SENSOR HAVING AN INTEGRATED ZIGBEE® DEVICE FOR COMMUNICATION WITH ZIGBEE® ENABLED APPLIANCES TO CONTROL AND MONITOR ZIGBEE® ENABLED APPLIANCES

• US 20140145835A1
• Filed: 01/29/2014
• Published: 05/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Asoka USA Corporation (Asoka)
• Original Assignee: Asoka USA Corporation (Asoka)
• Inventors: XIA, Mingyao, CASTELLANO, Dan, GRUBEL, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 9,300,359 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/12.32
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00007 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00028 involving the use of Internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5408 using protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5454 Adapter and plugs
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0219 where the power saving management affects multiple terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 using the power network as support for the transmission

Abstract

A sensor device integrates ZigBee® technology into power switch device to provide monitoring and control of power usage, as well as operational control of connected devices. The sensor device uses a power line communication (PLC) network to transfer collected data and to provide remote control capability to connected appliances. The sensor device, in conjunction with a master switch device, a communication enabled switching device, and the power switch device, provides an integrated home environment for communication, streaming media, monitoring, and remote control of power usage, as well as remote operational monitoring and control of connected appliances in the home.

Claims

1. A ZigBee®

-enabled power switch apparatus (Z-SW) for monitoring and control of power usage of one or more ZigBee®

technology enabled appliances, the Z-SW comprising;

a power meter;

a relay unit; and

a ZigBee device that enables the Z-SW with ZigBee®

technology for communication with ZigBee®

technology enabled appliances;

wherein the ZigBee®

device is coupled to an AC power distribution line;

wherein a ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance is coupled to the Z-SW, and the power meter and relay are configured to control a flow of power from the AC power distribution line to the ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance;

wherein the ZigBee®

device is configured to communicate over a wireless network with an associated ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance;

wherein the Zigbee®

device is further configured to;

collect operational status information from the ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance; and

send operational instructions to the associated ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance.

2. The Z-SW of claim 1, further comprising:

a micro controller unit (MCU) module connected to the power meter and relay unit, the MCU configured for receiving power usage information and relay status from the power meter and relay unit;

the MCU further coupled to the Zigbee®

device, the MCU configured to receive operational information from and relay operational instructions to the ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance coupled to the Z-SW via the Zigbee®

device; and

the Zigbee®

device configured to receive the operational instructions from the MCU and to control the operation of the ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance coupled to the Z-SW based on the operational instructions received from the MCU.

3. The Z-SW of claim 2, further comprising:

a communication module connected to the MCU, the communication module configured to encrypt and modulate information received from the MCU and send the encrypted and modulated information over the AC power distribution line;

where the communication module is further configured to decrypt and modulate information received over the AC power distribution line and provide the decrypted and modulated information to the MCU; and

wherein the power meter and relay are configured to control a flow of power to the power plug from the AC power distribution lines.

4. A power line communication network comprising:

A PLC-based LAN established over AC power distribution lines;

a ZigBee®

-enabled power switch apparatus (Z-SW) for monitoring and control of power usage of one or more ZigBee®

technology enabled appliances, comprising;

a power meter;

a relay unit; and

a ZigBee device that enables the Z-SW with ZigBee®

technology for communication with ZigBee®

technology enabled appliances;

wherein the Zigbee®

device is configured to;

collect operational status information from the ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance; and

send operational instructions to the associated ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance; and

an intelligent master sensor (MST) configured to;

collect, compile, and communicate the operational status information over the PLC-based LAN; and

receive instructions over the PLC-based LAN and deliver the instructions to the ZigBee®

-enabled power switch apparatus for effecting control of the ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance.

5. The power line communication network of claim 4, further comprising:

a communication and power management sensor (ETH);

wherein the PLC-based LAN delivers streaming media to and from the ETH.

6. The power line communication network of claim 4, wherein the Z-SW is configured for connecting a ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance to the AC power distribution line; and

wherein the Z-SW is configured for monitoring power consumption by, and to effect remote control of, a ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance connected thereto.

7. The power line communication network of claim 4, wherein one or more Z-SW, MST, or ETH further comprises:

a communication module configured for modulating the collected information to a first communication data stream for transmission over the PLC-based (LAN); and

the communications module configured for demodulating a second communication stream that is received over the PLC-based LAN, the second communication data stream providing command and control instructions for power control of a power flow to the associated ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance.

8. The power line communication network of claim 7, wherein one or more Z-SW, MST, or ETH further comprises:

the communication module configured to transmit and receive over a narrowband communication frequency band to effect narrowband communication over the PLC-based LAN;

or

the communication module configured to transmit and receive over a broadband communication frequency band to effect broadband communication over the PLC-based LAN.

9. The power line communication network of claim 4, wherein the ETH is configured for connecting a ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance to the AC power distribution line;

wherein the ETH is configured for monitoring power consumption by, and to effect remote control of, a ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance connected thereto;

wherein the ETH is configured for providing broadband communication over the PLC-based LAN.

10. The power line communication network of claim 4, wherein the Z-SW further comprises a coupler filter module connected to the communication module and the AC power distribution line.

11. A method for monitoring and control of power usage of one or more ZigBee®

technology enabled appliances, comprising;

providing a Zigbee®

-enabled power switch (Z-SW) apparatus comprising;

a power meter;

a relay unit; and

a ZigBee device that enables the Z-SW with ZigBee®

technology for communication with ZigBee®

technology enabled appliances;

wherein the ZigBee®

device is coupled to an AC power distribution line;

coupling an intelligent master sensor (MST) to the AC power distribution line;

the MST receiving instructions;

the MST delivering the instructions to the Z-SW over a PLC-based LAN; and

responsive to receiving the instructions from the MST, the Z-SW delivering operational instructions to an associated Zigbee®

technology enabled appliance over a wireless network;

wherein the operational instructions control the operation of the associated Zigbee®

technology enabled appliance.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the MST receives instructions that are sent over a broadband network outside of the PLC-based LAN through a router connected to the MST.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

a Zigbee®

technology enabled appliance sending operational status information over a wireless network to an associated Z-SW;

the associated Z-SW collecting operational status information from the ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance;

the associated Z-SW sending the operational status over the PLC-based LAN to the MST;

the MST collecting and compiling operational status information;

the MST communicating compiled operational status over a broadband network outside of the PLC-based LAN through a network router connected to the MST.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

the Z-SW connecting a ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance to the AC power distribution line; and

the Z-SW monitoring power consumption by the ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance connected thereto.