Method and apparatus for using power-line phase-cut signaling to change energy usage
First Claim
1. A method for using power-line phase-cut signaling to change energy usage for one or more devices sharing a common power signal, comprising:
- receiving a request to change power usage;
in response to the request, inserting a phase-cut notch into the common power signal;
detecting the phase-cut notch in the common power signal at a device which is located downstream from the inserted phase-cut notch; and
triggering a power-state change in the device in response to the phase-cut notch in the common power signal.
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Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that uses power-line phase-cut signaling to change energy usage for one or more devices that share a common power signal. During operation, the system receives a request to change power usage. In response to the request, the system inserts a phase-cut notch into the common power signal. A device that is located downstream from the inserted phase-cut notch detects this notch in the common power signal, and in response triggers a power-state change. For instance, the device may trigger a reduced-power state when it detects a phase-cut notch.
48 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for using power-line phase-cut signaling to change energy usage for one or more devices sharing a common power signal, comprising:
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receiving a request to change power usage;
in response to the request, inserting a phase-cut notch into the common power signal;
detecting the phase-cut notch in the common power signal at a device which is located downstream from the inserted phase-cut notch; and
triggering a power-state change in the device in response to the phase-cut notch in the common power signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for using power-line phase-cut signaling to change energy usage for one or more devices sharing a common power signal, comprising:
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receiving a request to change power usage; and
in response to the request, inserting a phase-cut notch into the common power signal;
wherein the phase-cut notch triggers a power-state change in one or more downstream devices.
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20. A method for using power-line phase-cut signaling to change energy usage for one or more devices sharing a common power signal, comprising:
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detecting a phase-cut notch in a common power signal at a first device which is located downstream from a second device which inserts the phase-cut notch into the common power signal; and
triggering a power-state change in the first device in response to the phase-cut notch in the common power signal.
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21. An apparatus that uses power-line phase-cut signaling to change energy usage for one or more devices sharing a common power signal, comprising:
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a receiving mechanism configured to receive a request to change power usage;
an inserting mechanism configured to respond to the request by inserting a phase-cut notch into the common power signal; and
a detecting mechanism configured to detect the phase-cut notch in the common power signal at a device which is located downstream from the inserted phase-cut notch;
wherein the detecting mechanism is further configured to trigger a power-state change in the device in response to the phase-cut notch in the common power signal.
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22. An apparatus that facilitates using power-line phase-cut signaling to change energy usage for one or more devices sharing a common power signal, comprising:
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a receiving mechanism configured to receive a request to change power usage; and
an inserting mechanism configured to respond to the request by inserting a phase-cut notch into the common power signal, thereby triggering a power-state change in one or more downstream devices.
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23. An apparatus that facilitates using power-line phase-cut signaling to change energy usage for one or more devices sharing a common power signal, comprising:
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a detecting mechanism configured to detect a phase-cut notch in the common power signal at a first device which is located downstream from a second device which inserts the phase-cut notch into the common power signal;
wherein the detecting mechanism is further configured to trigger a power-state change in the first device in response to the phase-cut notch in the common power signal.
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Specification