Wireless electrical apparatus controller and method of use
First Claim
1. A device for controlling one or more electrical apparatuses comprising a processor/transceiver control unit connected to each electrical apparatus, the processor/transceiver control unit comprising:
- at least one microprocessor storing operating protocol commands as sent over a wireless network having a network time source, the microprocessor further storing software code;
an RF transceiver connected to the microprocessor, the RF transceiver and microprocessor being configured in cooperation with the software code to receive real-time data sourced from the network time source and embedded in a signal of the wireless network;
one or more relays connected between the at least one microprocessor and the one or more electrical apparatuses through one or more current transformers; and
a clock circuit connected to the microprocessor and configured for storing the real-time data, whereby the device controls power to the one or more electrical apparatuses through the relays according to the operating protocol commands substantially at real-time as kept by the clock circuit with such real-time data being acquired by the device from the wireless network by which the operating protocol commands are sent, thus eliminating the need for a separate GPS receiver in the device for receiving real-time data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for controlling at least one electrical apparatus comprising a microprocessor wired to an RF transceiver, the microprocessor storing operating protocol commands as sent over a wireless network, the RF transceiver and microprocessor being configured in cooperation with software code residing in the microprocessor to receive and extract real-time data as sourced from a network time source of the wireless network and embedded in the network signal, and a clock circuit connected to the microprocessor and configured for storing the real-time data, whereby the device controls power to the electrical apparatus according to the operating protocol commands at real-time as obtained from the wireless network by which the operating protocol commands are sent and as kept by the clock circuit, thus eliminating the need for a separate GPS receiver in the device for receiving real-time data.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A device for controlling one or more electrical apparatuses comprising a processor/transceiver control unit connected to each electrical apparatus, the processor/transceiver control unit comprising:
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at least one microprocessor storing operating protocol commands as sent over a wireless network having a network time source, the microprocessor further storing software code; an RF transceiver connected to the microprocessor, the RF transceiver and microprocessor being configured in cooperation with the software code to receive real-time data sourced from the network time source and embedded in a signal of the wireless network; one or more relays connected between the at least one microprocessor and the one or more electrical apparatuses through one or more current transformers; and a clock circuit connected to the microprocessor and configured for storing the real-time data, whereby the device controls power to the one or more electrical apparatuses through the relays according to the operating protocol commands substantially at real-time as kept by the clock circuit with such real-time data being acquired by the device from the wireless network by which the operating protocol commands are sent, thus eliminating the need for a separate GPS receiver in the device for receiving real-time data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A device for controlling one or more electrical apparatuses comprising a processor/transceiver control unit connected to each electrical apparatus, the processor/transceiver control unit comprising:
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a microprocessor wired to an RF transceiver, the microprocessor storing operating protocol commands as sent over a wireless network having a network time source, the RF transceiver and microprocessor being configured in cooperation with software code residing in the microprocessor to receive and extract real-time data as sourced from the network time source and embedded in a signal of the wireless network, the operating protocol commands being selected from the group consisting of an on demand command sent from a network operations center over the wireless network, a temporary schedule stored in the microprocessor for the days and times not overridden by an on demand command, and a permanent schedule stored in the microprocessor for the days and times not overridden by an on demand command or a temporary schedule, the microprocessor storing a time zone and a latitude and longitude coordinate of the device and on that basis determining dusk/dawn time offsets for the device in cooperation with the software code; and a clock circuit connected to the microprocessor and configured for storing the real-time data, the real-time data being adjusted by the microprocessor as needed according to the time zone of the device and the sunrise and sunset time for the device as calculated by the microprocessor, whereby the device controls power to the one or more electrical apparatuses according to the operating protocol commands at real-time as kept by the clock circuit with such real-time data being acquired by the device from the wireless network by which the operating protocol commands are sent and being adjusted as needed based on the time zone and latitude and longitude of the device, thus eliminating the need for a separate GPS receiver in the device for receiving real-time data and optimally controlling the one or more electrical apparatuses relative to dusk/dawn offsets. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A device for controlling one or more electrical apparatuses comprising a processor/transceiver control unit connected to each electrical apparatus, the processor/transceiver control unit comprising:
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at least one microprocessor storing software code and further storing a nominal voltage and an operating voltage for each electrical apparatus, the microprocessor in cooperation with the software code comparing the operating voltage to the nominal voltage so as to detect a low-voltage condition and thereby monitor operation of each electrical apparatus; and an RF transceiver connected to the microprocessor, the RF transceiver and microprocessor being configured in cooperation with the software code to send a voltage alert signal to a network operations center for corrective action when a low-voltage condition indicating malfunction of an electrical apparatus is detected. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification