Modular intelligent power system

• US 9,021,044 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2012
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Mauro Guido, David Tayvel Blustein, Mike Liwak, Stylianos Derventzis
• Original Assignee: David Mauro Guido, David Tayvel Blustein, Mike Liwak, Stylianos Derventzis
• Inventors: Blustein, David Tayvel, Derventzis, Stylianos, Guido, David Mauro, Liwak, Mike
• Primary Examiner(s): Taylor, Nicholas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Williams, Clayton R
• Application Number:
  US13/418,880
• Publication Number:
  US 20120239773A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,141 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 709/208
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless

Abstract

A system for monitoring or controlling conditions or apparatuses in a home, business or other suitable place is provided. The system includes a first master module that is operative to communicate with a device over an Internet network. The system further includes a server that is operatively connected to the device and the first master module. The server is operative to allow communication between the first master module and the device. The system also includes a first slave module operatively connected to the first master module. The first master module is operative to direct data between the first slave module and the server. The first slave module is operative to establish communication with the first master module through a plug and play connection. The device is operative to allow at least one of controlling and monitoring the first slave module through the server and the first master module.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

at least one first master module, wherein the at least one first master module includes circuitry that is operative to communicate with a user interface device over an internet network;

a server, wherein the server is operatively connected to the user interface device and the at least one first master module, wherein the server is operative to allow communication between the at least one first master module and the user interface device;

at least one first slave module operatively connected to the at least one first master module, wherein the at least one first master module is operative to direct data between the at least one first slave module and the server, wherein the at least one first slave module includes circuitry that is operative to automatically establish communication with the at least one first master module through a plug and play connection;

wherein the user interface device is configured to enable the at least one first slave module to be at least one of controlled, monitored, or any combination thereof, through operation of the server and the at least one first master module; and

wherein the at least one first slave module includes at least one power outlet, wherein the user interface device is configured to selectively enable the user interface device to at least one of control, monitor, or any combination thereof, power to the at least one power outlet of the at least one first slave module through operation of the server and the at least one first master module, wherein the at least one first slave module further includes at least one smart outlet configured to enable connection of electrically powered items to be operatively connected to the at least one first slave module.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one first master module includes circuitry that is operative to establish a plug and play connection with the server.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the user interface device includes a cell phone, personal computer, personal digital assistance, iPod or any combination thereof.

4. The system of claim 1 and further including at least one second slave module operatively connected to the at least one first master module, wherein the at least one first master module is operative to direct data between the at least one second slave module and the server, wherein the at least one second slave module is operative to establish communication with the at least one first master module through the plug and play connection.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the user interface device is configured to control the at least one second slave module in response to receiving data from the at least one first slave module.

6. The system of claim 1 and further including a router, wherein the server is operatively connected to the router.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the server includes a system monitor application, wherein the system monitor application is operative to poll the status of the at least one first master module and the at least one first slave module.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the system monitor application is operative to cause the server to perform monitoring operations on the at least one first master module and the at least one first slave module.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the system monitor application is operative to cause the server to relay a request sent from the user interface device to the at least one first slave module, wherein the request is to cause the user interface device to control the at least one first slave module.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the user interface device includes a graphical interface application.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one first slave module includes a baby monitor.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one first slave module includes a pill dispenser, wherein the user interface device is operative to monitor time that the pill dispenser dispenses a predetermined number of pills.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the server includes a media access control address, wherein the media access control address is utilized to allow the server to be recognized as a device on the system when the server is connected to the system.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one first master module includes at least one power outlet, wherein the at least one first slave module is operative to be plugged into the at least one power outlet of the at least one first master module.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one first slave module is wirelessly connected to the at least one first master module.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one first master module includes at least one plug that is operative to be plugged into a first power outlet, wherein the at least one first master module includes a second power outlet that is configured to serve as an outlet extension of the first power outlet, wherein the at least one first slave module includes at least one plug that is operative to be plugged into the second power outlet of the at least one first master module.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the user interface device is operative to selectively enable control of power to the at least one power outlet of the at least one first slave module through communication via the server and the at least one first master module.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein the user interface device includes a display screen, wherein the display screen is operative to display data from the at least one first slave module.

19. The system of claim 1 and further including at least one second master module, wherein the at least one second master module includes circuitry that is operative to communicate with the user interface device over an internet network, wherein the server is operatively connected to the user interface device and the at least one second master module, wherein the server is operative to allow communication between the at least one second master module and the user interface device;

at least one second slave module operatively connected to the at least one second master module, wherein the at least one second master module is operative to direct data between the at least one second slave module and the server, wherein the at least one second slave module includes circuitry that is operative to establish communication with the at least one first master module through a plug and play connection;

wherein the user interface device is configured to selectively enable the at least one second slave module to be at least one of controlled, monitored, or any combination thereof, through communication of the server and the at least one second master module; and

wherein the at least one first master module is operatively associated with the at least one first slave module in a home or business location, wherein the at least one second master module is operatively associated with the at least one second slave module in the home or business location.

20. A system comprising:

at least one first master module, wherein the at least one first master module includes circuitry that is operative to communicate with a user interface device over an internet network, wherein the at least one first master module is configured to be operatively connected to a server, wherein the server is configured to be operatively connected to the user interface device, wherein the server is operative to allow communication between the at least one first master module and the user interface device;

at least one first slave module operatively connected to the at least one first master module, wherein the at least one first master module is operative to direct data between the at least one first slave module and the server, wherein the at least one first slave module includes circuitry that is operative to establish communication with the at least one first master module;

wherein the user interface device is configured to enable the at least one first slave module to be at least one of selectively controlled, monitored, or any combination thereof, through communication of the server and the at least one first master module;

wherein the at least one first master module is configured to be plugged into a first power outlet, wherein the at least one first master module includes a second power outlet that is configured to serve as an outlet extension of the first power outlet, wherein the at least one first slave module is configured to be plugged into the second power outlet of the at least one first master module; and

wherein the at least one first slave module includes circuitry that is operative to automatically establish communication with the at least one first master module through a plug and play connection.

21. A system comprising:

at least one first master module, wherein the at least one first master module includes circuitry that is operative to communicate with a control device over an internet network, wherein the at least one first master module is configured to be operatively connected to a server, wherein the server is operatively connected to the control device, wherein the server is operative to enable communication between the at least one first module and the control device;

wherein the at least one first master module is configured to plug into at least one first power outlet;

wherein the at least one first master module includes at least one second power outlet;

wherein the control device is configured to selectively control power delivery to the at least one second power outlet of the at least one first master module via communication through the server and the at least one first master module;

at least one second master module, wherein the at least one second master module includes circuitry that is operative to communicate with the control device over the internet network, wherein the at least one second master module is configured to be operatively connected to the server, wherein the server is operatively connected to the control device, wherein the server is operative to enable communication between the at least one second master module and the control device;

wherein the at least one second master module is configured to plug into at least one third power outlet;

wherein the at least one second master module includes at least one fourth power outlet;

wherein the control device is configured to selectively control power delivery to the at least one fourth power outlet of the at least one second master module via communication through the server and the at least one second master module;

wherein both of the first and second master modules are operatively associated with other electrically controlled items in a single home or business location;

at least one first slave module operatively connected to the at least one first master module; and

wherein the user interface device is configured to enable the at least one first slave module to be at least one of controlled, monitored, or any combination thereof, through operation of the server and the at least one first master module.