US0093 00359B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 9,300,359 B2

Xia et al. (45) Date of Patent: *Mar. 29, 2016

(54) SENSOR HAVING AN INTEGRATED H02J 13/002 (2013.01); H02J 13/0082

ZGBEECR DEVICE FOR COMMUNICATION (2013.01); H02J 2003/143 (2013.01); H04B
WITH ZGBEE(R) ENABLED APPLIANCESTO 2203/5408 (2013.01);
CONTROLAND MONITOR ZGBEE(R) (Continued)
ENABLED APPLIANCES (58) Field of Classification Search
CPC ............. H04B 3/54; H04B 2203/5408; H04B
(71) Applicant: ASOKA USA CORPORATION, Santa 2203/5454; H04B 2203/5458; H02J 3/14:
Clara, CA (US) H02J 13/002; H02J 13/0082; H02J 2003/143;
HO4W 52/O219
(72) Inventors: Mingyao Xia, Shenzhen (CN); Eric See application file for complete search history.
Grubel, Thousand Oaks (CN); Dan
Castellano, Cupertino, CA (US) (56) References Cited

(73) Assignee: ASOKA USA CORPORATION, Santa U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

Clara, CA (US) 5,090,024 A 2/1992 Vander Mey et al.
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(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 (Continued)
U.S.C. 154(b) by 71 days. OTHER PUBLICATIONS
This patent is Subject to a terminal dis Heile, , "Smart Grids for Green Communications', IEEE Wireless
claimer. Communications, Jun. 2010, pp. 4-6 (online). Retrieved on Jul. 4.
2012, internet URL.http://dl.comsoc.org/livepubs/pci/public/2010/
(21) Appl. No.: 14/167,858 jun/pdfwcindpersp.pdf>, entire document, 4-6.
(22) Filed: Jan. 29, 2014 Primary Examiner — Lonnie Sweet
(65) Prior Publication Data (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Michael A. Glenn; Perkins
Coie LLP
US 2014/O145835A1 May 29, 2014
(57) ABSTRACT
A sensor device integrates ZigBee R technology into power
Related U.S. Application Data Switch device to provide monitoring and control of power
(63) Continuation of application No. 13/197.623, filed on usage, as well as operational control of connected devices.
Aug. 3, 2011, now Pat. No. 8,644,166, which is a The sensor device uses a power line communication (PLC)
continuation-in-part of application No. 13/153,194, network to transfer collected data and to provide remote
filed on Jun. 3, 2011, now Pat. No. 8.364,326. control capability to connected appliances. The sensor
device, in conjunction with a master Switch device, a com
(51) Int. Cl. munication enabled Switching device, and the power Switch
H04L 2/26 (2006.01) device, provides an integrated home environment for com
H04L I/00 (2006.01) munication, streaming media, monitoring, and remote con
(Continued) trol of power usage, as well as remote operational monitoring
and control of connected appliances in the home.
(52) U.S. Cl.
CPC. H04B 3/54 (2013.01); H02.J.3/14 (2013.01); 14 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
 US 9,300,359 B2
Page 2

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 US 9,300,359 B2
1. 2
SENSOR HAVING AN INTEGRATED trol, inform, and automate the delivery, control, and use of
ZGBEE(R) DEVICE FOR COMMUNICATION energy and water. It helps create greener homes by giving
WITH ZGBEE(R) ENABLED APPLIANCESTO consumers the information and automation capability needed
CONTROLAND MONITOR ZGBEE(R) to reduce their consumption easily and save money. These
ENABLED APPLIANCES products also make it easy for utilities and governments to
deploy Smartgrid solutions that are secure, easy to install, and
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED consumer-friendly. A presently preferred embodiment of the
APPLICATIONS invention combines the residential power monitoring and
control capability established using a PLC network with an
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica 10 integrated ZigBee(R) device to provide a powerful tool for
tion Ser. No: 13/197,623, filed Aug. 3, 2011, which was integrated power and operational control of connected appli
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,644,166 on Feb. 4, 2014, which is a ances in the home or office.
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No: An embodiment of the invention provides a method and
13/153,194, filed Jun. 3, 2011, which was issued as U.S. Pat. apparatus for monitoring and control of power usage, as well
No. 8.364,326 on Jan. 29, 2013, which is a Continuation-in 15 as operational control of connected devices. A sensor device
Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/032,454, filed Feb. integrates ZigBee R technology into the power Switch device.
22, 2011, which was issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,755,946 on Jun. The sensor device allows collection and control of the power
17, 2014, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety usage, monitors utilities usage, and controls operation of
by this reference thereto. connected in-home appliances enabled with ZigBee(R) tech
nology.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In an embodiment, the sensor device uses the PLC network
in the home to transfer collected data and to provide remote
1. Technical Field control capability to connected appliances. The sensor
The invention relates to interfacing ZigBee(R) technology device, in conjunction with a master Switch device, a com
with power line networking that is enabled for communica 25 munication enabled Switching device, and the power Switch
tion and media streaming for remote monitoring and control device, provides an integrated home environment for com
of utilities Such as power, gas, and water. More particularly, munication, streaming media, monitoring, and remote con
the invention relates to a sensor having an integrated Zigbee R trol of power usage, as well as remote operational monitoring
device for communication with Zigbee R enabled appliances and control of connected appliances in the home.
to control and monitor Zigbee R enabled appliances. 30
2. Description of the Background Art BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Communications via power lines has been known from
early in the 20" century. Due to its higher costs and other FIG. 1 is a block schematic diagram of a power switch unit
limitations for extending connectivity, the use of power line (SW) having broadband information transfer capability;
communication (PLC) systems has been limited to local area 35 FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the collection and transmis
networks (LANs) within homes or offices or, at best, within sion of information of power usage of appliance and status of
apartment complexes. PLC has also found a limited number a power plug of an SW unit;
of applications where other types of communication methods FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing remote control of the power
do not provide the security and remote connectivity, Such as in a power plug of an SW unit;
for power line control applications. Basic devices for con 40 FIG. 4 is a block schematic diagram of an integrated SW
necting to the power line for communication and power Sup with a ZigBee R enabled (Z-SW) for appliance monitoring,
ply have been designed and used to provide service within control, and connectivity according to the invention;
LANs. Due to more efficient competing technologies, the FIG. 5 is a block Schematic diagram showing a group of
infrastructure for PLC never developed to make it a main appliances whose operation can be monitored and controlled
stream technology. As a result, more advanced devices for 45 using ZigBee R technology according to the invention;
communication using the PLC technology also were never FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the collection and transmis
developed. sion operation of operational information using ZigBee(R)
It is advantageous to identify applications where PLC tech devices on Z-SW from a connected ZigBee R enabled appli
nology can be optimally used and to develop devices and ance according to the invention;
systems to cater to Such applications. One Such application 50 FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control operation using the
that is emerging is in connection with the collection of infor Z-SW according to the invention; and
mation and the provision of remote control capability for FIG. 8 is a block schematic diagram showing a typical PLC
appliances to reduce the carbon footprint of the home. If this network with connected units, some of which are ZigBee(R)
emerging application can simultaneously provide a local area technology enabled using Z-SW according to the invention.
network capability that caters to the needs of communication 55
and streaming media delivery within a home or office, it DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
would be an optimum application for PLC technology. While
this is a promising application for the future growth and ZigBee(R) Smart energy (www.zigbee.org/) is the world’s
development of PLC technology, it is still necessary to leading standard for interoperable products that monitor, con
develop and implement Suitable sensor units and systems to 60 trol, inform, and automate the delivery, control, and use of
meet the needs of this technology and to bring forth its full energy and water. It helps create greener homes by giving
potential. consumers the information and automation capability needed
to reduce their consumption easily and save money. These
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION products also make it easy for utilities and governments to
65 deploy Smartgrid solutions that are secure, easy to install, and
ZigBee(R) Smart energy (www.zigbee.org/) is the world’s consumer-friendly. A presently preferred embodiment of the
leading standard for interoperable products that monitor, con invention combines the residential power monitoring and
 US 9,300,359 B2
3 4
control capability established using a PLC network with an nication channel of the Z-SW. The operational control and
integrated ZigBee(R) device to provide a powerful tool for monitoring information collected by the built-in ZigBee(R)
integrated power and operational control of connected appli functionality is combined with the power usage, monitoring,
ances in the home or office. and control enabled by the SW for connected appliances. This
An embodiment of the invention provides a method and information is transmitted over the in-home PLC network
apparatus for monitoring and control of power usage, as well efficiently for any compilation or action required. This above
as operational control of connected devices. A sensor device capability is established in addition to the PLC LAN capabil
integrates ZigBee R technology into the power Switch device. ity made available by use of the communication enabled
The sensor device allows collection and control of the
power usage, monitors utilities usage, and controls operation 10
power monitoring and control device (ETH) and the master
of connected in-home appliances enabled with ZigBee(R) unit (MST) described previously in the patent application Ser.
