GB2464661A

GB2464661A - Power control apparatus comprising field module and controller

Info

Publication number: GB2464661A
Application number: GB0815266A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Marsh; Joo Teh-Nee
Original assignee: GSPK DESIGN Ltd; TWI Ltd
Current assignee: GSPK DESIGN Ltd; TWI Ltd
Priority date: 2008-08-21
Filing date: 2008-08-21
Publication date: 2010-04-28
Also published as: GB0815266D0; WO2010020809A2; WO2010020809A3

Abstract

A power management apparatus comprises a field module 10 configured to be coupled to an appliance (via socket 14) and operable to measure a parameter indicative of an amount of power being consumed by the appliance. The field module comprises a wireless transmitter 20 for transmitting a signal to a controller (50, fig. 2) indicative of the amount of power being consumed by the appliance, the controller being configured to determine whether the amount of power being used by the appliance indicates that the appliance is in an idle condition or a standby condition. The controller is arranged to transmit a power termination signal to the field module when it is determined that the appliance is in the idle condition or the standby condition, the field module being arranged to terminate the supply of power to the appliance upon receipt of the power termination signal.

Description

POWER CONTROL APPARATUS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatus for controlling the supply of power to appliances. In particular but not exclusively the invention relates to apparatus for reducing an amount of power consumed by a plurality of appliances installed at a site.

BACKGROUND

It is known from GB2443454 to provide a standby power energy-saving device comprising a transmitter and a receiver, the receiver being arranged to cut off power to an electrical device such as a television, DVD player or hi-ti system when the device is in a standby mode. The transmitter incorporates a movement sensor and is adapted to send a signal to the receiver upon detection of movement of the transmitter whereby the receiver is able to return the electrical device to the standby mode.

The problem exists that a user may require to monitor consumption of power by a plurality of appliances installed at a site and to effect control of the power consumption of the appliances in a convenient and cost effective manner.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided power management apparatus comprising a field module and a controller, the field module being configured to be coupled to an appliance and operable to measure a parameter indicative of an amount of power being consumed by the appliance, the field module further comprising a wireless transmitter for transmitting a signal to the controller indicative of the amount of power being consumed by the appliance, the controller being configured to determine whether the amount of power being used by the appliance indicates that the appliance is in an idle condition or a standby condition, the controller being arranged to transmit a power termination signal to the field module when it is determined that the appliance is in the idle condition or the standby condition, the field module being arranged to terminate the supply of power to the appliance upon receipt of the power termination signal.

Embodiments of the invention have the advantage that a plurality of field modules may be controlled by a single controller. Furthermore information relating to power consumption of a plurality of appliances may be compiled by a single apparatus and control of the appliances effected by means of that apparatus.

Preferably the apparatus is further arranged to determine whether a user is agreeable to termination of a supply of power to the appliance before terminating a supply of power to the appliance.

Preferably the apparatus is arranged whereby in the event that it is determined that the appliance is in an idle condition or a standby condition the apparatus is arranged to transmit a signal to the appliance requesting permission to terminate the supply of power to the appliance, the appliance being arranged to provide an indication of whether permission to terminate power to the appliance is granted, wherein if permission to terminate power is not granted the apparatus is arranged not to terminate the supply of power to the appliance.

The appliance may be a computing device such as a personal computer (PC) and the computing device may be configured to prompt a user to input to the computing device an indication whether permission to terminate the supply of power to the computing device is granted and to generate the signal indicative of whether permission to terminate power is granted based on the indication input by the user.

Preferably the apparatus is arranged wherein if a user fails to respond to the prompt to input said indication within a predetermined time period the computing device is arranged to generate a signal indicating that permission to terminate power to the computing device is granted, the apparatus being arranged to subsequently terminate the supply of power to the computing device.

Preferably in the event that permission to terminate power to the computing device is granted by the user the computing device is arranged to commence a shutdown procedure prior to the termination of the supply of power to the computing device.

Preferably the shutdown procedure is arranged to shut down the computing device such that the computing device enters a hibernation mode whereby upon subsequent re-powering of the computing device any applications executing at the time the hibernation procedure commenced automatically continue executing substantially as if no disruption in power supply to the computing device had occurred.

