Automatic sensing power systems and methods

• US 7,812,475 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2006
• Issued: 10/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Green Plug, LLC
• Original Assignee: Green Plug, Inc.
• Inventors: Menas, Gregory W., Spano, Steve, Miller, Brent A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Parries, Dru M
• Application Number:
  US11/334,078
• Publication Number:
  US 20060129252A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,728 Days
• Field of Search: 307/11
• US Class Current: 307/11
• 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 alternating current (AC) power, the system 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;

at least one direct current (DC) receptacles;

a first communication system configured to receive at least one externally transmitted communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level;

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 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 first processor configured to receive the communication from the first communication system, to process the communication and, in response thereto, to determine the selected DC power level based on the configuration data, to configure the DC to DC regulator to 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

an electrical device comprising;

a second connector configured to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle; and

a second communication system configured to transmit the communication received by the power system.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one AC receptacle configured to convey AC power at an AC power level.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the at least one DC receptacle comprises a plurality of DC receptacles;

the at least one DC to DC regulator comprises a plurality of other DC to DC regulators, each corresponding to another 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 another selected DC power level, and to generate the DC power at the other selected DC power level to the corresponding DC receptacle, the other selected DC power levels not initially preset; and

the first processor is configured to dynamically configure each DC to DC regulator to dynamically convert the DC power to the other selected DC power level corresponding to the corresponding DC receptacle and to enable generating the DC power at the other selected DC power levels to the corresponding DC receptacles.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein:

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

the first 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.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein:

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

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

the first 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.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the at least one DC receptacle is configured to connect with the second connector from the electrical device; and

the first processor is configured to detect the second connector connecting with the at least one DC receptacle and, in response thereto, to select the at least one DC receptacle to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level.

7. 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.

8. The system 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 system of claim 1 wherein the first 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.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the first communication system is configured to receive the communication through at least one member of another group consisting of a communication interface of the power system and the at least one DC receptacle.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one DC receptacle is configured to receive the communication and the first 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 first processor.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the selected DC power level comprises a selected voltage level.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the first 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 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; and

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

14. 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 first communication system is configured to transmit or receive at least one other communication through the electrical supply.

15. 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 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 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

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

16. The system of claim 1 wherein:

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

the first communication system is further configured to receive a second externally transmitted communication comprising second configuration data that, when processed, identifies the second selected DC power level;

the first processor is further configured to process the second communication and, in response thereto, to determine the second selected DC power level, to configure the at least one other DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to 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; and

the system further comprises a second electrical device comprising;

a third connector configured to receive the DC power at the second selected DC power level from the at least one other DC receptacle; and

a third communication system configured to transmit the second communication received by the power system.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the first communication system comprises at least one other modulator configured to receive the second communication from the at least one other DC receptacle and to transmit the second communication to the first processor.

18. A system for configuring alternating current (AC) power, the system 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 first communication system configured to receive an externally transmitted communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected direct current (DC) power level;

at least one DC receptacle;

a power converter configured to 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 initially preset; and

a first processor configured to receive the communication from the first communication system, to process the communication and, in response thereto, to determine the selected DC power level based on the configuration data, to configure the power converter to 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

an electrical device comprising;

a second connector configured to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle; and

a second communication system configured to generate the communication received by the power system.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein:

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

the first 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.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein:

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

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

the first 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.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein:

the at least one DC receptacle is configured to connect with the second connector from the electrical device; and

the first processor is configured to detect the second connector connecting with the at least one DC receptacle and, in response thereto, to select the at least one DC receptacle to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level.

22. The system 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, the at least one AC receptacle configured to receive AC power transferred from the at least one connector, the at least one other DC receptacle configured to convey DC power at another selected DC power level.

23. The system 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 system 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 system of claim 18 wherein the first 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.

26. The system of claim 18 wherein the first communication system is configured to receive the communication through at least one member of another group consisting of a communication interface of the power system and the at least one DC receptacle.

27. The system of claim 18 wherein the at least one DC receptacle is configured to receive the communication and the first 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 first processor.

28. The system of claim 18 wherein the selected DC power level comprises a selected voltage level.

29. The system of claim 18 wherein:

the first 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 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; and

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

30. The system of claim 18 further comprising an electrical supply configured to transfer the AC power received by the at least one connector, wherein the first communication system is configured to transmit or receive at least one other communication through the electrical supply.

31. The system of claim 18 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 member of a second group consisting of the receiving connector and a power source;

at least one other DC receptacle;

another power converter configured to dynamically convert the AC power to other DC power for a 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 initially preset; and

another processor configured to determine the second selected DC power level, to dynamically configure the other power converter to dynamically 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.

32. The system of claim 18 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 first processor is configured 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 18 wherein:

the power system comprises at least one other DC receptacle;

the first communication system is further configured to receive a second externally transmitted communication comprising second configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one second selected DC power level;

the power converter is further configured to convert the AC power to DC power for the second selected DC power level and to generate 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;

the first processor is further configured to receive the second communication from the first communication system, to process the second communication and, in response thereto, to determine the second selected DC power level based on the second configuration data, to 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; and

the system further comprises a second electrical device comprising;

a third connector configured to receive the DC power at the second selected DC power level from the at least one other DC receptacle; and

a third communication system configured to transmit the second communication received by the power system.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein the first communication system comprises at least one other modulator configured to receive the second communication from the at least one other DC receptacle and to transmit the second communication to the first processor.

