Ethernet powered computing device and system

• US 8,006,104 B1
• Filed: 08/02/2006
• Issued: 08/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AmZetta Technologies, LLC (American Megatrends International, LLC)
• Original Assignee: American Megatrends Incorporated
• Inventors: Sivertsen, Clas Gerhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): KINSEY, BRANDON MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US11/498,295
• Time in Patent Office: 1,847 Days
• Field of Search: 713/300, 345/173, 340/686.6, 340/686.1, 174/50, 174/520, 174/53, 174/58, 361/600, 361/679.01, 361/679.02, 220/3.2, 220/3.5, 220/4.02, 700/56
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/18 Packaging or power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements

Abstract

Apparatus and systems provide processing capabilities while utilizing power received via an Ethernet. A computing device has an Ethernet connector for receiving power and data, internal power supply circuitry for extracting power from the Ethernet connector, and a Central Processing Unit (CPU) for receiving the power. A housing may encompass the components of the computing device and be configured for installation in an electrical wall box. The housing may include a display or connectors for peripherals. A system includes at least two computing devices. Each device has an Ethernet connector for receiving power and communicating with other devices and are installed within a housing within an electrical wall box. One device has a display for receiving user input instructions for transmittal to another device, while another device has a peripheral connector for controlling a peripheral according to the instructions.

Claims

1. A computing device for providing processing capabilities while utilizing an alternative power supply, comprising:

an Ethernet connector operative to receive power and data;

internal power supply circuitry operative to extract the power from the Ethernet connector;

a Central Processing Unit (CPU) operative to receive the power from the internal power supply circuitry;

a motion sensor connected to the CPU, operative to detect a plurality of proximities of an object or person from the computing device and to trigger the CPU to execute a plurality of events, each event corresponding to a detected proximity; and

a housing encompassing the Ethernet connector, the internal power supply circuitry, the CPU, and the motion sensor, wherein the housing is configured for installation within an electrical wall box that is disposed substantially within a wall, and wherein the plurality of events comprises a first event at a first proximity and a second event at a second proximity that is different from the first proximity.

2. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the internal power supply circuitry is further operative to extract power from wires connected to the Ethernet connector that carry data and power or only power.

3. The computing device of claim 2, wherein the CPU operates according to X86, RISC, ARM, XSCALE, H8, or COLDFIRE processor architectures.

4. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a display unit.

5. The computing device of claim 4, wherein the display unit comprises a touch sensitive surface for receiving user input.

6. The computing device of claim 4, wherein the display unit is removable and mountable without the use of removable fasteners.

7. The computing device of claim 4, wherein the display unit comprises a backlight and wherein the CPU is operative to control the color and intensity of the backlight.

8. The computing device of claim 2, wherein the Ethernet connector is exposed through the back of the unit, and not visible or accessible from the front of the unit.

9. The computing device of claim 2, wherein one or more peripheral ports are exposed and accessible from the front of the unit where connections can be made to one or more peripherals.

10. The computing device of claim 2, further comprising an Infra Red (IR) interface for communication with IR devices.

11. The computing device of claim 2, further comprising:

a wireless interface built into the unit; and

an antenna connection, wherein the antenna connection is exposed as a connector or mounted.

12. The computing device of claim 2, further comprising an internal battery connected to the internal power supply circuitry, wherein the battery is operative to charge from the power received from the power supply circuitry and to provide power to the computing device when the power supply circuitry is not extracting power from the Ethernet connector.

18. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of events comprise at least one of turning on a light, turning on a stereo, and turning on a television.

19. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the second event is different from the first event.

13. A computing device for providing processing capabilities utilizing a discreet form factor and an alternative power supply, comprising:

an Ethernet connector operative to receive power and to communicate data between the computing device and one or more network devices communicatively linked to the computing device;

internal power supply circuitry operative to extract the power from the Ethernet connector;

a CPU operative to receive the power from the internal power supply circuitry;

a housing encompassing the Ethernet connector, the internal power supply circuitry, and the CPU, wherein the housing is configured for installation within an electrical wall box disposed substantially within a wall and comprises

a front plate having a protruding portion configured to fit within an opening of a finishing wall plate, and

a plurality of ventilation ridges disposed at an edge of the protruding portion, the ventilation ridges configured to provide an air passageway from a front surface of the front plate to the internal power supply circuitry and the CPU behind the front plate, and

a display unit having a touch sensitive surface for receiving user input; and

one or more peripheral ports for connecting to one or more peripherals, located on the front plate of the housing that is exposed when the housing is installed within the electrical wall box.

14. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the Ethernet connector is exposed through a rear side of the housing, and not visible or accessible from a front side of the housing.

15. A system for controlling peripheral devices, comprising:

an in-wall Ethernet hub;

a first computing device, wherein the first computing device includes

a first Ethernet connector operative to receive power and to communicate data between the first computing device and at least a second computing device communicatively linked to the first computing device via the in-wall Ethernet hub,

a first internal power supply circuitry operative to extract the power from the first Ethernet connector,

a first CPU operative to receive the power from the first internal power supply circuitry,

a first housing having a front surface configured for connection to a touch sensitive surface, the first housing encompassing the first Ethernet connector, the first internal power supply circuitry, and the first CPU, wherein the first housing is configured for installation within a first electrical wall box disposed substantially within a wall, and wherein the first Ethernet connector is located on a surface of the housing that is not exposed when the housing is installed within the first electrical box, and

the touch sensitive surface comprising a connector for connecting the touch sensitive surface to the front surface of the first housing; and

the second computing device, wherein the second computing device includes

a second Ethernet connector operative to receive power and to communicate data between the second computing device and the first computing device,

a second internal power supply circuitry operative to extract the power from the second Ethernet connector,

a second CPU operative to receive the power from the second internal power supply circuitry, and

a second housing encompassing the second Ethernet connector, the second internal power supply circuitry, and the second CPU, wherein the second housing is configured for installation within a second electrical wall box disposed substantially within a wall and comprises a front plate having a protruding portion configured to fit within an opening of a finishing wall plate, and wherein the second Ethernet connector is located on a surface of the housing that is not exposed when the housing is installed within the second electrical box.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the second computing device further comprises a plurality of peripheral connectors for connecting the second computing device to one or more peripherals, wherein the plurality of peripheral connectors are located on the front plate of the housing that is exposed when the housing is installed within the second electrical box.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first CPU is further operative to receive a user input from the touch sensitive surface and to transmit instructions to the second computing device via the first Ethernet connector, and wherein the second CPU is operative to receive the instructions from the first computing device via the second Ethernet connector and to execute the instructions.