Electrical power status indicator
First Claim
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1. A power status-indicating electrical receptacle, comprising:
- an electrical receptacle adapted to be installed within a wall of a premises and configured to receive input electric current and provide output electric current;
a signal receiver to continuously retrieve and interpret power status data from a centralized control module, the power status data comprising real-time electricity pricing data received from an electrical utility provider, wherein the centralized control module is a residential gateway that provides broadband connectivity for a premises network of the premises, wherein the centralized control module analyzes non-interpreted data and generates interpreted data including power status data from the non-interpreted data; and
one or more indicators activated by the signal receiver, the activation based at least in part on the status data, including the real-time electricity pricing data, the one or more indicators comprising a multi-colored LED indicator on the surface of the receptacle, the LED indicator displaying a first color based on the power status data indicating a favorable period to operate, based on the real-time electricity pricing data, and displaying a second color based on the power status data indicating an unfavorable period to operate, based on the real-time electricity pricing data.
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Abstract
An electrical power status-indicating device for integration with a Smart Grid network. The device comprises an electrical receptacle installed within a wall of a consumer premises, a communication module for retrieving and interpreting power status data from a centralized control module, and at least one indicator activated by the communication module, with activation based at least in part on the status data. In some embodiments, the device may comprise a power pass-through device for receiving at least one in-premise electronic device, and/or a light switch in communication with a lighting unit.
14 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A power status-indicating electrical receptacle, comprising:
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an electrical receptacle adapted to be installed within a wall of a premises and configured to receive input electric current and provide output electric current; a signal receiver to continuously retrieve and interpret power status data from a centralized control module, the power status data comprising real-time electricity pricing data received from an electrical utility provider, wherein the centralized control module is a residential gateway that provides broadband connectivity for a premises network of the premises, wherein the centralized control module analyzes non-interpreted data and generates interpreted data including power status data from the non-interpreted data; and one or more indicators activated by the signal receiver, the activation based at least in part on the status data, including the real-time electricity pricing data, the one or more indicators comprising a multi-colored LED indicator on the surface of the receptacle, the LED indicator displaying a first color based on the power status data indicating a favorable period to operate, based on the real-time electricity pricing data, and displaying a second color based on the power status data indicating an unfavorable period to operate, based on the real-time electricity pricing data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A power status-indicating electrical pass-through device, comprising:
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an electrical device having an electrical plug and at least one electrical socket; a signal receiver to continuously retrieve and interpret power status data from a centralized control module, the power status data comprising at least, real-time electricity pricing data received from an electrical utility provider, wherein the centralized control module is a residential gateway that provides broadband connectivity for a premises network of the premises, wherein the centralized control module analyzes non-interpreted data and generates interpreted data including power status data from the non-interpreted data; and one or more indicators activated by the signal receiver, the activation based at least in part on the power status data, including the real-time electricity pricing data, the one or more indicators comprising a multi-colored LED indicator on the surface of the receptacle, the LED indicator displaying a first color based on the real-time electricity pricing data indicating a favorable period to operate and displaying a second color based on the real-time electricity pricing data indicating an unfavorable period to operate. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 31)
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22. A power status indication device, comprising:
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a first communication interface providing communication with a centralized control module, wherein the centralized control module is a residential gateway that provides broadband connectivity for a premises network of the premises, wherein the centralized control module analyzes non-interpreted data and generates interpreted data including power status data from the non-interpreted data; a signal receiver to continuously receive and interpret power status data from the centralized control module, the power status data comprising real-time electricity pricing data received from an electrical utility provider; a second communication interface providing communication with at least one appliance connected to the home network; and a signal transmitter to transmit an electrical signal for reception by the at least one appliance, in response to predetermined conditions based at least in part on the power status data, including the real-time electricity pricing data, wherein the electrical signal activates a luminary indicator based on the power status data, including the real-time electricity pricing data, the luminary indicator comprising a multi-colored LED indicator, the LED indicator displaying a first color based on the real-time electricity pricing indicating a favorable period to operate and displaying a second color based on the real-time electricity pricing indicating an unfavorable period to operate. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33)
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Specification