Smart electrical outlets and associated networks
First Claim
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1. A method for use in power distribution, comprising the steps of:
- applying a power signal via an electrical receptacle to a device electrically coupled with said electrical receptacle;
monitoring said power signal at said electrical receptacle at least during a first time period to acquire first electrical usage signature information for said device and during a second time period, different from said first time period, to acquire second electrical usage signature information for said device;
determining at least first device classification information for said device according to said first electrical usage signature information and second device classification information for said device according to said second electrical usage signature information, each of said first and second classification information providing an independent indication relating to at least one of an identity of said device, a type of said device and a state or condition of said device;
using at least said first device classification information and said second device classification information to determine a device classification; and
controlling delivery of power via said electrical receptacle based on applying said device classification to a policy.
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Abstract
A control system (300) allows recognized standard premise electrical outlets, for example NEMA, CEE and BS, among others to be remotely monitored and/or controlled, for example, to intelligently execute blackouts or brownouts or to otherwise remotely control electrical devices. The system (300) includes a number of smart receptacles (302) that communicate with a local controller (304), e.g., via power lines using the TCP/IP protocol. The local controller (304), in turn, communicates with a remote controller (308) via the internet.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for use in power distribution, comprising the steps of:
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applying a power signal via an electrical receptacle to a device electrically coupled with said electrical receptacle; monitoring said power signal at said electrical receptacle at least during a first time period to acquire first electrical usage signature information for said device and during a second time period, different from said first time period, to acquire second electrical usage signature information for said device; determining at least first device classification information for said device according to said first electrical usage signature information and second device classification information for said device according to said second electrical usage signature information, each of said first and second classification information providing an independent indication relating to at least one of an identity of said device, a type of said device and a state or condition of said device; using at least said first device classification information and said second device classification information to determine a device classification; and controlling delivery of power via said electrical receptacle based on applying said device classification to a policy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An electrical outlet apparatus, comprising:
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a receptacle for receiving a standard electrical plug so as to establish an electrical connection between a device, associated with the plug, and a premises electrical wiring system associated with the receptacle; and one or more digital processors, associated with the receptacle, for controlling delivery of power via the receptacle by; allowing a provision of a power signal via said receptacle to said device; monitoring said power signal at least during a first time period to acquire first electrical usage signature information for said device and during a second time period, different than said first time period, to acquire second electrical usage signature information for said device; determining at least first device classification information for said device according to said electrical usage signature information and second device classification information for said device according to said second electrical usage signature information, each of said first and second classification information providing an independent indication relating to at least one of an identity of said device, a type of said device and a state or condition of said device; using at least said first device classification information and said second device classification information to determine a device classification; and applying said device classification to a predetermined policy at least partially governing electrical delivery via said premises wiring system. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for use in power distribution, comprising the steps of:
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applying a power signal via an electrical receptacle to a device electrically coupled with said electrical receptacle; monitoring said power signal at said electrical receptacle to acquire an electrical usage signature of said device; determining a device classification of said device according to said electrical usage signature; making a determination at one or more points in time, based on said device classification, whether cycle stealing is appropriate for said device; and based on said determination, selectively controlling delivery of power via said electrical receptacle based on applying said device classification to a policy by eliminating individual half cycles, or integer multiples thereof, of a power signal waveform delivered via said electrical receptacle while continuing to deliver power. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification