Closed loop, programmable power and communication system

Claim 2

A closed loop, programmable power and communication system for a building said system including a control interface means, a power source means, a plurality of receptacle means throughout the building at locations where power is required, means for supplying power form said power source means to said control interface means, and a plurality of power distribution cables extending one each from said contol interface means to said receptacles, each cable including a pair of electrical power conductors and an optical fiber for transmitting light signals simultaneously in both directions between said control interface means and each receptacle, each receptacle including socket means for reception of a plug of an appliance, said socket having openings in a face thereof for matingly receiving prongs of said plug, and an optical coupler disposed in said face in the vicinity of said openings, said optical coupler communicating with the optical fiber of the cable extending to the receptacle and providing a signal receiving and transmitting means of the recepacle, said control interface means having means for transmitting optical signals to the optical fiber of each cable and receiving optical signals therefrom, switching means controlled by said control interface means in response to signals received thereby for controlling power flow from said power source to the power conductors of each cable, and means for continuously superimposing a low voltage and low current power supply on at least one of said pair of said electrical power conductors of each power distribution cable extending from said control interface means to each receptacle.

Claim 3

A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said superimposed power supply is of frequency higher than the normal power supplied to said each receptacle via said electrical power conductors.

Claim 4

A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the normal power supplied to the receptacle by said electrical power conductors is AC, and said superimposed power supply is DC.

Claim 5

A closed loop, programmable power and communication system for a building said, system including a control interface means, a power source means supplied from exterior of said building, a plurality of receptacle means throughout the building at locations where power is required, means for supplying power form said power source means to said control interface means, a plurality of power distribution cables extending one each from said contol interface means to said receptacles, said power source means having means for providing AC or DC power to said conductors including means for supplying power form said power source means to said control interface means, each cable including a pair of electrical power conductors and an optical fiber for transmitting light signals simultaneously in both directions between said control interface means and each receptacle, each receptacle including socket means for reception of a plug of an appliance, said socket having openings in a face thereof for matingly receiving prongs of said plug, and an optical coupler disposed in said face in the vicinity of said openings, said optical coupler communicating with the optical fiber of the cable extending to the receptacle and providing a signal receiving and transmitting means of the recepacle, said control interface means having means for transmitting optical signals to the optical fiber of each cable and receiving optical signals therefrom, and switching means controlled by said control interface means in response to signals received thereby for controlling power flow from said power source to the power conductors of each cable.

Claim 6

A closed loop, programmable power and communication system for a building said, system including a control interface means, a power source means supplied from exterior of said building, a plurality of receptacle means throughout the building at locations where power is required, means for supplying power form said power source means to said control interface means, a plurality of power distribution cables extending one each from said contol interface means to said receptacles, said power source means having means for providing AC or DC power to said conductors including means for supplying power form said power source means to said control interface means, each cable including a pair of electrical power conductors and an optical fiber for transmitting light signals simultaneously in both directions between said control interface means and each receptacle, each receptacle including socket means for reception of a plug of an appliance, said socket having openings in a face thereof for matingly receiving prongs of said plug, and an optical coupler disposed in said face in the vicinity of said openings, said optical coupler communicating with the optical fiber of the cable extending to the receptacle and providing a signal receiving and transmitting means of the recepacle, said control interface means having means for transmitting optical signals to the optical fiber of each cable and receiving optical signals therefrom, and switching means controlled by said control interface means in response to signals received thereby for controlling power flow from said power source to the power conductors of each cable.

Claim 7

A closed loop, programmable power and communication system for a building, said system including a control interface means, a power source means, a plurality of receptacle means throughout the building at locations where power is required, means for supplying power form said power source means to said control interface means, and a plurality of power distribution cables extending one each from said contol interface means to said receptacles, each cable including a pair of electrical power conductors and an optical fiber for transmitting light signals simultaneously in both directions between said control interface means and each receptacle, each receptacle including socket means for reception of a plug of an appliance, said socket having openings in a face thereof for matingly receiving prongs of said plug, and an optical coupler disposed in said face in the vicinity of said openings, said optical coupler communicating with the optical fiber of the cable extending to the receptacle and providing a signal receiving and transmitting means of the recepacle, said control interface means having means for transmitting optical signals to the optical fiber of each cable and receiving optical signals therefrom, switching means controlled by said control interface means in response to ignals received thereby for controlling power flow from said power source to the power conductors of each cable, a conduit for transferring fluid within said building, and outlet means for said conduit and including mechanical coupler means for connecting said conduit to other conduits, said conduit including an optical fiber extending therealong and being provided with an optical coupler at said outlet means for alignment with an optical coupler in said other conduits, said optical fiber in said conduit being in communication with said control interface means for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough.

