A device for monitoring and controlling the operation of an individual piece of Utilization Equipment or an Alternate Electrical Source, the device comprising a Wireless Control Module linked to an individual piece of Utilization Equipment or to an
Alternate Electrical Source via a Docking Apparatus, and wirelessly communicates with a Computer System using radio frequency communication. A Wireless Control Module and a Docking Apparatus can be provided as one unit.
A Wireless Control Module and a Docking Apparatus represent a broad concept for controlling a piece of Utilization Equipment in an electrical architecture. The specific examples presented in this description are for illustrative purposes only.
These and additional features provided by the embodiments described herein will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings.
The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
As illustrated in
Each Wireless Control Module is linked to an individual piece of Utilization Equipment 7 and/or to an Alternate Electrical Source 8 through a Docking Apparatus 9. Wireless Control Module functions may include, but are not limited to, receiving instructions in the form of commands sent from a Computer System via the RF Transceiver; executing those commands; taking of measurements; and collecting other data that is then sent back to a Computer System via the RF Transceiver.
The function of a Computer System as illustrated in
One or more Radio Frequency (RF) Transceivers are linked to a Computer System. A Computer System passes instructions to the RF Transceiver. The RF Transceiver wirelessly communicates requests for information and commands to one or more Wireless Control Modules using radio frequency communication. RF Transceivers also receive information from one or more Wireless Control Modules and pass that information on to a Computer System. A RF Transceiver comprises, but is not limited to, a radio and one or more antenna.
A Wireless Control Module is a device that monitors, measures and controls the operation of an individual piece of Utilization Equipment and/or an Alternate Electrical Source to which it is linked. Every individual piece of Utilization Equipment and Alternate Electrical Source is linked to a separate Wireless Control Module through a Docking Apparatus. Each Wireless Control Module maintains a unique identity via an embedded removable electronic radio frequency identity (RFID) tag; wirelessly communicates with the Computer System via one or more RF Transceivers and a RFID tag; accepts commands issued from the Computer System as transmitted from a RF Transceiver; executes those commands; takes measurements; gathers information; and wirelessly communicates a variety of data and information back to the Computer System via a RF Transceiver.
The Docking Apparatus is used to connect a Wireless Control Module to a piece of Utilization Equipment.
The function of the Alternate Electrical Source (e.g.: a generator, solar, wind power, fuel cell, etc.) is to provide an alternate and/or supplemental electrical power source to that provided by the Electrical Utility supplier.
Utilization Equipment is any product or piece of equipment that utilizes electric energy for electronic, electromechanical, chemical, heating, lighting, or similar purposes. The function of a piece of Utilization Equipment (e.g.: a light fixture, a motor, HVAC, range/oven, dryer, etc.) is to fulfill its designed purpose for the user.
The description of electrical and mechanical components and parts comprising a Wireless Control Module is as follows:
The description of electrical and mechanical components and parts comprising a Docking Apparatus is as follows:
The main function of the Wireless Control Module is to wirelessly communicate with a Computer System; provide a unique RFID identity; to receive requests for information and commands issued from a Computer System; to execute those requests and commands; and to communicate a variety of data and information back to a Computer System.
Wireless Control Modules comprise electronic circuitry and any electrical component capable of interacting with a piece of Utilization Equipment and/or an Alternate Electrical Source in response to specific commands; measurements; and/or the collection, storage and transmission of data.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
A Wireless Control Module and a Docking Apparatus can be provided as one unit.
To connect to a piece of Utilization Equipment a Wireless Control Module 27 plugs-in to a Docking Apparatus 28, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In a similar manner, when linked to an Alternate Electrical Source the Wireless Control Module receives its electric power through the Docking Apparatus from the same electrical circuit that powers the Alternate Electrical Source to which it is linked.
Wireless Control Modules communicate with a Computer System utilizing an over-the-air radio frequency and protocol to communicate between the RFID tag embedded within each Wireless Control Module and one or more radio frequency Transceivers linked to a Computer System.
Each Wireless Control Module has a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag embedded within it. The RFID tag comprises, but is not limited to, an integrated circuit, an antenna and memory. Each RFID tag contains a unique identification number and other data that is communicated to the Computer System.
Wireless Control Modules comprise electronic circuitry and electrical components capable of interacting with the Utilization Equipment and/or Alternate Electrical Source in response to taking of measurements; and/or the collection, storage and transmission of data. Electrical components used to take measurements may include, but are not limited to, one or more voltage sensors and electrical current transformers. Electrical current transformers may be of a removable (plug-in) type when they are exterior to the Wireless Control Module case or they may be non-removable when included inside the Wireless Control Module case.
Specific to the piece of Utilization Equipment or to the Alternate Electrical Source to which a Wireless Control Module is linked, the Wireless Control Module utilizes one or more voltage sensors and electrical current transformers to measure electrical current and voltage; recognize the piece of Utilization Equipment's present operating state (e.g.: on, off, dimmed, speed, position, etc.); and measure state-of-health.
Wireless Control Modules use, but are not limited to, radio frequency and protocol to establish wireless communication between the embedded RFID tag and the RF Transceiver. The RFID tag transmits information, operating state, state-of-health conditions and other data to the RF Transceiver that then passes the information on to the Computer System.
A Computer System generates a command or request for information and passes this on to the RF Transceiver. The Wireless Control Module uses, but is not limited to, radio frequency and protocol to establish wireless communication between the embedded RFID tag and the RF Transceiver. The RFID tag receives commands and requests for information and passes the command or request on to the logic within the Wireless Control Device for execution.
Once a Wireless Control Module receives a command or a request for information the computer logic resident within the Wireless Control Module attempts to execute the command. Upon receipt, the RFID tag passes the command on to the microprocessor. The microprocessor uses its internal logic to validate the command, interpret its meaning and determine what action is to be taken. The microprocessor processes the command by sending instructions to the appropriate component (for example: the electrical switching mechanism; transducer; voltage sensor; dimmer) within the Wireless Control Module. Examples of commands received and actions to be taken include, but are not limited to: turn on; turn off; dim; speed up; slow down; measure; collect information; and send information.
While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/US12/25241 | 2/15/2012 | WO | 00 | 9/9/2013 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61451876 | Mar 2011 | US |