System and method of monitoring and controlling appliances and powered devices using radio-enabled proximity sensing
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling an appliance, the method implemented by a device external to the appliance and the method comprising:
- determining that the appliance is consuming power using a sensor that is external to the appliance;
obtaining a list of identifiers of authorized radio-enabled devices, wherein operation of the appliance depends on at least one of the authorized radio-enabled devices being proximate to the appliance;
monitoring for presence of radio-enabled devices;
determining that none of the authorized radio-enabled devices are proximate to the appliance by comparing identifiers of any proximate radio-enabled devices to the list of identifiers of authorized radio-enabled devices;
starting a timer in response to determining that none of the authorized radio-enabled devices are proximate to the appliance;
transmitting a notification to a user device; and
causing the appliance to be disconnected from a power source in response to the timer reaching a limit.
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Abstract
A system and method of monitoring and controlling powered gas or electric appliances or devices using proximity awareness and providing optional watchdog safety shutoff capabilities including an inline or remote monitor and control system, radio awareness of compatible components such as Bluetooth smartphones and dongles, and optional Internet connectivity for remote monitoring, control, and usage data accumulation.
75 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of controlling an appliance, the method implemented by a device external to the appliance and the method comprising:
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determining that the appliance is consuming power using a sensor that is external to the appliance; obtaining a list of identifiers of authorized radio-enabled devices, wherein operation of the appliance depends on at least one of the authorized radio-enabled devices being proximate to the appliance; monitoring for presence of radio-enabled devices; determining that none of the authorized radio-enabled devices are proximate to the appliance by comparing identifiers of any proximate radio-enabled devices to the list of identifiers of authorized radio-enabled devices; starting a timer in response to determining that none of the authorized radio-enabled devices are proximate to the appliance; transmitting a notification to a user device; and causing the appliance to be disconnected from a power source in response to the timer reaching a limit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A device for controlling an appliance, the device comprising:
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a sensor that measures power consumption of the appliance; a control device to engage or disengage a power source from the appliance; a wireless communications port; at least one processor; at least one memory storing processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to; determine that the appliance is consuming power using data obtained from the sensor, obtain a list of identifiers of authorized radio-enabled devices, wherein operation of the appliance depends on at least one of the authorized radio-enabled devices being proximate to the appliance; monitor for presence of radio-enabled devices, determine that none of the authorized radio-enabled devices are proximate to the appliance by comparing identifiers of any proximate radio-enabled devices to the list of identifiers of authorized radio-enabled devices; start a timer in response to determining that none of the authorized radio-enabled devices are proximate, transmit a notification to a user device, and cause the appliance to be disconnected from the power source in response to the timer reaching a limit. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. At least one non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform actions comprising:
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determining that an appliance is consuming power; obtaining a list of identifiers of authorized radio-enabled devices, wherein operation of the appliance depends on at least one of the authorized radio-enabled devices being proximate to the appliance; monitoring for presence of radio-enabled devices; determining that none of the authorized radio-enabled devices are proximate to the appliance; starting a timer in response to determining that none of the authorized radio-enabled devices are proximate to the appliance; transmitting a notification to a user device; and causing the appliance to be disconnected from a power source in response to the timer reaching a limit. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification