Integrated building device monitoring network
First Claim
1. A networked electrical device configured to be coupled between a power distribution network of a building and an electrical appliance, the networked electrical device comprising:
- a mounting arrangement configured to mount the networked electrical device operatively within a building;
a connection arrangement to operatively connect the networked electrical device to a power distribution network of the building, power from the power distribution network to power the electrical device;
a device communication module to communicate with at least one other networked electrical device configured to be coupled between a power distribution network of a building and an electrical appliance, the at least one other networked electrical device located within the building;
a location module configured to provide a location of the at least one other networked electrical device within the building, the location being based on information about a received wireless signal associated with a communication between the networked electrical device and the at least one other networked electrical device; and
a switch configured to remotely switch power on or off from the power distribution network to the networked electrical device.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical device for installation within a building is described. Accordingly, the device may comprise a mounting arrangement configured to mount the device within the building. A location module is provided to monitor a location of the device within the building and a power monitor is provided to monitor power consumption of an electrical appliance connectable to the device. The device further includes a communication module configured to interface the electrical device to a communications network and to communicate the location and the power consumption via the communications network. In an example embodiment, the communications network is connectable to a system controller that is operable to communicate with a plurality of the electrical devices to control operation of the electrical devices. The device and the system controller may form part of a building management system.
76 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A networked electrical device configured to be coupled between a power distribution network of a building and an electrical appliance, the networked electrical device comprising:
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a mounting arrangement configured to mount the networked electrical device operatively within a building; a connection arrangement to operatively connect the networked electrical device to a power distribution network of the building, power from the power distribution network to power the electrical device; a device communication module to communicate with at least one other networked electrical device configured to be coupled between a power distribution network of a building and an electrical appliance, the at least one other networked electrical device located within the building; a location module configured to provide a location of the at least one other networked electrical device within the building, the location being based on information about a received wireless signal associated with a communication between the networked electrical device and the at least one other networked electrical device; and a switch configured to remotely switch power on or off from the power distribution network to the networked electrical device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 19, 20)
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14. A system comprising:
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a plurality of networked electrical devices configured to be coupled between a power distribution network of a building and an electrical appliance, each networked electrical device comprising; a mounting arrangement configured to mount the networked electrical device within a building; a connection arrangement to operatively connect the networked electrical device to a power distribution network, power from the power distribution network to power the electrical device; a device communication module to communicate with at least one other networked electrical device configured to be coupled between a power distribution network of a building and an electrical appliance, the networked electrical device located within the building; a location module configured to provide a location of the at least one other networked electrical device within the building, the location being based on information about a received wireless signal associated with a communication between the networked electrical device and the at least one other networked electrical device; and a switch configured to remotely switch power on or off from the power distribution network to the networked electrical device; and a system controller comprising; a system communication module to communicate with the plurality of networked electrical devices; and a control module configured to receive the location from each of the networked electrical devices and, based on the location information, identify a physical location of the at least one other networked electrical device within the building. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 21)
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17. A method comprising:
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communicating between a networked electrical device and at least one other networked electrical device, both configured to be coupled between a power distribution network of a building and an electrical appliance, and both located within a building, at least one of the networked electrical devices being fixedly mounted within the building; identifying a location of the at least one other networked electrical device within a building based on information about a received wireless signal associated with a communication between the networked electrical device and the at least one other networked electrical device; communicating the location from the networked electrical device to a system controller; receiving a remote signal to switch power on or off from the power distribution network to the networked electrical device; and switching the power on or off based on the remote signal. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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18. A networked electrical device configured to be coupled between a power distribution network of a building and an electrical appliance, the networked electrical device comprising:
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means for mounting the networked electrical device within a building; means for monitoring a location of at least one other networked electrical device within the building based on information about a received wireless signal associated with a communication between the networked electrical device and the at least one other networked electrical device, the at least one other network device configured to be coupled between a power distribution network of a building and an electrical appliance; means for monitoring power consumption of an electrical appliance connectable to the networked electrical device; means for communicating the location and the power consumption; and means for remotely switching the power on or off from the power distribution network to the networked electrical device. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification