Remote controlled power consuming device and module therefore

• US 20110035074A1
• Filed: 08/05/2009
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Flickinger, Steven Lee, Westman, John Eugene, Davison, Andrew Charles
• Application Number:
  US12/462,552
• Publication Number:
  US 20110035074A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/295
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00026 involving a local wireless network, e.g. Wi-Fi, ZigBee or Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/64 The condition being economic, e.g. tariff based load management
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• 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: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• 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 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/242 Home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/126 using wireless data transmission

Abstract

A power consuming device having communication with a utility company is disclosed. A power consuming device enclosure is described which has an interface and a communication module. The module includes a standardizing chip in communication with a communication interface, a protocol chip in communication with the standardizing chip. The communication could be by way of a protocol antenna, for receiving (and transmitting: i.e. the appliance can talk to the power company as well as receive communication from the power company) wireless protocol signals and transmitting the signals to the protocol chip.

Claims

1. A power consuming device having communication input, comprising:

a power consuming device enclosure;

a communication module profiled for receiving communication signals, the module comprising;

a standardizing chip in communication with the power consuming device;

a protocol chip for receiving the communication signals in a network protocol and for communication with the standardizing chip.

2. The power consuming device of claim 1, wherein the communication signals are received wirelessly.

3. The power consuming device of claim 2, further comprising a protocol antenna, for receiving wireless protocol signals and transmitting the signals to the protocol chip.

4. The power consuming device of claim 1, wherein the communication signals are received through a power line.

5. The power consuming device of claim 3, wherein the protocol for the protocol chip and protocol antenna is one from the group comprised of Zigbee, Z-wave, X-10, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

6. The power consuming device of claim 3, wherein the protocol chip and the protocol antenna are housed in communication module and the communication module is pluggable.

7. The power consuming device of claim 6, further comprising a communication interface positioned on or adjacent to the device enclosure for interfacing with the pluggable module.

8. The power consuming device of claim 7, wherein the communication interface is a standardized port.

9. The power consuming device of claim 3, wherein the protocol antenna is an RF antenna.

10. The power consuming device of claim 3, wherein the protocol antenna can receive signals from a utility company to regulate the discretionary functions of the power consuming device.

11. A communication module for interfacing with a public utility company and controlling discretionary functions of a power consuming device, comprising:

a standardizing chip in communication with the power consuming device;

a protocol chip in communication with the standardizing chip; and

a communication input for receiving protocol signals and transmitting the signals to the protocol chip.

12. The communication module of claim 11, wherein the communication input is a wireless input.

13. The communication module of claim 12, wherein the wireless input is a wireless antenna.

14. The communication module of claim 13, wherein the protocol for the protocol chip and protocol antenna is one from the group comprised of Zigbee, Z-wave, X-10, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

15. The communication module of claim 13, wherein the protocol chip and the protocol antenna are housed in a pluggable module.

16. The communication module of claim 15, further comprising a communication interface positioned on the pluggable module.

17. The communication module of claim 11, wherein the protocol antenna is an RF antenna.

18. A communication assembly for interfacing with a public utility company and controlling discretionary functions of a power consuming device, comprising:

a pluggable module comprising an electronic device having control means for inputting the utility company signals and supplying communication signals to be read by the power consuming device;

an interface for positioning on or adjacent to the power consuming device, and for electrical connection to the power consuming device controls, the interface being connectable with the module.

19. The communication assembly of claim 18 wherein the module further comprises a protocol antenna and the utility company signals are wirelessly read by the protocol antenna.

20. The communication assembly of claim 19, wherein the control means is comprised of a protocol chip in communication with the protocol antenna, a standardizing chip in communication with the protocol chip and the device, the protocol antenna receiving signals from the utility company and communicating those signals to the protocol chip and feeding those signals to the standardizing chip, the standardizing chip relaying readable signals for a specific device.