Claim 8

A closed loop, programmable power and communication system for a building, said system including a control interface means, a power source means, a plurality of receptacle means throughout the building at locations where power is required, means for supplying power form said power source means to said control interface means, and a plurality of power distribution cables extending one each from said contol interface means to said receptacles, each cable including a pair of electrical power conductors and an optical fiber for transmitting light signals simultaneously in both directions between said control interface means and each receptacle, each receptacle including socket means for reception of a plug of an appliance, said socket having openings in a face thereof for matingly receiving prongs of said plug, and an optical coupler disposed in said face in the vicinity of said openings, said optical coupler communicating with the optical fiber of the cable extending to the receptacle and providing a signal receiving and transmitting means of the recepacle, said control interface means having means for transmitting optical signals to the optical fiber of each cable and receiving optical signals therefrom, switching means controlled by said control interface means in response to ignals received thereby for controlling power flow from said power source to the power conductors of each cable, a conduit for transferring fluid within said building, and outlet means for said conduit and including mechanical coupler means for connecting said conduit to other conduits, said conduit including an optical fiber extending therealong and being provided with an optical coupler at said outlet means for alignment with an optical coupler in said other conduits, said optical fiber in said conduit being in communication with said control interface means for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough.

Claim 9

A system as defined in claim 5, wherein said conduit is a gas supply conduit, said outlet means supplying gas to gas consuming appliances, said coupler means being connectable to a coupler of a conducting hose of said appliance, said coupler of said hose including an optical coupler, and optical fiber extending from said hose coupler to said appliance and thus placing said gas appliance in communication with said control interface means.

Claim 10

An appliance for use in a building having a closed loop, programmable power and communication system, the system having receptacles connected to a power source through a control interface means by cables of a type including electrical power conductors and a single optical fiber for transmitting communication signals between said receptacle and said control interface means, said appliance including a microprocessor storing a permanent memory containing operational information of said appliance, means for receiving power transmitted to said receptacle in the form of a low voltage power superimposed on said power conductors, said power operating said microprocessor, means for receiving an interrogating signal transmitted to said receptacle from said control interface means via said optical fiber, and means for transmitting from said appliance to said receptacle signals indicative of said information for communication via said optical fiber to said control interface means.

Claim 11

An appliance for use in a building having a closed loop, programmable power and communication system, the system having receptacles connected to a power source through a control interface means by cables of a type including electrical power conductors and a single optical fiber for transmitting communication signals between said receptacle and said control interface means, said appliance including a microprocessor storing a permanent memory containing operational information of said appliance, means for receiving power transmitted to said receptacle in the form of a low voltage power superimposed on said power conductors, said power operating said microprocessor, means for receiving an interrogating signal transmitted to said receptacle from said control interface means via said optical fiber, and means for transmitting from said appliance to said receptacle signals indicative of said information for communication via said optical fiber to said control interface means.

Claim 12

The appliance of claim 7, wherein said appliance includes means for receiving digitized or analog light signals via said optical fiber from said control interface means and converting said light signals for use in the function of said appliance.

Claim 13

The appliance of claim 8, wherein said light signals are converted to produce an audio and/or video output of said appliance.

Claim 14

The appliance of claim 7, and further including means for converting signals produced in a function of said appliance to a digitized or analog optical signals for transmitting via said optical fiber to said control interface.

Claim 15

An electrical socket means for reception of a plug of an appliance, said socket means being adapted for use in a closed loop, programmable, power and communication system, the system having receptacles connected to a power source through a control interface means by cables of the type including a pair of electrical power conductors and an optical fiber for transmitting communication signals between said receptacles and said control interface means; said socket means being adapted to form part of said receptacle and having an exposed face defining a pair of slotted openings for reception of prongs of a conventional plug of an appliance to provide electrical connection between said electrical cables and said prongs, a first optical coupler in said face in the vicinity of said openings for transmitting light signals from and sending light signals to said optical fiber of the cable extending thereto, said first optical coupler being disposed for alignment with a second optical coupler in a non-conventional plug of an appliance adapted to receive and/or transmit signals to said control interface means via said optical cable, and a retro-reflective means on said conventional plug for alignment with said first optical coupler when said conventional plug is received in said socket means.

Claim 16

An electrical socket means for reception of a plug of an appliance, said socket means being adapted for use in a closed loop, programmable, power and communication system, the system having receptacles connected to a power source through a control interface means by cables of the type including a pair of electrical power conductors and an optical fiber for transmitting communication signals between said receptacles and said control interface means; said socket means being adapted to form part of said receptacle and having an exposed face defining a pair of slotted openings for reception of prongs of a conventional plug of an appliance to provide electrical connection between said electrical cables and said prongs, a first optical coupler in said face in the vicinity of said openings for transmitting light signals from and sending light signals to said optical fiber of the cable extending thereto, said first optical coupler being disposed for alignment with a second optical coupler in a non-conventional plug of an appliance adapted to receive and/or transmit signals to said control interface means via said optical cable, and a retro-reflective means on said conventional plug for alignment with said first optical coupler when said conventional plug is received in said socket means.

Claim 17

The socket means of claim 11, wherein said retro-reflective means is a flat element having a retro-reflective surface on a front side thereof and adhesive means on a rear side thereof for attachment to said conventional plug.

Claim 18

A switch means for use in a closed loop, programmable power and communication system for a building, said system including a power source means, a control interface means, means for providing power communication between said power source and control interface means, a plurality of receptacle means throughout the building at locations where power is required, a plurality of power distribution cables extending one each from said control interface means to said receptacles, and an optical fiber extending from the control interface means to each receptacle for transmitting light signals simultaneously in both directions between said control interface means and each receptacle, each receptacle having a signal receiving and transmitting means in communication with said optical fiber extending thereto, and said control interface means having means for continuously transmitting signals to the optical fiber of each cable and receiving signals therefrom, and means controlled by said control interface means in response to signals received thereby for separately controlling power flow from said power source to each cable; said switch means including means for receiving and end of an optical fiber having the opposite end thereof connected to said control interface means for receiving a continuous interrogative signal therefrom, a manually activated member movable between two positions, and a retroreflective element connected to said member and movable on movement of said member between the two positions from a position facing said end of said optical fiber to a position away from the end of said optical fiber, said element in said facing position reflecting said interrogative signal into the end of said optical cable, whereby said control interface means is informed of the movement of said member between the two positions.

Claim 19

A switch means for use in a closed loop, programmable power and communication system for a building, said system including a power source means, a control interface means, means for providing power communication between said power source and control interface means, a plurality of receptacle means throughout the building at locations where power is required, a plurality of power distribution cables extending one each from said control interface means to said receptacles, and an optical fiber extending from the control interface means to each receptacle for transmitting light signals simultaneously in both directions between said control interface means and each receptacle, each receptacle having a signal receiving and transmitting means in communication with said optical fiber extending thereto, and said control interface means having means for continuously transmitting signals to the optical fiber of each cable and receiving signals therefrom, and means controlled by said control interface means in response to signals received thereby for separately controlling power flow from said power source to each cable; said switch means including means for receiving and end of an optical fiber having the opposite end thereof connected to said control interface means for receiving a continuous interrogative signal therefrom, a manually activated member movable between two positions, and a retroreflective element connected to said member and movable on movement of said member between the two positions from a position facing said end of said optical fiber to a position away from the end of said optical fiber, said element in said facing position reflecting said interrogative signal into the end of said optical cable, whereby said control interface means is informed of the movement of said member between the two positions.

Claim 20

A switch means according to claim 13, and further including a lens disposed at the end of said optical fiber in said switch means.

Claim 21

A switch means for use in a closed loop, programmable power and communication system for a building, said system including a power source means, a control interface means, a plurality of receptacle means throughout the building at locations where power is required, and a plurality of power distribution cables extending one each from said power source through said control interface means to said receptacles and including a pair of electrical power conductors, an optical fiber extending from said control interface means to each receptacle for transmitting light signals simultaneously in both directions between said control interface means and each receptacle, each receptacle having a signal receiving and/or transmitting means in communication with said optical fiber extending thereto, said control interface having means for continuously transmitting signals to the optical fiber and receiving signals therefrom, and means controlled by said interface in response to signals received thereby for controlling power flow from said power source to the power conductors of each cable; said switching means including means for receiving ends of a pair of optical fibers one of which has an opposite end thereof connected to said control interface for receiving a continuous interrogative signal therefrom, said ends of said optical fibers terminating in said switch in a pair of spaced lenses capable of transmitting light signals therebetween, a manually activated member movable between two positions, and an obscuring element connected to said member and movable on movement of said member between the two position from a position between said lenses to a position away from said lenses whereby the travel of said interrogative signal through said switch means can be selectively interrupted.

Claim 22

A switch means for use in a closed loop, programmable power and communication system for a building, said system including a power source means, a control interface means, a plurality of receptacle means throughout the building at locations where power is required, and a plurality of power distribution cables extending one each from said power source through said control interface means to said receptacles and including a pair of electrical power conductors, an optical fiber extending from said control interface means to each receptacle for transmitting light signals simultaneously in both directions between said control interface means and each receptacle, each receptacle having a signal receiving and/or transmitting means in communication with said optical fiber extending thereto, said control interface having means for continuously transmitting signals to the optical fiber and receiving signals therefrom, and means controlled by said interface in response to signals received thereby for controlling power flow from said power source to the power conductors of each cable; said switching means including means for receiving ends of a pair of optical fibers one of which has an opposite end thereof connected to said control interface for receiving a continuous interrogative signal therefrom, said ends of said optical fibers terminating in said switch in a pair of spaced lenses capable of transmitting light signals therebetween, a manually activated member movable between two positions, and an obscuring element connected to said member and movable on movement of said member between the two position from a position between said lenses to a position away from said lenses whereby the travel of said interrogative signal through said switch means can be selectively interrupted.