Preferably the controller is arranged to determine that an appliance is in an idle condition or a standby condition when an amount of power being consumed by the appliance corresponds to one selected from amongst (i) the instantaneous power consumption of the appliance does not vary by more than a prescribed percentage value within a prescribed time period; (ii) the instantaneous power consumption of the appliance drops below a prescribed threshold value; and (iii) the instantaneous power consumption of the appliance drops below a prescribed percentage value of the average power consumption, the average power consumption being that determined over a given preceding period of operating time of the appliance.

Preferably the apparatus is further configured to determine whether the current time corresponds to one or more predetermined periods of time before terminating the supply of power to the appliance, in the event that a current time does correspond to a predetermined period of time the apparatus being configured not to terminate the supply of power to the appliance when the appliance is in the idle condition or standby condition.

Preferably the one or more predetermined periods of time may be determined by a user.

Preferably the one or more predetermined periods of time are predetermined periods of time of at least one selected from the group consisting of a day, a week, a month and a year.

In other words, the one or more predetermined periods of time may for example be periods of time of day such as a period of hours or minutes of a day (e.g the period from 6pm to 7am), or periods of time of a week (such as a weekend) when power is typically not required by certain appliances.

Preferably the threshold value corresponds to an amount of power consumed by the appliance when in one selected from amongst the idle condition and the standby condition.

Preferably the field module is arranged to communicate with the controller via a network interface module.

The network interface module may be provided remotely from the controller.

The field module may be arranged to communicate with the network interface module via a wireless connection.

The field module may also be configured to communicate with the network interface

module via a further field module.

Preferably the field module is provided with a power source coupling element arranged to couple the field module electrically to a power source.

Preferably the field module is further provided with an appliance coupling element arranged to couple the field module electrically to an appliance that is to be supplied with power, the field module being operable to couple the appliance to the power source via said appliance coupling element and power source coupling element.

The field module may be provided in an electrical power coupling element of the appliance.

The appliance coupling element and power source coupling elements may be quick-release coupling elements.

Thus, the field module may be provided in a plug arranged to be plugged into a wall socket power outlet. For example the field module may be integrated into a standard domestic three-pin or two-pin power plug.

Alternatively the field module may be provided in an electrical power coupling that is mounted within an electrical power outlet arranged to be coupled to an appliance thereby to supply power to the appliance.

In other words the field module may be integrated into a coupling such as a wall socket of a utility supply such as a wall socket of a building.

The field module may be provided as a standalone unit.

Alternatively or in addition a plurality of field modules may be provided in a single housing thereby to provide a multi-outlet module.

The multi-outlet module may be provided with a single power source coupling element arranged to provide power from a power source to each field module of the multi-outlet module.

The field module may be provided as an integral part of a power input module of an appliance.

The apparatus may be operable to restore power to an appliance in the event that the supply of power to the appliance is terminated by the field module.

The apparatus may be provided with a switching device arranged to provide a signal to the apparatus to restore power to the appliance.

The switching device may be arranged to communicate directly with the field module.

Alternatively or in addition the switching device may be arranged to communicate directly with the controller.

The switching device may comprise at least one selected from an RFID reader, a smartcard reader, a barcode reader, a biometric data reader, a motion sensor or any other suitable switching device.

The switching device may be provided remotely from the field module.

Alternatively the switching device may be integrated with the field module.

The controller may be arranged to communicate with a further controller.

Preferably parameters associated with operation of the apparatus may be input to the controller from a remote location.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a system comprising a plurality of apparatuses according to the first aspect.

The controllers of the system may be arranged to store data corresponding to power usage by appliances coupled to field modules of the system in a master database.

The system may comprise a master controller arranged to provide control signals to the controllers of the system.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided power management apparatus comprising a field module and a controller, the field module being arranged to be coupled to an appliance, the controller being configured to determine whether or not a supply of power to the appliance should be terminated based on a determination whether a user of the appliance is agreeable to termination of a supply of power to the appliance, wherein in the event that the user is agreeable to termination of the supply of power to the appliance the controller is arranged to transmit a power termination signal to the field module, the field module being arranged to terminate the supply of power to the appliance upon receipt of the power termination signal.

The controller may be configured to communicate with the appliance via an Ethernet connection or other suitable connection.

This has the advantage that a software program loaded in the appliance and arranged to provide communication between the appliance and the controller may use an existing communication channel of the appliance. For example, an internet or local area network (LAN) connection.

The appliance may be a computing device and the computing device may be configured to prompt a user to input to the computing device an indication whether permission to terminate the supply of power to the computing device is granted and to generate the signal indicative of whether permission to terminate power is granted based on the indication input by the user.

