WO2017014935A1

WO2017014935A1 - Remotely and automatically monitoring and auditing the usage of unmetered energy sources in end-user app

Info

Publication number: WO2017014935A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/040620
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexander W. Evans
Original assignee: The Global Lpg Partnership, Inc.
Priority date: 2015-07-17
Filing date: 2016-07-01
Publication date: 2017-01-26
Also published as: ZA201800669B

Abstract

Systems and methods for remotely and automatically monitoring and auditing the usage of unmetered energy sources in end-user applications are disclosed. In one embodiment a remote monitoring and auditing system may include (1) a portable energy container having an energy source identification device; (2) an energy consuming device (3) a monitoring and communication circuit with internal memory and a user identification device, where the circuit may be capable of interfacing with the energy source identification device; and (4) a monitoring and communication circuit power source, where the power source may convert heat from the energy consuming device into electricity for the monitoring and communication circuit.

Description

REMOTELY AND AUTOMATICALLY MONITORING AND AUDITING THE USAGE OF UNMETERED ENERGY SOURCES IN END-USER APP

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for remotely and automatically monitoring and auditing the usage of unmetered energy sources in end-user applications.

2. Description Of The Related Art

[0002] An ongoing challenge for the energy services industry and governments is obtaining data efficiently and timely regarding end-user usage of energy sources, such as mobile energy sources. Mobile energy sources, in particular, are typically not metered, or are not economically or physically practical to meter. Included among such energy sources, without limitation, are biofuels such as bioethanol, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG).

[0003] Currently, to monitor energy usage in distributed end-user energy usage monitoring systems, external power is required. In developing countries especially, power may not be available to perform measurements and communicate those measurements without human inspection or intervention.

[0004] The opportunity to use an off-grid source of power, such as solar PV, is practical only in applications where the energy consumption activity occurs outdoors and during the day. Such solar powered monitoring and communications already occurs on large scales in developed countries for applications such as remote monitoring of solar powered irrigation pumps. Such pumps necessarily operate by day, outdoors. [0005] Conversely, a main application of household thermal energy such as supplied by LPG, CNG, or biofuel is cooking and space heating, which are primarily indoor activities.

[0006] A further challenge is that thermal energy is usually stored in a container that is physically distinct from the consuming appliance, and that the energy container is mobile. For example, LPG is often provided to a household in a portable cylindrical pressure vessel, which is periodically exchanged when empty for a full pressure vessel. While it is desirable to monitor and audit the usage from the pressure vessel itself and on a user-by-user basis, it is in fact the appliance, such as the stove, space heater, etc., that is the non-mobile nexus of the household's energy use. Thus, the use of a specific appliance in a specific household with a specific container of energy cannot be verified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to monitoring usage of unmetered energy sources. For example, in one embodiment a system may include (1) a portable energy container having an energy source identification device; (2) an energy consuming device (3) a monitoring and communication circuit with internal memory and a user identification device, where the circuit may be capable of interfacing with the energy source identification device; and (4) a monitoring and communication circuit power source, where the power source may convert heat from the energy consuming device into electricity for the monitoring and

communication circuit.

[0008] In one embodiment, the source identification device may be a passive near field communication tag.

[0009] m one embodiment, the energy consuming device may be a consumer appliance.

[00010] In one embodiment, the monitoring and communication circuit may be capable of transmitting data to a remote server.

[00011] In one embodiment, the remote server m ay contain energy consuming device user profile data, portable energy container refill data, and data transmitted from the monitoring and communication circuit.

[00012] In one embodiment, the user identification device may be a SIM card.

[00013] In one embodiment, the monitoring and communication circuit may include an auxiliary power port.

[00014] In one embodiment, the monitoring and communication circuit power source may be a thermoelectric device.

[00015] In one embodiment, a method for monitoring usage of unmetered energy sources may include (1) providing an unmetered energy remote monitoring system having a portable energy container with an energy source identification device, a monitoring and communication circuit with internal memory and a user identification device, and a monitoring and communication circuit power source, (2) generating electricity with the monitoring and communication circuit power source by converting heat from an energy consuming device, (3) activating the monitoring and communication circuit with the electricity, (4) attempting to establish electronic communication between the energy source identification device and the monitoring and communication circuit, and (5) receiving use data based on the energy source identification device, the user identification device, and duration of monitoring and communication circuit activation.

[00016] In one embodiment, the monitoring and communication circuit may transmit the use data to a remote server.

[00017] In one embodiment, the server may compare the use data with user profile data and portable energy container refill data.

[00018] In one embodiment, the communication circuit power source may comprise one or more thermocouples. [00019] According to embodiments, industry may benefit from such information in the development of improved services and offerings for end- users; governments may benefit from such information in policy reform, in regulatory enforcement, and in verifying and controlling how subsidized energy sources are utilized and/or are diverted from approved uses among populations which are intended beneficiaries of the energy subsidies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00020] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[00021] Figure 1 depicts a system for remotely and automatically monitoring and auditing the usage of unmetered energy sources in end-user applications according to one embodiment;

[00022] Figure 2 depicts the data monitoring and storage portion of a system for remotely and automatically monitoring and auditing the usage of unmetered energy sources in end-user applications according to one embodiment.

[00023] Figure 3 depicts a method for remotely and automatically monitoring and auditing the usage of unmetered energy sources in end-user applications according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00024] Several embodiments and their advantages may be understood by referring to Figures 1-3.

[00025] Referring to Figure 1, a system for remotely and automatically monitoring and auditing the usage of unmetered energy sources in end-user applications is disclosed according to one embodiment. System 100 may include portable energy container 105 housing portable energy source 108, and having energy source identification device 110. Portable energy source 108 may include liquid propane, natural gas, diesel, kerosene, gasoline, or any other suitable type of portable energy. Energy source identification device 1 10 may be a short range electronic communication device such as a passive RFID tag, a near field communication ("NFC") tag, or any other suitable communication protocol.

[00026] System 100 may also include energy consuming device 130, such as an appliance (e.g., a stove, a heater, or any other device that requires an energy source). Portable energy container 105 and energy consuming device 130 may be physically connected by connection 1 15. Connection 115 may be a hose or similar conduit, but may include any connection that allows energy source 108 to reach energy consuming device 130.

[00027] Energy consuming device 130 may also include monitoring and communication circuit 140. Monitoring and communication circuit 140 may collect usage and identity data, and may store such data in local memory, write to a local storage medium (e.g., flash drives, memory cards, etc.), or it may prepare and transmit the data externally.

[00028] In order to correlate usage information with identity data, monitoring and communication circuit 140 may include user identification device 150. User identification device 150 may be permanently integrated into monitoring and communication circuit 140, or it may be removable and interchangeable. For example, user identification device 150 may be a SIM card or any other form of portable electronically interfacing user identification.

[00029] System 100 may also include monitoring and communication circuit power source 160 that may be attached to energy consuming device 130. Monitoring and communication circuit power source 160 may generate power for monitoring and communication circuit 140 by converting heat produced by energy consuming device 130 into electricity. Monitoring and communication circuit power source 160 may be any type of thermoelectric device such as a thermocouple, a series of thermocouples, a thermoelectric generator, or any other means of converting heat into electricity.

[00030] In one embodiment, system 100 may include an auxiliary power port 170. Auxiliary power port 170 may be capable of powering lights, portable devices such as cell phones and tablets, or other devices. Auxiliary power port 170 may be powered by monitoring and communication circuit power source 160, and may be wired in series or parallel with monitoring and communication circuit 140.

[00031] Referring to Figure 2, the data monitoring and storage portion of a system for remotely and automatically monitoring and auditing the usage of unmetered energy sources is disclosed according to one embodiment. Data monitoring and storage system 200 may include server 210 that may

communicate with system 100 over communication link 220. Communication link 220 may include, for example, a wired network, Wi-Fi, cellular network, removable memory, satellite, combinations thereof, or any other form of communication between electronic devices.

[00032] Server 210 may receive usage data 240 from system 100 over communication link 220. In one embodiment, usage data 240 may comprise usage and user identification information. Server 210 may store usage data 240 in, for example, database 250. Data stored in database 250 may be queried to report on, and/or verify, the energy usage associated with particular appliances, energy storage containers, and end-users (who may be subsidy beneficiaries), to the extent each may be uniquely identified. Server 210 may compare reports created based on data 240 stored user in database 250 against end-user profile data 230. In one embodiment, end-user profile data 230 may include user identity, the user's subsidy status, and any other potentially relevant personal user information.

[00033] Server 210 may also receive portable energy container refill data 260 from an external data source 270, including, for example, the refill pattern of the energy container 105, and may store such data in database 250.

[00034] In one embodiment, a periodic comparison of usage data 240 with the energy container refill data 260 and (if present) end-user profile data 230 may be performed to identify if it is likely that a significant portion of a given end-user's energy has been diverted to one or more appliances (which may be unmonitored) that are not intended for use with a subsidized energy source.

[00035] Referring to Figure 3, an illustrative method 300 for remotely and automatically monitoring and auditing the usage of unmetered energy sources in end-user applications according to one embodiment is disclosed.

[00036] At step 310, an end-user may operate an energy consuming device such as an appliance, fitted with a monitoring and communication circuit that may be connected to an unmetered energy source containing an energy source identification device, such as a passive NFC tag, etc.

[00037] At step 320, a monitoring and communication circuit power source, such as a thermocouple or thermoelectric generator, may use the heat produced by the appliance to generate electricity for the monitoring and communication circuit. Once the appliance temperature is sufficient for the monitoring and communication circuit power source to generate electricity, the monitoring and communication circuit may become active.

[00038] At step 325, the monitoring and communication circuit may attempt a communication handshake with the NFC tag.

[00039] At step 330, the monitoring and communication circuit determines if the handshake was successful. If successful, then at step 335, the NFC tag data is stored in the monitoring and communication circuit memory. If the handshake is unsuccessful, then in step 340, the monitoring and communication circuit may store data indicating a failed communication attempt.

[00040] At step 345, the monitoring and communication circuit may transmit any usage data that may be stored in memory to the data monitoring and storage system server. The usage data may include prior usage cycle information.

[00041] In steps 350 and 355, a power cycle may be determined. So long as an energy consuming device is in use and the monitoring and communication circuit remain powered, the feedback loop between steps 350 and 355 remains active. And for the duration of the power cycle, the monitoring and

communication circuit may update and transmit some or all of the usage, identity, and handshake data to the server, in step 350. Data transmission may occur periodically, whenever the appliance is used, at random intervals, when requested by the server, or any other defined interval.

[00042] Once use of the appliance is discontinued, the power cycle ends at step 355. At step 360, after the temperature of the appliance decreases sufficiently, the monitoring and communication circuit power source may cease to supply power to the monitoring and communication circuit. In one embodiment, the monitoring and communication circuit may write use, identification, and handshake data to memory prior to shut down.

[00043] This data may be transmitted to the server upon the start of the next powered cycle.

[00044] It should be recognized that although several embodiments have been disclosed, these embodiments are not exclusive and aspects of one embodiment may be applicable to other embodiments.

[00045] Hereinafter, general aspects of implementation of the systems and methods of the invention will be described.

[00046] The system of the invention or portions of the system of the invention may be in the form of a "processing machine," such as a general purpose computer, for example. As used herein, the term "processing machine" is to be understood to include at least one processor that uses at least one memory. The at least one memory stores a set of instructions. The instructions may be either permanently or temporarily stored in the memory or memories of the processing machine. The processor executes the instructions that are stored in the memory or memories in order to process data. The set of instructions may include various instructions that perform a particular task or tasks, such as those tasks described above. Such a set of instructions for performing a particular task may be characterized as a program, software program, or simply software.

[00047] As noted above, the processing machine executes the instructions that are stored in the memory or memories to process data. This processing of data may be in response to commands by a user or users of the processing machine, in response to previous processing, in response to a request by another processing machine and/or any other input, for example.

[00048] As noted above, the processing machine used to implement the invention may be a general purpose computer. However, the processing machine described above may also utilize any of a wide variety of other technologies including a special purpose computer, a computer system including, for example, a microcomputer, mini-computer or mainframe, a programmed microprocessor, a micro-controller, a peripheral integrated circuit element, a CSIC (Customer Specific Integrated Circuit) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or other integrated circuit, a logic circuit, a digital signal processor, a programmable logic device such as a FPGA, PLD, PLA or PAL, or any other device or arrangement of devices that is capable of implementing the steps of the processes of the invention.

[00049] The processing machine used to implement the invention may utilize a suitable operating system. Thus, embodiments of the invention may include a processing machine running the iOS operating system, the OS X operating system, the Android operating system, the Microsoft Windows™ operating systems, the Unix operating system, the Linux operating system, the Xenix operating system, the IBM AIX™ operating system, the Hewlett-Packard UX™ operating system, the Novell Netware™ operating system, the Sun Microsystems Solaris™ operating system, the OS/2™ operating system, the BeOS™ operating system, the Macintosh operating system, the Apache operating system, an OpenStep™ operating system or another operating system or platform.

[00050] It is appreciated that in order to practice the method of the invention as described above, it is not necessary that the processors and/or the memories of the processing machine be physically located in the same geographical place. That is, each of the processors and the memories used by the processing machine may be located in geographically distinct locations and connected so as to communicate in any suitable manner. Additionally, it is appreciated that each of the processor and/or the memory may be composed of different physical pieces of equipment. Accordingly, it is not necessary that the processor be one single piece of equipment in one location and that the memory be another single piece of equipment in another location. That is, it is contemplated that the processor may be two pieces of equipment in two different physical locations. The two distinct pieces of equipment may be connected in any suitable manner. Additionally, the memory may include two or more portions of memory in two or more physical locations.

[00051] To explain further, processing, as described above, is performed by various components and various memories. However, it is appreciated that the processing performed by two distinct components as described above may, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, be performed by a single component. Further, the processing performed by one distinct component as described above may be performed by two distinct components. In a similar manner, the memory storage performed by two distinct memory portions as described above may, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, be performed by a single memory portion. Further, the memory storage performed by one distinct memory portion as described above may be performed by two memory portions.

[00052] Further, various technologies may be used to provide communication between the various processors and/or memories, as well as to allow the processors and/or the memories of the invention to communicate with any other entity; i.e., so as to obtain further instructions or to access and use remote memory stores, for example. Such technologies used to provide such communication might include a network, the Internet, Intranet, Extranet, LAN, an Ethernet, wireless communication via cell tower or satellite, or any client server system that provides communication, for example. Such

communications technologies may use any suitable protocol such as TCP/IP, UDP, or OSI, for example.

[00053] As described above, a set of instructions may be used in the processing of the invention. The set of instructions may be in the form of a program or software. The software may be in the form of system software or application software, for example. The software might also be in the form of a collection of separate programs, a program module within a larger program, or a portion of a program module, for example. The software used might also include modular programming in the form of object oriented programming. The software tells the processing machine what to do with the data being processed.

[00054] Further, it is appreciated that the instructions or set of instructions used in the implementation and operation of the invention may be in a suitable form such that the processing machine may read the instructions. For example, the instructions that form a program may be in the form of a suitable

programming language, which is converted to machine language or object code to allow the processor or processors to read the instructions. That is, written lines of programming code or source code, in a particular programming language, are converted to machine language using a compiler, assembler or interpreter. The machine language is binary coded machine instructions that are specific to a particular type of processing machine, i.e., to a particular type of computer, for example. The computer understands the machine language.

[00055] Any suitable programming language may be used in accordance with the various embodiments of the invention. Illustratively, the programming language used may include assembly language, Ada, APL, Basic, C, C++, COBOL, dBase, Forth, Fortran, Java, Modula-2, Pascal, Prolog, RE:XX, Visual Basic, and/or JavaScript, for example. Further, it is not necessary that a single type of instruction or single programming language be utilized in conjunction with the operation of the system and method of the invention. Rather, any number of different programming languages may be utilized as is necessary and/or desirable.

[00056] Also, the instructions and/or data used in the practice of the invention may utilize any compression or encryption technique or algorithm, as may be desired. An encryption module might be used to encrypt data Further, files or other data may be decrypted using a suitable decryption module, for example.

[00057] As described above, the invention may illustratively be embodied in the form of a processing machine, including a computer or computer system, for example, that includes at least one memory. It is to be appreciated that the set of instructions, i.e., the software for example, that enables the computer operating system to perform the operations described above may be contained on any of a wide variety of media or medium, as desired. Further, the data that is processed by the set of instructions might also be contained on any of a wide variety of media or medium. That is, the particular medium, i.e., the memory in the processing machine, utilized to hold the set of instructions and/or the data used in the invention may take on any of a variety of physical forms or transmissions, for example. Illustratively, the medium may be in the form of paper, paper transparencies, a compact disk, a DVD, an integrated circuit, a hard disk, a floppy disk, an optical disk, a magnetic tape, a RAM, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, a wire, a cable, a fiber, a communications channel, a satellite transmission, a memory card, a SIM card, or other remote transmission as well as any other medium or source of data that may be read by the processors of the invention.

