Automatic sensing power systems and methods

• US 7,514,814 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2007
• Issued: 04/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Green Plug, LLC
• Original Assignee: mPATHX, LLC
• Inventors: Menas, Gregory W., Spano, Steve, Miller, Brent A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Deberadinis, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US11/777,214
• Publication Number:
  US 20070257559A1
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 307/38
• US Class Current: 307/38
• 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 method for configuring alternating current (AC) power comprising:

receiving the AC power through at least one connector of a power system, the power system comprising a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles, a first communication system, at least one AC to DC regulator, at least one DC to DC regulator, and a first processor, the at least one connector selected from a group consisting of a line-cord and a plug;

converting the AC power to DC power at the at least one AC to DC regulator;

transmitting a communication from a second communication system of an electrical device, the communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level, the electrical device comprising a second connector;

receiving the communication at the first communication system;

processing the communication at the first processor and, in response thereto, determining the selected DC power level and dynamically configuring the at least one DC to DC regulator to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level;

dynamically converting the DC power to the selected DC power level at the at least one DC to DC regulator and generating the DC power at the selected DC power level for at least one DC receptacle, the selected DC power level not initially preset; and

receiving the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle at the electrical device through the second connector.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the power system comprises at least one AC receptacle; and

the method further comprises conveying the AC power from the at least one AC receptacle at an AC power level.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein:

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

the method further comprises;

configuring each DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to another selected DC power level at the first processor; and

converting the DC power to the other selected DC power level at each DC to DC regulator and generating the DC power at the other selected DC power level for a corresponding DC receptacle, the other selected DC power levels not initially preset.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating the configuration data comprising an identification of the selected DC power level at the electrical device; and

processing the communication with the selected DC power level identification at the first processor and, in response thereto, configuring the at least one DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level and generating the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein:

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

the method further comprises;

generating the configuration data at the electrical device, the configuration data comprising a particular device identification for the electrical device; and

processing the communication with the particular device identification at the first processor and, in response thereto, searching the memory to determine the selected DC power level corresponding to the particular device identification.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

connecting the at least one DC receptacle with the second connector from the electrical device; and

detecting the second connector connecting with the at least one DC receptacle at the first processor and, in response thereto, selecting the at least one DC receptacle to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level.

7. The method 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.

8. The method of claim 1 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.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving the communication in 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.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving the communication through at least one member of another group consisting of a communication interface and the at least one DC receptacle.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the power system comprises at least one modulator; and

the method further comprises;

receiving the communication from the at least one DC receptacle at the at least one modulator; and

transmitting the communication from the at least one modulator to the first processor for processing.

12. The method 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.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating a second communication from the power system for reception by the electrical device, the 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 electrical device, the communication received from the electrical 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.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving the AC power at the at least one connector from an electrical supply; and

communicating at least one other communication through at least one transfer method selected from a second group consisting of;

transmitting the at least one other communication to the power system through the electrical supply; and

receiving at the power system the at least one other communication through the electrical supply.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the power system comprises a receiving connector; and

the method further comprises;

receiving the AC power at a detachable device through another connector configured to removably connect to at least one second member of a second group consisting of the receiving connector and a power source, the detachable device comprising at least one other DC receptacle, at least one other AC to DC regulator, at least one other DC to DC regulator, and another processor;

converting the AC power to other DC power at the at least one other AC to DC regulator;

determining a second selected DC power level at the other processor and configuring the at least one other DC to DC regulator to convert the other DC power to the second selected DC power level; and

converting the other DC power to the second selected DC power level at the at least one other DC to DC regulator and generating the DC power at the second selected DC power level for the at least one other DC receptacle, the second selected DC power level not initially preset.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the power system comprises at least one other DC to DC regulator; and

the method further comprises;

transmitting a second communication from a third communication system of a second electrical device, the second communication comprising second configuration data that, when processed, identifies a second selected DC power level, the second electrical device comprising a third connector;

receiving the second communication at the first communication system;

processing the second communication at the first processor and, in response thereto, determining the second selected DC power level and configuring the at least one other DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the second selected DC power level;

converting the DC power to the second selected DC power level at the at least one other DC to DC regulator and generating the DC power at the second selected DC power level for at least one other DC receptacle, the second selected DC power level not initially preset;

receiving the DC power at the second selected DC power level from the at least one other DC receptacle at the second electrical device through the third connector.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein:

the power system comprises at least one modulator; and

the method further comprises;

receiving the second communication at the at least one modulator from the at least one other DC receptacle; and

transmitting the second communication from the at least one modulator to the first processor for processing.

