U.S. patent application number 13/600166 was filed with the patent office on 2013-02-28 for resource manager, system and method for communicating resource management information for smart energy and media resources.
This patent application is currently assigned to ALLURE ENERGY, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Jarod Addison, John Cottell, James Hollister, Kevin R. Imes, Colby White, Xiyin Yao. Invention is credited to Jarod Addison, John Cottell, James Hollister, Kevin R. Imes, Colby White, Xiyin Yao.
Application Number | 20130054863 13/600166 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47018456 |
Filed Date | 2013-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130054863 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Imes; Kevin R. ; et
al. |
February 28, 2013 |
Resource Manager, System And Method For Communicating Resource
Management Information For Smart Energy And Media Resources
Abstract
According to an aspect of the disclosure, a resource management
platform, system and method of communicating resource management
information for smart energy and media resources is provided. A
resource management platform can include an interface configured to
communicate media management information and energy management
information. The resource management platform also includes a
processor configured to detect an incoming communication to alter
an operating condition in response to receiving the media
management information or the energy management information. The
processor can further be configured to initiate an output of media
content in response to detecting media management information, and
initiate altering an operating status of a device in response to
detecting the energy management information. The processor can also
initiate storing at least a portion of the media content and the
energy management information within a memory.
Inventors: |
Imes; Kevin R.; (Austin,
TX) ; Hollister; James; (Round Rock, TX) ;
Cottell; John; (Austin, TX) ; Addison; Jarod;
(Austin, TX) ; Yao; Xiyin; (Austin, TX) ;
White; Colby; (Austin, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Imes; Kevin R.
Hollister; James
Cottell; John
Addison; Jarod
Yao; Xiyin
White; Colby |
Austin
Round Rock
Austin
Austin
Austin
Austin |
TX
TX
TX
TX
TX
TX |
US
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
ALLURE ENERGY, INC.
Austin
TX
|
Family ID: |
47018456 |
Appl. No.: |
13/600166 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61529018 |
Aug 30, 2011 |
|
|
|
61606728 |
Mar 5, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
710/304 ;
709/223 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/435 20190101;
H04L 41/0253 20130101; H04L 47/70 20130101; H04L 2012/285 20130101;
H04L 12/2827 20130101; H04L 2012/2849 20130101; G06F 16/95
20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
710/304 ;
709/223 |
International
Class: |
G06F 13/00 20060101
G06F013/00; G06F 15/173 20060101 G06F015/173 |
Claims
1. A resource management platform comprising: an interface
configured to communicate media management information and energy
management information; a processor configured to detect an
incoming communication to alter an operating condition in response
to receiving the media management information or the energy
management information, the processor further configured to:
initiate an output of media content in response to detecting media
management information; initiate altering an operating status of a
resource in response to detecting the energy management
information; and store at least a portion of the media content and
the energy management information within a memory.
2. The resource management platform of claim 1 wherein the
processor is further configured to: detect a second resource via
the interface; identify that the energy management information or
the media management information is to be used to control the
second resource; communicate at least a portion of the energy
management information or the media information to the second
resource; and receive a response from the second resource that the
operating condition has been altered.
3. The resource management platform of claim 1 further comprising:
a display capable of outputting a GUI operable to display at least
a portion of the media content including graphics and video; at
least one speaker configured to output an audio portion of the
media content; and a thermostat control configured to alter an
operating condition of environmental control system at the
site.
4. The resource management platform of claim 1 further comprising a
near field communication device configured to: output a unique
identifier including provisioning information configured to enable
provisioning to join the communication network; and communicate the
provisioning information to the processor to indicate provisioning
has been initiated.
5. The resource management platform of claim 1 further comprising:
wherein the interface is configured to enable access to a cloud
service operable to communicate the energy management information
or the media management information; and wherein the processor is
further configured to periodically initiate communication with the
cloud service using the interface.
6. The resource management platform of claim 1 further comprising
an embedded server deployed using the processor and configured to:
operate as an energy management service capable of managing energy
use at the site; operate as a media management system capable of
managing media use at the site; and operate as a gateway configured
to enable access to the Internet.
7. The resource management platform of claim 1 wherein the
processor is further configured to: enable a pub-sub communication
protocol using the interface; identify a second resource using the
pub-sub communication protocol; receive profile information of the
second resource using the pub-sub communication protocol; and
communicate additional profile information including a device
identifier to the second resource using the pub-sub communication
protocol.
8. The resource management platform of claim 1 wherein the
processor is configured to use one or more of: a Smart Energy based
profile; a Echonet Lite based profile; a Echonet based profile; a
UPNP based profile; a DLNA based profile; a Environment management
based profile; a Customer engagement based profile; and a AirPlay
based profile.
9. The resource management platform of claim 1 wherein at least a
portion of the media management information and at least a portion
of the energy management information can be communicated
together.
10. The resource management platform of claim 1 further comprising:
a publish-subscribe communication infrastructure; and a chat room
configured to enable publishing of resource information.
11. The resource management platform of claim 1 further comprising
the processor configured to enable an application including one or
more of: a weather application; a price alert application; a energy
saving tips application; a photo viewer application; a music player
application; a video streamer application; an energy monitor
application; a music streaming application; a lighting control
application; a home security application; a video surveillance
application; a calendar application; a reminder application; an
appliance control application; a settings application; a third
party application; a water sprinkler application; a renewable
energy management application; a YouTube application; a Pandora
music application; a Picasa photo viewer application; and a network
monitor application
12. The resource management platform of claim 1 further comprising
an application framework configured to enable adding, deleting, and
updating applications without requiring a reboot of the
processor.
13. The resource management platform of claim 1 further comprising:
a docking station housing configured to be mounted to a wall; and a
media center housing configured to be coupled to the docking
station.
14. The resource management platform of claim 13 further
comprising: wherein the docking station housing includes: a
terminal interface configured to be connected to a wiring harness
of the environmental control system; a docking station PCB
including a docking station processor within the docking station
housing and capable of controlling the environmental control
system; a docking interface configured to be coupled to a media
center interface of the media center housing; wherein the media
center housing includes: a media center printed circuit board
including the processor; a touchscreen display configured to output
video; a speaker configured to output audio; and wherein the
processor includes an embedded media player within the processor
and capable of outputting the audio and video.
15. The resource management platform of claim 14 wherein the
interface is operably coupled to one or more communication devices
stored in either or both of the media center housing or docking
station housing, the communication modules including one or more
of: a IP-based communication device; a Broad-band communication
device; a IEEE 802.15-based wireless communication device; a Zigbee
communication device; a INSETEON communication device; a X10
communication protocol device; a Z-Wave communication device; a
Bluetooth communication device; a WIFI communication device; a IEEE
802.11-based communication device; a WiMAX communication device; a
IEEE 802.16-based communication device; a communication device
within a frequency range of 900 MHz-1.5 GHz; a Infrared
communication device; a proprietary wireless communication device;
a 6LowPAN communication device; a power line communication device;
a RFID enabled communication device; and a NFC enabled
communication device.
16. The resource management platform of claim 14 further
comprising: wherein the docking interface and the media center
interface are configured to enable the media center housing to be
removed from the docking station housing; a rechargeable battery
within the media center housing cable of powering media center
components when removed from the docking interface; and wherein the
interface includes a wireless communication interface configured to
allow wireless communication of the media management information
and the energy management information.
17. A method comprising: receiving a communication including
resource management information at a site; detecting a request to
alter an operating condition in response to receiving an media
management information or an energy management information within
the resource management information; outputting media content in
response to detecting the media management information; altering an
operating status of a resource in response to detecting the energy
management information; and storing at least a portion of the media
content and the energy management information within a memory.
18. The method of claim 11 further comprising: enabling a near
field reader using a mobile application of a mobile device;
displaying identification information of a near field device within
a user interface of the mobile application, wherein the
identification information can be used to identify an resource
including the near field device; and detecting provisioning
information of the near field device.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising: detecting whether
the identification information includes provisioning information;
using a web service to access the provisioning information stored
remote from the mobile device; displaying the identification
information; and provisioning the resource using at least a portion
of the provisioning information accessed using the web service.
20. The method of claim 18 further comprising: detecting a request
to output media content within the media management information;
outputting the media content using a media player of a processor, a
video display, and at least one speaker; and receiving the energy
management information while the media content is being output.
21. The method of claim 20 further comprising: detecting the energy
management information; determining whether to alter an operating
condition of an environmental control resource using the energy
management information; and initiating an altering of the
environmental control resource while the media content is being
output.
22. The method of claim 11 further comprising providing a first
resource configured to: receive a communication including media
management information and energy management information at a site;
detect a request to alter an operating condition of the first
resource using the energy management information; detect a request
to output media content at a second resource using the media
management information; and initiate outputting the media content
at the second resource.
23. The method of claim 22 further comprising receiving the media
management information and the energy management information from a
mobile device configured to be used with the first resource and the
second resource.
24. The method of claim 19 further comprising: enabling a mobile
application within a mobile device; enabling an wireless access
point (WAP) function of a resource, wherein the enabling includes
broadcasting a WAP identifier; identifying the WAP identifier using
the mobile device; enabling entry of a password of another local
wireless access point; communicating the password using the WAP;
joining the resource to the another local access point using the
password.
25. A resource management platform comprising: a processor
configured to detect an incoming communication to alter an
operating condition in response to receiving media management
information or energy management information, the processor further
configured to: initiate an output of media content in response to
detecting the media management information; initiate altering an
operating status of a resource in response to detecting the energy
management information; and store at least a portion of the media
content and the energy management information within a memory; a
interface configured to use one or more of: a Zigbee based
communication device; a Zwave based communication device; a WiFi
based communication device; a Bluetooth based communication device;
and a Power Line based communication device.
26. The resource management platform of claim 25 further
comprising: a docking station housing configured to house one or
more of the communication devices; and a media center housing
configured to house one or more of the communication devices.
27. The resource management platform of claim 25 further
comprising: a communication module having at least two of the
communication devices; and wherein the interface is configured to
be operably coupled to the communication module to access the at
least two of the communication devices.
28. A resource management platform comprising: a thermostat control
interface capable of altering an operating condition of an
environmental control system; a touchscreen display configurable to
enable access to media content located at a remote media source; a
speaker operable to output audio accessed from the remote media
source; a interface configured to communicate media content and
energy management information at the site; a processor configured
to detect an incoming communication to alter an operating condition
in response to receiving at least a portion of the media management
information and at least a portion of the energy management
information, the processor further configured to: initiate an
output of the media content in response to detecting the media
management information; initiate altering the operating condition
of the environmental control system in response to detecting the
energy management information; and store at least a portion of the
media content and the energy management information within a
memory.
29. The resource management platform of claim 28 wherein the remote
media source can include one or more of: an AirPlay enabled
resource; a DLNA enabled resource; a UPNP enabled resource; a media
server; a computer; a mobile resource; a game console; a photo
server; a portable music resource; and a wireless speaker.
30. The resource management platform of claim 25 further comprising
the interface configured to enable access an Internet-based source
including one or more of: a streaming music library source; a
streaming radio source; a streaming video source; a pay-per-view
media source; a subscription based source; a paid music source; an
on-line photo source; an energy management source; a utility
source; a thermostat management source; a web-services source; a
home security source; a website; a customer engagement source; a
savings tip source; a video source; and a software update source.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/529,018, entitled "Customer
Engagement Platform and Portal", which was filed Aug. 30, 2011 and
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/606,728, entitled
"Voice Controlled Network Devices and Systems", which was filed
Mar. 5, 2012, which disclosures are hereby expressly incorporated
by reference as though set forth fully herein. The present
application is also related to Applicant's concurrently filed U.S.
patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled "A Customer Engagement
Platform and Portal Having Multi-Media Capabilities" and filed on
Aug. 30, 2012; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled a
"Terminal Connector For a Wall Mounted Device" and filed on Aug.
30, 2012; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled an
"Energy Management System and Method Including Auto Provisioning
Capabilities Using Near Field Communication", and filed on Aug. 30,
2012 the disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated by
reference as though set forth fully herein.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] This disclosure relates to a resource manager, system, and
method for communicating resource management information for smart
energy and media resources.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Various forms of devices and communication protocols, both
open standard and proprietary, are being used in the electronics
industry. However, as standards lag behind technology development
and consumer demand, it is becoming increasingly difficult to
connect devices. One of the primary reasons home automation
products have been too costly to own has been the initial cost of
setting up a system. An installer would need to install each piece
of equipment which leads to another increase in overall system
cost. With the emergence of smart technologies and appliances
within the home, the lack of interoperability has slowed progress
and delayed efficiencies sought by energy companies and technology
providers.
[0004] A key driver in connecting devices at the home is the
smartphone and tablet markets. Consumers are becoming more and more
connected and rely on instant access to music, photos, videos, and
social networks. As these markets continue to drive the electronics
industry, there is a need to leverage technology within the smart
home, home automation, and home entertainment industries.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] According to an aspect of the disclosure, a resource
manager, system and method of communicating resource management
information for smart energy and media resources is provided.
[0006] According to a further aspect of the disclosure, a resource
management platform can include an interface configured to
communicate media management information and energy management
information. The resource management platform also includes a
processor configured to detect an incoming communication to alter
an operating condition in response to receiving the media
management information or the energy management information. The
processor can further be configured to initiate an output of media
content in response to detecting media management information, and
initiate altering an operating status of a device in response to
detecting the energy management information. The processor can also
initiate storing at least a portion of the media content and the
energy management information within a memory.
[0007] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method of
managing a resource is provided. The method includes receiving a
communication including media management information or energy
management information at a site, and detecting an incoming
communication to alter an operating condition in response to
receiving the media management information or the energy management
information. The method further includes outputting media content
in response to detecting media management information, and altering
an operating status of a device in response to detecting the energy
management information. The method also includes storing at least a
portion of the media content and the energy management information
within a memory.
[0008] According to a further aspect of the disclosure, a resource
management platform can include a processor configured to detect an
incoming communication to alter an operating condition in response
to receiving media management information or energy management
information. The processor can further be configured to initiate an
output of media content in response to detecting the media
management information, and initiate altering an operating status
of a device in response to detecting the energy management
information. The processor can further initiate storing at least a
portion of the media content and the energy management information
within a memory. The resource management platform can further
include an interface configured to use one or more of a Zigbee
based communication device, a Z-wave based communication device, a
WiFi based communication device, a Bluetooth based communication
device, and a Power Line based communication device.
[0009] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a resource
management platform is provided and includes a thermostat control
interface capable of altering an operating condition of an
environmental control system. The resource management platform can
also include a touchscreen display configurable to enable access to
media content located at a remote media source, and a speaker
operable to output audio accessed from the remote media source. The
resource management platform can include an interface configured to
communicate media content and energy management information at the
site, and a processor configured to detect an incoming
communication to alter an operating condition in response to
receiving at least a portion of the media management information
and at least a portion of the energy management information. The
processor can further be configured to initiate an output of the
media content in response to detecting the media management
information, and initiate altering the operating condition of the
environmental control system in response to detecting the energy
management information. The processor can further be configured to
initiate storing at least a portion of the media content and the
energy management information within a memory.
[0010] Various other aspects of the disclosure are provided in the
abstract, description of the drawings, and claims provided
herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of
illustration, elements illustrated in the Figures have not
necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of
some of the elements are exaggerated relative to other elements.
Embodiments incorporating teachings of the present disclosure are
shown and described with respect to the drawings presented herein,
in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a distributed resource
management system configurable to manage resources at a site
according to an aspect of the disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of exemplary resources capable
of being managed according to an aspect of the disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a resource management
platform configured to deploy a resource manager according to an
aspect of the disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a resource management
platform configured to manage a media resource and a smart energy
resource according to an aspect of the disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of views of a media resource
according to an aspect of the disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram of views of a docking resource
according to an aspect of the disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a user interface
configured to display resource information and input selectors
according to an aspect of the disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a user interface
configured to display resource information and input selectors
according to an aspect of the disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of a user interface
configured to display resource information and input selectors
according to an aspect of the disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of a user interface
configured to display resource information and input selectors
according to an aspect of the disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of a user interface
configured to display resource information and input selectors
according to an aspect of the disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of a user interface
configured to display resource information and input selectors
according to an aspect of the disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of a user interface
configured to display resource information and input selectors
according to an aspect of the disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 14 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of
provisioning a resource according to an aspect of the disclosure;
and
[0026] FIG. 15 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of managing a
resource according to an aspect of the disclosure.
[0027] The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings
indicates similar or identical items.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0028] The following description in combination with the Figures is
provided to assist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein.
The following discussion will focus on specific implementations and
embodiments of the teachings. This focus is provided to assist in
describing the teachings and should not be interpreted as a
limitation on the scope or applicability of the teachings. However,
other teachings can certainly be utilized in this application. The
teachings can also be utilized in other applications and with
several different types of architectures such as distributed
computing architectures, client/server architectures, or middleware
server architectures and associated components.
[0029] Devices or programs that are in communication with one
another need not be in continuous communication with each other
unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or
programs that are in communication with one another may communicate
directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.
[0030] Embodiments discussed below describe, in part, distributed
computing solutions that manage all or part of a communicative
interaction between network elements. In this context, a
communicative interaction may be intending to send information,
sending information, requesting information, receiving information,
receiving a request for information, or any combination thereof. As
such, a communicative interaction could be unidirectional,
bidirectional, multi-directional, or any combination thereof. In
some circumstances, a communicative interaction could be relatively
complex and involve two or more network elements. For example, a
communicative interaction may be "a conversation" or series of
related communications between a client and a server--each network
element sending and receiving information to and from the other.
The communicative interaction between the network elements is not
necessarily limited to only one specific form. A network element
may be a node, a piece of hardware, software, firmware, middleware,
another component of a computing system, or any combination
thereof.
[0031] For purposes of this disclosure, a resource can include
various types and combinations of systems, devices, software,
applications, methods, drivers, media, services, controllers,
platforms, interfaces, and can further include an environment
management system, environment controller, energy management
system, customer engagement portal, customer engagement platform,
energy management apparatus, network device, controller, home
automation controller, energy controller, controller module, site
controller, processing resources, or any combination thereof can
include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities
operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive,
retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect,
record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information,
intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control,
entertainment, or other purposes. For example, a resource can
include one or any combination of an energy management system, an
energy management device, a network device, a mobile device, a
mobile application, a personal computer, a desktop application, a
web-based interface, a hosted application, hosted software, hosted
services, an application interface, a PDA, a consumer electronic
device, a media device, a smart phone, a cellular or mobile phone,
a smart utility meter, an advanced metering infrastructure, a smart
energy device, an energy display device, a home automation
controller, an energy hub, a smart energy gateway, a set-top box, a
digital media subscriber system, a cable modem, a broadband
communication device, a fiber optic enabled communications device,
a media gateway, a home media management system, a robotically
controlled device, a robotically controlled cleaning device such as
a Broomba.RTM., a media server, a game console, a network server, a
network storage device, a wireless speaker, a customer engagement
platform, a customer engagement portal, a retail energy provider's
server, a wholesale energy provider's server, a COOP energy
provider's server, a retail business server, a commercial site
server, an industrial site server, a multi-residential site server,
a temporary lodging server, a hotel server, a motel server, a
condominium server, a utility provider's server which can include
waste, water, power or combinations thereof, an energy substation,
a news media server, a weather server, an advertisement server or
service provider, a network radio server or service provider, a
network media server or service provider, a music server or service
provider, a search engine server or service provider, an
information server or service provider, a wireless information
network device, a vehicle charging station, a renewable energy
production device, a renewable energy control device, an energy
storage management system, a smart appliance, an HVAC system, a
water pump, a heat pump, a hot water heater, a thermostat (TSTAT),
an energy controller, an irrigation system, a lighting system, an
alarm system, a smart power outlet, an energy detection device, a
garage door opening system or device, a power measurement device, a
power measurement unit, an air handler, a wireless air damper, a
humidity control system, a heat and motion sensing device, a smart
power outlet, a switch router, a wireless router, an automobile or
transportation device, an electric vehicle, a network communication
device, or any other suitable device or system, and can vary in
size, shape, performance, functionality, and price.
[0032] According to an aspect, a resource can include one or any of
a combination of memory, processing resources or controllers such
as a microcontroller or central processing unit (CPU) or hardware
or software control logic to enable management of a resource.
Additional components of a resource can include one or more storage
devices, one or more wireless, wired or any combination thereof of
communications ports to communicate with external resources as well
as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a
mouse, pointers, touch controllers, and display devices. A resource
can also include one or more buses operable to transmit
communication of management information between the various
hardware components, and can communicate using wire-line
communication data buses, wireless network communication, or any
combination thereof. For example, a resource can deploy
communication using a data bus internal to a device and can also
include using a network, wireless network, wireless energy network,
an information network, a wireless environment network, a wireless
home environment network, or any other type of network capable of
communicating resource information.
[0033] According to a further aspect, a resource can use any
combination of devices or modules to communicate resource
information, including a network that can include various types and
variants of wireless and wire-line communication configurable to
manage and establish communication at a site, including associated
protocols or enhancements thereto including, but not limited to,
any combination or portion of, IP-based communication, Broad-band
communication, IEEE 802.15-based wireless communication, Zigbee
communication, INSETEON communication, X10 communication protocol,
Z-Wave communication, Bluetooth communication, WIFI communication,
IEEE 802.11-based communication, a communication within a frequency
range of 900 MHz-2.5 GHz; Infrared communication device, 6LowPAN
communication, power line communication device, RFID communication,
NFC communication, IEEE 802.16-based communication, Infrared-based
communication, various proprietary wireless communications, or any
combination thereof.
[0034] According to a further aspect, resource information can
include information that can be processed and used by a resource,
information that can be used to manage a resource, or any
combination of thereof, and can include information received from a
variety of sources. According to an aspect, resource information
can include customer engagement information, media management
information, media availability information, resource management
information, media data, energy data, control data, content, media
content, advertisements, videos, music, animated advertisements,
energy management information, profile information, user
information, device information, provisioning information, device
identifiers, device names, model numbers, serial numbers,
activation data such as date and time first used, IP addresses,
coordinates of a site, coordinates of a resource, device drivers,
and various other types of information described herein.
[0035] According to a further aspect, resource information can also
include energy management information which can include any
combination of information or data to manage energy production,
consumption, curtailment, load shedding, purchase decisions, demand
response decisions, or any combination thereof. Resource
information can include any combination of real-time congestion
data, energy transmission line operating conditions, syncrophasor
data, firm owned alternative energy generator operating status,
non-firm owned alternative energy generator operating status,
locational marginal pricing data, congestion revenue rights data,
energy storage capacity, stored energy output capacity, real time
energy pricing data, historical energy pricing data, real time
nodal demand data, historical nodal demand data, real time zonal
demand data, historical zonal demand data, external market demand
data, historical external market demand data, nodal price data,
real time energy price data, real time energy demand data,
historical energy demand data, historical energy price data, firm
owned alternative energy generator data, non-firm owned alternative
energy generator data, est. firm owned alternative energy generator
output schedule, estimated non-firm owned alternative energy
generator output schedule, macro environmental data, micro
environmental data, real-time grid congestion data, historical grid
congestion data, renewable energy credit information, carbon credit
cap and trade pricing information, fixed and variable costs for
operating alternative energy generators, production tax credit
(PTC) pricing information, investment tax credit (ITC) information,
federal grant information, credit-to-grant comparison analysis
data, PTC to ITC analysis data, interest/finance data for
alternative energy generators, asset depreciation schedules,
available solar and wind output capacity, distributed energy
production scheduling data, feed-in tariff data, baseline energy
generator data, load utilization data, transmission efficiency
data, congestion right revenue data, priority dispatch data,
federal renewable portfolio standard (RPS) data, state renewable
portfolio standard (RPS) data, net-metering data, current or
forecasted % coal production data, current or forecasted % natural
gas production data, current or forecasted % green house gas
production data, current or future coal pricing data, current or
future natural gas pricing data, current or future oil pricing
data, current or future energy transmission pricing data,
forecasted transmission price setting events, virtual capacity
data, historical site performance data, seasonal weather and
performance data, aggregate scheduling demand data, collaborative
demand response data, historical device consumption data,
forecasted device consumption data, or any combination thereof.
