Communication system with variable output supply current
First Claim
1. A communication system comprising:
- an input comprising a positive terminal and a negative terminal to receive a continuous voltage from a voltage generator, wherein the input is coupled to an output comprising a positive terminal and a negative terminal;
a current regulator configure to limit the supply current provided by the voltage generator to the output to a maximum value;
a communication interface connected in parallel with the output, wherein the electrical impedance between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the output is varied to transmit data; and
a control circuit configured to detect the output voltage between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the output, and to vary the maximum value of the supply current provided by the voltage generator as a function of the detected output voltage.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system including a bus and a plurality of devices coupled thereto and configured to communicate with each other via the bus. The system further includes a power supply coupled to the bus, to power to the plurality of devices via the bus and to detect an event, and in response, alternately supply power to the plurality of devices via the bus at a first current level or at a lesser second current level. This allows additional devices to be used on a bus, even where the total power consumption of the devices would normally exceed a maximum defined by a bus architecture. This also helps allow a single gauge of wire to be used throughout a bus network (even where long lengths of wire are required) while still providing sufficient power to the devices connected to the bus.
3 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A communication system comprising:
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an input comprising a positive terminal and a negative terminal to receive a continuous voltage from a voltage generator, wherein the input is coupled to an output comprising a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a current regulator configure to limit the supply current provided by the voltage generator to the output to a maximum value; a communication interface connected in parallel with the output, wherein the electrical impedance between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the output is varied to transmit data; and a control circuit configured to detect the output voltage between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the output, and to vary the maximum value of the supply current provided by the voltage generator as a function of the detected output voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A lighting system comprising:
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a communication system, comprising; an input comprising a positive terminal and a negative terminal to receive a continuous voltage from a voltage generator, wherein the input is coupled to an output comprising a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a current regulator configure to limit the supply current provided by the voltage generator to the output to a maximum value; a communication interface connected in parallel with the output, wherein the electrical impedance between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the output is varied to transmit data; and a control circuit configured to detect the output voltage between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the output, and to vary the maximum value of the supply current provided by the voltage generator as a function of the detected output voltage; and a power supply circuit configured to power a light source, wherein the power supply circuit comprises a communication interface connected in parallel with the output, and wherein the communication interface of the power supply circuit is configured to receive configuration parameters from the communication system and/or to transmit data that indicates the operation of the power supply circuit and/or the light source to the communication system. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of operating a communication system, comprising:
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detecting a value indicative of an output voltage between a positive terminal and a negative terminal of an output, wherein the output is coupled to an input, wherein the input comprises a positive terminal and a negative terminal to receive a continuous voltage from a voltage generator; providing, by the voltage generator, a supply current to the output; and varying a maximum value of the supply current provided by the voltage generator as a function of the value indicative of the output voltage.
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Specification