Automatic sensing power systems and methods

• US 20050102043A1
• Filed: 11/05/2004
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Green Plug, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Green Plug, Inc.
• Inventors: Miller, Brent A., Menas, Gregory W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,808,122 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• 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 2200/261 PC controlled powerstrip
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6675 with built-in power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/04 for network, e.g. LAN connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/22 with additional earth or shield contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/003 the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 29/00 Coupling parts for selective co-operation with a counterpart in different ways to establish different circuits, e.g. for voltage selection, for series-parallel selection, programmable connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/10 Parallel operation of dc sources
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/008 Plural converter units for generating at two or more independent and non-parallel outputs, e.g. systems with plural point of load switching regulators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

An automatic sensing power system automatically determines power a requirement for an electrical device, converts power to the required level, and outputs the power to the electrical device when the electrical device is connected to the automatic sensing power system.

Claims

1. A line-cord power device for conveying power between a power source configured to generate alternating current (AC) power and an electrical device having a connection, the line-cord power device comprising:

an AC to direct current (DC) regulator configured to receive the AC power and to convert the AC power to DC power having a first DC voltage level;

a plurality of DC receptacles, at least one DC receptacle configured to receive the connection from the electrical device;

a processor configured to identify when the electrical device connection is connected to the at least one DC receptacle, to identify a second DC voltage level required for the electrical device, and to generate a signal to configure a DC power output to the at least one DC receptacle at the second DC voltage level;

a DC to DC regulator configured to receive the signal from the processor and, in response thereto, to convert the DC power from the first DC voltage level to the second DC voltage level and to generate the DC power to the at least one DC receptacle at the second DC voltage level.

2. The line-cord power device of claim 1 further comprising:

a receiving connector; and

a detachable wall plug device configured to power another electrical device having another connection, comprising;

an electrical connector configured to removably connect to the receiving connector;

another AC to DC regulator configured to receive the AC power through the electrical connector and to convert the AC power to DC power having a third DC voltage level;

at least one other DC receptacle;

another processor configured to identify when the other electrical device connection is connected to the at least one other DC receptacle, to identify a fourth DC voltage level required for the other electrical device, and to generate a second signal to configure another DC power output to the at least one other DC receptacle at the fourth DC voltage level; and

another DC to DC regulator configured to receive the second signal from the other processor and, in response thereto, to convert the DC power from the third DC voltage level to the fourth DC voltage level and to generate the DC power to the at least one other DC receptacle at the fourth DC voltage level.