Patent ID: 7262694
Filing Date: 2007-08-28
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
1. A local power supply system for operation at a residential or commercial location comprising: an interface configured to enable the local power supply system to connect to a power distribution grid that supplies power to the location; a backup energy storage device configured to provide backup power to the location; a power management controller coupled to the backup energy storage device, the power management controller being configured to control the charging and discharging of the backup energy storage device and to detect one or more conditions enabling distinction between at least a normal operation mode and an emergency operation mode; and a wireless communications device, wherein: the power management controller is configured to control the distribution of energy from the backup energy storage device to enable the backup energy storage device to supplement power supplied to the location by a remote power plant through the power distribution grid when the one or more conditions detected by the power management controller collectively correspond to the normal operation mode, the power management controller is configured to control the distribution of energy from the backup energy storage device to provide backup power to the location and the wireless communications device when the one or more conditions detected by the power management controller collectively correspond to the emergency operation mode, and the wireless communications device is configured to enable communications between the location and one or more remote locations based at least in part upon the backup power provided by the backup energy storage device when the one or more conditions detected by the power management controller collectively correspond to the emergency operation mode; wherein, during emergency operation mode, the wireless communications device enables the power management controller to communicate with and control one or more remote devices despite a standard landline telephone communications infrastructure that services the residential or commercial location being disabled.