Remote power state detector

• US 9,390,600 B1
• Filed: 12/29/2015
• Issued: 07/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mikhail Leonidovich Sirotkin
• Original Assignee: Mikhail Leonidovich Sirotkin
• Inventors: Sirotkin, Mikhail Leonidovich
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T
• Application Number:
  US14/982,125
• Time in Patent Office: 196 Days
• Field of Search: 340/654, 340/680, 340/539.1, 340/545.1, 340/506, 340/541, 340/569, 340/635, 340/638
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel

Abstract

The power state monitor addresses the risks described above. The power state monitor monitors the power status of one or more appliances and alerts the user when the power status of the appliance may not be what the user desires. The power state monitor comprises a one or more sensors and a centralized alarm device. Each sensor is attached to a selected appliance to monitor the power consumption of the selected appliance. Each sensor communicates with the centralized alarm device. When a sensor detects power consumption from its assigned appliance, the sensor transmits this power status to the centralized alarm device. The centralized alarm device monitors the status of the one or more appliances and, when certain thresholds are reached, generates an alarm to the user. In addition, the centralized alarm device can be configured to activate a relay that disconnects the appliance from the electrical power source.

Claims

1. A power state monitor comprising:

one or more individual sensors and a centralized alarm device;

wherein the power state monitor is adapted for use with one or more appliances;

wherein each individual sensor is adapted to detect a light generated by a power indication light of an appliance selected from the one or more appliances;

wherein each individual sensor communicates with the centralized alarm device;

wherein each individual sensor communicates a first message when the power indication light of an appliance selected from the one or more appliances changes from dark to light;

wherein each individual sensor communicates a second message when the power indication light of an appliance selected from the one or more appliances changes from light to dark;

wherein the centralized alarm device monitors an elapsed time since a receipt of the first message for each individual sensor;

wherein when the centralized alarm device determines that the elapsed time since the receipt of the first message from an individual sensor is greater than a previously determined threshold value, the centralized alarm generates a visual alarm, and an audible alarm.

2. The power state monitor according to claim 1 wherein each individual sensor further comprises a first logic module;

wherein the first logic module is a programmable device that is used to control a operation of each individual sensor.

3. The power state monitor according to claim 2 wherein each individual sensor further comprises a first communication module;

wherein the first communication module communicates the first message and the second message to the centralized alarm device.

4. The power state monitor according to claim 3 wherein each individual sensor comprises an optical sensor.

5. The power state monitor according to claim 4 wherein

the optical sensor is a photoelectric device;

wherein the first logic module monitors the optical sensor for a change in a status of the power indication light from dark to light;

wherein the first logic module monitors the optical sensor for a change in the status of the power indication light from light to dark;

wherein when the first logic module detects a power status change from dark to light the first logic module sends a first message through the first communication module to the centralized alarm device;

wherein when the first logic module detects a power status change from light to dark the first logic module sends a second message through the first communication module to the centralized alarm device.

6. The power state monitor according to claim 5 wherein the centralized alarm device further comprises a second logic module wherein the second logic module is a programmable device that is used to control the operation of the centralized alarm device.

7. The power state monitor according to claim 6 wherein

the centralized alarm device further comprises a second communication module;

wherein the second communication module receives communications from the one or more sensors and relays this information to the second logic module;

wherein the second communication module communicates alarm messages to local wireless devices;

wherein the second communication module communicates alarm messages in a form of electronic messages sent via short message service (hereinafter SMS) over wireless phone network;

wherein the second communication module communicates alarm messages in the form of electronic messages sent via email over the internet.

8. The power state monitor according to claim 7 wherein

the centralized alarm device further comprises a buzzer and a plurality of light emitting diodes (hereinafter LEDs);

wherein the second logic module uses the buzzer to generate an audible alarm;

wherein the second logic module uses the plurality of LEDs to generate a visible alarm.

9. The power state monitor according to claim 8 wherein the centralized alarm device further comprises a plurality of individual relays.

10. The power state monitor according to claim 9 wherein the switch of each individual relay is placed in series between an electrical power source of a monitored appliance and the monitored appliance.

11. The power state monitor according to claim 10 wherein the second logic module of the centralized alarm device controls the signals that operates the switch of each individual relay.

12. The power state monitor according to claim 11 wherein the each of the plurality of relays are wired directly to the centralized alarm device.

13. The power state monitor according to claim 12 wherein the each individual relay is wired to an individual sensor and is controlled wirelessly by the second logic module.

14. The power state monitor according to claim 11 wherein the optical sensor further comprises a phototransistor, a transistor, a first pull down resistor, a second pull down resistor and an output voltage.

15. The power state monitor according to claim 1 wherein

each individual sensor further comprises a first logic module wherein the first logic module is a programmable device that is used to control an operation of each individual sensor;

wherein each individual sensor further comprises a first communication module wherein the first communication module communicates the first message and the second message to the centralized alarm device;

wherein each individual sensor comprises an optical sensor;

wherein the optical sensor is a photoelectric device;

wherein the first logic module monitors the optical sensor for a change in the status of the power indication light from dark to light;

wherein the first logic module monitors the optical sensor for a change in the status of the power indication light from light to dark;

wherein when the first logic module detects a power status change from dark to light the first logic module sends a first message through the first communication module to the centralized alarm device;

wherein when the first logic module detects a power status change from light to dark the first logic module sends a second message through the first communication module to the centralized alarm device;

wherein the centralized alarm device further comprises a second logic module wherein the second logic module is a programmable device that is used to control the operation of the centralized alarm device.

16. The power state monitor according to claim 15 wherein

the centralized alarm device further comprises a second communication module;

wherein the second communication module receives communications from the one or more sensors and relays this information to the second logic module;

wherein the second communication module communicates alarm messages to local wireless devices;

wherein the second communication module communicates alarm messages in the form of electronic messages sent via SMS over wireless phone network;

wherein the second communication module communicates alarm messages in the form of electronic messages sent via email over the internet;

wherein the centralized alarm device goes through a master loop that monitors each of the one or more appliances that is monitored by an individual sensor;

wherein when each of the one or more appliances have been monitored once, the second logic module repeats the master loop for each of the one or more appliances;

wherein the second logic module will check to see if each individual sensor has sent the first message;

wherein if the first message has been received by the second logic module then the second logic module illuminates the individual LED selected from the plurality of LEDs that is assigned to the individual sensor being monitored;

wherein if the first message has been received by the second logic module, the second logic module starts a software timer and proceeds to the next appliance in queue for the master loop;

wherein if the second message has been received by the second logic module, the second logic module turns off the individual LED selected from the plurality of LEDs that is assigned to the individual sensor being monitored;

wherein if the second message has been received by the second logic module, the second logic module stops and resets the software timer that is assigned to the individual sensor being monitored and proceeds to the next appliance in queue for the master loop;

wherein if the elapsed time has exceeded the threshold value that is set for the appliance the second logic module will issue electronic messages indicating an alarm and proceeds to the next appliance in queue for the master loop.

17. The power state monitor according to claim 16 wherein

the centralized alarm device further comprises a buzzer and a plurality of LEDs;

wherein if the elapsed time has exceeded the threshold value that is set for the appliance the second logic module will generate an audible alarm using the buzzer;

wherein if the elapsed time has exceeded the threshold value that is set for the appliance the second logic module will flash the individual LED selected from the plurality of LEDs that is assigned to the individual sensor being monitored and proceeds to the next appliance in queue for the master loop.

18. The power state monitor according to claim 17 wherein

the centralized alarm device further comprises a plurality of individual relays;

wherein the switch of each individual relay is placed in series between the electrical power source of a monitored appliance and the monitored appliance;

wherein the second logic module of the centralized alarm device controls the signals that operates the switch of each individual relay.

19. The power state monitor according to claim 18 wherein the optical sensor further comprises a phototransistor, a transistor, a first pull down resistor, a second pull down resistor and an output voltage.

20. The power state monitor according to claim 19 wherein

each individual sensor further comprises a first power module;

wherein the collector of the phototransistor is connected to the first power module;

wherein the collector of the transistor is connected to the first power module;

wherein the emitter of the phototransistor is connected to the base of the transistor;

wherein the emitter of the phototransistor is connected to a first pull down resistor;

wherein the emitter of the transistor is connected to a second pull down resistor.