Methods and Systems For Virtual Energy Management Display

Abstract

A method and system of virtual energy management display involves periodically receiving via a mesh local area network electronic data representing energy management-related information by a RF communication-enabled memory storage device coupled to an electronic display device within a home area network. Electronic data representing telemetry information is likewise periodically received by the RF communication-enabled memory storage device from at least one RF communication-enabled energy management-related device within the home area network. The electronic data is converted to a common format by an application running at least in part on the memory storage device and displayed on a screen associated with the display device.

1 . A display device comprising a screen and a wireless data storage card seated within a card slot thereof, the display device in wireless communication with an energy load management control device via a home area network and adapted to: (i) receive energy management-related information from the energy load management control device, (ii) convert the received energy management-related information to a common format displayable on the screen, and (iii) display the converted energy management-related information on the screen. 
     
     
         2 . A display device according to  claim 1 , wherein the wireless data storage card is a radio frequency (RF) communication-enabled integrated circuit (IC) data storage card. 
     
     
         3 . A display device according to  claim 2 , wherein the RF communication-enabled IC data storage card is selected from the group consisting of a secure digital card (SD card), a micro-SD card, a CompactFlash card (CF card), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) storage device, and a network memory stick. 
     
     
         4 . A display device according to  claim 1 , further adapted to receive telemetry information via the home area network. 
     
     
         5 . A display device according to  claim 4 , further adapted to convert the received telemetry information to a common format displayable on the screen and display the converted telemetry information on the screen. 
     
     
         6 . A display device according to  claim 5 , wherein the telemetry information is selected from the group consisting of weather forecasts and energy news. 
     
     
         7 . A display device according to  claim 5 , wherein the telemetry information is received from at least one of an energy meter, a thermostat, a solar panel system control, wind generator system control, a pool pump control, and a water heater control. 
     
     
         8 . A display device according to  claim 1 , wherein the energy management-related information comprises real time energy management-related messages. 
     
     
         9 . A display device according to  claim 8 , wherein the real time energy management-related messages include one or more of the group consisting of energy pricing information, energy usage information, energy account information, energy-related weather information, and energy-related security information. 
     
     
         10 . A display device according to  claim 1 , further adapted to display digital photos. 
     
     
         11 . A display device according to  claim 1 , wherein the display device is in the form of a smartphone, a wireless computing device with a screen saver application, a RF communication-enabled PDA liquid crystal display (LCD), or an RF communication-enabled PDA docking station. 
     
     
         12 . A display device according to  claim 1 , wherein the display device is in the form of a smart meter or smart thermostat. 
     
     
         13 . A display device according to  claim 12 , wherein the display device is in the form of a smart meter. 
     
     
         14 . A display device according to  claim 12 , wherein the display device is in the form of a smart thermostat. 
     
     
         15 . A display device according to  claim 1 , wherein said converting comprises converting the received energy management-related information into a display of scrolling text and graphics.