Smart-Grid Having PLC Networked Sensors
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a smart-grid residential service (SRS) server configured for communication with a wide area network (WAN);
said SRS server configured for communication with a master switch (MST) device via said WAN, said MST configured for collection of power and utility use information for at least one home from an associated in-home power line communication (PLC) network;
said SRS server configured to request and receive said power and utility use information from said MST via said WAN;
said SRS server configured for communication with a plurality of individual utilities via said WAN;
said SRS server configured to collect and store said power and utility use information and to send said power and utility use information to said individual utilities to generate a bill in accordance with said power and utility use information for each respective utility for a specified billing period; and
said SRS server configured to collect each bill generated for said power and utility use information from each said respective utility and to forward each said bill to said home for verification of each said bill against power and utility use information from said MST and power and utility use information stored in said SRS server for verification prior to payment of each said bill for each respective utility.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A smart-grid residential service (SRS) uses connected sensors for integrated service monitoring and control of home appliances via the Internet and an in-home PLC network. Such sensors collect power usage information and include an intelligent master device and any of a communication enabled switch, a ZigBee® enabled switch, and a power control switch, each of which operate over a power line communication (PLC) network. The master collects, compiles, and communicates collected data to the network. The SRS provides infrastructure, i.e. communication, IP-TV, climatic control, etc. monitoring and control, power monitoring and control of connection enabled home appliances, other utility usage monitoring, and security monitoring and control. The SRS also provides billing and collection information for the monitored utilities to utility companies.
44 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a smart-grid residential service (SRS) server configured for communication with a wide area network (WAN); said SRS server configured for communication with a master switch (MST) device via said WAN, said MST configured for collection of power and utility use information for at least one home from an associated in-home power line communication (PLC) network; said SRS server configured to request and receive said power and utility use information from said MST via said WAN; said SRS server configured for communication with a plurality of individual utilities via said WAN; said SRS server configured to collect and store said power and utility use information and to send said power and utility use information to said individual utilities to generate a bill in accordance with said power and utility use information for each respective utility for a specified billing period; and said SRS server configured to collect each bill generated for said power and utility use information from each said respective utility and to forward each said bill to said home for verification of each said bill against power and utility use information from said MST and power and utility use information stored in said SRS server for verification prior to payment of each said bill for each respective utility. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method, comprising:
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configuring a smart-grid residential service (SRS) server for communication with a wide area network (WAN); configuring said SRS server for communication with a master switch (MST) device via said WAN, said MST configured for collection of power and utility use information for at least one home from an associated in-home power line communication (PLC) network; configuring said SRS server to request and receive said power and utility use information from said MST via said WAN; configuring said SRS server for communication with a plurality of individual utilities via said WAN; configuring said SRS server to collect and store said power and utility use information and to send said power and utility use information to said individual utilities to generate a bill in accordance with said power and utility use information for each respective utility for a specified billing period; and configuring said SRS server to collect each bill generated for said power and utility use information from each said respective utility and to forward each said bill to said home for verification of each said bill against power and utility use information from said MST and power and utility use information stored in said SRS server for verification prior to payment of each said bill for each respective utility. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification