <SEP> 69 <SEP> Not <SEP> Used
<tb>  <SEP> P1 <SEP> 70 <SEP> Not <SEP> Used
<tb>  <SEP> P1 <SEP> 71 <SEP> Not <SEP> Used
<tb>  <SEP> P1 <SEP> 72 <SEP> Not <SEP> Used
<tb>  <SEP> P1 <SEP> 73 <SEP> Not <SEP> Used
<tb>  <SEP> P3 <SEP> 82 <SEP> CEBus <SEP> 183 <SEP> Serial <SEP> communication
<tb>  <SEP> serial <SEP> data <SEP> input <SEP> pin
<tb>  <SEP> 5CEBIN
<tb>  <SEP> 

  P3 <SEP> 83 <SEP> CEBus <SEP> 183 <SEP> Serial <SEP> communication
<tb>  <SEP> serial <SEP> data <SEP> output <SEP> pin
<tb>  <SEP> 5CEBOUT
<tb>  <SEP> P3 <SEP> 84 <SEP> Not <SEP> Used
<tb>  <SEP> P3 <SEP> 85 <SEP> Not <SEP> Used
<tb>  <SEP> P3 <SEP> 86 <SEP> Not <SEP> Used
<tb>  <SEP> P3 <SEP> 87 <SEP> Not <SEP> Used
<tb>  <SEP> P3 <SEP> 88 <SEP> SRAM <SEP> 125 <SEP> External <SEP> data <SEP> memory
<tb>  <SEP> write <SEP> strobe <SEP> pin <SEP> 3WE
<tb>  <SEP> P3 <SEP> 89 <SEP> SRAM <SEP> 125 <SEP> External <SEP> data <SEP> memory <SEP> read
<tb>  <SEP> strobe <SEP> pin <SEP> 20E
<tb>  
The   1 OK    resistors 96,97, and 98 are pull-up resistors used on port PI input/output   (I/O)    lines 66,67, and 68 respectively. Used port Pl I/O lines do not need termination.



   Additional pins on the microcontroller 57 include clock signal input pins   1XTAL1    and   1XTAL2    connected by lines 91 and   92 to    a 12.000MHz crystal 100 and 33 pF grounded capacitors 101 and 102 respectively, controller reset pin   1RST    connected by line 90 to a   1, uF    capacitor 99, memory selection pin   1EA    connected by line 93 to +5volt supply, address latch enable pin 1ALE connected by line 94 to pin 2CC on the external register 106, and program store enable pin   1PSEN    which is not used in this embodiment.



   The microcontroller 57 runs from the clock signal derived from the crystal 100 and the adjoining 33 pF capacitors 101 and 102.



   When power is applied to the microcontroller 57, the microcontroller 57 enters a reset mode until the 1 uF reset capacitor 99 and the microcontroller's internal pull-down resistor (not shown) provide a logical zero to the processor reset input pin 1RST. When reset capacitor 99 is fully charged to   5V,    the internal pull-down resistor (not shown) provides a logical zero to the microcontroller 57. The RC time constant provides sufficient delay to permit the microcontroller 57 to establish a known condition prior to starting use of the program in memory.



   Pin   1EA    on the microcontroller 57 is an external program memory access signal.



  Tying this signal high causes the microcontroller 57 to execute from internal program memory (not shown).



   Pin 1ALE is an output pulse for latching the low byte of the address during an access to external memory 125.



   Pin 1PSEN provides the read strobe to external memory 125, but is not used in this embodiment. 
The I/O map for the microcontroller 57 is set forth in Table Two.



   TABLE TWO
EMI50.1     

  <SEP> I/O <SEP> COMPONENT <SEP> ADDRESS <SEP> RANGE
<tb> External <SEP> Memory <SEP> 125 <SEP> 0000H <SEP> through <SEP> 7FFFH
<tb> A/D <SEP> Converter <SEP> 152 <SEP> 8000H <SEP> through <SEP> FFFFH
<tb> 
Transistor 103 and 22K resistors 104 and 105 function to invert the A15 signal.



  The 0.1   RF    capacitors 180 and 181 provide power supply filtering for the internal components of the microcontroller 57 and the external register 106.



   External plug-in circuit board 183 allows the microcontroller 57 to communicate with a computer 16 via power lines 812,813, and 814. Circuit board 183 includes the filtering and amplification components necessary to transmit and receive CEBus signals over the power lines 812,813, and 814. There are four control signals associated with the CEBus interface: 5CEBAM, 5CEBIN, 5CEBOUT, and   5CEBUSI/0 5CEBAM    186 is an amplification input control signal (high during TX). 5CEBIN is a CEBus output reception signal coming from the power line 812,813, and 814 after being filtered. 5CEBOUT is a CEBus input transmission signal coming from a transceiver (not shown) for amplification. 5CEBUSI/0 is a bi-directional CEBus signal line for connection to a power line 812,813, and 814.



   Current transformers 191 and 192 are used to inductively pick up current flowing through the two phases of electrical power line 812,813 or 814. The current output of the transformers 191 and 192 is proportional to the current flowing through the power line 812,813 or 814. The   5-olun    resistors 193 and 194 convert the current output of the current transformers 191 and 192 respectively into a voltage signal. The voltage drop across resistors 193 and   194 is    proportional to the amount of current flowing through the current transformers 191 and 192. Transient voltage suppressors 195 and 196 protect the signal conditioning circuitry from the destructive effects of any applied transient voltages. 



   The signal from the current transformers 191 and 192 is conditioned and filtered prior to arriving at the A/D converter 152 by an inverting AC amplifier (unnumbered) comprised of a inverting operational amplifier 201,5.1K resistors 199 and 200, and   10K    resistors 203 and 204,1.0, uF capacitors 197 and 198 and 200 nF capacitor 202. The power supply to operational amplifier 201 is filtered by 0.1   I1F    capacitors 205 and 206.



   A suitable A/D converter 152 is a 12-Bit,   300KSPS-sampling    analog to digital converter with reference made by Linear Technology. The analog input range for this
A/D converter 152 is +/-5V. The A/D converter 152 communicates with microcontroller 57 via the data bus   (i.    e., lines 153 through 160 connected to pins   DO/8,    Dl/9, D2/10,   D3/11,    D4, D5, D6 and D7 respectively) and four control lines 169,170,171, and 172 connected to pins 4HBEN, 4RD, 4BUSY and 4CS on the A/D converter 152. The four control signals for the A/D converter 152 are high byte enable input (pin 4HBEN and line 169), read input (pin 4RD and line 170), busy input (pin 4BUSY and line 171), and chip select (pin 4CS and line 172).

   The power supply to the A/D converter 152 is filtered by 0.1 up capacitors 176 and 179 and   10 u, F    capacitors 177 and 178. The reference voltage is filtered by capacitors 173 and 174 connected through line 167 to pins 4VREF and 4AGND on the A/D converter 152.



   The high byte enable input pin 4HBEN is used to multiplex the internal 12-bit conversion result into the lower bit outputs. The read input signal at pin 4RD is an active low signal that starts a conversion when chip select pin 4CS and high byte enable input pin 4HBEN are low. The read input signal at pin 4RD also enables the output drivers (not shown) when the chip select pin 4CS is low. Output from the busy pin 4BUSY indicates converter status, with low output indicating that a conversion is in progress. Input received at the chip select pin 4CS must be low for the A/D converter 152 to recognize input at the read input pin 4RD and the high byte enable input pin 4HBEN.



   A suitable option for the external memory 125 is a 256K nonvolatile SRAM chip with unlimited write cycles made by Dallas Semiconductor. The external memory 125 interfaces with the microcontroller 57 via the address and data bus to provide external data memory. The external memory 125 also communicates with microcontroller 57 via three control lines 149,150, and 151 connected to pins 3WE, 3DE, and 3CE on the external memory 125. The three control signals are write enable (pin 3WE and line 149), output enable (pin 30E and line 150), and chip enable (pin 3CE and line 151).



  The power supply to external memory 125 is filtered by 0.1   I1F    capacitor 182.



   External memory 125 executes a write cycle whenever the signals at the write enable pin 3WE and the chip enable pin 3CE are active (low) after address inputs are stable. The device executes a read cycle whenever the signal at the write enable pin 3WE is inactive (high) and the signals at the chip enable pin 3CE and the output enable pin 30E are active (low). Chip enable pin 3CE is used in conjunction with address line 81 to select external memory 125.



   Power supply 175 supplies   +5V,      +15V,    and ground to the circuitry.



   Computer 16
The present invention is not limited to a specific type of computer 16. The computer 16 typically includes interface components such as a keyboard (not individually shown), a display device (not individually shown) such as a monitor, and a pointing device (not individually shown) such as a mouse or tracking ball. The computer 16 also typically includes random access memory (RAM) (not individually shown), read only memory (ROM) (not individually shown), a central processing unit (CPU) (not individually shown) and a storage device (not individually shown) such as a hard disk drive or a floppy disk drive. The computer 16 is preferably connected to a telecommunications line 820 for communicating with other remote computers.



   Communications Options between the Current Sensor 14    and the Computer 16.   



   The current sensor 14, appliance taggers 15, building taggers 19 and S & Ts 20 can communicate with the computer 16 or data logger 22 by any of the commonly known communications methods including power line communication, such as shown in Figures 4 and 5, radio frequency, such as shown in Figures 6 and 7, direct network wiring (not shown), etc. Data logger 22 can similarly communicate with the computer 16 by any of these commonly known communications methods.



   When the current change data communicated from the current sensor 14 to the computer 16 is Itotai, the computer 16 can calculate AI by determining the difference between consecutive values   of Itotal.    The AT value is correlated to a specific electrical appliance 24, and most preferably to a specific electrical device (not shown) on a specific electrical appliance 24, responsible for the change in current.



   One system for achieving the desired correlation is through the use of a database in which values of current drawn by each electrical device (not shown) on each electrical appliances 24 within the building 801 is correlated with an identification of the electrical device (not shown) and/or the electrical appliance 24. So long as the AI caused by initiation and termination of operation for each electrical device (not shown) within the building 801 is unique, the AI can be correlated to a specific electrical device (not shown) on a specific electrical appliance   24 by    fitting the measured AI value with a value of current drawn from the database.

   However, this system is not particularly effective when the building 801 includes multiple electrical devices which draw substantially the same level of current, and is not able to properly match a widely anomalous AI value resulting from an impairment or failure of an electrical device.



   A second system for achieving the desired correlation is with appliance taggers 15. Each appliance tagger 15 is placed in electrical communication with a single electrical appliance 24 for detecting a change in the operating status of an electrical device (not shown) on the electrical appliance 24, preferably by detecting AT in a branch power line 814 at a point along the power line 814 where the power line 814 is supplying power to only a single electrical appliance 24. Upon detecting a change in the operating status, a signal containing an identification of the tagger 15 is transmitted to the computer 16. The computer 16 has access to a database in which the identification of each tagger 15 is correlated with an identification of the electrical appliance 24 monitored by the tagger 15.

