Power and data solution for remote low-power devices

• US 10,056,761 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2015
• Issued: 08/21/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: iControl Networks, Inc. (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: iControl Networks, Inc. (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Raji, Reza, Dawes, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Deberadinis, Robert
• Application Number:
  US14/852,781
• Publication Number:
  US 20160233684A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• Field of Search: 307155
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/185 via power line carrier transmission

Abstract

Systems and methods include a voltage transformer connected to a power source. The voltage transformer transforms a high voltage of the power source to a first low voltage signal. Regulators are connected to the voltage transformer, and the regulators receive the first low voltage signal from the voltage transformer and convert the first low voltage signal to a second low voltage signal. A remote device is connected to each of the regulators. The remote device is powered by the second low voltage signal from the regulator to which it is connected.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a device interface configured to communicate with a user device and receive an indication of a power requirement of the user device; and

a transformer configured to;

receive a first signal having a first voltage; and

output, based on the power requirement of the user device, a second signal having a second voltage different from the first voltage.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user device comprises a premises management device.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the user device comprises at least one of a camera, a sensor, or a lighting device.

4. A device comprising:

a processor; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed on the processor, cause the device to;

receive, from a user device, an indication of a power requirement of the user device;

receive a first signal having a first voltage; and

output, based on the power requirement of the user device, a second signal having a second voltage different from the first voltage.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the power requirement of the user device comprises a voltage and a current.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the second voltage is less than the first voltage.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a device interface configured to communicate with a plurality of user devices and receive an indication of power requirements of the plurality of user devices; and

a transformer configured to receive a first signal having an initial voltage and output, based on the power requirements, a plurality of signals, wherein each of the plurality of signals has a voltage different from the initial voltage.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the device interface is configured to communicate with the user device via at least one of a wired link or a radio frequency.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the device interface is configured to control communications between the user device and another user device.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first signal has a first current type and at least one of the plurality of signals has a second current type different from the first current type.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of output terminals;

and

wherein the transformer is configured to output, via the plurality of output terminals, the plurality of signals.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the transformer is configured to output, via each of the plurality of output terminals, one of the plurality of signals.

13. A method comprising:

receiving an indication of a power requirement of a user device;

receiving a first signal having a first voltage; and

outputting, based on the power requirement of the user device, a second signal having a second voltage different from the first voltage.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving, from the user device, data; and

causing transmission of the data to another user device.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the outputting the second signal comprises outputting, to the user device and via a wired coupling, the second signal.

16. A method comprising:

receiving an indication of a power requirement of a user device;

receiving a first signal having a first electrical characteristic; and

outputting, based on the power requirement of the user device, a second signal having a second electrical characteristic

different from the first electrical characteristic.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic each comprise a voltage.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic each comprise one of alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC).

19. A method comprising:

receiving an indication of power requirements of a plurality of user devices;

receiving a first signal having an initial voltage; and

outputting, based on the power requirements of the plurality of user devices, a plurality of signals, at least one of the plurality of signals having a voltage different from the initial voltage.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the outputting the plurality of signals comprises outputting, via a wired connection with the plurality of user devices, the plurality of signals.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising causing transmission of data to at least one of the plurality of user devices, wherein the data is received from another of the plurality of user devices.