35. A system for configuring alternating current (AC) power, the system 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 first communication system configured to receive at least one externally transmitted communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected direct current (DC) power level, 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;

a plurality of DC receptacles;

a power converter configured to convert the AC power to DC power at 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 first processor configured to receive the communication from the first communication system, to process the communication and, in response thereto, to determine the selected DC power level based on the configuration data, to 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

an electrical device comprising;

a second connector configured to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle;

a second processor configured to generate the communication with the configuration data; and

a second communication system configured to transmit the communication received by the power system.

36. The system 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 system 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 system of claim 35 wherein:

the first communication system is further configured to receive a second externally transmitted communication comprising second configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one second selected DC power level;

the power converter is further configured to convert the AC power to DC power for the second selected DC power level and to generate the DC power at the second selected DC power level for at least one other of the DC receptacles, the second selected DC power level not initially preset;

the first processor is further configured to process the second communication and, in response thereto, to determine the second selected DC power level based on the second configuration data, to configure the power converter to convert the AC power to 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; and

the system further comprises a second electrical device comprising;

a third connector configured to receive the DC power at the second selected DC power level from the at least one other DC receptacle;

a third processor configured to generate the second communication with the second configuration data; and

a third communication system configured to transmit the second communication received by the power system.

39. A system for configuring alternating current (AC) power, the system 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 plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles;

a first communication system configured to receive at least one externally transmitted communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level, 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;

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

a plurality of DC to DC regulators, each corresponding to one of the DC receptacles, at least one DC to DC regulator configured to receive the DC power from the AC to DC regulator, to 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 first processor configured to process the communication and, in response thereto, to determine the selected DC power level based on the configuration data, to configure the at least one DC to DC regulator to 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

an electrical device comprising;

a second connector configured to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle;

a second processor configured to generate the communication with the configuration data; and

a second communication system configured to transmit the communication received by the power system.

40. The system 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 system 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 system of claim 39 wherein:

the power system comprises at least one other DC to DC regulator configured to receive the DC power from the AC to DC regulator, to dynamically convert the DC power to at least one second selected DC power level, and to generate the DC power at the second selected DC power level for at least one other one of the DC receptacles, the second selected DC power level not initially preset;

the first communication system is further configured to receive at least one second externally transmitted communication comprising second configuration data that, when processed, identifies the second selected DC power level;

the first processor is further configured to process the second communication and, in response thereto, to determine the second selected DC power level, to configure the at least one other DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to 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; and

the system further comprises a second electrical device comprising;

a third connector configured to receive the DC power at the second selected DC power level from the at least one other DC receptacle;

a third processor configured to generate the second communication with the second configuration data; and

a third communication system configured to transmit the second communication received by the power system.

43. A system for configuring power comprising:

a power system comprising;

at least one connector configured to convey alternating current (AC) power;

a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles;

a communication system configured to receive a plurality of externally transmitted communications, each comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC voltage level;

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

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 convert the DC power to the selected DC voltage level for the corresponding DC receptacle, and to generate the DC power at the selected DC voltage level for the corresponding DC receptacle, each selected DC voltage level for each corresponding DC receptacle independent of other selected DC voltage levels for other corresponding DC receptacles, each selected DC voltage level not initially preset; and

a processor configured to receive the communications from the communication system, to process the communications to determine each selected DC voltage level based on the configuration data of a corresponding communication, to configure each DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the selected DC voltage level for the corresponding DC receptacle, and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC voltage levels to the corresponding DC receptacles; and

an electrical device comprising;

a second connector configured to receive the DC power at a particular the selected DC voltage level from at least one of the corresponding DC receptacles; and

a second communication system configured to transmit at least one of the communications received by the power system.

44. A system for configuring power comprising:

a power system comprising;

at least one connector configured to convey alternating current (AC) power;

a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles;

a communication system configured to receive a plurality of externally transmitted communications, each comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level;

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

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 convert the DC power to the selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle, and to generate 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

a processor configured to receive the communications from the communication system, to process the communications to determine each selected DC power level based on the configuration data of a corresponding communication, to configure each DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle, and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power levels to the corresponding DC receptacles; and

an electrical device comprising;

a second connector configured to receive the DC power at a particular selected DC power level from at least one of the corresponding DC receptacles;

a second processor configured to generate the communication with the configuration data; and

a second communication system configured to transmit at least one of the communications received by the power system.

45. A system for configuring power comprising:

a power system comprising;

at least one connector configured to convey alternating current (AC) power;

a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles each configured to receive at least one externally transmitted communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level;

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

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 convert the DC power to a selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle, and to generate 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;

a processor configured to process the communications and, in response thereto, to determine each selected DC power level, to configure each DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle, and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power levels for the corresponding DC receptacles; and

a communication system configured to receive the communications from the DC receptacles and to transmit the communications to the processor; and

an electrical device comprising;

a second connector configured to receive the DC power at a particular the selected DC power level from at least one corresponding DC receptacle; and

a second communication system configured to transmit at least one of the communications received by the power system.

46. A system for configuring power comprising:

a power system comprising;

at least one connector configured to convey alternating current (AC) power;

at least one DC receptacle is configured to receive at least one externally transmitted communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC voltage level;

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 convert the DC power to the selected DC voltage level for the at least one DC receptacle, and to generate the DC power at the selected DC voltage level for the at least one DC receptacle, the selected DC voltage level not initially preset;

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

a communication system configured to receive the communication from the at least one DC receptacle and to transmit the communication to the processor; and

an electrical device comprising;

a second connector configured to receive the DC power at the selected DC voltage level from the at least one DC receptacle; and

a second communication system configured to transmit the communication received by the power system.