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

• US 9,063,528 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2012
• Issued: 06/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Asoka USA Corporation (Asoka)
• Original Assignee: Asoka USA Corporation (Asoka)
• Inventors: Xia, Mingyao, Grubel, Eric, Castellano, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): KASENGE, CHARLES R
• Application Number:
  US13/725,197
• Publication Number:
  US 20130184879A1
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 709/224, 700/94, 700/276, 700/282, 700/295, 700/297, 700/9, 700/19, 700/22, 700/286, 700/291, 315/297, 340/12.32
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 footprint of the home, as well as to provide local area networking. In one embodiment, 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 (SW) comprising:

a processor (MCU);

a power meter and relay module connected to a power distribution line;

a bidirectional communication link between the MCU and the power meter and relay module;

a coupler filter connected to the power distribution line;

a power plug having a noise filter that is connected to the power meter and relay module, wherein the power plug is configured to provide power to one or more appliances under control of the power meter and relay module;

wherein the power meter and relay module is configured to monitor power consumption information of the one or more appliances connected to the power plug;

a communication module connected between the coupler filter and the MCU, wherein the communication module comprises any of a broadband communication module or a narrowband communication module, and is configured to receive information over a power line communication network (PLC) over the power distribution line;

a power supply unit coupled to the power distribution line that is configured to provide power to the MCU and the communication module wherein the coupler filter comprises a bi-directional high pass filter that is configured to block unwanted power line frequencies from entering and impacting the communication module;

wherein the MCU is configured to receive the power consumption information over the bidirectional communication link from the power meter and relay module, compile the received power consumption information, and transfer the compiled power consumption information over the PLC network; and

wherein the SW has the capability to open the relay to switch off power to the power plug and the capability to close the relay to switch on power to the power plug;

wherein the communication module is configured to demodulate the received information to provide command and control instructions for power control to the MCU, and to modulate the compiled power consumption information for transfer over the PLC network;

wherein in response to receiving a command to control the power supply, the SW is configured to open or close the relay according to the received command; and

wherein the SW is configured to receive any of configuration or software updates over the power distribution line.

2. The SW of claim 1, wherein a local area network (LAN) is configured to use the PLC network within a particular premise;

wherein the communication module is further linked through a master switch (MST) to a wide area network (WAN) that exists outside of the premise; and

wherein the communication module is configured to send information outside of the premise, and to receive information from outside of the premise via the MST.

3. The SW of claim 2, wherein the SW is configured to provide remote control of an appliance connected to the power plug by responding to control commands received by the communication module;

and

wherein the control commands originate from outside of the premise.

4. The SW of claim 2, wherein the SW is configured to provide the power consumption information for the one or more appliances connected to the SW to the communication module that is enabled to send the power consumption information over a LAN to a master switch (MST) which is further enabled to send the power consumption information over the WAN to a device outside the premise.

5. A communication enabled power switch (ETH) comprising:

a power meter and relay module;

a power plug having a noise filter that is connected to a power line communication (PLC) network through the power meter and relay module;

wherein the power plug is configured to control power flow through the power plug;

wherein the power meter and relay module is coupled to the power plug and is configured to monitor power consumption information of appliances that are connected through the power plug;

a broadband communication module coupled to the PLC network through a first coupler filter comprising a first bidirectional filter that is enabled to pass only frequencies used by the broadband communication module;

wherein the broadband communication module is configured to send and receive information and content over the PLC network;

wherein the content comprises any of online gaming content, voice over internet protocol content, internet protocol content, television content, or audio and video streaming content;

a voice, data and multimedia connector, connected to the broadband communication module to enable connecting communication and multimedia enabled appliances to the broadband communication module;

a narrowband communication module coupled to the PLC network through a second coupler filter;

wherein the second coupler filter comprises a second bidirectional filter that is enabled to pass the band of frequencies used by the narrowband communication module only, for transferring information on power usage, and for remote control of the one or more appliances;

a processor coupled at least to the power meter and relay module, to the broadband communication module, and to the narrowband communication module; and

a power supply unit, within the ETH, connected to the PLC network supplying power to the narrowband communication module, the broadband communication module and the processor;

wherein the first bidirectional filter and the second bidirectional filter are enabled to block unwanted frequencies from entering and impacting the operation of the respective broadband communication module and narrowband communication module; and

wherein the PLC network is configured as a local area network (LAN) and enabled to provide communication and streaming media capabilities within the LAN through the broadband communication module.

6. The ETH of claim 5, wherein the LAN is configured to use the PLC within a particular premise;

wherein the narrowband communication module is further linked through a master switch (MST) to a wide area network (WAN) that exists outside of the premise; and

wherein the narrowband communication module is configured to send information outside of the premise, and to receive information from outside of the premise through the MST.

