Energy flow controller

• US 9,923,378 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2015
• Issued: 03/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2015
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC (Allied Inventors Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC (Allied Inventors Management, LLC)
• Inventors: Cao, Junwei, Yang, Zijing
• Primary Examiner(s): BARNIE, REXFORD N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Thai
• Application Number:
  US15/031,394
• Publication Number:
  US 20170117712A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 307 31, 700286, 700291, 700295
• 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 1/28 Supervision thereof, e.g. detecting power-supply failure by out of limits supervision
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/30 Means for acting in the event of power-supply failure or interruption, e.g. power-supply fluctuations for resetting only G06F1/24
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00 Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving

Abstract

Technologies effective to control a distribution of energy from an energy source to a first device and to a second device are generally described. In some examples, a controller may receive first device data and second device data, from the first device and the second device, respectively. The first device data may indicate first energy consumption by the first device and a first current energy quantity of the first device. The second device data may indicate second energy consumption by the second device and a second current energy quantity of the second device. The controller may control a first switch and a second switch, based on the first and second device data, to allow a first transmission of first energy from the energy source to the first device, and to interrupt a second transmission of second energy from the energy source to the second device.

Claims

1. A method to control a distribution of energy from an energy source to a first device and to a second device, the method comprising, by a controller:

receiving first device data and first routine data from the first device, wherein the first device data is effective to indicate a first energy consumption by the first device, and the first device data relates to a first current energy quantity of the first device, and wherein the first routine data relates to a first frequency of execution of a first application by the first device;

receiving second device data and second routine data from the second device, wherein the second device data is effective to indicate a second energy consumption by the second device, and the second device data relates to a second current energy quantity of the second device, and wherein the second routine data relates to a second frequency of execution of a second application by the second device;

controlling a first switch, based on the first device data, the first routine data, the second device data, and the second routine data to allow a first transmission of first energy from the energy source to the first device; and

controlling a second switch, based on the first device data, the first routine data, the second device data, and the second routine data to interrupt a second transmission of second energy from the energy source to the second device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to receiving the first device data and the second device data:

detecting an execution of a particular application by the first device;

sending an instruction to the first device to terminate an execution of another application different from the particular application;

receiving execution data related to an amount of energy consumed by the first device during the execution of the particular application by the first device;

detecting a suspension of the particular application by the first device;

receiving suspension data related to an amount of energy consumed by the first device during the suspension of the particular application by the first device; and

generating application data related to the particular application and the first device based on the execution data and the suspension data, wherein controlling the first and second switches is further based on the application data.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to controlling the first and second switches:

comparing the first device data with the second device data;

assigning the first device to a first energy deficiency level based on the comparison of the first device data with the second device data, wherein the first energy deficiency level indicates a first energy deficiency;

generating a first control signal based on the assignment of the first device to the first energy deficiency level, wherein the first control signal is effective to control the first switch;

assigning the second device to a second energy deficiency level based on the comparison of the first device data with the second device data, wherein the second energy deficiency level indicates a second energy deficiency that is less than the first energy deficiency; and

generating a second control signal based on the assignment of the second device to the second energy deficiency level, wherein the second control signal is effective to control the second switch,

wherein controlling the first switch comprises controlling the first switch with use of the first control signal, and

wherein controlling the second switch comprises controlling the second switch with use of the second control signal.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising, prior to controlling the first and second switches:

in response to assigning the first device to the first energy deficiency level, determining a first difference between a full energy quantity of the first device and the first current energy quantity of the first device;

in response to assigning the second device to the second energy deficiency level, determining a second difference between a threshold energy quantity of the second device and the second current energy quantity of the second device;

determining a first amount of the first energy for the first device based on the first difference; and

determining a second amount of the second energy for the second device based on the second difference.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

receiving third device data from the second device, wherein the third device data is effective to indicate a third energy consumption by the second device, and the third device data relates to a third current energy quantity of the second device;

comparing the first device data with the third device data;

assigning the second device to the first energy deficiency level based on the comparison of the first device data with the third device data; and

in response to assigning the second device to the first energy deficiency level;

generating the first control signal to activate the first switch to allow the first transmission of the first energy from the energy source to the first device; and

generating the second control signal to activate the second switch to allow the second transmission of the second energy from the energy source to the second device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a request for discharged energy from the second device;

sending the request to the second device;

