Power line communication system with system member identification
First Claim
1. A system, comprising:
- a set of premises power distribution lines;
a sensor unit connected to the set of premises power distribution lines;
a first communication device connected to the set of premises power distribution lines, wherein the sensor unit and the first communication device are configured to communicate bi-directionally through the set of premises power distribution lines;
a remote monitoring location for receiving sensor unit data, wherein the sensor unit is configured to communicate with the remote monitoring location via the first communication device; and
a second communication device connected to the set of premises power distribution lines, wherein the sensor unit second communication device is configured to communicate with the remote monitoring location if the first communication device is unreachable.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electric power line communication system operates with an electric power distribution system to provide, via premises power distribution lines, communication links among power line communication devices associated with the premises power distribution lines. A sensor unit and a first communication device may engage in two-way communication through the premises power distribution lines. The sensor unit may communicate data to a remote monitoring location via the first communication device or, if the first communication device is unreachable, via a second communication device. Alternatively, units associated with the premises power distribution lines may be arranged in a master-slave configuration, with a first unit configured to verify the functioning of two-way communication with the second unit. Also, a first unit may be connected to a high-voltage premises power distribution line, while a second unit may be connected to a low-voltage premises power distribution line.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a set of premises power distribution lines;
a sensor unit connected to the set of premises power distribution lines;
a first communication device connected to the set of premises power distribution lines, wherein the sensor unit and the first communication device are configured to communicate bi-directionally through the set of premises power distribution lines;
a remote monitoring location for receiving sensor unit data, wherein the sensor unit is configured to communicate with the remote monitoring location via the first communication device; and
a second communication device connected to the set of premises power distribution lines, wherein the sensor unit second communication device is configured to communicate with the remote monitoring location if the first communication device is unreachable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method, comprising:
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transmitting a command by a master unit to a slave unit via a premises power distribution line to which the master unit is connected, wherein the slave unit is configured to verify functioning of a two-way communication ability with the master unit; and
executing the command by the slave unit under a first set of conditions, or canceling the command by the slave unit under a second set of conditions. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for communicating via premises power distribution lines, the system comprising:
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a first unit associated with the premises power distribution lines; and
a second unit associated with the premises power distribution lines, wherein the first and second units are configured for a two-way communication ability with each other via the premises power distribution lines, wherein the first unit polls the second unit to verify functioning of the two-way communication ability, and wherein the first unit transmits an alert signal if functioning of the two-way communication ability cannot be verified. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A communications system comprising:
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high-voltage premises power distribution lines;
low-voltage premises power distribution lines;
a receiver, wherein the receiver is connected to the low-voltage premises power distribution lines or the high-voltage premises power distribution lines; and
a transmitter configured to transmit via the high-voltage premises power distribution lines or the low-voltage premises power distribution lines. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A communications system comprising:
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premises power distribution lines;
one or more devices coupled to the premises power distribution lines;
a transceiver configured to receive and transmit messages, wherein the transceiver is powered by a DC power source; and
a transmitter, wherein the one or more devices are configured to transmit messages to the receiver via the premises power distribution lines.
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Specification