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

• US 9,625,964 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2014
• Issued: 04/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyndryl Incorporated (Kyndryl Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Bhogal, Kulvir S., Boss, Gregory J., Hamilton, II, Rick A., Polozoff, Alexandre
• Primary Examiner(s): JARRETT, RYAN A
• Application Number:
  US14/258,390
• Publication Number:
  US 20140229749A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 power to an electronic device, comprising:

receiving, by a power center, a broadcast transmitted by the electronic device, the broadcast including a unique identification of a power tip;

verifying the unique identification and connection location of the electronic device;

determining power requirements for the electronic device based on the unique identification and connection location;

validating a power specification of the power tip meets the power requirements for the electronic device; and

delivering power to the electronic device based on the determined power requirements.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining power requirements comprises accessing a database of power requirements via a communication link.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining power requirements comprises:

providing a look-up table of power requirements in a database; and

determining the power requirements of the electronic device from the look-up table using the unique identification.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the unique identification identifies or pairs the power tip with a make and model of the electronic device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the power tip is a universal adapter configured for a plurality of electronic devices having different physical power connection characteristics.

6. 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 electronic device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an interactive mechanism configured for a user to manually enter power specifications for given electronic device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the verifying the connection location of the electronic device comprises transmitting an RF signal between the power center and the electronic device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving the broadcast comprises receiving the broadcast via a wireless network connection.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving the broadcast comprises receiving the broadcast via a wired network connection.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving the broadcast comprises receiving the broadcast via a serial connection.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving the broadcast comprises receiving the broadcast via a power supply cord.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the validation includes verifying the make and model of the electronic device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the verification is based in part on the unique identifier.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the power specification of power tip is static so that the power tip is configured to deliver the static power specification.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising changing the power requirements of the electronic device through an interface.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

accessing the interface via a web interface; and

displaying the interface on a user device.