[0036] According to another aspect, a resource can be configured in
various ways and can include one or any combination of services and
capabilities to access and use resource information including but
not limited to environment management capabilities, customer
engagement capabilities, energy management capabilities,
environment management capabilities, information service
capabilities, account management capabilities, cloud based
services, advertisement services, media management services, home
security services, natural language processing capabilities,
broadband services, update services, communication services such as
instant messaging, pub-sub services, SMS services, mobile internet
services, mobile gateway services, WAP services, update services,
mobile media services, mobile advertisement services, location
based services, location based advertisement services, geo-fencing
services, weather services, demand response services, virtual
demand response scheduling services, utility services, application
services, third party application services, social media services,
or other services or capabilities that can be used to manage one or
more resources.
[0037] As described herein, a flow charted technique, method, or
algorithm may be described in a series of sequential actions.
Unless expressly stated to the contrary, the sequence of the
actions and the party performing the actions may be freely changed
without departing from the scope of the teachings. Actions may be
added, deleted, or altered in several ways. Similarly, the actions
may be re-ordered or looped. Further, although processes, methods,
algorithms or the like may be described in a sequential order, such
processes, methods, algorithms, or any combination thereof may be
operable to be performed in alternative orders. Further, some
actions within a process, method, or algorithm may be performed
simultaneously during at least a point in time (e.g., actions
performed in parallel), can also be performed in whole, in part, or
any combination thereof.
[0038] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising,"
"includes," "including, " "has," "having" or any other variation
thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For
example, a process, method, article, system, or apparatus that
comprises a list of features is not necessarily limited only to
those features but may include other features not expressly listed
or inherent to such process, method, article, system, or apparatus.
Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an
inclusive-or and not to an exclusive-or. For example, a condition A
or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or
present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not
present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or
present).
[0039] Also, the use of "a" or "an" is employed to describe
elements and components described herein. This is done merely for
convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the
invention. This description should be read to include one or at
least one and the singular also includes the plural, or vice versa,
unless it is clear that it is meant otherwise. For example, when a
single device is described herein, more than one device may be used
in place of a single device. Similarly, where more than one device
is described herein, a single device may be substituted for that
one device.
[0040] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although
methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described
herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the
present invention, suitable methods and materials are described
below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other
references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their
entirety, unless a particular passage is cited. In case of
conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will
control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are
illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
[0041] To the extent not described herein, many details regarding
specific materials, processing acts, and circuits are conventional
and may be found in textbooks and other sources within the
computing, electronics, and software arts.
[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a distributed resource
management system configurable to manage resources at a site
according to an aspect of the disclosure. Resource management
system, illustrated generally at 100, can include a mobile device
102, capable of being connected to a resource management platform
104 using the Internet 106 and communication 108. Resource
management system 100 can also include cloud services 110
accessible using communication 112, and public resources 114
accessible using communication 116.
[0043] According to an aspect, mobile device 102 can include
various types of devices that can be portable, such as an
iPhone.RTM. device, Android .RTM. device, Blackberry .RTM. device,
Windows .RTM. device, or any other mobile device, and can also
include a tablet device such as an iPad.RTM., Kindle.RTM., and the
like, a portable computer such as a laptop, portable electronics
such as cameras, wireless radios, wireless speakers, or various
other portable devices capable of being used with resource
management system 100.
[0044] According to an aspect, communication with resource
management platform 104 can include using any combination of
communication described above. For example, mobile device 102 can
communicate directly with resource management platform 104 using a
local WIFI or 802.11 based communication, Bluetooth communication,
or various other local wireless communication, or any combination
thereof. According to a further aspect, mobile device 102 can
communicate within a mobile environment using a subscriber based
wireless data communication network such as a 3G network, 4G
network, EDGE network, a cellular network, other wireless data
communication, or any combination thereof.
[0045] According to an aspect, resource management platform 104 can
include a platform, system, controller, device, methods, or any
combination thereof to provide resource management capabilities.
For example, resource management platform 104 can include a
resource having a resource manager configured to manage and
coordinate management of resources and resource information between
one or more resources. As described herein and illustrated and
described in FIGS. 2-15 are examples of resources, methods,
interfaces that can deploy portions or all of resource management
platform 104. According to an aspect, resource management platform
104 can be realized as a resource manager configured to manage one
or more resources at a site.
[0046] According to a further aspect, mobile device 102 and
resource management platform 104 can include embedded logic to
enable an equivalent of one or more cloud services. For example,
resource management platform 104 can include an energy server,
customer engagement services, or various other types of services
within resource management platform 104. According to an aspect,
resource management platform 104 can include a Linux or other
operating system capable of deploying a server, such as Apache,
that can be used to provide cloud-based services. According to a
further aspect, resource management platform 104 can be accessed as
a cloud service in a similar manner as cloud services 110 by
devices external to resource management platform 104.
[0047] According to another aspect, public resources 114 can
include hosted resources that are generally publically available,
or with minimal effort, can be accessed and utilized. Resources can
include storage resources, communication infrastructure resources
such as PUB-SUB, XMPP, Instant Messaging (IM), SMS messaging,
TCP/IP, Internet communication infrastructure and protocol such as
IPv4, IPv6 to support, in addition to other features, unique
addresses for resources, and various other types of public
resources that can be used in combination with communicating
information using Internet 106.
[0048] According to another aspect, resource management system 100
can include using one or more cloud services 110. Cloud services
110 can be hosted by the same provider or in other instances, cloud
services 110 can be hosted by multiple providers and accessed as
needed or desired in various combinations. Cloud services 110 can
include services described above and can also include one or
combinations of, but are not limited to, sources that can include
resource information such as a streaming music library source,
streaming radio source, streaming video source, pay-per-view media
source, paid music source, subscription services source, on-line
photo source, energy management source, customer engagement source,
utility source, thermostat management source, web-services source,
home security source, website, customer engagement source, savings
tip source, video source, software update source, a streaming music
library source, or any combination thereof.
[0049] According to an aspect, resource management system 100 may
be provided as a cloud-less system, capable of enabling use without
depending on cloud services 110. For example, if energy management
services are to be deployed, such as thermostat or environment
control, resource management platform 104 can include embedded
services capable of providing thermostat control. In other forms,
mobile device 102 can include one or more applications that may use
foreground and/or background processing capable of communicating
directly with resource management platform 104 using public
resources 114. As such, cloud services 110 need not be accessed or
utilized thereby reducing the need and expense associated with
maintaining hosted cloud services 110 for energy management
services, thermostat control, or various other resource management
methods or software.
[0050] According to another aspect, resource management system 100
can be used to manage multiple sites. For example, a user may have
a primary residence and a secondary residence, business site, or
various other types of sites that may have resources that need to
be managed. As such, resource management system 100 can allow for
adding and deleting multiple resource management platforms 104 as
needed or desired. For example, as mobile device 102 moves away
from a first resource management platform 104 at a site, an alarm,
HVAC system or various other resources can be altered in response
to detecting mobile device 102 leaving. As mobile device 102
approaches a second location having a resource management platform
104, operating conditions of resources accessible to resource
management platform 104 can be altered as desired.
[0051] According to another aspect, resource management system 100
can be used to access resources to manage third party resources.
For example, a user may have elderly parents or may be a care
taker, physician, or the like having an interest in the health of
an elderly person. As such, a third party resource such as a heart
monitor, blood pressure monitor, prescription monitor, or various
other health monitoring resources can be accessed via third party
access. As such, a user in a remote location can be provided
information in near real time about the condition of a patient or
loved one. In other forms, an alarm system, video monitoring
system, or various other resources of the elderly person can be
accessed by the user and need not be limited to remote health
monitoring resources.
[0052] According to a further aspect of the disclosure, resource
management system 100 can include public resources 114
communication infrastructure to communicate information. For
example, public resources 114 can include publish-subscribe
(PUB-SUB) communication infrastructure to enable various types of
communication such as chat rooms, instant messaging, and the like.
For example, a publish-subscribe communication can include a
messaging pattern where senders of messages, called publishers,
need not program resource information to be sent directly to
specific receivers, called subscribers. Instead, published resource
information can be characterized into classes, without knowledge of
what, if any, subscribers there may be. Similarly, subscribers
express interest in one or more classes, and only receive messages
that are of interest, without knowledge of what, if any, publishers
there are. According to an aspect, a resource management platform
104 can include a publisher, and mobile device 102 or other
resource can include a subscriber. A PUB-SUB messaging service can
be provided and used by public resources 114. As such, public
resources 114 hosting a PUB-SUB communication resource can be
accessed by resource management system 100 to communicate
information between any combination or number of resources
including, but not limited to, cloud services 110, mobile device
102, resource management platform 104, and various other resources
described herein. Resource management system 100 accessing a
PUB-SUB resource allows for efficient communication of information
without having to rely on a polling or other method of
communication. For example, mobile device 102 can subscribe to
resource management platform 104 hosting a virtual chat room. As
such, mobile device 102 can publish resource information, such as
XML encoded data, media content and references, resource
information, media management information, energy management
information, and various other types of information that can be
used to manage a resource in near real-time due to the nature and
performance of instant messaging and PUB-SUB technology. As such,
resource management platform 104 can host a chat room that can
allow for communication of resource information in an efficient
manner and not have to rely on cloud services 110 to efficiently
process and manage resource information. Although described as
mobile device 102 subscribing to a chat room hosted by resource
management platform 104, other embodiments can include a chat room
being hosted by various other resources provided by resource
management system 100, including but not limited to cloud services
110, mobile device 102, resource management platform 104, public
resources 114, or various other resources or combination of
resources that can be access using resource management system
100.
[0053] According to another aspect, resource management platform
104 can include energy management services as a part of resource
management platform 104 and/or within a resource at a site. For
example, a resource such as an Internet gateway device can include
an energy server capable of altering operating conditions at a
location to alter energy use for a user. According to an aspect, an
Internet gateway, energy service, thermostat controller, lighting
controller, media controller, and alarm controller can be provided
within a single device. Resource management platform 104 can be
used to process resource information for each resource and initiate
control of each system using the same platform. As such, a user
need not have multiple gateways, devices, controllers, or various
other electronic devices distributed throughout the home to
initiate control of a resource.
[0054] According to a further aspect, resource management system
100 can allow for or enable access to one or more on-line streaming
media sources, such as Pandora, Slacker Radio, Spotify, TuneIn
Radio, Weather services, YouTube, and any other combination of
cloud services 110 accessible by resource management system 100.
For example, resource management platform 104 can include encoded
logic capable of accessing an API hosted by Pandora, and can manage
streaming audio to one or more wireless speaker resources within a
home. Resource management platform 104 can act as a bridge between
Pandora and a wireless speaker, or can also act as a temporary
bridge to initiate direct communication with a speaker resource.
Additionally, a user may be able to select music from a mobile
device or other resource capable of allowing selection of music
from Pandora's hosted services, and communicating to a speaker
resource.
[0055] According to a further aspect, mobile device 102 can also
include proximity control functionality. For example, proximity
control can include using various types of location services to
detect a location of mobile device 102, and outputting resource
information based on the location, distance, travel time, travel
speed, and various other parameters that can be determined using
location services. According to an aspect, other web services that
may be cloud services 110 can also be accessed upon detecting a
location of mobile device 102. For example, resource information
may be communicated in response to a location update, and in
addition, cloud service 110 may include a web service to provide
information based on the current location (e.g. weather service,
geotag service, geoad service, traffic service, regional media
service, etc.). In this manner, location based information can be
regionally generated based on a location of mobile device 102 in
association with providing resource information, and a greater
level of consumer engagement can be provided to the user.
[0056] According to another aspect, resource management system 100
can also include a video management service as a portion of cloud
services 110. For example, video management services can include
various types of videos or customer engagement content to be
communicated to a specific resource management platform 104.
According to an aspect, an energy tip video can be generated in a
specific region for a specific utility market. As such, the energy
tip video can be communicated to the resource management platform
104 and displayed using a resource at a site accordingly. According
to another aspect, an energy tip video can be communicated to
mobile device 102 allowing a user to view the energy tip video in a
mobile environment. As a user views an energy tip video, the tip
can be stored, saved, deleted, shared into a social network, as
desired. Although described as an energy tip video, various other
types of videos can be created and managed using cloud services 110
having a video management service.
