Automatic sensing power systems and methods

• US 7,285,874 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2006
• Issued: 10/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Green Plug, Inc.
• Original Assignee: mPATHX, LLC
• Inventors: Spano, Steve, Miller, Brent A., Menas, Gregory W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Deberadinis, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US11/334,084
• Publication Number:
  US 20060129253A1
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 307/38, 307/80
• US Class Current: 307/80
• 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 system for configuring power for an electrical device comprising:

a power system comprising;

at least one connector configured to convey alternating current (AC) power and selected from a group consisting of a line-cord and a plug;

a communication system configured to receive a communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected direct current (DC) power level for the electrical device;

at least one DC receptacle;

a power converter configured to dynamically convert the AC power to DC power for the selected DC power level and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle, the selected DC power level not being initially preset; and

a processor configured to process the communication and, in response thereto, to determine the selected DC power level, to dynamically configure the power converter to dynamically convert the AC power to the DC power at the selected DC power level, and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle; and

a processing device external to the electrical device and external to the power system and configured to generate the communication with the configuration data.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the processing device further is configured to generate the configuration data comprising an identification of the selected DC power level; and

the processor is configured to process the communication with the selected DC power level identification and, in response thereto, to dynamically configure the power converter to dynamically convert the AC power to the DC power at the selected DC power level and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the power system comprises memory comprising a plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels;

the processing device further is configured to generate the configuration data comprising a particular device identification for the electrical device; and

the processor is configured to process the communication with the particular device identification and, in response thereto, to search the memory to determine the selected DC power level corresponding to the particular device identification.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein:

the memory comprises a data structure comprising the plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels; and

the processing device further comprises an update process configured to load an update of the data structure to the power system for storage in the memory.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the update process comprises an automatic update process configured to load the update from the processing device to the power system upon a connection between the processing device and the power system.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein:

the memory comprises a data structure comprising the plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels; and

the power system comprises an update process configured to automatically receive an update of the data structure and to store the update in the memory.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the processing device further is configured to select the at least one DC receptacle at which the selected DC power level is to be generated and to generate the configuration data comprising identifying the selected DC receptacle; and

the processor is configured to process the communication and, in response thereto, to select the at least one DC receptacle to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the power system comprises a plurality of DC receptacles;

the processing device further is configured to select one of the plurality of DC receptacles at which the selected DC power level is to be generated and to generate the configuration data comprising identifying the selected DC receptacle; and

the processor is configured to process the communication with the configuration data and, in response thereto, to select the at least one DC receptacle to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the power system comprises a plurality of DC receptacles; and

the processor is configured to select the at least one DC receptacle to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level from the plurality of DC receptacles.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the at least one DC receptacle is configured to accept a connection; and

the processor is configured to detect the connection and, in response thereto, to select the at least one DC receptacle to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the processing device is configured to enable and disable the at least one DC receptacle.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the power system comprises at least one other receptacle selected from another group consisting of at least one AC receptacle and at least one other DC receptacle, the at least one AC receptacle configured to receive AC power transfeffed from the at least one connector, the at least one other DC receptacle configured to convey DC power at another selected DC power level; and

the processing device is configured to enable and disable the at least one other receptacle.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the power system further comprises memory configured to store firmware processed by the processor to perform at least one function;

the communication system is configured to receive an update for the firmware; and

the processor is configured to control storing the update to the memory.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the power system comprises at least one member of another group consisting of a power strip, a rack mount system, a cabinet mount system, and a detachable device.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrical device is configured to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle and the electrical device comprises at least one member of another group consisting of a computer, a printer, a fax machine, a pocket PC, a personal digital assistant, a phone, a camera, a recording device, an audio device, a video device, and a drill.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication system is configured to communicate via at least one format selected from another group consisting of a universal serial bus format, a Bluetooth format, an Ethernet format, a Firewire format, a cable format, a phone line format, a digital subscriber line service format, and an internet protocol format.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the selected DC power level comprises at least one member of another group consisting of a selected voltage level and a selected current level.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the processor further is configured to generate a second communication comprising status data for the power system, the status data comprising at least one member of another group consisting of an operation of the power system, an event log of the power system, a disable of the at least one DC receptacle, an enable of the at least one DC receptacle, a state of the at least one DC receptacle, a voltage setting for the at least one DC receptacle, a current setting for the at least one DC receptacle, a power setting for the at least one DC receptacle, another communication received from the processing device, the communication received from the processing device, a device identification received for the electrical device, the selected DC power level received for the electrical device, a power surge, a critical event for the power system, a blown fuse, a blown circuit, a fault, a process breakdown, and another circuit event for the power system; and

the communication system is configured to generate the second communication for reception by the processing device.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein the processing device is configured to generate for display at least one operation information of the power system selected from another group consisting of an operation of the power system, an event log of the power system, a disable of the at least one DC receptacle, an enable of the at least one DC receptacle, a state of the at least one DC receptacle, a voltage setting for the at least one DC receptacle, an current setting for the at least one DC receptacle, a power setting for the at least one DC receptacle, another communication received from the processing device, the communication received from the processing device, a device identification received for the electrical device, the selected DC power level received for the electrical device, a power surge, a critical event for the power system, a blown fuse, a blown circuit, a fault, a process breakdown, and another circuit event for the power system.

20. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one other receptacle, wherein the communication system is configured to receive the communication through at least one member of another group consisting of the at least one DC receptacle and the at least one other receptacle.

21. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication system is in communication with the at least one DC receptacle and is configured to receive a second communication from the processor and to transmit the second communication via the at least one DC receptacle.

22. The system of claim 1 further comprising an electrical supply configured to transfer the AC power received by the at least one connector, wherein the communication system is configured to transmit or receive at least one other communication through the electrical supply.

23. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the power system further comprises a receiving connector; and

the system further comprises a detachable device comprising;

another connector configured to receive AC power and to removably connect to at least one second member of a second group consisting of the receiving connector and a power source;

another communication system configured to receive another communication comprising other configuration data that, when processed, identifies a second selected DC power level, the other configuration data comprising at least one third member of a third group consisting of the second selected DC power level and a device identification corresponding to the second selected DC power level;

at least one other DC receptacle;

another power converter configured to dynamically convert the AC power to other DC power for the second selected DC power level and to generate the other DC power at the second selected DC power level for the at least one other DC receptacle, the second selected DC power level not being initially preset; and

another processor configured to process the other communication and, in response thereto, to determine the second selected DC power level, to dynamically configure the other power converter to convert the AC power to the other DC power at the second selected DC power level, and to enable generating the other DC power at the second selected DC power level to the at least one other DC receptacle.

24. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the power system comprises at least one other DC receptacle;

the power converter is configured to dynamically convert the AC power to DC power for a second dynamically selected DC power level that is not initially preset and to generate the DC power at the second selected DC power level for the at least one other DC receptacle; and

the processor is configured to determine the second selected DC power level for the at least one other DC receptacle, to dynamically configure the power converter to convert the AC power to the DC power at the second selected DC power level, and to enable generating the DC power at the second selected DC power level to the at least one other DC receptacle.

25. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the power system comprises a plurality of DC receptacles;

the power converter is configured to dynamically convert the AC power to DC power for a plurality of selected DC power levels that are not initially preset and to generate the DC power at the particular DC power levels for each corresponding DC receptacle; and

the processor is configured to determine a particular selected DC power level for each corresponding DC receptacle, to dynamically configure the power converter to convert the AC power to the DC power at the particular DC power levels, and to enable generating the DC power at each particular DC power level to each corresponding DC receptacle.

26. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the power converter comprises;

an AC to DC regulator configured to convert the AC power to DC power; and

at least one DC to DC regulator configured to receive the DC power from the AC to DC regulator, to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level, and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle; and

the processor is configured to dynamically configure the DC to DC regulator to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle.

27. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the power system further comprises a plurality of DC receptacles; and

the power converter comprises;

an AC to DC regulator configured to convert the AC power to DC power; and

a plurality of DC to DC regulators, each corresponding to one of the DC receptacles and each configured to receive the DC power from the AC to DC regulator, to dynamically convert the DC power to a particular DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle, and to generate the DC power at the particular DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle, the particular DC power levels not being initially preset; and

the processor is configured to dynamically configure the DC to DC regulators to dynamically convert the DC power to the particular DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle and to enable generating the DC power at the particular DC power levels to the corresponding DC receptacles.

28. A system for configuring power for an electrical device comprising:

a power system comprising;

at least one connector configured to convey AC power and selected from a group consisting of a line-cord and a plug;

a communication system configured to receive at least one communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies a selected direct current (DC) power level for the electrical device, the configuration data comprising at least one other member of another group consisting of the selected DC power level and a particular device identification corresponding to the electrical device;

a plurality of DC receptacles;

a power converter configured to dynamically convert the AC power to DC power at the selected DC power level, the selected DC power level not being an initially preset conversion level;

a processor configured to process the communication and, in response thereto, to determine the selected DC power level based on the configuration data, to select one of the DC receptacles at which the selected DC power level will be generated, to dynamically configure the power converter to convert the AC power to the DC power with the selected DC power level, and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level to the selected DC receptacle; and

a processing device external to the electrical device and external to the power system and configured to generate the communication with the configuration data.

29. A system for configuring power for an electrical device comprising:

a power system comprising;

a power input configured to receive alternating current (AC) power;

a communication system configured to receive a communication comprising configuration data comprising a selected direct current (DC) power level for the electrical device;

at least one DC receptacle;

a power converter configured to dynamically convert the AC power to DC power for the selected DC power level and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle, the selected DC power level not being an initially preset conversion level; and

a processor configured to process the communication and, in response thereto, to determine the selected DC power level, to dynamically configure the power converter to convert the AC power to the DC power with the selected DC power level, and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle; and

a processing device external to the electrical device and external to the power system and configured to generate the communication with the configuration data.

