Self-organized multiple appliance network connectivity apparatus
First Claim
1. A method of connecting an appliance to a network for performance monitoring and power control, the method comprising:
- a) implementing a self-organized network by automatically detecting at each of a plurality of appliances connected to the self-organized network a presence of each of another of the plurality of appliances connected to the self-organized network by querying a local router;
b) automatically designating one of the detected plurality of appliances connected to the implemented self-organized network as an access point to the other of the detected plurality of appliances connected to the implemented self-organized network;
c) sampling current and voltage measurements at each of the plurality of appliances;
d) determining at each of the plurality of appliances power data, voltage data, current data, and diagnostics information based on the sampled current and voltage measurements at the respective one of the plurality of appliances;
e) collecting at the access point the determined appliances power data, voltage data, current data, and diagnostics information from the plurality of appliances using the self-organizing network;
f) determining at the access point electrical characteristics, performance and function of the plurality of appliances using the collected power data, voltage data, current data, and diagnostics information;
g) accessing at the access point a network resource using the internet to gather manufacturers or power utility company information;
h) determining at the access point demand response or cost optimization schemes based on the manufacturers or power utility company information and based on the electrical characteristics, performance and function of the plurality of appliances;
i) controlling from the access point application of power from one or more power sources to at least one of the plurality of appliances based on the determined demand response or cost optimization schemes; and
j) presenting data for electrical characteristics, performance and function of the plurality of appliances to an end user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An appliance network connectivity apparatus includes a voltage sensor that generates a signal at an output that is proportional to a voltage provided to the appliance. A current sensor generates a signal at an output that is proportional to a current flowing through the appliance. A processor determines the electrical characteristics of power consumed by the appliance and executes web server software for communicating data through a network. A relay controls power from the power source to the appliance. A memory stores the electrical characteristics. A network interface provides the electrical characteristics to the network.
21 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of connecting an appliance to a network for performance monitoring and power control, the method comprising:
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a) implementing a self-organized network by automatically detecting at each of a plurality of appliances connected to the self-organized network a presence of each of another of the plurality of appliances connected to the self-organized network by querying a local router; b) automatically designating one of the detected plurality of appliances connected to the implemented self-organized network as an access point to the other of the detected plurality of appliances connected to the implemented self-organized network; c) sampling current and voltage measurements at each of the plurality of appliances; d) determining at each of the plurality of appliances power data, voltage data, current data, and diagnostics information based on the sampled current and voltage measurements at the respective one of the plurality of appliances; e) collecting at the access point the determined appliances power data, voltage data, current data, and diagnostics information from the plurality of appliances using the self-organizing network; f) determining at the access point electrical characteristics, performance and function of the plurality of appliances using the collected power data, voltage data, current data, and diagnostics information; g) accessing at the access point a network resource using the internet to gather manufacturers or power utility company information; h) determining at the access point demand response or cost optimization schemes based on the manufacturers or power utility company information and based on the electrical characteristics, performance and function of the plurality of appliances; i) controlling from the access point application of power from one or more power sources to at least one of the plurality of appliances based on the determined demand response or cost optimization schemes; and j) presenting data for electrical characteristics, performance and function of the plurality of appliances to an end user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification