AU2013200818A1 - A monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

An energy resource tracking system and method for monitoring C02 emissions which utilises sensors and a processor to generate usage data and identify trends. 104 101' Web Portal _ 1 0 1 4 105 , 1 52 Fig. 1 1054

Description

TITLE A monitoring system TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to monitoring system. In particular although not exclusively the present invention relates to a system and method for monitoring resource usage at a remote site. BACKGROUND ART [0002] The publicity surrounding global warming debate and the environment in general has seen an ever increasing trend from energy consumers to reduce consumption. The push to be carbon neutral or to have as low a carbon foot print as possible is attractive to may consumers not only from a publicity stand point but from a cost perspective. The introduction of a carbon economy has seen unit costs for access to basic resources such as electricity, water and gas dramatically increase. [0003] Recent research claims Australian household charges for electricity are already 70 per cent higher than the American average, a figure that will grow to 160 per cent in two years. Using 2007 currency exchange rates, Australian households paid more than those in Japan, US, Canada and the average of the EU. Carbon Market Economics comparison of prices in 92 jurisdictions, including more than 35 countries, found that NSW ranked fourth behind Denmark, Germany and South Australia. Victoria was fifth and Western Australia was sixth. The ACT was 21st. [0004] As consumers become more energy and resource conscious there has been an increase in the sale of energy efficient and water saving devices. In addition the every increasing cost of the supply of these resources have seen all levels of government implement various schemes and rebates aimed to reducing the burden to everyday households and business. For example the Australian Federal Government and various state governments have provided substantial rebates for the installation of solar power system and other solar devices such as solar water heater and air conditioners. [0005] In the state of Queensland it is possible to book a government sponsored home energy service know as the "Climate Smart Home service". Under this scheme an electrician visits an individual's premises to install energy efficient light bulbs, water restricting shower heads. The electrician also install a device know as a smart home energy meter which shows total usage in both dollars and carbon emissions. In order to determine what is casing the biggest load etc a user is required to walk around their home switching off appliances etc and watch the meters reaction. [0006] The smart home meter is one of a number of wireless energy meters on the market. All these meters utilise a clamp which is place around the main line electricity into the dwelling, i.e. on the downside of the meter box. The clamp uses the principle of induction to detect current flow. The clamp is wired into a base unit mounted into the meter box. The base unit includes a wireless transmitter which communicates with a display unit for the meter. While these units provide a basic picture of the energy usage within a dwelling they are somewhat inaccurate and can be influences by stray fields etc. Moreover to identify a major source of electricity usage. [0007] Moreover the various smart meters are normally only capable of measuring usage of a single resource. Consequently the information they provided in relation to carbon emissions is not accurate as it is only one component of the actual carbon consumption by the user. [0008] Clearly it would be advantageous to provide an apparatus, system and method for tracking resource usage within a specific location. It would also be advantageous to provide an apparatus, system and method that enables a user to track resource usage of various sectors of the location to identify usage trends and spikes. It would also be advantageous to provide a apparatus, system and method that would provide users with an accurate assessment of their resource usage including costs and C02 emissions in real time or near real time. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0009] Accordingly in one aspect of the present invention there is provided a monitoring device for use in a monitoring system the device including: at least one sensor module having at least one input associated with a resource available at a subscriber site; a processor module coupled to the at least one senor module said at least one senor module including: a communications unit; at least one processor the processor adapted to: obtain usage information from the at least one sensor module on the resource at predetermined time intervals; store the usage information; compile usage data for a select usage period in response a request by a subscriber associated with the subscriber site; transmit via the communication unit the usage data for display to the subscriber. [0010] The resources available at a subscriber site may include such resources as electricity provided form the energy grid, gas, water, axillary or supplemental electricity supplies such as solar, wind or hydroelectric systems, auxiliary water sources such as rainwater, tanks dams, etc. [0011] The monitoring device may include a plurality of sensor modules coupled to the processor. Each sensor module may include a plurality of sensor inputs up to a maximum of 6 inputs. Suitably the inputs may by current sensing inputs or pulse sensing inputs or a combination thereof. Preferably the pulse sensing inputs are utilised to monitor usage of pulsed resources such as water and gas (i.e. on demand resources) and the current sensing inputs are utilised to monitor electricity and power usage (i.e. resources in constant or steady usage). One or more of the current sensing input may be coupled together to permit monitoring of one or more 3 phase equipment and power sources. [0012] At least one of the sensor modules may be a power sensing module. In such instance the power sensing module preferably includes at least 3 current sensing inputs and at least 3 voltage sensing inputs. At least one