Addressable Smart Outlets for Individual Power Circuit Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smart outlet systems are expensive and complex, making them inaccessible to average homeowners due to the high cost of electronics required for data transmission through power lines, limiting their installation to luxury homes and high-energy commercial buildings.
Innovation Solution
A system using smart outlets and switches with selectively changeable address codes, controlled by a central unit that generates addressed signals, allowing individual control of outlets and fixtures within an area circuit, simplifying installation and reducing costs by enabling a single command to control multiple devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If data transmission through power lines is implemented using conventional smart outlets with electronics for identification and control, then individual outlet control capability is achieved, but system cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the intelligence and control electronics from the individual outlets and concentrates it in a single external controller. The outlets themselves become simple passive switching devices without any embedded electronics, while all data transmission, addressing, and control logic are handled by the external controller through the power line carrier waves.
Solution Approach 2:
The external controller serves multiple functions: it generates carrier waves for data transmission, modulates commands onto these waves, demodulates responses from outlets, manages addressing schemes, and coordinates control of multiple outlets. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for expensive electronics in each individual outlet.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional smart outlets with embedded electronics are installed throughout a building, then selective control of outlets is enabled, but installation cost becomes prohibitive for average homeowners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive smart outlets with cheap passive outlet switches that lack any electronics. These simple switches can be manufactured and installed at minimal cost, while the intelligence is provided externally through the controller that communicates over the existing power lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The external controller acts as an intermediary between the user and the passive outlet switches. It translates user commands into carrier wave signals that travel through the power lines to the appropriate outlets, enabling selective control without requiring expensive electronics at each outlet location.
3Ease of operation
If existing smart outlet systems are deployed, then individual fixture control is achieved, but the system becomes too complex for average homeowners to install and use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes all complexity from the individual outlets by extracting the electronics entirely. The outlets become simple mechanical or electromechanical switches, while all system complexity is centralized in an external controller that can be installed in a convenient location and managed by the homeowner.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be easily configured and managed by the homeowner themselves. The external controller provides a user-friendly interface for assigning addresses to outlets and controlling them individually, eliminating the need for professional installation or configuration of complex electronics at each outlet.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables affordable and user-friendly control of individual outlets and fixtures, reducing installation complexity and costs, making smart outlet systems viable for average homeowners by using addressable smart outlets and switches within a building's area circuit.
Implementation Method 1
It has long been known that data can be transmitted through power wire cables, while electricity is simultaneously being transmitted through those same cables. This is accomplished by transmitting low voltage signals at high frequencies, i.e. frequencies over 100 KHz.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for adding controls to an area circuit within a building. The system enables specific outlets and fixture switches in the area circuit to be automatically and individually controlled. Smart outlets and smart fixtures switches are used. Each has a receptacle, an internal on/off switch, and a selectively changeable address code. An electrical power cable extends throughout the area circuit. A control unit is coupled to the electrical power cable and generates an addressed control signal within the electrical power cable. The addressed control signal selectively controls the internal on/off switches in the smart outlets and the smart fixture switches. However, the addressed control signal generated by the control unit must be properly addressed to a smart outlet or a smart fixture switch.