Smart electrical outlets and associated networks

Abstract

A control system ( 300 ) allows recognized standard premise electrical outlets, for example NEMA, CEE and BS, among others to be remotely monitored and/or controlled, for example, to intelligently execute blackouts or brownouts or to otherwise remotely control electrical devices. The system ( 300 ) includes a number of smart receptacles ( 302 ) that communicate with a local controller ( 304 ), e.g., via power lines using the TCP/IP protocol. The local controller ( 304 ), in turn, communicates with a remote controller ( 308 ) via the internet.

1 . A method for use in power distribution, comprising the steps of:
 monitoring an electrical receptacle to determine load information regarding a loading of said electrical receptacle based on a digital analysis of an electrical signal transmitted via said electrical receptacle; and   controlling delivery of power via said receptacle based on said digital analysis.   
     
     
         2 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said step of monitoring comprises sampling said signal and comparing said sampled signal to electrical signature information corresponding to device classifications. 
     
     
         3 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said step of monitoring comprises processing a device identification code received at said receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said step of controlling comprises interrupting said delivery of power. 
     
     
         5 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said step of controlling comprises reducing said delivery of power. 
     
     
         6 . A method as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said reducing comprises eliminating individual half cycles, or integer multiples thereof, of a power signal waveform delivered via said receptacle. 
     
     
         7 . A method as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said half cycles are eliminated on a periodic basis to reduce power consumption. 
     
     
         8 . A method as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said receptacle is associated with a switch and logic for controlling said switch, and said step of eliminating comprises cycling said switch substantially in synchronization with zero potential crossings of said power signal. 
     
     
         9 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said step of controlling is executed in response to instructions transmitted to said receptacle. 
     
     
         10 . A method as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said instructions are transmitted via a power line. 
     
     
         11 . A method as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said instructions are communicated according to the TCP/IP protocol. 
     
     
         12 . A method as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said instructions are transmitted via a WAN. 
     
     
         13 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . An electrical outlet apparatus, comprising:
 a receptacle for receiving a standard electrical plug so as to establish an electrical connection between a device, associated with the plug, and a premises wiring system associated with the receptacle; and   a digital processor, associated with the receptacle, for controlling delivery of power via the receptacle.   
     
     
         26 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein said digital processor controls delivery of power via the receptacle based on instructions transmitted to the processor from a local controller. 
     
     
         27 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein said digital processor controls delivery of power via the receptacle based on instructions transmitted to the processor from a remote controller. 
     
     
         28 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein said digital processor is operative for determining a type of said device and controlling delivery of power based on said determined type. 
     
     
         29 - 41 . (canceled)