Power and data solution for remote low-power devices

• US 9,144,143 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2011
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: iControl Networks, Inc. (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: iControl Networks, Inc. (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Raji, Reza, Dawes, Paul J.
• Primary Examiner(s): DEBERADINIS, ROBERT L
• Application Number:
  US13/099,293
• Publication Number:
  US 20120062026A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,604 Days
• Field of Search: 307/155
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/185 via power line carrier transmission

Abstract

Systems and methods include a voltage transformer connected to a power source. The voltage transformer transforms a high voltage of the power source to a first low voltage signal. Regulators are connected to the voltage transformer, and the regulators receive the first low voltage signal from the voltage transformer and convert the first low voltage signal to a second low voltage signal. A remote device is connected to each of the regulators. The remote device is powered by the second low voltage signal from the regulator to which it is connected.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a voltage transformer connected to a power source, wherein the voltage transformer transforms a high voltage of the power source to a first low voltage signal, wherein the high voltage and the first low voltage signal comprise a first signal type;

a plurality of regulators connected to the voltage transformer, wherein the plurality of regulators each receives the first low voltage signal from the voltage transformer and converts the first low voltage signal to a second low voltage signal, wherein the second low voltage signal comprises a second signal type that is different from the first signal type; and

a remote device connected to each of the plurality of regulators, wherein the remote device is powered by the second low voltage signal from the regulator to which it is connected.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote device is a security system component of a security system comprising a plurality of security system components located at a premise, wherein the remote device communicates with the plurality of security system components.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the remote device communicates with the plurality of security system components via a radio frequency link.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the voltage transformer comprises a passive coupling circuit for transferring power-line communication signals.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the remote device communicates with the plurality of security system components via a wired link comprising the passive coupling circuit and the connection between the remote device, the corresponding regulator, and the voltage transformer.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the remote device communicates with the plurality of security system components via a radio frequency link.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the remote device communicates with the plurality of security system components via at least one of a radio frequency link and a wired link comprising the passive coupling circuit and the connection between the remote device, the corresponding regulator, and the voltage transformer.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein the remote device is an Internet Protocol (IP) device.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the remote device is a camera.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the remote device is a sensor.

11. The system of claim 2, wherein the remote device is an input/output (I/O) device.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote device is connected to the regulator using a Category 5 cable.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the high voltage is approximately 110 volts alternating current.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first low voltage signal is approximately 12 volts alternating current.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the second low voltage signal is approximately 5 volts direct current.

16. A system comprising:

a plurality of regulators, wherein each regulator of the plurality of regulators is connected to a voltage transformer via a low-voltage cable and receives a first low voltage signal from the voltage transformer and converts the first low voltage signal to a second low voltage signal, wherein the first low voltage signal comprises a first signal type and the second low voltage signal comprises a second signal type that is different from the first signal type; and

a remote device connected to each of the plurality of regulators, wherein the remote device is powered by the second low voltage signal from the regulator to which it is connected.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the remote device is a security system component of a security system comprising a plurality of security system components located at a premise, wherein the remote device communicates with the plurality of security system components.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the remote device communicates with the plurality of security system components via a radio frequency link.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the voltage transformer is connected to a power source, wherein the voltage transformer transforms a high voltage of the power source to the first low voltage signal.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the high voltage is approximately 110 volts alternating current.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the first low voltage signal is approximately 12 volts alternating current.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the second low voltage signal is approximately 5 volts direct current.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the voltage transformer comprises a passive coupling circuit for transferring power-line communication signals.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the remote device communicates with the plurality of security system components via a wired link comprising the passive coupling circuit and the connection between the remote device, the corresponding regulator, and the voltage transformer.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the remote device communicates with the plurality of security system components via a radio frequency link.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein the remote device communicates with the plurality of security system components via at least one of a radio frequency link and a wired link comprising the passive coupling circuit and the connection between the remote device, the corresponding regulator, and the voltage transformer.

