Smart Outlet Authentication and Metering for Power Usage Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to monitor and track electricity usage through outlets to facilitate appropriate payment for electrical usage, particularly for devices charged via sockets.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising smart electrical outlets with integrated measurement, control, and communication modules that track and manage power usage, allowing for remote monitoring and control via a server, and user authentication and payment processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional electrical outlets are used without monitoring capabilities, then the outlet structure remains simple and cost-effective, but electricity usage cannot be tracked for billing purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (power supply, measurement, control, and communication) into a single integrated outlet device. The measurement module, control module, and communication module are all incorporated within the outlet housing, eliminating the need for separate external monitoring devices and reducing overall system complexity despite adding functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it supplies electrical power to devices, measures power consumption parameters (voltage, current, power factor), controls power delivery through relays, and communicates with servers for billing. This multi-functional design consolidates what would traditionally require separate systems into one universal device.
2Ease of operation
If the outlet immediately supplies power upon device connection, then user convenience is maximized, but unauthorized use and tampering cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet performs preliminary authentication and authorization actions before enabling power supply. The control module checks user credentials and authorization status in advance, and only after successful verification does it close the relay contacts to enable power flow. This preliminary check prevents unauthorized access while maintaining seamless operation for authorized users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where the measurement module monitors power consumption parameters and the control module receives real-time status information. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect abnormal usage patterns, tampering attempts, or unauthorized connections and respond by interrupting power supply, thus preventing misuse while allowing normal operation.
3Loss of information
If the outlet communicates with the server continuously to track usage, then accurate billing information is obtained, but communication overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heavy computational and communication processing tasks from the outlet device and relocates them to a centralized server. The outlet's communication module only needs to transmit basic measurement data (voltage, current, power factor readings) to the server, while the server handles complex billing calculations, user authentication, and data storage. This extraction reduces the outlet's complexity while maintaining accurate usage tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary between multiple outlets and users, centralizing the communication hub. Instead of each outlet needing complex direct communication with every user device, all communication passes through the server which manages data collection from outlets and information delivery to users. This intermediary approach simplifies individual outlet communication requirements while enabling comprehensive system-wide tracking.
Data Source
AI summary
A system tracks and controls access for supplying electrical power for charging devices associated with a user. The system has a server and one or more outlets. The outlets are connected to electrical power and are configured to supply electrical power to the devices. Each of the outlets has a socket configured to supply electrical power to the devices. Each of the outlets is further configured to transmit credentials to the server for authorization to access the outlet. The server is configured to determine whether the user is authorized to access the outlet and to transmit authorization to the outlet. The outlet is further configured to start a session and provide electrical power to the one or more devices upon receiving authorization from the server. The outlet is further configured to transmit information regarding the parameters to the server during the session.