Sensor having an integrated Zigbee® device for communication with Zigbee® enabled appliances to control and monitor Zigbee® enabled appliances

• US 8,644,166 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2011
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Asoka USA Corporation (Asoka)
• Original Assignee: Asoka USA Corporation (Asoka)
• Inventors: Xia, Mingyao, Grubel, Eric, Castellano, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Hassan
• Assistant Examiner(s): SWEET, LONNIE V
• Application Number:
  US13/197,623
• Publication Number:
  US 20120307646A1
• Time in Patent Office: 916 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/241
• 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 power switch apparatus (Z-SW) for monitoring and control of power usage of one or more ZigBee®

technology enabled appliances, comprising;

an appliance power plug;

a power meter and relay unit coupled to said power plug, said power meter and relay unit also coupled to an AC power distribution line, said power meter and relay configured for collecting power usage information and relay status;

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

a ZigBee®

device integrated into said Z-SW and coupled to said MCU through a bidirectional port and communication links on the Z-SW, said ZigBee®

device configured for connecting said Z-SW to at least one ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance to effect operational control and status update of said ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance; and

a communication module connected to said MCU, said communication module configured to encrypt and modulate information received from said MCU;

wherein said power meter and relay are configured to control a flow of power to said power plug from said AC power distribution lines based on input from said MCU;

wherein said ZigBee®

device is configured for communicating operational instructions to said ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance, for collecting operational status information from said ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance, and for remote operational control of said ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance over said AC power distribution line; and

a plurality of sensors, each sensor connected to said AC power distribution line and to an associated controlled ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance, each ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance powered by power from said AC power distribution line under control of said sensor, each sensor configured for each of;

collecting power usage information of said connected associated ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance;

executing a power management regimen; and

providing a connection to establish a local area network (LAN) between said sensors and other networked devices.

2. The power switch apparatus of claim 1, said sensors comprising any one or more, in any combination, of the following:

an intelligent master sensor (MST) configured to collect, compile, and communicate said collected information via a communication medium, and to receive and distribute instructions for implementing said power management regimen and for effecting control of said ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance via said associated sensors;

a communication and power management sensor (ETH); and

a power control switch sensor (SW);

wherein said sensors are configured to provide integrated sensing and control of ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance power usage and power management, while establishing a LAN having communication capability, including streaming media delivery capability.

3. The power switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein said Z-SW is configured for connecting a ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance to said AC power distribution line; and

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

technology enabled appliance connected thereto.

4. The power switch apparatus of claim 1, each sensor further comprising:

a communication module configured for modulating said collected information to a communication data stream for transmission over a broadband communication frequency band to effect power line communication (PLC) over said power line within said local area network (LAN); and

said communications module configured for demodulating a broadband communication stream that is received over said power line to provide command and control instructions for power control of a power flow to said associated ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance.

5. The power switch apparatus of claim 1, each sensor further comprising:

a communication module configured for modulating collected power usage information to a communication data stream for transmission over a narrowband communication frequency band to effect narrowband communication over said AC power distribution line within said local area network (LAN); and

said communications module configured for demodulating a narrowband communication stream that is received over said AC power distribution line to provide command and control instructions for power control of a power flow to said associated ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance.

6. The power switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein said ETH is configured for connecting a ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance to said AC power distribution line;

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

technology enabled appliance connected thereto;

wherein said ETH is configured for providing broadband PLC based data communication, where the data and communication devices are connected to said AC power distribution line through a communication port; and

wherein multiple ETH units are connected via said AC power distribution line to establish a PLC based LAN.

7. The power switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein said MST comprises a processor and memory;

wherein said MST is configured for collecting and compiling power consumption information and for connecting a ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance to said AC power distribution line;

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

technology enabled appliance connected thereto; and

wherein said MST is configured for connection to said SWs and ETHs.

8. The power switch apparatus of claim 1, said appliance power plug further comprising:

a noise filter.

9. The power switch apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a coupler filter module connected to said communication module and said AC power distribution line.

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

technology enabled appliances, comprising;

providing a power switch apparatus comprising;

an appliance power plug;

a power meter and relay unit coupled to said power plug, said power meter and relay unit also coupled to an AC power distribution line, said power meter and relay configured for collecting power usage information and relay status;

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

a communication module connected to said MCU, said communication module configured to encrypt and modulate information received from said MCU;

integrating a ZigBee®

device into said Z-SW and coupling said ZigBee®

device to said MCU through a bidirectional port and communication links on the power switch apparatus;

configuring said ZigBee®

device for connecting said power switch apparatus to at least one ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance to effect operational control and status update of said ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance;

configuring said power meter and relay to control a flow of power to said power plug from said AC power distribution lines based on input from said MCU; and

configuring said ZigBee®

device for communicating operational instructions to said ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance, for collecting operational status information from said ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance, and for remote operational control of said ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance over said AC power distribution line;

configuring a plurality of sensors, each sensor connected to said AC power distribution line and to an associated controlled ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance, each ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance powered by power from said AC power distribution line under control of said each sensor;

collecting, by said each sensor, power usage information of said connected associated ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance;

executing, by said each sensor, a power management regimen; and

providing, by said each sensor, a connection to establish a local area network (LAN) between said each sensor and other networked devices.

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

technology enabled appliances, comprising;

an appliance power plug comprising a noise filter;

a power meter and relay unit coupled to said power plug, said power meter and relay unit also coupled to an AC power distribution line, said power meter and relay configured for collecting power usage information and relay status;

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

a ZigBee®

device integrated into said Z-SW and coupled to said MCU through a bidirectional port and communication links on the Z-SW, said ZigBee®

device configured for connecting said Z-SW to at least one ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance to effect operational control and status update of said ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance; and

a communication module connected to said MCU, said communication module configured to encrypt and modulate information received from said MCU;

a coupler filter module connected to said communication module and said AC power distribution line;

wherein said power meter and relay are configured to control a flow of power to said power plug from said AC power distribution lines based on input from said MCU;

wherein said ZigBee®

device is configured for communicating operational instructions to said ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance, for collecting operational status information from said ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance, and for remote operational control of said ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance over said AC power distribution line;

a plurality of sensors, each sensor connected to said AC power distribution line and to an associated controlled ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance, each ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance powered by power from said AC power distribution line under control of said sensor, each sensor configured for each of;

collecting power usage information of said connected associated ZigBee®

technology enabled appliance;

executing a power management regimen; and

providing a connection to establish a local area network (LAN) between said sensors and other networked devices.