Method for zone based energy management with web browser interface
A method of managing a site includes monitoring an activation of a proximity detection function of a plurality of sites, with each site having a first zone as a home zone and a second zone having a boundary that is away from the first zone. The method proceeds by displaying an indicator within a web-based GUI enabling each user of each site to activate and deactivate use of the proximity detection function. Each site can include multiple users associated with each respective site. The method proceeds by detecting the multiple users as being home or away using the proximity detection function and then altering an operating condition of a network device located at at least one of the plurality of sites in response to a last user of the multiple users leaving the first zone.
1. A method of managing a site, comprising:
monitoring activation of a proximity detection function of a plurality of sites, each site having a first zone as a home zone and a second zone having a boundary that is away from the first zone;
displaying an indicator within a web-based GUI enabling each user of each site to activate and deactivate use of the proximity detection function, wherein each site can include multiple users associated with each site;
detecting the multiple users as being home or away using the proximity detection function; and
altering an operating condition of a network device located at at least one of the plurality of sites in response to a last user of the multiple users leaving the first zone.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
detecting the plurality of users being home or away based on an electronic device in possession of each of the plurality of users.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the electronic device includes a mobile device.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the electronic device includes a location reporting device.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the electronic device can includes an RFID enabled device.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined by a GPS coordinate of the electronic device.
7. The method of claim 4 , wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined by an IP address of a local network.
8. The method of claim 4 , wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined using geofencing technology.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first zone and the boundary of the second zone are determined using geofencing.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the GUI is configured to present the operating condition of the network device located at the at least one site.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the network device located at the at least one site is a thermostat and the operating condition is a current temperature set-point.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the network device located at the at least one site is an alarm system and the operating condition is a current operating mode of the alarm system.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the network device located at the at least one site is an HVAC system and the operating condition is a current operating mode of the HVAC system.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the network device located at the site is a lighting system and the operating condition is a current operating mode of the lighting system.
15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
displaying a distance selector within the GUI;
detecting a distance setting of the distance selector;
determining the boundary of the second zone at a distance away from the site equal to the distance setting; and
displaying the boundary of the second zone on the GUI using the distance setting of the distance selector.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the altering the operating condition further comprises one or more of:
detecting when a last user of the plurality of users leaves the home zone;
initiating an altering of the operating condition in response to detecting the last user leaving;
detecting a first user approaching the home zone;
initiating an altering of the operating condition in response to detecting the first user approaching the home zone.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the operating condition can include:
altering lights;
arming or disarming an alarm;
enabling or disabling use of a camera;
enabling or disabling use of a smart plug;
modifying use of a thermostat;
altering the operating condition of a window shade;
decreasing energy consumption at the site.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the network device includes at least one of a personal computer, a consumer electronic device, a media device, 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 fiber optic enabled communications device, a media gateway, a home media management system, a network server, an energy substation, 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, an energy controller, an irrigation system, a lighting system, an alarm system, a smart power outlet, an energy detection device, a power measurement device, a power measurement unit (PMU), an air handler, a wireless air damper, a humidity control system, a heat and motion sensing device, a smart power outlet, a switch router, or a wireless router.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the GUI is displayed on at least one of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, a home automation control terminal, a smart thermostat, or a PDA.
20. A method of managing a site with a server hosted graphical user interface (GUI), comprising:
detecting activation of a proximity detection function of a plurality of sites, each site having a first zone as a home zone and a second zone having a boundary that is away from the first zone;
displaying a selector to alter the proximity detection function within a web-based GUI;
enabling each user of each site to activate and deactivate use of the proximity detection function, wherein each site can include multiple users associated with each site;
displaying the selector as being activated within a mobile application;
detecting the multiple users as being home or away using the proximity detection function; and
altering an operating condition of a network device located at at least one of the plurality of sites in response to a last user of the multiple users leaving the first zone.
21. The method of claim 20 , further comprising:
detecting the plurality of users being home or away based on an electronic device in possession of each of the plurality of users.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the electronic device includes a mobile device.
23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the electronic device includes a location reporting device.
24. The method of claim 22 , further comprising:
displaying a graphic within the GUI presenting a current location of the mobile device with respect to the first zone and the second zone.
25. The method of claim 21 , wherein the electronic device includes an RFID enabled device.
26. The method of claim 23 , wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined by a GPS coordinate of the electronic device.
27. The method of claim 23 , wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined by an IP address of a local WIFI network.
28. The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
displaying a selector to enable the proximity detection function within a mobile application of a mobile device; and
enabling location detection of the mobile device as a background process initiated by the mobile application.
29. The method of claim 20 , wherein the GUI is configured to present the operating condition of the network device located at the at least one site.
30. The method of claim 20 , wherein the network device includes at least one of a personal computer, a consumer electronic device, a media device, 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 fiber optic enabled communications device, a media gateway, a home media management system, a network server, an energy substation, 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, an energy controller, an irrigation system, a lighting system, an alarm system, a smart power outlet, an energy detection device, a power measurement device, a power measurement unit (PMU), an air handler, a wireless air damper, a humidity control system, a heat and motion sensing device, a smart power outlet, a switch router, or a wireless router.