18. A method for configuring alternating current (AC) power comprising:

receiving the AC power at a power system through at least one connector selected from a group consisting of a line-cord and a plug, the power system comprising a first communication system, at least one direct current (DC) receptacle, at least one power converter, and a first processor;

transmitting a communication from a second communication system of an electrical device, the communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level, the electrical device comprising a second connector;

receiving the communication at the first communication system;

processing the communication at the first processor and, in response thereto, determining the selected DC power level and configuring the power converter to convert the AC power to DC power at the selected DC power level;

converting the AC power to the DC power at the selected DC power level at the at least one power converter and generating 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

receiving the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle at an electrical device through the second connector.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

generating the configuration data comprising an identification of the selected DC power level at the electrical device;

processing the communication with the selected DC power level identification at the first processor and, in response thereto, configuring the power converter to convert the AC power to the DC power at the selected DC power level; and

generating the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein:

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

the method further comprises;

generating the configuration data at the electrical device, the configuration data comprising a particular device identification for the electrical device; and

processing the communication with the particular device identification at the first processor and, in response thereto, searching the memory to determine the selected DC power level corresponding to the particular device identification.

21. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

connecting the at least one DC receptacle with the second connector from the electrical device; and

detecting the second connector connecting with the at least one DC receptacle at the first processor and, in response thereto, selecting the at least one DC receptacle to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level.

22. The method of claim 18 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; and

the method further comprises;

receiving the AC power transferred from the at least one connector at the at least one AC receptacle; and

conveying the DC power at another selected DC power level from the at least one other DC receptacle.

23. The method of claim 18 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.

24. The method of claim 18 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.

25. The method of claim 18 further comprising the communication receiving in 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.

26. The method of claim 18 further comprising receiving the communication through at least one member of another group consisting of a communication interface and the at least one DC receptacle.

27. The method of claim 18 wherein:

the power system comprises at least one modulator; and

the method further comprises;

receiving the communication at the at least one modulator from the at least one DC receptacle; and

transmitting the communication from the at least one modulator to the first processor for processing.

28. The method of claim 18 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.

29. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

generating a second communication from the power system for reception by the electrical device, the 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 electrical device, the communication received from the electrical 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.

30. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

receiving the AC power at the at least one connector from an electrical supply; and

communicating at least one other communication through at least one transfer method selected from a second group consisting of;

transmitting the at least one other communication to the power system through the electrical supply; and

receiving at the power system the at least one other communication through the electrical supply.

31. The method of claim 18 wherein:

the power system comprises a receiving connector; and

the method further comprises;

receiving the AC power at a detachable device through another connector configured to removably connect to at least one second member of a second group consisting of the receiving connector and a power source, the detachable device comprising at least one other DC receptacle, another power converter, and another processor;

determining a second selected DC power level at the other processor and configuring the other power converter to dynamically convert the AC power to other DC power at the second selected DC power level; and

converting the AC power to the other DC power at the second selected DC power level at the other power converter and generating 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 initially preset.

32. The method of claim 18 wherein:

the power converter comprises at least one AC to DC regulator and at least one DC to DC regulator; and

the method further comprises;

converting the AC power to the DC power at the at least one AC to DC regulator;

configuring the at least one DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level at the first processor; and

converting the DC power to the selected DC power level at the at least one DC to DC regulator and generating the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle.

33. The method of claim 18 wherein:

the power system comprises at least one other DC receptacle; and

the method further comprises;

receiving a second communication at the first communication system, the second communication comprising second configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one second selected DC power level;

processing the second communication at the first processor and, in response thereto, determining the second selected DC power level and configuring the power converter to dynamically convert the AC power to DC power at the second selected DC power level;

converting the AC power to the DC power at the second selected DC power level at the power converter and generating the DC power at the second selected DC power level for the at least one other DC receptacle, the second selected DC power level not initially preset;

receiving the DC power at the second selected DC power level at a second electrical device through a third connector configured to receive the DC power from the at least one other DC receptacle, the electrical device comprising a third communication system; and

transmitting the second communication received by the power system through the third communication system.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein:

the power system comprises at least one modulator; and

the method further comprises;

receiving the second communication at the at least one modulator from the at least one other DC receptacle; and

transmitting the second communication from the at least one modulator to the first processor for processing.

35. A method for configuring alternating current (AC) power comprising:

receiving the AC power through at least one connector of a power system, the power system comprising a first communication system, a plurality of DC receptacles, a power converter, and a first processor, the at least one connector selected from a group consisting of a line-cord and a plug;

generating a communication at a second processor of an electrical device, the communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level, the electrical device comprising a second connector and a second communication system, and the configuration data comprising at least one member of another group consisting of the at least one selected DC power level and a particular device identification;

transmitting a communication from the second communication system;

receiving the communication at the first communication system;

processing the communication at the first processor and, in response thereto, determining the selected DC power level based on the configuration data and configuring the at least one power converter to convert the AC power to DC power at the selected DC power level;

converting the AC power to the DC power at the selected DC power level at the at least one power converter and generating the DC power at the selected DC power level for at least one DC receptacle, the selected DC power level not initially preset; and

receiving the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle at the electrical device through the second connector.

36. The method of claim 35 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 method of claim 35 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.

