Communications apparatus and method for standby power controller which interrupts power to an appliance in a standby state

• US 10,349,149 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2016
• Issued: 07/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Embertec Pty Ltd
• Original Assignee: Embertec Pty Ltd
• Inventors: Gelonese, Domenico, Gatto, Riccardo
• Primary Examiner(s): Rushing, Mark S
• Application Number:
  US15/544,579
• Publication Number:
  US 20180020271A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,267 Days
• Field of Search: 34087007
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/14 Displaying of utility usage with respect to time, e.g. for monitoring evolution of usage or with respect to weather conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/006 Remote reading of utility meters to a non-fixed location, i.e. mobile location
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/50 using a mobile data collecting device, e.g. walk by or drive by
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/60 for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

A standby power controller having data communication capability. The standby power controller includes a data communication means adapted to communicate with a processing and display device. The processing and display device includes a processor and a display which are adapted to provide a user interface for the standby power controller.

Claims

1. A standby power controller including:

a. a monitored and controlled outlet, wherein power supply through the monitored and controlled outlet is interrupted if an appliance powered therefrom is detected to be in a standby state;

b. an infra-red sensor configured to detect the absence of use of an infra-red remote control associated with the appliance, wherein power supply through the monitored and controlled outlet to the appliance is interrupted if such absence of use indicates that the appliance is in an active standby state;

c. a data communication means configured to establish a data communications link with a processing and display unit, wherein;

(1) the data communications link communicates usage data characterizing the functioning of the standby power controller, the usage data including the indication of interruption of power supply through the monitored and controlled outlet owing to the appliance'"'"'s being in a low power or the active standby state; and

(2) the processing and display unit provides a user interface for the standby power controller, the user interface displaying information concerning the functioning of the standby power controller.

2. The standby power controller of claim 1 wherein the data communications means includes a short range wireless transceiver.

3. The standby power controller of claim 2 wherein the short range wireless transceiver includes one or more of:

a. a Bluetooth transceiver, and

b. a wi-fi transceiver.

4. The standby power controller of claim 1 wherein the processing and display unit is a mobile computing device.

5. The standby power controller of claim 4 wherein the mobile computing device is a smartphone.

6. The standby power controller of claim 1 wherein the usage data includes power usage data describing the amount of power drawn by an appliance through the standby power controller.

7. The standby power controller of claim 1 wherein the usage data includes status data describing the on/off status of power drawn through the standby power controller.

8. The standby power controller of claim 1 wherein the standby power controller is configured to have the power drawn by an appliance through the standby power controller switched by a command entered at the user interface.

9. The standby power controller of claim 1 wherein the standby power controller is configured to have at least some functionality controlled by commands entered at the user interface.