Automatic sensing power systems and methods

• US 20060183510A1
• Filed: 01/18/2006
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alpha Guardian Networks LLC
• Original Assignee: mPATHX, LLC
• Inventors: Menas, Gregory W., Miller, Brent A., Spano, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 7,602,079 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/574
• 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 a power 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 power system for configuring communication and power comprising:

at least one connector configured to convey alternating current (AC) power and selected from a group consisting of a line-cord and a plug;

a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles;

a communication system configured to receive a first communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level, to receive a second communication, and to transmit the second communication for a connection;

an AC to DC regulator configured to convert AC power to DC power;

at least one DC to DC regulator configured to receive the DC power from the AC to DC regulator, to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level, and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level for at least one DC receptacle, the selected DC power level not initially preset; and

a processor configured to determine the connection for the second communication, to configure the communication system to transmit the second communication for the connection, to process the first communication, to determine the selected DC power level based on the configuration data, to dynamically configure the at least one DC to DC regulator to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level, and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising an electrical device external to the power system and configured to generate the first communication with the configuration data.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a first electrical device configured to generate the second communication received by the power system; and

a second electrical device configured to receive the second communication transmitted by the power system for the connection.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the communication system is further configured to format the second communication for at least one protocol; and

the processor is further configured to configure the communication system to format the second communication for the at least one protocol.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication system is configured to communicate via at least one format selected from another group consisting of a universal serial bus format, a Bluetooth format, an Ethernet format, a Firewire format, a cable format, a phone line format, a digital subscriber line service format, and an internet protocol format.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication system is further configured to format at least one member of another group consisting of the first communication and the second communication to a format processable by the processor.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication system is configured to receive at least one member of a second group consisting of the first communication and the second communication through at least one second member of a third group consisting of a communication interface and the at least one DC receptacle.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication system comprises at least one modulator configured to receive the first communication from the at least one DC receptacle and to transmit the first communication to the processor.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one AC receptacle configured to convey AC power at an AC power level.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the configuration data comprises an identification of the selected DC power level; and

the processor is configured to process the first communication with the selected DC power level identification and, in response thereto, to dynamically configure the at least one DC to DC regulator to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the configuration data comprises at least one particular device identification;

the power system comprises memory comprising a plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels; and

the processor is configured to process the first communication with the particular device identification and, in response thereto, to search the memory to determine the selected DC power level corresponding to the particular device identification.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the power system comprises at least one member of another group consisting of a power strip, a rack mount system, a cabinet mount system, and a detachable device.

13. The system of claim 1 further comprising an electrical device configured to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the electrical device comprises at least one member of another group consisting of a computer, a printer, a fax machine, a pocket PC, a personal digital assistant, a phone, a camera, a recoding device, an audio device, a video device, and a drill.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the selected DC power level comprises at least one member of another group consisting of a selected voltage level and a selected current level.

16. The system of claim 1 further comprising an electrical supply configured to transfer the AC power received by the at least one connector, wherein the communication system is configured to transmit or receive at least one member of another group consisting of another communication and the second communication through the electrical supply.

17. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a receiving connector; and

a detachable device comprising;

another connector configured to receive AC power and to removably connect to at least one member of a second group consisting of the receiving connector and a power source;

at least one other DC receptacle;

another AC to DC regulator configured to convert AC power to other DC power;

at least one other DC to DC regulator configured to receive the other DC power from the other AC to DC regulator, to dynamically convert the other DC power to a second selected DC power level, and to generate the other DC power at the second selected DC power level for the at least one other DC receptacle; and

another processor configured to determine the second selected DC power level, to dynamically configure the at least one other DC to DC regulator to convert the other DC power to the second selected DC power level, and to enable generating the other DC power at the second selected DC power level to the at least one other DC receptacle.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the power system comprises a plurality of DC to DC regulators, each corresponding to one of the DC receptacles;

each DC to DC regulator is configured to receive the DC power from the AC to DC regulator, to dynamically convert the DC power to a particular selected DC power level, and to generate the particular selected DC power level for the corresponding receptacle; and

the processor is configured to determine the particular selected DC power level for each DC to DC regulator, to dynamically configure each DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the particular DC power level, and to enable generating the DC power at each particular DC power level to each corresponding DC receptacle.

19. A power system for configuring communication and power comprising:

at least one connector configured to convey alternating current (AC) power and selected from a group consisting of a line-cord and a plug;

at least one direct current (DC) receptacle;

a communication system configured to receive a first communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level, to receive a second communication, and to transmit the second communication for a connection;

a power converter configured to dynamically convert the AC power to DC power at the selected DC power level and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle, the selected DC power level not initially preset; and

a processor configured to determine the connection for the second communication, to configure the communication system to transmit the second communication for the connection, to process the first communication, to determine the selected DC power level based on the configuration data, to dynamically configure the power converter to dynamically convert the AC power to the DC power at the selected DC power level, and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle.

20. The system of claim 19 further comprising an electrical device external to the power system and configured to generate the first communication with the configuration data.

21. The system of claim 19 further comprising:

a first electrical device configured to generate the second communication received by the power system; and

a second electrical device configured to receive the second communication transmitted by the power system.

22. The system of claim 19 wherein the communication system is further configured to format the second communication for at least one protocol.

23. The system of claim 19 wherein the communication system is configured to communicate via at least one format selected from another group consisting of a universal serial bus format, a Bluetooth format, an Ethernet format, a Firewire format, a cable format, a phone line format, a digital subscriber line service format, and an internet protocol format.

24. The system of claim 19 wherein the communication system is further configured to format at least one member of another group consisting of the first communication and the second communication to a format processable by the processor.

25. The system of claim 19 wherein the communication system is configured to receive at least one member of a second group consisting of the first communication and the second communication through at least one second member of a third group consisting of a communication interface and the at least one DC receptacle.

26. The system of claim 19 wherein the communication system comprises at least one modulator configured to receive the first communication from the at least one DC receptacle and to transmit the first communication to the processor.

27. The system of claim 19 further comprising at least one AC receptacle configured to convey AC power at an AC power level.

28. The system of claim 19 wherein:

the configuration data comprises an identification of the selected DC power level; and

the processor is configured to process the first communication with the selected DC power level identification and, in response thereto, to dynamically configure the power converter to dynamically convert the AC power to the DC power at the selected DC power level and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle.

29. The system of claim 19 wherein:

the configuration data comprises at least one particular device identification;

the power system comprises memory comprising a plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels; and

the processor is configured to process the first communication with the particular device identification and, in response thereto, to search the memory to determine the selected DC power level corresponding to the particular device identification.

30. The system of claim 19 wherein the power system comprises at least one member of another group consisting of a power strip, a rack mount system, a cabinet mount system, and a detachable device.

31. The system of claim 19 further comprising an electrical device configured to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein the electrical device comprises at least one member of another group consisting of a computer, a printer, a fax machine, a pocket PC, a personal digital assistant, a phone, a camera, a recoding device, an audio device, a video device, and a drill.

33. The system of claim 19 wherein the selected DC power level comprises at least one member of another group consisting of a selected voltage level and a selected current level.

34. The system of claim 19 further comprising an electrical supply configured to transfer the AC power received by the at least one connector, wherein the communication system is configured to transmit or receive at least one member of another group consisting of another communication and the second communication through the electrical supply.

35. The system of claim 19 further comprising:

a receiving connector; and

a detachable device comprising;

another connector configured to receive AC power and to removably connect to at least one member of a second group consisting of the receiving connector and a power source;

at least one other DC receptacle;

another power converter configured to dynamically convert the AC power to other DC power at a second selected DC power level and to generate the other DC power at the second selected DC power level for the at least one other DC receptacle; and

another processor configured to determine the second selected DC power level, to dynamically configure the other power converter to convert the AC power to the other DC power at the second selected DC power level, and to enable generating the other DC power at the second selected DC power level to the at least one other DC receptacle.