38. The method of claim 35 wherein:

the power system comprises at least one other DC receptacle; and

the method further comprises;

generating a second communication at a third processor of a second electrical device, the second communication comprising second configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one second selected DC power level, the second electrical device comprising a third connector and a third communication system;

transmitting the second communication from the third communication system;

receiving the second communication at the first communication system;

processing the second communication at the first processor and, in response thereto, determining the second selected DC power level and configuring the at least one power converter to dynamically convert the AC power to DC power at the second selected DC power level;

converting the AC power to the DC power at the second selected DC power level at the at least one power converter and generating the DC power at the second selected DC power level for the at least one other DC receptacle, the second selected DC power level not initially preset; and

receiving the DC power at the second selected DC power level from the at least one other DC receptacle at the second electrical device through the third connector.

39. A method for configuring alternating current (AC) power comprising:

receiving the AC power through at least one connector of a power system, the power system comprising a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles, a first communication system, at least one AC to DC regulator, a plurality of DC to DC regulators, each corresponding to one of the DC receptacles, and a first processor, the at least one connector selected from a group consisting of a line-cord and a plug;

converting the AC power to DC power at the at least one AC to DC regulator;

generating a communication at a second processor of an electrical device, the communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level, the electrical device comprising a second connector and a second communication system, and the configuration data comprising at least one member of another group consisting of the at least one selected DC power level and a particular device identification;

transmitting the communication from the second communication system;

receiving the communication at the first communication system;

processing the communication at the first processor and, in response thereto, determining the selected DC power level and configuring at least one DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level;

converting the DC power to the selected DC power level at the at least one DC to DC regulator and generating the DC power at the selected DC power level for at least one DC receptacle, the selected DC power level not initially preset; and

receiving the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle at the electrical device through the second connector.

40. The method of claim 39 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.

41. The method of claim 39 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.

42. The method of claim 39 wherein:

the power system comprises at least one other DC to DC regulator; and

the method further comprises;

generating a second communication at a third processor of a second electrical device, the second communication comprising second configuration data that, when processed, identifies a second selected DC power level, the second electrical device comprising a third connector and a third communication system;

transmitting the second communication from the third communication;

receiving the second communication at the first communication system;

processing the second communication at the first processor and, in response thereto, determining the second selected DC power level and configuring the at least one other DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the second selected DC power level;

converting the DC power to the second selected DC power level at the at least one other DC to DC regulator and generating the DC power at the second selected DC power level for at least one other DC receptacle, the second selected DC power level not initially preset; and

receiving the DC power at the second selected DC power level from the at least one other DC receptacle at a second electrical device through the third connector.

43. A method for configuring alternating current (AC) power comprising:

receiving the AC power through at least one connector of a power system, the power system comprising a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles, at least one AC to DC regulator, a processor, and a plurality of DC to DC regulators, each DC receptacle configured to receive a communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level, each DC to DC regulator corresponding to one of the DC receptacles, and the at least one connector selected from a group consisting of a line-cord and a plug;

converting the AC power to DC power at the at least one AC to DC regulator;

processing each communication at the processor and, in response thereto, determining a selected DC power level for each corresponding DC receptacle based on the configuration data and configuring each DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle;

converting the DC power to the selected DC power level at each DC to DC regulator for the corresponding DC receptacle and generating the DC power at the selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle, each selected DC power level for each corresponding DC receptacle independent of other selected DC power levels for other corresponding DC receptacles, each selected DC power level not initially preset; and

receiving the DC power at the selected DC power level from at least one corresponding DC receptacle at an electrical device through a second connector.

44. A method for configuring alternating current (AC) power comprising:

receiving the AC power through at least one connector of a power system, the power system comprising a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles, at least one AC to DC regulator, a processor, a communication system, and a plurality of DC to DC regulators, the at least one connector selected from a group consisting of a line-cord and a plug, and each DC to DC regulator corresponding to one of the DC receptacles;

converting the AC power to DC power at the at least one AC to DC regulator;

receiving a plurality of communications at the communication system, each communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level

processing each communication at the processor and, in response thereto, determining a selected DC power level for each corresponding DC receptacle based on the configuration data and configuring each DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle;

converting the DC power to the selected DC power level at each DC to DC regulator for the corresponding DC receptacle and generating the DC power at the selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle, each selected DC power level for each corresponding DC receptacle independent of other selected DC power levels for other corresponding DC receptacles, each selected DC power level not initially preset; and

receiving the DC power at the selected DC power level from at least one corresponding DC receptacle at an electrical device through a second connector.

45. A method for configuring alternating current (AC) power comprising:

receiving the AC power through at least one connector of a power system, the power system comprising a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles, at least one AC to DC regulator, a processor, and at least one DC to DC regulator, the at least one connector selected from a group consisting of a line-cord and a plug, and wherein at least one DC receptacle is configured to receive a communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level;

converting the AC power to DC power at the at least one AC to DC regulator;

transmitting the communication from a communication system of an electrical device, the electrical device comprising a second connector;

processing the communication at the processor and, in response thereto, determining a selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle based on the configuration data and configuring the at least one DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle;

converting the DC power to the selected DC power level at the least one DC to DC regulator for the at least one DC receptacle and generating 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

receiving the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle at the electrical device through the second connector.