technology. No. 13/032,454, which application is incorporated herein in
In an embodiment, the sensor device uses the PLC network its entirety by this reference thereto.
in the home to transfer collected data and to provide remote FIG. 1 is a block schematic diagram of the SW unit 100
control capability to connected appliances. The sensor 15 without the integrated ZigBee(R) device. This arrangement
device, in conjunction with a master Switch device, a com allows an appliance in the home or office to be connected to a
munication enabled Switching device, and the power Switch power supply through the SW device. The SW device pro
device, provides an integrated home environment for com vides for the monitoring of power consumption, with the
munication, streaming media, monitoring, and remote con capability for remote control of the power flow to the con
trol of power usage, as well as remote operational monitoring nected appliance via the Internet. The SW unit 100 has a
and control of connected appliances in the home. power plug 103 that is connected to the AC power distribution
A new sensor device, which integrates ZigBee(R) technol lines 101 through a power meter and relay 104. The relay in
ogy into the power switch (SW) device is disclosed. The the power meter and relay module 104 provides the capability
herein disclosed integrated ZigBee R technology enabled to switch on or switch off the supply to the power plug 103
power switch (Z-SW) device allows collection and control of 25 remotely. It also allows for controlling the power supplied to
the power usage by, and operational control of connected the plug when a power control module is included in the
in-home appliances that have been enabled with ZigBee(R) power meter and relay module 104. The power meter in the
technology. The Z-SW device uses the PLC network in the power meter and relay module 104 monitors the power usage
home or office to transfer collected data and to provide remote by the appliances connected to the power plug. The power
control capability for power Switching, as well as for opera 30
meter and relay module 104 is connected via bi-directional
tion of an appliance connected to the Z-SW device. A Z-SW communication links 106 to a microcontroller (MCU) 107.
device, working in conjunction with a master switch (MST) for example a microcontroller similar to an Intel(R) 8051. The
device, a communication enabled switching (ETH) device, microcontroller accepts the information on power usage and
and the power switch (SW) device, enables an integrated compiles it prior to transfer to the broadband communication
home environment for communication, streaming media, 35
monitoring, and remote control of power usage, as well as module 109. The power meter in the power meter and relay
remote operational monitoring with control of the connected module 104 continuously monitors the flow of power to the
appliance in the home or office. Those skilled in the art will power plug 103 and feeds the information to the MCU 107
appreciate that, while the home and office are discussed through the communication links 106. The powerusage infor
herein with regard to application of the herein disclosed 40 mation is compiled by the MCU 107 and sent to a broadband
invention, other environments may be serviced by the inven communication module 109 via communication links 108
tion as well, and the invention is not limited to only home and connected to a UART enabled port on the communication
office applications. module 109.
The development of green technologies and the need for In FIG. 1, the communication module 109 modulates the
monitoring and control of the carbon footprint of homes and 45 received information to a communication data stream for
offices has created a need to assess power usage patterns and transmission over a broadband communication frequency
the magnitude of usage remotely, and to Supervise and control band that is typically used for PLC over the AC power distri
the power used by individual appliances remotely. It is advan bution lines within a local area network (LAN). The typical
tageous for the consumer to monitor and control power use on broadband used for PLC communication band in the 2 to 30
a micro level. Providing the proper tools, such as the SW and 50 MHz range provides an up to 200 Mbps data rate. The com
Z-SW, allows the consumer to exercise the necessary con munication module 109 sends out the modulated data stream
straints and controls on power use. It is also necessary to over broadband connection 110 to a coupler filter 111 which
monitor the usage pattern and collect data on a macro level to is connected to the AC power distribution lines 101 by power
develop policies that are beneficial to the overall reduction of line connections 112. The coupler filter acts as a bi-direc
the carbon footprint at the home and office level, as well as on 55 tional high pass filter to filter out power line frequency from
a national level. Empowering the individual and the Society to the communication module. The broadband communication
exercise the necessary controls by monitoring and controlling module 109 also demodulates the communication stream
the power usage is an area where the PLC and control can be received over the AC power distribution lines 101 to provide
effectively and optimally used. command and control instructions for power control to the
An embodiment of the invention, by combining ZigBee(R) 60 MCU 107. The MCU 107 interprets any received command
technology into the power switch (SW) device enables the and control instructions and instructs the power meter and
operation of ZigBee R technology enabled intelligent appli relay module 104, thus controlling the power flow to the
ances connected to the Z-SW to be controlled via a wireless power plug 103.
