Controlling zones of electronic devices associated with power lines
AssigneeCrius Technology Group, LLC
InventorPhillip Bogdanovich
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods, systems, and apparatus for monitoring and controlling electronic devices using wired and wireless protocols are disclosed. The systems and apparatus may monitor their environment for signals from electronic devices. The systems and apparatus may take and disambiguate the signals that are received from the devices in their environment to identify the devices and associate control signals with the devices. The systems and apparatus may use communication means to send control signals to the identified electronic devices. Multiple apparatuses or systems may be connected together into networks, including mesh networks, to make for a more robust architecture.
Claims21
A system for controlling an electronic device, comprising:
- a control apparatus, wherein the control apparatus comprises:
- a processor;
- a memory coupled to the processor;
- and
- wherein the control apparatus is configured to couple to a conductor in a power line associated with the electronic device receiving power from the power line, and wherein the control apparatus is configured to redirect electrical power from the conductor through the control apparatus and to the electronic device;
- wherein the control apparatus is configured to be coupled to the electronic device located at a site;
- and
- a remote device, the remote device being configured to establish a wireless communication link to the control apparatus;
- wherein the system is configured to:
- determine which control apparatus of a plurality of control apparatuses has a strongest wireless communication link with the remote device;
- and
- establish a communication link between the control apparatus having the strongest wireless communication link and an additional control apparatus of the plurality of control apparatuses;
- wherein the control apparatus having the strongest wireless communication link is configured to relay a communication between the additional control apparatus, the remote device, or a combination thereof.
A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising:
- coupling a control apparatus to the electronic device located at a site, wherein the control apparatus comprises a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein coupling the control apparatus to the electronic device comprises coupling the control apparatus to a conductor in a power line associated with the electronic device receiving power from the power line, the control apparatus redirecting electrical power from the conductor through the control apparatus and to the electronic device receiving power from the power line;
- establishing a wireless communication link between a remote device and the control apparatus;
- determining which control apparatus of a plurality of control apparatuses has a strongest wireless communication link with the remote device;
- establishing a communication link between the control apparatus having the strongest wireless communication link and an additional control apparatus of the plurality of control apparatuses.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.