Method and system for discovery, validation and delivery of power through a universal power center

• US 8,805,551 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2011
• Issued: 08/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyndryl Incorporated
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Bhogal, Kulvir S., Boss, Gregory J., Hamilton, Rick A. II, Polozoff, Alexandre
• Primary Examiner(s): JARRETT, RYAN A
• Application Number:
  US13/016,195
• Publication Number:
  US 20110130884A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,292 Days
• Field of Search: 700/22, 700/297, 700/298, 713/300, 713/310
• US Class Current: 700/22
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25359 Special power supply
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0215 Including financial accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00006 characterised by information or instructions transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated power network element or electrical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00007 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/12 characterised by data transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated electrical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/14 Marketing, i.e. market research and analysis, surveying, promotions, advertising, buyer profiling, customer management or rewards

Abstract

A system and method of discovery, validation and delivery of power to an electronic device through a universal power center is provided. The method comprises providing a power tip for an electronic device with a unique identification and broadcasting the unique identification to a power center. The method further includes verifying the unique identification and connection location of the electronic device, determining power requirements for the connected electronic device based on the unique identification and connection location, and delivering power to the electronic device based on the determined power requirements.

Claims

1. A method of delivering a power supply to a portable electronic device, comprising:

receiving a broadcast from the portable electronic device;

verifying a power requirement for the portable electronic device in response to the received broadcast; and

supplying the verified power requirement to the portable electronic device,

wherein;

the received broadcast from the portable electronic device includes a make and model of the portable electronic device;

the verifying comprises confirming that a unique tip identifier of a power tip matches the make and model broadcast by the portable electronic device; and

the verified power requirement is supplied to the portable electronic device after the make and model of the portable electronic device is verified.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the verification is performed by accessing an internal or external database to determine power requirements for the portable electronic device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising discovering a type of portable electronic device based on the unique tip identifier of the power tip connected to the portable electronic device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the verification is automatic.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising accessing a network to obtain the verification of the power requirement.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the accessing a network is provided via a web server.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing capabilities to manually enter power requirements for the portable electronic device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a service provider, on a subscription, advertising, and/or fee basis, provides the verification information.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating portable electronic device information on a database.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of creating, maintaining and supporting a computer infrastructure that performs the steps of claim 1.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a universal adapter configured for a plurality of portable electronic devices having different physical power connection characteristics, wherein the universal adaptor comprises a universal tip configured to supply different power specifications based on the different physical power connection characteristics of the plurality of portable electronic devices.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the broadcast is received over a dedicated serial line.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a look-up table to determine power requirements of the portable electronic device.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising looking up at least one of a plurality of bulletins, factory recalls and manufacturer updates for fine tuning adjustments to powering the portable electronic device.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a look-up table to match the unique tip identifier of the power tip to the portable electronic device.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a mechanism configured for a user to manually enter power specifications for any given portable electronic device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the mechanism connects to a network and/or a database.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the broadcast is received at a power center configured to provide the power supply to the portable electronic device; and

the broadcast is received from the portable electronic device via a communication link between the power center and the portable electronic device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the communication link is a wireless network or a power cable connected to the portable electronic device.