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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 24, 2007
Date of Patent:
February 12, 2013
Assignees:
Nev Electronics LLC, The Regents of the University of California, Benya Lighting Design
Inventors:
James R. Benya, Joel W. Snook, Erik R. Page, Michael Siminovitch, Konstantinos Papamichael, Margaret Aumann