Systems and methods for broadcasting information over an AC power network

• US 20050110650A1
• Filed: 11/30/2004
• Published: 05/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ADS Enterprises NZ Limited
• Original Assignee: ADS Enterprises NZ Limited
• Inventors: Haines, Antony Vincent
• Application Number:
  US10/999,775
• Publication Number:
  US 20050110650A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/825.520
• 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: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals

Abstract

A receiving device and business methods to affect the private transmission of remote control messages and the synchronization of date and time to electrical appliances connected to the AC power grid.

Claims

1. A method of fulfilling a request to remotely control an appliance receiving power from a power distribution network, the method comprising:

receiving a request to control the appliance;

generating a message receivable by a receiving device coupled to the power supply of the appliance;

injecting the message into a distribution power network such that the message is received by the appliance, such that the appliance may act upon the message to fulfill the request.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving payment for fulfilling the request.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising registering the appliance to establish a relationship between an identifier of the appliance and an end user.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising authenticating the request.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising encrypting the message such that the message is only decipherable by the receiving device coupled to the appliance with the identifier.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising establishing an account with an end user of the appliance.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising scheduling the request based on a first-in first-out priority basis.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising preempting the scheduling of the request based on predetermined events.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the receiving comprises receiving the request via a telephone initiated request.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the receiving comprises receiving the request via the internet or a computer initiated request.

11. A method of remotely adjusting a clock embedded in an appliance receiving power from a power distribution network, the method comprising:

determining a time for the clock;

generating a message containing an indication of time, wherein the message is receivable by a receiving device coupled to the power supply of the appliance;

injecting the message into a distribution power network such that the message is received by the appliance, so that the appliance may adjust the clock in accordance with the message.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the determining comprises retrieving the time from an atomic clock source.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the generating a message further comprises adjusting the indication of time for delay.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the delay is selected from the group consisting of synchronization, insertion, propagation and processing delays.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising receiving payment for generating the message to allow the appliance to adjust the clock.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprising registering the appliance to establish a relationship between an identifier of the appliance and an end user.