System and Method for Efficient Association of a Power Outlet and Device

• US 20090273334A1
• Filed: 04/30/2008
• Published: 11/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sunbird Software, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Raritan Americas Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Holovacs, Jayson T., Weinstock, Neil, Somasundaram, Siva
• Granted Patent: US 8,713,342 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/66
• 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

Abstract

A system and method for providing automatic or semi-automatic identity association between an outlet of an intelligent power distribution unit and a target device, such as a computer server, which is powered by that outlet. The association is accomplished by enabling identification information to be transmitted between a memory device near or within the target device and the intelligent power distribution unit via a power cable. The power cable may include a specialized interface for mating with the power distribution unit and/or providing the identification information.

Claims

1. A system for associating a target device having power supplied by an intelligent power distribution unit with a specific outlet of said power distribution unit, said system comprising:

an identification device for receiving identification information pertaining to said target device, said identification device locatable proximate said target device; and

a cable for supplying power to said target device, wherein said cable enables communication of said identification information between said identification device and said intelligent power distribution unit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said cable includes at least one additional conductor in addition to those conductors providing power to said target device, said additional conductor used to provide said identification information.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said at least one additional conductor couples to said power distribution unit by way of one or more contacts provided proximate a connector of said cable.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said contacts couple to said power distribution unit in an area outside of a conventional receptacle attachment area.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said contacts couple to said power distribution unit through a lock mechanism that secures said cable to said power distribution unit.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said identification information is communicated from said identification device to said power distribution unit using at least one power conductor, said power distribution unit including a receiver for receiving said identification information from said power conductor.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said receiver includes a filter for separating said identification information from an AC signal.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said power distribution unit is operable to provide identification information to said identification device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said identification device is programmable with identification information using a programming device, said programming device operable to receive identification information regarding said target device and to transfer said identification information to said identification device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said programming device is selected from the group consisting of barcode scanner, and RFID reader and a circuit disposed in said target device.

11. The system of claim 1, further including a field association device for receiving identification information from a target device and a corresponding identification device and making an association therein, wherein association information regarding said target device and said corresponding identification device is electronically transferable for use by a management system for monitoring said intelligent power distribution units.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said power cable includes a selectively operable visual or audible indicator at a target end thereof.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said identification information regarding said target device is automatically provided from said target device to said intelligent power distribution unit.

14. A method of making an association between a target device and a specific electrical outlet of an intelligent power distribution unit providing power to said target device, said method comprising:

storing identification information pertaining to said target device at an identification device located proximate said target device; and

communicating said identification information between said target device and said identification device over a cable that supplies power to said target device, such that an accurate association and monitoring of a target device having power supplied by a specific outlet may be made.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said cable includes at least one additional conductor for communicating said identification information.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said at least one additional conductor couples to said power distribution unit via a lock apparatus adjacent to AC power connection at said power distribution unit.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said identification device is programmable with identification information using a field programming device, said field programming device operable to receive identification information regarding said target device and transfer said identification information to said identification device.

18. The method of claim 14, further including receiving identification information from a target device and a corresponding identification device at a field association device and making an association therein, wherein association information regarding said target device and said corresponding identification device is electronically transferable for use by a management system for monitoring said intelligent power distribution units.

19. An apparatus used to associate a target device having power supplied by an intelligent power distribution unit with a specific outlet of said power distribution unit, said apparatus comprising:

a cable for supplying power to said target device, said cable having at least one additional conductor to enable communication of said identification information between said identification device and said intelligent power distribution unit

a connector on said cable at said power distribution unit end, wherein said at least one additional conductor couples to said power distribution unit via a lock apparatus adjacent to AC power connection at said power distribution unit.

20. A system for automatically associating an electrical device with the electrical outlet from which said electrical device draws electric current comprising:

an identification generating circuit that produces at least one signal utilizable to uniquely identify said electrical device;

a first identification signal transceiver located proximate to said electrical device and electrically connected to said identification generating circuit;

a second identification signal transceiver located proximate to and associated with said electrical outlet; and

a communications channel disposed between said first identification signal transceiver and said second identification signal transceiver utilized for the passing of signals between said transceivers.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the identification generating circuit comprises one of:

a bar code reader used to read a bar code attached to said electrical device;

a circuit disposed in said electrical device configured to send said signal to an output port of said electrical device; and

a circuit connected to a network configured to generate said signal in response to instructions received trough said network.

22. The system of claim 20 wherein the communication channel comprises one of:

conductor cables supplying the electrical current from said outlet to said electrical device; and

at least one data conduction wire located within the power cord used to connect said electrical device to said outlet.

23. The system of claim 20 wherein the signal produced by said identification generating circuit is transmitted to a management module through said first and second identification signal transceivers and said communications channel and the association between said electrical outlet and said electrical device is stored in the identification of the management module.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein said management module is connected to a network and said association between said electrical device and said electrical outlet may be accessed remotely through said network.

25. The system of claim 20 wherein

(a) said identification generating circuit comprises a memory;

(b) said management module transmits a signal identifying the outlet associated with said second identification signal transceiver to the identification generating circuit through said first and second identification signal transceivers and said communications channel; and

(c) the association between said electrical outlet and said electrical device is stored in the memory of said identification generating circuit.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein said identification generating circuit is connected to a network and said association between said electrical device and said electrical outlet may be accessed remotely through said network.

27. An apparatus used to associate a target device with a specific electrical outlet supplying power thereto, wherein a cable supplies power to said target device, said cable having at least one additional conductor to enable communication of identification information from a memory device located proximate said target device, said apparatus comprising:

a power distribution unit for supplying power to said target device via said cable, said power distribution unit including a plurality of electrical outlets;

a management module having a processor and associated memory for storing said identification information; and

a latch unit on said power distribution unit located proximate electrical outlets thereof for coupling with a portion of said cable in order to electrically couple said at least one additional conductor to said management module.