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.
Claims28
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 1) a first policy set, of one or more policies, implemented in connection with a communication between said customer premises controllers and at least one of said grid controllers and 2) a second policy set, of one or more policies, implemented independent of any communication between said customer premises controllers and any of said grid controllers.
A method power distribution, comprising:
- providing a power distribution system including 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;
- and
- operating said customer premises controllers to control delivery of power based on 1) a first policy set, of one or more policies, implemented in connection with a communication between said customer premises controllers and at least one of said grid controllers and 2) a second policy set, of one or more policies, implemented independent of any communication between said customer premises controllers and any of said grid controllers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.