Systems and methods for communication between devices and remote systems with a power cord
First Claim
1. A system for remotely communicating with a device, the system comprising:
- a power cord having a power line therein configured to provide the device with electrical power from an electrical source;
a module electrically connected to the power line, the module having a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with a remote device, a microprocessor, and a power converter configured for converting power in the power line for use by the module;
wherein the device comprises a microcomputer separate from the microprocessor and configured to control the device; and
at least one control wire extends from the module to the device and is configured to transmit signals between the module and the device for delivery of commands to the microcomputer;
wherein the module is configured to communicate with the microcomputer using a device communications protocol, the module is further configured to communicate with a remote device using a remote device communication protocol that is different from the device communications protocol, and the microprocessor is configured to translate information between the remote device communications protocol and the device communications protocol.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for remote control of an electronic device using a power cord are disclosed. A power cord that provides electric power to the device includes a module configured to receive wireless control signals originating from and/or transmit wireless signals to a remote device. The power cord includes one or more control wires for communicating signals between the module and the device. The module may be configured to translate information or signals received from the communications protocol of the remote device to the communications protocol of the device, and vice versa. The control wire(s) may extend along or within the power cord. Methods for wirelessly controlling a device comprise transmitting a command from a remote device to a module connected to the device'"'"'s power cord, the module wirelessly receiving the command and transmitting the command to the appliance via control wires extending from the module to the device.
23 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for remotely communicating with a device, the system comprising:
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a power cord having a power line therein configured to provide the device with electrical power from an electrical source; a module electrically connected to the power line, the module having a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with a remote device, a microprocessor, and a power converter configured for converting power in the power line for use by the module; wherein the device comprises a microcomputer separate from the microprocessor and configured to control the device; and at least one control wire extends from the module to the device and is configured to transmit signals between the module and the device for delivery of commands to the microcomputer; wherein the module is configured to communicate with the microcomputer using a device communications protocol, the module is further configured to communicate with a remote device using a remote device communication protocol that is different from the device communications protocol, and the microprocessor is configured to translate information between the remote device communications protocol and the device communications protocol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for remotely communicating with a device, the system comprising:
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a remote device; a power cord having a power line therein configured to provide the device with electrical power from an electrical source; a module electrically connected to the power line, the module having a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with the remote device, a microprocessor, and a power converter configured for converting power in the power line for use by the module; and at least one control wire extending from the module to the device and configured to transmit signals between the module and the device; wherein a plug assembly is attached to an end of the power cord, and the module is embedded within the plug assembly; wherein the device comprises a microcomputer separate from the microprocessor; wherein the module is configured to communicate with the microcomputer using a device communications protocol, the module is further configured to communicate with a remote device using a remote device communication protocol that is different from the device communications protocol, and the microprocessor is configured to translate information between the remote device communications protocol and the device communications protocol.
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16. A method for remotely communicating with a device, the method comprising:
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wirelessly transmitting information between a remote device and a module located on and operatively attached to a power cord of the device, the module having a transceiver, microprocessor, and power converter, the device having a microcomputer separate from the microprocessor and configured to control the device; translating, by the microprocessor, the information from a communications protocol used by the remote device to a communications protocol that is used by the device and is different from the communications protocol used by the remote device; and transmitting, by the module, the information to the device via wired communication along at least one control wire extending from the module to the device, using the communications protocol that is used by the device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification