Pattern-and model-based power line monitoring

• US 7,133,729 B1
• Filed: 08/17/2000
• Issued: 11/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Arora, Anish K., Russell, Wilf G., Wang, Yi-Min
• Primary Examiner(s): Knight, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, THOMAS K
• Application Number:
  US09/641,556
• Time in Patent Office: 2,273 Days
• Field of Search: 361/64, 366/348, 710/17, 702/183, 709/224, 340/310.01, 340/310.04, 700/83, 700/79, 700/21, 700/22
• US Class Current: 700/83
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2223/06 Remote monitoring

Abstract

Power line monitoring is disclosed. The monitoring can be performed in conjunction with an automation system designed to control and monitor devices and sensors. Model-based power line monitoring uses a model of acceptable power line activity. Activity that does not conform to the model is tagged as indicating a potential problem. Pattern-based power line monitoring uses patterns of unacceptable power line activity. Activity that matches one of the patterns is also tagged as indicating a potential problem.

Claims

1. An architecture for an automation system, the automation system used to remotely control and monitor power-consuming devices drawing power from a power line in a building, the architecture comprising:

a lookup service maintaining a database of (1) the power-consuming devices including their attributes of device type and physical location, and (2) device objects corresponding to the power-consuming devices including a name for each device object mapped to at least one address;

a soft state store managing refresh information, in a persistent state or in a volatile state, for the power-consuming devices and the device objects to be within the predetermined refresh rate threshold;

a publication/subscription eventing component enabling subscriptions to events related to changes in the refresh information managed by the soft state store; and

,

a power line monitor detecting superimposed transmissions from the power-consuming devices on the power line, which signal problems associated with the power-consuming devices.

2. The architecture of claim 1, wherein the power line monitor uses pattern-based detection for detecting unacceptable power line activity.

3. The architecture of claim 1, wherein the power line monitor uses model-based detection for detecting acceptable power line activity.

4. The architecture of claim 2, wherein the power line monitor matches power line patterns against unacceptable power line patterns stored in a pattern database.

5. The architecture of claim 3, wherein the power line monitor tests power line patterns against a pattern model of acceptable power line patterns.