of the sensor modules may be a temperature sensing module. [0013] Suitably the sensor modules and the processor module are coupled together via a common bus. Preferably the common bus is an RS 485 9600 8,N,1 + 12VDC bus. In such instances up to at least 20 individual sensor modules may be utilised in conjunction with the processor module, thereby providing up to a possible 120 inputs. Each of the sensor modules inputs may be individually address to denote a particular load circuits coupled to the given resource. It is to be understood that the term circuit in this instances is not limited in the strict sense to an electrical circuit but -r refers to various usage categories such as power circuits, light circuits, individual appliance and other fixtures. Suitably the circuits may be divided into zones based on specific location within the subscriber type thereby allowing the user to view information on a particular usage category in a particular zone. [0014] The communications unit preferably includes Ethernet port enabling the unit to be connected a LAN or WAN. the communications unit may also include a bus master for communication with the various sensor modules on the common bus. [0015] The processor module may also be provided with a USB connection which enables the connection of storage media such as a flash or thumb drive, portable hard drive or the like. [0016] Suitably the processor module is provided with a number of sensor inputs for monitoring one or more resources at the subscriber site. Preferably the processor module includes at least 3 pulse inputs and at least 4 current sensing inputs. In such cases the processor module includes both pulse and current input conditions stages. [0017] The monitoring device may also include an input/output (I/O) module coupled to the processor module via the common bus. Suitably the (I/O) includes 3 pulse inputs and 4 switched outputs. Preferably the input/output module may be utilised to control supply of pulsed resources to specific circuits. [0018] Preferably all of the modules are DIN rail mounted to enable the modules to be readily swapped in and out and added as required. [0019] In yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for monitoring resource usage said system including: a plurality of subscriber site each monitoring device; at least one server coupled to each of the monitoring devices at the subscriber sites wherein each monitoring device includes: at least one sensor module having at least one input associated with a resource available at a subscriber site; a processor module coupled to the at least one senor module said at least one senor module including: a communications unit; at least one processor the processor adapted to: obtain usage information from the at least one sensor module on the resource at predetermined time intervals; store the usage information; compile usage data for a select usage period in response a request by the server; transmit via the communication unit the usage data the server; and wherein the server is adapted to generate usage reports for a selected subscriber site from said usage data for display to a subscriber associated with the selected on receipt of a request by the subscriber. [0020] Suitably the subscriber requests the report via the use of a web portal. Preferably each subscriber to the system access the web portal utilising a set of credentials on registering with the system. The registration of the subscriber may be performed in a conventional manner for example via the use of a web based form or the like. The system may create a subscriber profile based on the registration information each subscriber profile being associated with a unique identifier assigned to the subscriber's monitoring device. [0021] The reports may be present to the user via a series of Graphical User Interfaces (GUls). Each of the GUIs may be customised for the user depending on the number of recourses and circuits within the subscriber site for each specific monitoring device. [0022] The subscriber may be provided with the option to download one or more of the reports in various formats such as csv, PDF, Excel, Word or the like for further processing. [0023] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0024] In order that this invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and wherein: [00251 Figure 1 is a schematic diagram depicting the arrangement of a monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention; [0026] Figure 2 is block depicting the topology a monitoring unit for use in a monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention; [0027] Figure 3 is a block diagram depicting one possible hardware arrangement of a processing module for use in the monitoring unit according to one embodiment of the present invention; [0028] Figures 4A and 4B are flow charts depicting the process for the acquisition and compilation of resource data according to one embodiment of the present invention; [0029] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram depicting one possible configuration of a user interface according to one embodiment; [0030] Figure 6 is a is a schematic diagram depicting one possible configuration of a further user interface according to one embodiment; [0031] Figure 7 is a is a schematic diagram depicting one possible configuration of a user interface according to one embodiment; [0032] Figure 8 is a is a schematic diagram depicting one possible configuration of a user interface according to one embodiment; [0033] Figure 9 is a is a schematic diagram depicting one possible configuration of a user interface according to one embodiment; and [0034] Figure 10 is a is a schematic diagram depicting one possible configuration of a user interface according to one embodiment; DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0035] With reference to figure 1 there is illustrated one possible configuration of a monitoring system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown the system includes a plurality of remote modules 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014 each of which is installed a specific location such as a user home, business etc associated with a specific user 1051, 1052, 1053, 1054. Each unit may be coupled to one or more circuits associated with various resources available at its locality such as gas, water and electricity. The interconnection of each remote unit to the one or more circuits at a given location is discussed in further detail below. The remote units are coupled via a communications network 102 to a server 103. [0036] The server in this instance collates the data transmitted by each remote unit 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014 on each resource at it given location. The data passed by each of the remote includes predominately usage data for each circuit coupled to the remote unit but may also include information relating to resource generation such as energy generated through solar, wind turbines etc. The server may be configured to generate a series of reports based on the received data for presentation to the user 1051, 1052, 1053, 1054 for review. [0037] As shown each user 1051, 1052, 1053, 1054 is able to access the reports via the use of a web portal 106. In order to access the desired reports the user is required to log into the protal using the credentials i.e. user name and password provided by the system during registration of the user. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the registration of the user may be performed in a conventional manner for example via the use of a web based form or the like which would request the users personal detail including name address contact information etc. Once the user is registered the remote unit can then be installed by a service provider the unit is then associated with the specific user utilising a unit identification number or the like. [0038] Once the user has logged in they are then presented with a series of Graphical User Interfaces (GUls) which provide the user with access to various reports and information regarding resource usage. Each of the GUIs may be customised for the user depending on the number of recourses and circuits within the remote unit's locality. A more detailed discussion on the various GUI is provided below. [0039] While the above example utilises the server to compile the data into a report it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that this processing could be performed locally within each of the monitoring units and forward to the server for later access by the user. Alternatively the server could simply push the raw data to the user's terminal for processing in such case the system would provide an application for the processing of the data into the appropriate report format for display to the user. [0040] Figure 2 depicts the topology a monitoring unit 101 for use in a monitoring system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown the unit includes a plurality of modules including power supply module 201, processor module 202, sensor modules 2031, 2032, 2033 and a Input/output module 204. Each of the modules are coupled together via a common bus 205 which in this particular example is an RS 485 9600 8,N,1 ± 12VDC bus. [0041] The processor module 202 is in this instance is provided with an Ethernet port 206 enabling the unit to be connected a local area network (LAN) to enable the processor module 202 to communicate with the server 103 via the world wide web. The processor module is also provided with a USB connection 207 which enable the connection of storage media such as a flash or thumb drive, portable hard drive or the like. The provision of the USB interface enables the backup of the resource data captured during daily operation of the various sensor modules 2031, 2032, 2033. in addition the USB port also enable the use of a USB stick for firmware/software upgrades to the processor module 202. Of course it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that such firmware and software upgrades could also be provided directly to the processor module 202 via the Ethernet connection. [0042] The processor module 202 also includes a number of sensor inputs more specifically 4 pulse inputs 208 and 3 CT inputs 209 (current sensor inputs). The pulse inputs in enable the unit to monitor resources like main potable water supply, gas and other pulsed resources such as auxiliary water sources i.e. tanks and grey water systems etc. The 3 CT inputs permit the unit to module to monitor mains electricity supply, solar and other renewable energy sources etc. [0043] In the depicted example the unit 101 includes three senor modules 2031, 2032, 2033 which communicate with the processor module via the bus 205 with each sensor module having its own address on the bus 205. As an RS 485 bus is used in this instance up to 20 individual sensor modules could be utilised in conjunction with the processor module 202. In this particular example senor module 2 03, is a current sensing module with 6 CT inputs 209. The provision of 6 CT inputs enable the module to provide a number of different configuration for example the module 2 03, could be configured to monitor 2 three phase circuits, 6 single phase circuits or 1 three phase and 3 single phase circuits. [0044] Module 2033 in this example is a temperature sensor and provides data to the processing module 202. Sensor module 2032 in this case is a high accuracy power meter. The module includes three CT inputs 209 and 3 voltage inputs 210, as the module obtains reading on both current and voltage usage it can accurate calculate the power usage for the given circuit (i.e. P =I. V). [0045] The input/output module 204 in this case includes 3 pulse inputs 208 and 4 switched outputs 211. The input/output module may be utilised to control supply of pulsed resources to specific circuits. For example the input/output module could be connected to a float switch within a tank when the water level in the tank reaches a preset level the float switch signals the input output unit which then switches the output to close of the tank supply to various circuits and open the circuits to mains supply. This action prevents damage to the pump and down stream equipment coupled to the tank supply. [0046] In the present example each of the modules is DIN rail mounted allowing the units to be readily integrated into any metering equipment. In addition the use of a DIN mount enables modules to be readily swapped in and out and added as required. The ability to interchange modules enables the unit to be highly configurable with any number of combinations of various sensor modules being possible. While the present example utilises a DIN mounting arrangement it will be appreciated by these of skill in the art that other mounting arrangements are possible. [0047] Figure 3 depicts the construction of the processor module 202 in further detail. As shown the processor module includes a power supply 300, a microprocessor 301 coupled directly to the USB port 207 and to the Ethernet port 206 via the Ethernet controller 302. The microprocessor 301 is coupled to the CT inputs 208 via a CT input conditioner 303, similarly the module's pulse inputs 209 are coupled to the microprocessor 301 via pulse conditioner 304. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art condition of the various current and pulse inputs is done to ensure both accuracy and to prevent damage to the microprocessor 301. [0048] The microprocessor 301 is coupled to the bus 205 via a bus manager 305. The bus manager enables the microprocessor 301 to receive the data from each of the sensor modules. The bus manager also enables the microprocessor to regularly pole the sensor modules to ensure that they are working correctly. If a fault is detected by the microprocessor 301 it is able to alert the user of system provider of the fault. [0049] While each of the various components of the processor module have been illustrated in this case as being separate from the microprocessor 301, it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the Ethernet controller 302, CT input conditioner 303, pulse conditioner 304 and bus manager 305 could all be implemented within the pulse conditioner 304. [0050] With reference to Figures 4A and 4B there is illustrated the process 400 for the acquisition and compilation of resource data by the processing module 202 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown on initiation 401 the unit the processing module 202 initialises all peripherals 402 such as the USB, the various CT and pulse inputs and the RS 485 bus. Once the peripherals are initialised the processing module 202 then proceeds to set the system clock 403. The module then proceeds to query if the clock has been set 404 if the clock has not been set the module proceed to set the clock per step 403. If the clock is set the module then determines if a time set is due 405 and if so it proceeds to set the clock 406. [0051] If a time set is not due the module then proceeds to process the various system requests. As shown the module firstly processes all bus commands 407 before proceeding to process all TCP/IP requests 408. Once the module has processed the TCP/IP requests it then proceeds to process all HTTP and DHCP request steps 409 and 410 respectively. After processing the HTTP 409 and DHCP 410 request the module then processes SMTP requests 412 and UDP request 413, before proceeding to process the NetBIOS requests 414. Once the NetBIOS requests 414 are processed the module proceed to process the DNS requests 415. After various request are processed the module then proceeds to check if the USB is functioning properly 416 if not the process returns to step 404. If the USB is functioning then the module proceed to determine if a data poll is due step 417 figure 4B. [0052] The time between data polling is configurable and may be set to any desired time interval. In the present example the polling is performed at 10 second intervals, longer intervals may be utilised where there is limited data storage capacity or access to a communications network. If polling is due then the module proceed to read the local inputs 418 i.e. the 3 pulse 208 and 4 CT 209 inputs before reading 419 I I the various CT and pulse inputs of the various sensor modules via the bus 205. The inputs are then summed to the modules accumulators 420 before the module proceed to determine if the there has been a change in the hour 421. In the event that polling is not due at step 417 the module proceeds directly to step 421 to determine if there has been a change in the hour. [0053] If the module notes a change in the hour at step 421 it proceeds to save the data accumulated in the modules hour accumulator to the external memory device 422 coupled to the USB port before clearing the hour accumulator. The save operation may be to simply append the data for the hour to a file for the given day. Once the module has cleared the hour accumulator 423 it proceeds to check of there has been a change in the day 424. In the event that the system determines that there has been a roll over to new day it saves and closes the file for the day and opens a new file the new day 425. Once the module has closed off the data has saved the day's data to the external memory device 425 it then proceed to determine if there has been a change in the month 426. If there has been a change in the month the module then proceeds to package the data from all the days in the month into a single file which is then written to the external memory device 427. [0054] Once the module has proceed though the steps 421, 424 and 426 or the answer to the query at any of these steps is in the negative the module proceeds to determine if there has been a HTTP request for the data been made 428. If the request has been made then the module generates a report 429 which is then sent to the server 103 via the communication network 102 for display to the user 105. Once the system has forwarded the data or there has been no HTTP request for the data it returns to step 404 and proceed to process the request and data in the manner discussed above. [0055] Figure 5 depicts one example of a display 500 generated by the system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown the screen is divided into a number of display areas. The upper section of the screen includes a dashboard display having a plurality of dials depicting various resources. In the present example the dashboard includes a dial depicting the mains power usage 501 a dial depicting the power being generated by the solar unit 502 and a dial depicting the total load 503 at the given location.

