Electronic device and load center including the same

Abstract

An electronic device includes a housing defining an exterior shape of the electronic device, a processor, a power supply structured to receive line power and to convert the line power for use by the electronic device, a storage unit structured to store data, and a number of data interfaces structured to receive a data connection. The electronic device has a particular form factor that is compatible with positions in a circuit breaker receiving area of a load center. The electronic device is structured to provide the functionality of at least one of a set-top box, a network data interface, a telephone base station, a security system hub and a home controller.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic device comprising:
 a housing defining an exterior shape of the electronic device;   a processor structured to control operations of the electronic device; and   a number of wired data interfaces structured to receive a data connection,   wherein the electronic device has a particular form factor that is compatible with positions in a circuit breaker receiving area of a load center,   wherein the electronic device is structured to provide the functionality of a security system hub for a security system,   wherein the number of wired data interfaces are security system interfaces structured to connect to components of the security system,   wherein the electronic device is structured to communicate with the components of the security system via the wired data interfaces, and   wherein the functionality of the security system hub provided by the electronic device includes notifying one or more external parties of one or more security events.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a wireless communication unit structured to wirelessly communicate with one or more external devices.   
     
     
         3 . The electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more external devices include at least one of a computer, a tablet and a mobile phone. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the wireless communication unit is structured to communicate using at least one of cellular, wi-fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee or Z-wave protocols. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a power supply structured to receive line power and to convert the line power for use by the electronic device,   wherein the power supply is structured to convert alternating current power to direct current power.   
     
     
         6 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is structured to communicate with one or more security system elements. 
     
     
         7 . A load center comprising:
 a circuit breaker receiving area including a number of positions; and   a number of electronic devices installed in at least one of the number of positions,   wherein at least one of the electronic devices includes:
 a housing defining an exterior shape of the at least one electronic device; 
 a processor structured to control operations of the at least one electronic device; and 
 a number of wired data interfaces structured to receive a data connection, 
 wherein the at least one electronic device has a particular form factor that is compatible with the number of positions in the circuit breaker receiving area, 
 wherein the at least one electronic device is structured to provide the functionality of a security system hub for a security system, 
 wherein the number of wired data interfaces are security system interfaces structured to connect to components of the security system, 
 wherein the at least one electronic device is structured to communicate with the components of the security system via the wired data interfaces, and 
 wherein the functionality of the security system hub provided by the at least one electronic device includes notifying one or more external parties of one or more security events. 
   
     
     
         8 . The load center of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a number of circuit breakers installed in at least one of the number of positions.   
     
     
         9 . The load center of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the number of electronic devices includes:
 a power supply structured to receive line power and to convert the line power for use by the at least one electronic device; and   a storage unit structured to store data.   
     
     
         10 . The load center of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one electronic device further includes:
 a wireless communication unit structured to wirelessly communicate with one or more external devices.   
     
     
         11 . The load center of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more external devices include at least one of a computer, a tablet and a mobile phone. 
     
     
         12 . The load center device of  claim 10 , wherein the wireless communication unit is structured to communicate using at least one of cellular, wi-fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee or Z-wave protocols. 
     
     
         13 . The load center of  claim 9 , wherein the power supply is structured to convert alternating current power to direct current power. 
     
     
         14 . The load center of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one electronic device further includes:
 an interface area including one or more of indicator lights and a display and being structured to provide indication of a status of the at least one electronic device.   
     
     
         15 . A system comprising:
 a load center comprising:
 a circuit breaker receiving area including a number of positions; and 
 a number of electronic devices installed in at least one of the number of positions; and 
   at least one component of a security system,   wherein at least one of the electronic devices includes:
 a housing defining an exterior shape of the at least one electronic device; 
 a processor structured to control operations of the at least one electronic device; and 
 a number of wired data interfaces structured to receive a data connection, 
 wherein the at least one of the electronic device has a particular form factor that is compatible with the number of positions in the circuit breaker receiving area, 
 wherein the at least one electronic device is structured to provide the functionality of a security system hub for the security system, 
 wherein the number of wired data interfaces are security system interfaces structured to connect to components of the security system, 
 wherein the at least one electronic device is structured to communicate with the at least one component of the security system via the wired data interfaces, and 
   wherein the functionality of the security system hub provided by the at least one electronic device includes notifying one or more external parties of one or more security events.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a number of circuit breakers installed in at least one of the number of positions.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one electronic device further includes:
 a wireless communication unit structured to wirelessly communicate with one or more external devices.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more external devices include at least one of a computer, a tablet and a mobile phone. 
     
     
         19 . The system device of  claim 17 , wherein the wireless communication unit is structured to communicate using at least one of cellular, wi-fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee or Z-wave protocols. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one electronic device further includes:
 an interface area including one or more of indicator lights and a display and being structured to provide indication of a status of the at least one electronic device.