Set of sensor units for communication enabled for streaming media delivery with monitoring and control of power usage of connected appliances

• US 8,364,326 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2011
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Asoka USA Corporation (Asoka)
• Original Assignee: Asoka USA Corporation (Asoka)
• Inventors: Grubel, Eric, Castellano, Dan, Xia, Mingyao
• Primary Examiner(s): Cottingham, John R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, DOUGLAS S
• Application Number:
  US13/153,194
• Publication Number:
  US 20110238235A1
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 709/224, 700/94, 700/276, 700/282, 700/295, 700/297, 315/297, 340/12.32
• US Class Current: 700/295
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/12 Determination or prediction of behaviour, e.g. likely power consumption or unusual usage patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00009 using pulsed signals
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00012 using an auxiliary transmission line
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00028 involving the use of Internet protocols
• 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 20/00 Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/128 involving the use of Internet protocol

Abstract

A group of sensor devices is connected to the power line and configured for collecting power usage information and enabling power management to reduce the carbon foot print of the home, as well as to provide local area networking. In one embodiment of the invention, the devices include an intelligent master sensor and its sub-sets, such as a communication and power management sensor and a power control switch sensor. The master device is configured to collect, compile, and communicate the collected data via the web or other communication medium to the outside world. The master device also receives and distributes control instructions that are used to control the power usage via the associated switches in the home or office. The sensors are used in the home or office environment to provide integrated sensing and control of home power usage and power management, while establishing a LAN having communication capability, including streaming media delivery capability.

Claims

1. A power switch unit (SW), comprising:

an appliance power plug having a noise filter;

a power meter and relay unit coupled to said power plug and further coupled to an AC power distribution line, said power meter and relay collecting power usage information and relay status;

a micro controller unit (MCU) module connected to said power meter and relay unit, said MCU receiving from said power meter and relay unit said collecting power usage information and relay status for compilation;

a communication module connected to said MCU, said communication module configured to encrypt and modulate compiled information received from said MCU, for power line communication (PLC) using one of;

a broadband and a narrow band; and

a coupler filter module connected to said communication module and said AC power distribution lines;

wherein said power meter and relay are configured to control a flow of power to said power plug from said AC power distribution lines based on input from said MCU; and

wherein power usage information of any appliance connected to said power plug, and status of the plug, are monitored by the MCU, encrypted, modulated and communicated over said AC power distribution lines by said communication module through said coupler filter module.

2. An apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of sensors, within a premise, each sensor connected to a power line and to an associated controlled appliance, each appliance powered by power from said power line under control of said sensor, each sensor configured for each of;

collecting power usage information of said connected associated appliance;

executing a power management regimen; and

providing a connection to establish a local area network (LAN), within said premise, between said sensors and other networked devices; and

providing voice and data connections with said LAN within said premise;

said sensors comprising any one or more, in any combination, of the following;

an intelligent master sensor (MST) configured to collect, compile, and communicate said collected information via a communication medium, and to receive and distribute instructions for implementing said power management regimen and for effecting control of said controlled appliance via said associated sensors;

said MST also configured to act as a gateway to the WAN for voice and data communication to and from said LAN;

a communication and power management sensor (ETH) that is enabled for voice and data communication in addition to power management; and

a power control switch sensor (SW);

wherein said sensors together are configured to provide integrated sensing and control of appliance power usage and power management, while establishing a LAN having communication capability, including voice and streaming media delivery capability.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said SW is configured for connecting an appliance to said power line;

and wherein said SW is configured for monitoring power consumption by, and to effect remote control of, an appliance connected thereto.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, each sensor further comprising:

a communication module configured for modulating said collected information to a communication data stream for transmission over a broadband communication frequency band to effect power line communication (PLC) over said power line within said local area network (LAN); and

said communications module configured for demodulating a broadband communication stream that is received over said power line to provide command and control instructions for power control of a power flow to said associated appliance.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, each sensor further comprising:

a communication module configured for modulating collected power usage information to a communication data stream for transmission over a narrowband communication frequency band to effect narrowband communication over said power line within said local area network (LAN); and

said communications module configured for demodulating a narrowband communication stream that is received over said power line to provide command and control instructions for power control of a power flow to said associated appliance.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said ETH is configured for connecting an appliance to said power line;

wherein said ETH is configured for monitoring power consumption by, and to effect remote control of, an appliance connected thereto;

wherein said ETH is configured for providing broadband PLC based data communication, where the data and communication devices are connected to said power line through a communication port; and

wherein multiple ETH units are connected via said power line to establish a PLC based LAN.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said MST comprises a processor and memory;

wherein said MST is configured for collecting and compiling power consumption information and for connecting an appliance to said power line;

wherein said MST is configured for monitoring power consumption by, and to effect remote control of, an appliance connected thereto; and

wherein said MST is configured for connection to said SWs and ETHs.

8. A method, comprising:

providing a plurality of sensors, each sensor connected to a power line and to an associated controlled appliance, each appliance powered by power from said power line under control of said sensor, each sensor configured for each of;

collecting power usage information of said connected associated appliance;

executing a power management regimen; and

providing a connection to establish a local area network (LAN) between said sensors and other networked devices enabled for voice and data communication, as well as collection of power usage information and power management;

said sensors comprising any one or more, in any combination, of the following;

an intelligent master sensor configured to collect, compile, and communicate said collected information via a communication medium, and to receive and distribute instructions for implementing said power management regimen and for effecting control of said controlled appliance via said associated sensors;

a communication and power management sensor; and

a power control switch sensor; and

configuring said sensors to provide integrated sensing and control of appliance power usage and power management, while establishing a LAN having communication capability, including streaming media delivery capability.