[0057] According to a further aspect, video management services can
also include managing video that may have been created by a user.
For example, storage of videos can be provided using cloud services
110. In other forms, video management service can be provided
within resource management platform 104. Video management service
can be provided to efficiently store content on-line, using local
resources, remote resources, or any combination thereof. A video
management service can be used to enable limited access to other
resource management platforms 104, mobile device 102, or various
combinations thereof that have a common subscription. As such, a
user may record a video using mobile device 102 and desire to
communicate the video to a resource management platform owned by a
separate user. As such, the user can temporarily access the
non-owned resource management platform 104 as a visitor and upload
content.
[0058] According to a further aspect, resource management system
100 can also include an advertisement management service to manage
advertisements for third parties. For example, third party
advertisements can be accessed using an advertisement management
service and communicated using resource management system 100. For
example, an advertisement for a local energy auditor can be
communicated using resource management system 100.
[0059] According to a further aspect, resource management system
100 can include a video management service that can be used to
manage video tutorials that can be used to educate users on how to
use a resource when available. For example, a user may purchase a
new HDTV. Resource management platform 104 may be used to identify
the new HDTV being added and may enable display of video tutorials
on how to use the new resource. In some forms, the tutorial can be
generated by HDTV manufacturer and resource management platform 100
can be used to identify where the video tutorial may be stored.
[0060] According to another aspect, an HDTV may be detected by
resource management platform 104 using a near field communication
(NFC) device (described herein) and have encoded information about
access to user guides, tutorials, accessories available via an
on-line store, or various other types of specialized information.
Resource management platform 104 can be used to read and process
the encoded information, and communicate the HDTV information to
the user using various resources available to a user and resource
management platform 104.
[0061] According to another aspect, resource management system 100
can provision resources automatically. For example, a new resource
may be added to resource management platform 104 using mobile
device 102 and an NFC device embedded within a new resource. For
example, a user may purchase a new appliance and may add the
appliance to resource management platform 104 using mobile device
102 and NFC device of the appliance. When mobile device 102
recognizes the information on the NFC device, additional content
can be accessed using cloud services 110. For example, mobile
device 102 may include a tablet such as an iPad, Nook, Galaxy
tablet, and the like. Upon recognition, resource management system
100 can access an electronic guide, such as an eBook, video, or
various other forms of digital media, to step a user through a
quick start, set-up, user manual, registration or other forms of
digital media that can be used to engage a consumer. Cloud services
110 can include an up-to-date listing of available resources that
can be accessed using data encoded within NFC device and RFID
tags.
[0062] According to another aspect, a product warranty,
registration, support, and various other aspects to purchasing a
resource can also be managed using resource management system 100.
For example, as a new resource is added to resource management
system 100, registration information can automatically be sent to a
manufacturer to register a product or resource. For example a user
can provide a unique identifier of the resource, and in other forms
an NFC can have information encoded, and resource management system
100 can register the new resource using encoded information and
cloud services 110 used to register their product. According to
another form, resource management system 100 can be used to track
when a warranty may be expiring for a resource, and may communicate
a message to a user about an expiring warranty. In some forms,
resource management system 100 can provide a user access to
purchasing an extended warranty to cover the resource. In this
manner, a resource can be protected under a warranty as needed or
desired.
[0063] FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of exemplary resources capable
of being managed according to an aspect of the disclosure. A site
200 can include a resource management platform 202, configured to
manage one or more resources at site 200. According to an aspect,
resource management platform 202 can be configured to manage one or
more resources at site 200, and in one form, can be realized as
provided as a part of a resource, or as a separate device, such as
resource management platform 104 described in FIG. 1, resource
management platform 300 described in FIG. 3, resource management
platform described in FIG. 4, or any other portion, system, method,
device, controller, or any combination thereof capable of managing
a resource. Additionally, site 200 is illustrated as a single site
however it should be understood that multiple sites with multiple
resources can be managed as needed or desired.
[0064] According to an aspect, resource management platform 202 can
be used to manage a thermostat 204, a broadband system 206,
appliance 208, mobile device 210, audio device 212, video device
214, lighting system 216, media server 218, alarm system 220,
entertainment system 222, clean energy resource 224, battery
storage resource 226, charge station resource 228, an automobile
230, and any other system, device, controller, apparatus, portal,
or any combination thereof.
[0065] According to an aspect, resource management platform 202 can
communicate directly with a resource, and in some forms, one or
more resources can communicate directly with another. For example,
TSTAT 204 can be used to communicate temperature information
directly to entertainment system 222. As described herein, resource
management platform 202 can be used to provision, add, remove,
modify, or alter use of resources. Through providing a platform to
enable seamless integration and management of resources at a site,
and conveying site information among resources, efficient
utilization and management of resources at a site can be
realized.
[0066] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a resource management
platform configured to deploy a resource manager according to an
aspect of the disclosure. A resource management platform 300 can
include a processor 302, a security module 304 that can be
integrated within processor and/or provided external to processor
302. Resource management platform 300 can be provided as a
resource, a network device, a portal, a customer engagement portal,
an energy management system, an environment management system, a
resource manager, or any combination thereof and can be realized as
a system, a controller, a network device or any combination thereof
capable of deploying portions or all of resource management
platform 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 and operable to use resource
information to manage a resource. Resource management platform 300
can be provided as a resource manager, a resource to be managed, or
a combination of both.
[0067] According to an aspect, resource management platform 300 can
include processor 302 which can include an ARM based processor, and
in some forms can include Freescale.RTM. i.MX-based processor,
Kinetis processor, an Intel Atom.RTM. processor, or various other
types of processors configurable to deploy a resource manager,
resource management platform, a resource, or any combination
thereof. Resource management platform 300 can also include an
operating system, such as Linux, that can be executed by processor
302, and in one aspect, can include a Java environment to process
Java code and applications. Other software environments can also be
supported instead of, or in addition to, as needed or desired.
[0068] Resource management platform 300 can also include a power
management unit (PMU) 306 configured to power various components of
resource management platform 300. PMU 306 can also include
monitoring capabilities to ensure sufficient power is available
from a power source (not expressly illustrated in FIG. 3) and can
initiate altering operation of one or more components of resource
management platform 300. For example, a speaker sound level,
display brightness, wireless radio operation, or various other
higher-level power consuming devices can be altered using PMU 306
as needed or desired. According to a further aspect, PMU 306 can
include a power supply capable of providing power and can include
an rechargeable battery. In other forms an external power supply
can be used. Resource management platform 300 can include an
internal or external AC, DC, AC to DC converter power module, or
any combination thereof to power customer engagement portal
300.
[0069] According to another aspect, resource management platform
300 can include I/O device(s) 308 which can include one or more of
displays, buttons, speakers, microphones, cameras, touch sensors,
keyboards, pointing devices, or various other types of I/O devices
that can provide input and/or output capabilities. In other forms,
various types of display technologies can be used having single
color, multicolor, or any combination thereof, including, but not
limited to LED displays, TFT displays, OLED displays, LCD displays,
flexible lighting displays, flexible LED displays, thin film over
LED, a pico projector, or any combination thereof. Various types
and combinations of touch technologies can also be used including,
but not limited to, resistive touch sensors, capacitive touch
sensors, motion detecting sensors, infrared sensors, heat sensors,
or various other types of sensors that can be used to detect an
input from a user. According to a further aspect, resource
management platform 300 can include one or more memory devices
generally illustrated as memory 310. Memory 310 can include any
combination of ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash, or various other
types of storage mediums including solid state, optical drives,
HDD, or any combination thereof.
[0070] According to a further aspect, resource management platform
300 can include an interface 312 and one or more communication
device(s) 314. One or more communication buses, generally
illustrated at 320 can be used to communicate information.
Interface 312 can be configured to include one or more types of
interfaces including, but not limited to an interface, an
information network interface, an external bus interface, an
application program interface, a docking interface, or any
combination thereof configurable to be coupled to one or more of
buses 320 or any combination thereof. According to an aspect,
interface 312 can be configured to use any combination of hardware,
software, or firmware, and can include any combination or portion
of a serial bus interface, a network bus interface, a parallel bus
interface, a serial--parallel bus interface, a universal serial bus
interface, industry standard bus interface, controller area network
bus interface, a serial peripheral interface, an HDMI interface, a
universal asynchronous receiver transmitter interface, a control
bus interface, standard digital input output interface, a
proprietary bus interface, or any combination thereof.
Additionally, interface 312 can also include an information network
interface, a network device identifier and profile information of
module, wireless energy network message information, network
protocol configuration data, or any combination thereof.
[0071] According to another aspect, interface 312 can include a
hardware interface configured to be coupled to wiring to control a
device and can include, for example, relays, light switches,
control interfaces, terminal blocks, or various other interfaces
that may be needed to connect resource management platform 300 to a
control circuit to manage a resource. According to an aspect, a
communication interface and a control circuit can be combined into
the same interface.
[0072] According to an aspect, resource management platform 300 can
be configured to include one or more communication device(s) 314 in
module or chip form including, but not limited to, power-line
communication, wire line communication, wireless communication,
Zigbee based communication, INSETEON based communication, X10 based
communication, Z-Wave based communication, WiMAX based
communication, Bluetooth-based communication, WIFI based
communication, 802.11-based communication, 802.15-based
communication, 802.16-based communication, proprietary
communication, other communications described herein, or any
combination thereof.
[0073] According to an aspect, communication device(s) 314 can also
include a broadband device configured to be coupled to a broadband
network. For example, broadband device can include an Ethernet
communication module, a Cable or coaxial-based communication
module, and can include communication logic to receive and transmit
data between resource management platform 300 and an information
network such as a LAN, WAN, local network, the Internet, and the
like. According to an aspect, a broadband device can include TCP/IP
communication capabilities and can also be security enabled to
transmit SSL data between resource management platform 300 and an
information network.
[0074] According to an aspect, resource management platform 300 can
also include an expansion slot (not expressly illustrated) such as
a network interface card (NIC), Ethernet port, one or more USB
interfaces or mini-USB interfaces, an SDIO slot, additional data or
plug interfaces, Zigbee and Z-wave slot interfaces, or any
combination thereof to increase memory capacity or other
functionality that be added to resource management platform
300.
[0075] According to a further aspect, resource management platform
300 can include interface 312 configured to include a smart energy
enabled communication interface configured to communicate using a
smart energy protocol and one or more communication devices.
According to an aspect, resource management platform 300 can
incorporate Smart Energy Profile (SEP) version 2.0, herein
incorporated by reference, or various other updates to SEP 2.0, and
in some forms, previous versions of SEP can also co-exist with SEP
2.0 or later versions within resource management platform 300. For
example, resource management platform 300 can receive information
formatted to various versions of SEP standards and processed
accordingly. As such, resource management platform 300 can be used
to comply with Zigbee standards including, but not limited to,
building automation, remote control, smart energy, health care,
home automation, telecom services, network devices, gateways, or
any combination thereof to manage a resource. According to an
aspect, various other types of profiles or protocols can be used by
system 300 and can be updated to add, delete, and modify as needed
and can include any combination of a Smart Energy based profile, a
Echonet Lite based profile, a Echonet based profile, a UPNP based
profile, a DLNA based profile, a environment management based
profile, a customer engagement based profile, a AirPlay based
profile, a user profile, a device profile, a system profile, a
source profile, customer profile, a site profile, custom or
proprietary profile, or any combination thereof. According to an
aspect, a profile can include only protocol information specific to
a resource. However in other forms, in addition to, or in place of
a protocol, profile can include additional information that can be
used to manage a resource such as resource information, energy
management information, information about other resources under
management, communication infrastructure information, or various
other types of information to manage a resource or any combination
thereof.
[0076] According to a further aspect, communication device(s) 314
can be used in one or more different operating modes including, but
not limited to, a bridge, an access point, a router, a network, an
end point, a mesh network, or various other types of network
topologies and configurations and needed or desired.
[0077] According to a further aspect, resource management platform
300 can include one or more input sensor(s) 316 capable of
providing inputs to resource management platform 300. For example,
inputs sensor(s) 316 can include temperature sensors, humidity
sensors, light sensors, motion sensors, IR sensors, cameras or
optical sensors, kinetic sensors, power sensing devices including
electronic sensors, including, but not limited to current sensors,
voltage sensors, impedance sensors, microphones, or any combination
thereof. Other sensors can also include combinations of network
bandwidth sensors, wireless signal sensors, bit-rate sensors
communicating data, sensing audio and/or video quality or playback
rates, or various other types of input sensors that can be used to
manage a resource.
