System and method for monitoring, controlling, and optimizing the use of utilities

Abstract

A system and method of monitoring and controlling the use of utilities by devices contained within a specific location. Interactive units are provided within the selected location. A server interface is provided at the location that communicates with a remote computer server. The interactive units control the operations of different devices within the selected location that consume utilities. When used, each interactive unit generates signal information indicating whether the device controlled or monitored by that interactive unit is in operation. The signal information generated by the interactive units is sent to the server interface and then a remote computer server. The server computer analyzes the signal information to determine the amount of utilities being used and enables a programmer to set automatic and selective control parameters to minimize the cost of operations for the various devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a location having devices that utilize utilities, a method of monitoring and controlling the use of said utilities by said devices within said specific location, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing an alarm system within said specific location having alarm sensors that monitor areas within said specific location, wherein said alarm system create alarm signals indicative of some physical conditions within said areas of said specific location; 
 providing a plurality of interactive units within said location; 
 providing a server interface at said location; 
 providing a server remote from said location; 
 utilizing each of said interactive units to monitor operations of different devices within said location that consume utilities, wherein each of said interactive units generates signal information indicating whether a device being controlled is in operation; 
 providing at least first modem for converting said signal information into a protocol acceptable to said server interface; 
 providing at least one second modem for converting said alarm signals into said protocol acceptable to said server interface; 
 transmitting said signal information and said alarm signals to said server interface; 
 utilizing a network connection to forward said signal information and said alarm signals to said server; 
 analyzing said signal information and said alarm signals in said server to determine economically optimum utility usage for each of said devices having operations monitored by one of said interactive units and under said physical conditions indicated by said alarm signals. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , further including the step of analyzing said signal information in said server to determine the cost per unit time of each of said devices having operations monitored by one of said interactive units. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of providing a plurality of interactive units within said location includes providing a plurality of interactive units within a building. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of providing a plurality of interactive units includes providing interactive units selected from a group consisting of interactive electrical switches, interactive electrical sockets, interactive thermostats, interactive flow sensors and interactive air quality sensors. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , further including the step of programming automatic control parameters into said server that automatically alter operations of at least one of said devices whenever conditions corresponding to said automatic control parameters occur. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , further including the step of programming selective control parameters into said server that alter operations of at least one of said devices whenever conditions corresponding to said selective control parameters occur. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , further including the step of programming emergency control parameters into said server that alter operations of at least one of said devices whenever conditions corresponding to said emergency control parameters occur. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 3 , further including the steps of providing a fire alarm system that generates fire alarm signal information in response to detection; and forwarding said fire alarm signal information to said server through said server interface. 
     
     
       9. A method of controlling a utility consuming device operating in a specific location, the method comprising:
 providing an alarm system within the specific location, wherein the alarm system comprises a plurality of alarm sensors that each monitor an area within the specific location;   providing a server interface configured to communicate with a server that is remote from the specific location;   receiving, using a first modem, alarm signals from the plurality of alarm sensors and converting the alarm signals into a protocol suitable for the server interface, wherein each alarm signal is indicative of a physical condition associated with the monitored area,   receiving, using a second modem, device signals relating to the operation of the utility consuming device and converting the signals into a protocol suitable for the server interface;   the server, automatically adjusting parameters relating to operation of the utility consuming device based on the received alarm signals and the received device signals to improve efficiency of the utility usage for the utility consuming device.