The apparatus may be configured whereby if a user fails to respond to the prompt to input said indication within a predetermined time period the computing device is arranged to generate a signal indicating that permission to terminate power to the device is granted.

Preferably in the event that permission to terminate power to the computing device is granted by the user the computing device is arranged to commence a shutdown procedure.

In a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided power management apparatus comprising a field module and a controller, the field module being coupled to an appliance and arranged to measure an amount of power being consumed by the appliance, the field module further comprising a wireless transmitter for transmitting a signal to the controller indicative of the amount of power being consumed by the appliance, the controller being configurable to determine whether or not a supply of power to the appliance should be terminated based on a parameter indicative of whether a user of the appliance is agreeable to termination of a supply of power to the appliance and at least one further parameter, wherein in the event that the user is agreeable to termination of the supply of power to the appliance and the at least one further parameter has a value corresponding to a prescribed condition under which it is acceptable to turn off power to the appliance the controller is arranged to transmit a power termination signal to the field module, the field module being arranged to terminate the supply of power to the appliance upon receipt of the power termination signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which: FIGURE 1 shows a field module according to an embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 2 shows apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention in which each field station communicates directly with a gateway station that is in turn in communication with a controller; FIGURE 3 is a flowchart of a method of operation of apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; and FIGURE 4 shows apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention in which a field station may serve to relay a signal from a further field station to a gateway station.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment of the invention a field module is provided as shown generally at 10 in FIG. 1. The field module 10 has a power cable 12 arranged to be coupled to a power source and a power socket 14 arranged to allow connection of an electrical appliance to the module 10. The module is operable to couple power input to the module by means of the power cable 12 to the power socket 14 via a power switch 18. A sensor 16 is arranged to measure an amount of electrical power drawn through the socket 14 by an electrical appliance coupled to the socket 14 and to output to a module controller 20 data corresponding to the amount of electrical power drawn by the appliance. In some embodiments the field module 10 has an on-board memory module arranged to store data corresponding to the amount of electrical power drawn.

The module controller 20 is arranged to receive data from the sensor 16 and to transmit the data to a network interface module (NIM) 20 (FIG. 2) by means of a transmitter 20 and antenna 24. The NIM 40 is in turn arranged to communicate with a system controller 50.

In some embodiments of the invention the field module 10 is configured to transmit the signal corresponding to the amount of electrical power drawn at periodic intervals. In some embodiments the field module 10 is configured to transmit the signal when requested to do so by the NIM 40 or the controller 50. In some embodiments the field module is configured to transmit the signal when the amount of electrical power drawn is at or below a threshold value. In some embodiments the threshold value corresponds to an amount of power drawn when the appliance is in a standby mode.

The field module 10 is also configured to receive a signal via a NIM 40 from the controller 50 instructing the field module 10 to terminate a supply of power to the socket 14 thereby terminating a supply of power to an appliance coupled to the socket 14.

In some embodiments the controller 50 is arranged to send a shut-down signal to the field module 10 instructing the field module to terminate a supply of power to the socket 14 when the supply of power is at or below the threshold level. In some embodiments the controller 50 is arranged to send the shut-down signal to the field module when the supply of power is at or below the threshold level and the current time of day is within a predetermined range of times. For example, the predetermined range of time may be the period of time when users are not expected to be using the appliance in question, such as the periods of time outside normal working hours.

In some embodiments the controller 50 is arranged to seek permission from a user to shut down an appliance connected to a field module 10 before terminating a supply of power to the socket 14.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a method of operation of apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

At step SlOl a field module 10 is powered up. At step S102 a computing portion of the field module 10 runs a software application to establish a wireless connection between neighbouring field modules and between field modules and one or more NIMs 40. In some embodiments the wireless connection is established using a ZigBee protocol.

Alternatively in some embodiments the wireless connection is established using IEEE 802.15.4 protocol or any other suitable protocol.

At step S103 the field module 10 synchronises communication with a NIM 40 or a web server via the NIM 40. At step S104 the field module 10 downloads any available

firmware updates for the field module 10.

In some embodiments the web server is provided by the controller 50. In some embodiments the web server is provided by a NIM 40.

