U.S. patent application number 14/806531 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-28 for methods, systems, and apparatus for the monitoring, controlling, and communicating of lighting systems.
The applicant listed for this patent is HYPERION ENERGY GROUP LLC. Invention is credited to PHILLIP BOGDANOVICH.
Application Number | 20160028437 14/806531 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55166579 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160028437 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BOGDANOVICH; PHILLIP |
January 28, 2016 |
METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUS FOR THE MONITORING, CONTROLLING,
AND COMMUNICATING OF LIGHTING SYSTEMS
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for monitoring, controlling, and
communicating are disclosed, including splicing one or more control
clamps to power lines of devices; establishing a PLC link between
one or more powernet control communication cubes; connecting a PCCC
to a communication gateway in order to enable communication from a
remote device using a PCCC dashboard application; using a
communication port of the one or more powernet control
communication cubes to communicate between the one or more powernet
control communication cubes; using the PLC link to communicate
between the one or more powernet control communication cubes; using
the one or more powernet control communication cubes with the
spliced one or more control clamps to monitor and control the one
or more devices; creating one or more RFID/Bluetooth beacons; and
using one or more monitor sensors to monitor the area around the
devices. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
Inventors: |
BOGDANOVICH; PHILLIP;
(AUSTIN, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HYPERION ENERGY GROUP LLC |
AUSTIN |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55166579 |
Appl. No.: |
14/806531 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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62027627 |
Jul 22, 2014 |
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62027626 |
Jul 22, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
375/257 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C07D 333/76 20130101;
Y02E 10/549 20130101; C07D 487/04 20130101; C09B 57/008 20130101;
H05B 47/105 20200101; C07D 279/22 20130101; Y02D 30/70 20200801;
C07C 2603/97 20170501; C07C 2603/26 20170501; C07D 213/16 20130101;
C07D 265/38 20130101; C07D 307/93 20130101; H01L 51/0073 20130101;
H01L 51/5096 20130101; C07C 2603/54 20170501; C09K 2211/1088
20130101; C09K 2211/1029 20130101; H01L 51/0074 20130101; H01L
51/5012 20130101; C07D 311/80 20130101; C07C 209/60 20130101; H05B
47/19 20200101; C07C 2601/14 20170501; H01L 51/0058 20130101; C07D
405/12 20130101; H01L 51/0052 20130101; H04L 43/00 20130101; C07C
217/80 20130101; H01L 51/5088 20130101; C07D 221/08 20130101; C07D
223/26 20130101; H04B 3/56 20130101; H04L 43/08 20130101; C07C
2603/94 20170501; H04L 12/40 20130101; C09K 11/06 20130101; H05B
47/175 20200101; H05B 47/18 20200101; C07C 2603/18 20170501; C07D
213/06 20130101; C09K 2211/1014 20130101; C09B 19/00 20130101; C07D
209/86 20130101; C09B 21/00 20130101; H04B 3/54 20130101; H04L
12/2816 20130101; H01L 51/5056 20130101; C07C 211/61 20130101; C07D
307/91 20130101; C07D 219/02 20130101; C09K 2211/1007 20130101;
C09K 2211/1011 20130101; C09K 2211/1092 20130101; H04W 4/80
20180201; H01L 51/006 20130101; C07C 2603/52 20170501; C07D 405/04
20130101; H04L 41/0833 20130101; C09B 69/008 20130101; H05B 47/185
20200101; H04L 2012/2843 20130101; C07D 209/94 20130101; C07D
471/06 20130101; C07D 407/12 20130101; H01L 51/0061 20130101; H01L
51/0072 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04B 3/54 20060101
H04B003/54; H04L 12/40 20060101 H04L012/40; H05B 37/02 20060101
H05B037/02; H04W 4/00 20060101 H04W004/00 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. An apparatus for monitoring, controlling, and communicating, the
apparatus comprising: at least one powernet control unit, the
powernet control unit (PCU) comprising: a PCU housing; a PCU system
bus in the PCU housing; at least one PCU processor coupled to the
PCU system bus; PCU system memory coupled to the at least one PCU
processor; at least one PCU non-transitory memory unit coupled to
the at least one PCU processor; a power port coupled to the PCU
system bus; a communication port coupled to the PCU system bus; a
PCU inter-PCU/CC wireless module coupled to the PCU system bus; and
PCU code stored on the at least one PCU non-transitory memory unit;
a communication gateway coupled to the communication port; at least
one communication cube, the at least one communication cube (CC)
comprising: a CC housing; a CC system bus in the communication cube
CC housing; at least one CC processor coupled to the CC system bus;
CC system memory coupled to the at least one CC processor; at least
one CC non-transitory memory unit coupled to the at least one CC
processor; a CC inter-PCU/CC wireless module coupled to the CC
system bus; at least one control port coupled to the CC system bus;
at least one control clamp coupled to the at least one control
port; and CC code stored on the at least one CC non-transitory
memory unit; the PCU code when executed by the at least one PCU
processor configured to: establish a PCU power line communication
link to the at least one powernet control unit; communicate with
the at least one powernet control unit through the PCU power line
communication link; communicate with the at least one communication
cube through the PCU inter-PCU/CC wireless module and the CC
inter-PCU/CC wireless module; communicate with a PCU/CC dashboard
application; the CC code when executed by the at least one CC
processor configured to: communicate with the at least one powernet
control unit through the PCU inter-PCU/CC wireless module and the
CC inter-PCU/CC wireless module; communicate with the at least one
communication cube through the CC inter-PCU/CC wireless module; and
monitor and control at least one device through the at least one
control clamp.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, the PCU further comprising a GPS
module coupled to the PCU system bus.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, the PCU further comprising a PCU
internal battery coupled to the PCU system bus.
