Automatic Sensing Power Systems and Methods

• US 20070225833A1
• Filed: 05/23/2007
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Green Plug, LLC
• Original Assignee: mPATHX, LLC
• Inventors: Miller, Brent, Spano, Steve, Menas, Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 7,768,152 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 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 method for configuring power for an electrical device comprising:

conveying alternating current (AC) power to a power system with at least one connector selected from a group consisting of a line-cord and a plug, the power system comprising the at least one connector, a communication system, at least one direct current (DC) receptacle, and a power converter;

generating a communication from a processing device external to the electrical device and external to the power system, the communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level for the electrical device;

receiving the communication at the communication system;

processing the communication and, in response thereto, determining the selected DC power level and dynamically configuring the power converter to convert the AC power to DC power at the selected DC power level; and

at the power converter, dynamically converting the AC power to the DC power at the selected DC power level and generating 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.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

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

processing the communication with the selected DC power level identification and, in response thereto, dynamically configuring the power converter to dynamically convert the AC power to the DC power at the selected DC power level.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the power system comprises memory comprising a plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels, and the method further comprises:

generating the configuration data comprising a particular device identification for the electrical device; and

processing the communication with the particular device identification and, in response thereto, searching the memory to determine the selected DC power level corresponding to the particular device identification.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein:

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

the method further comprises loading an update of the data structure to the power system for storage in the memory.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising automatically loading the update from the processing device to the power system upon a connection between the processing device and the power system.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein:

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

the method further comprises automatically receiving an update of the data structure at the power system and storing the update in the memory.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

selecting at the processing device the at least one DC receptacle for which the selected DC power level is to be generated and generating the configuration data comprising an identification of the at least one DC receptacle; and

processing the communication at the power system and, in response thereto, selecting the at least one DC receptacle to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the power system comprises a plurality of DC receptacles, and the method further comprises:

selecting at the processing device one of the plurality of DC receptacles for which the selected DC power level is to be generated and generating configuration data comprising an identification of the selected DC receptacle; and

processing the communication with the configuration data at the power system and, in response thereto, selecting the at least one DC receptacle to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the power system comprises a plurality of DC receptacles, and the method further comprises selecting the at least one DC receptacle to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level from the plurality of DC receptacles.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

accepting a connection at the at least one DC receptacle; and

detecting the connection and, in response thereto, selecting the at least one DC receptacle to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising enabling and disabling the at least one DC receptacle at the processing device.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the power system comprises at least one other receptacle selected from another group consisting of at least one AC receptacle and at least one other DC receptacle, the at least one AC receptacle configured to receive the AC power transferred from the at least one connector, the at least one other DC receptacle configured to convey the DC power at another selected DC power level; and

the method further comprises enabling and disabling the at least one other receptacle at the processing device.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the power system comprises memory comprising firmware, and the method further comprises:

receiving an update for the firmware at the power system;

storing the update in the memory; and

processing the firmware to perform at least one function.

14. The method 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.

15. The method of claim 1 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 recording device, an audio device, a video device, and a drill; and

the method further comprises receiving, at the electrical device, the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving the communication in 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.

17. The method 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.

18. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating a second communication from the power system for reception by the processing device, the second communication comprising status data for the power system, the status data comprising at least one member of another group consisting of an operation of the power system, an event log of the power system, a disable of the at least one DC receptacle, an enable of the at least one DC receptacle, a state of the at least one DC receptacle, a voltage setting for the at least one DC receptacle, a current setting for the at least one DC receptacle, a power setting for the at least one DC receptacle, another communication received from the processing device, the communication received from the processing device, a device identification received for the electrical device, the selected DC power level received for the electrical device, a power surge, a critical event for the power system, a blown fuse, a blown circuit, a fault, a process breakdown, and another circuit event for the power system.

19. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating for display at the processing device at least one operation information of the power system, the at least one operation information selected from another group consisting of an operation of the power system, an event log of the power system, a disable of the at least one DC receptacle, an enable of the at least one DC receptacle, a state of the at least one DC receptacle, a voltage setting for the at least one DC receptacle, a current setting for the at least one DC receptacle, a power setting for the at least one DC receptacle, another communication received from the processing device, the communication received from the processing device, a device identification received for the electrical device, the selected DC power level received for the electrical device, a power surge, a critical event for the power system, a blown fuse, a blown circuit, a fault, a process breakdown, and another circuit event for the power system.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the power system comprises at least one other receptacle; and

the method further comprises receiving the communication through at least one member of another group consisting of the at least one DC receptacle and the at least one other receptacle.

21. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting a second communication from the power system through the at least one DC receptacle.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein an electrical supply is configured to transfer the AC power conveyed by the at least one connector, and the method further comprises transferring at least one other communication through at least one transfer method selected from a second group consisting of:

transmitting the at least one other communication to the power system through the electrical supply; and

receiving at the power system the at least one other communication through the electrical supply.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the power system comprises a receiving connector;

a detachable device comprises another communication system, at least one other DC receptacle, another power converter, and another connector configured to removably connect to at least one second member of a second group consisting of the receiving connector and a power source; and

the method further comprises;

receiving the AC power at the other connector;

receiving another communication at the other communication system, the other communication comprising other configuration data that, when processed, identifies a second selected DC power level, the other configuration data comprising at least one third member of a third group consisting of the second selected DC power level and a device identification corresponding to the second selected DC power level;

processing the other communication and, in response thereto, determining the second selected DC power level and dynamically configuring the other power converter to convert the AC power to other DC power at the second selected DC power level; and

dynamically converting the AC power to the other DC power at the second selected DC power level at the other power converter and generating the other DC power at the second selected DC power level for the at least one other DC receptacle, the second selected DC power level not being initially preset.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein the power system comprises at least one other DC receptacle, and the method further comprises:

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

dynamically converting the AC power to the DC power at the second selected DC power level and generating 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 being initially preset.

25. The method of claim 1 wherein the power system comprises a plurality of DC receptacles, and the method further comprises:

determining a particular selected DC power level for each corresponding DC receptacle and dynamically configuring the power converter to convert the AC power to the DC power at the particular DC power level for each corresponding DC receptacle; and

dynamically converting the AC power to the DC power at the plurality of selected DC power levels that are not initially preset and generating the DC power at the particular DC power level for each corresponding DC receptacle.

26. The method of claim 1 wherein the power converter comprises an AC to DC regulator and at least one DC to DC regulator, and the method further comprises:

converting the AC power to the DC power at the AC to DC regulator;

receiving the DC power at the at least one DC to DC regulator and dynamically configuring the at least one DC to DC regulator to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level; and

dynamically converting the DC power to the selected DC power level at the DC to DC regulator and generating the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle.

27. The method of claim 1 wherein the power system comprises a plurality of DC receptacles, the power converter comprises an AC to DC regulator and a plurality of DC to DC regulators, and the method further comprises:

converting the AC power to the DC power at the AC to DC regulator;

dynamically configuring the plurality of DC to DC regulators to dynamically convert the DC power to a particular DC power level for a corresponding DC receptacle; and

dynamically converting the DC power to the particular DC power level at each DC to DC regulator for each corresponding DC receptacle and generating the DC power at the particular DC power level for each corresponding DC receptacle, the particular DC power levels not being initially preset.

28. A method for configuring power for an electrical device comprising:

conveying alternating current (AC) power to a power system using at least one connector selected from a group consisting of a line-cord and a plug, the power system comprising the at least one connector, a communication system, a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles, and a power converter;

generating a communication from a processing device external to the electrical device and external to the power system, the communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies a selected DC power level for the electrical device, the configuration data comprising at least one other member of another group consisting of the selected DC power level and a particular device identification corresponding to the electrical device;

receiving the communication at the communication system;

processing the communication and, in response thereto, determining the selected DC power level based on the configuration data, selecting one of the plurality of DC receptacles at which to generate the selected DC power level, and dynamically configuring the power converter to convert the AC power to DC power at the selected DC power level; and

at the power converter, dynamically converting the AC power to the DC power at the selected DC power level and generating the DC power at the selected DC power level for the selected DC receptacle, the selected DC power level not being an initially preset conversion level.

29. A method for configuring power for an electrical device comprising:

receiving alternating current (AC) power at a power input of a power system, the power system comprising the power input, a communication system, at least one direct current (DC) receptacle, and a power converter;

generating a communication from a processing device external to the electrical device and external to the power system, the communication comprising configuration data comprising a selected DC power level for the electrical device;

receiving the communication at the communication system;

processing the communication and, in response thereto, determining the selected DC power level and dynamically configuring the power converter to convert the AC power to DC power at the selected DC power level; and

at the power converter, dynamically converting the AC power to the DC power at the selected DC power level and generating the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle of the power system, the selected DC power level not being an initially preset conversion level.

