Home intelligence system

Abstract

A system for providing information about electrical devices in a residence includes a power measurement device, an electrical device identification component, and a notification component. The power measurement device measures characteristics of electrical power in one or more electrical power lines in the residence. Based on the measured electrical characteristics, the electrical device identification component determines electrical signatures specific electrical devices at the residence that are receiving electrical power through the electrical power lines, associates the electrical devices with a device type, and groups the electrical devices into zones of the residence. Based on power consumption by the specific electrical devices, the notification component determines events or conditions associated with specific electrical devices (for example abnormal usage, device failure, excess power consumption). Notifications relating to at least one of the events or conditions associated with the specific electrical devices are provided to a person associated with the residence (for example, homeowner or other resident).

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of managing power consumption of electrical devices, comprising:
 identifying one or more electrical devices at a location;   measuring one or more characteristics of electrical power lines at the location;   transmitting a signal for detecting use by at least one of the electrical devices;   transmitting a signal for providing, to a person associated with the location, one or more device-specific notifications relating to at least one of the electrical devices at the location; and   transmitting a signal for controlling, in response to at least one of the device-specific notifications, one or more of the electrical devices at the location.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising transmitting a signal for making one or more recommendations about one of the electrical devices based in part on measurements taken for the at least one electrical device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 transmitting a signal for determining, based at least in part on a state or usage level detected by the at least one electrical device, an event or condition associated with the at least one electrical device; and   transmitting a signal for providing, to a person associated with the location, one or more notifications relating to at least one of the events or conditions associated with the at least one electrical device.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising transmitting a signal for providing, to at least one person associated with the location, power consumption information in comparison with at least one other person or at least one other location. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 transmitting a signal for determining, based at least in part on the measured electrical characteristics, electrical signatures for each of a plurality of electrical devices at the location that are receiving electrical power from the electrical power lines;   transmitting a signal for detecting use by at least one of the electrical devices, wherein the use by the at least one electrical device is detected by using the electrical signature for the at least one electrical device;   transmitting a signal for providing, to a person associated with the location, one or more device-specific notifications relating to at least one of the electrical devices at the location; and   transmitting a signal for controlling, in response to at least one of the device-specific notifications, one or more of the electrical devices at the location.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the transmitting a signal for controlling at least one of the electrical devices comprises sending an instruction to the at least one device over electrical power lines at the location using power line communication. 
     
     
         8 . A system, comprising:
 a resource consumption management system, comprising:   a processor;   a memory coupled to the processor and storing program instructions executable by the processor to implement:
 identifying one or more electrical devices at a location; 
 measuring one or more characteristics of electrical power lines at the location; 
 transmitting a signal for detecting use by at least one of the electrical devices; 
 transmitting a signal for providing, to a person associated with the location, one or more device-specific notifications relating to at least one of the electrical devices at the location; and 
 transmitting a signal for controlling, in response to at least one of the device-specific notifications, one or more of the electrical devices at the location. 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the notifications comprises information about peak consumption. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the transmitting a signal for controlling at least one of the electrical devices comprises receiving at least one instruction from the person to whom at least one of the notifications was provided. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the resource comprises an electricity resource. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the resource comprises a gas resource. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the resource comprises a liquid resource. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the memory stores program instructions executable by the processor to implement:
 transmitting a signal for determining, based at least in part on the measured electrical characteristics, electrical signatures for at least two devices of a plurality of electrical devices at the location that are receiving electrical power from the electrical power lines, the location being a set of one or more rooms in a building or one or more buildings;   transmitting a signal for detecting power consumption of at least one of the electrical devices, wherein the power consumption by the at least two electrical devices is detected by using the electrical signatures for the at least two electrical devices; and   transmitting a signal for determining, based at least in part on the power consumption detected by the at least two electrical devices, one or more operating specifications for the at least two electrical devices at the location, wherein the one or more operational specifications manage a power consumption for electrical loads at the location.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the operating specifications are configured to reduce peak power consumption for electrical loads at the location. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the memory stores program instructions executable by the processor to implement:
 receiving, from two or more entities consuming a resource, an input signal to control or influence use of the resource;   transmitting a signal for determining, based on the input signal, one or more offsetting measure options for at least one of the entities, wherein the offsetting measure options are actions that at least one entity could take that would offset at least a portion of the consumption of the resource by the entity; and   transmitting a signal for displaying, to at least one person of the at least one entity, at least one of the offsetting measure options.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the input signal is capable of controlling or influencing a setting on an air conditioning system providing cooling to the entity. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the offsetting measure options comprises reducing lighting usage by the entity. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the offsetting measure options comprises reducing plug loads by the entity. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the offsetting measure options comprises reducing air conditioning consumption at a different time than the time associated with the input signal. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the memory stores program instructions executable by the processor to implement transmitting a signal for determining, based at least in part on values acquired, one or more goals for more efficient consumption of the resource by the entity.