12. The apparatus of claim 9, the communication port comprising at
least one of: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and a cellular network radio.
13. The apparatus of claim 9, the PCU inter-PCU/CC wireless module
comprising at least one of: Bluetooth, 6LoWPan, and ZigBee.
14. The apparatus of claim 9, the communication gateway connected
to a cloud.
15. The apparatus of claim 9, the apparatus further comprising at
least one of a local server and a mobile device connected to the
communication gateway and configured to communicate with the PCU
through the communication gateway.
16. The apparatus of claim 14, the apparatus further comprising at
least one of a remote server and a mobile device connected to the
cloud and configured to communicate with the PCU through the
communication gateway.
17. The apparatus of claim 9, the CC further comprising an RFID
module coupled to the CC system bus and a Bluetooth module coupled
to the CC system bus.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, further configured to create an
RFID/Bluetooth beacon.
19. The apparatus of claim 9, the CC further comprising a CC
internal battery coupled to the CC system bus.
20. The apparatus of claim 9, the CC inter-PCU/CC wireless module
comprising at least one of: Bluetooth, 6LoWPan, and ZigBee.
21. The apparatus of claim 9, the CC further comprising at least
one monitor sensor coupled to the CC system bus.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising the step of
monitoring the at least one monitor sensor.
23. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one device
comprising a lighting system.
24. An apparatus for monitoring, controlling, and communication,
the apparatus comprising: at least one powernet control unit, the
at least one powernet control unit (PCU) comprising: a PCU housing;
a PCU system bus within the PCU housing; at least one PCU processor
coupled to the PCU system bus; PCU system memory coupled to the at
least one PCU processor; at least one PCU non-transitory memory
unit coupled to the at least one PCU processor; a GPS module
coupled to the PCU system bus; a power port coupled to the PCU
system bus; a PCU internal battery coupled to the PCU system bus; a
communication port coupled to the PCU system bus, the communication
port comprising at least one of: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and a cellular
network radio; a PCU inter-PCU/CC wireless module coupled to the
PCU system bus, the PCU inter-PCU/CC wireless module comprising at
least one of: Bluetooth, 6LoWPan, and ZigBee; and PCU code stored
on the at least one PCU non-transitory memory unit; a communication
gateway coupled to the communication port, the communication
gateway connected to a cloud; at least one of a local server and a
mobile device connected to the communication gateway and configured
to communicate with the PCU through the communication gateway; at
least one of a remote server and a mobile device connected to the
cloud and configured to communicate with the PCU through the
communication gateway; and at least one communication cube, the at
least one communication cube (CC) comprising: a CC housing; a CC
system bus in the communication cube CC housing; at least one CC
processor coupled to the CC system bus; CC system memory coupled to
the at least one CC processor; at least one CC non-transitory
memory unit coupled to the at least one CC processor; an RFID
module coupled to the CC system bus; a Bluetooth module coupled to
the CC system bus; a CC internal battery coupled to the CC system
bus; a CC inter-PCU/CC wireless module coupled to the CC system
bus, the CC inter-PCU/CC wireless module comprising at least one
of: Bluetooth, 6LoWPan, and ZigBee; at least one control port
coupled to the CC system bus; at least one control clamp coupled to
the at least one control port; at least one monitor sensor coupled
to the CC system bus; and CC code stored on the at least one CC
non-transitory memory unit; the PCU code when executed by the at
least one PCU processor configured to: establish a PCU power line
communication link between the at least one powernet control unit;
communicate with the at least one powernet control unit through the
PCU power line communication link; communicate with the at least
one communication cube through the PCU inter-PCU/CC wireless module
and the CC inter-PCU/CC wireless module; and communicate with a
PCU/CC dashboard application; the CC code when executed by the at
least one CC processor is configured to perform the steps of:
communicate with the at least one powernet control unit through the
PCU inter-PCU/CC wireless module and the CC inter-PCU/CC wireless
module; communicate with the at least one communication cube
through the CC inter-PCU/CC wireless module; monitor and control at
least one device through the at least one control clamp, the at
least one device comprising a lighting system; create an
RFID/Bluetooth beacon; and monitoring the at least one monitor
sensor.
25. An apparatus for monitoring, controlling, and communication,
the apparatus comprising: at least one powernet control
communication cube, the powernet control communication cube (PCCC)
comprising: a housing; a system bus within the housing; at least
one processor coupled to the system bus; system memory coupled to
the at least one processor; at least one non-transitory memory unit
coupled to the at least one processor; a power port coupled to the
system bus; a communication port coupled to the system bus; at
least one control port coupled to the system bus; at least one
control clamp coupled to the at least one control port; and PCCC
code stored on the at least one non-transitory memory unit; a
communication gateway coupled to the communication port; the PCCC
code when executed by the at least one processor configured to:
establish a power line communication link between the at least one
powernet control communication cube; communicate with a PCCC
dashboard application; communicate with the at least one powernet
control communicate cube through the power line communication link;
communicate with the at least one powernet control communication
cube through the communication port; and monitore and controlling
at least one device through the at least one control clamp.
26. The apparatus of claim 25, the PCCC further comprising a GPS
module coupled to the system bus.
27. The apparatus of claim 25, the PCCC further comprising an
internal battery coupled to the system bus.
28. The apparatus of claim 25, the communication port comprising at
least one of: Wi-Fi, PLC, Ethernet, ZigBee, 6LoWPan, and
Bluetooth.
29. (canceled)
30. (canceled)
31. (canceled)
32. (canceled)
33. (canceled)
34. (canceled)
35. (canceled)
36. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/027,627, filed Jul. 22, 2014, Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/027,626, filed Jul. 22, 2014, both of which are
incorporated by reference in their entireties. Furthermore, the
Nonprovisional patent application entitled "Method and Apparatus
for Performing an Energy Audit", filed Jul. 22, 2015, is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The invention relates generally to the field of monitoring,
controlling, and communicating of devices. More particularly, the
invention relates to a radio communication to power line
communication bridge and networking system for the monitoring,
controlling, and communicating of devices such as lighting
systems.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one respect, disclosed may be a method for monitoring,
controlling, and communicating. The method may comprise: splicing
at least one control clamp to the power lines of at least one
device; establishing a powernet control unit (PCU) power line
communication link between at least one powernet control unit;
connecting at least one of the at least one powernet control unit
to a communication gateway in order to enable communication with
the powernet control unit from a mobile device, a local server,
and/or a remote server using a powernet control unit/communication
cube (PCU/CC) dashboard application; using a PCU inter-PCU/CC
wireless module and a communication cube (CC) inter-PCU/CC wireless
module to communicate between the at least one powernet control
unit and at least one communication cubes; using CC inter-PCU/CC
wireless modules to communicate between the at least one
communication cube; using the PCU power line communication link to
communicate with the at least one powernet control unit; using the
at least one communication cube with the spliced at least one
control clamp to monitor and control the at least one device; using
RFID modules and Bluetooth modules of the at least one
communication cube to create at least one RFID/Bluetooth beacon;
and using at least one monitor sensor of the at least one
communication cube to monitor the area around the at least one
device.
[0004] In another respect, disclosed is a method for monitoring,
controlling, and communicating. The method may comprise: splicing
at least one control clamp to the power lines of at least one
device; establishing a power line communication link between at
least one powernet control communication cube; connecting at least
one of the at least one powernet control communication cube to a
communication gateway in order to enable communication with the at
least one powernet control communication cube from at least one of
a mobile device and a remote server using a powernet control
communication cube (PCCC) dashboard application; using a
communication port of the at least one powernet control
communication cube to communicate between the at least one powernet
control communication cube; using the power line communication link
to communicate between the at least one powernet control
communication cube; using the at least one powernet control
communication cube with the spliced at least one control clamp to
monitor and control the at least one device; using RFID modules and
Bluetooth modules of the at least one powernet control
communication cube to create at least one RFID/Bluetooth beacon;
and using at least one monitor sensor of the at least one powernet
control communication cube to monitor the area around the at least
one device.