30. A system for configuring power for an electrical device comprising:

a power system comprising;

at least one connector configured to convey alternating current (AC) power and selected from a group consisting of a line-cord and a plug;

a communication system configured to receive a communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected direct current (DC) power level;

a plurality of DC receptacles;

an AC to DC regulator configured to convert AC power to DC power;

at least one DC to DC regulator configured to receive the DC power from the AC to DC regulator, to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level, and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level for at least one DC receptacle, the selected DC power level not initially preset; and

a processor configured to process the communication and, in response thereto, to determine the selected DC power level based on the configuration data, to dynamically configure the at least one DC to DC regulator to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level, and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle; and

a processing device external to the electrical device and external to the power system and configured to generate the communication with the configuration data.

31. The system of claim 30 further comprising at least one AC receptacle configured to convey AC power at an AC power level.

32. The system of claim 30 wherein:

the configuration data comprises an identification of the selected DC power level; and

the processor is configured to process the communication with the selected DC power level identification and, in response thereto, to dynamically configure the at least one DC to DC regulator to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle.

33. The system of claim 30 wherein:

the configuration data comprises at least one particular device identification;

the power system comprises memory comprising a plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels; and

the processor is configured to process the communication with the particular device identification and, in response thereto, to search the memory to determine the selected DC power level corresponding to the particular device identification.

34. The system of claim 30 wherein:

the memory comprises a data structure comprising the plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels; and

the processing device further comprises an update process configured to download an update of the data structure to the power system for storage in the memory.

35. The system of claim 30 wherein:

the power system further comprises memory configured to store firmware processed by the processor to perform at least one function;

the communication system is configured to receive an update for the firmware; and

the processor is configured to control storing the update to the memory.

36. The system of claim 30 wherein the power system comprises at least one member of another group consisting of a power strip, a rack mount system, a cabinet mount system, and a detachable device.

37. The system of claim 30 wherein the electrical device is configured to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle.

38. The system of claim 37 wherein the electrical device comprises at least one member of another group consisting of a computer, a printer, a fax machine, a pocket PC, a personal digital assistant, a phone, a camera, a recording device, an audio device, a video device, and a drill.

39. The system of claim 30 wherein the selected DC power level comprises at least one member of another group consisting of a selected voltage level and a selected current level.

40. The system of claim 30 wherein:

the power system further comprises a receiving connector; and

the system further comprises a detachable device comprising;

another connector configured to receive AC power and to removably connect to at least one second member of a second group consisting of the receiving connector and a power source;

at least one other DC receptacle;

another AC to DC regulator configured to convert AC power to other DC power;

at least one other DC to DC regulator configured to receive the other DC power from the other AC to DC regulator, to dynamically convert the other DC power to a second selected DC power level, and to generate the other DC power at the second selected DC power level to the at least one other DC receptacle; and

another processor configured to determine the second selected DC power level, to dynamically configure the at least one other DC to DC regulator to convert the other DC power to the second selected DC power level, and to enable generating the other DC power at the second selected DC power level to the at least one other DC receptacle.

41. The system of claim 30 wherein:

the power system comprises a plurality of DC to DC regulators, each corresponding to one of the DC receptacles;

each DC to DC regulator is configured to receive the DC power from the AC to DC regulator, to dynamically convert the DC power to a particular selected DC power level, and to generate the particular selected DC power level for the corresponding receptacle; and

the processor is configured to determine the particular selected DC power level for each DC to DC regulator, to dynamically configure each DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the particular DC power level, and to enable generating the DC power at each particular DC power level to each corresponding DC receptacle.

42. The system of claim 30 wherein the communication system is configured to communicate via at least one format selected from another group consisting of a universal serial bus format, a Bluetooth format, an Ethernet format, a Firewire format, a cable format, a phone line format, a digital subscriber line service format, and an internet protocol format.

43. The system of claim 30 wherein the communication system is configured to receive the communication through at least one member of another group consisting of a communication interface and the at least one DC receptacle.

44. The system of claim 30 wherein the communication system comprises at least one modulator configured to receive the communication from the at least one DC receptacle and to transmit the communication to the processor.

45. A system for configuring power comprising:

a power system comprising;

at least one connector configured to convey alternating current (AC) power and selected from a group consisting of a line-cord and a plug;

a communication system configured to receive a communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected direct current (DC) power level;

at least one DC receptacle;

an AC to DC regulator configured to convert AC power to DC power;

at least one DC to DC regulator configured to receive the DC power from the AC to DC regulator, to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level, and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle, the selected DC power level not initially preset; and

a processor configured to process the communication and, in response thereto, to determine the selected DC power level based on the configuration data, to dynamically configure the at least one DC to DC regulator to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level, and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle; and

a processing device external to the power system and configured to generate the communication with the configuration data.