SECURITY SYSTEM
First Claim
1. Apparatus for providing mains electrical power to a plurality of electrical devices, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of power outlets, each power outlet arranged to be coupled to an electrical device;
a plurality of sensors, each sensor being associated with a power outlet of the plurality of power outlets and arranged to measure at least one electrical parameter selected from current drawn, power consumption and power factor at the associated power outlet;
a communications interface for sending to a controller via a communications network a message, the message including an identity of each power outlet of the plurality of power outlets and information derived from the measured electrical parameter or parameters for each power outlet of the plurality of power outlets.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A security system comprising apparatus for connecting a plurality of electrical devices (1) to a mains power supply (2), and a controller (10). The apparatus is provided with a plurality of power outlets, each outlet being associated with a sensor (3) for measuring at least one electrical parameter such as current drawn, power consumption or power factor at the power outlet. A communications interface (8) is provided for sending to a controller via a communications network a message. The message includes an identity of each power outlet of the plurality of power outlets and information derived from the measured electrical parameters. This information can be used by the controller to determine changes to electrical parameters which in turn can be used to determine whether the electrical device is still coupled to the apparatus, and activate an alarm (13) if it is determined that the electrical device is no longer coupled to the apparatus.
15 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. Apparatus for providing mains electrical power to a plurality of electrical devices, the apparatus comprising:
-
a plurality of power outlets, each power outlet arranged to be coupled to an electrical device; a plurality of sensors, each sensor being associated with a power outlet of the plurality of power outlets and arranged to measure at least one electrical parameter selected from current drawn, power consumption and power factor at the associated power outlet; a communications interface for sending to a controller via a communications network a message, the message including an identity of each power outlet of the plurality of power outlets and information derived from the measured electrical parameter or parameters for each power outlet of the plurality of power outlets. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A controller for use in a security system, the controller comprising:
-
a receiver for receiving a message from an apparatus for providing mains electrical power to a plurality of electrical devices, the message including information derived from at least one electrical parameter selected from current, power consumption and power factor measured at each power outlet of a plurality of power outlets at the apparatus; a processor for activating an alarm in the event that the information derived from the electrical parameter or parameters has fallen below a predetermined limit or outside a predetermined range. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 21)
-
-
14. A security system for an electrical device connected to a mains electricity supply, the security system comprising:
-
a monitor device located between the electrical device and the mains electricity supply, the monitor device comprising a sensor to measure an electrical parameter selected from at least one electrical parameter selected from current drawn, power and power factor relating to the electrical device, a transmitter to send a message to a controller, the message including information derived from the measured electrical parameter or parameters; wherein the controller is arranged to activate an alarm in the event that the information derived from the measured electrical parameter or parameters is outside one or more predetermined threshold ranges, or changes at greater than a predetermined rate. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A controller for use in a security system, the controller comprising:
-
a receiver arranged to receive a message from a monitor device, the monitor device being located between an electrical device and a mains electricity supply and comprising a sensor device arranged to measure at least one electrical parameter selected from current drawn, power and power factor relating to the electrical device, and the message including information derived from the measured electrical parameter or parameters; a processor arranged to determine whether the information derived from the measured electrical parameter or parameters is outside one or more predetermined threshold ranges, or has changed at more than a predetermined rate; and means to activate an alarm in the event that the information derived from the measured electrical parameter or parameters is outside one or more predetermined threshold ranges, or has changed at more than a predetermined rate. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
Specification