Circuit panel network and methods thereof
First Claim
1. A system, comprising:
- a processor; and
a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising;
receiving wirelessly a first transmission of data from a network interface device communicatively coupled to at least one of a set of breakers of a circuit panel, wherein the set of breakers are coupled to a plurality of electrical circuits, wherein the at least one of the set of breakers includes at least one circuit breaker device configured for power line communication, wherein the network interface device is communicatively coupled to a transceiver that is coupled to a dielectric waveguide, wherein the dielectric waveguide is wholly constructed of a dielectric material and receives electromagnetic waves from a utility power line, wherein the electromagnetic waves convey the data, wherein the transceiver receives the electromagnetic waves propagating on a surface of the dielectric waveguide and converts the electromagnetic waves to an electric signal that conveys the data, and wherein the network interface device receives the electric signal and wirelessly transmits the first transmission of the data according to the electrical signal;
determining that the data is to be directed towards the at least one circuit breaker device or at least one of the plurality of electrical circuits associated with the at least one circuit breaker device based on mapping a header address of the data to a recipient device connected to the at least one electrical circuit; and
initiating, based upon the determining, a second transmission of the data as a power line communication transmission via the at least one circuit breaker device that is associated with the at least one electrical circuit.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
To provide network connectivity in a building using existing electrical wiring and circuitry, a circuit panel network system is provided to interface between a network connection and the electrical circuit. Traditional breakers on the electrical panel that provide overload circuit-protection devices can be replaced with circuit breaker devices that have transceivers and power line communication chipsets in addition to overload circuit-protection devices. A network interface unit that receives broadband network connectivity from a network demarcation point inside or outside the building can wirelessly transfer data to and from the circuit breaker devices, which then distribute the data over the electrical circuits via the power line communication chipsets on the circuit breaker devices.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising; receiving wirelessly a first transmission of data from a network interface device communicatively coupled to at least one of a set of breakers of a circuit panel, wherein the set of breakers are coupled to a plurality of electrical circuits, wherein the at least one of the set of breakers includes at least one circuit breaker device configured for power line communication, wherein the network interface device is communicatively coupled to a transceiver that is coupled to a dielectric waveguide, wherein the dielectric waveguide is wholly constructed of a dielectric material and receives electromagnetic waves from a utility power line, wherein the electromagnetic waves convey the data, wherein the transceiver receives the electromagnetic waves propagating on a surface of the dielectric waveguide and converts the electromagnetic waves to an electric signal that conveys the data, and wherein the network interface device receives the electric signal and wirelessly transmits the first transmission of the data according to the electrical signal; determining that the data is to be directed towards the at least one circuit breaker device or at least one of the plurality of electrical circuits associated with the at least one circuit breaker device based on mapping a header address of the data to a recipient device connected to the at least one electrical circuit; and initiating, based upon the determining, a second transmission of the data as a power line communication transmission via the at least one circuit breaker device that is associated with the at least one electrical circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method, comprising:
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receiving, by a system including a processor, wirelessly a first transmission of data from a network interface device communicatively coupled to at least one of a set of breakers of a circuit panel, wherein the set of breakers are coupled to a plurality of electrical circuits, wherein the at least one of the set of breakers includes at least one circuit breaker device configured for power line communication, wherein the network interface device is communicatively coupled to a transceiver that is coupled to a dielectric waveguide, wherein the dielectric waveguide is wholly constructed of a dielectric material and receives electromagnetic waves from a utility power line, wherein the electromagnetic waves convey the data, wherein the transceiver receives the electromagnetic waves propagating on a surface of the dielectric waveguide and converts the electromagnetic waves to an electric signal that conveys the data, and wherein the network interface device receives the electric signal and wirelessly transmits the first transmission of the data according to the electrical signal; determining, by the system, that the data is to be directed towards the at least one circuit breaker device or at least one of the plurality of electrical circuits associated with the at least one circuit breaker device based on mapping a target address of the data to a client device coupled to the at least one electrical circuit; and initiating, by the system based upon the determining, a second transmission of the data as a power line communication transmission via the at least one circuit breaker device that is associated with the at least one electrical circuit. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A network interface device, comprising:
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a dielectric waveguide wholly constructed of a dielectric material that facilitates receiving electromagnetic waves from a utility power line, wherein the electromagnetic waves convey data; and a transceiver communicatively coupled to the dielectric waveguide, wherein the transceiver facilitates receiving the electromagnetic waves propagating on a surface of the dielectric waveguide and converting the electromagnetic waves to an electric signal, wherein the electric signal conveys the data; wherein the network interface device is communicatively coupled to at least one circuit breaker device configured for power line communication, wherein the network interface device receives the electric signal and wirelessly transmits the data as a first transmission, and wherein the at least one circuit breaker device is configured to wirelessly receive the first transmission, make a determination that the data is to be directed towards the at least one circuit breaker device or at least one electrical circuit of a plurality of electrical circuits associated with the at least one circuit breaker device based on mapping an address of the data to a device coupled to the at least one electrical circuit, and initiate, based upon the determination, a second transmission of the data as a power line communication transmission via the at least one electrical circuit. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification