Retrofit monitoring device
First Claim
1. A device for monitoring an appliance that receives power from a power source, the device comprising:
- a first coupler that couples the device to the power source;
a second coupler that couples the device to the appliance;
a monitoring circuit connected between the first coupler and the second coupler to monitor power supplied by the source to the appliance; and
a communications circuit connected to the monitoring circuit, wherein the monitoring circuit provides data based on the monitored power to the communications circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device monitors an appliance that receives power from a source. The device includes a first coupler that couples the device to the power source. A second coupler couples the device to the appliance. A monitoring circuit is connected to the first coupler and the second coupler to monitor power supplied by the source to the appliance. A communications circuit also is provided. The monitoring circuit provides data based on the monitored power to the communications circuit for output to the first coupler. The communications circuit may include a receiver that receives a signal from the first coupler to control the monitoring circuit. The communications circuit also may include a transceiver that receives a signal from the first coupler to control the monitoring circuit and to transmit monitored power data.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A device for monitoring an appliance that receives power from a power source, the device comprising:
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a first coupler that couples the device to the power source;
a second coupler that couples the device to the appliance;
a monitoring circuit connected between the first coupler and the second coupler to monitor power supplied by the source to the appliance; and
a communications circuit connected to the monitoring circuit, wherein the monitoring circuit provides data based on the monitored power to the communications circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for monitoring an appliance that receives power from a source, the system comprising:
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a power line connected to the source;
a circuit connected to the power line and the appliance to monitor power supplied to the appliance; and
a processor connected to the power line, wherein the circuit sends a signal to the processor through the power line and the signal is based on the power supplied to the appliance. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A device for monitoring an appliance that receives power from a source, the device comprising:
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first means for coupling the device to the power source;
second means for coupling the device to the appliance;
means for monitoring power supplied to the appliance; and
means for communicating data based on the monitored power received from the monitoring means, wherein the monitoring means provides the data to the communications means for output to the first coupling means. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A retrofit plug adapted to be received by an appliance that receives power from a source, the retrofit plug comprising:
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a live pin;
a neutral pin;
a first line connected to the live pin;
a second line connected to the neutral pin;
a fist slot, connected to the first line, for receiving a pin from the appliance;
a second slot, connected to the second line, for receiving a neutral pin from the appliance;
a transformer connected to monitor the first and second lines;
a measurement circuit connected to the transformer for measuring current supplied to the appliance; and
a power line carrier transceiver for encoding a power line carrier signal based on the measured current.
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Specification