Method and apparatus for using plc-based sensor units for communication and streaming media delivery, and for monitoring and control of power usage of connected appliances

A communication system comprising:

• a master switch unit (MST) including a processor, a broadband communication module coupled between the processor and a power distribution line, and a memory associated with the processor;
• and
• a communication enabled switch unit (ETH) coupled between the power distribution line and a communication device;
• wherein a local area network (LAN) is established between the ETH and the MST over the power distribution line, the LAN having a broadband communication frequency;
• wherein the broadband communication module is configured to modulate signal frequencies between the MST and the LAN;
• wherein the MST is coupled to a wide area network (WAN) gateway;
• wherein the processor is configured to
• receive at least one of communication data or streaming media data over the WAN gateway,
• process the received communication data or streaming media data, and
• transmit the received communication data or streaming media data to the ETH, through the broadband module and over the LAN at the broadband frequency;
• wherein the processor is further configured to
• receive at least one of a communication signal or a streaming media signal from the ETH over the LAN at the broadband frequency, and through the broadband communication module,
• process the received communication signal or streaming media signal,
• transmit the processed communication signal or streaming media signal over the WAN gateway.

A system comprising:

• a master switch unit (MST) including a processor, a broadband communication module coupled between the processor and a power distribution line, a narrowband communication module coupled between the processor and a power distribution line, and a memory associated with the processor;
• and
• a communication enabled switch unit (ETH) coupled to the power distribution line, wherein the ETH is configured for any of monitoring, collection, or control of power usage of an appliance connected through the ETH, via a power plug having a noise filter, to the power distribution line;
• wherein a local area network (LAN) is established between the ETH and the MST, the LAN having a broadband communication frequency and a narrowband communication frequency;
• wherein the broadband communication module is configured to modulate signal frequencies between the MST and the broadband frequency of the LAN;
• wherein the narrowband communication module is configured to modulate signal frequencies between the MST and the narrowband frequency of the LAN;
• wherein the MST is coupled to a wide area network (WAN) gateway;
• wherein the processor is configured to
• receive any of power monitoring information or control information from the ETH through the narrowband communication module from the power distribution line, over the narrowband communication frequency,
• receive communication information from the ETH through the broadband communication module from the power distribution line, over the broadband communication frequency,
• store the received communication information, power monitoring information or control information in the memory,
• process the stored communication information, power monitoring information or control information, and
• transmit the processed communication information, power monitoring information or control information over the WAN gateway;
• wherein the processor is further configured to
• receive any of a data signal, a control command, or a streaming media signal over the WAN gateway,
• process the received data signal, command signal, or streaming media signal, and
• transmit the received data signal or streaming media signal to the ETH, through the broadband communication module and the power distribution line to the ETH, at the broadband frequency, and
• transmit the command signal to the ETH, through the narrowband communication module and the power distribution line to the ETH, at the narrowband frequency.