System and Method for Load Control

Abstract

A system is described including a master power saving device configured for connection with a master load. The master power saving device is configured to determine when the master load is in an operating condition and a non-operating condition, and the master power saving device provides non-continuous power to the master load when the master load is in a non-operating condition. A slave power saving device is configured for connection with a slave load. The slave power saving device is configured to receive a signal from the master power saving device to turn off said slave load.

1 . A system comprising:
 a master power saving device configured for connection with a master load, said master power saving device configured to determine when said master load is in an operating condition and a non-operating condition based on said load demand of the master load, and wherein said master power saving device provides non-continuous power to said master load when said master load is in a non-operating condition; and   a slave power saving device configured for connection with a slave load, said slave power saving device configured to receive a signal from said master power saving device to turn off said slave load.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said master power saving device communicates with said slave power saving device using power line communication. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said master power saving device communicates with said slave power saving device using wireless communication. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said slave power saving device is further configured to receive a signal from said master power saving device to turn on said slave load. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said slave power saving device is further configured to determine when said slave load is in an operating condition and a non-operating condition, and wherein said slave power saving device provides non-continuous power to said slave load when said slave load is in a non-operating condition. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said load demand comprises at least one of electrical current and power. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said slave power saving device is paired with said master power saving device to receive said signal. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of slave power saving devices configured to receive said signal from said master power saving device. 
     
     
         9 . A system comprising:
 a sensor configured to determine whether a human is in the area of the sensor, said sensor providing a signal when a human is determined to be in the area; and   a power saving device configured to receive said signal, said power saving device configured for connection with a load, said power saving device configured to determine when said load is in an operating condition and a non-operating condition based on a load demand, and wherein said power saving device provides non-continuous power to said load when said load is in a non-operating condition, and wherein said power saving device employs a first power saving strategy when said signal is received and a second power saving strategy when said signal is not received.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said sensor comprises a motion sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said first power saving strategy comprises pulsing power to said load. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said second power saving strategy comprises removing power from said load. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said first power saving strategy comprises pulsing power having a first period to said load. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said second power saving strategy comprises pulsing power having a second period to said load. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said second period is longer than said first period. 
     
     
         16 . A method for controlling an electrical load:
 providing power to a load for a predetermined time;   measuring a load demand;   determining whether the load is turned on by said measured load demand; and   repeating said steps of providing, measuring, and determining, wherein with each repetition said predetermined time is extended to a longer predetermined time until said load is determined to be on.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said step of determining said load demand further comprises:
 comparing said load demand with a predetermined threshold.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 removing power to said load for a second predetermined time after the step of measuring.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 instructing said load to turn on during said providing and determining.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 storing said predetermined time used when the load is determined to be on.