Communication process for elements composing a home or industrial electrical energy distribution network and devices for implementing the same

• US 9,160,411 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2010
• Issued: 10/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roland Kogler, Thierry Schuffenecker
• Original Assignee: Roland Kogler, Thierry Schuffenecker
• Inventors: Kogler, Roland, Schuffenecker, Thierry
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehmood, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mahase, Pameshanand
• Application Number:
  US12/925,284
• Publication Number:
  US 20110040419A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,821 Days
• Field of Search: 700/97, 340/870.02
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5408 using protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5454 Adapter and plugs
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2807 Exchanging configuration information on appliance services in a home automation network arrangements for maintenance or administration involving network analysis for automatically determining the actual topology of a network H04L41/12; hardware or software tools for network management using graphical user interfaces H04L41/22; address allocation H04L61/50
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5007 Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5014 using dynamic host configuration protocol [DHCP] or bootstrap protocol [BOOTP]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/00 Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them

Abstract

A communication process between two constitutive elements of the network of electricity distribution in a domestic or industrial premise including circuit breakers, electrical modules, switches, electrical plugs and light connection devices. The process including the following steps: assignment by a protocol such as DHCP, BootP or RARP of a first IP address to a first element of the power distribution network, assignment of a second IP address to a second element, and establishment of a communication between the first and second elements of the power distribution network.

Claims

1. A process for communication between two modules or elements in a single phase or three-phase electrical energy distribution network for a home or industrial premise comprising the steps of:

providing said electrical energy distribution network comprising the following elements;

circuit beakers;

electrical modules;

switches;

electrical plugs; and

light connection devices;

assigning a first IP address to a first element of said electrical energy distribution network and loading said first IP address within said first element;

assigning a second IP address to a second element of said electrical energy distribution network and loading said first IP address within said second element; and

establishing a communication between said first and second elements based on said first and second IP addresses;

wherein said first and second elements are configured to enter into a configuration mode whereby said first and second IP addresses are exchanged for the purpose of creating an association between said first and second elements, wherein said first element is a switch and said second element is an electric plug, a wall plug or socket, a light connection device, or a socket intended to allow connection of an electrical light whereby said association results in said switch controlling the switch on or off of said second element.

2. The process according to claim 1 wherein said assigning said first and second IP addresses is realized by means of a DHCP, BootP or RARP protocol.

3. The process according to claim 1 wherein said communication between said first element and said second element is performed by Powerline Communications (PLC).

4. The process according to claim 2 wherein said assigning said first and second IP addresses is realized by means of a DHCP server located within a circuit breaker.

5. The process according to claim 2 wherein said communication is done by means of circuit breaker routers providing network segmentation of said electrical energy distribution network in virtual LAN sub-networks.

6. The process according to claim 5 wherein all routers providing exchange of packets between different said virtual LAN sub-networks are instantiated concentrated in one single said circuit breaker router operating for the whole said electrical energy distribution network and that all other circuit breaker routers are configured in a stand-by mode to mitigate the dysfunction of the operational single said circuit breaker router.

7. The process according to claim 1 wherein said first element is a circuit breaker, differential or not, fitted with means for receiving and storing an IP address and for exchanging IP packets.

8. A switching device to be connected to an electrical energy distribution network having communication between two modules or elements in said electrical energy distribution network for a home or industrial premise comprising said electrical energy distribution network comprising the following elements:

circuit beakers;

electrical modules;

switches;

electrical plugs; and

light connection devices;

wherein a first IP address is assigned to a first element of said electrical energy distribution network and loaded within said first element, a second IP address is assigned to a second element of said electrical energy distribution network and loaded within said second element, and a communication is established between said first and second elements based on said first and said second IP addresses;

wherein said first and second elements are configured to enter into a configuration mode whereby said first and second IP addresses are exchanged fir the purpose of creating an association between said first and second elements, wherein said first element is a switch and said second element is an electric plug, a wall plug or socket, a light connection device, or a socket intended to allow connection of an electrical light whereby said association results in said switch controlling the switch on or off of said second element;

said switching device comprising;

a terminal block or board allowing connection to said electrical energy distribution network;

a server for storing an IP address; and

a router for generating IP packets in order to establish a communication with other elements in said electrical energy distribution network.

9. The switching device according to claim 8 wherein said first and second IP addresses are assigned by means of a DHCP, BootP or RARP protocol.

10. The switching device according to claim 8 wherein said communication between said elements is performed by Powerline Communications (PLC).

11. The switching device according to claim 9 wherein said first and second IP addresses are assigned by means of a DHCP server located within a circuit breaker.

12. The switching device according to claim 9 wherein said communication is done by means of circuit breaker routers providing network segmentation of said electrical energy distribution network in virtual LAN sub-networks.

13. The switching device according to claim 12 wherein all routers providing exchange of packets between different said virtual LAN sub-networks are instantiated concentrated in one single said circuit breaker router operating for the whole said electrical energy distribution network and that all other circuit breaker routers are configured in a stand-by mode to mitigate the dysfunction of the operational single said circuit breaker router.

14. The switching device according to claim 8 wherein said first element is a circuit breaker, differential or not, fitted with means for receiving and storing an IP address and for exchanging IP packets.

15. A socket or plug to be installed in a wall and to be connected to an electrical energy distribution network having communication between two modules or elements in said electrical energy distribution network for a home or industrial premise comprising

said electrical energy distribution network comprising the following elements:

circuit beakers;

electrical modules;

switches;

electrical plugs; and

light connection devices;

wherein a first IP address is assigned to a first element of said electrical energy distribution network and loaded within said first element, a second IP address is assigned to a second element of said electrical energy distribution network and loaded within said second element, and a communication is established between said first and second elements based on said first and said second IP addresses;

wherein said first and second elements are configured to enter into a configuration mode whereby said first and second IP addresses are exchanged for the purpose of creating an association between said first and second elements, wherein said first element is a switch and said second element is an electric plug, a wall plug or socket, a light connection device, or a socket intended to allow connection of an electrical light whereby said association results in said switch controlling the switch on or off of said second element;

said socket or plug comprising;

a terminal block or board allowing connection of said socket or plug to said electrical energy distribution network;

a connector allowing connection of said socket or ping for distribution of power to one appliance;

a server for storing an IP address; and

a router for generating IP packets for the purpose of establishing a IP communication with other elements of said electrical energy distribution network.

16. The socket or plug according to claim 15 wherein said first and second IP addresses are assigned by means of a DHCP, BootP or RARP protocol.

17. The socket or plug according to claim 15 wherein said communication between said elements is performed by Powerline Communications (PLC).

18. The socket or plug according to claim 16 wherein said first and second IP addresses are assigned by means of a DHCP server located within a circuit breaker.

19. The socket or plug according to claim 16 wherein said communication is done by means of circuit breaker routers providing network segmentation of said electrical energy distribution network in virtual LAN sub-networks.

20. The socket or plug according to claim 19 wherein all routers providing exchange of packets between different said virtual LAN sub-networks are instantiated concentrated in one single said circuit breaker router operating for the whole said electrical energy distribution network and that all other circuit breaker routers are configured in a stand-by mode to mitigate the dysfunction of the operational single said circuit breaker router.

21. The socket or plug according to claim 15 wherein said first element is a circuit breaker, differential or not, fitted with means for receiving and storing an IP address and for exchanging IP packets.

22. The socket or plug according to claim 15 wherein distribution of power to said one appliance is controlled by means of said IP communication.

23. A light connection device to be connected to an electrical energy distribution network having communication between two modules or elements in said electrical energy distribution network for a home or industrial premise comprising

said electrical energy distribution network comprising the following elements:

circuit beakers;

electrical modules;

switches;

electrical plugs; and

light connection devices;

wherein a first IP address is assigned to a first element of said electrical energy distribution network and loaded within said first element, a second IP address is assigned to a second element of said electrical energy distribution network and loaded within said second element, and a communication is established between said first and second elements based on said first and said second IP addresses;

wherein said first and second elements are configured to enter into a configuration mode whereby said first and second IP addresses are exchanged for the purpose of creating an association between said first and second elements, wherein said first element is a switch and said second element is an electric plug, a wall plug or socket, a light connection device, or a socket intended to allow connection of an electrical light whereby said association results in said switch controlling the switch on or off of said second element;

said light connection device comprising;

a terminal block allowing connection of said light connection device to said electrical energy distribution network;

a connector allowing connection of a light;

a server for storing an IP address; and

a router for generating IP packets in order to establish a communication with other elements of said electrical energy distribution network.

24. The light connection device according to claim 23 wherein said first and second IP addresses are assigned by means of a DHCP, BootP or RARP protocol.

25. The light connection device according to claim 23 wherein said communication between said elements is performed by Powerline Communications (PLC).

26. The light connection device according to claim 24 wherein said first and second IP addresses are assigned by means of a DHCP server located within a circuit breaker.

27. The light connection device according to claim 24 wherein said communication is done by means of circuit breaker routers providing network segmentation of said electrical energy distribution network in virtual LAN sub-networks.

28. The light connection device according to claim 27 wherein all routers providing exchange of packets between different said virtual LAN sub-networks are instantiated concentrated in one single said circuit breaker router operating for the whole said electrical energy distribution network and that all other circuit breaker routers are configured in a stand-by mode to mitigate the dysfunction of the operational single said circuit breaker router.

29. The light connection device according to claim 23 wherein said first element is a circuit breaker, differential or not, fitted with means for receiving and storing an IP address and for exchanging IP packets.

30. The light connection device according to claim 23 further comprising switching means being controlled by exchange of IP packets.

31. A circuit breaker for an electrical panel of an electrical energy distribution network having communication between two modules or elements in said electrical energy distribution network for a home or industrial premise comprising

said electrical energy distribution network comprising the following elements:

circuit beakers;

electrical modules;

switches;

electrical plugs; and

light connection devices;

wherein a first IP address is assigned to a first element of said electrical energy distribution network and loaded within said first element, a second IP address is assigned to a second element of said electrical energy distribution network and loaded within said second element, and a communication is established between said first and second elements based on said first and said second IP addresses;

wherein said first and second elements are configured to enter into a configuration mode whereby said first and second IP addresses are exchanged for the purpose of creating an association between said first and second elements, wherein said first element is a switch and said second element is an electric plug, a wall plug or socket, a light connection device, or a socket intended to allow connection of an electrical light whereby said association results in said switch controlling the switch on or off of said second element;

said circuit breaker comprising;

an input terminal block allowing connection of at least two conductors, including a PHASE conductor and a NEUTRAL conductor;

a protected output terminal block including at least two conductors;

a server for storing an IP address; and

a router allowing exchange of IP packets throughout said electrical energy distribution network with other elements or modules of said network.

32. The circuit breaker according to claim 31 wherein said first and second IP addresses are assigned by means of a DHCP, BootP or RARP protocol.

33. The circuit breaker according to claim 31 wherein said communication between said elements is performed by Powerline Communications (PLC).

34. The circuit breaker according to claim 32 wherein said first and second IP addresses are assigned by means of a DHCP server located within a circuit breaker.

35. The circuit breaker according to claim 32 wherein said communication is done by means of circuit breaker routers providing network segmentation of said electrical energy distribution network in virtual LAN sub-networks.

36. The circuit breaker according to claim 35 wherein all routers providing exchange of packets between different said virtual LAN sub-networks are instantiated concentrated in one single said circuit breaker router operating for the whole said electrical energy distribution network and that all other circuit breaker routers are configured in a stand-by mode to mitigate the dysfunction of the operational single said circuit breaker router.

37. The circuit breaker according to claim 31 further comprising a DHCP, BootP or RARP server, possibly disengageable, allowing assignment of IP addresses, in particular to elements of said electrical energy distribution network.

38. The circuit breaker according to claim 31 further comprising a router fitted with means for storing routing tables for the purpose of achieving the routing of IP packets generated from and transferred to communicating elements of said electrical energy distribution network and belonging to a LAN sub-network.

39. The circuit breaker according to claim 38 further comprising means to ensure simultaneously all functions of routing required by all LAN sub-networks so that a single circuit breaker ensures the routing for the overall said electrical energy distribution network.

40. The circuit breaker according to claim 39 wherein said circuit breaker includes a stand-by mode allowing it to substitute for an operational circuit breaker in case of failure of said operational circuit breaker.

41. The circuit breaker according to claim 31 wherein said circuit breaker further comprises a removable electronic circuit allowing easy replacement of a deficient said electronic circuit.

42. A socket for connection to an electrical energy distribution network having communication between two modules or elements in said electrical energy distribution network for a home or industrial premise comprising

said electrical energy distribution network comprising the following elements:

circuit beakers;

electrical modules;

switches;

electrical plugs; and

light connection devices;

wherein a first IP address is assigned to a first element of said electrical energy distribution network and loaded within said first element, a second IP address is assigned to a second element of said electrical energy distribution network and loaded within said second element, and a communication is established between said first and second elements based on said first and said second IP addresses;

wherein said first and second elements are configured to enter into a configuration mode whereby said first and second IP addresses are exchanged for the purpose of creating an association between said first and second elements, wherein said first element is a switch and said second element is an electric plug, a wall plug or socket, a light connection device, or a socket intended to allow connection of an electrical light whereby said association results in said switch controlling the switch on or off of said second element;

said socket comprising;

a base for connection of a light bulb, said base receiving two conductors respectively phase and neutral,

a controlled switching device allowing to switch-off current delivered to said light bulb; and

a control device powered by said two phase and neutral conductors and including a server for allowing an IP communication allowing exchanging messages for control or not of said light bulb connected on said socket.

43. The socket according to claim 42 wherein said first and second IP addresses are assigned by means of a DHCP, BootP or RARP protocol.

44. The socket according to claim 42 wherein said communication between said elements is performed by Powerline Communications (PLC).

45. The socket according to claim 43 wherein said first and second IP addresses are assigned by means of a DHCP server located within a circuit breaker.

46. The socket according to claim 43 wherein said communication is done by means of circuit breaker routers providing network segmentation of said electrical energy distribution network in virtual LAN sub-networks.

47. The socket according to claim 46 wherein all routers providing exchange of packets between different said virtual LAN sub-networks are instantiated concentrated in one single said circuit breaker router operating for the whole said electrical energy distribution network and that all other circuit breaker routers are configured in a stand-by mode to mitigate the dysfunction of the operational single said circuit breaker router.

48. The socket according to claim 42 wherein said first element is a circuit breaker, differential or not, fitted with means for receiving and storing an IP address and for exchanging IP packets.