Controlling the provision of power to one or more devices

• US 10,057,642 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2015
• Issued: 08/21/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Hsueh, Tsung-Hsiang
• Primary Examiner(s): Prifti, Aurel
• Application Number:
  US14/876,687
• Publication Number:
  US 20170099518A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,050 Days
• Field of Search: 320108, 713300, 1 1, 324322, 307118, 307 31
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3234 Power saving characterised by the action undertaken
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00 Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/0005 the elements or equipment being or involving power plugs or sockets
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/00 Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/00 Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4432 Powering on the client, e.g. bootstrap loading using setup parameters being stored locally or received from the server resetting in general G06F1/14; program loading or initiating in general G06F9/445; bootstrapping in general G06F9/4401; secure boots of computer platforms G06F21/57

Abstract

Systems and methods are described herein for provisioning power to a power consumption device in a depowered state (e.g., a device not consuming current such as standby current). Aspects discussed herein relate to controlling a detector, switches, and/or an outlet such as a smart outlet. In some examples, a message may be sent to a powered controller. The controller may be configured to send a signal to activate a detector, which may be sent via a wireless signal and/or via generation of a resonance frequency via a tuned circuit (e.g., via resonant coupling). The signal may include “bootstrap” power that enables the detector to activate a switch to receive power from an additional or alternative power source. The detector may further receive and decode the signal to operate one or more outlets or switches, gates, relays, thyristors, transistors, or so on to provide power to a power-consumption device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, via a resonant frequency associated with a resonant circuit, a command signal comprising data;

after receiving the command signal, actuating, by the resonant circuit, a first switch to enable power to a detector;

detecting, by the detector and after the actuation of the first switch, the data in the command signal;

determining that the data corresponds to an identifier associated with a second switch; and

actuating the second switch to enable power to a power consumption device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first switch and the second switch each comprise a thyristor.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the data further identifies the power consumption device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the detector, an additional command signal;

actuating, by the detector and responsive to one or more instructions in the additional command signal, the second switch to disable power to the power consumption device; and

actuating the first switch to disable power to the detector.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving comprises receiving the command signal via a power line, and wherein the command signal comprises an instruction for a digital video recorder to record content.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving comprises receiving the command signal a power line.

7. A system comprising:

a controller configured to transmit a command signal comprising data; and

an apparatus comprising;

a resonant circuit configured to receive, via a resonant frequency, a command signal comprising data;

a first switch configured to be actuated by the resonant circuit, after the resonant circuit receives the command signal, wherein actuation of the first switch enables power to a detector; and

the detector, wherein the detector is configured to;

detect, after the actuation of the first switch, the data in the command signal;

determine that the data corresponds to an identifier associated with a second switch; and

actuate the second switch to enable power to a power consumption device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the resonant circuit is further configured to receive the command signal via a power line.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the identifier comprises the identifier of the second switch.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the apparatus comprises the second switch, and the first switch and the second switch each comprise a thyristor.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the detector is further configured to actuate the second switch to provide power to a power consumption device identified by the identifier.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the power consumption device is a digital video recorder and wherein the command signal comprises a recording instruction.

13. An apparatus comprising:

a resonant circuit configured to receive, via a resonant frequency, a command signal comprising data;

a first switch configured to be actuated by the resonant circuit, after the resonant circuit receives the command signal, wherein actuation of the first switch enables power to a detector; and

the detector, wherein the detector is configured to;

detect, after the actuation of the first switch, the data in the command signal;

determine that the data corresponds to an identifier associated with a second switch; and

actuate the second switch to enable power to a power consumption device.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus comprises the second switch, and wherein the first switch and the second switch each comprise a thyristor.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the data further identifies the power consumption device.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the resonant circuit is further configured to:

receive an additional command signal,

and wherein the detector is further configured to;

after receiving one or more instructions in the additional command signal, actuate the second switch to disable power to the power consumption device; and

actuate the first switch to disable power to detector.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the resonant circuit is further configured to receive the command signal via a power line, and wherein the command signal comprises an instruction for a digital video recorder to record content.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the resonant circuit is further configured to receive the command signal via a power line.