Retrofitting Power Distribution Device and Uses Thereof

• US 20090323257A1
• Filed: 09/18/2006
• Published: 12/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hinbit Development, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hinbit Development, Ltd.
• Inventors: Sarid, Shay, Inbar, Irmi
• Granted Patent: US 8,610,305 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/631
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/00 Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles installations of bus-bars H02G5/00; overhead installations H02G7/00; installations in or on the ground H02G9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A power distribution device (100) is provided which is adapted for use at a junction point (103) between an electrical panel (121) and an electric outlet and/or switch (101) of a home. The device may include a switching circuit (104) adapted to regulate power flow between one or more junction point input lines and one or more junction point output lines, and a communication module (105) functionally associated with the switching circuit and adapted to receive power regulation instructions from a central, usually, remote; controller (106). There is also provided a power distribution controller adapted to communicate and provide power regulation instructions to one or more power distribution devices. A method is also provided for imparting smart-home capabilities to a non-smart home.

Claims

1. A power distribution device adapted for use at a junction point between an electrical panel and an electric outlet or switch of a home, said device comprising:

a switching circuit adapted to regulate power flow between one or more junction point input lines and one or more junction point output lines; and

a communication module functionally associated with said switching circuit and adapted to receive power regulation instructions from a central controller.

2. The power distribution device according to claim 1, further comprising a controller adapted to interpret power regulation instructions received at or through the communication module.

3. The power distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the switching circuit is further adapted to sense the status of one or more switches.

4. The power distribution device according to claim 3, wherein the power distribution device is further adapted to transmit a message corresponding to the sensed status of one or more switches.

5. The power distribution device according to claim 3, wherein sensing the status of a switch is utilized to generate power regulation instructions for said power distribution device or for other one or more like power distribution devices.

6. The power distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the switching circuit comprises one or more controllable switches operable according to the received power regulation instructions.

7. The power distribution device according to claim 1, wherein switching elements of the switching circuit are Triac devices.

8. The power distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the communication module is adapted to wirelessly communicate with the central controller.

9. The power distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the communication module is adapted to communicate with the central controller using optical signals or radio frequency signals.

10. The power distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the communication module is adapted to communicate with the central controller using ZigBee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth, Wi Max, Wi Lan, Wi-Fi, or any combination thereof.

11. The power distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the communication module is adapted to communicate with the central controller using a power line protocol.

12. The power distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the communication module is adapted to communicate with the central controller using X10, UPB or HomePlug protocol.

13. A central power distribution controller adapted to communicate power distribution instructions to one or more power distribution devices, each of which being adapted for use at a junction point between an electrical panel and an electric outlet or switch of a home, wherein each power distribution device comprises a switching circuit adapted to regulate power flow between one or more junction point input lines and one or more junction point output lines, and a communication module functionally associated with said switching circuit and adapted to receive power regulation instructions from said central controller.

14. The central power distribution controller according to claim 13, wherein the central controller enables communication there through between a first power distribution device and a second power distribution device.

15. The central power distribution controller according to claim 13, wherein the central power distribution controller comprises an Interactive Voice Response module for receiving power distribution instructions over a telephone network.

16. The central power distribution controller according to claim 13, wherein the central power distribution controller comprises an infrared receiver for receiving power distribution instructions from a IR remote controller.

17. The central power distribution controller according to claim 13, wherein the central power distribution controller is adapted to wirelessly communicate with a power distribution device.

18. The central power distribution controller according to claim 13, wherein the central power distribution controller is adapted to communicate with a power distribution device using optical or radio frequency signals.

19. The central power distribution controller according to claim 13, wherein the central power distribution controller is adapted to communicate with a power distribution device using ZigBee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth, Wi Max, Wi Lan, or Wi-Fi protocol.

20. The central power distribution controller according to claim 13, wherein the central controller is further adapted to receive instructions from a power distribution device based on the status of a switch associated with the power distribution device, and communicating the instructions to other one or more power distribution devices.

21. A method of regulating power distribution comprising:

providing power regulation instructions to a power distribution device, adapted for use at a junction point between an electrical panel and an electric outlet or switch of a home,

wherein the power distribution device comprises a switching circuit adapted to regulate power flow between one or more junction point input lines and one or more junction point output lines, and a communication module functionally associated with said switching circuit and adapted to receive power regulation instructions from a central controller.