[0005] In one respect, disclosed is an apparatus for monitoring,
controlling, and communicating. The apparatus may comprise: at
least one powernet control unit, wherein the power control unit
(PCU) may comprise: a PCU housing; a PCU system bus within the PCU
housing; at least one PCU processor coupled to the PCU system bus;
PCU system memory coupled to the at least one PCU processor; at
least one PCU non-transitory memory unit coupled to the at least
one PCU processor; a GPS module coupled to the PCU system bus; a
power port coupled to the PCU system bus; a PCU internal battery
coupled to the PCU system bus; a communication port coupled to the
PCU system bus, wherein the communication port may comprise at
least one of: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and a cellular network radio; a PCU
inter-PCU/CC wireless module coupled to the PCU system bus, wherein
the PCU inter-PCU/CC wireless module may comprise at least one of:
Bluetooth, 6LoWPan, and ZigBee; and PCU code stored on the at least
one PCU non-transitory memory unit; a communication gateway coupled
to the communication port, wherein the communication gateway may be
connected to a cloud; at least one of a local server and a mobile
device connected to the communication gateway and configured to
communicate with the PCU through the communication gateway; at
least one of a remote server and a mobile device connected to the
cloud and configured to communicate with the PCU through the
communication gateway; and at least one communication cube, wherein
the communication cube (CC) may comprise: a CC housing; a CC system
bus within the communication cube CC housing; at least one CC
processor coupled to the CC system bus; CC system memory coupled to
the at least one CC processor; at least one CC non-transitory
memory unit coupled to the at least one CC processor; an RFID
module coupled to the CC system bus; a Bluetooth module coupled to
the CC system bus; a CC internal battery coupled to the CC system
bus; a CC inter-PCU/CC wireless module coupled to the CC system
bus, wherein the CC inter-PCU/CC wireless module may comprise at
least one of: Bluetooth, 6LoWPan, and ZigBee; at least one control
port coupled to the CC system bus; at least one control clamp
coupled to the at least one control port; at least one monitor
sensor coupled to the CC system bus; and CC code stored on the at
least one CC non-transitory memory unit; wherein the PCU code when
executed by the at least one PCU processors may be configured to
perform a PCU method that may comprise: establishing a PCU power
line communication link between the at least one powernet control
unit; communicating with the at least one powernet control unit
through the PCU power line communication link; communicating with
the at least one communication cube through the PCU inter-PCU/CC
wireless module and the CC inter-PCU/CC wireless module; and
communicating with a PCU/CC dashboard application; and wherein the
CC code when executed by the at least one CC processor may be
configured to perform a CC method that may comprise: communicating
with the at least one powernet control unit through the PCU
inter-PCU/CC wireless module and the CC inter-PCU/CC wireless
module; communicating with the at least one communication cube
through the CC inter-PCU/CC wireless module; monitoring and
controlling at least one device through the at least one control
clamp, wherein the at least one device may comprise a lighting
system; creating an RFID/Bluetooth beacon; and monitoring the at
least one monitor sensor.
[0006] In another respect, disclosed may be an apparatus for
monitoring, controlling, and communicating. The apparatus may
comprise: at least one powernet control communication cube, wherein
the powernet control communication cube (PCCC) may comprise: a
housing; a system bus within the housing; at least one processor
coupled to the system bus; system memory coupled to the at least
one processor; at least one non-transitory memory unit coupled to
the at least one processor; a GPS module coupled to the system bus;
a power port coupled to the system bus; an internal battery coupled
to the system bus; a communication port coupled to the system bus,
wherein the communication port may comprise at least one of: Wi-Fi,
PLC, Ethernet, ZigBee, 6LoWPan, and Bluetooth; at least one control
port coupled to the system bus; at least one control clamp coupled
to the at least one control port; at least one monitor sensor
coupled to the system bus; and PCCC code stored on the at least one
non-transitory memory unit; a communication gateway coupled to the
communication port, wherein the communication gateway may be
connected to a cloud; at least one of a local server and a mobile
device connected to the communication gateway and configured to
communicate with the PCCC through the communication gateway; and at
least one of a remote server and a mobile device connected to the
cloud and configured to communicate with the PCCC through the
communication gateway; wherein the PCCC code when executed by the
at least one processor may be configured to perform a PCCC method
that may comprise: establishing a power line communication link
between the at least one powernet control communication cube;
communicating with a PCCC dashboard application; communicating with
the at least one powernet control communication cube through the
power line communication link; communicating with the at least one
powernet control communication cube through the communication port;
monitoring and controlling at least one device through the at least
one control clamp, wherein the at least one device may comprise a
lighting system; creating an RFID/Bluetooth beacon; and monitoring
the at least one monitor sensor.
[0007] Numerous additional embodiments may also be possible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Other objects and advantages of the invention may become
apparent upon reading the detailed description and upon reference
to the accompanying drawings.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for
monitoring, controlling, and communicating in accordance with
embodiments.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for
monitoring, controlling, and communicating in accordance with
embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for
monitoring, controlling, and communicating in accordance with
embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a method for
monitoring, controlling, and communicating of devices in accordance
with embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a method for
monitoring, controlling, and communicating of devices in accordance
with embodiments.
[0014] While the invention is subject to various modifications and
alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of
example in the drawings and the accompanying detailed description.
It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed
description are not intended to limit the invention to the
particular embodiments. This disclosure is instead intended to
cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling
within the scope of the present invention as defined by the
appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] One or more embodiments of the invention are described
below. It should be noted that these and any other embodiments are
exemplary and are intended to be illustrative of the invention
rather than limiting. While the invention is widely applicable to
different types of systems, it is impossible to include all of the
possible embodiments and contexts of the invention in this
disclosure. Upon reading this disclosure, many alternative
embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to persons of
ordinary skill in the art.
[0016] With the growth of the Internet of Things, existing devices
are becoming networked in order to enable the monitoring,
controlling, and communicating of the devices. Lighting and
lighting systems are devices that are becoming networked in order
to control power, color, and brightness. Currently, the method for
incorporating a control system into an existing lighting system may
be carried out by running wire or cable from a control device/panel
to the lighting system. The running of the wire or cable may cost
$10,000 per floor and may require days to accomplish. Additionally,
the control device/panel may cost between $10,000 to $15,000. With
such economics, the implementation of the Internet of Things to
existing lighting systems has been slow in coming.
