System and method for inductive power supply control using remote device power requirements

• US 20090212628A1
• Filed: 02/12/2009
• Published: 08/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips IP Ventures B.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Inventors: Baarman, David W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,953,369 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/31
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/001 Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance C02F1/44 takes precedence; construction of filters in general B01D24/00 - B01D41/00
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/325 Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3228 Units having reflectors, e.g. coatings, baffles, plates, mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/326 Lamp control systems
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/005 Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/40 Liquid flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 9/20 Portable or detachable small-scale multistage treatment devices, e.g. point of use or laboratory water purification systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/015 with means for adaptation of resonance frequency, e.g. by modification of capacitance or inductance of resonance circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33523 with galvanic isolation between input and output of both the power stage and the feedback loop
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33571 Half-bridge at primary side of an isolation transformer
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/0037 for power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0262 : for a battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/001 : Current supply source at the exchanger providing current to substations
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/36 : Controlling
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/25 : Circuit arrangements for protecting against overcurrent
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/10 : Technologies improving the efficiency by using switched-mode power supplies [SMPS], i.e. efficient power electronics conversion e.g. power factor correction or reduction of losses in power supplies or efficient standby modes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 : Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/246 : the system involving the remote operation of lamps or lighting equipment
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 : using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 : using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses

Abstract

An adaptive inductive ballast is provided with the capability to communicate with a remote device powered by the ballast. To improve the operation of the ballast, the ballast changes its operating characteristics based upon information received from the remote device. Further, the ballast may provide a path for the remote device to communicate with device other than the adaptive inductive ballast.

Claims

1-55. -55. (canceled)

56. A method for supplying power from an inductive power supply to a remote device, said method comprising:

receiving, in said inductive power supply, a remote device ID from said remote device;

obtaining remote device power requirement information;

maintaining an active remote device list in memory; and

configuring said inductive power supply to supply power based on said power requirement information.

57. The method of claim 56 wherein said obtaining remote device power requirement information includes at least one of (1) obtaining at least one of an amount of voltage and an amount of current required to power said remote device from a database of remote device power requirement information maintained in memory, wherein said remote device ID is a key to said database;

and (2) receiving, in said inductive power supply, at least one of an amount of voltage and an amount of current required to power said remote device.

58. The method of claim 56 further comprising receiving a remote device ID from a different remote device.

59. The method of claim 58 wherein both of said remote devices are the same type of device and have the same remote device ID.

60. The method of claim 58 wherein both of said remote devices are the same type of device and have different remote device IDs.

61. The method of claim 58 further comprising assigning a different device number to each remote device.

62. The method of claim 56 wherein maintaining said active remote device list includes updating said active remote device list in response to at least one of a change in status of said remote device and a change in presence of said remote device.

63. The method of claim 56 further comprising determining whether said inductive power supply can be configured to adequately power all remote devices on said active remote device list.

64. The method of claim 63 further comprising determining inductive power supply settings in response to determining that said inductive power supply can be configured to adequately power all remote devices on said active remote device list.

65. The method of claim 63 further comprising determining inductive power supply settings and instructing at least one remote devices on said active remote device list to change power consumption, in response to determining that said inductive power supply cannot be configured to adequately power all remote devices on said active remote device list.

66. An inductive power supply for supplying power to a remote device, said inductive power supply comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a remote device ID from said remote device;

a primary configured to transfer power to said remote device;

a memory; and

a controller in communication with said receiver, said primary, and said memory, said controller programmed to;

obtain remote device power requirement information;

maintain an active remote device list in said memory; and

configure said inductive power supply to supply power based on said power requirement information.

67. The inductive power supply of claim 66 wherein said controller is programmed to obtain remote device power requirement information by at least one of (1) obtaining at least one of an amount of voltage and an amount of current required to power said remote device from a database of remote device power requirement information maintained in memory, wherein said device ID is a key to said database;

and (2) receiving at least one of an amount of voltage and an amount of current required to power said remote device from said remote device via said receiver.

68. The inductive power supply of claim 66 further comprising receiving a remote device ID from a different remote device.

69. The inductive power supply of claim 68 wherein both of said remote devices are the same type of device and have the same remote device ID.

70. The inductive power supply of claim 68 wherein both of said remote devices are the same type of device and have different remote device IDs.

71. The inductive power supply of claim 68 wherein said controller is programmed to assign a different device number to each remote device.

72. The inductive power supply of claim 66 wherein said controller is programmed to maintain said active remote device list in said memory by updating said active remote device list in response to at least one of a change in status of said remote device and a change in presence of said remote device.

73. The inductive power supply of claim 66 wherein said controller is programmed to determine whether said inductive power supply can be configured to adequately power all remote devices on said active remote device list.

74. The inductive power supply of claim 73 wherein said controller is programmed to determine inductive power supply settings in response to determining that said inductive power supply can be configured to adequately power all devices on said active remote device list.

75. The inductive power supply of claim 73 wherein said controller is programmed to determine inductive power supply settings and instruct at least one device on said active remote device list to change power consumption, in response to determining that said inductive power supply cannot be configured to adequately power all of said plurality of remote devices.