At step S1O5A the field module 10 reads values of an amount of power being drawn through socket 14 from one or more power sensors 16 of the field module 10. At step S1O5B data obtained from the one or more sensors 16 is/are transmitted to the NIM 40, which in turn transmits the data to the controller 50.

At step S106 the controller 50 determines whether any appliance connected to socket 14 is powered up based on the data transmitted to the controller 50. If no appliance connected to socket 14 is powered up the apparatus repeats steps S1O5A to S106 until a powered-up device is detected.

In some embodiments step SilO is executed before repeating step S1O5A. At step Si 10 the data values transmitted to the controller 50 are recorded in a database.

If at step S106 it is determined by the controller 50 that a device has been powered up, step S107 is executed.

At step S107 the field module 10 runs a power control algorithm and at step S108 determines based on a result of the power control algorithm whether or not the appliance connected to the socket 14 is in an idle condition or a standby condition. If the device is not in an idle condition and/or is not in a standby condition the field module 10 executes step SilO before continuing at step Si 05A.

At step 5110 the controller may store values of parameters such as a current time, an amount of current supplied to the appliance such as an average amount of current or an RMS current or combination thereof, an apparent power and/or true power drawn by the appliance, and/or a power factor of the appliance.

The power control algorithm is arranged to detect the occurrence of any one of the following situations that indicate that an appliance may have entered an idle or standby condition: (i) the instantaneous power consumption of the appliance does not vary by more than a prescribed percentage value within a prescribed time period; (ii) the instantaneous power consumption of the appliance drops below a prescribed value; (iii) the instantaneous power consumption of the appliance drops below a prescribed percentage value of the average power consumption, the average power consumption being that determined over a given preceding period of operating time of the appliance.

If the appliance is determined to be in an idle condition or a standby condition, at step S109 the field module determines whether or not to terminate a supply of power to the socket 14.

In some embodiments, in the event that it is determined that the appliance is in an idle condition or a standby condition the controller 50 instructs the field module 10 to terminate a supply of power to the appliance.

In some embodiments, when it is determined that the appliance is in an idle condition or a standby condition the controller 50 determines whether the current time corresponds to a time when it is permitted to terminate supply of power to the appliance. If the current time does correspond to such a time, the controller 50 instructs the field module 10 to terminate a supply of power to the appliance.

In some embodiments, when it is determined that the appliance is in an idle condition or a standby condition the controller 50 determines whether a user of the appliance is agreeable to the termination of the supply of power to the appliance. For example the controller may transmit a signal to the user requesting permission to terminate the supply of power. If it is determined that the user is agreeable the controller 50 instructs the field module 10 to terminate the supply of power to the appliance. If a response is not received from a user, in some embodiments the controller 50 is arranged to determine that the supply of power to the appliance may be terminated, and to instruct the field module 10 to terminate the supply of power.

In some embodiments, the controller is arranged to request from a user permission to terminate supply of power to an appliance only when a current time corresponds to a predetermined period of time when it is permissible for the controller 50 to terminate the supply of power to the appliance.

In the event that power to an appliance is terminated by the field module, the apparatus is arranged to store in a database a record of the fact that power to the appliance has been cut-off and to store values of parameters associated with the appliance. For example the apparatus may be arranged to store values of parameters such as a time record, an amount of current supplied to the appliance in standby mode such as an average amount of current or an RMS current or combination thereof, an apparent power and/or true power drawn by the appliance in the standby mode, and/or a power factor of the appliance in the standby mode.

The apparatus may store the data in a database of the apparatus, which may be held in a storage medium associated with the controller, a separate server, a remote server or any other suitable device.

At step Si lithe field module 10 may be turned off by a user or instructed to turn itself off by a controller 50.

In some embodiments, the field module 10 is operable to be subsequently instructed to restore a supply of power to the socket 14. The field module 10 is arranged to restore power supply to the socket 14 when so instructed, and resumes operation at step S105.

In some embodiments the field module 10 may be instructed to restore power by the controller 50. In some embodiments the field module 10 is instructed to restore power by means of a switching device provided on the field module, and/or by alternative means such as a signal received from a remote switching device. The switching device/remote switching device may include an RFID reader, a smartcard reader, a barcode reader, a biometric data reader, a motion sensor or any other suitable switching means. The signal may be received from an external source such as a remote control centre and wirelessly relayed to the field module 10 via a NIM 40.

