Networked, Channelized Power Distribution, Monitor and Control for Security and Life Safety Applications

• US 20130268812A1
• Filed: 04/09/2013
• Published: 10/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LifeSafety Power Inc. (Assa Abloy AB)
• Original Assignee: LifeSafety Power Inc. (Assa Abloy AB)
• Inventors: Liu, Guang, Holland, Joseph M., Ye, Larry L., Olliver, John F.
• Granted Patent: US 9,952,565 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/57
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 9/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0766 Error or fault reporting or storing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0796 Safety measures, i.e. ensuring safe condition in the event of error, e.g. for controlling element
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2015 Redundant power supplies power supply failure G06F1/30
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit

Abstract

An apparatus includes a plurality of power distribution control output channels operatively coupled to at least one power source, and comprising an access control input from an access control device, and a control output for a controlled device. A controller receives an access control input signal for each power distribution control output channel and provides a control signal to each power distribution control output channel such that each power distribution control output channel provides a control output signal according to requirements of a corresponding controlled device. The controller can individually isolate one or more power distribution control output channels from the at least one power source such that the control output signal is removed from the corresponding controlled device, while any other power distribution control output channels coupled to the same power source continues to operate without interruption.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of power distribution control output channels, each channel operatively coupled to at least one power source, and comprising an access control input from an access control device, and a control output for a controlled device;

a controller, operatively coupled to the plurality of power distribution control output channels, the controller operative to;

receive an access control input signal for each power distribution control output channel; and

provide a control signal to each power distribution control output channel such that each power distribution control output channel provides a control output signal according to requirements of a corresponding controlled device that corresponds to the respective power distribution control output channel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, where the controller is further operative to:

individually isolate at least one power distribution control output channel from the at least one power source such that the control output signal is removed from the corresponding controlled device, while any other power distribution control output channel of the plurality of power distribution control output channels that is operatively coupled to the same at least one power source continues to operate without interruption.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, where each power distribution control output channel further comprises:

an output device, operatively coupled at an input of the output device to at least one power source and also operatively coupled to the controller;

a voltage detector connected to an input of the output device, the voltage detector also operatively coupled to the controller;

voltage and current sensing circuitry operatively coupled an output of the output device, the voltage and current sensing circuitry also operatively coupled to the controller.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, where the controller is further operative to:

monitor an input voltage of the output device using the voltage detector and monitor an output voltage and output current of the output device using the voltage and current sensing circuitry such that the controller can determine that a controlled device corresponding to the output device is operating with a required voltage range or a required current range to anticipate failures of the controlled device.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, where the controller is further operative to:

determine that the controlled device corresponding to the output device is not operating with the required voltage range or the required current range; and

send a warning message to a remote device over a network interface.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, where each power distribution control output channel further comprises:

an optical coupler, connected to the access control input and to the controller.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a second optical coupler connected to the controller and to a fire alarm system output;

a third optical coupler connected to the controller to provide a fault indication signal output; and

a light emitting diode connected to the controller to provide a visual indication when the controller detects a fault condition on at least one of the power distribution control output channels.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

data manager and interface logic, operatively coupled to the controller and to the at least one power source, the data manager and interface logic operative to;

obtain status information from the controller for each power distribution control output channel, including measured parameters and alert condition notifications related to power distribution control output channel faults, controlled device faults or potential controlled device failure;

write and email a report conforming to a plurality of configurable report settings in response to occurrence of an alert condition or a specified reporting interval;

obtain settings updates for each power distribution control output channel from a remote device over a network interface port; and

provide the settings updates to the controller.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, where the data manager and interface logic is further operative to:

monitor the at least one power source for loss of AC power; and

send a loss of AC power indication to the controller.

10. A method of operating a power management system, comprising:

receiving an access control input signal for each power distribution control output channel of a plurality of power distribution control output channels; and

providing a control signal to each power distribution control output channel such that each power distribution control output channel provides a control output signal according to requirements of a corresponding controlled device that corresponds to the respective power distribution control output channel.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

individually isolating at least one power distribution control output channel from at least one power source such that the control output signal is removed from the corresponding controlled device, while any other power distribution control output channel of the plurality of power distribution control output channels that is operatively coupled to the same at least one power source continues to operate without interruption.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

monitoring an input voltage of an output device, corresponding to a power distribution control output channel, using a voltage detector; and

monitoring an output voltage and output current of the output device using a voltage and current sensing circuitry;

determining, based on the monitored input voltage and the monitored output voltage and output current, that a controlled device corresponding to the output device is operating with a required voltage range or a required current range.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

determining that the controlled device, corresponding to the output device, is not operating with the required voltage range or the required current range; and

sending a warning message to a remote device over a network interface.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

monitoring the at least one power source for loss of AC power; and

sending a control signal to an output device of a power distribution control output channel according to stored settings for determining the control output signal during a loss of AC power condition.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

providing a navigable graphical user interface accessible by a remote device and operable to receive a single selection input to individually isolate the at least one power distribution control output channel from the at least one power source.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

obtaining status information for each power distribution control output channel, including measured parameters and alert condition notifications related to power distribution control output channel faults, controlled device faults or potential controlled device failure;

writing and emailing a report conforming to a plurality of configurable report settings in response to occurrence of an alert condition or a specified reporting interval;

obtaining settings updates for each power distribution control output channel from a remote device over a network interface port; and

providing the settings updates to a controller for controlling each power distribution control output channel according to the setting updates.

17. A computer readable memory comprising:

executable instructions for execution by at least one processor, that when executed cause said at least one processor to;

receive an access control input signal for each power distribution control output channel of a plurality of power distribution control output channels; and

provide a control signal to each power distribution control output channel such that each power distribution control output channel provides a control output signal according to requirements of a corresponding controlled device that corresponds to the respective power distribution control output channel.

18. The computer readable memory of claim 17, wherein said executable instructions, when executed further cause the at least one processor to:

individually isolate at least one power distribution control output channel from at least one power source such that the control output signal is removed from the corresponding controlled device, while any other power distribution control output channel of the plurality of power distribution control output channels that is operatively coupled to the same at least one power source continues to operate without interruption.

19. The computer readable memory of claim 18, wherein said executable instructions, when executed further cause the at least one processor to:

monitor an input voltage of an output device, corresponding to a power distribution control output channel, using a voltage detector; and

monitor an output voltage and output current of the output device using a voltage and current sensing circuitry;

determine, based on the monitored input voltage and the monitored output voltage and output current, that a controlled device corresponding to the output device is operating with a required voltage range or a required current range.

20. The computer readable memory of claim 19, wherein said executable instructions, when executed further cause the at least one processor to:

determine that the controlled device, corresponding to the output device, is not operating with the required voltage range or the required current range; and

send a warning message to a remote device over a network interface.