Automatic Sensing Power Systems and Methods

• US 20070252439A1
• Filed: 07/12/2007
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Green Plug, Inc.
• Original Assignee: mPATHX, LLC
• Inventors: Miller, Brent, Spano, Steve, Menas, Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 7,960,859 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/38
• 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 comprising:

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

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

configuring the at least one DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to a minimal DC power level;

converting the DC power to the minimal DC power level at the at least one DC to DC regulator and generating the DC power at the minimal DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle for at least a selected time period;

receiving a communication at the communication system, the communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level;

processing the communication at 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 convert the DC power to the selected DC power level; and

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, the selected DC power level not initially preset.