Consumer access device
A Consumer Access Device (CAD) ( 610 ) is arranged to obtain utility ( 608 ) consumption data from, for example, a smart meter (not shown). The CAD ( 610 ) is also programmed to link to further CADs ( 612 ). ( 614 ) located at other premises and the linking process may be managed by a utility supplier server ( 618 ). Once linked, the CADs may communicate via the server or via a peer-to-peer arrangement. Applications executed on the CADs allow consumers to interact with other households over their energy usage—for example to compete over reducing such usage. In a preferred embodiment, the CAD may be programmed to download applications from an online store.
1 . A consumer access device for a smart energy system, the consumer access device comprising:
a processor,
first memory for storing at least one application,
second memory for secure storage of data representing utility usage,
a first transceiver configured to communicate with a domestic smart meter or Current Transformer (CT) clamp to receive secure utility data representing utility usage from the domestic smart meter or CT clamp, and
a second transceiver configured to communicate with at least one server,
the processor being programmed to store the secure utility data representing the utility usage received via the first transceiver in the second memory,
the processor also being programmed to execute at least one application stored in the first memory,
the processor further being programmed to request that the server establish a link with another consumer access device,
the processor additionally being programmed to respond to a request from a server to establish a link with at least one further consumer access device, to accept the request.
2 . The consumer access device of claim 1 , further comprising a display.
3 . The consumer access device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further programmed to obtain confirmation from a consumer prior to accepting the request from the server.
4 . The consumer access device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further programmed to download applications to the first memory.
5 . The consumer access device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further programmed to pair with at least one user device to provide a user interface.
6 . The consumer access device of claim 1 , further comprising a third transceiver comprising a short range wireless transceiver.
7 . The consumer access device of claim 6 wherein the third transceiver comprises a Bluetooth™ transceiver.
8 . The consumer access device of claim 1 , wherein the first transceiver comprises a ZigBee™ transceiver, and/or wherein the second transceiver comprises a WiFi™ transceiver.
9 . The consumer access device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further programmed to receive utility data representing consumption of more than one utility.
10 . A method of linking at least first and second consumer access devices located at separate premises in a smart energy system so that, after linking, their respective consumers can interact via their respective consumer access devices, each of the first and second consumer access devices comprising a processor, first memory for storing at least one application, second memory for secure storage of secure utility data representing utility usage, a first transceiver configured to connect to a respective smart energy meter or Current Transformer (CT) clamp to receive the secure utility data from the respective smart meter or CT clamp, and a second transceiver configured to communicate with at least one server, the processor being programmed to store the secure utility data received via the first transceiver in the second memory, the processor also being programmed to execute at least one application stored in the first memory, the processor further being programmed to request that the at least one server establish a link with another consumer access device, the processor additionally being programmed to respond to a request from the server to establish a link with the another consumer access device, to accept the request, the method performed by the server and comprising:
receiving, from the first consumer access device or a first user device associated with the first consumer access device, an indication of the identity of another consumer,
confirming that the another consumer has the second consumer access device,
sending an invitation to the second consumer access device or to a second user device associated with the second consumer access device, the invitation identifying the consumer associated with the first consumer access device, and
in response to a positive reply from the second consumer access device or from the second user device associated with the second consumer access device, storing data identifying that the first and second consumer access devices are linked and communicating link data to the first and second consumer access devices to enable the first and second consumer access devices to link to each other and to interact with each other after linking.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the link data communicated to the first and second consumer access devices comprises address data for a peer-to-peer connection between the first and second consumer devices.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the indication of the identity of the another consumer comprises at least one of street address, customer number, customer name, postal code and property number, and unique consumer access device identity.
13 . A method of communicating first data to both a first consumer access device and a second consumer access device, each of the first and second consumer access devices comprising a processor, first memory for storing at least one application, second memory for secure storage of data representing utility usage, a first transceiver configured to communicate with a domestic smart meter or Current Transformer (CT) clamp to receive second data comprising secure utility data representing utility usage from the domestic smart meter or CT clamp, and a second transceiver configured to communicate with at least one server, the processor being programmed to store the second data received via the first transceiver in the second memory, the processor also being programmed to execute at least one application stored in the first memory, the processor further being programmed to request that the server establish a link with another consumer access device, the processor additionally being programmed to respond to a request from a server to establish a link with at least one further consumer access device, to accept the request, the method comprising:
receiving, at a server, a request from the first consumer access device or a first user device associated with the first consumer access device to communicate first data to the first and second consumer access devices,
confirming that the first and second consumer access devices comprise linked consumer access devices, and
communicating the first data to the first and second consumer access devices.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
receiving, at the server, a request from the second consumer access device or a second user device associated with the second consumer access device to communicate first data to the first and second consumer access devices, and
communicating the first data to the first and second consumer access devices.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the server is further programmed to periodically transmit the same first data to the first and second consumer access devices.
16 . A method of communicating data between a first consumer access device and a second consumer access device, each of the first and second consumer access devices comprising a processor, first memory for storing at least one application, second memory for secure storage of second data comprising secure utility data representing utility usage, a first transceiver configured to communicate with a domestic smart meter or Current Transformer (CT) clamp to receive the second data from the domestic smart meter or CT clamp, and a second transceiver configured to communicate with at least one server, the processor being programmed to store the second data received via the first transceiver in the second memory, the processor also being programmed to execute at least one application stored in the first memory, the processor further being programmed to request that the server establish a link with another consumer access device, the processor additionally being programmed to respond to a request from a server to establish a link with at least one further consumer access device, to accept the request, the method comprising:
receiving, at a server, a request from the first consumer access device to communicate first data to the second consumer access device,
confirming that the first and second consumer access devices comprise linked consumer access devices, and
sending the first data to the second consumer access device.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the first data communicated to the second consumer device is alarm data in response to uncharacteristic energy consumption detected by the first consumer access device.
18 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising
sending the first data to at least one user device associated with the second consumer access device.
19 . A method of sharing energy usage data between at least a first consumer access device and a second consumer access device, each of the first and second consumer access devices comprising a processor, first memory for storing at least one application, second memory for secure storage of data comprising secure utility data representing utility usage, a first transceiver configured to communicate with a domestic smart meter or Current Transformer (CT) clamp to receive the secure utility data from the domestic smart meter or CT clamp, and a second transceiver configured to communicate with at least one server, the processor being programmed to store the secure utility data received via the first transceiver in the second memory, the processor also being programmed to execute at least one application stored in the first memory, the processor further being programmed to request that the server establish a link with another consumer access device, the processor additionally being programmed to respond to a request from a server to establish a link with at least one further consumer access device, to accept the request, the method comprising:
receiving energy usage data from the first consumer access device, and
sending energy usage data to the second consumer access device.
20 . The method of claim 19 wherein the sending of energy usage data occurs over a peer-to-peer connection, or via a server.