30. A method for configuring power for an electrical device comprising:

conveying alternating current (AC) power to a power system with at least one connector selected from a group consisting of a line-cord and a plug, the power system comprising the at least one connector, a communication system, a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles, and an AC to DC regulator, at least one DC to DC regulator, and a processor;

converting the AC power to DC power with the AC to DC regulator;

generating a communication from a processing device external to the electrical device and external to the power system, the communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level;

receiving the communication at the communication system;

processing the communication with the processor and, in response thereto, determining the selected DC power level based on the configuration data and dynamically configuring the at least one DC to DC regulator to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level; and

dynamically converting the DC power to the selected DC power level at the at least one DC to DC regulator and generating the DC power at the selected DC power level for at least one of the DC receptacles, the selected DC power level not initially preset.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the power system comprises at least one AC receptacle, and the method further comprises conveying the AC power from the at least one AC receptacle at an AC power level.

32. The method of claim 30 further comprising:

generating the configuration data comprising an identification of the selected DC power level;

processing the communication with the selected DC power level identification; and

dynamically configuring the at least one DC to DC regulator to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level.

33. The method of claim 30 wherein the power system comprises memory comprising a plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels, and the method further comprises:

generating the configuration data comprising at least one particular device identification; and

processing the communication with the particular device identification and, in response thereto, searching the memory to determine the selected DC power level corresponding to the particular device identification.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein the memory comprises a data structure comprising the plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels, and the method further comprises downloading an update of the data structure from the processing device for storage in the memory.

35. The method of claim 30 wherein the power system comprises memory comprising firmware, and the method further comprises:

receiving an update for the firmware at the power system;

storing the update in the memory; and

processing the firmware to perform at least one function.

36. The method of claim 30 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.

37. The method of claim 30 further comprising receiving, at the electrical device, the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle.

38. The method of claim 37 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 recording device, an audio device, a video device, and a drill.

39. The method of claim 30 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.

40. The method of claim 30 wherein:

the power system comprises a receiving connector;

a detachable device comprises at least one other DC receptacle, another AC to DC regulator, at least one other DC to DC regulator, and another connector configured to removably connect to at least one second member of a second group consisting of the receiving connector and a power source; and

the method further comprises;

receiving the AC power at the other connector;

converting the AC power to other DC power at the other AC to DC regulator;

determining a second selected DC power level for the at least one other DC receptacle and configuring the at least one other DC to DC regulator to convert the other DC power to the second selected DC power level; and

converting the other DC power to the second selected DC power level at the at least one other DC to DC regulator and generating the other DC power at the second selected DC power level for the at least one other DC receptacle.

41. The method of claim 30 wherein the power system comprises a plurality of DC to DC regulators, each corresponding to one of the DC receptacles, and the method further comprises:

receiving the DC power from the AC to DC regulator at each of the plurality of DC to DC regulators;

determining a particular selected DC power level for each of the plurality of DC to DC regulators and dynamically configuring each of the plurality of DC to DC regulators to convert the DC power to the particular DC power level; and

at each DC to DC regulator, dynamically converting the DC power to the particular selected DC power level and generating the particular selected DC power level for the corresponding receptacle.

42. The method of claim 30 further comprising receiving the communication in 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.

43. The method of claim 30 further comprising receiving the communication through at least one member of another group consisting of a communication interface and the at least one DC receptacle.

44. The method of claim 30 wherein the power system comprises at least one modulator, and the method further comprises:

receiving, at the at least one modulator, the communication from the at least one DC receptacle; and

transmitting the communication to the processor for processing.

45. A method for configuring power comprising:

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

converting AC power to direct current (DC) power with an AC to DC regulator at the power system;

generating a communication from a processing device external to the power system, the communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level;

receiving the communication at the power system;

processing the communication and, in response thereto, determining the selected DC power level and dynamically configuring at least one DC to DC regulator at the power system to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level; and

dynamically converting the DC power to the selected DC power level at the at least one DC to DC regulator and generating the DC power at the selected DC power level for at least one DC receptacle of the power system, the selected DC power level not initially preset.