27. The system of claim 17, wherein the remote device is an Internet Protocol (IP) device.

28. The system of claim 17, wherein the remote device is a camera.

29. The system of claim 17, wherein the remote device is a sensor.

30. The system of claim 17, wherein the remote device is an input/output (I/O) device.

31. The system of claim 16, wherein the remote device is connected to the regulator using a Category 5 cable.

32. A system comprising:

a device comprising a voltage transformer and a passive coupling circuit, wherein the voltage transformer is connected to a power source and transforms a high voltage of the power source to a first low voltage signal, wherein the high voltage and the first low voltage signal comprise a first signal type, wherein the passive coupling circuit transfers power-line communication signals;

a plurality of regulators connected to the device, wherein each regulator of the plurality of regulators receives the first low voltage signal from the device and converts the first low voltage signal to a second low voltage signal, wherein the second low voltage signal comprises a second signal type that is different from the first signal type; and

a remote device connected to each of the plurality of regulators, wherein the remote device is powered by the second low voltage signal from the regulator to which it is connected, wherein the remote device exchanges data with a plurality of remote components via a wired link comprising the regulator and the passive coupling circuit.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the remote device is a security system component of a security system comprising a plurality of security system components located at a premise, wherein the remote device communicates with the plurality of security system components.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the remote device communicates with the plurality of security system components via a radio frequency link.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein the remote device communicates with the plurality of security system components via a wired link comprising the passive coupling circuit and the connection between the remote device, the corresponding regulator, and the voltage transformer.

36. The system of claim 33, wherein the remote device communicates with the plurality of security system components via at least one of a radio frequency link and a wired link comprising the passive coupling circuit and the connection between the remote device, the corresponding regulator, and the voltage transformer.

37. The system of claim 33, wherein the remote device is an Internet Protocol (IP) device.

38. The system of claim 33, wherein the remote device is a camera.

39. The system of claim 33, wherein the remote device is a sensor.

40. The system of claim 33, wherein the remote device is an input/output (I/O) device.

41. The system of claim 32, wherein the remote device is connected to the regulator using a Category 5 cable.

42. The system of claim 32, wherein the high voltage is approximately 110 volts alternating current.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the first low voltage signal is approximately 12 volts alternating current.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the second low voltage signal is approximately 5 volts direct current.

45. A method comprising:

transforming a high voltage of a power source to a first low voltage signal, wherein the high voltage and the first low voltage signal comprise a first signal type;

distributing the first low voltage signal to a plurality of nodes via a first wired connection;

converting the first low voltage signal to a second low voltage signal at each node of the plurality of nodes, wherein the second low voltage signal comprises a second signal type that is different from the first signal type; and

distributing the second low voltage signal of a node to a remote device connected to the node via a second wired connection, wherein the second low voltage signal powers the remote device.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the remote device is a security system component of a security system comprising a plurality of security system components located at a premise, wherein the remote device communicates with the plurality of security system components.

47. The method of claim 46, comprising the remote device communicating with the plurality of security system components via a radio frequency link.

48. The method of claim 46, comprising transferring power-line communication signals from the remote device using a passive coupling circuit.

49. The method of claim 48, comprising the remote device communicating with the plurality of security system components via a wired link comprising the passive coupling circuit, the first wired connection and the second wired connection.

50. The method of claim 48, comprising the remote device communicating with the plurality of security system components via a radio frequency link.

51. The method of claim 48, comprising the remote device communicating with the plurality of security system components via at least one of a radio frequency link and a wired link comprising the passive coupling circuit, the first wired connection and the second wired connection.

52. The method of claim 46, wherein the remote device is an Internet Protocol (IP) device.

53. The method of claim 46, wherein the remote device is a camera.

54. The method of claim 46, wherein the remote device is a sensor.

55. The method of claim 46, wherein the remote device is an input/output (I/O) device.

56. The method of claim 45, wherein the first wired connection is a low-voltage cable and the second wired connection is a Category 5 cable.

57. The method of claim 45, wherein the high voltage is approximately 110 volts alternating current.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the first low voltage signal is approximately 12 volts alternating current.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the second low voltage signal is approximately 5 volts direct current.

60. A method comprising:

receiving a first low voltage signal comprising a first signal type;

distributing the first low voltage signal to a plurality of nodes via a first wired connection;

converting the first low voltage signal to a second low voltage signal at each node of the plurality of nodes, wherein the second low voltage signal comprises a second signal type that is different from the first signal type; and

distributing the second low voltage signal of a node to a remote device connected to the node via a second wired connection, wherein the second low voltage signal powers the remote device.

61. The method of claim 60, comprising transforming a high voltage of a power source to generate the first low voltage signal.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the high voltage is approximately 110 volts alternating current.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the first low voltage signal is approximately 12 volts alternating current.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the second low voltage signal is approximately 5 volts direct current.

65. The method of claim 60, wherein the remote device is a security system component of a security system comprising a plurality of security system components located at a premise, wherein the remote device communicates with the plurality of security system components.

66. The method of claim 65, comprising the remote device communicating with the plurality of security system components via a radio frequency link.

67. The method of claim 65, comprising transferring power-line communication signals from the remote device using a passive coupling circuit.

68. The method of claim 67, comprising the remote device communicating with the plurality of security system components via a wired link comprising the passive coupling circuit, the first wired connection and the second wired connection.

69. The method of claim 67, comprising the remote device communicating with the plurality of security system components via a radio frequency link.

70. The method of claim 67, comprising the remote device communicating with the plurality of security system components via at least one of a radio frequency link and a wired link comprising the passive coupling circuit, the first wired connection and the second wired connection.

71. The method of claim 65, wherein the remote device is an Internet Protocol (IP) device.

72. The method of claim 65, wherein the remote device is a camera.

73. The method of claim 65, wherein the remote device is a sensor.

74. The method of claim 65, wherein the remote device is an input/output (I/O) device.

75. The method of claim 60, wherein the first wired connection is a low-voltage cable and the second wired connection is a Category 5 cable.

76. A method comprising:

transforming a high voltage of a power source to a first low voltage signal, wherein the high voltage and the first low voltage signal comprise a first signal type;

distributing the first low voltage signal to a plurality of nodes via a first wired connection;

converting the first low voltage signal to a second low voltage signal at each node of the plurality of nodes, wherein the second low voltage signal comprises a second signal type that is different from the first signal type;

distributing the second low voltage signal of a node to a remote device connected to the node via a second wired connection, wherein the second low voltage signal powers the remote device; and

communicating data between the remote device and a plurality of remote components via a passive coupling circuit and the plurality of nodes.

77. The method of claim 76, comprising transforming a high voltage of a power source to generate the first low voltage signal.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein the high voltage is approximately 110 volts alternating current.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein the first low voltage signal is approximately 12 volts alternating current.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein the second low voltage signal is approximately 5 volts direct current.

81. The method of claim 76, wherein the remote device is a security system component of a security system comprising a plurality of security system components located at a premise, wherein the remote device communicates with the plurality of security system components.

82. The method of claim 81, comprising the remote device communicating with the plurality of security system components via a radio frequency link.

83. The method of claim 81, comprising the remote device communicating with the plurality of security system components via a wired link comprising the passive coupling circuit, the first wired connection and the second wired connection.

84. The method of claim 81, comprising the remote device communicating with the plurality of security system components via at least one of a radio frequency link and a wired link comprising the passive coupling circuit, the first wired connection and the second wired connection.

85. The method of claim 81, wherein the remote device is an Internet Protocol (IP) device.

86. The method of claim 81, wherein the remote device is a camera.

87. The method of claim 81, wherein the remote device is a sensor.

88. The method of claim 81, wherein the remote device is an input/output (I/O) device.

89. The method of claim 76, wherein the first wired connection is a low-voltage cable and the second wired connection is a Category 5 cable.