In some embodiments a computing device such as a personal computer (PC) is coupled to the socket 14. In some embodiments of the invention when a computing device is to be coupled to a socket 14 the controller 50 is informed by a user of the identity of the socket 14 to which the computing device is to be coupled. In some alternative embodiments the controller 50 is arranged automatically to detect that a computing device has been connected to a socket 14 based on a power profile of the appliance that has been so connected. For example, the controller 50 may detect that a computing device has been connected based on values of one or more parameters such as an amount of current supplied to the appliance, for example an average amount of current or an RMS current or combination thereof, an apparent power, a true power and/or a power factor of the appliance.

Variations in one or more of these parameters may be monitored as a function of time in order to obtain a power profile' of an appliance coupled to a socket 14 (see below).

In some embodiments a computing device connected to a field module 10 is loaded with a software application arranged to configure the computing device to communicate with the controller 50. The computing device may be configured to communicate with the controller 50 via an Ethernet connection or any other suitable connection.

The controller 50 is arranged to communicate with the computing device when the controller determines that conditions exist under which it may be desirable to terminate the supply of power to the computing device. However, in some embodiments the controller 50 is arranged to instruct the computing device to ask a user whether the user is agreeable to the termination of the supply of power.

Thus, in some embodiments the software application is arranged to request a user of the computing device to indicate whether the user is agreeable to power termination. If the user indicates their agreement the software application causes the computing device to shut down. In some embodiments the software application causes the computing device to enter a hibernation mode'. In entering the hibernation mode the computing device is arranged to save to a memory storage device a configuration of the computing device at the time of entering the hibernation mode, such as the identity of applications open at the time, the name of any files open at the time, and/or any other required information.

Upon subsequently switching on the computing device, the computing device is arranged to establish itself in a configuration such that it is substantially impossible to determine that the supply of power to the computing device was terminated and then restarted. In other words, the computing device continues executing applications open at the time of hibernation substantially as if no hibernation process had occurred.

In the event that a user does not respond to a request by the controller 50 for permission to shut down the computing device, in some embodiments the controller 50 sends a signal to the computing device after a predetermined period of time has elapsed instructing the computing device to shut down. In some embodiments, if the user does not respond the controller does not send a signal instructing the computing device to shut down.

In some embodiments certain field modules 10 are arranged to communicate with a NIM 40 via other field modules 10. In some embodiments the field modules 10 are dynamically reconfigurable such that if a field module is unable to communicate directly with a NIM 40 the field module seeks to communicate with a NIM 40 via another field module 10.

In some embodiments, in the event that a computing device is not connected to a socket 14 of a field module 10 the controller is arranged to send a signal to the field module 10 to terminate power to the socket 14 when a predetermined one of the following conditions exist: (i) the appliance is in a standby mode (i.e. an amount of power being consumed by the device is at or below a threshold value, or between a range of values) (ii) the current time is within a predetermined range of times (iii) conditions (i) and (ii) are both met.

In some embodiments the apparatus is arranged to store data corresponding to a power profile', and/or a current profile' being a variation in time of parameters corresponding to power and/or current respectively supplied to an appliance connected to the socket 14 of a field module 10. The apparatus is arranged to determine a type of an appliance that is connected to the socket 14 of a field module 10 by reference to a sample of data corresponding to a power profile', a current profile' and/or a voltage profile' of the appliance.

It has been found experimentally that the power profile, current profile and/or voltage profile of an appliance can be useful parameters in determining an identity of an appliance. In some cases one or more of the profiles provide a characteristic fingerprint' of the identity of a particular model of appliance from a particular manufacturer.

In some embodiments data is collected as a function of time concerning usage of a range of appliances. This data can be a valuable resource to the owner/operator of the apparatus, sale of the data offering a potential revenue stream to the owner/operator.

In some embodiments of the invention the field module 10 is a stand-alone module having a socket 14 as described above to which an appliance may be connected, and a coupling element for coupling the field module 10 to a power outlet. In some embodiments the field module has a plurality of sockets 14.

In some alternative embodiments the field module is integrated into a coupling element of an appliance, for example a power plug that is coupled to a power socket of a power outlet. In some still further alternative embodiments the field module is integrated into an appliance itself.

In some alternative embodiments the field module 10 is integrated into a power outlet such as a power socket. Other locations for a field module 10 are also useful.