[0017] A method, apparatus, and system for monitoring, controlling,
and communicating of devices may be described. The method,
apparatus, and system may use a radio communication to power line
communication bridge and networking system for the monitoring,
controlling, and communicating of devices such as lighting systems.
This method, apparatus, and system may not require the running of
wire or cable and may be deployed in hours, not days, at a fraction
of the cost of existing control systems. Since the apparatus may be
used with any lighting fixture or lamp brand, the apparatus may be
integrated into any existing lighting system.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for
monitoring, controlling, and communicating in accordance with
embodiments.
[0019] In embodiments, apparatus 100 may comprise at least one
powernet control unit and at least one communication cube. The
powernet control unit (PCU) 105 may comprise a PCU housing 107, a
system bus 109, at least one processor 111, system memory 113, at
least one non-transitory memory unit 115, a power port 117, an
internal battery 119, a communication port 121, an inter-PCU/CC
wireless module 123, and a GPS module 125, all of which may be
directly or indirectly coupled to each other. The communication
cube (CC) 106 may comprise a CC housing 127, a system bus 129, at
least one processor 131, system memory 133, at least one
non-transitory memory unit 135, an internal battery 137, an
inter-PCU/CC wireless module 139, at least one control port 141, at
least one control clamp 143, at least one monitor sensor 145, a
RFID module 147, and a Bluetooth module 149, all of which may be
directly or indirectly coupled to each other. In the installation
of the apparatus, the PCU 105 may be mounted on the back of a flat
electrical strike plate and may be powered by the internal battery
119 or by A/C power 151 through the power port 117 in embodiments.
In embodiments, the communication port 121 may comprise at least
one of a Wi-Fi radio, an Ethernet port, and a power line
communication (PLC) bridge and may allow for the communication
between powernet control units 105 and external control and
monitoring devices such as mobile device 153, local server 155,
and/or remote server 157. For Wi-Fi, PLC, and Ethernet,
communication may be established through a communication gateway
159 such as a router/PLC/modem. Using a communication cube control
web portal or a communication cube control app (PCU/CC dashboard
application), at least one of the local server 155 and the mobile
device 153 may be used to communicate with the PCU 105 and the CC
106 through the communication gateway 159. Additionally, the
communication gateway 159 may be connected to the Internet 161,
thus making it possible for the remote server 157 and/or the mobile
device 153, using a communication cube control web portal or a
communication cube control app, to communicate with the PCU 105 and
the CC 106. The PCU 105 may communicate with the CC 106 through the
inter-PCU/CC wireless module 123 of the PCU 105 with the
inter-PCU/CC wireless module 139 of the CC 106. The inter-PCU/CC
wireless modules 123, 139 may comprise at least one of a Bluetooth
radio, 6LoWPan radio, and ZigBee radio. Bluetooth, 6LoWPan, and
ZigBee may encompass all past, current, and future versions of the
wireless protocols. The powernet control units which are connected
to the PLC may be nodes which in turn may be in communication with
the communication cubes 106. Each PCU node may be capable of
identifying the communication cubes 106 which are connected to it.
This network of communication cubes 106 connected to PCU nodes
which are connected via PLC may be referred to as a powernet.
[0020] In embodiments, the CC 106 may be mounted within a lighting
fixture and may be powered by the internal battery 137 or by one of
the at least one control clamp 143 spliced into the power line to
the lighting fixture. The control clamp may be designed to splice
the power line to a lighting fixture without having to shut down
power to the lighting fixture or device. After splicing the power
line, direct power to the lighting fixture may be removed and the
CC 106 may now be capable of controlling the lighting fixture or
device, thus enabling control for dimming, color, and other primary
and secondary functions such as, but not limited to Li-Fi
management and emergency controls. Since the control clamp 143 is
tapped into the power line, the control clamp 143 may also be able
to provide power to the CC 106 through the control port 141. The CC
106 may also comprise at least one monitor sensor 145 to monitor
for occupancy in the area of the lighting fixture as well as the
lighting fixture location and status.
[0021] In embodiments, the RFID module 147 and Bluetooth module 149
of the CC 106 may be used to establish a beacon. The RFID module
147 may be used to monitor the space around the lighting fixture or
device for any RFID transmitters. In a hospital setting, the RFID
transmitters may be mounted onto tables, drug carts, wheel chairs,
etc. The CC 106 may then be able to keep track of the RFID
transmitters in the vicinity of the lighting fixture. The Bluetooth
module 149 may be used to continuously ping the area around the
lighting fixture for any nearby Bluetooth enabled devices. The vast
majority of phones and devices since 2006 may respond to this
pinging, thus enabling the CC 106 to map and monitor the number of
people that are carrying Bluetooth phones and devices that are in
the vicinity of the lighting fixture. The processing of the RFID
and Bluetooth monitoring may be handled locally by the at least one
processor 131 of the CC 106. By having this map of people and
things, if a patient is looking for a particular facility within
the hospital, the path of least resistance (i.e. least congestion)
for the patient to get to the particular facility may be determined
from the data collected from RFID monitoring and Bluetooth pinging.