   The computer 16 is able to correlate each AT value with an identification of the specific electrical appliance 24 responsible for the Al as each change in the operating status of a tagged electrical appliance 24 will result in nearly simultaneous transmission of current change data from the current sensor 14 and an identification signal from a tagger 15. Correlation of the tagger identification signal to the correlated identification of the electrical appliance 24 monitored by the tagger 15 achieves the desired correlation of Al and identification of the electrical appliance 24 responsible for the AI.



   Appliance Taggers 15
A suitable appliance tagger 15 for sensing current flow to an appliance 24 and transmitting an identification signal via power lines 812,813 and 814 whenever a AI is detected is shown in Figure 5. The tagger 15 includes a microcontroller 207, a communications interface, an inductive pickup, a signal conditioner, a voltage comparator 45, a comparison range selector for setting the sensitivity of the tagger 15, a tagger identification selector and a power supply 259.



   A suitable microcontroller 207 shown in Figure 5 is a   Microchip&commat;      PIC16C62X    family microcontroller. The microcontroller 207 has   80    bytes of RAM and 512 bytes of internal ROM for program storage.



   The microprocessor has two ports PA and   PB.    Port PA has 5 bits and port PB has 8 bits. Port PA can be setup as general I/O or 2 analog comparators. This design utilizes the analog comparators of port PA. Port PB is general   I/O.   



   Ports PA and PB provide assorted functions as set forth below in Table Three. 



  TABLE THREE
EMI55.1     


<tb>  <SEP> PORT <SEP> Puncíion <SEP> External <SEP> Device
<tb> Pin <SEP> No. <SEP> Lie <SEP> l
<tb>  <SEP> RAO <SEP> 208 <SEP> Analog <SEP> Comparator <SEP> 1 <SEP> (-) <SEP> input <SEP> Inductive <SEP> Pickup <SEP> and <SEP> Signal
<tb>  <SEP> Conditioner
<tb>  <SEP> RA1 <SEP> 209 <SEP> Analog <SEP> Comparator <SEP> 2 <SEP> (-) <SEP> input <SEP> Not <SEP> Used
<tb>  <SEP> RA2 <SEP> 210 <SEP> Comparator <SEP> Reference <SEP> Voltage <SEP> Voltage <SEP> Comparator <SEP> 45
<tb>  <SEP> RA3 <SEP> 211 <SEP> Comparator <SEP> 1 <SEP> output <SEP> (open
<tb>  <SEP> drain)
<tb>  <SEP> RA4 <SEP> 212 <SEP> Comparator <SEP> 2 <SEP> output <SEP> (open <SEP> Not <SEP> Used
<tb>  <SEP> drain)

  
<tb>  <SEP> RBO <SEP> 213 <SEP> Amplification <SEP> Input <SEP> Control <SEP> 7CEBAM <SEP> pin <SEP> on <SEP> CEBus <SEP> 241
<tb>  <SEP> RB1 <SEP> 214 <SEP> Data <SEP> In <SEP> 7CEBIN <SEP> pin <SEP> on <SEP> CEBus <SEP> 241
<tb>  <SEP> RB2 <SEP> 215 <SEP> Data <SEP> Out <SEP> 7CEBOUT <SEP> pin <SEP> on <SEP> CEBus <SEP> 241
<tb>  <SEP> RB3 <SEP> 216 <SEP> Not <SEP> Used
<tb>  <SEP> RB4 <SEP> 217 <SEP> ID <SEP> Switch <SEP> Input <SEP> 1 <SEP> Coded <SEP> Rotary <SEP> Switch <SEP> 239
<tb>  <SEP> RB5 <SEP> 218 <SEP> ID <SEP> Switch <SEP> Input <SEP> 2 <SEP> Coded <SEP> Rotary <SEP> Switch <SEP> 239
<tb>  <SEP> RB6 <SEP> 219 <SEP> ID <SEP> Switch <SEP> Input <SEP> 3 <SEP> Coded <SEP> Rotary <SEP> Switch <SEP> 239
<tb>  <SEP> RB7 <SEP> 220 <SEP> ID <SEP> Switch <SEP> Input <SEP> 4 <SEP> Coded <SEP> Rotary <SEP> Switch <SEP> 239
<tb> 
The   10K    resistors 232,

  233, and 234 are pull-up resistors used on port   PB    input/output   (I/O)    lines 213,214, and 215 respectively. Unused port PB   I/O    lines do not need termination.



   The 0.1 up capacitor 260 provides power supply filtering for microcontroller 207. 



   Additional pins on the microcontroller 207 include clock signal input pins   60SC1/CLKIN    and 60SC2/CLKOUT connected by lines 222 and 223 to a crystal 236 of up to   20MHz    and parallel 22 pF grounded capacitors 237 and 238 respectively, and controller reset pin 6MCLR connected by line 221 to a reset circuit (unnumbered) including   100-ohm    resistor 227 and l OK resistor 228, and a 0.1   gF capacitor    229. The microcontroller 207 runs from the clock signal derived from the crystal 236. When power is applied to this microcontroller 207, the microcontroller 207 enters a reset mode until the reset circuit provides a logical 1 to the microcontroller 207 reset (memory clear) input pin 6MCLR.

   The RC time constant provides sufficient delay to pennit the microcontroller 207 to establish a known condition prior to starting use of the program in memory.



   External plug-in circuit board 241 allows the microcontroller 207 to communicate with a computer 16 via power lines 812,813, and 814. Circuit board 241 includes the filtering and amplification components necessary to transmit and receive
CEBus signals over the power lines 812,813, and 814. There are four control signals associated with the CEBus interface : 7CEBAM, 7CEBIN, 7CEBOUT, and   7CEBUS I/O.    7CEBAM is an amplification input control signal (high during TX).



  7CEBIN is a CEBus output reception signal coming from the power line 812,813 or 814 after being filtered. 7CEBOUT is a CEBus input transmission signal coming from a transceiver (not shown) for amplification. 7CEBUSI/0 is a   bi-directional    CEBus signal line for connection to a power line 812,813 or 814.



   Current transformer 249 is used to inductively pickup current flowing through the power cord (not shown) of an appliance 24. The current output of the transformer 249 is proportional to the current flowing through the power cord to the appliance 24. The 5ohm resistor 250 converts the current output of the current transformer 249 into a voltage signal. The voltage drop across resistor 250 is proportional to the amount of current flowing through the current transformer 249. Transient voltage suppressor 251 is used to protect the signal conditioning circuitry from the destructive effects of applied transient voltages. 



   The signal from the current transformer 249 is conditioned and filtered prior to arriving at the microcontroller 207 by an non-inverting AC amplifier (unnumbered) comprised of a non-inverting operational amplifier 255,100K resistors 254 and 258,27K resistor 257,0.47   uF    capacitor 253 and 2.2 uF capacitor 256. Diode 252 half-wave rectifies the input signal. The power supply to operational amplifier 255 is filtered by 0.1   AF    capacitor 261.



   The microcontroller 207 has two analog comparators. Only one of the comparators is utilized in this application. The reference voltage used in the comparison is set with a   10K    potentiometer 224 and   10K    resistors 225 and 226. The reference voltage or setpoint corresponds to the amount of current passing through the power cord to the appliance 24 that must be exceeded to trip the comparator. A visual aid for use in setting the setpoint is provided by 560-ohm resistor 230,10K resistor 231 and LED 235, which are attached to the output of the comparator at pin RA2 on the microcontroller 207.



   A unique identification code for each tagger 15 can be made with coded rotary switch   239.    The switch 239 can be set to any one of sixteen positions. The output from the switch 239 to the microcontroller 207 is hexadecimal. The 10K resistor 240 is s pullup resistor for the four output signals from the switch 239.



   Power supply 259 supplies   +5V,    +15V, and ground to the circuitry.



   As shown in Figure 3, the current sensor 14 and appliance tagger 15 may optionally be combined into a single combination current sensor and tagger 20 (S & T), with the combined S & T 20 placed as taggers 15 within the building 801. Use of S & Ts 20 significantly simplifies installation of the monitoring system 500 as it avoids the need to access the breaker box 802.



      Combinatiolz Sensor  &  Tagger 20 (S & T)   
A suitable S & T 20 for sensing and capturing current flow data on an applianceby-appliance basis, performing an initial analysis of the current flow data, storing the current flow data and transmitting the current flow data along with an identification signal by radio frequency is shown in Figure 6. The S & T 20 includes a microcontroller 301, a communications interface, an inductive pickup system 302, signal conditioner, analog to digital converter, tagger identification selector, nonvolatile memory, and a power supply.



   A suitable microcontroller 301 shown in Figure 6 is the microcontroller model &num;
PIC12C671 manufactured by Microchip Corp. The microcontroller 301 has 128 bytes of
RAM and   1K    byte of internal ROM for program storage. The microcontroller 301 also includes an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter with 8-bit resolution.



   Current flowing to an electrical appliance 24 is detected up by inductive pick up system 302 which proportionally converts current flow through a power line 814 or electrical cord (not shown) to a voltage signal. The analog-to-digital   (A/D)    converter is capable of converting the voltage signal to a digital measurement which the microcontroller 301 can identify as a AI value.



   The low resistance of   10K    resistor pair 303a and 303b, which filter out noise, smooths the output of the inductive pickup 302. The smoothed signal is rectified by the operational amplifier 304 and the diode circuit comprised of rectification diode 305,10K input gain resistor 306 and   1 OK    feedback gain resistor 307. The rectified signal is then amplified by the operational amplifier 308 and resistor circuit comprised of   1 OK    input gain resistor 309 and 36.5K feedback gain resistor 310. The amplified signal is finally sent passed through 1K surge protection resistor 311 and on to the A/D converter of microcontroller 301. The power supply to operational amplifiers 304 and 308 is filtered by 0.1   gF    capacitor 332.



   Clock timing for microcontroller 301 is provided by the 4.000MHz crystal 312 and 22 pF capacitors 313 and 314. Powerup memory clearing is provided by   10K    resistor 315 and capacitor circuit comprised of a 0.1, uF capacitor 316 and a   100-ohm    surge protection resistor 317. The power supply to the microcontroller 301 is filtered by the 0.1 uF capacitor 333. 



   Transmissions can be forced manually, usually for debugging purposes, via the "service mode"switch 318 and   10K    pull-up resistor 319. The switch 318 and resistor 319 can send a"service mode"signal to general-purpose pin 8GP2 on microcontroller 301 via line 355.



   General-purpose pin 8GP1 on microcontroller 301 is used to key the RF transmitter 334 on and off via a signal to the transmitter input 320 for encoding digital data onto a RF carrier wave. A suitable RF transmitter is a Visitect   RF30OXTO    transmitter available from Visitect Corp used primarily as a garage door opener. The
Visitect transmitter was slightly modified to allow microcontroller 301 to control on off keying rather than the encoder that normally accompanies the transmitter for use as a garage door opener.



