Method, system and apparatus for monitoring and measuring power usage by a device
Inventors
Krummey, Michael • Yetter, Scott J. • Puschnigg, Gregory
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12197263-B2
Publication Date
2025-01-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system and method for remotely monitoring, measuring and controlling power to an electrically powered device is disclosed herein. The system preferably comprises an apparatus, an electrically-powered device and a controller. The apparatus preferably comprises a cord, an alternating current outlet socket, an alternating current input plug, an electro-mechanical relay, a processor and a transceiver. The system preferably uses a WiFi communication signal to transmit commands from the remote controller to the apparatus.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an apparatus for wireless local area network (LAN) control of electrical power to an electrically-powered device. The apparatus includes a housing, at least one alternating current outlet socket for receiving a plug from an electrically-powered device, and an alternating current input plug for connection to an outlet to receive power. An electro-mechanical relay electrically positioned between the alternating current input plug and the at least one alternating current outlet socket controls power to the outlet socket(s).
The apparatus further includes a processor configured to enable and disable electrical power to the at least one alternating current outlet socket. A transceiver utilizing a wireless communication protocol over the LAN receives a plurality of commands from a remote controller through a wireless router and transmits information from the apparatus in electrical communication with the processor. The processor is configured to reset power to the apparatus after a plug-in or power loss event, and to determine if a Wi-Fi is initialized and to determine a WiFi ping timeout.
In another embodiment, the housing includes defined front wall, top wall, bottom wall, first and second side walls, and a rear wall, and provides an alternating current outlet socket positioned on the front wall and an alternating current input plug extending outward from the rear wall. A relay in the housing between the alternating current input plug and the alternating current outlet socket is instructed by a processor to enable and disable power. The apparatus includes an LED indicator and a transceiver that receives commands through a wireless router, and the processor is configured to receive an interrupt signal on the transceiver, determine if the interrupt signal is for a valid SSID IP, and determine a WiFi ping timeout.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are identified (clm-00001 and clm-00003). The coverage centers on LAN/Wi-Fi command reception and information transmission, relay-based enabling/disabling of AC outlet power under processor control, and processor logic for handling power loss and Wi-Fi state including WiFi ping timeout, with interrupt validation by SSID/IP in the second independent claim.
Relay-based wireless LAN power control for AC outlet sockets
An apparatus with at least one alternating current outlet socket, an alternating current input plug, and an electro-mechanical relay electrically positioned between the alternating current input plug and the at least one alternating current outlet socket, where a processor instructs the electro-mechanical relay to enable and disable electrical power to the at least one alternating current outlet socket.
LAN transceiver command reception and information transmission via wireless router
A transceiver utilizing a wireless communication protocol over the LAN for receiving a plurality of commands from a remote controller through a wireless router and for transmitting information from the apparatus, with the transceiver in electrical communication with the processor.
Processor power reset after plug-in or power loss event and Wi-Fi initialization/ping timeout determination
The processor is configured to reset power after a plug-in or power loss event, determine if a Wi-Fi is initialized, and determine a WiFi ping timeout.
Interrupt signal handling with valid SSID IP and WiFi ping timeout determination
The processor is configured to receive an interrupt signal on the transceiver, determine if the interrupt signal is for a valid SSID IP, and determine a WiFi ping timeout.
Housing layout with LED indicator for wireless LAN power control apparatus
A housing having front wall, top wall, bottom wall, first side wall, second side wall, and rear wall with an alternating current outlet socket positioned on the front wall and an alternating current input plug extending outward from the rear wall, and an LED indicator on the top wall.
The independent claims collectively cover a wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) power-control apparatus using a processor-controlled electro-mechanical relay between an AC input plug and one or more AC outlet sockets, with a LAN transceiver receiving remote commands through a wireless router and transmitting information. The claims further require processor logic for recovering from plug-in/power loss and for monitoring Wi-Fi state including WiFi ping timeout, with additional interrupt-signal validation by valid SSID/IP in the second independent claim.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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