I4.

[00561 The lower section of the display is divided into three display areas showing different summaries of resource usage. The left hand section of the lower display area provides a summary 504 of current usage for a selected period along with approximate energy costs. The cental portion 505 of the lower display area includes graph of the current usage for the given resource within the selected period. In this example the graph depicts electrical loads for the location for the current year. As can be seen the graph plots the total loads (power) against the total energy consumption (total). In addition to this each load circuit such as lights, hot water service, cooking, pool/office and Ac are also plotted. The plotted data is also presented in the form of a pie breakdown chart 506 which is provided on the right hand side of the lower display area. The pie breakdown shows each of the loads as a percentage of the total energy consumption. [0057] As can be seen as series of buttons are provided within the left hand and central displays of the lower display area. The buttons provided 5091, 5092, 5093 the summary section 504 enable the user to toggle the information being displayed on the central display 505. In this case selection of button 509, will toggle the central display to show the daily usage of a selected resource while selection of 5092 toggles the central 505 to show the monthly usage of given resources while button 5093 toggles the display to show the usage for the year. Below the view buttons 5092, 5093 there are provided a history button 510 and a setup button. Selection of the history button enables the user to bring up a complete history of the usages for the site. In the present case the system is able to store up to 5 years worth of usage data enabling the user to track trends in their usage and implement usage strategies to reduce consumption. [0058] The set up button 511 in this case brings up a setup screen enabling the user to customise the look of the display, adjust the sizes of the display areas remove particular displays and gadgets (i.e. dials) etc. The setup may also enable the user to enter in data relating to tariffs associated with a particular resource which are often shown in the energy bills, supplier details and the like. In some instance the system could be configured to automatically obtain the tariffs from the supplier once the user has entered the supplier details. [0059] A series of buttons are also provided along the lower edge of the central display 505. In the present case the buttons provided include water 5071, gas 5072, Electric supply 5073, Electric loads 5074. Selection of these buttons toggles the central display 505 between each of the resource available at the site i.e. selection of water button 507, brings up the water usage display for the selected period day, month, year. Similarly selection of any of the other buttons gas 5072, Electric supply 5073, Electric loads 5074 will pull up the display for that resource for the selected period. [0060] A view totals button 512 is provided in the dashboard display just below the loads dial 503. In addition to the view totals button an analyse totals button 508 is provided adjacent the water 5071, gas 5072, Electric supply 5073, Electric loads 5074 buttons. Selecting the view totals button takes the suer to the loads total screen as shown in Figure 8 which is discussed in detail below. Similarly the selection of the analyse totals button 508 takes the user to a detailed view of the usage for the resource currently being displayed in the central display 505 an example of the analyse totals screen is depicted in figure 9. [0061] With reference to figure 6 depicts the user screen on selection of the month button 5092 as in the above example the display is divided into the upper display area including the dash board and dials for mains power usage 501, solar power 502 and loads 503. Again the lower display area includes the left hand summary display 504 with day 5091, month 5092, year 5093, history 510 and setup 511 buttons provided below the summary of current daily usage. The central display again depicts a plot of the current resource usage for the selected resource in this case electrical loads with the user being free to toggle between usage displays for a given resource by selection the appropriate resource button water 5071, gas 5072, Electric supply 5073, Electric loads 5074. The right hand display again shows a pie breakdown 506 of the various components contributing to the usage of the selected resource. [0062] As can be seen as the screen is toggled to the monthly display the scale on the central display automatically updates to suit the current selected period. In this case the central display rescales to 60kWh scale and the appropriate number of days for the selected month in this case March which has 31 days. In addition to the rescaling of the central display 505 the summary of the current usage summary on the left hand display and pie breakdown chart 506 are also automatically updated. [0063] Figure 7 depicts the user screen produce when the user selects the day I -T display button 509, as in the above example the display is divided into the upper display area including the dash board and dials for mains power usage 501, solar power 502 and loads 503. Again the lower display area includes the left hand summary display 504 with day 5091, month 5092, year 5093, history 510 and setup 511 buttons provided below the summary of current daily usage. The central display again depicts a plot of the current resource usage for the selected resource in this case electrical loads with the user being free to toggle between usage displays for a given resource by selection the appropriate resource button water 5071, gas 5072, Electric supply 5073, Electric loads 5074. The right hand display again shows a pie breakdown 506 of the various components contributing to the usage of the selected resource. [0064] As can be seen as the screen is toggled to the daily display the scale on the central display automatically updates to suit the current selected period. In this case the central display rescales to 5kWh scale and with the day being broken into a periods of 4 hours. In addition to the rescaling of the central display 505 the summary of the current usage summary on the left hand display and pie breakdown chart 506 are also automatically updated. [0065] With reference to figure 8 there is depicted the user screen which is generated when the user selects the view totals button 512. Again the display is divided into upper and lower sections. The upper section in this instance no longer includes the dashboard dials as the totals for the selected resource are displayed graphically in the central display 505. The left hand display again includes a summary of the current usage totals for the selected period. The user is provided with the ability to buttons provided 5091, 5092, 5093 the summary section 504 enable the user to toggle the information being displayed between a number of selected periods namely daily, monthly and yearly usage. Again switching between the daily, monthly and yearly usage periods toggles the cental display information and updates the information displayed in the pie breakdown chart in the right hand display 506. [0066] As opposed to the above examples this particular user screen does not include the history button 510 and setup buttons 511. In addition the various function buttons provided below the central display are altered. In this case the series of buttons 5131, 5132, 5133, 5134,5135, 5136, 5137 below the central display are associated with specific circuits within the location in this case the circuits include main and solar power 5131, power 5132, lights 5133, hot water 5134, cooking 5135, I %J pool/office 5136 and AC 5137. Again selecting one of these buttons toggles the central display to show a more detailed view of the usage for the given circuit in this case the user has selected mains and solar button 513, as such the display shows the electricity generated by the solar system (bottom line) and the electricity being supplied to the site by mains power (top line). The break down of the supply is shown in the pie chart in the right hand display 506 in this example 90% of the sites electricity needs is suppled via the mains supply while the remaining 10% is provided by the solar system. [0067] In order to return to the main user screen once they have completed reviewing the various energy totals the user simply selects the dash board icon 514 in the top left of the upper display. As can be seen the display shown the current screen just below the dashboard icon as the user drills down through the information screens a descriptor of the successive screens is added. This enable the user to navigate back to pervious screens by selection of the descriptor associated with the particular screen they wish to view. [0068] Figure 9 depicts one example of a user screen that is generated on selection of the view totals button 512 provided below the loads dial 503. As shown the screen is divided into upper and lower display regions. The upper region includes the dashboard display in this instance includes a plurality of dials 5151, 5152, 5153, 5154, 5155 and 5156 each dial associated with a particular load circuit. In this case the dials include power 513, lights 5132, hot water 5133, cooking 5134, pool/office 5135 and AC 5136. Each dial includes a display of the current usage for the given load circuit both in analogue (i.e. gauge) and digital forms (i.e. number display below gauge). [0069] The lower display in this case is again divided into three display areas. The left hand display provides a summary 504 of the daily total usages while the central 505 and right hand 506 displays depicting current usage information associated with the load circuits. As can be seen the central display shows the current energy usage by all the load circuits power, lights, hot water, cooking, pool/office and AC. The display spans a total of one minute which is broken into four 15 second intervals with the display being updated every 10 seconds. The pie breakdown in the right hand display shows the percentage of the total load for each load circuit based on current usage.