receiving the discharged energy from the second device; and

transmitting the discharged energy to the first device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first device data is further effective to indicate a first battery type of a first battery of the first device,

the second device data is further effective to indicate a second battery type of a second battery of the second device, and

the method further comprises;

retrieving first battery data of the first battery type from a memory;

retrieving second battery data of the second battery type from the memory;

evaluating the first device data, the second device data, the first battery data, and the second battery data;

assigning the first device to a first energy deficiency level based on the evaluation, wherein the first energy deficiency level indicates a first energy deficiency;

assigning the second device to a second energy deficiency level based on the evaluation, wherein the second energy deficiency level indicates a second energy deficiency that is less than the first energy deficiency level;

generating a first control signal based on the assignment of the first device to the first energy deficiency level, wherein the first control signal is effective to control the first switch; and

generating a second control signal based on the assignment of the second device to the second energy deficiency level, wherein the second control signal is effective to control the second switch,

wherein controlling the first switch comprises controlling the first switch with use of the first control signal, and

wherein controlling the second switch comprises controlling the second switch with use of the second control signal.

8. A system effective to control a distribution of energy to a first device and to a second device, the system comprising:

a first module comprising;

a first interface effective to connect the first device to an energy source; and

a second interface effective to connect the second device to the energy source;

a second module configured to be in communication with the first module; and

a third module configured to be in communication with the first module and the second module, wherein the third module comprises;

a first switch configured to be in communication with the first interface of the first module, and

a second switch configured to be in communication with the second interface of the first module,

wherein the first module is configured to;

receive first device data from the first device through the first interface, wherein the first device data is effective to indicate a first energy consumption by the first device, and the first device data relates to a first current energy quantity of the first device;

receive second device data from the second device through the second interface, wherein the second device data is effective to indicate a second energy consumption by the second device, and the second device data relates to a second current energy quantity of the second device; and

send the first device data and the second device data to the second module, and wherein the second module is configured to;

control the first switch of the third module by use of a first control signal, based on the first device data and the second device data, to allow a first transmission of first energy from the energy source to the first device, wherein the first control signal is determined based on a first energy deficiency level that corresponds to comparison data of the first device data and the second device data; and

control the second switch of the third module by use of a second control signal, based on the first device data and the second device data, to interrupt a second transmission of second energy from the energy source to the second device, wherein the second control signal is determined based on a second energy deficiency level that corresponds to comparison data of the first device data and the second device data.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the second module is further configured to:

assign the first device to the first energy deficiency level, wherein the first energy deficiency level indicates a first energy deficiency;

generate the first control signal based on the assignment of the first device to the first energy deficiency level;

assign the second device to the second energy deficiency level, wherein the second energy deficiency level indicates a second energy deficiency that is less than the first energy deficiency;

generate the second control signal based on the assignment of the second device to the second energy deficiency level;

send the first control signal to the third module; and

send the second control signal to the third module.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the second module is further configured to:

in response to the assignment of the first device to the first energy deficiency level, determine a first difference between a full energy quantity of the first device and the first current energy quantity of the first device;

in response to the assignment of the second device to the second energy deficiency level, determine a second difference between a threshold energy quantity of the second device and the second current energy quantity of the second device;

determine a first amount of the first energy for the first device based on the first difference; and

determine a second amount of the second energy for the second device based on the second difference.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein:

the first module is further configured to;

receive third device data from the second device, wherein the third device data is effective to indicate a third energy consumption by the second device, and the third device data relates to a third current energy quantity of the second device; and

send the third device data to the second module; and

the second module is further configured to;

compare the first device data with the third device data;

assign the second device to the first energy deficiency level based on the comparison of the first device data with the third device data; and

in response to the assignment of the second device to the first energy deficiency level;

generate the first control signal to activate the first switch to allow the first transmission of the first energy from the energy source to the first device; and

generate the second control signal to activate the second switch to allow the second transmission of the second energy from the energy source to the second device.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the second module is further configured to:

generate a request for discharged energy from the second device;

instruct the first module to send the request to the second device;

receive a message from the first module, wherein the message is effective to indicate a receipt of the discharged energy at the first module from the second device; and

instruct the first module to transmit the discharged energy to the first device.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein:

the first device data is further effective to indicate a first battery type of a first battery of the first device,

the second device data is further effective to indicate a second battery type of a second battery of the second device, and