This path may be transmitted to the patient who is running the
hospital's mobile application on a Bluetooth enabled phone. In
embodiments, the Bluetooth module 149 may be used to transmit
offers, promotions, or other information to an individual with a
Bluetooth enabled phone running a particular store or promotion
mobile application. In such a scenario, if a customer is shopping
at a grocery store and is running a store's mobile application on a
Bluetooth enabled phone and the customer approaches the soft drink
aisle, the CC 106 may be able to determine that the customer is in
the soft drink aisle and may be able to present the customer offers
and promotions for products that are also in the soft drink aisle.
The CC 106 may present offers for products that are available since
the CC 106 may use its RFID module 147 to detect for products
labeled with RFID tags.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for
monitoring, controlling, and communicating in accordance with
embodiments.
[0023] In embodiments, apparatus 200 may comprise at least one
powernet control communication cube 205. The powernet control
communication cube (PCCC) 205 may comprise a housing 207, a system
bus 209, at least one processor 211, system memory 213, at least
one non-transitory memory unit 215, a power port 217, an internal
battery 219, a communication port 221, at least one control port
223, at least one control clamp 225, at least one monitor sensor
227, a GPS module 229, an RFID module 231, and a Bluetooth module
233, all of which may be directly or indirectly coupled to each
other.
[0024] In embodiments, the PCCC 205 may be mounted within a
lighting fixture or on the back of a flat electrical strike plate
and may be powered by the internal battery 219 or by using one of
the control clamps 225 coupled to the power port 217 to tap into a
power line. Alternatively, the power port 217 may draw its power
internally from one of the control clamps 225 connected to the
control port 223. The communication port 221 may comprise at least
one of a Wi-Fi radio, a PLC bridge, an Ethernet port, ZigBee radio,
6LoWPan radio, and a Bluetooth radio and may allow for the
communication between powernet control communication cubes 205 and
external control and monitoring devices such as mobile device 235
and remote server 237. Bluetooth, 6LoWPan, and ZigBee may encompass
all past, current, and future versions of the wireless protocols.
For Wi-Fi, PLC, and Ethernet, communication may be established
through a communication gateway 239 such as a router/PLC/modem.
Using a PCCC control web portal or a PCCC control app (PCCC
dashboard application), the mobile device 235 may be used to
communicate with the PCCC 205 through the communication gateway
239. Additionally, the communication gateway 239 may be connected
to the Internet 241, thus making it possible for at least one of
the remote server 237 and the mobile device 235, using a PCCC
control web portal or a PCCC control app, to communicate with the
PCCC 205. Using the Bluetooth radio of the communication port 221,
the mobile device 235 may also be capable of communicating with the
PCCC 205 through the communication port 221. The powernet control
communication cubes 205 may also communicate with each other
through the communication port 221 using the Bluetooth radio,
6LoWPan radio, and/or ZigBee radio. The powernet control
communication cubes 205 which are connected to the PLC may be nodes
which in turn may be in communication with the powernet control
communication cubes 205 which may not be connected to the PLC. Each
PCCC node may be capable of identifying the powernet control
communication cubes 205 which may be connected to it. This network
of powernet control communication cubes 205 connected to PCCC nodes
which are connected via PLC may be referred to as a powernet.
Lastly, the GPS module 229 may provide location data for the PCCC
205 and may allow for the traceability of the PCCC 205 in event of
its theft.
[0025] In embodiments, the RFID module 231 and Bluetooth module 233
of the PCCC 205 may be used to establish a beacon. The RFID module
231 may be used to monitor the space around the lighting fixture or
device for any RFID transmitters. In a hospital setting, the RFID
transmitters may be mounted onto tables, drug carts, wheel chairs,
etc. The PCCC 205 may then be able to keep track of the RFID
transmitters in the vicinity of the lighting fixture. The Bluetooth
module 233 may be used to continuously ping the area around the
lighting fixture for any nearby Bluetooth enabled devices. The vast
majority of phones and devices since 2006 will respond to this
pinging, thus enabling the PCCC 205 to map and monitor the number
of people that are carrying Bluetooth phones and devices that may
be in the vicinity of the lighting fixture. The processing of the
RFID and Bluetooth monitoring may be handled locally by the at
least one processor 211 of the PCCC 205. By having this map of
people and things, if a patient is looking for a particular
facility within the hospital, the path of least resistance (i.e.
least congestion) for the patient to get to the particular facility
may be determined from the data collected from RFID monitoring and
Bluetooth pinging. This path may be transmitted to the patient who
is running the hospital's mobile application on a Bluetooth enabled
phone. In embodiments, the Bluetooth 233 may be used to transmit
offers, promotions, or other information to an individual with a
Bluetooth enabled phone running a particular store or promotion
mobile application. In such a scenario, if a customer is shopping
at a grocery store and is running a store's mobile application on a
Bluetooth enabled phone and the customer approaches the soft drink
aisle, the PCCC 205 may be able to determine that the customer is
in the soft drink aisle and may be able to present the customer
offers and promotions for products that are also in the soft drink
aisle. The PCCC 205 may present offers for products that are
available since the PCCC 205 uses its RFID module 231 to detect for
products labeled with RFID tags.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for
monitoring, controlling, and communicating in accordance with
embodiments.