IU [00701 As can be seen in this example a view circuits button 516 is provided below one or more of the dials. In this case a view circuits button 516 is provided below the lights 5152, and cooking 5154 dials. The view circuits buttons are available where the are more than circuit contributing to the usage total for the given load. It is to be understood that the term circuit in this instance is not limited in the strict sense to an electrical circuit but refers to various usage points such as power circuits, light circuits, individual appliance connect to a particular points in the location etc which are coupled to a particular input of a sensor module. Consequently each input can be addressed to denote a particular group of points (i.e. location resources can be zoned) within the location or a single piece of equipment such as a specific cooker unit, dryer etc. [0071] Selecting the view circuits button 516 under the lights dial 5152 produces the screen shown in Figure 10. As shown the upper dashboard display includes a pair of dials 5171, 5172 each associated with a particular group of light fittings. In this example the lights are divided into two zones lights upper 517, and lights 2 5172. The left corner of the dashboard is updated to reflect that the user is now viewing a sub screen of the powers screen. As noted above in order for the hierarchical menu in the left hand edge of the dash board enables the user to navigate back to previous user screens such as the power totals screen of figure 9 or to the home screen. [0072] As shown the lower display region again includes the three display areas the left hand display maintaining the summary 504 of the daily total usages while the central 505 and right hand 506 displays depict the current usage by the light circuits. As above the central display again displays the current usage over a one minute period with the information being updated every 10 seconds. The pie breakdown in the right hand display 506 shows the overall contribution of each light circuit to the total load provided by the light circuits. In this case the lights in the upper light circuit contribute around 60% of the total lighting load with the lights in the second lighting zone contributing the remaining 40% of the total load. [0073] By zone the loads in this manner the user is able to gain an accurate picture of which areas of the location are consuming the greater amounts of resources. This enables users to identify particular appliances etc that may provide the greatest load. It also enables users to identify periods of peak demand within selected time period. Once the user ha been able to identify various usage trends I I form this information they can then implement strategies to minimise usage in other areas or during peak demand period to reduce costs. [0074] Finally each of the above discussed user screens may include a button to permit the user to download one or more of the reports in a desired format. In such case the user simply selects the download button which then presents the user with a selection of file formats such as csv, PDF, Excel, Word etc. once the user has selected the desired format the report is packaged and downloaded. [0075] It is to be understood that the above embodiments have been provided only by way of exemplification of this invention, and that further modifications and improvements thereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the present invention described herein.

Claims (27)

1. A monitoring device for use in a monitoring system the device including: at least one sensor module having at least one input associated with a resource available at a subscriber site; a processor module coupled to the at least one senor module said at least one senor module including: a communications unit; at least one processor the processor adapted to: obtain usage information from the at least one sensor module on the resource at predetermined time intervals; store the usage information; compile usage data for a select usage period in response a request by a subscriber associated with the subscriber site; and transmit via the communication unit the usage data for display to the subscriber.

2. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the sensor module includes a maximum of 6 sensor inputs.

3. The monitoring device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor inputs are current sensing inputs.

4. The monitoring device of claim 3, wherein sensor inputs may be paired to monitor a 3 phase power circuit.

5. The monitoring device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor module includes at least one pulse input.

6. The monitoring device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the monitoring device further includes a power monitoring module coupled to the processor module.

7. The monitoring device of claim 6, wherein the power monitoring module includes three current sensing inputs and three voltage inputs.

8. The monitoring device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the monitoring device further includes a temperature sensing module coupled to the processor module. I ;

9. The monitoring device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the monitoring device further includes an input/output module coupled to the processor.

10. The monitoring device of claim 9, wherein the input/output device includes three pulsed inputs and four switched outputs.

11. The monitoring device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor module is provided with a number of sensor inputs for monitoring one or more resources at the subscriber site.

12. The monitoring device of claim 11, wherein the processor module includes at least 3 pulse inputs and at least 4 current sensing inputs.

13. The monitoring device of claim 12, wherein the processor module includes condition stages for each of the pule and current sensing inputs

14. The monitoring device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a common bus couples the processor modules to each of the monitoring device's remaining modules.

15. The monitoring device of claim 14, wherein the bus is a RS 485 bus.

16. The monitoring device of claims 14 or 15, wherein the communications unit includes a bus controller.

17. The monitoring device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the communications unit includes an Ethernet connection.

18. The monitoring device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor module further includes at least one USB port.

19. The monitoring device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each module is DIN rail mountable.

20. The monitoring device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor module obtains the usage information at 10 second intervals.

21. The monitoring device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the select usage period is a specific minute, hour, day, month or year. - V.

22. A system for monitoring resource usage said system including: a plurality of subscriber site monitoring devices; at least one server coupled to each of the monitoring devices at the subscriber sites wherein each monitoring device includes: at least one sensor module having at least one input associated with a resource available at a subscriber site; a processor module coupled to the at least one senor module, said at least one senor module including: a communications unit; at least one processor, the processor being adapted to: obtain usage information from the at least one sensor module on the resource at predetermined time intervals; store the usage information; compile usage data for a select usage period in response a request by the server; transmit via the communication unit the usage data to the server; and wherein the server is adapted to generate usage reports for a selected subscriber site from said usage data for display to a subscriber associated with the selected on receipt of a request by the subscriber.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the subscriber requests the report via the use of a web portal.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the subscriber access the web portal utilising a set of credentials provided by the system on subscriber registration.

25. The system of any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the subscriber is matched to a selected subscriber sit by a unique identifier assigned to the monitoring device associated with the subscriber.

26. The system of any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the usage reports are presented to the subscriber user via a series of Graphical User Interfaces (GUls).

27. The system of any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the usage reports are downloadable.