Power node with network switch
AssigneeGreenwave Reality, Pte Ltd.
InventorsKarl Jonsson, William Diehl, Timothy Lyons, Martin Manniche, Sonny Windstrup
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power node provides energy management and network expansion features in a networked data communications and control environment that may be utilized in an energy management system implementing a method of managing energy. Network expansion may be provided by integrating a networking bridge from a power line network to one or more wired network ports or a wireless network. The power outlet on the power node providing power to a device may be identified and associated with information about the device.
Claims15
A power node for energy management comprising:
- an input power coupler;
- a power switch having a control port, a first power terminal and a second power terminal, the first power terminal electrically connected to the input power coupler, the control port configured to control an electrical connection between the first power terminal and the second power terminal;
- a power socket electrically connected to the second terminal of the power switch;
- a voltage sensor operable to measure voltage at the power socket;
- a current sensor operable to measure current flowing through the power socket;
- a signal electronics section including a communications block configured to communicate over a first network using a powerline communications physical layer and communicate over a second network using a second physical layer, the communications block in signal communication with the selector device, the control port of the power switch, the voltage sensor and the current sensor;
- the signal electronics section configured to
- bridge between the first network and the second network to create a bridged network;
- monitor said current flowing through the power socket,
- monitor said voltage at the power socket,
- control said electrical connection between the first power terminal and the second power terminal of the power switch, and
- communicate across the bridged network;
- a housing physically coupling the power socket, the power switch, the signal electronics section, the current sensor and the voltage sensor.
A power node comprising:
- a power plug;
- a power socket;
- a power switch interposed between the power plug and the power socket to control a flow of power from the power plug to the power socket;
- a first network interface utilizing a powerline communication physical layer configured to communicate through the power plug;
- bridge circuitry configured to bridge the first network interface to a second network interface utilizing a second physical layer;
- and
- a processor configured to control the power switch and to communicate over the bridged network;
- wherein the processor is further configured to receive a command over the bridged network and control the power switch based on the received command.
A method of reporting what device is plugged into a particular power socket of a power node, the method comprising:
- receiving information about a device through a first network interface located on a power node, wherein said first network interface uses a protocol that is does not utilize power line communication;
- identifying a particular power socket on the power node from which the device is receiving power;
- and
- sending at least some of said information about the device and an identifier of the particular power socket across a second network interface using power line communication.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.