[0027] In embodiments, apparatus 300 may comprise at least one
powernet control communication cube 305. The powernet control
communication cube (PCCC) 305 may comprise a housing 307, a system
bus 309, at least one processor 311, system memory 313, at least
one non-transitory memory unit 315, a power port 317, an internal
battery 319, a communication port 321, at least one control port
323, and at least one control clamp 325, all of which may be
directly or indirectly coupled to each other.
[0028] In embodiments, the PCCC 305 may be mounted within a
lighting fixture or on the back of a flat electrical strike plate
and may be powered by the internal battery 319 or by using one of
the control clamps 325 coupled to the power port 317 to tap into a
power line. Alternatively, the power port 317 may draw its power
internally from one of the control clamps 325 connected to the
control port 323. The communication port 321 may comprise at least
one of a Wi-Fi radio, a PLC bridge, an Ethernet port, ZigBee radio,
6LoWPan radio, and a Bluetooth radio and may allow for the
communication between powernet control communication cubes 305 and
external control and monitoring devices such as at least one of a
mobile device 327 and a remote server 329. Bluetooth, 6LoWPan, and
ZigBee may encompass all past, current, and future versions of the
wireless protocols. For Wi-Fi, PLC, and Ethernet, communication may
be established through a communication gateway 331 such as a
router/PLC/modem. Using a PCCC control web portal or a PCCC control
app (PCCC dashboard application), the mobile device 327 may be used
to communicate with the PCCC 305 through the communication gateway
331. Additionally, the communication gateway 331 may be connected
to the Internet 333, thus making it possible for at least one of
the remote server 329 and the mobile device 327, using a PCCC
control web portal or a PCCC control app, to communicate with the
PCCC 305. Using the Bluetooth radio of the communication port 321,
the mobile device 327 may also be capable of communicating with the
PCCC 305 through the communication port 321. The powernet control
communication cubes 305 may also communicate with each other
through the communication port 321 using the Bluetooth radio,
6LoWPan radio, and/or ZigBee radio. The powernet control
communication cubes 305 which may be connected to the PLC may be
nodes which in turn may be in communication with the powernet
control communication cubes which are not connected to the PLC.
Each PCCC node may be capable of identifying the powernet control
communication cubes 305 which may be connected to it. This network
of powernet control communication cubes 305 connected to PCCC nodes
which are connected via PLC may be referred to as a powernet.
[0029] In embodiments, the PCCC 305 may be used to control a single
lamp, a single fixture, and/or a series of fixtures. For such an
embodiment, the PCCC 305 may be mounted within the lighting fixture
and may be powered by the internal battery 319 or by one of the at
least one control clamp 325 spliced into the power line to the
lighting fixture. The control clamp 325 may be designed to splice
the power line to a lighting fixture without having to shut down
power to the lighting fixture or device. After splicing the power
line, direct power to the lighting fixture may be removed and the
PCCC 305 may now be capable of controlling the lighting fixture,
thus enabling control for dimming, color, and other primary and
secondary functions such as, but not limited to Li-Fi management
and emergency controls. Since the control clamp is tapped into the
power line, the control clamp may also be able to provide power to
the PCCC 305 through the power port 317. This embodiment was
similarly disclosed in FIG. 2, except that in this embodiment, the
components not required for controlling a lighting system, (the at
least one monitor sensor, the GPS, the RFID, and Bluetooth) have
been eliminated.
[0030] In embodiments, the components for communication through the
communication gateway may be separated from the components for
communication between the powernet control communication cubes 305.
In such an embodiment, the powernet control unit may comprise at
least one of the Wi-Fi radio, the Ethernet port, and the power line
communication (PLC) bridge and the communication cube 305 may
comprise at least one of a Bluetooth radio, 6LoWPan radio, and
ZigBee radio, as was similarly disclosed in FIG. 1, except that in
this embodiment, the components not required for controlling a
lighting system (the at least one monitor sensor, the GPS, the
RFID, and Bluetooth) have been eliminated.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a method for
monitoring, controlling, and communicating of devices in accordance
with embodiments.
[0032] In embodiments, PCU code and CC code may be stored on the at
least one PCU non-transitory memory unit and the at least one CC
non-transitory memory unit, respectively, and executed by the at
least one PCU processor and by the at least one CC processor,
respectively, to perform a method 400 for monitoring, controlling,
and communicating of devices. The method 400 illustrated in FIG. 4
may be performed by the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. Processing
may begin in method 400 at block 405, wherein at least one control
clamp may be spliced to the power lines of at least one device.
[0033] At block 410, a PCU power line communication link may be
established for communication between at least one powernet control
unit in embodiments.
