METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INTELLIGENT ENERGY NETWORK MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20100238003A1
• Filed: 08/30/2009
• Published: 09/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jetlun Corporation
• Original Assignee: Jetlun Corporation
• Inventors: Chan, Elsa A., Chan, Tat Keung
• Granted Patent: US 8,269,622 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/310.110
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/18 Remote displaying of utility meter readings
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/45 Utility meters networked together within a single building
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• 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 12/2836 Protocol conversion between an external network and a home network controlling appliance services of a home automation network from a device located outside the home and the home network H04L12/2818; protocol conversion H04L69/08; adaptation of digital video signals for transport over a specific home network H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40039 Details regarding the setting of the power status of a node according to activity on the bus
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

A system for providing network infrastructure for energy management and control is disclosed. A controller integrates powerline and wireless networking technologies in order to provide an integrated network. A gateway sends and receives command and control data across the integrated network. Client devices may connect to the integrated network and perform a variety of functions. An appliance module may send and receive data across the integrated network in relation to a particular appliance. A panel meter may send and receive data across the integrated network in relation to data measured at a distribution panel. A serial bridge may connect various devices to the integrated network. Computing devices may remotely or locally connect to the integrated network and send and receive data.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring and controlling power usage in a home, buildings, apartments, hospitals, schools, factories, office buildings, industrial areas setting, the system comprising:

a gateway apparatus comprising;

a powerline module configured to transmit information at one or more first frequencies ranging from about 1 to 30 MHz, the powerline module being coupled to a powerline network, the powerline network being coupled to one or more appliances;

a control module configured to transmit information at one or more second frequencies ranging from about 250 KHz to 400 KHz, the control module being configured to control one or more appliances coupled to the power line from information received from one or more appliances;

a wireless module configured to transmit information at one or more third frequencies of about 2.5 GHz;

a circuit sensor device comprising a plurality of input sites, the input sites being coupled to respective circuit breaker elements in a circuit distribution panel, the circuit sensor device being coupled to the powerline module via one or more powerline networks to transmit power consumption information in either at least real time or a selected time frequency;

a panel device comprising a first input, a second input, and a third input respectively coupled to a power source including a first phase, a second phase, and a third phase, the panel sensor device being configured to output power information; and

an appliance module coupled to the gateway apparatus, the appliance module being configured to turn on or turn off one or more appliances, the appliance module being coupled to the control module using either or both of wireless module or the control module.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising one or more communication ports, the one or more communication ports being coupled to the control module, the one or more communication ports being configured for at least one format selected from GSM, Cellular, Fiber, Coaxial, Ethernet, Zigbee, RS232, RS485, M-bus, USB, Firewire, 802.XXX, WiLan, WiMax, Powerline, HomePNA, and MOCA;

wherein the appliance module is configured to measure power consumption in real time.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the appliance module comprising a thermal sensor.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the appliance module comprising a humidity sensor.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the appliance module comprising a security sensor.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the appliance module comprising a motion sensor.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the appliance module comprising a light sensor.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the appliance module comprising one or more motion sensors.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein appliance module comprising one or more pressure sensors.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the appliance module comprising one or more microphones.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the appliance module comprising one or more audio devices.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the appliance module comprising one or more vibration sensors.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein appliance module comprising a gyro or accelerometer.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the appliance module comprising one or more smoke sensors.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the appliance module comprising biological sensors.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the appliance module comprising one or more combinations of sensor devices.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the appliance module comprising one or more batteries as a power backup.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein the powerline module comprising one or more batteries.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein the control module comprising one or more batteries.

20. The system of claim 1 wherein the wireless module comprising one or more batteries.

21. The system of claim 1 wherein the circuit sensor device comprising one or more batteries.

22. The system of claim 1 further comprising a routing device, the routing device being coupled to the control module.

23. The system of claim 1 further comprising a reset module configured to perform a soft or hard reset remotely using at least information from the control module or other module.

24. The system of claim 1 wherein the wireless module configured to communicate to one or more appliance modules.

26. The system of claim 1 wherein the reset module is configured using one or more integrated circuits configured to reset at least the gateway apparatus.

25. A system for monitoring and controlling power usage, the system comprising:

a gateway apparatus comprising;

a powerline module configured to transmit information at one or more first frequencies ranging from about 1 to 30 MHz, the powerline module being coupled to a powerline network, the powerline network being coupled to one or more appliances;

a control module configured to transmit information at one or more second frequencies ranging from about 250 KHz to 400 KHz, the control module being configured to control one or more appliances coupled to the power line from information received from one or more appliances;

a wireless module configured to transmit information at one or more third frequencies of about 2.5 GHz;

a circuit sensor device comprising a plurality of input sites, the input sites being coupled to respective circuit breaker elements in a circuit distribution panel, the circuit sensor device being coupled to the powerline module via one or more powerline networks to transmit power consumption information in either at least real time or a selected time frequency; and

a reset module configured to perform a soft or hard reset of the gateway apparatus remotely using at least information from the control module or other module.