Smart power management system and method thereof

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a power management system, in particular, to a power management system enabling the detection of power consumption.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional electrical receptacle 1a, an electric extension cord receptacle 1b or an anti-surge electric socket etc. are all categorized as a conventional power socket system. The electric extension cord receptacle 1b comprises a plurality of electric sockets 12 and a plurality of corresponding switches 11, in which the electric extension cord receptacle 1b may be connected to a power network (not shown) through a electric power cord 14 and a electric plug 13 thereby acquiring the power source from the power network, and also connected to a plurality of electronic devices or appliances, such as a computer 15 or a television set 16. Besides, the conventional electrical receptacle 1a may be connected to an air conditioning system 17 for providing the driving power.

[0005] The aforementioned conventional power socket system is simply capable of providing electronic devices or appliances individually connected thereon with electrical power, rather than being enabled to offer any power management features, nor operable for transmission and management functions of module information. Therefore, users can appreciate the condition of electricity usage only through alternatively delivered electricity bills.

[0006] Suppose the user can be aware of and even further allowed to schedule power consumption for each electronic device or appliance, it would facilitate the user to perform power supervision and management more efficiently, thereby achieving the purposes of power-saving as well as carbon footprint reduction.

[0007] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there provides a smart power management system, comprising: a power management apparatus including: a display unit, which receives a first control signal for displaying; a memory unit, which is pre-installed with default information and stored signal information; a first wireless module, which receives a second wireless signal or generates a first wireless signal based on a second control signal; a first processing unit, which is electrically connected to the display unit, the memory unit and the first wireless module, receives the second wireless signal and accordingly generates the first control signal or stores the signal information included within the second wireless signal, or alternatively computes and compares based on the default information and the signal information to generate the second control signal; a electric socket device, which includes: a power output unit for outputting electric power; a switch unit, which is electrically connected to the power output unit for controlling the power output unit to enable power supply or stop power supply based on a third control signal; a second wireless module, which receives the first wireless signal, or generates the second wireless signal based on a fourth control signal; and a second processing unit, which is electrically connected to the switch unit and the second wireless module so as to generate the fourth control signal or receive the first wireless signal, thereby accordingly generating the third control signal.

[0008] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there provides a smart power management system, comprising: a electric socket device, which is configured with a power output unit for outputting electric power, and generates a second wireless signal based on power consumption in the power output unit; and a power management apparatus, which receives the second wireless signal and accordingly computes and generates a result displayed on a display unit; wherein the power management apparatus is allowed to input a setup signal and accordingly generates a first wireless signal, and the electric socket device receives the first wireless signal and thus individually controls the plurality of power output units for providing power supply or stopping power supply.

[0009] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there provides a method of smart power management, comprising: providing a power management apparatus which receives a setup signal and generates a first wireless signal based on the setup signal; and providing a electric socket device which receives the first wireless signal and accordingly controls the electric socket device to provide power supply or stop power supply; wherein the electric socket device generates a second wireless signal based on the outputted power and the power management apparatus receives the second wireless signal and accordingly generates a result displayed on a display unit.

[0015] Refer now to FIG. 2. The illustrated power management apparatus 20, suitable for use for monitoring power consumption of an electrical appliance and adapted for power-saving management, comprises: an input unit 22 allowing a user to input a setup signal to a first processing unit 21 and to have it stored in a memory unit 25; a display unit 23 receiving the first control signal from the first processing unit 21 to display the information; a time unit 24 generating a time signal to the first processing unit 21, providing the timing feature and also generating a timing signal to the first processing unit 21; the memory unit 25 allowing to store default information and signal information, in which the default information may include the electric power cost information, power consumption and carbon footprint and other relevant information, and the signal information indicates the information included within the second wireless signal transmitted from the electric socket device 30; a first wireless module 26 is able to receive a second wireless signal and transmit it to the first processing unit 21, or alternatively receive the second control signal from the first processing unit 21 so as to send a first wireless signal; and a temperature detecting unit 28 is able to detect the ambient temperature and accordingly generate a temperature detection signal to the first processing unit 21.

[0016] The electric socket device 30 comprises: a power input device 35 connected to a power line network (not shown) through an electric power cord (not shown) and an electric plug (not shown); a surge protection unit 34 enabling a surge protection feature; a switch unit 33 allowing to receive a power signal and transmit the power signal to the power output unit 32, thereby enabling the switch unit 33 to control the power supply of the power output unit 32; a second processing unit 31 generating a third control signal to control the ON or OFF status in the switch unit 33, and also generating a fourth control signal to control a second wireless module 36 to emit a second wireless signal; and the second wireless module 36 also receiving a first wireless signal and transmitting to the second processing unit 31. Herein the power output unit 32 may include a plurality of electric sockets, and the switch unit 33 is allowed to individually control providing or stopping power supply to the plurality of electric sockets.

[0017] The power management apparatus 20 may be also enabled to collect power consumption in the electric socket device 30 and convert the collected power consumption into information relating to electricity fees or carbon footprint. The second processing unit 31 in the electric socket device 30 computes power consumption statistics by means of the switch unit 33 and then transfers to the first processing unit 21 in the power management apparatus 20; the first processing unit 21 executes computations incorporated with the default information installed within the memory unit 25, thereby accordingly controlling the display unit 23 to show information, e.g., power consumption, payable amount, carbon footprint and so forth, for each or the plurality of electric socket devices 30.

[0018] The power management apparatus 20 may be also configured with the function of power supply management on the electric socket device 30. The input unit 22 receives the setup signal inputted by the user, and compares the setup signal through the first processing unit 21 with the power consumption information in the electric socket device 30. Thus, the power management apparatus 20 controls the electric socket device 30 to stop power supply when the accumulated power consumption is greater than or equal to the upper limit of the power consumption indicated in the setup signal. Similarly, the user is also allowed to input the setup signal indicating the upper limit amount of the electric power cost or the carbon footprint etc., so as to effectively perform energy management on each or the plurality of electric socket devices 30.

[0019] The power management apparatus 20 may be also capable of providing a feature of temperature detection and management. The temperature detecting unit 28 in the power management apparatus 20 detects ambient temperature, and accordingly generates a temperature detection signal. The first processing unit 21 receives such a temperature detection signal and has it displayed on the display unit 23. Furthermore, based on a temperature setup signal, it is possible to control the power output unit 32 to provide power for driving an appliance, and to initiate different appliances, e.g., an air conditioner or an electrical fan, in accordance with various temperatures.

[0020] Additionally, the power management apparatus 20 may be configured with a feature of power supply cycle. The user is allowed to input a setup signal containing the time information, and the first processing unit 21 compares the setup signal with the time signal generated by the time unit 24. Hence, the power management apparatus 20 is enabled to control the power supply cycle for each or the plurality of the electric socket devices 30 based on the comparison result of the setup signal and the time signal.

[0021] The power management apparatus 20 may be able to provide a function of power cut-off timing as well. Upon the occurrence of power outage, the start time of the power cut-off can be shown on the display unit 23 and the time unit 24 begins to count. As soon as power supply is received once again, the power management apparatus 20 then displays both the end time of the power cut-off and the elapsed duration for the power cut-off.

[0022] The power management apparatus 20 may facilitate surge protection feature. A surge protection unit 34 is connected between the power input unit 35 and the switch unit 33, thereby absorbing or blocking the unwanted surge signals. Besides, the second processing unit 31 may read out relevant surge information concerning the absorption or blockage in the surge protection unit 34. The power management apparatus 20 subsequently performs statistical operations and categorizes in accordance with the magnitude of such surge signals in Joules displayed on the display unit 23.

[0023] The power management apparatus 20 may control the plurality of electric socket devices 30. The power management apparatus 20 is allowed to perform wireless signal transmissions with the plurality of electric socket devices 30 simultaneously via the first wireless module 26, thereby controlling the plurality of electric socket devices 30, collecting relevant information regarding the plurality of electric socket devices 30, and respectively or collectively displaying information concerning the plurality of electric socket devices 30 and the like.

[0024] Next, referring conjunctively to FIGS. 2 and 3, in which the smart power management system 2 comprises a power management apparatus 20, a plurality of electric socket devices 30, 30′ and a plurality of electric sockets 32a, 32b, 32a′, 32b′.

[0025] After startup of a computer 15, a television set 16 or an air conditioning system 17, the electric socket device 30, 30′ respectively transfers the conditions about power consumption, surge protection etc. currently exhibiting in individual electric sockets 32a, 32b, 32a′ to the power management apparatus 20, which are shown on the display unit 23.

[0026] The power management apparatus 20 can control the plurality of electric socket devices 30, 30′ based on the setup signal inputted by the user such as time information, power consumption information or temperature information, within a specific period of time or else under a certain condition of power consumption or temperature.

[0027] Refer now to FIG. 4, wherein the power management apparatus 40 includes a network module 27. That is, the first processing unit 21 is allowed to be connected to a network system 51 by means of the network module 27 to access information required.

[0028] Therefore, the power management apparatus 40 can obtain in real time the power cost information via connections to the power company by means of the network system 51, and has the most recent information about electricity fees or carbon footprint information displayed. Besides, it is also possible to remotely access and control the power management apparatus 40 through the network system 51.

[0029] Referring conjunctively to FIGS. 4 and 5, in which the smart power management system 3 comprises a network system 51 in connection with a power management apparatus 40. Consequently, the power management apparatus 40 is enabled to automatically link to the power company through the network system 51 for acquiring information concerning the most up-to-date electric power cost and carbon footprint. Thus, the power management apparatus 40 can accordingly provide the most accurate information in terms of electric power cost and carbon footprint.

[0030] Furthermore, the user is able to control the power management apparatus 40 remotely via the network system 51, and also allowed to remotely access information such as the conditions regarding power consumption, surge blockage . . . and so forth stored in the power management apparatus 40 through the network system 51.