Power Line Communications Device and Method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A communications device for providing data related to a power line, comprising:
- a memory;
a controller communicatively coupled to said memory;
a first modem in communication with said controller and configured to communicate via a non-power line communication medium;
a second modem in communication with said controller and configured to receive power usage data from one or more remote utility meters;
a voltage sensor in communication with said controller and configured to measure a voltage of the power line;
wherein said controller is configured to receive voltage data from said voltage sensor;
wherein said controller is configured to compare received voltage data with a threshold value;
wherein said controller is configured to cause said first modem to transmit an alert notification if the voltage data is beyond the threshold value;
wherein said controller is configured to cause said modem to transmit a recovery notification if, after the voltage data is determined to be beyond the threshold value, the voltage data is determined to be not beyond the threshold value;
wherein said controller is configured to cause said first modem to transmit at least some of said voltage data to a remote computer system; and
wherein said controller is configured to cause said first modem to transmit power usage data, received via said second modem, to a remote computer system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, a power line communication system network element is provided that provides communications to one or more user devices. The device may also receive data from one or more sensors, such as current sensors, a voltage sensor, a video camera, a temperature sensor, a barometer, a motion sensor, a level sensor, and/or a vibration sensor. The device may include a controller that receives commands that relate to the collection and transmission of the sensed data via a medium voltage power line.
327 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A communications device for providing data related to a power line, comprising:
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a memory; a controller communicatively coupled to said memory; a first modem in communication with said controller and configured to communicate via a non-power line communication medium; a second modem in communication with said controller and configured to receive power usage data from one or more remote utility meters; a voltage sensor in communication with said controller and configured to measure a voltage of the power line; wherein said controller is configured to receive voltage data from said voltage sensor; wherein said controller is configured to compare received voltage data with a threshold value; wherein said controller is configured to cause said first modem to transmit an alert notification if the voltage data is beyond the threshold value; wherein said controller is configured to cause said modem to transmit a recovery notification if, after the voltage data is determined to be beyond the threshold value, the voltage data is determined to be not beyond the threshold value; wherein said controller is configured to cause said first modem to transmit at least some of said voltage data to a remote computer system; and wherein said controller is configured to cause said first modem to transmit power usage data, received via said second modem, to a remote computer system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of using a communications device coupled to an external power line, comprising:
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storing a scheduling table in a memory; wherein said scheduling table comprises timing data indicating the timing of measurements to be taken by a sensor; measuring a parameter of the external power line to provide sensed data; performing said measuring repetitively according to the timing data of the scheduling table; comparing the sensed data with a threshold value; transmitting an alert notification if the sensed data is beyond the threshold value; receiving power usage data transmitted from one or more electric utility meters; and transmitting the received power usage data to a remote computer system via a non-power line communication medium. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of using a communications device coupled to an external power line, comprising:
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measuring a voltage of the external power line to provide voltage data; comparing the voltage data with a threshold value; transmitting an alert notification if the voltage data is beyond the threshold value; transmitting at least some of the voltage data; receiving power usage data from one or more electric utility meters; and transmitting the received power usage data over a non-power line communication medium to a remote computer system. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A communications device for providing data related to an external power line, comprising:
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a controller having a memory; a wireless modem in communication with said controller and configured to provide upstream communications; a second modem in communication with said controller and configured to receive power usage data from one or more remote utility meters; a voltage sensor in communication with said controller and configured to measure a voltage of the external power line; wherein said controller is configured to receive voltage data from said voltage sensor; wherein said controller is configured compare received voltage data with a threshold value; wherein said controller is configured to cause said wireless modem to transmit an alert notification if the voltage data is beyond the threshold value; and wherein said controller is configured to cause said wireless modem to transmit power usage data, received via said second modem, to a remote computer system. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48)
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45. The device according to claim 45, wherein said controller is configured to receive timing data of the scheduling table via a transmission from a remote device.
Specification