Retrofitting power distribution device and uses thereof

• US 8,610,305 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2006
• Issued: 12/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hinbit Development, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hinbit Development, Ltd.
• Inventors: Sarid, Shay, Inbar, Irmi
• Primary Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, TOAN T
• Application Number:
  US12/310,904
• Publication Number:
  US 20090323257A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,647 Days
• Field of Search: 307/31
• US Class Current: 307/31
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/00 Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles installations of bus-bars H02G5/00; overhead installations H02G7/00; installations in or on the ground H02G9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A power distribution device (100) is provided which is adapted for use at a junction point (103) between an electrical panel (121) and an electric outlet and/or switch (101) of a home. The device may include a switching circuit (104) adapted to regulate power flow between one or more junction point input lines and one or more junction point output lines, and a communication module (105) functionally associated with the switching circuit and adapted to receive power regulation instructions from a central, usually, remote; controller (106). There is also provided a power distribution controller adapted to communicate and provide power regulation instructions to one or more power distribution devices. A method is also provided for imparting smart-home capabilities to a non-smart home.

Claims

1. A power distribution device for an existing home electrical system having a main electrical panel receiving input power lines from an external power source and a junction point connected to said main electrical panel, wherein said power distribution device comprises:

a retrofit power distribution device connectable within a housing of said junction point and comprising;

a switching circuit regulating power flow between input power lines of said junction point and output lines of said junction point to both a physical switch and a power consumer; and

a communication module functionally coupled to said switching circuit; and

a local controller communicating with and receiving power regulation instructions from a local controller of any other power distribution device in said home via said communication module.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the switching circuit comprises one or more controllable switches operable according to the received power regulation instructions.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein switching elements of the switching circuit are Triac devices.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the communication module is adapted to wirelessly communicate.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the communication module is adapted to communicate using optical signals or radio frequency signals.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the communication module is adapted to communicate using Bluetooth, Wi Max, Wi Lan, Wi-Fi protocols, or any combination thereof.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the communication module is adapted to communicate using a power line protocol.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the communication module is adapted to communicate using X10, UPB or HomePlug protocol.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the local controller is further adapted to receive instructions from a power distribution device based on the status of a switch associated with the power distribution device, and communicating the instructions to other one or more power distribution devices.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said local controller comprises a unit to sense a status of associated non-smart switches in said home electrical system.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the power distribution device is further adapted to transmit a message corresponding to the sensed status of one or more switches.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein sensing the status of a switch is utilized to generate power regulation instructions for said power distribution device or for other one or more like power distribution devices.

13. The device according to claim 10, wherein said local controller comprises a unit to translate sensed status of said non-associated non-smart switches to instructions for initiating, triggering or otherwise causing activation of, or the provision of electrical power to, non smart electrical devices in said home electrical system in a predetermined manner.