Electric outlet based power status notification device, system, and method

• US 6,940,956 B1
• Filed: 05/04/2001
• Issued: 09/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cufer Asset Ltd LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Amron Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Leach, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOO, STELLA L
• Application Number:
  US09/849,775
• Time in Patent Office: 1,586 Days
• Field of Search: 379/106.01, 379/106.04, 379/39, 379/40, 379/41, 379/37, 379/88.01, 379/88.13, 379/90.01, 379/93.27, 340/500, 340/501, 340/531, 340/533, 340/538
• US Class Current: 379/106.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/002 with telemetering systems telemetering in general G08C

Abstract

There is provided a device, system, and method for reporting a change in the power status of power supplied through an electric outlet. A power outage notification device detects the change in the power status of the power, such as a power outage or a power restoration, supplied through the electric outlet, places a call to an integrated voice response system (IVR) using a telecommunications network, and transmits power status notification information to the IVR. The power status notification device contains software or computer executable instructions to accomplish the reporting. The power status notification device is programmable and reprogrammable. The device requires no battery and programmed parameters may be used to determine how power in the device is maintained.

Claims

1. A power status notification device (PSND) for reporting the status of power supplied through an electric outlet, the device comprising:

a power status component capable of detecting a change in the status of the power supplied through an electric outlet;

a power supply component that receives power from the electric outlet and also from a telephone line;

a power supply monitor component for detecting a change in the amount of power in the power status notification device power supply;

a memory component for storing programmable and reprogrammable information;

a signal transmission component for transmitting a signal to an integrated voice response system (IVR); and

a signal receiving component for receiving a signal from an IVR.

2. The PSND of claim 1, further comprising a microcontroller.

3. The PSND of claim 2, wherein the microcontroller comprises a microprocessor.

4. The PSND of claim 1, wherein the power supply component comprises a capacitor.

5. The PSND of claim 4, wherein the capacitor is capable of storing the power status notification device power supply.

6. The PSND of claim 1, wherein the power supply monitor component comprises a reset chip.

7. The PSND of claim 1, wherein the memory component comprises an electronic erasable programmable read only memory chip (EEPROM).

8. The PSND of claim 1, wherein the memory component stores programmable information comprising a response time T.

9. The PSND of claim 8, wherein the response time T comprises about ten seconds.

10. The PSND of claim 8, wherein the response time T comprises 10 seconds.

11. The PSND of claim 8, wherein the response time T comprises about four minutes and forty-five seconds (4:

45).

12. The PSND of claim 8, wherein the response time T comprises four minutes and forty-five seconds (4:

45).

13. The PSND of claim 1, wherein the memory component stores programmable information comprising identification (ID) data.

14. The PSND of claim 13, wherein the ID data comprises an identification number unique to the power status notification device.

15. The PSND of claim 1, wherein the memory component stores programmable information comprising a phone number associated with the IVR.

16. The PSND of claim 1, wherein the memory component stores programmable information comprising a call attempt limit.

17. The PSND of claim 1, wherein the memory component stores programmable information comprising location information relating to the whereabouts of the power status notification device.

18. The PSND of claim 17, wherein location information comprises the address of the premises where the power status notification device is installed.

19. The PSND of claim 1, wherein the memory component stores programmable information comprising a heartbeat time.

20. The PSND of claim 1, wherein the information stored in the memory component is programmed into the memory by a remote terminal.

21. The PSND of claim 20, wherein the remote terminal comprises a computer.

22. The PSND of claim 20, wherein the remote terminal comprises a handheld computing device.

23. The PSND of claim 1, further comprising:

a DTMF Out component, wherein the DTMF Out component transmits DTMF tones;

a DTMF In component, wherein the DTMF In component receives DTMF tones.

24. The PSND of claim 1, wherein the PSND is operative to perform a power status notification function comprising:

detecting the change in the status of the power supplied through the electric outlet;

placing a call to the IVR using a telecommunications network; and

transmitting power status notification information to the IVR.

25. The PSND of claim 24, wherein transmitting the power status notification information comprises:

transmitting an identifying signal to the IVR, wherein the identifying signal is recognizable as being transmitted by a power status notification device; and

in response to a receipt of an acknowledgement signal, transmitting power status notification information to the IVR.

26. The PSND of claim 25, wherein the identifying signal comprises a DTMF tone.

27. The PSND of claim 26, wherein the DTMF tone comprises a sinc pulse.

28. The PSND of claim 27, wherein the sinc pulse comprises an A tone.

29. The PSND of claim 25, wherein the acknowledgement signal comprises a DTMF tone.

30. The PSND of claim 29, wherein the DTMF tone comprises a # tone.

31. The PSND of claim 24, wherein the change in the status of the power supplied through the electric outlet comprises an electric power outage.

32. The PSND of claim 24, wherein the change in the status of the power supplied through the electric outlet comprises an electric power restoration.

33. The PSND of claim 24, wherein the telecommunications network comprises a telephone network.

34. The PSND of claim 24, wherein the power status notification information comprises identification (ID) data.

35. The PSND of claim 24, wherein the ID data comprises an identification number unique to the power status notification device.

36. The PSND of claim 35, wherein the identification number unique to the power status notification device comprises customer ID data.

37. The PSND of claim 36, wherein the customer ID data is selected by the customer.

38. The PSND of claim 36, wherein the customer ID data is selected by a power company.

39. The PSND of claim 24, wherein the power status notification information comprises a power status indicator.

40. The PSND of claim 39, wherein the power status indicator comprises a 0 tone.

41. The PSND of claim 39, wherein the power status indicator comprises a 1 tone.

42. The PSND of claim 24, wherein the power status notification information comprises location information relating to the whereabouts of the power status notification device.

43. The PSND of claim 42, wherein location information comprises the address of the premises where the power status notification device is installed.

44. The PSND of claim 24, wherein the power status notification information transmitted is used to generate a report containing the power status notification information.

45. The PSND of claim 44, wherein the report is generated by a reporting device.

46. The PSND of claim 45, wherein the reporting device comprises a telecommunications device.

47. The PSND of claim 46, wherein the telecommunications device comprises a pager and the report comprises a page.

48. The PSND of claim 46, wherein the telecommunications device comprises a cellular phone and the report comprises a voice message.

49. The PSND of claim 46, wherein the telecommunications device comprises a voice mail system and the report comprises a voice mail message.

50. The PSND of claim 46, wherein the telecommunications device comprises a fax machine and the report comprises a fax.

51. The PSND of claim 45, wherein the reporting device comprises a printer and the report comprises a print-out.

52. The PSND of claim 45, wherein the reporting device comprises a monitor, and wherein a user interface on the screen of the monitor displays the power status notification information.

53. The PSND of claim 24, wherein the IVR is at a location remote from the electric utility, and wherein a user interface displays the power status notification information.

54. The PSND of claim 53, wherein the user interface comprises a World Wide Web browser.

55. The PSND of claim 24, wherein the power status notification function further comprises waiting a response time T prior to placing a call to the integrated voice response system (IVR) using a telecommunications network.

56. The PSND of claim 55, wherein the response time T is programmable and reprogrammable.

57. The PSND of claim 55, wherein the response time T comprises a time in a range from about ten (10) seconds to about four minutes forty-five seconds (4:

45).

58. The PSND of claim 55, wherein the response time T comprises about ten seconds.

59. The PSND of claim 55, wherein the response time T comprises 10 seconds.

60. The PSND of claim 55, wherein the response time T comprises about four minutes and forty-five seconds (4:

45).

61. The PSND of claim 55, wherein the response time T comprises four minutes and forty-five seconds (4:

45).

62. The PSND of claim 1, wherein:

the PSND is coupled with the electric power outlet capable of supplying power;

the PSND is coupled to the telephone line of a telephone network; and

the PSND maintains power in the device by;

in response to power being received through the electric outlet, deriving power from the electric outlet to maintain power in the power supply component of the PSND; and

in response to an interruption of power supplied through the electric outlet, periodically deriving power from the telephone line of the telephone network in order to maintain the power supply of the power supply component of the PSND at an operational level.

63. The PSND of claim 62, wherein periodically deriving power from the telephone line comprises:

in response to an interruption of power supplied through the electric outlet, and in response to a determination that a response time T is greater than a pre-determined time;

seizing the telephone line of the telephone network, and

deriving power from the telephone line for an amount of time necessary to maintain the power supply of the power supply component of the PSND at an operational level.

64. The PSND of claim 63, wherein the response time T is programmable and reprogrammable.

65. The PSND of claim 63, wherein the response time T comprises a time in a range from about ten (10) seconds to about four minutes forty-five seconds (4:

45).

66. The PSND of claim 63, wherein the response time T comprises about ten seconds.

67. The PSND of claim 63, wherein the response time T comprises 10 seconds.

68. The PSND of claim 63, wherein the response time T comprises about four minutes and forty-five seconds (4:

45).

69. The PSND of claim 63, wherein the response time T comprises four minutes and forty-five seconds (4:

45).

70. The PSND of claim 63, wherein the pre-determined time comprises about 30 seconds.

71. The PSND of claim 63, wherein the pre-determined time comprises 30 seconds.

72. The PSND of claim 63, wherein the amount of time necessary comprises about 5 seconds.

73. The PSND of claim 63, wherein the amount of time necessary comprises 5 seconds.

75. The PSND of claim 14, wherein the identification number unique to the power status notification device comprises customer ID data.

76. The PSND of claim 75, wherein the customer ID data is selected by the customer.

77. The PSND of claim 75, wherein the customer ID data is selected by a power company.

74. A power status notification device (PSND) for reporting the status of power supplied through an electric outlet, the device comprising:

a power status component, wherein the power status component detects a change in the status of the power supplied through an electric outlet;

a capacitor, wherein the capacitor receives power from the electric outlet and also from a telephone line;

a reset chip, wherein the reset chip detects a change in the amount of power in the power status notification device power supply;

a DTMF Out component, wherein the DTMF Out component transmits DTMF tones;

a DTMF In component, wherein the DTMF In component receives DTMF tones; and

an electronic erasable programmable memory component (EEPROM), wherein the EEPROM stores programmable information comprising;

a customer ID number,

a response time T,

a phone number associated with an IVR, and

a call attempt limit, wherein the programmable information may be entered into the EEPROM using a remote terminal.

78. The PSND of claim 74, further comprising a microcontroller.

79. The PSND of claim 78, wherein the microcontroller comprises a microprocessor.

80. The PSND of claim 78, wherein the capacitor is capable of storing the power status notification device power supply.

81. The PSND of claim 78, wherein the customer ID number comprises identification data unique to the power status notification device.

82. The PSND of claim 81, wherein the customer ID number is selected by the customer.

83. The PSND of claim 81, wherein the customer ID number is selected by a power company.

84. The PSND of claim 78, wherein the EEPROM stores programmable information comprising location information relating to the whereabouts of the power status notification device.

85. The PSND of claim 78, wherein location information comprises the address of the premises where the power status notification device is installed.

86. The PSND of claim 78, wherein the EEPROM stores programmable information comprising a heartbeat time.

87. The PSND of claim 78, wherein the response time T comprises about ten seconds.

88. The PSND of claim 78, wherein the response time T comprises 10 seconds.

89. The PSND of claim 78, wherein the response time T comprises about four minutes and forty-five seconds (4:

45).

90. The PSND of claim 78, wherein the response time T comprises four minutes and forty-five seconds (4:

45).

91. The PSND of claim 78, wherein the remote terminal comprises a computer.

92. The PSND of claim 78, wherein the remote terminal comprises a handheld computing device.

93. The PSND of claim 78, wherein the remote terminal comprises a desktop computer.

94. The PSND of claim 78, wherein the remote terminal comprises a laptop computer.

95. The PSND of claim 78, wherein the PSND is operative to perform a power status notification function comprising:

detecting the change in the status of the power supplied through the electric outlet;

placing a call to the integrated voice response system (IVR) using a telecommunications network; and

transmitting power status notification information to the IVR.

96. The PSND of claim 95, wherein transmitting the power status notification information comprises:

transmitting an identifying signal to the IVR, wherein the identifying signal is recognizable as being transmitted by a power status notification device; and

in response to a receipt of an acknowledgement signal, transmitting power status notification information to the IVR.

97. The PSND of claim 96, wherein the identifying signal comprises a DTMF tone.

98. The PSND of claim 97, wherein the DTMF tone comprises a sinc pulse.

99. The PSND of claim 98, wherein the sinc pulse comprises an A tone.

100. The PSND of claim 96, wherein the acknowledgement signal comprises a DTMF tone.

101. The PSND of claim 100, wherein the DTMF tone comprises a # tone.

102. The PSND of claim 95, wherein the power status notification information transmitted is used to generate a report containing the power status notification information.

103. The PSND of claim 102, wherein the report is generated by a reporting device.

104. The PSND of claim 103, wherein the reporting device comprises a telecommunications device.

105. The PSND of claim 104, wherein the telecommunications device comprises a pager and the report comprises a page.

106. The PSND of claim 104, wherein the telecommunications device comprises a cellular phone and the report comprises a voice message.

107. The PSND of claim 104, wherein the telecommunications device comprises a voice mail system and the report comprises a voice mail message.

108. The PSND of claim 104, wherein the telecommunications device comprises a fax machine and the report comprises a fax.

109. The PSND of claim 103, wherein the reporting device comprises a printer and the report comprises a print-out.

110. The PSND of claim 103, wherein the reporting device comprises a monitor, and wherein a user interface on the screen of the monitor displays the power status notification information.

111. The PSND of claim 95, wherein the IVR is at a location remote from the electric utility, and wherein a user interface displays the power status notification information.

112. The PSND of claim 111, wherein the user interface comprises a World Wide Web browser.

113. The PSND of claim 95, wherein the power status notification function further comprises waiting the response time T prior to placing a call to the integrated voice response system (IVR) using a telecommunications network.

114. The PSND of claim 113, wherein the response time T is programmable and reprogrammable.

115. The PSND of claim 113, wherein the response time T comprises a time in a range from about ten (10) seconds to about four minutes forty-five seconds (4:

45).

116. The PSND of claim 113, wherein the response time T comprises about ten seconds.

117. The PSND of claim 113, wherein the response time T comprises 10 seconds.

118. The PSND of claim 113, wherein the response time T comprises about four minutes and forty-five seconds (4:

45).

119. The PSND of claim 113, wherein the response time T comprises four minutes and forty-five seconds (4:

45).

120. The PSND of claim 95, wherein the change in the status of the power supplied through the electric outlet comprises an electric power outage.

121. The PSND of claim 95, wherein the change in the status of the power supplied through the electric outlet comprises an electric power restoration.

122. The PSND of claim 95, wherein the telecommunications network comprises a telephone network.

123. The PSND of claim 95, wherein the customer ID number comprises identification data unique to the power status notification device.

124. The PSND of claim 123, wherein the customer ID number is selected by the customer.

125. The PSND of claim 123, wherein the customer ID number is selected by a power company.

126. The PSND of claim 95, wherein the power status notification information comprises a power status indicator.

127. The PSND of claim 126, wherein the power status indicator comprises a 0 tone.

128. The PSND of claim 126, wherein the power status indicator comprises a 1 tone.

129. The PSND of claim 95, wherein the power status notification information comprises location information relating to the whereabouts of the power status notification device.

130. The PSND of claim 95, wherein location information comprises the address of the premises where the power status notification device is installed.

131. The PSND of claim 95, wherein the power status notification information comprises the customer ID number.

132. The PSND of claim 131, wherein the customer ID number is selected by the customer.

133. The PSND of claim 131, wherein the customer ID number is selected by a power company.

134. The PSND of claim 74, wherein:

the PSND is coupled with the electric power outlet capable of supplying power;

the PSND is coupled to the telephone line of a telephone network; and

the PSND maintains power in the device by;

in response to power being received through the electric outlet, deriving power from the electric outlet to maintain power in capacitor of the PSND; and

in response to an interruption of power supplied through the electric outlet, periodically deriving power from the telephone line of the telephone network in order to maintain the power supply of the capacitor of the PSND at an operational level.

135. The PSND of claim 134, wherein periodically deriving power from the telephone line comprises:

in response to an interruption of power supplied through the electric outlet, and in response to a determination that the response time T is greater than a pre-determined time;

seizing the telephone line of the telephone network, and

deriving power from the telephone line for an amount of time necessary to maintain the power supply of the capacitor of the PSND at an operational level.

136. The PSND of claim 135, wherein the response time T is programmable and reprogrammable.

137. The PSND of claim 135, wherein the response time T comprises a time in a range from about ten (10) seconds to about four minutes forty-five seconds (4:

45).

138. The PSND of claim 135, wherein the response time T comprises about ten seconds.

139. The PSND of claim 135, wherein the response time T comprises 10 seconds.

140. The PSND of claim 135, wherein the response time T comprises about four minutes and forty-five seconds (4:

45).

141. The PSND of claim 135, wherein the response time T comprises four minutes and forty-five seconds (4:

45).

142. The method of claim 135, wherein the pre-determined time comprises about 30 seconds.

143. The method of claim 135, wherein the pre-determined time comprises 30 seconds.

144. The method of claim 135, wherein the amount of time necessary comprises about 5 seconds.

145. The method of claim 135, wherein the amount of time necessary comprises 5 seconds.