   Microcontroller 301 is programmed to collect current measurements via the internal A/D converter, add a digital identification number or"tag"to the current measurement, along with appropriate header and checksum bytes for the message, and then key RF transmitter 334 using OOK encoding to transmit the entire message.



   Electrical power is provided from a wall transformer 321 via an on/off switch 322 to a +12V voltage regulator 323 and a   +5V    voltage regulator 324. The 0.1   1F    capacitor 325 filters the input voltage to the regulators 323 and 324. The 10   u, F    capacitor 326 and 0.1 uF capacitor 327 filter the 12-volt output of regulator 323. The 10   I1F    capacitor 328 and 0.1, uF capacitor 329 filter the 5-volt output of regulator 324. The 680-ohm resistor 330 limits the current to light emitting diode (LED) 331, which indicates the on/off status of the circuit.



   The tagged current measurement data transmitted by an S & T 20, such as shown in Figure 6, can be received by an RF receiver such as the combined RF receiver and data logger 22 shown in Figure 7. The combined RF receiver and data logger 22 shown in Figure 7 is a microcontroller-based system capable of receiving current measurement and identification tag data from an S & T 20 via RF transmission, and temporarily storing that data. The combined RF receiver and data logger 22 and transfer the data to a computer 16 via a serial data port (not shown). Software in the computer 16 can store the data on any desired electronic storage media. Off-the-shelf software such as
Microsoft   Hyperterminal (D is    capable of receiving and storing the serial data.



   A suitable RF receiver 400 is a Visitect   RF30ORLO    receiver available from
Visitect Corp. used primarily as a garage door opener. The receiver was slightly modified to send the output of the receiver 400 to microcontroller 402 rather than to the decoder (not shown) that normally accompanies the receiver 400 for use as a garage door opener.



   The receiver 400 output signal passes through capacitor 401 and the   10K    current surge protection resistor 403, and then over-voltage protection diode 404. The signal then enters a threshold detection circuit (unnumbered) comprised of an operation amplifier 405 with a   10M    feedback resistor 406 and a voltage divider comprised of   10K    resistors 407 and 408 which are center tapped to set the threshold voltage. The output of the threshold detection circuit (unnumbered) is biased high by   10K    pull-up resistor 409 and connected to general-purpose input/output pin 9GP2 on microcontroller 402. The power supply to operational amplifier 405 is filtered by 0.1   I1F    capacitor 433.



   Clock timing for microcontroller 402 is provided by the 4.000MHz crystal 410 and 22 pF capacitors 411 and 412.   Powerup    memory clearing is provided by 10K resistor 413 and capacitor circuit comprised of a 0.1   I1F    capacitor 414 and a   1 OK-surge    protection resistor 415. The power supply to the microcontroller 402 is filtered by the 0.   zip    capacitor 416.



   Electrical power is provided from a wall   transformer    417 via an on/off switch 418 to a +5V voltage regulator 419. The 0.1   u. F    capacitor 420 filters the input voltage to the regulator 419. The 10   1F    capacitor 421 and   0.    OF capacitor 422 filter the 5-volt output of regulator 419. The 680-ohm resistor 423 limits the current to light emitting diode (LED) 424, which indicates the on/off status of the circuit.



   Output from the unused operational amplifier 425 is connected to its input to prevent spurious oscillations, which could add noise to the circuit. 



   General purpose input/output pin 9GP1 of microcontroller 402 connects to a computer serial port 432 by circuitry capable of converting the 0 to +5-volt output of   9GP1    to the-12 to +12-volt input required by standard serial data ports (not shown).



  *Suitable circuitry for accomplishing the conversion is a   MAX232 (E)    high-speed dual
RS232 transmitter and receiver chip 426 manufactured by Maxim Corp. The   MAX232&commat;    chip 426 requires external 0.1   u, F    capacitors 427 through 431 for filtering input and output surges.



   Microcontroller 402 can be programmed to immediately forward data it receives from the RF receiver 400 to computer 16 via serial port 432. The microcontroller 402 can be programmed with or without a check to see if the serial port 432 is ready to receive data. Programming to check operational status of the serial port 432 would require an additional connection to the serial port 432, but allows the microcontroller 402 to store messages sent, such as storage of a message when the computer 16 is powered off with an automatic transmission of the stored message when the computer 16 is powered back on and signals its readiness to receive data at the serial port 432.



   Microcontroller 402 can also be programmed to perform checksum error checking of the received data and report error counts to the computer 16 via serial port 432. The program can optionally be programmed to check for and ignore duplicate data transmissions to reduce the data storage space required. Such duplicate checking is useful when the data transmission algorithm used with the S & T 20 employs multiple transmissions of the same data to help ensure reception in noisy environments.



   The measured AI for an electrical device is compared to a threshold value or range of values to determine the health of the electrical device. The threshold value may be determined by any of a variety of techniques effective for establishing a meaningful line of demarcation between a healthy electrical device and an impaired or failed electrical device. One simple technique is to accept the manufacturers indicated current draw values for the electrical device and provide some deviation from this value to account for anomalous measurements and standard deviations (e. g.,       10%).

   Other techniques include (i) use of values obtained from comparable electrical devices known to be healthy, (ii) use of values obtained from comparable electrical devices known to be impaired, and (iii) use of previous values obtained from the very electrical device from which the AI value was obtained. In order to detect existing impairments and allow monitoring of an electrical device without requiring repeated cycling of the device through an initial"learning phase", the threshold value is preferably established independently from the past values of current drawn by the electrical device being monitored.

   A preferred technique is to start with the manufacturers indicated current draw values for the electrical device, with an allowance provided for anomalous measurements and standard deviations (e.   g.,    +   10%),    and then adjust this value based upon actual measured values from known healthy   and/or    impaired electrical devices obtained through normal use of the monitoring system 500. In the absence of a manufacturers indicated current draw values for an electrical device, testing of a known healthy   and/or    impaired electrical device may be necessary to provide an initial threshold value for the electrical device.



   When the AI value exceeds the threshold value a perceptible signal is generated.



  The perceptible signal can conveniently be generated as a visual display, with or without an accompanying audible signal, on the monitor (not shown) of computer 16. The signal preferably includes an identification of the electrical appliance 24 and the specific electrical device on the electrical appliance 24, which is impaired or has failed. When appropriate and available, the signal can also include data useful in handling correction of the electrical device, such as (i) repair data specific to the electrical device and/or the predicted type of impairment, (ii) warranty data for the electrical device   and/or    electrical appliance, and/or (iii) purchasing information for replacement electrical devices.

   Such additional correction assistance data may be correlated in a database to the electrical appliance, electrical device,   and/or    a predicted reason for the impairment as appropriate.



   Information may be periodically exchanged between the computer 16 and a remote computer (not shown) via any of the customary means, such as a modem or a global network. The local computer 16 and remote computer (not shown) can exchange
AI and correlated data, including updated repair, warranty and purchasing information, on demand or a routine schedule. The local computer 16 may also download updated software. 



   Referring to Figure 2, a second embodiment of the invention monitors current by a group of neighboring buildings 801. A current sensor 14 is installed on a neighborhood power line 812 downstream from the transformer 830 and before any branching of the neighborhood power line 812. The current sensor 14 detects each change in current caused by a change in the operating status of an electrical device (not shown) on an electrical appliance 24 within any of the buildings 801 supplied by the neighborhood power line 812. The current sensor 14 transmits current data, such as the total amount of current drawn after the change (total) or the difference in the amount of current drawn before and after the change   (AI),    to a computer 16.



   The computer 16 can be located in any one of the buildings 801 or within a specialized housing for the computer 16. The computer 16 need only be located so that the current sensor 14 and taggers 15 can reliably communicate with the computer 16.



   When the database system for correlating a AI value to a specific electrical appliance 24 is utilized in the neighborhood system, a building tagger 19 can be used to assist in identifying the appliance 24 within the neighborhood responsible for the AI.



  Certain appliances, each producing a similar AI value, are likely to be found in each building 801 (e.   g.,    each building will have a microwave, a refrigerator, a furnace fan, etc.). The building tagger 19 is constructed essentially the same as an appliance tagger 15. The building tagger 19 is simply connected to the main power line 813 into each building 801 rather than an individual branch power line 814 within the building 801, and transmits a building identification signal rather than an appliance identification signal. This allows each AI to be correlated to a building 801, and thereby correlated to a specific electrical device or electrical appliance 24 within the correlated building 801 so long as the AI caused by initiation and termination of operation for each electrical device (not shown) within the building 801 is unique.



   Use of appliance taggers 15 obviates the need for building taggers 19. However, a building tagger 19 may optionally be used in combination with appliance taggers 15 to confirm that a AI value is correlated to the correct appliance 24 within the neighborhood.



  A further option is to employ building taggers 19 on each building 801 and selectively use appliance taggers 15 only on certain appliances 24 within each building 801 which are known to produce very similar AI values.



  Use
Electrical Device Identification
The invention allows detection and identification of an impaired electrical device on an electrical appliance 24 having a plurality of electrical devices using a single current sensor 14 and tagger 15 or S & T 20 for the electrical appliance 24 without requiring the sensing and correlation of any other variable.



   A current sensor 14 and tagger 15 or S & T 20 are placed in electrical communication with the power line 812,813, or 814 supplying power to an electrical appliance 24 having a plurality of electrical devices, such as a refrigerator. The current sensor 14 senses any AI through the power line 812,813, or 814 and directly or indirectly transmits the value of Al or   Itotal    to a computer 16. The tagger 15 senses the same Al and transmits an identification signal directly or indirectly to the computer 16.



  The computer 16 has access to databases in which (i) the tagger identification signal is correlated to an identification of the electrical appliance 24,'and (ii) expected AI values for each of the electrical devices on the electrical appliance 24 are correlated to an identification of the electrical device. An exemplary sample database is provided below as Table Four. By means of the correlated data in the databases the computer 16 is able to identify the electrical appliance 24 responsible for the Al based upon the tagger identification signal, and identify the specific electrical device on the electrical appliance 24 responsible for the AI by matching the measured AI value with an expected AI value from the database for the identified electrical appliance 24.

   By way of example, with reference to the data in Table Four, receipt of a AI value of 17 amps and a tagger identification signal of   4    correlates to the compressor motor on the basement refrigerator : 
TABLE FOUR
EMI65.1     


<tb>  <SEP> EXPECTED
<tb>  <SEP> APPLIANCE <SEP> DEVICE <SEP> TAGGER <SEP> CURRENT <SEP> LEVEL
<tb>  <SEP> (amps)
<tb> Air <SEP> Conditioner <SEP> Compressor <SEP> Motor <SEP> 1 <SEP> 30 <SEP> + <SEP> 2
<tb>  <SEP> Circulation <SEP> Fan14 <SEP> 0. <SEP> 8
<tb> Dishwasher <SEP> Water <SEP> Pump <SEP> 2 <SEP> 8 <SEP> 1.2
<tb>  <SEP> Heating <SEP> Coil2'16 <SEP> 2
<tb>  <SEP> Timer <SEP> 2 <SEP> 1. <SEP> 2 <SEP> 0. <SEP> 2
<tb> Kitchen <SEP> Refrigerator <SEP> Compressor <SEP> Motor <SEP> 3 <SEP> 16 <SEP> 2. <SEP> 2
<tb>  <SEP> Circulation <SEP> Fan32 <SEP> 0.

   <SEP> 2
<tb>  <SEP> Surface <SEP> Heater <SEP> 3 <SEP> 6 <SEP> ¯ <SEP> 1.3
<tb> Basement <SEP> Refrigerator <SEP> Compressor <SEP> Motor <SEP> 4 <SEP> 16 <SEP> 2. <SEP> 2
<tb>  <SEP> Circulation <SEP> Fan <SEP> 4 <SEP> 2 <SEP> ¯ <SEP> 0. <SEP> 2
<tb>  <SEP> Surface <SEP> Heater <SEP> 4 <SEP> 6 <SEP> 1. <SEP> 3
<tb> 
An alternative method of identifying the electrical device responsible for generating a given AI is to employ a device capable of sensing the current signature generated upon start-up of the electrical device responsible for the AI, such as the S & F 20 shown in Figure 6, with the microcontroller 301 programmed to report the entire current signature   waveform,    and then matching the sensed current signature to a current signature within a database of current signatures correlated to a specifically identified electrical device.

   While the entire startup current   signature waveform    may be measured and reported, it is usually sufficient to measure and report only the first 30 to 50 cycles in order to obtain an   accurate"fingerprint".    Alternatively, peak current measurements for a defined number of cycles (e. g., the first 10 cycles) can be measured and the average value reported. A third option is to measure peak current over two different sets of cycles representative of a startup phase and a sustained phase (e.   g.,    cycles 1 through 10 (startup) and cycles 50 through 60 (sustained)) can be measured and the average value reported for each set. 



      Health of Si) tgle Electrical Device   
Current Level Compared to Threshold Values
The invention allows monitoring the health of an electrical device by sensing and measuring the current level drawn by the electrical device and comparing the measured current level with high   and/or    low threshold current levels 601 indicative of a change between a healthy and an impaired electrical device.



   A current sensor 14 and tagger 15 or S & T 20 is employed to obtain values of current level drawn by the electrical device correlated with an identification of the electrical device. The current level value is compared to high and/or low threshold values 601 for that electrical device, with the threshold values 601 established by monitoring other like electrical devices known to be healthy or impaired. When the measured current level value exceeds a high or low threshold value 601 the electrical device is most likely impaired and an appropriate signal is generated, typically on a computer monitor. The system 500 can be programmed to include relevant repair data with the signal.

   Alternatively, the system 500 can be programmed to generate the signal only when the measured current level value exceeds a high or low threshold value 601 a plurality of times within a given number of operation cycles (e.   g.,    three exceeds within twenty consecutive operation cycles) to avoid generation of a signal for a single aberrant measurement. By way of example, a graphical depiction-of a first healthy electrical device and a second electrical device, which has become impaired is shown in Figure 12.



   Trend in Current Level towards Threshold Values
The invention allows monitoring the health of an electrical device and estimating future impairment by sensing and measuring the current level drawn by the electrical device, performing a trend analysis of the data and then extrapolating the data to obtain a future operation cycle at which the electrical device exceeds a high or low threshold value 601 indicative of a change between a healthy and an impaired or failed electrical device. Such information is very useful for scheduling maintenance, repair, or replacement of electrical devices. 



   A current sensor 14 and tagger 15 or S & T 20 is employed to obtain values of current level drawn by the electrical device correlated with an identification of the electrical device. A set of current level values is analyzed for any trend utilizing a standard trend analysis technique (e. g., regression analysis or least square analysis) and then extrapolated. The extrapolated values are compared to high   and/or    low threshold values 601 for that electrical device, with the threshold values 601 established by monitoring other like electrical devices known to be healthy or impaired. The operation cycle corresponding to the point at which the extrapolated value exceeds a high or low threshold value 601 is the operation cycle on which the electrical device is predicted to be impaired or fail.

   This information can be communicated to an interested person (e. g., a plant maintenance supervisor or an electrical appliance repairman contracted to service the electrical appliances within a dwelling) to allow that person to schedule preventative maintenance, budget replacement of the electrical device or any of a number of other things. By way of example, a graphical depiction of a predicted failure for a currently healthy electrical device is shown in Figure 13 wherein failure is predicted in approximately 135 more operation cycles.



   Dutv Ratio   Coznpared to Shreshold Values   
The invention also allows monitoring the health of an electrical device by sensing and measuring the duty ratio of the electrical device and comparing the duty ratio with high   and/or    low threshold duty ratio values 602 indicative of a change between a healthy and an impaired electrical device.



   A current sensor 14 and tagger 15 or S & T 20 is employed to obtain information as to when an electrical device is on   (i.    e., drawing current) and off (i. e., not drawing current) correlated with an identification of the electrical device. Duty ratio can then be calculated over any desired time span (e. g., four hours, twelve hours, one day, one week, one month, etc.) and compared to high   and/or    low threshold values 602 for that electrical device, with the threshold values 602 established by monitoring other like electrical devices known to be healthy or impaired. When the measured duty ratio value exceeds a high or low threshold value 602 the electrical device is most likely impaired and an appropriate signal is generated, typically on a computer monitor.

   The system 500 can be programmed to include relevant repair data with the signal. Alternatively, the system 500 can be programmed to generate the signal only when the measured duty ratio continues to exceed a high or low threshold value 602 for a number of periods (e. g., five exceeds within ten consecutive duty cycle calculation periods) to avoid generation of a signal caused by external conditions unrelated to health of the electrical device (e.   g.,    refrigerator door left open one evening, family on vacation for one week, etc.). By way of example,   a    graphical depiction of a first healthy electrical device and a second electrical device, which has become impaired is shown in Figure 14 wherein duty ratio is calculated each week based upon a one-week period.



   Trend in   Dutv    Ratio towards Threshold Values
The invention allows monitoring the health of an electrical device and estimating future impairment by sensing and measuring the duty ratio of the electrical device, performing a trend analysis of the data and then extrapolating the data to obtain a future time at which the electrical device exceeds a high or low threshold value 602 indicative of a change between a healthy and an impaired or failed electrical device. Such information is very useful for scheduling maintenance, repair, or replacement of electrical devices.



   A current sensor 14 and tagger 15 or S & T 20 is employed to obtain information as to when an electrical device is on (i. e., drawing current) and off (i. e., not drawing current) correlated with an identification of the electrical device. Duty ratio can then be calculated over any desired time span (e. g., four hours, twelve hours, one day, one week, one month, etc.). A set of duty ratio values is analyzed for any trend utilizing a standard trend analysis technique (e.   g.,    regression analysis or least square analysis) and then extrapolated. The extrapolated values are compared to high and/or low threshold values 602 for that electrical device, with the threshold values 602 established by monitoring other like electrical devices known to be healthy or impaired.

   The time corresponding to the point at which the extrapolated value exceeds a high or low threshold value 602 is the time at which the electrical device is predicted to be impaired or fail. This information can be communicated to an interested person (e.   g.,    a plant maintenance supervisor or an electrical appliance repairman contracted to service the electrical appliances within a dwelling) to allow that person to schedule preventative maintenance, budget replacement of the electrical device or any of a number of other things. By way of example, a graphical depiction of a predicted failure for a currently healthy electrical device is shown in Figure 15 wherein failure is predicted in approximately 4 weeks.



   Combination of Current Level and Duty Ratio
Compared to Threshold Values
The invention also allows monitoring the health of an electrical device by correlating contemporaneous measurements of current level and duty ratio of the electrical device and comparing the correlated values with threshold values of correlated current level and duty ratio indicative of a change between a healthy and an impaired electrical device. In appropriate circumstances, the correlated current level and duty ratio values can also serve as an indicator of the nature of the impairment based upon the location of the correlated values indicating impairment relative to the area of correlated values indicative of a healthy electrical device.



   Current level values and duty ratio can be obtained and calculated as discussed above. Contemporaneously obtained values of current level and duty ratio are correlated and compared to threshold values of correlated current level and duty ratio for that electrical device, with the threshold values established by monitoring other like electrical devices known to be healthy or impaired. When the measured correlated value falls outside the healthy area defined by the threshold values the electrical device is most likely impaired and an appropriate signal is generated, typically on a computer monitor.



  In appropriate circumstances, the signal can include an indication as to the likely cause (s) of the impairment based upon the location of the correlated values relative to the area of healthy values. The signal can also include relevant repair data with the signal. Again, the system 500 can be programmed to generate the signal only when the measured correlated values of current level and duty ratio fall outside the healthy area a number of times   (e.      g.,    five outside the healthy area within ten consecutive correlated values of current level and duty ratio) to avoid generation of false signals.

   By way of example, a graphical depiction of the healthy area and three separately identified areas of impairment with each impairment area correlated to different likely reasons for the impairment of the electrical device is shown in Figure 16.



     Treiid    in   Dutv Ratio towards Threshold Values   
The invention allows monitoring the health of an electrical device and estimating future impairment by correlating contemporaneous values of current level and duty ratio of the electrical device, performing a trend analysis of the correlated data over operation cycles or time and then extrapolating the correlated data to obtain a future operation cycle or time at which the electrical device falls outside of threshold values indicative of a change between a healthy and an impaired or failed electrical device. Such information is very useful for scheduling maintenance, repair, or replacement of electrical devices.



   Current level values and duty ratio can be obtained and calculated as discussed above. A correlated set of contemporaneously obtained values of current level and duty ratio is analyzed for any trend utilizing a standard trend analysis technique applicable to 3-dimensional trends, and then extrapolated. The extrapolated values are compared to the threshold values for that electrical device, with the threshold values established by monitoring other like electrical devices known to be healthy or impaired. The operation cycle or time corresponding to the point at which the extrapolated value falls outside the healthy area defined by the threshold values is the operation cycle or time at which the electrical device is predicted to be impaired or fail.

   A likely reason for the impairment can be established by knowing the impairment space into which the extrapolated value falls as each impairment space is correlated to likely reasons for the impairment. This information can be communicated to an interested person (e. g., a plant maintenance supervisor or an electrical appliance repairman contracted to service the electrical appliances within a dwelling) to allow that person to schedule preventative maintenance, budget replacement of the electrical device or any of a number of other things. By way of example, a 3-dimensional graphical depiction of the healthy and three separate impairment spaces for an exemplary electrical device is shown in Figure 17 wherein duty cycle is indicated along the x-axis, current level is indicated along the y-axis and time is indicated along the z-axis.

   The healthy zone is a box bounded by vertical and horizontal planes T1, T2, T3, and T4 defined by the threshold values. Impairment space 1, indicative of a first type of impairment, is bounded outside the healthy zone by vertical plane A and horizontal plane B. Impairment space 2, indicative of a second type of impairment, is bounded outside the healthy zone by horizontal plane B and vertical plane
C. Vertical planes C and A bound impairment space 3, indicative of a third type of impairment, outside the healthy zone.



   Multiple Electrical Devices on Same Appliance
The diagnostic techniques described above are useful for analyzing the health of a single electrical device, and in appropriate cases for suggesting a likely reason (s) for impairment. By combining one or more of these techniques for two or more electrical devices on a single electrical appliance 24,

   additional information as to the occurrence   and/or    reason for an impairment or impending impairment of an electrical device on the electrical appliance 24 may be obtained when an impairment of something on the electrical appliance 24 is known to produce a specific change in the current level and/or duty cycle of at least one electrical device with a specific change or lack of any change in the current level   and/or    duty cycle of at least one other electrical device on the electrical appliance.

   By way of example, a monitoring system 500 connected to a household refrigerator which measures and reports a rapid   I    in   Itotal    for the compressor motor, a gradual   t in    duty ratio for the compressor, a gradual   t    in power consumed by the entire refrigerator, and normal   Itotal    values for the evaporator circulation fan, likely impairments include a coolant leak, internal compressor leak, accumulated dust clogging the evaporator heat exchanger fins, dust buildup on the evaporator circulation fan blades and fan blades slipping of the shaft of the fan motor.



   A specific diagnostic technique in which multiple electrical devices on a single electrical appliance are monitored so as to allow the signaling of not only an impairment of an electrical device on the electrical appliance but an identification of the specific electrical device on the electrical appliance believed to be impaired includes a database that contains a value of an operating mode variable, such as AI or current drawn, for one electrical device on the electrical appliance correlated with at least one other value of an operating mode variable for a different electrical device on the same electrical appliance, with the correlated values of an operating mode variable coordinated with an identification of an electrical device on the electrical appliance predicted as the electrical device responsible for the correlated values of operating mode variables.   



   Reportifzg Typical Service Age andlo Purchase Age of Electrical Device at Impairment   
An additional diagnostic function, which can be performed based upon the impairment data obtained by use of this invention, is the determination and reporting of the typical service age and/or purchase age of electrical devices at impairment. By correlating and subtracting the in-service date or purchase date of an electrical device from the date on which the electrical device becomes impaired, the service age or purchase age at impairment can be determined. By grouping similar electrical devices, a statistical report of service age or purchase age at   impairment    for that type of electrical device can be obtained.



   The typical service age and/or purchase age of electrical devices at failure can be determined and reported in a similar manner by correlating and subtracting the in-service or purchase date of an electrical device from the date on which the electrical device fails.



  By grouping similar electrical devices, a statistical report of service age and/or purchase age at failure for that type of electrical device can be obtained.



      Reinote Scheduling ofdowuload   
The system 500 provides for the data collected at each location (e. g., each building 801 as shown in Figures 1 and 3, or a neighborhood cluster of buildings 801 as shown in Figure 2) to be periodically transmitted to a central computer (not shown) for analysis. In order to facilitate the transmission of data in a timely and organized fashion from numerous locations to the central computer, it is desired to have the communications initiated at each location on a schedule determined by the central computer.

   This can be achieved by (i) having the system 500 initiate a first communication with the computer (not shown) on a schedule established by the system 500, and (ii) having succeeding communications with the central computer initiated by the system 500 after passage of a defined period of time which was communicated to the system 500 by the central computer in a previous communication with the central computer.



   Time Tagging Data
In order to reduce the cost of the system 500 while maintaining the ability to time tag the data the system 500 correlates data sensed and collected by each sensor 14, appliance tagger 15, building tagger 19, and/or S & T 20 with real time only at the computer 16. Hence, the sensors 14, appliance taggers 15, building taggers 19 and/or
S & Ts 20 do not need a real-time clock.



   Time tagging of the data without a real time clock on each sensor 14, appliance tagger 15, building tagger 19, and/or S & T 20 can be accomplished by (i) having each sensor 14, appliance tagger 15, building tagger 19, and/or S & T 20 correlate sensed data with an elapsed time value from an elapsed time clock at the time the data was collected, (ii) transmitting the correlated data to the computer 16, (iii) resetting and restarting the elapsed time clock on each sensor 14, appliance tagger 15, building tagger 19, and/or
S & T 20 based upon receipt of an elapsed time reset signal from the computer 16, and (iv) converting elapsed time to real time at the computer   16 by    combining the elapsed time value with the real time value at the time the last reset signal was sent by the computer 16 to the sensor 14, appliance tagger 15, building tagger 19,

   and/or S & T 20.



   Reporting Regional Energy Usage by Type of Equipment
The invention allows generation of regional statistical reports on electrical usage by type of electrical equipment. Such reports are useful for understanding the extent to which certain types of electrical equipment are responsible for electrical usage and allowing power utilities and others to focus energy saving efforts upon specific types of electrical equipment. By way of example, a report which indicates that hot water heaters in south Chicago are responsible for an unusually high percentage of electrical usage may encourage the power utility serving south Chicago to offer rebates to residents in that area who purchase a new energy efficient hot water heater. 



   Regional statistical reports on electrical usage by type of electrical equipment can be generated by (i) receiving and storing correlated electricity usage and sensor identification data from the sensors, (ii) correlating electricity usage with the type of electrical appliance or electrical device and the geographical region in which the electrical equipment is located based upon the sensor identification data, and (iii) producing a statistical report of electrical usage data grouped by region and type of electrical equipment.



   EXAMPLES
Example 1   (dI w/Electrical Device Identification)    (Healthy)
A single current sensor is attached to the power cord of a refrigerator having the electrical devices listed in Table Five. The manufacturer established current draw for each electrical device and a threshold value beyond which each electrical device is considered impaired is provided in Table Three.



   TABLE FIVE
EMI74.1     


<tb> - <SEP> ELECTRICAL <SEP> DEVICE <SEP> EXPECTED <SEP> CURRENT <SEP> DRAW'. <SEP> THRESHOLD <SEP> VALUE
<tb>  <SEP> (alnps) <SEP> Upper, <SEP> (amps) <SEP> L'Ower <SEP> (ains)
<tb> Compressor <SEP> Motor <SEP> 15 <SEP> 0. <SEP> 5 <SEP> 16.5 <SEP> 12.0
<tb> Surface <SEP> Heaters <SEP> 4 <SEP> 0. <SEP> 2 <SEP> 5.0 <SEP> 4.6
<tb> Circulation <SEP> Fan <SEP> 2 <SEP> 0. <SEP> 2 <SEP> 2.5 <SEP> 1.8
<tb> 
Current level drawn by the refrigerator (total) is measured and stored for each minute in which a change in current (AI) occurs over a twenty-nine minute period. A computer-generated graph of the raw Itotal values over time is shown in Figure 8.

   Since the current sensor only reports   Itotal    when a change in current occurs (i. e., when a Al has occurred), measurements recorded as zero simply indicate no changes in the operating conditions of the electrical devices. Hence, the current level for those minutes can properly be reported as identical to the preceding minute as shown in Figure 9. Based upon the manufacturers established current draw for each electrical device on the refrigerator, each AI can be labeled by the computer with the specific electrical device responsible for the AI as shown in Figure 10. Figure 11 shows on a continuous basis which electrical device on the refrigerator is operating at each measurement, based upon the raw AI data and the manufacturer established current draw for each electrical device.



   Since each electrical device is drawing a current level within the range indicative of a healthy device, no signal suggesting correction is generated.



  Example 2 (Duty Ratio) (Impaired)
A single current sensor is attached to the power cord of a refrigerator having the electrical devices listed in Table Six. The manufacturer established duty ratio for each electrical device and a threshold value beyond which each electrical device is considered impaired is also provided in Table Six.



   TABLE SIX
EMI75.1     


ELECTRICAL <SEP> DEVICE <SEP> E. <SEP> Xi'ECTED <SEP> DUTY <SEP> RATIO <SEP> THRESHOLD <SEP> VALUE
<tb> ; <SEP> X <SEP> lAppier <SEP> Lo*wier <SEP> l
<tb>  <SEP> upper <SEP> Lower
<tb> Compressor <SEP> Motor <SEP> 30% <SEP> ¯ <SEP> 10% <SEP> 60% <SEP> 10%
<tb> Surface <SEP> Heaters <SEP> 20% <SEP> 20% <SEP> 50% <SEP> 2%
<tb> Circulation <SEP> Fan <SEP> 35% <SEP> 10% <SEP> 50% <SEP> 10%
<tb>  
Changes in the current level drawn by the refrigerator   (AI)    are measured, correlated with the time of measurement and stored. Based upon the manufacturers established current draw for each electrical device on the refrigerator, each AI is correlated by the computer with the specific electrical device responsible for the AI.

   The duty ratio for each electrical device is automatically calculated and compared to the expected duty ratio provided by the manufacturer for each electrical device. So long as the duty cycle of the electrical devices remain between the threshold values no signal suggesting correction is generated.



  Example 3   (Al    and Duty   Ratio wl Electrical Device Identification)    (Impaired)
A single current sensor is attached to the power cord of an air conditioner having the electrical devices listed in Table Seven. The manufacturer established current draw for each electrical device is also provided in Table Seven.



   TABLE SEVEN
EMI76.1     

 i <SEP> N.
<tb>



  ELECTRICAL <SEP> DEVICE <SEP> EXPECTED <SEP> CURRENT <SEP> DRAW <SEP> TREND <SEP> THRESHOLD <SEP> VALUES
<tb>  <SEP> (amps) <SEP> AI <SEP> Duty <SEP> Ratio
<tb> Compressor <SEP> Motor <SEP> 30 <SEP> + <SEP> 1 <SEP> 8% <SEP> 10%
<tb> Circulation <SEP> Fan <SEP> 4 <SEP> + <SEP> 0. <SEP> 8 <SEP> 12% <SEP> 10%
<tb> 
Changes in current level drawn by the air conditioner   (AI)    are measured and stored. Based upon the manufacturers established current draw for each electrical device on the air conditioner, each AI is correlated by the computer to the specific electrical device responsible for the   AI.    The duty ratio for each electrical device is automatically calculated from the timed and correlated AI values. Consecutive past values of Al and duty ratio are compared to obtain a trend value for AI and duty ratio for each electrical device.

   The trend values are compared to the trend threshold values for each electrical device indicative of an impaired electrical device. An increasing trend is noticed for both the circulation fan duty cycle and the compressor duty cycle. While neither alone exceeds the trend threshold values, this combination suggests either an impairment of the circulation fan motor or a weak fan motor capacitor.

Claims

We claim: 1. A system for signaling a need for repair, replacement or maintenance of an electrical device, comprising: (a) a database containing past values of current drawn by the electrical device; (b) comparative means that (i) computes the difference between the value of one past value of current drawn and one subsequent past value of current drawn to determine a change in current drawn, and (ii) compares the change in current drawn to a threshold value wherein the threshold value is established independently from the values of current drawn by the electrical device stored within the database; and (c) signaling means for generating a perceptible signal when the change in current drawn exceeds the threshold value.
2. A system for signaling a need for repair, replacement or maintenance of an electrical device which does not require timing of an operational cycle for the electrical device, comprising: (a) a database containing past values of current drawn by the electrical device for different operational cycles; (b) comparative means that (i) computes the difference between the value of one past value of current drawn and one subsequent past value of current drawn, in the absence of any correlation of timing during the operational cycle of the electrical device at which the values were obtained to determine a change in current drawn, and (ii) compares the change in current drawn to a threshold value; and (c) signaling means for generating a perceptible signal when the change in current drawn exceeds the threshold value.
3. The system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the system further comprises: (a) a sensor in non-invasive electrical communication with an electrical device for automatically sensing and measuring electricity usage by the electrical device; (b) a computer having (i) a memory, and (ii) an interface system for communicating with systems external to the computer; and (c) a control program in the memory for automatically receiving and storing electricity usage data from the sensor to compile the database.
4. The system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the comparative means computes the difference between successive past values of current drawn.
5. The system of claim 1 or 2 further comprising (i) a means for analyzing any trend in the values of current drawn by the electrical device, and (ii) a means for extrapolating any trend to predict when the electrical device may become impaired in the future.
6. The system of claim 2 wherein the sensor is a transducer.
7. The system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the signaling means generates the perceptible signal as a visual signal on a visual display unit.
8. The system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the signaling means generates the perceptible signal as a visual signal on a remote visual display unit.
9. A system for signaling a need for repair, replacement or maintenance of an electrical device, comprising: (a) a database containing past values of current drawn by a plurality of electrical devices correlated by electrical device; (b) comparative means that (i) computes the difference between the value of one past value of current drawn and one subsequent past value of current drawn for the same electrical device to determine a change in current drawn, and (ii) compares the change in current drawn to a threshold value wherein the threshold value is established independently from the values of current drawn stored within the database; and (c) signaling means for generating a perceptible signal when the change in current drawn exceeds the threshold value.
10. A system for signaling a need for repair, replacement or maintenance of an electrical device which does not require timing of an operational cycle for the electrical device, comprising: (a) a database containing past values of current drawn by a plurality of electrical devices correlated by electrical device for different operational cycles of each electrical device;
(b) comparative means that (i) computes the difference between the value of one past value of current drawn and one subsequent past value of current drawn for the same electrical device, in the absence of any correlation of timing during the operational cycle of the electrical device at which the values were obtained, to determine a change in current drawn, and (ii) compares the change in current drawn to a threshold value; and (c) signaling means for generating a perceptible signal when the change in current drawn exceeds the threshold value.
11. The system of claim 9 or 10 wherein the comparative means computes the difference between successive past values of current drawn.
12. The system of claim 9 or 10 further comprising (i) a means for analyzing any trend in the values of current drawn by the electrical device, and (ii) a means for extrapolating any trend to predict when the electrical device may become impaired in the future.
13. The system of claim 9 or 10 wherein the threshold value is 120% of the one past value of current drawn.
14. The system of claim 9 or 10 wherein the signaling means generates the perceptible signal as a visual signal on a visual display unit.
15. The system of claim 9 or 10 wherein the signaling means generates the perceptible signal as a visual signal on a remote visual display unit.
16. A system for signaling a need for repair, replacement or maintenance of an electrical device, comprising: (a) a database containing past values of current drawn by a plurality of electrical devices correlated by electrical device; (b) comparative means that (i) computes the difference between the value of one past value of current drawn and one subsequent past value of current drawn for the same electrical device to determine a change in current drawn, and (ii) compares the change in current drawn to a threshold value; and (c) signaling means for generating a perceptible signal when the change in current drawn exceeds the threshold value.
17. A system for signaling a need for repair, replacement or maintenance of an electrical device, comprising: (a) a plurality of sensors individually matched and in non-invasive electrical communication with a plurality of electrical appliances for automatically and separately sensing and measuring electricity usage by the matched electrical appliance; (b) a computer having (i) a memory and (ii) an interface system for communicating with systems external to the computer; (c) a control program in the memory for automatically receiving and storing correlated electricity usage and sensor identification data from the sensors so as to compile a database containing past values of current drawn correlated by electricaldevice;
(d) comparative means that (i) computes the difference between the value of one past value of current drawn and one subsequent past value of current drawn for the same electrical device to determine a change in current drawn, and (ii) compares the change in current drawn to a threshold value; and (e) signaling means for generating a perceptible signal when the change in current drawn exceeds the threshold value.
18. A system for signaling impairment of an electrical device, comprising: (a) a database containing expected values or value ranges for an operating mode variable of an electrical device indicative of a healthy electrical device; (b) a sensor in electrical communication with the electrical device for sensing and measuring an actual value of the operating mode variable of the electrical device when the electrical device is operating; (c) comparative means for comparing the actual measured value of the operating mode variable with the value or value range of the operating mode variable indicative of a healthy electrical device;
(d) signaling means for generating a perceptible signal when the actual measured value of the operating mode either (i) varies from the value of the operating mode variable indicative of a healthy electrical device by a defined amount, or (ii) falls outside the value range of the operating mode variable indicative of a healthy electrical device; and (e) wherein the expected values or value ranges are established independently from any actual measured value of the operating mode variable measured from operation of the specific electrical device being monitored for impairment.
19. A system for signaling impairment of an electrical device which does not require timing of an operational cycle for the electrical device, comprising: (a) a database containing expected values or value ranges for an operating mode variable of an electrical device indicative of a healthy electrical device; (b) a sensor in electrical communication with the electrical device for sensing and measuring an actual value of the operating mode variable of the electrical device when the electrical device is operating;
(c) comparative means for comparing the actual measured value of the operating mode variable with the value or value range of the operating mode variable indicative of a healthy electrical device, in the absence of any correlation of timing during the operational cycle of the electrical device at which the values were obtained; and (d) signaling means for generating a perceptible signal when the actual measured value of the operating mode either (i) varies from the value of the operating mode variable indicative of a healthy electrical device by a defined amount, or (ii) falls outside the value range of the operating mode variable indicative of a healthy electrical device.
The system of claim 18 or 19 wherein the operating mode variable is current drawn.
The system of claim 18 or 19 wherein the signaling means generates the perceptible signal as a visual signal on a visual display unit.
The system of claim 18 or 19 wherein the signaling means generates the perceptible signal as a visual signal on a remote visual display unit.
A system for signaling impairment of an electrical device which requires sensing of only a single operational parameter, comprising: (a) a database containing expected values or value ranges of current drawn for an electrical device indicative of an impaired electrical device; (b) a sensor in electrical communication with the electrical device for sensing and measuring the actual value of current drawn by the electrical device when the electrical device is operating;
(c) comparative means for comparing the actual measured value of current drawn with the value or value range of current drawn indicative of an impaired electrical device without correlating another operating mode variable for the electrical device detected or measured at the time the current drawn value was obtained; and (d) signaling means for generating a perceptible signal when the actual measured value of the operating mode variable either (i) falls within a defined proximity of the value of current drawn indicative of an impaired electrical device, or (ii) falls within the value range of current drawn indicative of an impaired electrical device.
The system of claim 23 wherein the signaling means generates the perceptible signal as a visual signal on a visual display unit.
The system of claim 23 wherein the signaling means generates the perceptible signal as a visual signal on a remote visual display unit.
A system for signaling an impaired operating condition of an electrical device, comprising : (a) a database containing at least two different values or value ranges of current drawn indicative of an impaired electrical device, with each of the impaired values or value ranges correlated with an identification of the electrical device and a predicted reason for the impairment wherein the correlation of impaired values or value ranges and predicted reason for impairment is independent of any other operating mode variable for the electrical device; (b) a sensor in electrical communication with the electrical device for sensing and measuring an actual value of current drawn by the electrical device;
(c) comparative means for comparing the actual measured value of current drawn with the values or value ranges of current drawn indicative of an impaired electrical device; and (d) signaling means for generating a perceptible signal when the actual measured value of current drawn either (i) falls within a defined proximity of one of the values of current drawn indicative of an impaired electrical device, or (ii) falls within one of the value ranges of current drawn indicative of an impaired electrical device; wherein the perceptible signal includes an identification of the predicted reason for the impairment correlated with the value or value range indicative of an impaired electrical device proximate which or within which the actual measured value fell.
The system of claim 26 wherein the signaling means generates the perceptible signal as a visual signal on a visual display unit.
The system of claim 26 wherein the signaling means generates the perceptible signal as a visual signal on a remote visual display unit.
Apparatus for monitoring, reporting and predicting the health and efficiency of electrical devices attached to a power line, the apparatus comprising: (a) a sensor adapted to sense current levels for a plurality of electrical devices, with the sensor connected to the power line which supplies electrical power to the plurality of electrical devices; (b) a data collection and processing device in communication with the sensor for receiving indicia of the current levels for the electrical devices from the sensor, with the data collection and processing device adapted to detect a variance of the indicia of the sensed current levels for the electrical devices and the current levels of a healthy device; and (c) communications means for transmitting the indicia of the current levels for the electrical devices from the sensor to the data collection and processing device.
30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the sensor includes a male electrical connector and a female electrical connector whereby the sensor is adapted for connection to the power line which supplies electrical power to the plurality of electrical devices by electrically mating with an electrical plug extending from the electrical devices and electrically mating with a power outlet.
31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the communications means is a radio frequency transmitter at the sensor and a radio frequency receiver at the data collection and processing device.
32. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the sensor includes an induction pickup.
33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the communications means is a radio frequency transmitter at the sensor and a radio frequency receiver at the data collection and processing device.
34. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the plurality of electrical devices are connected to the power line through a circuit breaker and the sensor is built into the circuit breaker.
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein (i) the plurality of electrical devices are connected to the power line through a circuit breaker, (ii) the circuit breaker is positioned within a panel, and (iii) the sensor is built into the panel.
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the power line is connected to a transformer and the sensor is connected to the power line between the electrical devices and the transformer.
The apparatus of claim 36 wherein (i) the power line is a main power line, (ii) the electrical devices are distributed between at least two buildings, (iii) each building has a separate power supply branch line branching from the main power supply line between the sensor and the building, and (iv) the apparatus further comprises a building tagger connected to the power supply branch line for each building effective for transmitting a building indicator to the data collection and processing device through the communications means whenever current is supplied through the power supply branch line to which the building tagger is connected.