Claim 23

An electrical socket means for reception of a plug of an appliance, said socket means being adapted for use in a closed loop, programmable power and communication system, the system having receptacles connected to a power source through a control interface means by cables of a type including a pair of electrical power conductors and a single optical fiber for transmitting communication signals between said receptacles and said control interface means; said socket means being adapted to form part of said receptacle and having an exposed face defining a pair of parallel slotted openings for reception of prongs of a conventional plug of an appliance to provide electrical contact between said electrical cables and said prongs, and an optical coupler in said face in the vicinity of said openings for transmitting light signals from and sending light signals to said optical fiber of the cable, said coupler including a collimating lens disposed for alignment with a collimating lens of a coupler means in a non-conventional plug of an appliance adapted to receive and/or transmit signals to said interface means via said optical cable.

Claim 24

An electrical socket means for reception of a plug of an appliance, said socket means being adapted for use in a closed loop, programmable power and communication system, the system having receptacles connected to a power source through a control interface means by cables of a type including a pair of electrical power conductors and a single optical fiber for transmitting communication signals between said receptacles and said control interface means; said socket means being adapted to form part of said receptacle and having an exposed face defining a pair of parallel slotted openings for reception of prongs of a conventional plug of an appliance to provide electrical contact between said electrical cables and said prongs, and an optical coupler in said face in the vicinity of said openings for transmitting light signals from and sending light signals to said optical fiber of the cable, said coupler including a collimating lens disposed for alignment with a collimating lens of a coupler means in a non-conventional plug of an appliance adapted to receive and/or transmit signals to said interface means via said optical cable.

Claim 25

An electrical socket means for reception of a plug of an appliance, said socket means being adapted for use in a closed loop, programmable power and communication system, the system having receptacles connected to a power source through a control interface means by cables of a type including a pair of electrical power conductors and a single optical fiber for transmitting communication signals between said receptacles and said control interface means; said socket means being adapted to form part of said receptacle and having an exposed face definition a pair of parallel slotted openings for reception of prongs of a conventional plug of an appliance to provide electrical contact between said electrical cables and said prongs, an optical coupler in said face in the vicinity of said openings for transmitting and sending light signals to said optical fiber of the cable extending thereto, said optical coupler including a collimating lens disposed for alignment with a collimating lens of a coupler means in a non-conventional plug of an appliance adapted to receive and/or transmit signals to said control interface means via said optical cable, and a retro-reflective means for attachment to said conventional plug for alignment with said optical coupler when said prong of said conventional plug is received in said slotted opening of said exposed face of said receptacle.

Claim 26

An electrical socket means for reception of a plug of an appliance, said socket means being adapted for use in a closed loop, programmable power and communication system, the system having receptacles connected to a power source through a control interface means by cables of a type including a pair of electrical power conductors and a single optical fiber for transmitting communication signals between said receptacles and said control interface means; said socket means being adapted to form part of said receptacle and having an exposed face definition a pair of parallel slotted openings for reception of prongs of a conventional plug of an appliance to provide electrical contact between said electrical cables and said prongs, an optical coupler in said face in the vicinity of said openings for transmitting and sending light signals to said optical fiber of the cable extending thereto, said optical coupler including a collimating lens disposed for alignment with a collimating lens of a coupler means in a non-conventional plug of an appliance adapted to receive and/or transmit signals to said control interface means via said optical cable, and a retro-reflective means for attachment to said conventional plug for alignment with said optical coupler when said prong of said conventional plug is received in said slotted opening of said exposed face of said receptacle.

Claim 27

The socket means of claim 17, wherein the coupler in said face and the coupler means of the non-conventional plug comprises a pair of lenses arranged to come face-to-face and be disposed substantially on a common axis when the non-conventional plug is received in said socket means.

Claim 28

The socket means of claim 18, wherein the axis of said lenses is slightly angled relative to a line normal to said face whereby accidental reflection into said coupler in said face from a mirror type object placed in front of said face is avoided.

Claim 29

The socket means of claim 18, wherein the lenses have a focal length in the range of 1/3 to 3 mm.

Claim 30

The socket means of claim 18, wherein the lenses have a focal length of approximately 1 mm.

Claim 31

The socket means of claim 17, wherein said retroreflective means is in the form of a material consisting of a plurality of closely spaced retroreflective elements.

Claim 32

The socket means of claim 22, wherein each retroreflective element has a maximum dimension in the range of 25μ to 300μ.

Claim 33

The socket means of claim 22, wherein each retroreflective element has a maximum dimension of approximately 100μ.