Network system using DC power bus and auto power control method

• US 20060232386A1
• Filed: 04/17/2006
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Jeon, Bum Jin
• Granted Patent: US 7,944,341 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/286.20
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/22 Electrical actuation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements

Abstract

There is disclosed a home network system using a DC power bus. The network system with a network server and more than one device being connected comprises a main power supply means for converting an AC power into a DC power to supply the DC power to the more than one device; and a DC power bus for providing a supply path of the DC power converted by the main power supply means. Since the DC power is supplied to each device via a power outlet located on the DC power bus, it is possible to supply the power necessary to each device of various kinds included in the network system more efficiently using the main power supply means and the DC power bus. Further, it is possible to prevent the DC power from being supplied to the area to which the power does not need to be supplied, by switching on/off a power breaker within the main power supply means automatically with regards to operation states of the devices located in each area at home, which results in preventing unnecessary power consumption.

Claims

1. A network system with a network server and more than one device being connected comprising:

a main power supply means for converting an AC power into a DC power to supply the DC power to the more than one device; and

a DC power bus for providing a supply path of the DC power converted by the main power supply means.

2. The network system of claim 1 wherein more than one power outlet is located on the DC power bus and each device connected to the power outlet comprises a DC/DC converter or is connected to it.

3. The network system of claim 1 wherein a specific device that needs an always-on power of the more than one device connected to the network server is supplied with a battery power along with the DC power.

4. The network system of claim 3 wherein the specific device is at least one of a sensor or a door lock.

5. The network system of claim 1 wherein the network server is supplied with the AC power separately from the DC power converted by the main power supply means.

6. A network system with a network server and more than one device being connected comprising:

a main power supply means for converting an AC power into a DC power to provide the DC power to the more than one device; and

a DC power bus for providing a supply path of the DC power converted by the main power supply means,

wherein the main power supply means comprises more than one power breaker for allowing the DC power to be provided or interrupted to each area; and

the network server controls on/off operation of the power breakers by confirming a current state of the more than one device.

7. The network system of claim 6 wherein the network server classifies a location corresponding to at least one of a living room, a bedroom, a library, and a front door at home as a one area, combines state information of the device located in the area with a state information of the power breaker that provides or interrupts the power to the area, and stores and manages them as power management information.

8. The network system of claim 6 wherein the network server confirms current state of the devices and the power breaker which are classified and managed for each area and automatically turns off the corresponding power breaker if the power is determined not to need to be supplied to the corresponding area.

9. The network system of claim 6 wherein the network server confirms current states of the devices and the power breakers which are classified and managed for each area, and automatically turns on the corresponding power breaker if the power is determined to need to be supplied to the corresponding area.

10. An auto power control method in a network system using a DC power bus comprising:

monitoring operation states of devices that are classified and managed for each area in the network server if an auto power control operation is performed in the network system using the DC power bus; and

automatically turning off a power breaker within the main power supply means which supplies the DC power to any area, if a power off condition is identified for the area as a result of the monitoring.

11. The auto power control method of claim 10 wherein the network server monitors operation states of the devices and a detection state of the sensor which are classified and managed for each area.

12. The auto power control method of claim 11 wherein the power off condition is that all the devices and the sensor located in the corresponding area are in a non-operation state and a no-detection state respectively.

13. The auto power control method of claim 10 further comprising:

automatically turning on the power breaker within the main power supply means that supplies the DC power to any area, if the power on condition is identified for the area as a result of the monitoring.

14. The auto power control method of claim 13 wherein the power on condition is that at least one of the devices located in the corresponding area is in an operation state or the sensor is in a detection state.

15. The auto power control method of claim 11 further comprising:

interrupting the auto power control operation after switching on all power breakers within the main power supply means if it is requested to interrupt the auto power control operation.

16. The auto power control method of claim 10 wherein the network server classifies a location corresponding to at least one of a living room, a bedroom, a library, and a front door at home as a one area, combines state information of the device located in the area with state information of the power breaker that provides or interrupts the power to the area, and stores and manages them as power management information.