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the communication means is a power line transmitter at the building tagger and a power line receiver at the data collection and processing device.
The apparatus of claim 29 further comprising an electrical appliance tagger connected to the power line for a single electrical appliance which is effective for sensing supply of electrical power to the corresponding electrical appliance and transmitting an identification signal to the data collection and processing device through the communications means.
The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the communications means is a radio frequency transmitter at the electrical appliance tagger and a radio frequency receiver at the data collection and processing device.
41. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the communication means is a power line transmitter at the electrical appliance tagger and a power line receiver at the data collection and processing device.
42. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein (A) the plurality of electrical devices comprise a single electrical appliance, and (B) the data collection and processing device further includes (i) a table of expected current level values for each of the electrical devices correlated with an identification of one of the electrical devices, (ii) comparative means that compares the actual measured value of current level with the expected current level values and matches the actual measured value of current level with an expected current level value, and (iii) a means for indicating which electrical device is operating based upon the matched values.
43. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the sensor transmits data to the data collection and processing device sufficient to allow determination of an actual duty ratio value for each electrical device, and the data collection and processing device is adapted to detect a variance in the duty ratio of an electrical device from a duty ratio value for a healthy electrical device.
44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the data collection and processing device examines a combination of parameters with at least one selected from sensed current level and current level variances and at least one selected from sensed duty ratio and duty ratio variances, and produces a problem indicator correlated to the particular combination of examined parameters.
45. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the data collection and processing device collects the current level indicia over time and produces a graph useful in problem determination.
46. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the data collection and processing device collects the current level indicia and duty ratio value over time and produces a graph useful in problem determination.
47. A diagnostic device for electrical devices, comprising: (a) a computer having a memory and an interface system for receiving remotely transmitted data and communicating with systems external to the computer; (b) a control program in the memory for (i) automatically receiving and storing measured values of current drawn by at least two remotely located electrical devices, (ii) automatically comparing the value of one received measured value of current drawn and a subsequent received measured value of current drawn for a single identified electrical device to produce a AI value for the identified electrical device, and (iii) automatically comparing the Al value for the identified electrical device to a threshold value for the identified electrical device resident within the memory,
wherein the threshold value is established independently from the values of current drawn stored in electronic memory; and (c) signaling means for automatically generating a perceptible signal and communicating an identification of the electrical device when AI exceeds the threshold value.
48. A diagnostic device for electrical devices which does not require timing of an operational cycle for the electrical device, comprising: (a) a computer having a memory and an interface system for receiving remotely transmitted data and communicating with systems external to the computer; (b) a control program in the memory for (i) automatically receiving and storing measured values of current drawn by at least two remotely located electrical devices, (ii) automatically comparing the value of one received measured value of current drawn and a subsequent received measured value of current drawn for a single identified electrical device, in the absence of any correlation of timing during the operational cycle of the electrical device at which the values were obtained, to produce a AI value for the identified electrical device, and (iii)
automatically comparing the AI value for the identified electrical device to a threshold value for the identified electrical device resident within the memory; and (c) signaling means for automatically generating a perceptible signal and communicating an identification of the identified electrical device when AI exceeds the threshold value.
49. The system of claim 47 or 48 further comprising a plurality of sensors individually matched and in non-invasive electrical communication with a plurality of'electrical appliances for automatically and separately sensing and measuring values of current drawn by electrical devices on the matched electrical appliance and communicating an identification of the sensor and the measured value of current drawn to the control program.
50. The system of claim 47 or 48 wherein the control program computes the difference between successively received measured values of current drawn.
51. The system of claim 47 or 48 further comprising (i) a means for analyzing any trend in the values of current drawn by the electrical device, and (ii) a means for extrapolating any trend to predict when the electrical device may become impaired in the future.
52. The system of claim 47 or 48 wherein the signaling means generates the perceptible signal as a visual signal on a visual display unit.
53. The system of claim 47 or 48 wherein the signaling means generates the perceptible signal as a visual signal on a remote visual display unit.
54. An automated cost-effective method for diagnosing problems with an electrical device comprising : (a) automatically measuring current drawn by operation of the electrical device, for at least an earlier and a later operation cycle; (b) automatically storing the measured value of current drawn in electronic memory; (c) automatically computing the difference between the value of the current drawn for the earlier operation cycle and the value of the current drawn for the later operation cycle; and (d) automatically generating a perceptible signal when the computed difference is greater than a threshold value wherein the threshold value is established independently from the values of current drawn stored in electronic memory.
55. An automated cost-effective method for diagnosing problems with an electrical device without timing operational cycles of the electrical device, comprising: (a) automatically measuring current drawn by operation of the electrical device, for at least an earlier and a later operational cycle; (b) automatically storing the measured value of current drawn in electronic memory; (c) automatically computing the difference between the value of the current drawn for the earlier operational cycle and the value of the current drawn for the later operational cycle in the absence of any correlation of timing during the operational cycle of the electrical device at which the values were obtained; and (d) automatically generating a perceptible signal when the computed difference is greater than a threshold value.
56. The system of claim 54 or 55 wherein the earlier and later operation cycles are successive operation cycles.
57. The system of claim 54 or 55 further comprising the steps of (e) automatically extrapolating sequential values of current drawn by the electrical device to determine any trend in the value of current drawn by the electrical device, and (f) automatically generating a perceptible signal when extrapolation shows a trend indicative of progress towards an impairment of the electrical device.
58. The system of claim 54 or 55 wherein the perceptible signal is a visual signal on a visual display unit.
59. The method of claim 54 or 55 wherein the perceptible signal is remotely communicated to a person previously identified as an interested person.
60. The method of claim 54 or 55 wherein the perceptible signal is communicated to an intermediary.
61. A method for automatically signaling a need to repair an impaired electrical device and identifying repair data for the impaired device, comprising: (a) automatically and periodically monitoring operation of an electrical device so as to detect impairment of the electrical device; and (b) upon detecting an impairment of the electrical device;
(1) automatically accessing a database containing repair data for various impairments of various electrical devices, (2) automatically selecting the repair data correlated to the detected impairment for the monitored electrical device, and (3) either (i) automatically reporting the selected repair data to an interested party, or (ii) automatically generating a perceptible signal indicating detection of an impairment and allowing an interested party to access and view the selected repair data in a form highlighting the selected repair data relative to other repair data in the database.
62. The method of claim 61 wherein the repair data includes information about one or more of repair procedures, obtaining repair parts, persons providing repair services, repair costs, and special offers or coupons for repair.
63. A method for automatically signaling a need to repair an impaired electrical device and identifying warranty data for the impaired device, comprising: (a) automatically and periodically monitoring operation of an electrical device so as to detect impairment of the electrical device; and (b) upon detecting an impairment of the electrical device;
(1) automatically accessing a database containing warranty data for various impairments of various electrical devices, (2) automatically selecting the warranty data correlated to the detected impairment for the monitored electrical device, and (3) either (i) automatically reporting the selected warranty data to an interested party, or (ii) generating a perceptible signal indicating detection of an impairment and allowing an interested party to access and view the selected warranty data in a form highlighting the selected warranty data relative to other warranty data in the database.
64. A method for automatically signaling a need to replace an impaired electrical device and identifying purchasing information for a replacement device, comprising: (a) automatically and periodically monitoring operation of an electrical device so as to detect impairment of the electrical device; and (b) upon detecting an impairment of the electrical device;
(1) automatically accessing a database containing purchasing information on devices available for purchase correlated to electrical devices for which the available device is a suitable replacement, (2) automatically selecting purchasing information on devices available for purchase which are correlated to the detected impaired electrical device, and (3) either (i) automatically reporting the selected purchasing information to an interested party, or (ii) automatically generating a perceptible signal indicating detection of an impairment and allowing an interested party to access and view the selected purchasing information in a form highlighting the selected purchasing information relative to other purchasing information in the database.
65. The method of claim 64 wherein the purchasing information includes promotional information provided by a manufacturer or retailer of the device.
66. A system for signaling potential future failure of an electrical device, comprising: (a) a database containing a value range for an operating mode variable of an electrical device indicative of a healthy electrical device; (b) a sensor in electrical communication with the electrical device for sensing and measuring the actual value of the operating mode variable of the electrical device when the electrical device is operating; (c) a means for analyzing any trend in the values of current drawn by the electrical device relative to the chronological sequence of the actual measured values;
(d) a means for extrapolating any trend to obtain a prediction of operation cycles remaining before failure determined from extrapolation as the operation cycle when the operating mode variable of the electrical device first falls outside the range of the operating mode variable indicative of a healthy electrical device; and (e) reporting means for reporting the predicted operational cycle at failure.
67. The system of claim 66 wherein the operating mode variable is current drawn.
68. The system of claim 66 wherein the reporting means reports the predicted failure date as a visual signal on a visual display unit.
69. The system of claim 66 wherein the reporting means reports the predicted failure date as a visual signal on a remote visual display unit.
70. A system for signaling potential future impairment of an electrical device which requires sensing of only a single operational parameter, comprising: (a) a database containing a value range for a first operating mode variable of an electrical device indicative of an impaired electrical device; (b) a sensor in electrical communication with the electrical device for sensing and measuring the actual value of the first operating mode variable of the electrical device when the electrical device is operating; (c) a means for analyzing any trend in the values of current drawn by the electrical device relative to the chronological sequence of the actual measured values;
(d) a means for extrapolating any trend without correlation of a second operating mode variable for the electrical device detected or measured at the time the value of the first operating mode variable was obtained to obtain a prediction of operation cycles remaining before failure determined from extrapolation as the operation cycle when the operating mode variable of the electrical device first falls within the range of the operating mode variable indicative of an impaired electrical device; and (e) reporting means for reporting the predicted operational cycle at failure.
The system of claim 70 wherein the operating mode variable is current drawn.
The system of claim 70 wherein the reporting means reports the predicted impairment date as a visual signal on a visual display unit.
The system of claim 70 wherein the reporting means reports the predicted impairment date as a visual signal on a remote visual display unit.
A system for signaling a potential future impaired operating condition of an electrical device which requires sensing of only a single operational parameter, comprising : (a) a database containing at least two different values or value ranges for a first operating mode variable of an electrical device indicative of an impaired electrical device with each of the values or value ranges correlated with a predicted reason for the impairment ; (b) a sensor in electrical communication with the electrical device for sensing and measuring an actual value of the first operating mode variable of the electrical device; (c) a means for analyzing any trend in the values of current drawn by the electrical device relative to the chronological sequence of the actual measured values;
(d) a means for extrapolating any trend without correlating a second operating mode variable for the electrical device detected or measured at the time the value of the first operating mode variable was obtained to obtain a prediction of operation cycles remaining before failure determined by extrapolation as the operation cycle when the operating mode variable of the electrical device either (i) matches one of the first operating mode variables indicative of an impaired electrical device, or (ii) first falls within the range of one of the first operating mode variables indicative of an impaired electrical device;
