Method and system for controlling a usage of an object

• US 20100010643A1
• Filed: 07/13/2008
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Afeka Academic
• Original Assignee: Afeka Academic
• Inventors: Binyamini, Itzhak, Pomerantz, Itzhak
• Application Number:
  US12/172,235
• Publication Number:
  US 20100010643A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/22
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/60 Limiting power consumption in the network or in one section of the network, e.g. load shedding or peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/144 Demand-response operation of the power transmission or distribution network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5433 Remote metering
• 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: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/107 wherein the security policies are location-dependent, e.g. entities privileges depend on current location or allowing specific operations only from locally connected terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/18 Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

A system and method for controlling a usage of objects, the method includes: receiving, by a control unit, an indication that a user intends to use an object; wherein the utilization is dependent upon a reception of power from a power supply network; receiving, by the control unit, over a power line communication network and from a power controller associated with the object, a request to determine whether to enable a provision of power from the power supply network; determining, by the control unit, whether to allow a reception of power by the object; and sending to the power controller a power indication representative of the determination.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a usage of objects, the method comprises:

receiving, by a control unit, an indication that a user intends to use an object;

wherein the utilization is dependent upon a reception of power from a power supply network;

receiving, by the control unit, over a power line communication network and from a power controller associated with the object, a request to determine whether to enable a provision of power from the power supply network;

determining, by the control unit, whether to allow a reception of power by the object; and

sending to the power controller a power indication representative of the determination.

2. The method according to claim 1 comprising receiving the request from a user via a network that differs from the power line communication network.

3. The method according to claim 1 comprising receiving the request from a user via an unmanned messages service unit.

4. The method according to claim 1 comprising monitoring object usage by receiving information relating to a characteristic of power consumption of the object.

5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising monitoring a location of the object inside a predefined premises.

6. The method according to claim 1 comprising responding to an exit indication the indicates that the object is about to exit a predefined premises.

7. The method according to claim 1 comprising notifying a power controller of an object that the object is eligible to temporarily receive power in an unconditional manner if the object is located outside a predefined premises and if the object is allowed to exit the predefined premises.

8. The method according to claim 1 comprising identifying the user that intends to use the object.

9. The method according to claim 1 comprising scheduling a temporary prevention of power to multiple objects.

10. The method according to claim 1 comprising receiving from the power controller a status indication indicative of the status of the object.

11. The method according to claim 1 comprising sending to the power controller a power indication representative of the determination regardless of a phase out of a multiple phase of the power supply network to which the power controller is connected.

13. The system according to claim 9 wherein the control unit comprises a non-power line communication network receiver to receive the request from a user via a network that differs from the power line communication network.

14. The system according to claim 9 wherein the control unit is coupled to an unmanned messages service unit that is adapted to receive the request from the user.

15. The system according to claim 9 further adapted to determine object usage in response to information relating to a power consumption of the object.

16. The system according to claim 9 further adapted to receive location information and determine a location of the object inside a predefined premises.

17. The system according to claim 9 wherein the controller is adapted to respond to an exit indication that indicates that the object is about to exit a predefined premises.

18. The system according to claim 9 wherein the controller is adapted to notify a power controller of an object that the object is eligible to temporarily receive power in an unconditional manner if the object is located outside a predefined premises and if the object is allowed to exit the predefined premises.

12. A system for controlling a usage of objects, the system comprises:

a control unit that comprises;

a storage unit adapted to store an indication that a user intends to use an object;

wherein the utilization is dependent upon a reception of power from a power supply network;

a power line communication receiver, adapted to receive, over a power line communication network and from a power controller associated with the object, a request to determine whether to enable a provision of power from the power supply network;

a controller, adapted to determine whether to allow a reception of power by the object; and

a power line communication transmitter, adapted to send to the power controller a power indication representative of the determination.

19. The system according to claim 12 adapted to identify the user that intends to use the object.

20. The system according to claim 12 adapted to schedule a temporary prevention of power to multiple objects.

21. The system according to claim 12 adapted to receive from the power controller a status indication indicative of the status of the object.

22. The system according to claim 12 comprising sending to the power controller a power indication representative of the determination regardless of a phase out of a multiple phase of the power supply network to which the power controller is connected.

a request from a user to utilize an object;

wherein the utilization is dependent upon a connection of the object to the power network;

23. A device comprising:

a power controller, a relay, and power line communication transceiver;

wherein the relay is coupled between a power supply network and an object and is controlled by the power controller;

wherein the power controller controls the relay in response to a power indication that was generated by a control unit that is coupled to the power line communication transceiver over the power supply network;

wherein the power indication is sent in response to an indication that a user intends to use the object; and

wherein the utilization is dependent upon a reception of power from the power supply network.

24. The device according to claim 23 wherein the power controller is integrated with a power cord.