7. The ETH of claim 6, wherein the ETH is configured to provide the power consumption information for the one or more appliances connected to the ETH, through the narrowband communication module that sends the power consumption information over the WAN to a device outside the premise.

8. The ETH of claim 5, wherein the ETH is configured to provide remote control of an appliance connected to the power plug by responding to control commands received by the narrowband communication module;

wherein the control commands originate from outside of the premise.

9. The ETH of claim 5, wherein the ETH is configured to provide broadband PLC based data communication, wherein the communication and multimedia enabled appliances are connected to the power line through a communication port;

and

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

10. A system, comprising:

an intelligent master sensor (MST) connected to a power line and to an associated appliance, wherein the appliance is powered by power from the power line under control of the MST, wherein the MST is configured to collect power usage information for the appliance and wherein the MST is further configured as a gateway to the internet to provide connectivity for communication and control;

a plurality of sensors other than the MST, wherein the plurality of sensors includes

a communication enabled power switch (ETH), and any of

at least one additional ETH, or

a power switch (SW);

a power line communication (PLC) network established between the MST and the plurality of sensors;

wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors is connected to the power line and to a corresponding appliance;

wherein each of the corresponding appliances is powered by power from the power line under control of a respective sensor of the plurality of sensors;

wherein each of the respective sensors is configured to;

collect power usage information of the corresponding appliance;

transmit the collected power usage information to the MST over the PLC network;

receive control commands over the PLC network from the MST; and

switch power on and off to the corresponding appliance in response to the received control commands; and

wherein the MST is configured to

cache the collected power usage information received from each of the plurality of sensors,

consolidate the cached power usage information with the power usage information for the appliance associated with the MST,

transmit the consolidated information via a communication medium,

receive instructions for effecting control of one or more of the appliances, and

distribute control commands to one or more of the sensors to control the one or more appliances;

wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to provide integrated sensing and control of appliance power usage and power management; and

wherein the at least one ETH is further configured to provide broadband sharing through the PLC network, including any of online gaming, voice over internet protocol (VOIP), Internet protocol television (IPTV), and audio and video streaming; and

wherein the at least one ETH includes;

a power meter and relay module;

a power plug having a noise filter that is connected to the PLC network through the power meter and relay module;

wherein the power plug is configured to control power flow through the power plug;

wherein the power meter and relay module is coupled to the power plug and is configured to monitor power consumption information of appliances that are connected through the power plug;

a broadband communication module coupled to the PLC network through a first coupler filter comprising a first bidirectional filter that is enabled to pass only frequencies used by the broadband communication module;

wherein the broadband communication module is configured to send and receive information and content over the PLC network;

wherein the content comprises any of online gaming content, voice over internet protocol content, internet protocol content, television content, or audio and video streaming content;

a voice, data and multimedia connector, connected to the broadband communication module to enable connecting communication and multimedia enabled appliances to the broadband communication module;

a narrowband communication module coupled to the PLC network through a second coupler filter;

wherein the second coupler filter comprises a second bidirectional filter that is enabled to pass the band of frequencies used by the narrowband communication module only, for transferring information on power usage, and for remote control of the one or more appliances;

a processor coupled at least to the power meter and relay module, to the broadband communication module, and to the narrowband communication module; and

a power supply unit, within the ETH, connected to the PLC network supplying power to the narrowband communication module, the broadband communication module and the processor;

wherein the first bidirectional filter and the second bidirectional filter are enabled to block unwanted frequencies from entering and impacting the operation of the respective broadband communication module and narrowband communication module; and

wherein the PLC network is configured as a local area network (LAN) and enabled to provide communication and streaming media capabilities within the LAN through the broadband communication module.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein:

the LAN is configured to use the PLC within a particular premise;

wherein the MST is further connected to a WAN that exists outside of the premise; and

wherein the MST is configured to send information outside of the premise, and to receive information from outside of the premise.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the LAN is configured to use the PLC within a particular premise, wherein the MST is configured to receive control commands that originate from outside of the premise, and to deliver the control commands to the SW that responds to the remote control commands by switching on or switching off the corresponding appliance.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the LAN is configured to use the PLC within a particular premise, wherein the MST is configured to send the power consumption information for the one or more appliances under the control of a sensor, wherein the power consumption information is sent over a wide area network (WAN) to a device outside the premise.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the MST is configured to modulate the collected information to a communication data stream for transmission over a broadband communication frequency band to effect power line communication (PLC) over the power line within the local area network (LAN);

and wherein the MST is configured to demodulate a broadband communication stream that is received over the power line to provide command and control instructions for power control of a power flow to the associated appliance.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the MST is configured to modulate the collected information to a communication data stream for transmission over a narrow band communication frequency band to effect power line communication (PLC) over the power line within the local area network (LAN);

and

demodulate a narrow band communication stream that is received over the power line to provide command and control instructions for power control of a power flow to the associated appliance.