Method and apparatus for using power-line phase-cut signaling to change energy usage

US8373547B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Nev Electronics LLC · US
• The Regents of the University of California · US
• Benya Lighting Design · US

Inventors

• James R. Benya · West Linn, US
• Joel Snook · Grass Valley, US
• Erik Page · Fairfax, US
• Michael Siminovitch · Woodland, US
• Konstantinos Papamichael · El Macero, US
• Don Aumann · Davis, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 24, 2007
• Grant date: Feb 12, 2013
• Expiry date: Dec 10, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04B2203/5412
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that uses power-line phase-cut signaling to change energy usage for one or more devices that share a common power signal. During operation, the system receives a request to change power usage. In response to the request, the system inserts a phase-cut notch into the common power signal. A device that is located downstream from the inserted phase-cut notch detects this notch in the common power signal, and in response triggers a power-state change. For instance, the device may trigger a reduced-power state when it detects a phase-cut notch.