FIGURE 4 shows apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention in which a field station may serve to relay a signal from a further field station to a gateway station. This feature can be useful in the event that a signal from a particular field module 10 becomes undetectable by a NIM 40, for example due to movement of furniture or other articles in a building. In some embodiments the apparatus is arranged to dynamically reconfigure itself in the event that a signal is lost from a particular field module 10. For example in some embodiments a field module 10 is arranged to communicate with one or more other field modules 10 within range of communication in the event that the field module 10 is unable to communicate with a NIM 40. The field module 10 may subsequently communicate with that NIM 40 or a further NIM 40 via one or more of the

other field modules 10.

In some embodiments of the invention a plurality of controllers 50 are provided each arranged to communicate with one or more NIMs 40. For example the controllers may be located at different sites such as different buildings or different floors of a building.

Alternatively or in addition a plurality of controllers may be arranged to communicate with NIMs 40 in different parts of a single site such as a single building or floor of a building.

In some embodiments a master controller is arranged to communicate with the controllers 50.

In some embodiments a controller 50 may be accessed by a remote computing device and parameters associated with the controller changed, such as time periods within which a particular field module 10 is not authorised to terminate power to an appliance.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and "comprises", means "including but not limited to", and is not intended to (and does not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. Power management apparatus comprising a field module and a controller, the field module being configured to be coupled to an appliance and operable to measure a parameter indicative of an amount of power being consumed by the appliance, the field module further comprising a wireless transmitter for transmitting a signal to the controller indicative of the amount of power being consumed by the appliance, the controller being configured to determine whether the amount of power being used by the appliance indicates that the appliance is in an idle condition or a standby condition, the controller being arranged to transmit a power termination signal to the field module when it is determined that the appliance is in the idle condition or the standby condition, the field module being arranged to terminate the supply of power to the appliance upon receipt of the power termination signal.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further arranged to determine whether a user is agreeable to termination of a supply of power to the appliance before terminating a supply of power to the appliance.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein in the event that it is determined that the appliance is in an idle condition or a standby condition the apparatus is arranged to transmit a signal to the appliance requesting permission to terminate the supply of power to the appliance, the appliance being arranged to provide an indication of whether permission to terminate power to the device is granted, wherein if permission to terminate power is not granted the apparatus is arranged not to terminate the supply of power to the appliance.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the appliance is a computing device and the computing device is configured to prompt a user to input to the computing device an indication whether permission to terminate the supply of power to the computing device is granted and to generate the signal indicative of whether permission to terminate power is granted based on the indication input by the user.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 configured whereby if a user fails to respond to the prompt to input said indication within a predetermined time period the computing device is arranged to generate a signal indicating that permission to terminate power to the computing device is granted, the apparatus being arranged to subsequently terminate the supply of power to the computing device.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein in the event that permission to terminate power to the computing device is granted by the user the computing device is arranged to commence a shutdown procedure prior to the termination of the supply of power to the computing device.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the shutdown procedure is arranged to shut down the computing device such that the computing device enters a hibernation mode whereby upon subsequent re-powering of the computing device any applications executing at the time the hibernation procedure commenced automatically continue executing substantially as if no disruption in power supply to the computing device had occurred.
8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the controller is arranged to determine that an appliance is in an idle condition or a standby condition when an amount of power being consumed by the appliance corresponds to one selected from amongst (i) the instantaneous power consumption of the appliance does not vary by more than a prescribed percentage value within a prescribed time period; (ii) the instantaneous power consumption of the appliance drops below a prescribed threshold value; and (iii) the instantaneous power consumption of the appliance drops below a prescribed percentage value of the average power consumption, the average power consumption being that determined over a given preceding period of operating time of the appliance.
9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further configured to determine whether the current time corresponds to one or more predetermined periods of time before terminating the supply of power to the appliance, in the event that a current time does correspond to a predetermined period of time the apparatus being configured not to terminate the supply of power to the appliance when the appliance is in the idle condition or standby condition.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the one or more predetermined periods of time may be determined by a user.
11. Apparatus as claimed in claims 9 or claim 10 wherein the one or more predetermined periods of time are predetermined periods of time of at least one selected from the group consisting of a day, a week, a month and a year.
12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or any one of claims 9 to 11 depending through claim 8 wherein the threshold value corresponds to an amount of power consumed by the appliance when in one selected from amongst the idle condition and the standby condition.
13. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the field module is arranged to communicate with the controller via a network interface module.
14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the network interface module is provided remotely from the controller.
15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the field module is arranged to communicate with the network interface module via a wireless connection.
16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the field module is operable to communicate with the network interface module via a further field module.
17. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the field module is provided with a power source coupling element arranged to couple the field module electrically to a power source.
18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the field module is further provided with an appliance coupling element arranged to couple the field module electrically to an appliance that is to be supplied with power, the field module being operable to couple the appliance to the power source via said appliance coupling element and power source coupling element.
19. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the field module is provided in an electrical power coupling element of the appliance.
20. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein the field module is provided in an electrical power coupling that is mounted within an electrical power outlet arranged to be coupled to an appliance thereby to supply power to the appliance.
21. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims ito 18 wherein the field module is provided as a standalone unit.
22. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to i8 or claim 2i wherein a plurality of field modules are provided in a single housing thereby to provide a multi-outlet module.
23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein the multi-outlet module is provided with a single power source coupling element arranged to provide power from a power sourceto each field module of the multi-outlet module.
24. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein the field module is provided as an integral part of a power input module of an appliance.
25. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim operable to restore power to an appliance in the event that the supply of power to the appliance is terminated by the field module.
26. Apparatus as claimed in claim 25 provided with a switching device arranged to provide a signal to the apparatus to restore power to the appliance.
27. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26 wherein the switching device is arranged tocommunicate directly with the field module.
28. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26 or 27 wherein the switching device is arranged to communicate directly with the controller.
29. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 28 wherein the switching device comprises at least one selected from an RFID reader, a smartcard reader, a barcode reader, a biometric data reader, a motion sensor or any other suitable switching device.
30. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 29 wherein the switching deviceis provided remotely from the field module.
31. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 29 wherein the switching deviceis integrated with the field module.
32. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the controller is arranged to communicate with a further controller.
33. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein parameters associated with operation of the apparatus may be input to the controller from a remote location.
34. A system comprising a plurality of apparatuses as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33.
35. A system as claimed in claim 34 wherein the controllers of the system are arranged to store data corresponding to power usage by appliances coupled to field modules of the system in a master database.
36. A system as claimed in claim 34 or 35 comprising a master controller arranged to provide control signals to the controllers of the system.
37. Power management apparatus comprising a field module and a controller, the field module being arranged to be coupled to an appliance, the controller being configured to determine whether or not a supply of power to the appliance should be terminated based on a determination whether a user of the appliance is agreeable to termination of a supply of power to the appliance, wherein in the event that the user is agreeable to termination of the supply of power to the appliance the controller is arranged to transmit a power termination signal to the field module, the field module being arranged to terminate the supply of power to the appliance upon receipt of the power termination signal.
38. Apparatus as claimed in claim 37 wherein the appliance is a computing device and the computing device is configured to prompt a user to input to the computing device an indication whether permission to terminate the supply of power to the computing device is granted and to generate the signal indicative of whether permission to terminate power is granted based on the indication input by the user.
39. Apparatus as claimed in claim 38 configured whereby if a user fails to respond to the prompt to input said indication within a predetermined time period the computing device is arranged to generate a signal indicating that permission to terminate power to the device is granted.
40. Apparatus as claimed in claim 38 or 39 wherein in the event that permission to terminate power to the computing device is granted by the user the computing device is arranged to commence a shutdown procedure.
41. Apparatus as claimed in claim 40 wherein the shutdown procedure is arranged to shut down the computing device such that the computing device enters a hibernation mode whereby upon subsequent re-powering of the computing device any applications executing at the time the hibernation procedure commenced automatically continue executing substantially as if no disruption in power supply to the computing device had occurred.
42. Power management apparatus comprising a field module and a controller, the field module being coupled to an appliance and arranged to measure an amount of power being consumed by the appliance, the field module further comprising a wireless transmitter for transmitting a signal to the controller indicative of the amount of power being consumed by the appliance, the controller being configurable to determine whether or not a supply of power to the appliance should be terminated based on a parameter indicative of whether a user of the appliance is agreeable to termination of a supply of power to the appliance and at least one further parameter, wherein in the event that the user is agreeable to termination of the supply of power to the appliance and the at least one further parameter has a value corresponding to a prescribed condition under which it is acceptable to turn off power to the appliance the controller is arranged to transmit a power termination signal to the field module, the field module being arranged to terminate the supply of power to the appliance upon receipt of the power termination signal.
43. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
44. A system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.