Home automation module having externally powered communications port

• US 6,970,072 B1
• Filed: 05/29/2003
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smarthome, Inc (Smartlabs Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Smarthome, Inc (Smartlabs Incorporated)
• Inventors: Henry, Derek Robert, Dada, Joseph J III, Walter, Ronald Jeffrey, Bartley, Donald John, Cregg, Daniel Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope, Daryl C.
• Application Number:
  US10/448,680
• Time in Patent Office: 915 Days
• Field of Search: 340/310.01, 340/310.04, 340/310.08, 340/333, 340/693.2, 340/693.1, 340/693.3, 340/693.4
• US Class Current: 340/12.35
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/542 using zero crossing information
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• 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 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators

Abstract

A home automation module having an externally powered communications port. The module includes an automation microprocessor for controlling the module, a communications port for enabling the module to draw power in limited quantities from an external source, a receiver/transmitter section, a power line carrier (PLC) coupler for enabling the transfer of signals between the module and a main while electrically isolating the module from the main, a zero-crossing detector for monitoring the phase of the power on the main while maintaining substantial electrical isolation of the module from the main, and a boost regulator for enabling the module to derive sufficient power from the communications port to drive the PLC coupler during signal transmissions from the module to the main. The detector maintains substantial electrical isolation through an opto-isolator. The boost regulator stores up power over time so that sufficient power will be available when the demand is made.

Claims

1. A home automation module having an externally powered communications port, the module comprising:

an automation microprocessor for controlling the module;

a communications port connected to the microprocessor, wherein the communications port enables the module to draw power in limited quantities from an external source;

a transmitter having an input and an output, wherein the input is connected to the microprocessor;

a power line carrier (PLC) coupler having a first connection and a second connection, wherein the first connection is connected to the output of the transmitter and the second connection is connected to a main having a hot and a neutral;

a zero-crossing detector having an input and an output, wherein the input is connected to the main and the output is connected to the microprocessor; and

a boost regulator connected to the microprocessor, wherein the boost regulator enables the module to derive sufficient power from the communications port to drive the PLC coupler during signal transmissions from the module to the main.

2. The module as defined in claim 1, further comprising a receiver having an input and an output, wherein the input is connected to the PLC coupler and the output is connected to the microprocessor.

3. The module as defined in claim 2, wherein the zero-crossing detector comprises an opto-isolator.

4. The module as defined in claim 1, wherein the communications port is a universal serial bus port.

5. The module as defined in claim 1, wherein the zero-crossing detector comprises an opto-isolator.

6. The module as defined in claim 1, wherein the zero-crossing detector comprises:

a first capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is connected to the hot;

a first resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is connected to the second terminal of the first capacitor;

a first diode having an input and an output, wherein the input is connected to the neutral and the output is connected to the second terminal of the first resistor;

a second diode having an input and an output, wherein the input is connected to the second terminal of the first resistor;

a second capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is connected to the neutral and the second terminal is connected to the output of the second diode;

a second resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is connected to the output of the second diode;

a third resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is connected to the hot;

a third diode having an input and an output, wherein the input is connected to the neutral and the output is connected to the second terminal of the third resistor;

a transistor having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal, wherein the first terminal is connected to the neutral and the second terminal is connected to the second terminal of the third resistor;

a fourth resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is connected to the microprocessor and the second terminal is connected to a first voltage potential; and

an opto-isolator having a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal, wherein the first terminal is connected to the second terminal of the second resistor, the second terminal is connected to the third terminal of the transistor, the third terminal is connected to the microprocessor, and the fourth terminal is connected to a second voltage potential.

7. The module as defined in claim 1, wherein the boost regulator comprises:

a resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is connected to the microprocessor and the second terminal is connected to a first voltage potential;

a transistor having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal, wherein the first terminal is connected to the first voltage potential and the second terminal is connected to the microprocessor;

an inductor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is connected to the third terminal of the transistor and the second terminal is connected to a second voltage potential;

a first diode having an input and an output;

wherein the input is connected to the third terminal of the transistor;

a capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is connected to the first voltage potential and the second terminal is connected to the output of the first diode; and

a second diode having an input and an output, wherein the input is connected to the first voltage potential and the output is connected to both the output of the first diode and a third voltage potential.

8. A home automation module having an externally powered communications port, the module comprising:

means for controlling the module;

a communications port connected to the microprocessor, wherein the communications port enables the module to draw power in limited quantities from an external source;

means for transmitting signals from the module, wherein the means for transmitting has an input connected to the means for controlling;

means for coupling the module to a main, wherein the means for coupling is connected to an output of the means for transmitting;

means for detecting a zero-crossing point of a phase of a power signal on the main, wherein the means for detecting is connected to the means for controlling; and

means for enabling the module to derive sufficient power from the communications port to drive the means for coupling during signal transmissions from the module to the main, wherein the means for enabling is connected to the means for controlling.

9. The module as defined in claim 8, further comprising means for receiving signals by the module, wherein the means for receiving has an input that is connected to the means for coupling and an output that is connected to the means for controlling.

10. A method for externally powering a home automation module through a communications port that enables the module to draw power in limited quantities from an external source, the method comprising:

storing sufficient reserve power drawn from the communications port to enable the module to transmit signals from the module to a main, wherein storing comprises;

storing a first quantity of power at a first time; and

storing a second quantity of power at a second time subsequent to the first time.

11. An apparatus for externally powering a home automation module through a communications port that enables the module to draw power in limited quantities from an external source, the apparatus comprising:

means for storing sufficient reserve power drawn from the communications port to enable the module to transmit signals from the module to a main, wherein the means for storing comprises;

means for storing a first quantity of power at a first time; and

means for storing a second quantity of power at a second time subsequent to the first time.