Automatic sensing power systems and methods

• US 7,816,807 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2006
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Green Plug, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Green Plug, Inc.
• Inventors: Menas, Gregory W., Miller, Brent A., Spano, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Parries, Dru M
• Application Number:
  US11/334,082
• Publication Number:
  US 20060119182A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,735 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 power system for configuring power 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;

at least one of direct current (DC) receptacle;

a 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 a minimal DC power level, to generate the DC power at the minimal DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle for at least a selected time period, 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 processor configured to configure the at least one DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the minimal DC power level, to enable generating the DC power at the minimal DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle for at least the selected time period, to receive the communication from the 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 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.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to configure the at least one DC to DC regulator to generate DC power at the minimal DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle at least until the communication system receives the communication.

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

4. The system of claim 1 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 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.

5. The system of claim 1 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.

6. 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.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising an electrical device configured to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle.

8. The system of claim 7 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 selected DC power level comprises a selected voltage level.

10. 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.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a receiving connector; and

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 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 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 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.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the power system comprises a plurality of DC receptacles and 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 convert the DC power to a particular selected DC power level, and to generate the particular selected DC power level for the corresponding receptacle, the particular selected DC power level not initially preset; and

the processor is configured to determine the particular selected DC power level for each DC to DC regulator, to 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.

13. 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.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the 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.

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

16. A power system for configuring power, the 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;

at least one direct current (DC) receptacle;

a 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;

a power converter configured to convert the AC power to DC power at a minimal DC power level, to generate the DC power at the minimal DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle for at least a selected time period, 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;

a processor configured to configure the power converter to convert the AC power to the DC power at the minimal DC power level, to enable generating the DC power at the minimal DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle for at least the selected time period, to receive the communication from the 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.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the processor is configured to configure the power converter to generate DC power at the minimal DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle at least until the communication system receives the communication.

18. The system of claim 16 further comprising at least one AC receptacle configured to convey AC power at an AC power level.

19. The system of claim 16 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 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 16 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.

21. The system of claim 16 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.

22. The system of claim 16 further comprising an electrical device configured to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle.

23. The system of claim 22 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.

24. The system of claim 16 wherein the selected DC power level comprises a selected voltage level.

25. The system of claim 16 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.

26. The system of claim 16 further comprising:

a receiving connector; and

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 convert the AC power to other DC power at 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 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.

27. The system of claim 16 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 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 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.

28. The system of claim 16 wherein:

the power system comprises at least one other DC receptacle;

the communication system is further configured to receive another externally transmitted communication comprising other 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; and

the processor is further configured to process the other communication and, in response thereto, to determine the second selected DC power level, 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.

29. The system of claim 16 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.

30. The system of claim 16 wherein the 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.

31. The system of claim 16 wherein the at least one DC receptacle is configured to receive the communication and 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.

32. A power system for configuring power, the 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;

at least one direct current (DC) receptacle;

a 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;

a power converter configured to convert the AC power to DC power at a minimal DC power level, to generate the DC power at the minimal DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle for at least a minimal time period, 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;

a processor configured to configure the power converter to convert the AC power to the DC power at the minimal DC power level, to enable generating the DC power at the minimal DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle at least until the communication is received, to receive the communication from the 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.

33. The system of claim 32 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 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.

34. The system of claim 32 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.

35. The system of claim 32 further comprising an electrical device configured to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle.

36. The system of claim 32 wherein:

the power system comprises a plurality of DC receptacles;

the power converter is configured to convert the AC power to DC power for a plurality of selected DC power levels that are not initially preset; and

the processor is configured to determine a particular selected DC power level for each corresponding DC receptacle, to 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 the particular DC power levels to the corresponding DC receptacles.

37. A power system for configuring power, the system comprising:

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

at least one direct current (DC) receptacle;

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

a power converter configured to convert the AC power to DC power at a minimal DC power level, to generate the DC power at the minimal DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle for at least a minimal time period, to convert the AC power to DC power for at least one 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;

a processor configured to configure the power converter to convert the AC power to the DC power at the minimal DC power level, to enable generating the DC power at the minimal DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle for at least the minimal time period, to receive the communication from the communication system, 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.

38. A power system for configuring power 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 plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles;

a communication system configured to receive a plurality of externally transmitted communications, each 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 minimal DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle, to generate the DC power at the minimal DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle for a corresponding selected time period, 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; and

a processor configured to configure each DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the minimal DC power level, to enable generating the DC power at the minimal DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle for at least the corresponding selected time period, 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 enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power levels for the corresponding DC receptacles.

39. A power system for configuring power 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 the 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 minimal DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle for at least a corresponding selected time period, to generate the DC power at the minimal DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle, 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 configure each DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the minimal DC power level, to enable generating the DC power at the minimal DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle for at least the corresponding selected time period, 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 enable generating 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.

40. A power system for configuring power 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;

at least one DC receptacle 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 the 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 a minimal DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle for at least a selected time period, to generate the DC power at the minimal DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle, to convert the DC power to a selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle, 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;

a processor configured to configure the at least one DC to DC regulator to convert the DC power to the minimal DC power level, to enable generating the DC power at the minimal DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle for at least the selected time period, 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 for the at least one DC receptacle, and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power 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.