Utility load control management communications protocol

• US 20080133065A1
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cannon Technologies, Inc. (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Cannon Technologies, Inc. (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Rognli, Roger, Cox, Robert, Cannon, Joel
• Granted Patent: US 7,702,424 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/295
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/18 Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

A load control management protocol, system, and method that address many different customers, individually, in geographic groups, or in other predefined groups to control at least one or more electrical power consuming appliances are disclosed. The computer-implemented protocol provides wired and wireless communication schemes that enable a utility to quickly and efficiently communicate commands and messages to end user devices. Specific electrically powered appliances and certain uses of electricity can therefore be managed by communicating with the controllers of those appliances, providing management of a utility load during peak price and consumption periods to prevent delivery interruptions.

Claims

1. A method for managing a utility load by controlling electrical consumption of electrically powered devices, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting at least one target for load control and assigning the at least one target by at least one target address;

forming a variable length load control message according to a communication protocol, wherein the load control message comprises the target address and at least one protocol message; and

transmitting the load control message to the at least one target for execution of the at least one command message wherein the load control message comprises a plurality of concatenated protocol messages.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of concatenated protocol messages includes a message priority identifier.