[00058] Further, the memory or memories used in the processing machine that implements the invention may be in any of a wide variety of forms to allow the memory to hold instructions, data, or other information, as is desired. Thus, the memory might be in the form of a database to hold data. The database might use any desired arrangement of files such as a flat file arrangement or a relational database arrangement, for example.

[00059] In the system and method of the invention, a variety of "user interfaces" may be utilized to allow a user to interface with the processing machine or machines that are used to implement the invention. As used herein, a user interface includes any hardware, software, or combination of hardware and software used by the processing machine that allows a user to interact with the processing machine. A user interface may be in the form of a dialogue screen for example. A user interface may also include any of a mouse, touch screen, keyboard, keypad, voice reader, voice recognizer, dialogue screen, menu box, list, checkbox, toggle switch, a pushbutton or any other device that allows a user to receive information regarding the operation of the processing machine as it processes a set of instructions and/or provides the processing machine with information. Accordingly, the user interface is any device that provides communication between a user and a processing machine. The information provided by the user to the processing machine through the user interface may be in the form of a command, a selection of data, or some other input, for example.

[00060] As discussed above, a user interface is utilized by the processing machine that performs a set of instructions such that the processing machine processes data for a user. The user interface is typically used by the processing machine for interacting with a user either to convey information or receive information from the user. However, it should be appreciated that in

accordance with some embodiments of the system and method of the invention, it is not necessary that a human user actually interact with a user interface used by the processing machine of the invention. Rather, it is also contemplated that the user interface of the invention might interact, i.e., convey and receive information, with another processing machine, rather than a human user.

Accordingly, the other processing machine might be characterized as a user. Further, it is contemplated that a user interface utilized in the system and method of the invention may interact partially with another processing machine or processing machines, while also interacting partially with a human user.

[00061] It will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible to broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications and equivalent

arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the invention.

[00062] Accordingly, while the present invention has been described here in detail in relation to its exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made to provide an enabling disclosure of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed or to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any other such embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A system for remotely and automatically monitoring and auditing the usage of unmetered energy sources in end-user applications, comprising:

a portable energy container having an energy source identification device; an energy consuming device; a monitoring and communication circuit with internal memory and a user identification device, said monitoring and communication circuit being capable of interfacing with the energy source identification device; a monitoring and communication circuit power source, said power source converts heat from the energy consuming device into electricity for the monitoring and communication circuit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the source identification device is a passive near field communication tag.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the energy consuming device is a consumer appliance.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring and

communication circuit is capable of transmitting data to a remote server.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the remote server contains energy consuming device user profile data, portable energy container refill data, and data transmitted from the monitoring and communication circuit.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the user identification device is a SIM card.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring and

communication circuit further comprises an auxiliary power port.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring and

communication circuit power source is a thermoelectric device.

9. A method for remotely and automatically monitoring and auditing the usage of unmetered energy sources in end-user applications, comprising: providing an unmetered energy remote monitoring system having

a portable energy container with an energy source identification device, a monitoring and communication circuit with internal memory and a user identification device, and a monitoring and communication circuit power source; generating electricity with the monitoring and communication circuit power source by converting heat from an energy consuming device; activating the monitoring and communication circuit with the electricity; attempting to establish electronic communication between the energy source identification device and the monitoring and communication circuit; and receiving use data based on the energy source identification device, the user identification device, and duration of monitoring and

communication circuit activation.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the monitoring and

communication circuit transmits the use data to a remote server.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the remote server contains energy consuming device user profile data, portable energy container refill data, and the use data transmitted from the monitoring and communication circuit.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the server compares the use data with user profile data and portable energy container refill data.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the source identification device is a passive near field communication tag.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the energy consuming device is a consumer appliance.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the user identification device is a SIM card.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the monitoring and

communication circuit power source comprises one or more

thermocouples.