[0078] According to a further aspect, resource management platform
300 can also include a near field communication (NFC) device 318
that can be provided as a reader, a passive device or tag, or a
combination thereof. For example, resource management platform 300
can use NFC 318 to add or provision additional resources that can
be accessed and managed by resource manager 320. As such, a new
resource can be placed in close proximity to resource management
platform 300 and provisioning information can be read using NFC
318. Provisioning information of the additional resource can then
be used as needed. For example, provisioning information can
include communication profile information, device identifiers, or
various other types of information that can be used to provision an
additional resource. In some aspects, resource management platform
300 can access another resource, such as a local resource and/or
cloud resource to download information using data read from an NFC
device of the additional resource. In another aspect, information
read from the NFC device can include an encoded URL, credentials,
or various other types of information to enable resource management
platform 300 to access provisioning information. As such, resource
management platform 300 can provision additional resources using
hosted or cloud-based provisioning information.
[0079] According to a further aspect, NFC device 318 can be scanned
by a third party NFC reader interested in resource management
platform 300. For example, model information, website information,
mobile application, advertisement information, pricing information,
a review site capable of providing reviews about resource
management platform 300, or any combination of resource information
can be encoded within NFC device and communicated to a device after
installed at a site.
[0080] According to another aspect, NFC device 318 can include
encoded logic, such as a software program, a driver, or other type
of logic, that can be communicated to memory 310 and used by
resource management platform 300. According to another aspect, NFC
318 can be used as a passive device and read by a separate reader.
For example, a mobile device (not show), remote control or wand,
tablet device, and the like can include an NFC reader capable of
reading information stored within NFC device 318. As such, resource
management platform 300 can be identified and provisioned using an
external resource during installation or activation. For example,
power need not be applied to resource management platform 300 as
NFC device 318 can be powered using an external NFC reader. For
example, a mobile device may include an NFC reader that can be
accessed by an application being used by the mobile device. Upon
reading contents within NFC 318, resource management platform 300
can be added to the mobile application and managed accordingly. For
example, profile information specific to resource management
platform 300 can be communicated to a mobile device and paired to
the mobile device. In this manner, a user need not enter an
authentication code, pairing code, or other information to
authenticate the relationship during provisioning of resource
management platform 300. Additionally, a mobile device having a
reader may be able to communicate information to NFC device 318 and
store information within NFC device 318. For example, mobile device
may include resource information about other resources associated
with the mobile app and a site, and in some instance may be able to
provide network credentials to allow resource management platform
300 to join a network when power is applied to resource management
platform 300. As such, a memory device of NFC device 318 can be
updated to include resource information and communicated using an
interface 312 and bus 320 when power is applied to resource
management platform 300.
[0081] According to a further aspect, resource management platform
300 can communicate with an external information network to receive
and store a plurality of data files in memory 310. For example, any
combination of data files, video files, music files, weather
forecasts, sports scores, informational or instructional videos,
advertisements, current news or any other information received from
a plurality of sources accessible to resource management platform
300.
[0082] According to further aspect, resource management platform
300 can be used to manage energy use at a site. For example,
thermostat control can be incorporated into resource management
platform 300 to control a HVAC unit disposed at the site. In
addition, resource management platform 300 can be configured to
convert an incoming message received from a wireless energy network
(not expressly illustrated in FIG. 3) into XML enabled output data.
Processor 302 can also format an outgoing message to be output to a
wireless energy network using XML enabled input data. According to
an aspect, XML enabled input data can include resource information
such as a network device identifier of a network device accessible
using a wireless energy network.
[0083] According to another aspect, resource management platform
300 can access resource information, such as a network device
profile and use the network device profile to output a message
receivable by a specific resource or network device. For example,
network device data can be formatted using a network device profile
of a specific network type of the wireless energy network. In some
forms, a network device profile may not include information
sufficient to output network device data.
[0084] As such, profile modifiers can be provided and can include
profile modification data of the resource. Resource management
platform 300 can be used to access, create and manage operating
conditions, home profiles, user profiles, device profiles, user
schedules, proximity detection, demand response preferences, energy
savings preferences, other control settings, view data files sent
from the customer engagement platform, or any combination thereof.
Other settings and operating conditions can be accessed, monitored,
or managed as needed or desired.
[0085] According to an aspect, resource management platform 300 can
be configured to output video using a pico projector and speakers.
For example, a user can select video content to be output using a
mobile device or other resource. Resource management platform 300
can initiate outputting the video content using a pico projector
onto a screen, wall, or other surface as desired. In this manner,
if a user desired to output a stored video, streamed video, and the
like, a user may select and output video. For example, resource
management platform 300 can be configured to include a wired or
wireless microphone for input and a user may select a karaoke video
stored on YouTube.RTM. or other source. As such, a pico projector
can display the video and a user can sing along as desired. In this
manner, a video karaoke machine can be realized by resource
management platform 300. According to a further aspect, a touch pad
can be provided and a touch controller and pointer can be displayed
using a pico projector. In this manner, a GUI can be output by a
pico projector and selection of content can be done using the touch
pad and display output by a pico projector.
[0086] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a resource management
platform configured to manage a media resource and a smart energy
resource according to an aspect of the disclosure. According to an
aspect, a resource management platform 400 can be provided as a
resource, a network device, a portal, a customer engagement portal,
an energy management system, an environment management system, a
resource manager, or any combination thereof and can be realized as
a system, a controller, a network device or any combination thereof
capable of deploying portions or all of resource management
platform 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 and operable to use resource
information to manage a resource. Resource management platform 400
can be provided as a resource manager, a resource to be managed, or
a combination of both.
[0087] According to a further aspect, resource management platform
400 includes a media center 402 configurable to be coupled to a
docking station 404 using a docking interface 406. Docking
interface 406 can be used to provide communication between media
center 402 and docking station 404 and according to an aspect, can
use a serial, parallel, or various other combinations of
communication. According to an aspect, docking interface 406 can
use high level data link control (HDLC) in normal response mode
(NRM) or a connectionless communication protocol to communicate
information between the media center 402 and the docking station
404. An XON-XOFF asynchronous flow control can be used between the
media center 402 and docking station 404 at the physical layer of
the communication stack. Through the use of HDLC-NRM mode, a
reduction in noise can be realized resulting in reliable data
communication between media center 402 and docking station 404.
Other control protocols can also be used as needed or desired.
[0088] According to an aspect, media center 402 can include a
resource management platform and docking station 404 that can
include a thermostat configured to control a remote unit such as
the HVAC unit, a heat pump, other appliances, resources, or any
combination thereof. According to an aspect, media center 402 can
include a processor 408, a memory 410, one or more communication
devices 412, one or more interfaces 414, a video player 416, a
display and speakers 418, a sound amplifier such as a Class D Amp
420 and an NFC 422. According to an aspect, display 418 can include
a pico projector capable of displaying information on a wall near
resource management platform 400. According to an aspect, resource
management platform 400 can include docking station 404 which can
include a dock processor 424, a thermostat control 426, a data bus
428, docking station communication devices 430, a power manager
432, and one or more input sensors 434.
[0089] According to an aspect, resource management platform 400 can
be capable of streaming music from within the site while providing
comfort control and allows for the enjoyment of an iTunes.RTM. or
other music library at resource management platform 400. In some
aspects, media center 402 can be provided as a mobile unit, and
thus the integration of AirPlay.RTM. allows for easy enjoyment of
the music library in any location or room of the site at any given
time. Incorporating this technology further increases the
multimedia capability of resource management platform 400 and
increases the utility of the unit. As previously mentioned, media
center 402 can be docked with docking station 404 and output music
at a specific thermostat control installation site.
[0090] In another aspect, media can be preloaded and stored in
memory 410. For example, media can include instructional videos
regarding the appropriate ways to use the thermostat for achieving
proper use and educating a user with regard to the most efficient
operation. This is advantageous because it allows a user to access
the instructional video at an appropriate time while also improving
the communication between third parties, utility providers and
customers which can leads to improved energy management and good
will.
[0091] FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of views of a resource
management platform according to an aspect of the disclosure. A
resource management platform, illustrated generally at 500, can
include a display screen 502 such as a resistive or capacitive
touch LCD, a light sensor 504 and speakers 506, 510. Resource
management platform 500 can also include speaker covers 508, 512
covering speakers 506, 510 respectively. Resource management
platform 500 can be configured as a media center such as media
center 402 generally described in FIG. 4.
[0092] According to an aspect, a rear view 514 of resource
management platform 500 illustrates a rear cavity 516 and docking
interface 518 operable to be coupled to a docking station, such as
docking station 630 described in FIG. 6 below. Resource management
platform 500 also includes a sound chamber 520, 522 sized to
enhance sound quality of speakers 506, 510. A side view 524 of
resource management platform 500 illustrates a front housing 526
coupled to a rear housing 528.
[0093] FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram of views of a docking resource
according to an aspect of the disclosure. Docking station 630 can
include a front surface having a docking interface receptacle 634
operable to be coupled to docking interface 518 of FIG. 5. Docking
station 630 can be configured as a thermostat enabled docking
station such as docking station 404 generally described in FIG. 4.
Docking station 630 can also include a thermostat adjuster 636, a
reset button 638, and a terminal block 640. According to an aspect,
terminal block 640 can be configured as described in Applicant's
concurrently filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______,
entitled "Terminal Connector for a Wall Mounted Device" and filed
on Aug. 30, 2012, which is herein incorporated by reference.
Docking station 630 also include an aperture 642 configured to
allow access to thermostat wiring (not expressly illustrated). An
angled view 646 of docking station 630 illustrates docking station
cavity 650 and front housing 648 configured to be inserted into
cavity 516 of resource management platform 500. A side view 653
illustrated a front cover 652 and rear cover 656 of docking station
630.
[0094] During use, docking station 630 can be mounted to a wall
using mounting holes 644 and screws with anchors as needed (not
expressly shown). Terminal block 640 can be connected to an
environment control resource such as an HVAC system. Various types
of environment control resources can be supported including, but
not limited to, heat pumps, conventional, electric, gas, oil,
propane, geothermal, or various other types of resources that can
include single or multiple stage capabilities. According to an
aspect, an HVAC system or similar resource can be used to provide
24 VAC to docking station 630. Resource management platform 500 can
be docked to docking station 630, and capable of receiving power
using docking interface receptacle 634. According to an aspect,
docking interface receptacle 634 can provide power and can further
connect one or more data buses, control lines, and various other
types of interfaces that can be used between docking station 630
and resource management platform 500.
[0095] According to a further aspect, upon providing power to
resource management platform 500, docking station 630 when
connected to an environmental control system resource can be used
to control temperature set-points, operating modes, and the like.
As such, resource management platform 500 need not be connected to
docking station 630 to control an environmental control system
resource. According to another aspect, docking station 630 can
provide power to resource management platform 500 to charge a
rechargeable battery housed within resource management platform 630
(not expressly illustrated). As such, resource management platform
500 can be removed from docking station 630 and used as a portable
resource management platform.
[0096] According to another aspect, docking station 630 can be used
to dock more than one type of unit. For example, a lower cost and
fewer feature set unit (not expressly illustrated) can be used to
control or display operating information of an environmental
control system or other type of system docking station 630 may
engage. As such a lower cost resource management platform 500 can
be provided. In other forms, docking station 630 can include
portions or all of resource management platform's 500
functionality. According to a further aspect, a cover (not
expressly illustrated) can be coupled to docking interface
receptacle and used to cover docking station 630. According to one
aspect, multiple decorative types of covers can be used to cover
docking station 630. Additionally, docking station 630 can include
a communication module capable of being accessed to alter an
operating condition of docking station 630. In this manner, a user
need not access docking station 630 to alter an operating condition
and can use remote resources, such as mobile devices, tablets,
computers, web interfaces, and the like, to alter an operating
condition of docking station 630.
[0097] According to a further aspect, resource management platform
500 can include mutli-media output capabilities. For example,
display 502 can output pictures, animated graphics, video and the
like. Speakers 506, 510 can be used to output audio associated with
video being played and in some aspects, can be used to output music
stored locally, remotely accessed, streamed music from local
sources, cloud based sources, or any combination thereof. According
to a further aspect, when music only is being played by resource
management platform 500, screen 502 can be dimmed or a backlight of
screen 502 can be turned off to allow for reduced energy
consumption. Screen 502 and speakers 506, 510 allow for improved
customer engagement through the use of multi-media rich videos,
such as energy tips, video tutorials, animated weather, and various
other forms of rich multi-media. According to another aspect,
resource management platform 500 can output media while providing
environmental control of an environment control resource.
[0098] According to another aspect, resource management platform
500 can be used to manage video content that may be output using
display 502 or other resources accessible to resource management
platform 500. For example, when a new energy tip or other type of
information video may be available for a user to view, resource
management platform 500 can provide an indicator, such as graphic
indicator that may be animated, to indicate that a new video may be
available. Upon a user viewing a new video, resource management
platform 500 can remove the indicator as needed or desired. As
such, content and use thereof can be managed by resource management
platform 500.
[0099] According to a further aspect, resource management platform
500 can include a custom graphical user interface environment to
display information, access applications, output applications,
provide interaction, and the like. For example, custom animations
can include two and three dimensional animation effects to increase
a user's experience. According to an aspect, resource management
platform 500 can use custom animated graphics and sound to create a
rich environment to engage consumers and users.
[0100] According to another aspect, resource management platform
500 can be used to provide multiple language support. For example,
resource management platform 500 may allow for selection of a
specific language to be used. According to other forms, selection
of a language can be provided using another resource, such as a
mobile device, tablet, computer, web interface, or other resource.
Upon a user selecting a language, resource management platform 500
can update a language profile and output the selected language as
needed. In other forms, a user may also select units to be output
as well, including, but not limited to outputting temperature in
degrees of Fahrenheit or Celsius. Other settings can also be
selected and shared using resource management platform 500.
[0101] According to an aspect, resource management platform 500 can
also include a sound manager capable of providing equalizer
capabilities. For example, resource management platform 500 can
include preset audio output levels to account for different
installation locations at a site. For example, if a unit is
installed in a hallway, a user may be able to select an acoustical
preset that would output audio that is optimized for a hallway.
Various other types of presets can also be provided including, game
rooms, living rooms, kitchen, bedroom, rooms with carpet, tile,
wood flooring, or various other aspects of a room that can affect
sound quality. A user may be able to select a room type using
resource management platform 500, a mobile device, tablet, web
interface, or any combination thereof.
[0102] According to another aspect, resource management platform
500 can also provide additional equalizing, independent of, or in
addition to, room-based equalizing. For example, resource
management platform 500 may be able to read meta data of content to
be output and can alter an equalizer setting based on the type or
genre of media to be output. For example, if a jazz-based song is
to output, a jazz enhanced equalization can be selected by resource
management platform and input into a DSP used to process music.
Various other genres can also be supported and used as needed or
desired. In other forms, video content can also be output using
enhanced equalization performed using meta data. For example, a
video that is created to capture someone's attention may require a
different equalization than a tutorial video. In other forms, music
videos accessed using YouTube, a local resources, or various other
video sources can include meta data to alter an equalization
output.
[0103] According to a further aspect, resource management platform
500 can include one or more microphones. For example, resource
management platform 500 can include one or more integrated
microphones that can be used during a set-up of resource management
platform to determine acoustic qualities of an installation
location. Sound tones can be output by resource management platform
500 and audio output levels for each speaker, equalization levels,
or various other sound management techniques or enhancements can be
optimized using a microphone.
[0104] According to a further aspect, resource management platform
500 can include intercom capabilities using a microphone (not
expressly illustrated). For example, a user may be able to speak
into a microphone and further select an end device or resource to
output a selected voice message in real time. For example, a unit
that may be installed upstairs may be used to select a downstairs
unit located in a kitchen or other location. As such, a user can
communicate with another individual in a separate part of a
building. In other forms, a video camera (not expressly
illustrated) may also be provided with resource management platform
500 and can be used to capture and output streaming video to
another resource to provide a video intercom device as a part of
platform 500. According to a further aspect, using a video camera,
resource management platform 500 can be used as a video phone and
can deploy video phone capabilities and/or can be used to support
third party video phone applications such as Skype, Facetime, and
the like. In this manner, video phone and/or intercom capabilities
can be deployed and used to communicate with units within a site,
and also units or resources that may be installed at another
location. For example, an intercom application can be used with
PUB-SUB communication to enhance communication between devices that
may be selected or activated using PUB-SUB and chat room
capabilities.
[0105] FIG. 7 illustrates block diagram of a user interface
configured to display resource information and input selectors
according to an aspect of the disclosure. A user interface 700, can
be deployed using a mobile device, laptop or desktop computer,
tablet PC, monitor, display, television, active display surface,
appliance, or any device, system, or combination thereof capable of
providing user interface 700. Portions or all of user interface 700
can also be provided as a stand alone interface or application, an
Internet or Browser based interface or application, or any
combination thereof. User interface 700 can be used to display
various types of resource information, including, but not limited
to providing an environment management user interface and settings
that can be used to display information, environment settings or
various other types of settings and information or any combination
thereof.
[0106] According to an aspect, user interface 700 can include a
main display section 702 and a navigation menu 704. Navigation menu
704 can include a home button 706, a music button 707, a device
button 708, a proximity button 710, and an energy tips button 712.
Additional buttons can be added to navigation menu 704 and an
associated user interface as needed or desired. User interface 700
can also include a temperature or comfort settings slider region
714 and a current readings 716 of a location or zone of a resource.
A current set-point 720 can also be displayed. User interface 700
can also include an animation 724 that is configured to engage a
user and provide a user feedback on how a resource is currently
being managed. For example, animation 724 can include green leaves
flowing from bottom to top that may increase in height as a user
conserves energy through setting comfort settings slider 714 to a
conservation based setting. According to another aspect, slider
region 714 can include button 732 having a lit region 722 that
alters in color as button is moved along slider region 714. For
example, as button 732 moves to the left or towards a cooler
temperature, lit region 722 can display a cooler color temperature
gradient. Similarly, as button 732 may be moved right, lit region
722 can alter a color and display a green colored gradient as
slider is moved towards a conservation setting. In this manner, a
user of user interface 700 may be engaged through interactions with
user interface 700.
[0107] According to a further aspect, user interface 700 can
include a settings selector 726 that can be selected to access
specific settings of a resource being displayed within main display
section 702. User interface 700 can also include a navigation bar
728 indicating a current resource or site being managed, and a site
management button 730 configured to provide a user access to
another site or location having resources. According to an aspect,
site management button 730 can also be used to manage resources at
a single site when multiple sites may not be managed. According to
a further aspect, a user can navigate to additional resources by
swiping or providing a gesture to main display section 702,
ellipsis 734 can be updated to display which resource information
may be currently displayed within main display section 702.
According to an aspect, as a different resource may be displayed,
various information, comfort settings, management resources, of a
resource can be displayed by user interface 700 as needed or
desired.
[0108] According to an aspect, as a user slides button 732, current
readings 716 can transition off or out of main display section 702
and current set-point 720 can replace current readings 716. A value
of current set-point 720 can be increased and decreased as a user
slides button 732. As a user stops moving button 732, the new value
of current set-point 720 will transition back to upper portion of
main display section 702 and current readings 716 can be displayed
and updated as needed.
[0109] FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a user interface
configured to display resource information and input selectors
according to an aspect of the disclosure. A user interface 800 can
be deployed using a mobile device, laptop or desktop computer,
tablet PC, monitor, display, television, active display surface,
appliance, or any device, system, or combination thereof capable of
providing user interface 800. Portions or all of user interface 800
can also be provided as a standalone interface or application, an
Internet or Browser based interface or application, or any
combination thereof. User interface 800 can be used to display
various types of resource information, including, but not limited
to providing an environment management user interface and settings
that can be used to display information, environment settings or
various other types of settings and information or any combination
thereof.
[0110] According to an aspect, user interface 800 can include
navigation section 802 capable of displaying a current resource,
location of a resource, or any combination of information that can
be used to identify a resource. User interface can also include a
main display section 804. User interface 800 can be used to modify
general settings of a resource or site. As illustrated, user
interface 800 can include a proximity setting 806, an icon badge
setting 808, a mode setting, a comfort setting 812, an energy
savings setting 814, and a schedule button 816 operable to enable a
user to create a schedule to operate an associated resource.
According to another aspect, user interface 800 can be used to
create a schedule using a voice command and voice command button
836. For example, a user can select voice command button 836, and
user interface 800 can enable voice command logic capable of
initiating processing of a voice command. According to an aspect, a
voice processing cloud service can be accessed, such as Nuance or
others, and can be used with user interface 800. For example, upon
selecting voice command button 836, a voice prompt can say "would
you like to add a schedule?". A user can respond by saying "Yes". A
voice response of the user interface can include "Please say the
start time", "Please say the end time", "Please say the
temperature", or various other responses as a user provides vocal
information about settings for a resource. Various other voice
commands and responses can be generated on a resource-by-resource
basis and a schedule for a resource can created, modified, and
deleted as needed or desired. Additionally, a graphical schedule
can be created and updated automatically as a user provides a voice
control scheduling input. Upon a schedule being created, portions
or all of a schedule can be communicated to a resource, resource
manager, or any combination thereof to manage a resource.
[0111] According to an aspect, user interface 800 can also include
a save button 820 to save changes, and a back button 822 to
navigate back to previous screen. User interface 800 can also
include a energy saving icon 824 and a comfort icon 826, a comfort
slider button 828 and comfort slider lite 828, a energy savings
slider button 834 and energy slider lite 830.
[0112] During operation, a user can set a comfort temperature using
comfort slider button 832 to a desired temperature when a user
arrives home. Additionally, a user can set an energy saving
temperature using energy saving slider button 834 to a warmer
temperature to increase energy savings. For example, a user may
desire a temperature to increase five degrees when not at home.
According to an aspect, as a user provides a temperature that
provides increased savings, energy savings icon 824 can be altered
to indicate greater savings are being achieved. In this manner, a
user engagement can be created by providing a visual feedback to a
user when providing settings.
[0113] According to a further aspect, proximity setting 806 can be
enabled or disabled as desired. For example, when enabled, location
based services can be used to alter an operating condition of a
resource. According to a further aspect, if a user enables icon
badge switch 808, an application icon can be updated to display a
current operating condition of a resource (e.g. temperature, sound
on/off, lights on/off, door open/closed, etc.). According to
another aspect, an icon badge can include updating a social media
status, updating a widget or other element displayed on another
device, or various other methods or combinations of methods of
displaying an operating status using a badge.
[0114] FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of a user interface 900
configured to display resource information and input selectors
according to an aspect of the disclosure. A user interface 900 can
be deployed using a mobile device, laptop or desktop computer,
tablet PC, monitor, display, television, active display surface,
appliance, or any device, system, or combination thereof capable of
providing user interface 900. Portions or all of user interface 900
can also be provided as a stand alone interface or application, an
Internet or Browser based interface or application, or any
combination thereof capable of providing user interface 900.
Portions or all of user interface 900 can be used to display
various types of resource information, including, but not limited
to providing an environment management user interface and settings
that can be used to display information, environment settings or
various other types of settings and information or any combination
thereof.
[0115] According to an aspect, user interface 900 can include a
proximity button 902 that can be selected to provide user interface
900. User interface 900 can include a main display section 904, a
map frame 906 configured to display a map 916. User interface 900
can also include a set location button 908, a site location pin 910
and associated zones. User interface 900 can also include a
distance slider 912 and distance slider button 914 configured to
display a distance above a button. As a user selects a travel
distance using distance slider button 914, a new travel distance
can be displayed above distance slider button 914 as it moves.
Additionally, map 916 within map frame 906 can be magnified or
de-magnified based on the travel distance selected using distance
slider button 914. Additionally, site location pin 910 and
associated zones can be scaled and moved accordingly. For example,
as a greater travel distance may be selected, map 916 can be zoomed
out or de-magnified, location pin can be moved, and associated
zones can be made smaller. According to a further aspect, a current
location 918 can also be displayed. In another form, site location
pin 910 can include a badge or call out box to display one or more
current operating conditions at a site (not expressly illustrated).
According to an aspect, a badge or call out box can be selected to
access resource information and setting of a resource being
displayed.
[0116] FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of a user interface
configured to display resource information and input selectors
according to an aspect of the disclosure. A user interface 1000,
can be deployed using a mobile device, laptop or desktop computer,
tablet PC, monitor, display, television, active display surface,
appliance, or any device, system, or combination thereof capable of
providing user interface 1000. Portions or all of user interface
1000 can also be provided as a standalone interface or application,
an Internet or Browser based interface or application, or any
combination thereof. User interface 1000 can be used to display
various types of resource information, including, but not limited
to providing an environment management user interface and settings
that can be used to display information, environment settings or
various other types of settings and information or any combination
thereof.
[0117] According to an aspect, user interface 1000 can include a
music button 1002 that can be selected to provide user interface
1000. User interface 1000 can include a main display section 1004,
a media controller 1006 which includes a play and pause button 1008
which can be provided as a two state button to play and pause
music. A current album cover can also be displayed within play and
pause button 1008, and in some aspects, an actual control may be
displayed when a central portion of play and pause button 1008 may
be selected. According to a further aspect, when a current album
cover section may be selected, user interface 1000 can display a
list of songs available for that album (not expressly
illustrated).
[0118] According to an aspect, user interface 1000 can also include
a sound level selector 1010 to alter an output level of a resource
playing music, and a back button 1012 to return to a previous song,
and a skip button 1006 to skip a song and play the next song. User
interface 1000 also includes a zone selector including a bedroom
zone 1016, a living room zone 1018, and a dining room zone 1020.
Other zones may be added or deleted as needed or desired. When
selected, a zone may be highlighted, and a user can enable or
disable outputting music to a resource. For example, a user can
alter a first level in bedroom zone 1016 to play a low level, have
a higher level being output in living room zone 1018, and have an
output muted in dining room zone 1020. Various other combinations
can also be provided.
[0119] According to a further aspect, user interface 1000 can
include a source selector 1020 configured to enable selecting a
media source to provide music. For example, upon selecting source
selector, a list of available resources capable of providing media
that can be controlled using user interface 1000 can be displayed.
For example, user interface 1000 can display resources, located
either locally or remotely including any combination of computer,
iPad or tablet, mobile device, music server, cloud services, home
stereos, speakers, theatre systems, game systems, or various other
types of resources capable of providing media. According to an
aspect, media resources that may be displayed can be compliant with
one or more protocols, such as AiPlay, DLNA, UPNP, or various other
types of protocols.
[0120] According to an aspect, a resource using user interface 1000
can be provided as any combination of a controller to control media
of a remote resource configured to output media. In this regard,
user interface 1000 can be used to select a source and destination,
and manage or initiate establishing a relationship between each.
For example, a user may select a source using source selector
button 1026, and can further select a destination to play media,
such as bedroom 1016. According to a further aspect, user interface
1000 can be used to enable access to locally stored music. As such,
locally stored media can be sent to a destination, such as living
room 1018. Each zone may have a different source, and in some
instances the same source as needed or desired.
[0121] According to a further aspect, locally stored media content
may not be immediately available, or may not be directly accessible
to user interface 1000. However, user interface 1000 may allow for
selection upon a playlist or listing of music being virtualized by
a resource. For example, bedroom zone 1016 may include a resource
manager (not expressly shown) that can access a library of the
locally stored media. Meta data, cover art, photos, video frames,
and other identifying information can be requested by resource
manager. Upon receiving one or more references, available playlists
or listings of media, resource manager can send the playlist or
list to user interface 1000. In this manner, if a music player may
not be able to be immediately accessed by user interface 1000, a
resource manager can provide playlists and associated information
to enable access.
[0122] According to an aspect, user interface can include a list
view button 1022 capable of providing a listing of music that can
be selected to play. According to another aspect, list view can
also be used to display multiple playlists that may be available
from a single source, multiple sources, or any combination
thereof.
[0123] According to a further aspect, user interface 1000 can
include a voice command button 1024. Voice command button 1024 can
be used to control various aspects of user interface 1000 and
associated resources. For example, a user can request to alter a
zone where music is playing, alter a sound level, alter an
equalization being applied (e.g. bass, treble, custom levels, and
others), alter speaker balance, or various other aspects of
managing music. According to a further aspect, a user can request a
song or artist to be played. For example, a user can request to
play "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen. The voice command can be
processed and one or more resources or music libraries can be
searched to determine if the track may be available. If the track
is available, user interface 1000 can be updated to begin playing.
However, in other forms, if a track is unavailable, user interface
1000, through graphics and/or audio output of voice control, can
return an option to purchase the track (e.g. purchase from iTunes),
and can navigate to a source to acquire the track. In other forms,
if a track may not be available, user interface 1000 through
graphics and/or audio output of voice control can provide a list of
cloud services capable of providing a free version, or paid version
of a streaming music. Upon selecting a source to provide the track,
user interface 1000 can initiate output of the media.
[0124] According to a further aspect, a user may use voice command
button 1024 to access other types of media that can be played. For
example, a user may want to view a YouTube.RTM. video of a song
that was recorded. As such, a user can request to have a
YouTube.RTM. video downloaded to a resource. For example, user
interface 1000 can receive text version of the request encoded from
a voice command, and a resource can initiate a search at
YouTube.RTM. for the requested song. Search results and encoded
links to videos of the requested song can be provided to a user
using user interface 1000, and in other forms search results can be
returned and processed automatically to initiate outputting or
streaming a video. According to another aspect, a user can select
the next track button 1014 to initiate viewing the next video
provided in the search results.
[0125] Although illustrated as a user interface to manage music,
user interface 1000 can be used and manage with other forms of
media such as streaming music, streaming video, streaming photos,
locally stored media, cloud stored media, or various other forms of
media as needed or desired.
[0126] FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of a user interface 1100
configured to display resource information and input selectors
according to an aspect of the disclosure. A user interface 1100,
can be deployed using a mobile device, laptop or desktop computer,
tablet PC, monitor, display, television, active display surface,
appliance, or any device, system, or combination thereof capable of
providing user interface 1100. Portions or all of user interface
1100 can also be provided as a standalone interface or application,
an Internet or Browser based interface or application, or any
combination thereof capable of providing user interface 1100. User
interface 1100 can be used to display various types of resource
information, including, but not limited to providing an environment
management user interface and settings that can be used to display
information, environment settings or various other types of
settings and information or any combination thereof.
[0127] According to an aspect, a devices button 1102 that can be
provided that can be selected to provide user interface 1100, as
shown in FIG. 11. User interface 1100 can include a main display
section 1104, capable of providing a list view of resources and
locations currently being managed. For example, user interface 1100
can display resources at a home in Paris 1106 and resources at a
home in a Vacation Home 1108. Paris Home 1106 can include a living
room resource 1110, a dining room resource 1112, and a bedroom
resource 1114. According to an aspect, Vacation Home 1108 can
include a downstairs resource 1116 and an upstairs resource 1118.
Various combinations of resources can be used at either location as
needed or desired. Additionally, each resource can include
portions, none, or all of a resource manager or resource management
platform as described herein.
[0128] According to a further aspect, one or more resources can
include media output capabilities such as playing video, streaming
music, outputting photos, or various other media output
capabilities. As such, user interface 1100 can provide an icon to
indicate a resources capabilities and status if desired. For
example, living room resource 1110 can include a music output icon
1128 to indicate a music player and output capabilities, a comfort
icon 1124 to indicate comfort settings or temperature settings
resource, and a scheduling resource 1126 to enable scheduling use
of living room resource 1110. A user can further select a resource
to view and manage by selecting arrow button 1120 of a desired
resource. For example, upon selecting arrow 1120, a user interface
similar to user interface 800 of FIG. 8 can be displayed. In other
forms, a user may select a music output icon 1128 and a user
interface similar to user interface 1000 can be displayed. Other
user interfaces can also be provided as needed or desired.
[0129] According to an aspect, user interface 1100 can be used with
a publish-subscribe (PUB-SUB) communication infrastructure to
enable various types of communication such as chat rooms, instant
messaging, and the like among resources. As such, a PUB-SUB
communication resource can be accessed to communicate information
between any combination or number of resources. A PUB-SUB resource
allows for efficient communication of information without having to
rely on a polling method of communication. For example, living room
resource 1110 host PUB-SUB resources and enable a virtual chat room
to allow resources to communicate with each other, and user
interface 1100 can join the chat room and obtain information about
resources. As such, user interface 1100 can publish information,
such as XML encoded data, media content and references, resource
management information, media management information, energy
management information, and various other types of information that
can be used to manage a resource in near real-time due to the
nature and performance of instant messaging and PUB-SUB
technology.
[0130] FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of a user interface
configured to display resource information and input selectors
according to an aspect of the disclosure. A user interface 1200,
can be deployed using a mobile device, laptop or desktop computer,
tablet PC, monitor, display, television, active display surface,
appliance, or any device, system, or combination thereof capable of
providing user interface 1200. Portions or all of user interface
1200 can also be provided as a standalone interface or application,
an Internet or Browser based interface or application, or any
combination thereof. User interface 1200 can be used to display
various types of resource information, including, but not limited
to providing an environment management user interface and settings
that can be used to display information, environment settings or
various other types of settings and information or any combination
thereof.
[0131] According to an aspect, user interface 1200 can include a
energy tips button 1202 that can be selected to provide user
interface 1200. User interface 1200 can include a main display
section 1204, displaying several categories of video tips that can
be viewed on how to save energy and reduce costs. Videos can
include basic tips and in some instances can include videos of new
or existing products that can be purchased. For example, a list of
products and links to purchase may be provided. In other instances,
a link may be presented at an end of a video to learn more about a
product and can be shared into a social network such as Facebook,
LinkedIn, Pinterest, etc.
[0132] According to an aspect, user interface 1200 can include a
water tip category 1220, a lights category 1206, a leaks category
1208, an insulation category 1210, an upgrades category 1212. User
interface 1200 can also display a total number of videos and
products section 1218, and an indicator 1214 to identify if there
are any new videos or products, According to a further aspect,
energy tips icon can include an animation, badge or other visual
indicator to show that new tips or products may become
available.
[0133] According to a further aspect, user interface 1200 can be
used with video and product management services that can include
various types of videos or customer engagement content to be
communicated to user interface 1200. According to an aspect, an
energy tip video can be generated in a specific region for a
specific market or demographic. As such, the energy tip video can
be communicated and displayed using user interface 1200. According
to another aspect, an energy tip video can be communicated to a
mobile device deploying user interface 1200 allowing a user to view
the energy tip video in a mobile environment. As a user views an
energy tip video, the tip can be stored, saved, deleted, shared
into a social network, as desired. Although described as an energy
tip video, various other types of videos can be created and
managed. Additionally, if a user views a tip using a mobile device
or other resource, indicator 1214 can be updated and animated icon
1202 can become non-animated as needed or desired. In this manner,
a user may not have a tip or notification located in multiple
places after viewing. For example, user interface 1200 can be
linked to a chat room using PUB-SUB and can communicate a message
indicating that a tip has been viewed. Each resource can then
update their tip list as needed or desired.
[0134] FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of a user interface
configured to provision a resource according to an aspect of the
disclosure. A user interface 1300, can be deployed using a mobile
device, laptop or desktop computer, tablet PC, monitor, display,
television, active display surface, appliance, or any device,
system, or combination thereof capable of providing user interface
1300. Portions or all of user interface 1300 can also be provided
as a stand alone interface or application, an Internet or Browser
based interface or application, or any combination thereof. User
interface 1300 can be used to display various types of resource
information, including, but not limited to providing an environment
management user interface and settings that can be used to display
information, environment settings or various other types of
settings and information or any combination thereof.
[0135] According to an aspect, user interface 1300 can include
several mode selectors to use to provision a new resource. For
example, provisioning interface 1300 can include one or any
combination of an NFC Scan selector 1302, a WiFi scan selector
1304, and a Bluetooth Scan selector 1306. Other scan techniques can
also be provided. Additionally, provisioning interface 1300 may
also be able to provide an option to scan using all available scan
techniques. A located device list 1308 can be provided to a user. A
user may then select one or more devices 1310 to provision or
associate with the mobile device or site.