76. The inductive power supply of claim 66 wherein said receiver comprises at least one of a communication coil, an RF communication system, and said primary.

77. A method for supplying power from an inductive power supply to a remote device, said method comprising:

receiving, in said inductive power supply, a remote device ID from said remote device;

obtaining power requirement information from a database of remote device power requirement information maintained in memory, wherein said device ID is a key to said database; and

configuring said inductive power supply to supply power based on said obtained power requirement information.

78. The method of claim 77 further comprising receiving a remote device ID from a different remote device.

79. The method of claim 78 wherein both of said remote devices are the same type of device and have the same remote device ID.

80. The method of claim 78 wherein both of said remote devices are the same type of device and have different remote device IDs.

81. The method of claim 77 wherein said power requirement information includes at least one of an amount of voltage and an amount of current required to power said remote device.

82. An inductive power supply for supplying power to a remote device, the inductive power supply comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a remote device ID from said remote device;

a primary configured to transfer power to said remote device;

a memory including a database of remote device power requirement information; and

a controller in communication with said receiver, said primary, and said memory, said controller programmed to;

obtain remote device power requirement information from said database of remote device power requirement information maintained in said memory, wherein said device ID is a key to said database; and

configure said inductive power supply to supply power based on said obtained power requirement information.

83. The inductive power supply of claim 82 wherein said receiver is configured to receive a remote device ID from a different remote device.

84. The inductive power supply of claim 83 wherein both of said remote devices are the same type of device and have the same remote device ID.

85. The inductive power supply of claim 83 wherein both of said remote devices are the same type of device and have different remote device IDs.

86. The inductive power supply of claim 82 wherein said receiver includes at least one of a communication coil, an RF communication system, and said primary.

87. The method of claim 82 wherein said power requirement information includes at least one of an amount of voltage and an amount of current required to power said remote device.

88. A method for supplying power from an inductive power supply to a plurality of remote devices, said method comprising:

polling said plurality of remote devices for power usage information;

receiving, in the inductive power supply, power usage information for each of said plurality of remote devices;

obtaining remote device power requirement information for each of said plurality of remote devices;

maintaining an active remote device list in memory;

determining whether said inductive power supply can be configured to adequately power all devices on said active remote device list;

adjusting power consumption characteristics of at least one of said plurality of remote devices in response to a determination that power cannot be supplied to all devices on said active remote device list; and

configuring said inductive power supply to supply power based on said power requirement information.

89. The method of claim 88 wherein said obtaining remote device power requirement information for each of said plurality of remote devices includes at least one of (1) obtaining at least one of an amount of voltage and an amount of current required from a database of remote device power requirement information maintained in memory, wherein said power usage information for each of said plurality of remote devices includes a device ID that is a key to said database;

and (2) said receiving, in said inductive power supply, power usage information for each of said plurality of remote devices, wherein said power usage information includes at least one of an amount of voltage and an amount of current required to power said remote device.

90. The method of claim 88 further comprising updating said active remote device list in response to a change in status of any of said plurality of remote devices and a change in presence of any of said plurality of remote devices.

91. The method of claim 88 further comprising determining inductive power supply settings in response to determining that said inductive power supply can be configured to adequately power all devices on said active remote device list.

92. An inductive power supply for supplying power to a plurality of remote devices, the inductive power supply comprising:

a transceiver configured to communicate with each of said plurality of remote devices;

a primary;

a memory; and

a controller in communication with said receiver, said primary, and said memory, said controller programmed to;

poll said plurality of remote devices for power usage information via said transceiver;

obtain remote device power requirement information for each of said plurality of remote devices;

maintain an active remote device list in said memory;

determine whether said inductive power supply can be configured to adequately power all devices on said active remote device list;

adjust power consumption characteristics of at least one of said plurality of remote devices in response to a determination that power cannot be supplied to all devices on said active remote device list; and

configure said inductive power supply to supply power based on said power requirement information.

93. The inductive power supply of claim 92 wherein said controller is programmed to obtain remote device power requirement information for each remote device by at least one of (1) obtaining at least one of an amount of voltage and an amount of current required from a database of remote device power requirement information maintained in memory, wherein said device ID is a key to said database;

and (2) receiving at least one of an amount of voltage and an amount of current required to power said remote device from said remote device via said transceiver.

94. The inductive power supply of claim 92 wherein said controller is programmed to assign a different device number to each remote device.

95. The inductive power supply of claim 92 wherein said controller is programmed to maintain said active remote device list in memory by updating said active remote device list in response to at least one of a change in status of any of said plurality of remote devices and a change in presence of any of said plurality of remote devices.

96. The inductive power supply of claim 93 wherein said controller is programmed to adjust power consumption characteristics of at least one of said plurality of remote devices by instructing at least one remote device on said active remote device list to change power consumption via said transceiver.

97. The inductive power supply of claim 93 wherein said transceiver comprises at least one of a communication coil, an RF communication system, a primary winding.