System and method for detecting a device requiring power

• US 7,082,372 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2003
• Issued: 07/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Yousefi, Nariman, Rakshani, Vafa
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoff, Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SUGLO, JANET L
• Application Number:
  US10/669,842
• Publication Number:
  US 20040064275A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 702/60, 702/61, 324/527, 340/687, 713/300, 713/310, 307/126
• US Class Current: 702/60
• 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: H02J 13/00009 using pulsed signals
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/0001 using modification of a parameter of the network power signal
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/0005 the elements or equipment being or involving power plugs or sockets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/242 by comparing a transmitted test signal with a locally generated replica
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/02 Details ; arrangements for supplying electrical power along data transmission lines systems for transmitting signals via power distribution lines H04B3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements
• 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 20/00 Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/00 Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them

Abstract

A system and technique for detecting a device that requires power is implemented with a power detection station. The power detection system includes a detector having an output and a return which are coupled together by the device when the device requires power. The detector includes a word generator for generating test pulses for transmission to the device via the detector output, and a comparator for comparing the detector output with the detector return. The power detection station has a wide variety of applications, including by way of example, a switch or hub.

Claims

1. A transmission system, comprising:

a transmission line interface having at least one port;

a two-way transmission line coupled to one of the ports; and

a device coupled to the two-way transmission line, the device selectively coupling the two-way transmission line together when the device requires power,

wherein the transmission line interface outputs first and second pulses to the device through the two-way transmission line, each of the pulses having a pulse width different from one another.

2. The transmission system of claim 1 wherein the second pulse width is programmable.

3. The transmission system of claim 1 wherein the transmission line interface determines that the device requires power when the transmission line interface detects the first pulse from the two-way transmission line but not the second pulse.

4. The transmission system of claim 3 wherein the transmission line interface further comprises a power source selectively coupled to the device through the two-way transmission line when the transmission line interface determines that the device requires power.

5. The transmission system of claim 1 wherein the transmission line interface outputs a signal to the device through the two-way transmission line, and the transmission line interface determines that the device requires power when the transmission line interface detects the signal from the device through the two-way transmission line.

6. The transmission system of claim 5 wherein transmission line interface determines that the device requires power only if the transmission line interface detects the signal from the device through the two-way transmission line within a predetermined time after the transmission line interface outputs the signal.

7. The transmission system of claim 6 wherein the transmission line interface further comprises a power source selectively coupled to the device through the two-way transmission line when the transmission line interface determines that the device requires power.

8. The transmission system of claim 1 wherein the transmission line interface outputs a pseudo random word comprising a plurality of pulses.

9. The transmission system of claim 1 wherein the transmission line interface outputs a identifier comprising a plurality of pulses.

10. The transmission system of claim 1 wherein the transmission line interface comprises a power source selectively coupled to the device through the two-way transmission line.

11. The transmission system of claim 1 wherein the device comprises an IP telephone.

12. The transmission system of claim 1 further comprising a second device not requiring power.

13. The transmission system of claim 12 wherein the device comprises an IP telephone and the second device comprises a computer.

14. The transmission system of claim 12 wherein the transmission line interface comprises a power source selectively coupled to the device through the two-way transmission line.

15. The transmission system of claim 14 wherein the transmission line interface provides two-way communication between the device and the second device when the power source is selectively coupled to the device.

16. The transmission system of claim 1 wherein the transmission line interface comprises a switch.