[0136] Although FIGS. 7-13 have been depicted as separate user
interfaces, information presented therein can be combined as needed
or desired and information, functionality, and presentation are not
to be limited to a specific user interface and can be combined,
removed, appended, changed or altered in whole, or in part, as
needed or desired.
[0137] FIG. 14 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of
provisioning a resource according to an aspect of the disclosure.
The method can be used by portions or all of the systems, devices,
applications, platforms, services, methods, or any other resource
or combination thereof illustrated in FIGS. 1-13 and FIG. 15 and
described herein. The method begins at block 1400 when a request to
provision a resource may be detected. The method proceeds to
decision block 1402 and detects whether to use NFC to provision a
resource. If NFC can be used, the method proceeds to block 1404 and
an NFC reader may be enabled. At block 1406, information is read
from the NFC of the resource and at decision block 1408, the method
determines whether provision information sufficient to provision
the resource may be available. If it is available, the method
proceeds to block 1410 and the resource may be provisioned. If at
decision block 1408 provisioning information may not be sufficient
or available, information read from the resource can be used to
communicate with another location, such as a cloud service, to
obtain information to provision a resource.
[0138] According to an aspect, provisioning a resource can include
enabling a resource to be used at a site. For example, provisioning
can include enabling a resource to join a local communication
network, such as a WiFi or 802.11 based network. In other forms,
provisioning can include enabling a resource to have access to one
or more types of networks. For example, a resource may include a
Z-Wave communication device. As such, an NFC can include a Z-Wave
profile information, and credentials to enable a resource to be
used at a site. In other forms, a combination of communication
devices may be provided within a resource. As such, an NFC device
can include credentials for multiple communication devices and may
communicate information to enable management of the resource.
According to another aspect, provisioning can include providing an
NFC of the resource with a minimal amount of information, such as a
unique I.D. of the resource or NFC. As such, the unique I.D. can be
used to obtain additional information through access of a database,
cloud service, or other information source capable of providing
provisioning information using an I.D. obtained from an NFC device
of a resource. According to another aspect, a unique password can
be provided by the NFC device to authenticate access to information
in connection with provisioning a resource.
[0139] According to a further aspect, provisioning can also include
using channel I.D.'s, PAN I.D.'s, Device I.D.'s, and can further
include providing a role of a resource, device type, security
information, a network key, device profile information including
information sufficient to enable communication between a resource
manager and the resource being added to the network. A resource
manager can provide provisioning information to be provided to an
NFC of a resource being added and stored within memory of the NFC
for use later. For example, channel numbers, credentials, keys, and
other information can be provided. According to another aspect,
profile information can also include information about what role
the resource is to be when added. As such, a device role can be
created. Additional information about other resources within the
network can also be provided. For example, information about how to
attach to other devices, like a smart meter, can also be provided.
According to an aspect, a specific default channel can be provided
with a channel I.D., or in some instances, a series of channels can
be used to initiate a scan by the new resource to enable the
resource to join the network being created. A sequence of channel
numbers can also be provided for a resource to scan and join a
network.
[0140] According to a further aspect, if at decision block 1402 NFC
may not be used to provision a resource, the method can proceed to
block 1414 and a scan of available WiFi networks can be initiated.
For example, a resource can include a WiFi or 802.11-based
communication device that can operate as an access point and
broadcast a network name unique to the resource. At block 1416, a
resource WiFi network name can be detected. According to an aspect,
a user may select the network, or in other forms, the network can
be accessed in an automated manner. At block 1418, a local WiFi
password of a site where a resource may be used can be obtained to
join a resource to a local WiFi network. According to an aspect, a
stored password can be accessed and in other embodiments a user or
other source may provide a password of a local WiFi network. At
block 1420, a local WiFi network identifier and password can be
communicated to the resource. For example, the WiFi credentials can
be communicated using the WiFi network of the resource At block
1422, the resource can connect to a local WiFi network using the
WiFi credentials. For example, the resource would enable the WiFi
communication device as a network device that can be used to join
another access point, such as the local WiFi network. Upon
connecting to the local WiFi network, the method can proceed to
block 1424 and the resource can be provisioned. The method 1400
ends as depicted by block 1430.
[0141] Although described as using WiFi to connect a device to a
local network, other forms of communication can also be used. For
example, a resource can include Bluetooth communication. As such,
local WiFi credentials can be communicated using Bluetooth without
a need to have a resource provide a WiFi access point. Other forms
of communication can also be used as needed or desired.
[0142] FIG. 15 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of managing a
resource according to an aspect of the disclosure. The method can
be used by portions or all of the systems, devices, platforms,
applications, services, methods, or any other resource of
combination thereof illustrated in FIGS. 1-14 and described herein.
The method begins at block 1500 when a communication can be
received by a resource management platform, or other resource
capable of receiving and processing the communication. At block
1502, a type of communication can be detected. For example,
communication can be provided by various types of communication
devices as described herein. Upon identifying the type of
communication, the method can proceed to block 1504 and can process
the communication by applying a profile. For example, if a Z-Wave
communication may be received, the method can process the
communication using a Z-Wave profile. In other forms, a TCP/IP
message may have been received over a WiFi connection. As such, the
WiFi communication can be used to access the TCP/IP message data.
As such, more than one profile may be needed to process a
communication.
[0143] According to an aspect, upon processing the communication,
resource information may be extracted from the communication at
block 1506. The method can then proceed to block 1508 and can
identify a resource topic within the extracted resource
information. For example, a resource topic may be used with a
resource management platform capable of publishing the topic to be
used by one or more resources. If a resource subscribes to the
topic, the resource information can be accessed and used as needed.
For example, resource topic and information can include, but is not
limited to, energy management information, media management
information, application management information, provisioning
management information, network management information, environment
management information, customer engagement management information,
or various other types of resource management topics, or any
combination thereof.
[0144] According to a further aspect, a resource can subscribe to
multiple resource topics and can use resource information to modify
use of a resource. For example, a thermostat having media output
capabilities may subscribe to an energy management topic, a media
management topic and an environment management topic. As such, the
method can publish topics and associated information and the
thermostat can receive the resource information and generate an
output accordingly. According to a further aspect, multiple devices
may subscribe to a topic. For example, multiple wireless speakers
may subscribe to a media management information topic and as such,
each wireless speaker would receive and use the resource
information as needed or desired.
[0145] According to an aspect, upon identifying a resource topic at
block 1508, the method can proceed based on the topic information
detected. Upon use of a resource and resource information the
method can proceed to block 1516 as needed or desired. According to
a further aspect, if more than one topic may be identified, the
method can be modified to process and use resource information
based on multiple topics.
[0146] According to an aspect, at block 1508 if energy management
information may be detected, the method can proceed to block 1510.
At block 1512, energy management information can be processed, and
the method can proceed to block 1514 and initiate managing a
resource using the energy management information. For example, a
demand response event may be detected and a resource capable of
being altered may be modified. As such, the method at block 1514
can alter an operating condition of the resource. The method can
then proceed to block 1516 and 1500 as needed or desired. Various
other types of energy management information and resources can also
be used as needed or desired.
[0147] According to an aspect, at block 1508, if media management
information may be detected, the method can proceed to block 1522,
and at block 1524, media content to be managed can be detected. For
example, a new source of music can be provided, an operating
condition of a media resource can be detected, or various other
types of media content or information to manage a media resource
can be detected. For example, resource information can include a
music source to provide information, a target device to output
media content, and a sound level to set the media resource at in
connection with outputting media. Various other combinations of
managing media content can also be provided as needed or desired.
The method can proceed to block 1526 and a management of a media
resource can be initiated.
[0148] According to an aspect, at block 1508, if application
management information may be detected, the method can proceed to
block 1528. Upon identifying application management information,
the method can proceed to block 1530 and can identify an
application resource to be used. For example, an application can
include a device integrator or installation application, an
auto-provisioning application, a weather application, a price alert
application, an energy saving tips application, a photo viewer
application, a music player application, a video streamer
application, an energy monitor application, a music streaming
application, a lighting control application, a home security
application, a video surveillance application, a calendar
application, a reminder application, an appliance control
application, a settings application, a third party application, a
water sprinkler application, a renewable energy management
application, a YouTube application, a Pandora music application, a
Picasa photo viewer application, a network monitor application or
various other applications that can be detected to manage a
resource. For example, upon identifying an application resource,
the method can proceed to block 1532 and can initiate use of the
application resource and an associated resource. For example, a
home security application can be accessed to alter a setting of an
alarm. As such, an alarm application can be accessed and resources
associated with the alarm application can be accessed and managed.
Upon initiating use of the application resources, the method can
proceed to block 1516, as described above.
[0149] According to an aspect, at block 1508 if provisioning
management information may be detected, the method can proceed to
block 1534 and to block 1536 to detect whether to provision a new
device. For example, a new resource may be detected using a near
field communication or other communication device. At block 1536,
the method can determine if the resource is authorized or capable
of being provisioned. If the device may not be capable of being
provisioned, the method can proceed to block 1500, or in other
forms, can be modified to allow for accessing provisioning
information and obtaining authorization to join. If at block 1536,
the resource should be joined, the method can proceed to block 1538
and provisioning can be initiated. The method can proceed to block
1516 as described above.
[0150] According to an aspect, if at block 1508 network management
information may be detected, the method can proceed to block 1540
and at block 1542 a communication resource of a network to manage
can be identified. For example, one or more resources may be using
a Zigbee profile to manage communication. As such, if a Zigbee
profile may be altered, channel changed, etc. the method can
provide a resource topic of the change, and each resource can
receive a change to the profile. Other communication resources can
also be managed as Zigbee is one example. The method can then
proceed to block 1544 and initiate managing the communication
resource. The method can proceed to block 1516 as described
above.
[0151] According to an aspect, at block 1508, if environment
management information may be detected, the method can proceed to
block 1546 and at block 1548, environment management information
can be processed. For example, environment management information
can include altering an environment within a room at a site. For
example, management can include turning on a light, altering a
temperature, modifying an audio level or modifying various other
resource that can be used by environment management information. As
such, the method can proceed to block 1550 and management of one or
more resources can be initiated. The method can proceed to block
1516 as described above.
[0152] According to an aspect, if at block 1508 customer engagement
management information may be detected, the method can proceed to
block 1552. At block 1554, the customer engagement management
information can be processed. Upon processing the customer
engagement information, the method can proceed to block 1556 and
initiate managing a customer engagement resource. For example, a
customer may view an energy tip communicated to a media center and
to a mobile application. Each resource may subscribe to a customer
engagement topic and when a user views the energy tip, a customer
engagement resource can be altered. For example, a notification of
a new tip may be extinguished on the mobile device and media
center. Various other customer engagement processes and resources
can also be managed as needed or desired. The method can proceed to
block 1516 as described above.
[0153] Note that not all of the activities described above in the
general description or the examples are required, that a portion of
a specific activity may not be required, and that one or more
further activities may be performed in addition to those described.
Still further, the order in which activities are listed are not
necessarily the order in which they are performed.
[0154] The specification and illustrations of the embodiments
described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of
the structure of the various embodiments. The specification and
illustrations are not intended to serve as an exhaustive and
comprehensive description of all of the elements and features of
apparatus and systems that use the structures or methods described
herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in
the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be
used and derived from the disclosure, such that a structural
substitution, logical substitution, or another change may be made
without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly,
the disclosure is to be regarded as illustrative rather than
restrictive.
[0155] Certain features are, for clarity, described herein in the
context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in
combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features
that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single
embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any sub
combination. Further, reference to values stated in ranges includes
each and every value within that range.
[0156] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have
been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However,
the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature(s)
that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or
become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical,
required, or essential feature of any or all the claims.
[0157] The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered
illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are
intended to cover any and all such modifications, enhancements, and
other embodiments that fall within the scope of the present
invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of
the present invention is to be determined by the broadest
permissible interpretation of the following claims and their
equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the
foregoing detailed description.
[0158] Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been
described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily
appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary
embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings
and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure.
Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included
within the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure as
defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function
clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as
performing the recited function and not only structural
equivalents, but also equivalent structures.
* * * * *