and (e) reporting means for reporting the predicted operational cycle at failure and an identification of the predicted reason for the impairment correlated with the impaired value matched by the extrapolated value or the value range within which the extrapolated value fell.
75. The system of claim 74 wherein the operating mode variable is current drawn.
76. The system of claim 74 wherein the reporting means reports the predicted failure date as a visual signal on a visual display unit.
} 77. The system of claim 74 wherein the reporting means reports the predicted failure date as a visual signal on a remote visual display unit.
78. A method for statistically reporting an age at which a type of electrical equipment needs repair or replacement, comprising: (a) automatically and periodically monitoring operation of an electrical device so as to detect impairment of the electrical device; (b) upon detecting an impairment of the electrical device;
(1) automatically establishing and electronically storing the date on which impairment is detected as an impairment date, (2) automatically accessing a database containing a date selected from an in service date for the electrical device and a purchase date for the electrical device, (3) automatically determining at least one of (i) the service age of the electrical device at impairment by calculating the difference between the impairment date and the in-service date and (ii) the purchase age of the electrical device at impairment by calculating the difference between the impairment date and the purchase date, and (4) correlating the age of the electrical device at impairment with information about the type of the electric device, and (c)
statistically reporting age at impairment for a plurality of electrical devices grouped by type of electrical device.
79. A method for statistically reporting purchase age at which a type of electrical equipment needs repair or replacement, comprising: (a) automatically and periodically monitoring operation of an electrical device so as to detect failure of the electrical device; (b) upon detecting a failure of the electrical device;
(1) automatically establishing and electronically storing the date on which failure is detected as a failure date, (2) automatically accessing a database containing a date selected from an in service date for the electrical device and a purchase date for the electrical device, (3) automatically determining at least one of (i) the service age of the electrical device at failure by calculating the difference between the failure date and the in-service date and (ii) the purchase age of the electrical device at failure by calculating the difference between the failure date and the purchase date, and (4) correlating the age of the electrical device at failure with information about the type of the electric device, and (c) statistically reporting age at failure for a plurality of electrical devices grouped by type of electrical device.
80. A system for determining which electrical device, from a plurality of different electrical devices on a single electrical appliance, is operating, comprising: (a) a database containing values of expected current draw for at least two different electrical devices on a single electrical appliance with the values of expected current draw associated with an identification of the electrical device; (b) a sensor in electrical communication with the electrical appliance for sensing and measuring actual current drawn by the electrical devices on the electrical appliance; (c) comparative means that compares the actual measured value of current drawn with the expected current draw values and matches the actual measured value of current drawn with an expected current draw value;
(d) correlating means for matching the actual measured value of current drawn with the identity of the electrical device associated with the matched expected current drawn value; and (e) computer memory for storing the actual measured value of current drawn correlated with data identifying the matched electrical device.
The system of claim 80 wherein the electrical appliance is a household refrigerator.
The system of claim 80 wherein the sensor is a transducer.
The system of claim 80 wherein the computer memory is remotely located relative to the appliance.
A system for scheduling remotely initiated communications in the absence of a real-time clock at the remote location, comprising: (a) a computer having a real time clock and an interface system for transmitting data to a remote location and receiving remotely transmitted data; (b) a remotely located microprocessor including (i) an elapsed time clock, (ii) memory, and (iii) an interface system for transmitting data to a remote location and receiving remotely transmitted data;
and (c) a control program resident in the microprocessor for (i) initiating a first communication with the computer, (ii) initiating succeeding communications with the computer after passage of a defined period of time wherein the duration of the defined period of time is communicated to the microprocessor by the computer in a previous communication initiated by the control program, and (iii) transmitting data to the computer during the communication.
85. The system of claim 84 further comprising a manual override effective for allowing a user to manually initiate a succeeding communication so as to allow the transmission of data to the computer at any time.
86. The system of claim 84 wherein the system includes a plurality of remotely located microprocessors in communication with a single computer.
87. The system of claim 84 wherein the microprocessor interface system is a modem effective for receiving and transmitting data over a telephone line.
88. The system of claim 84 wherein the control program resident in the microprocessor resets and restarts the elapsed time clock and resets the duration of the defined period of time with each communication.
89. The system of claim 84 further comprising a sensor in communication with the microprocessor and an electrical device for automatically sensing and measuring electricity usage by the electrical device and transmitting the measured electricity usage to the microprocessor for storage and subsequent transmission to the computer.
90. The system of claim 84 further comprising a plurality of sensors which are (i) individually matched and in electrical communication with a plurality of electrical appliances for automatically and separately sensing and measuring electricity usage by the matched electrical appliance, and (ii) in electrical communication with the microprocessor for transmitting the measured electricity usage to the microprocessor for storage and subsequent transmission to the computer.
91. A system for correlating remotely collected data with real time at which the data was collected in the absence of a real-time clock at the remote location, comprising: (a) a computer having (i) a real time clock, (ii) memory, and (iii) an interface system for transmitting data to a remote location and receiving remotely transmitted data; (b) a remotely located microprocessor including (i) an elapsed time clock, (ii) memory, and (iii) an interface system for transmitting data to a remote location and receiving remotely transmitted data; (c) a sensor for periodically sensing a value for a variable of interest, and in communication with the microprocessor for periodically communicating the sensed value for the variable to the microprocessor as data;
(d) a control program resident in the microprocessor for (i) collecting data from the sensor contemporaneously with sensing of the variable by the sensor, (ii) storing collected data within the microprocessor memory, (iii) correlating the collected data with an elapsed time value from the elapsed time clock established at the time the data was collected, and (iv) periodically communicating with the computer to (A) transmit collected data and correlated elapsed time values to the computer, and (B) reset and restart the elapsed time clock based upon receipt of an elapsed time reset signal from the computer;
and (e) a control program resident in the computer for (i) periodically communicating with the microprocessor to (A) receive collected data and correlated elapsed time values, and (B) transmit an elapsed time reset signal, (ii) establishing the real time value, at the time the reset signal is transmitted, as a baseline real time value, and (iii) converting correlated elapsed time values received from the microprocessor to correlated real time values by combining the elapsed time values with the baseline real time value most recently established before receipt of the correlated elapsed time values being converted.
92. The system of claim 91 wherein the system includes a plurality of remotely located microprocessors in communication with a single computer and each microprocessor control program transmits data to the computer with an associated identification signal unique for that microprocessor, whereby the data may be correlated to the microprocessor from which the data was transmitted.
93. The system of claim 91 wherein the system includes a plurality of sensors in communication with a single computer through a single microprocessors and the microprocessor control program transmits data to the computer with an associated identification signal unique for each sensor, whereby the data may be correlated to the sensor from which the data was communicated.
94. The system of claim 91 wherein the microprocessor interface system is a modem effective for receiving and transmitting data over a telephone line.
95. The system of claim 91 wherein the computer control program transmits the elapsed time reset signal and establishes a new baseline real time value each time data is transmitted from the microprocessor to the computer.
96. A system for statistically reporting regional levels of electrical usage by type of electrical equipment comprising: (a) a plurality of sensors individually matched and in electrical communication with a plurality of electrical appliances located within a geographical region, wherein (i) each electrical appliance has at least one electrical device, and (ii) the sensors are effective for automatically sensing and measuring electricity usage by the electrical devices on the matched electrical appliance; (b) a database containing sensor identification information correlated to information about the type of electrical appliance or electrical devices on each electrical appliance to which the sensor is matched;
(c) a computer having (i) a memory and (ii) an interface system for communicating with systems external to the computer; and (d) a control program in the memory for (i) automatically receiving and storing correlated electricity usage and sensor identification data from the sensors, (ii) accessing the database and correlating electricity usage with the type of electrical appliance or electrical device based upon the sensor identification data, (iii) producing a statistical report of electrical usage data grouped by type of electrical equipment, and (iv) either automatically transmitting a statistical report of regional electrical usage data for a type of electrical equipment bearing an indication of the type of electrical equipment to an interested party,
or allowing an interested party to remotely access and view a statistical report of regional electrical usage data for a type of electrical equipment bearing an indication of the type of electrical equipment.
The method of claim 96 wherein the electricity usage data is automatically aggregated by predefined types of electrical equipment.
The method of claim 96 wherein the type of electrical equipment for which electricity usage data is aggregated is selected by an interested party.
A system for signaling a need for repair, replacement or maintenance of an electrical device, comprising: (a) a database containing (i) past values of current drawn by a plurality of electrical devices on a single electrical appliance correlated by electrical device, and (ii) a value of Al for one electrical device on the electrical appliance correlated with at least one other value of Al for a different electrical device on the electrical appliance, with at least one of the correlated values of Al exceeding a threshold value, with the correlated values of AI coordinated with an identification of a predicted reason for the correlated values of Al ;
(b) comparative means that (i) computes the difference between the value of one past value of current drawn and one subsequent past value of current drawn for the same electrical device to determine a AI for the electrical device, (ii) compares the Al value for at least one of the electrical devices on the electrical appliance to a threshold value, and (iii) matches contemporaneous values of AI obtained for the electrical devices on the electrical appliance with the correlated values of AI in the database; and (c) signaling means for generating a perceptible signal, including an identification of the predicted reason coordinated with the matched correlated values of AI in the database, when a Al exceeds a threshold value.
The system of claim 99 wherein at least one of the correlated values of Al in the database is coordinated with a predicted reason involving impairment of a component on the electrical appliance other than an electrical device whose value of Al is included in the correlated values of Al.
101. A system for signaling a need for repair, replacement or maintenance of an electrical device, comprising: (a) a database containing (i) threshold values or value ranges of an operating mode variable for each of a plurality of electrical devices on a single electrical appliance correlated by electrical device and indicative of a healthy electrical device, and (ii) a value of an operating mode variable for one electrical device on the electrical appliance correlated with at least one other value of the same operating mode variable for a different electrical device on the electrical appliance, with at least one of the correlated values of the operating mode variable exceeding a threshold value, with the correlated values of the operating mode variable coordinated with an identification of a predicted reason for the correlated values of the operating mode variable;
(b) a sensor in electrical communication with the electrical devices for sensing and measuring an actual value of the operating mode variable of each electrical devices when each electrical device is operating; (c) comparative means for (i) comparing the actual measured value of the operating mode variable for each electrical device with the value or value range of the operating mode variable for that electrical device indicative of a healthy electrical device, and (ii) matching contemporaneous values of the operating mode variable obtained for the electrical devices on the electrical appliance with the correlated values of the operating mode variable in the database;
and (d) signaling means for generating a perceptible signal, including an identification of the predicted reason coordinated with the matched correlated values of the operating mode variable in the database, when an operating mode variable exceeds a threshold value.
102. The system of claim 101 wherein the operating mode variable is current drawn.
103. The system of claim 102 wherein at least one of the correlated values of current drawn in the database is coordinated with a predicted reason involving impairment of a component on the electrical appliance other than an electrical device whose value of current drawn is included in the correlated values of current drawn.
PCT/US2002/000159 2001-01-08 2002-01-04 Method and apparatus for monitoring the health of individual electrical devices WO2002056039A1 (en)

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