SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMMUNICATION VIA ALTERNATING CURRENT POWER
Included are embodiments for . As an example, a method includes receiving alternating current power at a predetermined frequency, receiving communications data for a device, and determining from the communications data a message to send to the device. Some embodiments include determining an alteration to the alternating current power to convert the communications data into the message according to a predetermined format, determining a zero cross point of the alternating current power, and altering the alternating current power around the zero cross point according to the predetermined format to send the message. Some embodiments include sending the altered alternating current power with the message according to the predetermined format to the device.
1 . A method for providing communication via alternating current power comprising:
receiving alternating current power at a predetermined frequency;
receiving communications data for a device;
determining, from the communications data, a message to send to the device;
determining an alteration to the alternating current power to convert the communications data into the message according to a predetermined format;
determining a zero cross point of the alternating current power;
altering the alternating current power around the zero cross point according to the predetermined format to send the message; and
sending the altered alternating current power with the message according to the predetermined format to the device.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein altering the alternating current power includes delaying transmission of the alternating current power for a predetermined amount of time after the zero cross point.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined format includes delaying transmission of the alternating current power for a predetermined amount of time after the zero cross point to represent a binary “1” and not delaying transmission of the alternating current power to represent a binary “0.”
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined format includes delaying transmission of the alternating current power, wherein a first amount of delay represents a first signal and a second amount of delay represents a second signal.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending the altered alternating current power to a lighting device, wherein the message controls output of the lighting device.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending the altered alternating current power to a lighting device, wherein the lighting device utilizes the message to communicate with another device.
7 . An alternating current controller for providing communication via alternating current power comprising:
a transistor for receiving the alternating current power at a predetermined frequency and altering the alternating current power;
a zero cross detector that is coupled to the transistor for receiving the alternating current power and determining a zero cross point that indicates that the alternating current power crosses zero volts; and
an alternating current controller computing device that is coupled to the zero cross detector, the alternating current controller computing device including logic that when executed by a processor, causes the alternating current controller to perform at least the following:
receive a communication from a remote computing device that includes a message for including in the alternating current power;
determine a predetermined format for altering the alternating current power for including the message in the alternating current power at the predetermined frequency;
receive data from the zero cross detector that indicates when the alternating current power crosses zero volts; and
provide an instruction to the transistor for altering the alternating current power to include the message.
8 . The alternating current controller of claim 7 , wherein altering the alternating current power includes delaying transmission of the alternating current power for a predetermined amount of time after the zero cross point.
9 . The alternating current controller of claim 7 , wherein the predetermined format includes delaying transmission of the alternating current power for a predetermined amount of time after the zero cross point to represent a binary “1” and not delaying transmission of the alternating current power to represent a binary “0.”
10 . The alternating current controller of claim 7 , wherein the predetermined format includes delaying transmission of the alternating current power, wherein a first amount of delay represents a first signal and a second amount of delay represents a second signal.
11 . The alternating current controller of claim 7 , wherein the transistor sends the altered alternating current power to a lighting device, wherein the message controls output of the lighting device.
12 . The alternating current controller of claim 7 , wherein the transistor sends the altered alternating current power to a lighting device, wherein the lighting device utilizes the message to communicate with another device.
13 . The alternating current controller of claim 7 , wherein the alternating current controller is coupled to an electric circuit panel at a user premises.
14 . A system for providing communication via alternating current power comprising an alternating current controller comprising:
a transistor for receiving the alternating current power at a predetermined frequency, altering the alternating current power, and outputting the altered alternating current power to an electric device;
a zero cross detector that is coupled to the transistor for receiving the alternating current power and determining a zero cross point that indicates that the alternating current power crosses zero volts; and
an alternating current controller computing device that is coupled to the zero cross detector, the alternating current controller computing device including logic that when executed by a processor, causes the alternating current controller to perform at least the following:
receive a communication from a remote computing device that includes a message for including in the alternating current power;
determine a predetermined format for delaying at least a portion of the alternating current power for including the message in the alternating current power at the predetermined frequency;
receive data from the zero cross detector that indicates when the alternating current power crosses zero volts; and
provide an instruction to the transistor for delaying at least a portion of the alternating current power to include the message.
15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein delaying at least a portion of the alternating current power includes delaying transmission of the alternating current power for a predetermined amount of time after the zero cross point.
16 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the predetermined format includes delaying transmission of the alternating current power for a predetermined amount of time after the zero cross point to represent a binary “1” and not delaying transmission of the alternating current power to represent a binary “0.”
17 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the predetermined format includes delaying transmission of the alternating current power, wherein a first amount of delay represents a first signal and a second amount of delay represents a second signal.
18 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising the electric device that receives the message and performs a function in response to the message.
19 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising the electric device, wherein the electric device is configured as a lighting device, and wherein the message controls output of the lighting device.
20 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising an electric circuit panel located at a user premises, wherein the electric circuit panel controls operation of the electric device.