Smart electrical outlets and associated networks
AssigneeZonit Structured Solutions, LLC
InventorsSteve Chapel, William Pachoud
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A control system (300) allows recognized standard premise electrical outlets, for example NEMA, CEE and BS, among others to be remotely monitored and/or controlled, for example, to intelligently execute blackouts or brownouts or to otherwise remotely control electrical devices. The system (300) includes a number of smart receptacles (302) that communicate with a local controller (304), e.g., via power lines using the TCP/IP protocol. The local controller (304), in turn, communicates with a remote controller (308) via the internet.
Claims14
-28. (canceled)
A power distribution system, comprising:
- a power grid for distributing power over a geographic distribution area;
- one or more grid controllers for controlling distribution of power across said power grid;
- and
- a number of customer premises controllers, each for controlling delivery of power within a particular customer premises based on communication between said customer premises controller and at least one of said grid controllers.
A power distribution method, comprising:
- identifying an over-capacity condition with respect to at least a portion of a power distribution grid, said over-capacity situation potentially requiring reduction of power provided to standard residential and business customers;
- and
- addressing said over-capacity condition by controlling power distribution at a level finer than the finest distribution subdivision of said power distribution grid servicing said standard residential and commercial customers.
A method for use in controlling transmission of communication signals across a power line, comprising the steps of:
- defining a communications domain including at least a first device and a second device for communicating over a power line;
- providing a transmitter for inserting communication signals onto said power line;
- and
- providing an isolation element for substantially preventing transmission of said communication signals outside of said communications domain.
An apparatus for use in controlling transmission of communication signals across a power line, comprising:
- a first device and a second device, each disposed within a communications domain, for communicating over a power line;
- a transmitter for inserting communication signals onto said power line;
- and
- an isolation element for substantially preventing transmission of said communication signals outside of said communication domain.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.