Intelligent modules for intelligent networks

• US 10,270,489 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2017
• Issued: 04/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Korrus Incorporated (MKD Electric, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Soraa, Inc.
• Inventors: Kearney, Phil, Takacs, Laszlo, Larson, Michael, Mishin, Artem
• Primary Examiner(s): Ali, Shawkat M
• Application Number:
  US15/851,125
• Publication Number:
  US 20180138945A1
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• Field of Search: 375219, 375257, 375295, 375316, 710 8, 714 43
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/02 Details ; arrangements for supplying electrical power along data transmission lines systems for transmitting signals via power distribution lines H04B3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/4902 Pulse width modulation; Pulse position modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/185 via power line carrier transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A system comprising: a host device comprising at least, an electrical interface configured for connection to a powerline; a first releasable interface; a powerline communication module for transmitting and receiving information over the powerline; an intelligent module comprising at least, a second releasable interface interconnected to the first releasable interface; a digital processor; memory operatively connected to the processor and configured with instructions for causing the processor to receive and transmit information over the powerline through the powerline communication module.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a host device comprising at least,

an electrical interface configured for connection to a powerline;

a first connector;

host powerline communication circuitry for transmitting and receiving information over the powerline wherein said host powerline communication circuitry is disposed in said host device;

a module discrete from said host device and comprising at least,

circuitry comprising at least,

a digital processor;

memory operatively connected to said processor and configured with instructions for causing said processor to receive and transmit information over said powerline through said host powerline communication circuitry, and for causing said processor to control said host device; and

a second connector releasably engaged with said first connector such that said module is physically connected to said host device and said circuitry is electrically connected to said powerline through said host device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said memory is configured with instructions for causing said processor to operate in at least a first configuration or a second configuration:

in said first configuration, said processor receives information from said powerline through said host powerline communication circuitry, and controls said host device based on said information; and

in said second configuration, said processor obtains data from a data-gathering device and transmits a signal based on said data over said powerline through said host powerline communication circuitry.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said host device comprises a data-gathering device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said module comprises a data-gathering device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said data-gathering device is a sensor.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said sensor is integral to said module.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said sensor is at least one of an ambient light detector, a motion detector, a microphone, a camera, a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide (CO) detector, a thermometer, a humidity monitor, or a methane detector.

8. The system of claim 1, said module further comprises a wireless interface.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising an Internet gateway communicatively linked with said module.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said Internet gateway is linked with said module through said host powerline communication circuitry, and said Internet gateway is connected wirelessly to Internet.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said host device is a lamp.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said module is configured to receive all of its power through said second connector.

13. An intelligent module configured for attachment to a host device connected to a powerline, said host device comprising at least an electrical interface configured for connection to said powerline, a first connector, host powerline communication circuitry for transmitting and receiving information over the powerline wherein said host powerline communication circuitry is disposed in said host device, said intelligent module comprising:

circuitry contained in said intelligent module and comprising at least;

a digital processor;

memory operatively connected to said processor and configured with instructions for causing said processor to receive and transmit information over said a powerline through said host powerline communication circuitry to control said host device; and

a second connector configured for releasable connection to interface configured for electrical interconnection with said first connector such that said intelligent module is physically connected to said host device and said circuitry is electrically connected to said powerline through said host device.

14. The intelligent module of claim 13, wherein said memory is configured with instructions for causing said processor to operate in at least a first configuration or a second configuration:

in said first configuration, said processor receives information from said powerline through said host powerline communication circuitry, and controls said host device based on said information; and

in said second configuration, said processor obtains data from a data-gathering device and transmits a signal based on said data over said powerline through said host powerline communication circuitry.

15. The intelligent module of claim 13, wherein said intelligent module comprises a sensor.

16. The intelligent module of claim 15, wherein said sensor is at least one of an ambient light detector, a motion detector, a microphone, a camera, a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide (CO) detector, a thermometer, a humidity monitor, or a methane detector.

17. The intelligent module of claim 14, said intelligent module further comprises a wireless interface.

18. The intelligent module of claim 14, wherein said intelligent module is configured to receive all its power through said releasable interface.

19. A network comprising:

an electrical powerline having two or more outlets;

first and second devices connected to said two or more outlets and electrically connected to said powerline, said first and second devices each comprising powerline communication circuitry for transmitting and receiving information over said powerline; and

an intelligent module (IM) physically and electrically connected to said first device such that said IM is electrically connected to said powerline through said first device, and is configured to cause said first and second devices to transmit information there between over said powerline.

20. The network of claim 19, wherein said IM controls said first device.

21. The network of claim 19, wherein said first and second devices are lamps.

22. The network of claim 19, wherein said first device is in a different room from said second device.

23. The network of claim 19, wherein said second device is not connected to another intelligent module (IM).

24. The network of claim 19, wherein said IM is configured to communicate said information wirelessly to or from a wireless device.

25. The network of claim 24, wherein said IM is configured in at least a first or second configuration, in said first configuration, said IM receives said information wirelessly from said wireless device and causes said information to be transmitted to said second device over said powerline, and in said second configuration, said second device transmits said information to said IM through said powerline and said IM transmits said information wirelessly to said wireless device.

26. The network of claim 25, wherein said wireless device is a tablet, smart phone, watch, switch, remote control, sensor, radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, speaker, microphone, or internet hub.

27. The network of claim 19, wherein said information is chosen from a control signal, an event signal, or a data signal.

28. The network of claim 27, wherein said control signal controls said first device or said second device.

29. The network of claim 28, wherein said control signal turns on or off said first or second device.

30. The network of claim 19, wherein said IM is releasably connected to said first device by a releasable interface and is powered through said releasable interface.

31. The network of claim 19, wherein said network in a local area network in a building.

32. The network of claim 31, wherein said network in a local area network in a house.