Systems and methods for communication between devices and remote systems with a power cord

• US 10,389,546 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2017
• Issued: 08/20/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: iDevices, LLC (Hubbell, Inc.)
• Inventors: Djakovic, Vladan, Monteith, Shawn
• Primary Examiner(s): Talukder, Md K
• Application Number:
  US15/441,974
• Publication Number:
  US 20170187544A1
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/00 Electric signal transmission systems G08C17/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/93 Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/03 Hybrid circuits for transceivers H04B1/52, H04B1/58
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/50 Systems for transmission between fixed stations via two-conductor transmission lines H04B3/54 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

Systems and methods for remote control of an electronic device using a power cord are disclosed. A power cord that provides electric power to the device includes a module configured to receive wireless control signals originating from and/or transmit wireless signals to a remote device. The power cord includes one or more control wires for communicating signals between the module and the device. The module may be configured to translate information or signals received from the communications protocol of the remote device to the communications protocol of the device, and vice versa. The control wire(s) may extend along or within the power cord. Methods for wirelessly controlling a device comprise transmitting a command from a remote device to a module connected to the device'"'"'s power cord, the module wirelessly receiving the command and transmitting the command to the appliance via control wires extending from the module to the device.

Claims

1. A system for remotely communicating with a device, the system comprising:

a power cord having a power line therein configured to provide the device with electrical power from an electrical source;

a module electrically connected to the power line, the module having a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with a remote device, a microprocessor, and a power converter configured for converting power in the power line for use by the module;

wherein the device comprises a microcomputer separate from the microprocessor and configured to control the device, the device further comprising a control panel and a communication bus modulating between the control panel and the microcomputer; and

the power cord extending between the module and the device, the power cord further includes at least one control wire embedded in the power cord extending from the module to the device and configured to transmit control signals between the module and the device to control the device,

wherein the at least one control wire is connected to the communication bus at substantially the same location at which the control panel is connected to the communication bus.

2. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the microcomputer is configured to transmit and receive communications according to a device communications protocol, and the module communicates with the microcomputer using the device communications protocol.

3. A system as defined in claim 2, wherein the microprocessor further comprises a software storage device, and computer readable instructions enabling the module to communicate with the device using the device communications protocol are electronically stored on the software storage device.

4. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein a plug assembly is attached to an end of the power cord, and the module is embedded within the plug assembly.

5. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein a plug assembly is attached to an end of the power cord, and the module is operatively connected to a portion of the power cord located between the plug assembly and the device.

6. A system as defined in claim 5, wherein the module is enclosed by a housing or sleeve.

7. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one control wire is at least partially enclosed within a portion of the power cord that extends between the module and the device.

8. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the power cord defines a first end that is proximate to the device and a second end that is distal to the device, and the module is located at or near the second end of the power cord.

9. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the device is an appliance.

10. A system as defined in claim 9, wherein the appliance is a washing machine, dryer, air conditioner, fan, humidifier, microwave, refrigerator, or freezer.

11. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the transceiver communicates with the remote device using at least one of R-F, infrared, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, or Wi-Fi communication protocol.

12. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the power converter is configured to convert a voltage in the power line to a voltage suitable for operation of the module.

13. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one control wire is for delivery of commands to the microcomputer.

14. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the signals transmitted between the module and the device are control signals not for turning the device on or off.

15. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the signals transmitted between the module and the device are control signals that control the operation of the device.

16. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the signals transmitted between the module and the device comprise control signals comprising information on temperature or remaining time to complete an operation on the device.

17. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one control wire is located within an envelope of the power cord or extends alongside the power line along at least a substantial portion of a length of the at least one control wire.

18. A method for remotely communicating with a device, the method comprising:

wirelessly transmitting information between a remote device and a module located on and operatively attached to a power cord of the device, the module having a transceiver, microprocessor, and power converter, the device comprising a microcomputer separate from the microprocessor and configured to control the device, the device further comprising a control panel and a communication bus modulating between the control panel and the microcomputer; and

transmitting the information to control the device via wired communication along at least one control wire of the power cord, the at least one control wire embedded in the power cord extending from the module to the device, the at least one control wire connected to the communication bus at substantially the same location at which the control panel is connected to the communication bus.

19. A method as defined in claim 18, wherein the information is a command signal configured to control operation of the device.

20. A method as defined in claim 18, further comprising receiving information or feedback from the device, the receiving step comprising at least one of:

(i) receiving information or feedback from the device to the module via wired communication along the at least one control wire, and

(ii) receiving information or feedback from the module to the remote device via wireless communication.

21. A method as defined in claim 20, further comprising, prior to step (ii), translating the information from a communications protocol used by the device to a communications protocol used by the remote device.

22. A method as defined in claim 18, wherein the wirelessly transmitting step is performed by an application stored on the remote device.

23. A method as defined in claim 22, wherein the application comprises a graphical user interface configured to simulate a control panel of the device.

24. A method as defined in claim 18, wherein the wirelessly transmitting step is performed utilizing at least one of infrared, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, and Wi-Fi communication protocol.

25. A method as defined in claim 18, wherein the at least one control wire is for delivery of commands to the microcomputer.

26. A method as defined in claim 23, wherein engagement of an element of the graphical user interface causes commands and feedback to be transmitted between the control wire and the microcomputer that comprises signals identical to those which are configured to be transmitted between the control panel and the microcomputer when a corresponding element is engaged on the control panel.