connection established by the built in ZigBee R device. Fur FIG. 2 is a flowchart 2000 showing the operation of the SW
ther, ZigBee(R) technology integration into a Z-SW enables 65 100 as it collects and transmits power usage and power plug
monitoring of water, gas, air-conditioning, and security sys 103 status information when an appliance is connected to the
tems within the home or office through the in-built commu power plug 103.
 US 9,300,359 B2
5 6
An appliance, such as but not limited to, a refrigerator, a tions include instructions to enable the power flow to the
washer, or an oven, is connected to the power plug 103 power plug by engaging the relay and to disable the power
(S2001). flow to the power plug by disengaging the relay. If the power
The power plug 103 is enabled when the relay in the power meter and relay 104 include power control circuitry, then
meter and relay module 104 is closed (relay enabled). Power specific control instructions are provided to the connected
flows from the AC power distribution lines 101 supplying the appliance on power input (S3006).
home or office to the appliance through the power meter and The generated instructions are sent to the power meter and
relay module 104 and the noise filter (S2002). relay module 104 of the SW (S3007).
The power meter and relay module 104 monitors the power The power meter and relay module 104 receives the
usage of the appliance by checking the power flow through 10 instructions sent by the MCU 107 for power flow control to
the power meter and relay module 104 and the plug 103 the connected appliance (S3008).
(S2003). The power meter and relay module 104 acknowledges the
The power usage information and the on state or offstate of instructions from the MCU 107 and executes the instructions
the relay and, hence, power connection are collected by the received to enable, disable, or otherwise control the power
power meter in the power meter and relay unit 104 (S2004). 15 flow to the appliance connected to the power plug 103
This collected information on the status of the power con (S3009).
nection is passed on to an MCU 107 for compilation and The status of the relay and the power usage of the con
consolidation (S2005). nected power plug 103 are updated on the power meter and
The MCU 107 caches the received information. The MCU relay module 104, and updated power usage and relay status
107 compiles and consolidates the cached information mak is sent to the MCU 107 for communication back to the initi
ing it ready for transfer to an MST (S2006). ating remote site (S3010).
The prepared information, ready for transfer to a master FIG. 4 is a block schematic diagram of the Z-SW 400 unit
unit (MST) connected on the power distribution lines 101, is with an integrated ZigBee(R) device 410. This arrangement
forwarded with the address of the MST to a communication allows an appliance in the home or office to be connected to
module 109 (S2007). 25 the power supply and PLC link through the Z-SW 400 unit
The communication module 109 receives the information which incorporate a ZigBee R device 410. The Z-SW 400
and address of an addressee from the MCU 107. The MCU device monitors power consumption and provides a capabil
107 encrypts the information and combines the encrypted ity for remote control via the Internet of the power flow to the
information with the address provided (S2008). connected appliance. The ZigBeeR) device 410 also provides
This encrypted information and address are then modu 30 operational control and monitoring through the wireless con
lated by the communication module 109. The broadband nection to ZigBee R technology enabled appliances.
modulation frequency band used and the type of modulation The Z-SW unit 400 has a power plug 103 that is connected
are as defined in the description of the SW (S2009). to the AC power distribution lines 101 through a power meter
The communication module 109 then sends this modulated and relay module 104. The relay in the power meter and relay
information stream onto the AC power distribution lines 101 35 module 104 provides the capability to switch on or switch off
for transmission to the MST through a coupler filter 111. The the supply to the power plug 103 remotely. It also allows for
filter blocks unwanted frequencies from entering and impact controlling the power Supplied to the plug when a power
ing the operation of the communication module 109 (S2010). control module is included in the power meter and relay
FIG.3 is a flowchart 3000 showing the operation of a SW module 104. The power meter in the power meter and relay
100 unit while providing for remote control of the power flow 40 module 104 monitors the power used by the appliances con
to an appliance that is connected to the power plug 103. Any nected to the power plug 103. The power meter and relay
information or status changes due to a remote command and module 104 is connected via bi-directional communication
control stream are sent back over AC power distribution lines links 106 to a microcontroller (MCU) 107, which can be a
101 as described in FIG. 3. microcontroller that is similar to an Intel(R) 8051. The MCU
The command and control input stream modulated by the 45 107 accepts the information on the power usage from the
correct transmission frequency to control the status and power meter and relay module 104 and compiles it prior to
power flow through the SW 100 remotely is delivered over the transfer to the broadband communication module 109. The
AC power distribution lines 101 (S3001). power meter in the power meter and relay module 104 con
The command and control input stream is passed to the tinuously monitors the flow of power to the power plug 103
communication module 109 of connected SW 100 through 50 and feeds the information to the MCU 107 through the com
the coupler filter module 111. The communication module munication links 106. The power usage information is com
109 demodulates the received command control input stream piled by the MCU 107 and sent to a broadband communica
(S3002). tion module 109 via communication links 108 that are
The addressee of the received demodulated input stream is connected to a UART enabled port on the communication
checked and, if found to be of the specific SW 100, the 55 module 109, thus enabling the compiled data to be transmit
demodulated input stream is accepted by the SW100 for ted out.
further processing by the communication module 109 The operational commands for the ZigBeeR) device 410 of
(S3003). the Z-SW 400 are received over the power line and received
The demodulated command and control stream is by the broadband communication module 109 as a data
decrypted in the communication module 109 to extract the 60 stream. The data stream is demodulated, decrypted, and the
associated command and control inputs for the SW 100 resulting data are provided to the MCU 107 over the commu
(S3004). nication links 109 via the UART enabled port. The MCU 107
The extracted command and control inputs are passed to converts the data into instructions and passes them on to the
the MCU 107 for caching and interpretation (S3005). ZigBee(R) device 410 via the bidirectional port 411 over the
The MCU 107 caches the inputs received and interprets 65 link 412. Based on received instructions, the ZigBee(R) device
them to generate a set of instructions for execution by the 410 sends out commands to a ZigBee R technology enabled
power meter and relay module 104. The interpreted instruc appliance that is connected to the Z-SW 400. The Zigbee(R)
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7 8
device executes operational commands, for example reading The received information is passed to the MCU 107 for
meters, changing temperature settings, etc. The response after processing by the ZigBee(R) device 410 via the communica
the command has been executed is sent back to the ZigBee(R) tion link connected to the bi-directional port (S6005).
device 410 by the ZigBee(R) technology enabled appliance. The MCU 107 caches the information received from the
The Zigbee R device then converts the response to an infor ZigBee(R) device 410 and converts it into the necessary for
mation format and passes it on to the MCU 107 via the mat, including an address for onward transmission to the
bidirectional link 412 through the port 411. The MCU col master unit over the power line (S6006).
lects the information and forwards it, with the address to be The MCU 107 then sends the prepared information with
responded to, to the broadband communication module 109 the forwarding addresses to the broadband communication
via communication links 108 connected to the UART enabled 10 module 109 of the Z-SW 400 over the link 108 connected to
port on the communication module 109. the UART on the communication module 109 (S6007).
In FIG. 4, the communication module 109 modulates the The communication module 109 encrypts the received
received information to a communication data stream for information for security where needed (S6008).
The encrypted data is modulated and sent via the coupler
transmission over a broadband communication frequency 15 filter 111 to the power line network 101 for delivery to the
band that is typically used for PLC over the AC power distri MST for necessary action, including onward transmission to
bution lines within a LAN. The typical broadband used for the addressee over the Internet where necessary (S6009).
PLC communication band in the 2 to 30 MHz range provides FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the handling of the remote
an up to 200Mbps data rate. The communication module 109 operational control instructions sent to a connected ZigBee R
sends out the modulated data stream over broadband connec technology enabled appliance connected to a Z-SW 400 unit
tion 110 to a coupler filter 111 which is connected to the AC for power monitoring and control, as well as for operational
power distribution lines 101 by power line connections 112. control.
The coupler filter is a bi-directional high pass filter that filters Remote commands and a control stream is received from
out power line frequency from the communication module. the MST unit over the AC power distribution lines 101 by the
The broadband communication module 109 also demodu 25 communication module 109 of the Z-SW 400 through the
lates the communication stream received over the AC power coupler filter module 111 (S7001).
distribution lines 101 to provide the command and control The communication module 109 checks the address to
instructions for power control and operational control to the verify that the Z-SW 400 is the intended recipient of the data
MCU 107. The MCU 107 interprets any received command steam and accepts the command and control instruction
and control instructions to the power meter and instructs the 30 stream (S7002).
The communication module 109 of the Z-SW 400
power meter and relay module 104 to control the power flow demodulates the received data stream to extract the command
to the power plug 103 accordingly. The MCU 107 also inter and control instructions (S7003).
prets any operational command and instructions for the Zig The communication module 109 further decrypts the com
BeeR) device 410 and passes these to the ZigBee(R) device 410 35 mand and control instructions to extract the information
to be directed to the ZigBee(R) technology enabled connected (S7004).
appliances. The extracted information is sent by the communication
FIG. 5 is a block schematic diagram that shows typical module 109 to the MCU 109 on the Z-SW 400 via the link
applications where a ZigBee R technology can provide opera connected between abidirectional communication port on the
tional status and control capability within a home or office 40 MCU 109 and the UART on the communication module 111
environment. These applications can include, for example, (S7005).
the monitoring of gas, water, and power usage by providing The MCU 109 receives the information stream and inter
remote read capability for the utilities, monitoring of security prets the command and control instructions contained
apparatus within the premises, temperature monitoring and therein. It prepares the operational instructions for transmis
control capability, monitoring and control of light fixtures, 45 sion to the integrated ZigBee(R) device 410. (S7006).
and monitoring of ZigBee R technology enabled Smart appli The operational instructions are sent to the integrated Zig
ances within the home. Bee R device 410 of the Z-SW400 through the bi-directional
FIG. 6 is a flow diagram 6000 showing the incoming opera port 411 and the communication link 412 (S7007).
tional status handling for the ZigBeeR) device 410 of the The operational instructions are sent by the integrated Zig
Z-SW 400. This operation of the Z-SW 400 is in addition to 50 BeeR) device 410 addressed to the ZigBee(R) technology
the power monitoring and control operation of the standard enabled connected appliance using pre-established wireless
SW unit 100 shown in FIG. 1. connection (S7008).
The ZigBee(R) technology enabled appliance is connected The operational instructions sent are received by the
to the power by plugging it into the power plug 103 of the addressee ZigBee(R) enabled device on the connected appli
Z-SW 400 unit (S6001). 55 ance and provide the necessary inputs to the appliance to
The built in ZigBee(R) device 410 on the Z-SW400 turns on, change or modify the operational status of the connected
monitors, and controls the power flow into the ZigBeeR) tech appliance (S7009).
nology enabled appliance (S6002). The resultant operation status is updated and transmitted
The ZigBee(R) device 410 on the Z-SW 400 is linked to the back to the integrated ZigBee R device 410 on the Z-SW 400
ZigBee R technology enabled connected appliance to estab 60 for transmission back to the originator of the command and
lish communication and connection between the Z-SW and control instruction stream through the powerline and Internet
the ZigBee(R) technology enabled appliance (S6003). as necessary (S7010).
Operational information and status of the ZigBee(R) tech Typical Connection for the Units within the Home or Office
nology enabled appliance is collected and communicated to FIG. 8 is a block schematic diagram 800 showing powered
the Z-SW 400 through a communication link established 65 management and communication connectivity using the four
between the ZigBee(R) device 410 on the Z-SW 400 and the types of units of an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
ZigBee R technology enabled appliance (S6004). The SW units are used where the requirement is for power
 US 9,300,359 B2
10
connection capability with monitoring and control of power, a power meterand relay module connected to the AC power
but without the need to connect a communication device into distribution line;
the PLC LAN. abidirectional communication link between the MCU and
The Z-SW units allow for power monitoring and control, as the power meter and relay module;
well as operational control of the ZigBee(R) technology a power plug connected to the power meter and relay mod
enabled appliances. The Z-SW can also be used to connect ule, wherein the power plug provides power to a Zig
directly to ZigBee(R) technology enabled metering devices for Bee(R) technology enabled appliance under control of the
monitoring usage. Such as gas use and water use. power meter and relay module:
The ETH devices provide the ability to have a communi wherein the power meter and relay module includes
cation device connections to the PLC LAN, while providing 10
instructions to monitor power consumption information
a power plug or power source which can be monitored and of the ZigBee R technology enabled appliance con
controlled.
Multiple SW, Z-SW, and ETH units can be used to establish nected to the power plug;
the power monitoring and control for the home appliances wherein the MCU includes instructions to execute opera
and provide connectivity for data communication on the PLC 15 tions including
LAN level. receiving the power consumption information over the
The use of a single MST provides the capability to establish bidirectional communication link from the power
a WANgateway, thus enabling the PLC LAN to communicate meter and relay module,
with the outside world in view of various security and con compiling the received power consumption information,
nection rules. The MST is also used as a collection and com transferring the compiled power consumption informa
pilation point for power monitoring, where the power usage tion over the PLC network,
within the home with connected SW, Z-SW, and ETH units is receiving operational commands over the PLC network,
received and compiled. Because there is connectivity with and
control capability on each SW, Z-SW. and ETH unit, the transferring the operational commands to the ZigBee(R)
power delivery through each of these SW, Z-SW, and ETH 25 device; and
units can be monitored and controlled from any of the com a wireless communication channel established between the
munication devices connected to the PLC LAN. Further, this ZigBee(R) device and the ZigBee(R) technology enabled
collected information on any of the power plugs can be appliance, the wireless communication channel for
accessed from the WAN using connected communication transmitting the operational commands from the Zig
devices to monitor the status and provide remote control 30 BeeR) device to the ZigBee(R) technology enabled
commands through the WAN gateway. This capability is con appliance, and
trolled by the permissions, authorizations, and security rules transmitting responses from the ZigBee(R) technology
established for connection into the PLC LAN through the enabled appliance to the ZigBee R device:
MST. wherein the MCU includes instructions for
The MST also acts as a collection and compilation point for 35 receiving the responses from the ZigBee(R) device,
the operational status of the ZigBee(R) enabled appliances. caching the received responses, and
This enables the user to have complete information concern transmitting the responses over the PLC network.
ing the impact of various operational decisions on the opera 2. The Z-SW of claim 1, wherein the MCU includes
tion and working of the ZigBee R enabled appliances over instructions for receiving
specific periods for budgeting and control purposes. 40 operational information from the ZigBee(R) technology
Because communication connections to the outside world enabled appliance.
and within the PLC LAN are all broadband enabled, the 3. The Z-SW of claim 1, further comprising:
system can provide Steaming media capability within the a communications module including instructions for
PLC LAN. It can also access and enable streaming media encrypting and modulating information received from
delivery to display devices connected using ETH units 45 the MCU,
through the WAN gateway. sending the encrypted and modulated information over
To facilitate macro level collection and compilation of the AC power distribution line,
powerusage information, the collected power monitoring and decrypting and modulating information received over
usage information is transmitted over the WAN gateway to the AC distribution line, and
one or more central power usage collection units. These units 50 transferring the decrypted and modulated information to
collect the data for analysis and to provide input to the public the MCU.
bodies for use in making policy decisions on greenhouse gas 4. A system, comprising:
reduction requirements, etc. a power line communication (PLC) based local area net
Although the invention is described herein with reference work (LAN) established over an AC distribution line:
to the preferred embodiment, one skilled in the art will readily 55 an intelligent master sensor (MST) coupled to the AC
appreciate that other applications may be substituted for those power distribution line:
set forth herein without departing from the spirit and scope of a Zigbee(R)-enabled power switch (Z-SW) coupled to the
the present invention. Accordingly, the invention should only AC power distribution line, wherein the Z-SW includes
be limited by the Claims included below. a microcontroller (MCU) linked to the AC power distri
The invention claimed is: 60 bution line,
1. A ZigBee(R)-enabled power switch apparatus (Z-SW) a ZigBee(R) device linked to the MCU,
comprising: a power meter and relay module connected to the AC
a microcontroller (MCU) linked to an AC power distribu power distribution line,
tion line having a power line communication (PLC) a bidirectional communication link between the MCU
network to establish a local area network (LAN) 65 and the power meter and relay module, and
between the Z-SW and other networked devices; a power plug connected to the power meter and relay
a ZigBee(R) device linked to the MCU: module;
 US 9,300,359 B2
11 12
a ZigBee R technology enabled appliance connected to the effecting remote control the corresponding ZigBee(R)
power plug, wherein the ZigBee(R) technology enabled technology enabled appliance, and
appliance is powered through the power plug under con providing broadband communication over the PLC
trol of the power meter and relay module: based LAN.
a wireless communication channel between the ZigBee(R) 5 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the Z-SW further
device and the ZigBee R technology enabled appliance; comprises a coupler filter module connected to the commu
wherein the MCU includes instructions for nication module and the AC power distribution line.
receiving operational commands from the MST over the 11. A method for monitoring and control of power usage of
PLC-based LAN, and a ZigBee R technology enabled appliance, comprising:
transferring the operational commands from the MCU to 10
coupling an intelligent master sensor (MST) to an AC
the ZigBee(R) device; power distribution line having a power line communica
wherein the ZigBee(R) device includes instructions for tion (PLC) network to establish a local area network
transmitting the transferred operational commands to
the ZigBee(R) technology enabled appliance over the (LAN);
wireless communication channel, 15 coupling a Zigbee(R)-enabled power switch (Z-SW) to the
receiving responses from the ZigBee R technology AC power distribution line, wherein the Z-SW includes
enabled appliance over the wireless communication a microcontroller (MCU) linked to the AC power distri
channel, and bution line,
transferring the received responses to the MCU; and a ZigBee(R) device linked to the MCU,
wherein the MCU includes instructions for a power meter and relay module connected to the AC
sending the responses to the MST over the PLC-based power distribution line,
LAN: a bidirectional communication link between the MCU
receiving power consumption information over the bidi and the power meter and relay module, and
rectional communication link from the power meter a power plug connected to the power meter and relay
and relay module, 25 module;
compiling the received power consumption information, connecting a ZigBee R technology enabled appliance to the
and power plug, wherein the power plug provides power to
transferring the compiled power consumption informa the ZigBee R technology enabled appliance under con
tion to the MST over the PLC-based network. trol of the power meter and relay module:
5. The system of claim 4, further comprising: 30 establishing a wireless communication channel between
a communication and power management sensor (ETH) the ZigBee(R) device and the ZigBee(R) technology
connected to the AC distribution line; enabled appliance:
wherein the PLC-based LAN delivers streaming media to receiving operational commands at the MST:
and from the ETH. transmitting the operational commends from the MST to
6. The system of claim 4, wherein the MCU includes 35 the MCU over the PLC-based LAN:
instructions for sending a control signal to the power meter transferring the operational commands from the MCU to
and relay module over the communication link to control the ZigBee(R) device;
power delivered to the ZigBee(R) technology enabled appli transmitting the operational commands from the ZigBee R
ance through the power plug. device to the ZigBee(R) technology enabled appliance
7. The system of claim 5, wherein one or more of the Z-SW. 40 over the wireless communication channel;
the MST, or the ETH further comprises: receiving responses at the ZigBee R technology enabled
a communications module including instructions for appliance from the ZigBee(R) device over the wireless
modulating the collected information to a first commu communication channel;
nication data stream for transmission over the PLC transferring the responses from the ZigBee R device to the
based LAN, and 45 MCU:
demodulating a second communication stream that is sending the responses to the MST over the PLC-based
received over the PLC-based LAN, LAN:
wherein the second communication data stream provides receiving the power consumption information at the MCU
command and control instructions for power control of a over the bidirectional communication link from the
power flow to the associated ZigBee(R) technology 50 power meter and relay module,
enabled appliance. compiling the received power consumption information at
8. The system of claim 5, wherein one or more of the Z-SW. the MCU; and
the MST, or the ETH further comprises: transferring the compiled power consumption information
a communications module including instructions for from the MCU to the MST over the PLC-based network.
transmitting and receiving over a narrowband communica 55 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the MST receives
tion frequency band for narrowband communication instructions that are sent over abroadband network outside of
over the PLC-based LAN; or the PLC-based LAN through a router connected to the MST.
transmitting and receiving over a broadband communica 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
tion frequency band for broadband communication over the Zigbee R technology enabled appliance sending opera
the PLC-based LAN. 60 tional status information over a wireless network to the
9. The system of claim 4, further comprising: Z-SW;
a communication and power management sensor (ETH) the Z-SW collecting operational status information from
which includes instructions for the ZigBee R technology enabled appliance;
connecting a corresponding ZigBee R technology the Z-SW sending the operational status over the PLC
enabled appliance to the AC power distribution line; 65 based LAN to the MST:
monitoring power consumption of the corresponding the MST collecting and compiling operational status infor
ZigBee R technology enabled appliance, mation; and
 US 9,300,359 B2
13 14
the MST communicating the compiled operational status
information over a broadband network outside of the
PLC-based LAN through a network router connected to
the MST.
14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
the Z-SW connecting an additional ZigBee(R) technology
enabled appliance to the AC power distribution line; and
the Z-SW monitoring power consumption by the addi
tional ZigBee R technology enabled appliance con
nected thereto. 10