[0034] At block 415, a powernet control unit may be connected to a
communication gateway in order to enable communication with the
powernet control unit from a mobile device, local server, or remote
server using a PCU/CC dashboard application in embodiments.
[0035] At block 420, the PCU inter-PCU/CC wireless modules and the
CC inter-PCU/CC wireless modules may be used to communicate between
the at least one powernet control unit and the at least one
communication cube in embodiments.
[0036] At block 425, the CC inter-PCU/CC wireless modules may be
used to communicate between the at least one communication cubes in
embodiments.
[0037] At block 430, the PCU power line communication link may be
used to communicate with the at least one powernet control unit in
embodiments.
[0038] At block 435, the at least one communication cube with the
spliced at least one control clamp may be used to monitor and
control the at least one device in embodiments.
[0039] At block 440, the RFID modules and the Bluetooth modules of
the at least one communication cube may be used to create at least
one RFID/Bluetooth beacon in embodiments.
[0040] At block 445, the at least one monitor sensor of the at
least one communication cube may be monitored in embodiments. The
at least one monitor sensor may be used to monitor for occupancy in
the area of the device as well as the device location and status.
Processing may subsequently end after block 445 in embodiments.
[0041] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a method for
monitoring, controlling, and communicating of devices in accordance
with embodiments.
[0042] In embodiments, PCCC code may be stored on the at least one
non-transitory memory unit and may be executed by the at least one
processor to perform a method 500 for monitoring, controlling, and
communication of devices. The method 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 may
be performed by the apparatuses illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.
Processing may begin in method 500 at block 505, wherein at least
one control clamp may be spliced to the power lines of at least one
device.
[0043] At block 510, a power line communication link may be
established for communication between at least one powernet control
communication cube in embodiments.
[0044] At block 515, a PCCC may be connected to a communication
gateway in order to enable communication with the PCCC from a
mobile device and/or remote server using a PCCC dashboard
application in embodiments.
[0045] At block 520, the communication port may be used to
communicate between the at least one powernet control communication
cube in embodiments.
[0046] At block 525, the power line communication link may be used
to communicate between the at least one powernet control
communication cube in embodiments.
[0047] At block 530, the at least one powernet control
communication cube with the spliced at least one control clamp may
be used to monitor and control the at least one device in
embodiments.
[0048] At block 535, the RFID modules and the Bluetooth modules of
the at least one powernet control communication cube may be used to
create at least one RFID/Bluetooth beacon in embodiments.
[0049] At block 540, the at least one monitor sensor of the at
least one powernet control communication cube may be monitored. The
at least one monitor sensor may be used to monitor for occupancy in
the area of the device as well as the device location and status.
Processing may subsequently ends after block 540 in
embodiments.
[0050] Embodiments described herein relate to a computer storage
product with at least one non-transitory memory unit having
instructions or computer code thereon for performing various
computer-implemented operations. The at least one memory unit are
non-transitory in the sense that they do not include transitory
propagating signals per se (e.g., a propagating electromagnetic
wave carrying information on a transmission medium such as space or
a cable). The at least one memory unit and computer code (also can
be referred to as code) may be those designed and constructed for
the specific purpose or purposes. Examples of at least one memory
unit include, but are not limited to: magnetic storage media such
as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical storage
media such as Compact Disc/Digital Video Discs (CD/DVDs), Compact
Disc-Read Only Memories (CD-ROMs), and holographic devices;
magneto-optical storage media such as optical disks; carrier wave
signal processing modules; and hardware devices that are specially
configured to store and execute program code, such as
Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Programmable
Logic Devices (PLDs), Read-Only Memory (ROM), and Random-Access
Memory (RAM) devices.
[0051] Examples of computer code include, but are not limited to,
micro-code or micro-instructions, machine instructions, such as
produced by a compiler, code used to produce a web service, and
files containing higher-level instructions that are executed by a
computer using an interpreter. For example, embodiments may be
implemented using Java, C++, Python, C, or other programming
languages (e.g., object-oriented programming languages) and
development tools. Additional examples of computer code include,
but are not limited to, control signals, encrypted code, database
code, and compressed code.
[0052] The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the
present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will
be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic
principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
the present invention is not intended to be limited to the
embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope
consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed
herein.
[0053] The benefits and advantages that may be provided by the
present invention have been described above with regard to specific
embodiments. These benefits and advantages, and any elements or
limitations that may cause them to occur or to become more
pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or
essential features of any or all of the claims. As used herein, the
terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof,
are intended to be interpreted as non-exclusively including the
elements or limitations which follow those terms. Accordingly, a
system, method, or other embodiment that comprises a set of
elements is not limited to only those elements, and may include
other elements not expressly listed or inherent to the claimed
embodiment.
[0054] While the present invention has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that
the embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the
invention is not limited to these embodiments. Many variations,
modifications, additions and improvements to the embodiments
described above are possible. It is contemplated that these
variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within
the scope of the invention as detailed within the following
claims.
* * * * *