CONTROLLING MULTIPLE SMART APPLIANCES WITH A SINGLE COMMUNICATION INTERFACE
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An appliance comprising:
- an energy consuming device; and
a communication interface for sending/receiving communications between the appliance and a remote energy management device, the communications including at least one of commands for controlling the energy consuming device and data relating to the usage of the energy consuming device;
wherein the communication interface further includes a communication port for communicating with a second appliance, the communication interface adapted to relay communications between the second appliance and the remote energy management device.
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Abstract
A single communication interface for controlling multiple smart appliances. The communication interface can be integral with an appliance and have a port for communicating with at least one other appliance or energy consuming devices. The communication interface can be a separate module connectable to a plurality of appliance or energy consuming devices. A wireless or wired connection can be established between the communication module and an energy management device for controlling the smart appliances or energy consuming devices connected to the communication module. One or more of the appliances or energy consuming devices can be wirelessly connected to the communication interface.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An appliance comprising:
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an energy consuming device; and a communication interface for sending/receiving communications between the appliance and a remote energy management device, the communications including at least one of commands for controlling the energy consuming device and data relating to the usage of the energy consuming device; wherein the communication interface further includes a communication port for communicating with a second appliance, the communication interface adapted to relay communications between the second appliance and the remote energy management device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A device for connecting a plurality of energy consuming devices to a home energy management network comprising:
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a first communication port for communicating with a first energy consuming device; a second communication port for communicating with a second energy consuming device; and a communication interface for communicating with a remote device, the communication interface adapted to connect the first and second communication ports to the remote device for communication therewith. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of connecting a plurality of energy consuming devices to a home energy management network comprising:
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connecting a first energy consuming device to a second energy consuming device; communicating data relating to the usage of the second energy consuming device to the first energy consuming device; and communicating data via a communication interface of the first energy consuming device relating to the usage of both the first and second energy consuming devices; wherein the first energy consuming device is associated with a first appliance and the second energy consuming device is associated with a second appliance. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification