Appliance retrofit monitoring device with a memory storing an electronic signature

• US 6,934,862 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2001
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Sharood, John N., Bailey, Graham, Carr, D. Mitchell, Turner, James, Peachey, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Cao, Chun
• Application Number:
  US09/755,203
• Publication Number:
  US 20010025349A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,688 Days
• Field of Search: 713/300, 713/340, 340/310.06, 340/310.01
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0235 constrained by time limit or expiration date
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00001 characterised by the display of information or by user interaction, e.g. supervisory control and data acquisition systems [SCADA] or graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00007 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00016 using a wired telecommunication network or a data transmission bus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00018 using phone lines
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00022 using wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/12 The local stationary network supplying a household or a building
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5454 Adapter and plugs
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5495 having measurements and testing channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• 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 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 : Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/14 : by determining electrical parameters of the light source
• 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 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 20/20 : End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/246 : the system involving the remote operation of lamps or lighting equipment
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 : using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 : using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/126 : using wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/14 : Marketing, i.e. market research and analysis, surveying, promotions, advertising, buyer profiling, customer management or rewards

Abstract

A device monitors an appliance that receives power from a source. The device includes a first coupler that couples the device to the power source. A second coupler couples the device to the appliance. A monitoring circuit is connected to the first coupler and the second coupler to monitor power supplied by the source to the appliance. A communications circuit also is provided. The monitoring circuit provides data based on the monitored power to the communications circuit for output to the first coupler. The communications circuit may include a receiver that receives a signal from the first coupler to control the monitoring circuit. The communications circuit also may include a transceiver that receives a signal from the first coupler to control the monitoring circuit and to transmit monitored power data.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring an appliance that receives power from a power source, the device comprising:

a first coupler that couples the device to the power source;

a second coupler that couples the device to the appliance;

a monitoring circuit connected between the first coupler and the second coupler to monitor power supplied by the source to the appliance, the monitoring circuit including a memory that stores an electronic signature of the appliance and a processor that determines an operating state of the appliance based on the electronic signature; and

a communications circuit connected to the monitoring circuit,

wherein the monitoring circuit provides data based on the monitored power to the communications circuit.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein communications circuit includes a receiver that receives a control signal from the first coupler to control the monitoring circuit.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the communications circuit includes a transceiver that receives a signal from the first coupler to control the monitoring circuit and to transmit monitored power data.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the communications circuit comprises a power line carrier transceiver and a power line driver coupled to the monitoring circuitry and the first coupler.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the monitoring circuit measures current drawn by the appliance.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the monitoring circuit includes a processor, that determines an operating state of the appliance based on the measured current.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein the monitoring circuit includes a memory that stores the measured current and periodically sends measured current data to the first coupler.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor determines an operating state of the appliance and transmits the determined state to the first coupler.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a modem connected to the monitoring circuit for transmitting data based on the measured current.

10. The device of claim 1 further comprising a radio frequency transmitter connected to the monitoring circuit for transmitting data based on the measured current.

11. The device of claim 1 further comprising a serial port connected to the monitoring circuit to receive data about the appliance.

12. The device of claim 1 further comprising a battery, wherein the monitoring circuit receives power from the first coupler and the battery supplies power to the monitoring circuit when power is not received by the first coupler.

13. The device of claim 2 further comprising a switch connected to the first coupler wherein the switch is opened in response to the control signal to prevent power from the source from being supplied to the appliance.

14. The device of claim 2 further comprising a switch connected to the first coupler to adjust the amount of power received by the appliance in response to the control signal.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein the first coupler comprises a first pin for connection to a live line and a second pin for connection to a neutral line.

16. The device of claim 15 further comprising a first power line and a second power line connecting the first and second couplers, wherein the second coupler includes a first slot connected to the first pin through the first power line and a second slot connected to the second pin through the second power line.

17. A system for monitoring an appliance that receives power from a source, the system comprising:

a power line connected to the source;

a circuit connected to the power line and the appliance to monitor power supplied to the appliance; and

a processor connected to the power line,

wherein the circuit sends a signal to the processor through the power line and the signal is based on the power supplied to the appliance, and wherein the circuit includes a memory that stores an electronic signature of the appliance and the signal includes the electronic signature.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the circuit comprises:

a first coupler that couples the circuit to the power line;

a second coupler that couples the circuit to the appliance;

a monitoring circuit connected to the first coupler and the second coupler to monitor power supplied by the source to the appliance; and

a communications circuit connected to the monitoring circuit,

wherein the monitoring circuit provides data based on the monitored power to the communications circuit for output to the first coupler.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the circuit comprises a plug and the first coupler comprises a first pin for connection to a live line and a second pin for connection to a neutral line.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the monitoring circuit further comprises a first power line and a second power line connecting the first and second couplers, and the second coupler comprises a first and second slot, with the first slot connected to the first pin through the first power line and the second slot connected to the second pin through the second power line.

21. The system of claim 17 wherein the processor receives signals transmitted on the power line from the circuit and determines a state of operation of the appliance based on the signals and the electronic signature of the appliance.

22. The system of claim 17 wherein the circuit includes a receiver for receiving signals sent from the processor on the power line.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the appliance'"'"'s operating state is controlled based on the signals sent to the circuit from the processor.

24. The system of claim 21 further comprising a connection to a service provider, wherein the processor comprises a control server, that sends signals to the service provider about the operation of the appliance.

25. The system of claim 21 further comprising a connection to a remote service provider, wherein the processor comprises a gateway, that sends signals to the service provider about the operation of the appliance.

26. The system of claim 21 wherein the processor diagnoses the signals to determine if an appliance needs service.

27. The system of claim 26 further comprising a display wherein the processor sends a message to the display alerting a user if the appliance needs service.

28. A device for monitoring an appliance that receives power from a source, the device comprising:

first means for coupling the device to the power basis;

second means for coupling the device to the appliance;

means for monitoring power supplied to the appliance; and

means for communicating data based on the monitored power received from the monitoring means,

wherein the monitoring means provides the data and an electronic signature of the appliance to the communications means for output to the first coupling means.

29. The device of claim 28 wherein the communications means includes a receiver that receives a signal from the firs,cling means to control the monitoring means.

30. The device of claim 28 wherein the communications means includes a transceiver that receives a signal from the first coupling means to control the monitoring means and to transmit monitored power data.

31. The device of claim 28 wherein the monitoring means measures current drawn by the appliance.

32. The device of claim 28 wherein the monitoring means determines power used by the appliance.

33. The device of claim 28 wherein the monitoring means determines an operating state of the appliance based on the per used by the appliance.

34. The device of claim 28 further comprising a means for switching connected to the first coupler to open in response to the control signal to inhibit power from the source from being supplied to the appliance.

35. A retrofit plug adapted to be received by an appliance that receives power from a source, the retrofit plug comprising:

a live pin;

a neutral pin;

a first line connected to the live pin;

a second line connected to the neutral pin;

a first slot, connected to the first line, for receiving a pin from the appliance;

a second slot, connected to the second line, for receiving a neutral pin from the appliance;

a transformer connected to monitor the first and second lines;

a measurement circuit connected to the transformer for measuring current supplied to the appliance; and

a power line carrier transceiver for encoding a power line carrier signal based on the measured current and an electronic signature of the appliance.