36. The system of claim 19 wherein:

the power converter comprises;

an AC to DC regulator configured to convert the AC power to DC power; and

at least one DC to DC regulator configured to receive the DC power from the AC to DC regulator, to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level, and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle; and

the processor is configured to dynamically configure the at least one DC to DC regulator to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle.

37. The system of claim 19 wherein:

the power system comprises at least one other DC receptacle;

the communication system is further configured to receive another communication comprising other configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one second selected DC power level;

the power converter is further configured to dynamically convert the AC power to DC power for the second selected DC power level and to generate the DC power at the second selected DC power level for the at least one other DC receptacle, the second selected DC power level not initially preset; and

the processor is further configured to process the other communication and, in response thereto, to determine the second selected DC power level, to dynamically configure the power converter to dynamically convert the AC power to the DC power at the second selected DC power level, and to enable generating the DC power at the second selected DC power level to the at least one other DC receptacle.

38. A power system for configuring communication and power comprising:

at least one connector configured to convey alternating current (AC) power and selected from a group consisting of a line-cord and a plug;

at least one direct current (DC) receptacle;

a communication system configured to receive a communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level, to receive a second communication, and to transmit the second communication for a route;

a power converter configured to dynamically convert the AC power to DC power for the selected DC power level and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle, the selected DC power level not initially preset;

a processor configured to determine the route for the second communication, to configure the communication system to transmit the second communication for the route, and to process the first communication and, in response, to determine the selected DC power level, to dynamically configure the power converter to dynamically convert the AC power to the DC power at the selected DC power level, and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle.

39. The system of claim 38 wherein:

the configuration data comprises an identification of the selected DC power level; and

the processor is configured to process the communication with the selected DC power level identification and, in response thereto, to dynamically configure the power converter to dynamically convert the AC power to the DC power at the selected DC power level and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle.

40. The system of claim 38 wherein:

the configuration data comprises at least one particular device identification;

the power system comprises memory comprising a plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels; and

the processor is configured to process the communication with the particular device identification and, in response thereto, to search the memory to determine the selected DC power level corresponding to the particular device identification.

41. The system of claim 38 wherein:

the power system comprises a plurality of DC receptacles;

the power converter is configured to dynamically convert the AC power to DC power for a plurality of selected DC power levels that are not initially preset; and

the processor is configured to determine a particular selected DC power level for each corresponding DC receptacle, to dynamically configure the power converter to convert the AC power to the DC power at the particular DC power levels, and to enable generating the DC power at the particular DC power levels to the corresponding DC receptacles.

42. A system for configuring alternating current (AC) power, the system comprising:

a power system comprising;

at least one connector configured to convey AC power and selected from a group consisting of a line-cord and a plug;

a communication system configured to receive a first communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level, to receive a second communication, and to transmit the second communication for a connection;

at least one DC receptacle;

a power converter configured to dynamically convert the AC power to DC power for the selected DC power level and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle, the selected DC power level not being initially preset; and

a first processor configured to determine the connection for the second communication, to configure the communication system to transmit the second communication for the connection, and to process the first communication and, in response, to determine the selected DC power level, to dynamically configure the power converter to dynamically convert the AC power to the DC power at the selected DC power level, and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle; and

a first electrical device comprising a second communication system configured to transmit the second communication received by the power system; and

a second electrical device comprising a third communication system configured to receive the second communication transmitted by the power system.

43. The system of claim 42 wherein at least one device selected from another group consisting of the first electrical device and the second electrical device comprises a second connector configured to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle.

44. The system of claim 42 further comprising at least one other DC receptacle, wherein:

the first electrical device comprises a second connector configured to connect to the at least one DC receptacle;

the second electrical device comprises a third connector configured to connect to the at least one other DC receptacle; and

the communication system is configured to communicate through the at least one DC receptacle and the at least one other DC receptacle; and

the first electrical device and the second electrical device are configured to communicate through the connectors connected to the at least one DC receptacle and the at least one other DC receptacle.