the system further comprises;

a memory configured to be in communication with the second module, wherein the memory is configured to;

store first battery data of the first battery type; and

store second battery data of the second battery type; and

the second module is further configured to;

retrieve the first battery data of the first battery type from the memory;

retrieve the second battery data of the second battery type from the memory;

evaluate the first device data, the second device data, the first battery data, and the second battery data;

assign the first device to a first energy deficiency level based on the evaluation, wherein the first energy deficiency level indicates a first energy deficiency;

assign the second device to a second energy deficiency level based on the evaluation, wherein the second energy deficiency level indicates a second energy deficiency that is less than the first energy deficiency level;

generate a first control signal based on the assignment of the first device to the first energy deficiency level, wherein the first control signal is effective to control the first switch;

generate a second control signal based on the assignment of the second device to the second energy deficiency level, wherein the second control signal is effective to control the second switch;

send the first control signal to the third module; and

send the second control signal to the third module.

14. An energy controller effective to control a distribution of energy to a first device and to a second device, the energy flow controller comprising:

an energy source configured to store the energy;

a first interface effective to connect the first device to the energy source, wherein the first interface is configured to receive first device data from the first device, and wherein the first device data is effective to indicate a first energy consumption by the first device, and the first device data relates to a first current energy quantity of the first device;

a second interface effective to connect the second device to the energy source, wherein the second interface is configured to receive second device data from the second device, and wherein the second device data is effective to indicate a second energy consumption by the second device, and the second device data relates to a second current energy quantity of the second device;

a processor configured to be in communication with the first interface and the second interface;

a first switch configured to be in communication with the first interface and the processor; and

a second switch configured to be in communication with the second interface and the processor;

wherein the processor is configured to;

control the first switch based on the first device data and the second device data, to allow a first transmission of first energy from the energy source to the first device;

control the second switch based on the first device data and the second device data, to interrupt a second transmission of second energy from the energy source to the second device, and

in response to a determination that the first device is further energy deficient;

generate a request for discharged energy from the second device;

send the request to the second device;

receive the discharged energy from the second device; and

transmit the discharged energy to the first device.

15. The energy controller of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to:

compare the first device data with the second device data;

assign the first device to a first energy deficiency level based on the comparison of the first device data with the second device data, wherein the first energy deficiency level indicates a first energy deficiency;

generate a first control signal based on the assignment of the first device to the first energy deficiency level, wherein the first control signal is effective to control the first switch;

assign the second device to a second energy deficiency level based on the comparison of the first device data with the second device data, wherein the second energy deficiency level indicates a second energy deficiency that is less than the first energy deficiency;

generate a second control signal based on the assignment of the second device to the second energy deficiency level, wherein the second control signal is effective to control the second switch;

control the first switch with use of the first control signal; and

control the second switch with use of the second control signal.

16. The energy controller of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to:

in response to the assignment of the first device to the first energy deficiency level, determine a first difference between a full energy quantity of the first device and the first current energy quantity of the first device;

in response to the assignment of the second device to the second energy deficiency level, determine a second difference between a threshold energy quantity of the second device and the second current energy quantity of the second device;

determine a first amount of the first energy for the first device based on the first difference; and

determine a second amount of the second energy for the second device based on the second difference.

17. The energy controller of claim 15, wherein the second interface is further configured to receive third device data from the second device, and wherein the third device data is effective to indicate a third energy consumption by the second device, and the third device data relates to a third current energy quantity of the second device, and the processor is further configured to:

compare the first device data with the third device data;

assign the second device to the first energy deficiency level based on the comparison of the first device data with the third device data; and

in response to the assignment of the second device to the first energy deficiency level;

generate the first control signal to activate the first switch to allow the first transmission of the energy from the energy source to the first device; and

generate the second control signal to activate the second switch to allow the second transmission of the energy from the energy source to the second device.

18. The energy controller of claim 14, wherein:

the first device data is further effective to indicate a first battery type of a first battery of the first device,

the second device data is further effective to indicate a second battery type of a second battery of the second device,

the energy controller further comprises;

a memory configured to be in communication with the processor, wherein the memory is configured to;

store first battery data of the first battery type; and

store second battery data of the second battery type; and

the processor is further configured to;

retrieve the first battery data of the first battery type from the memory;

retrieve the second battery data of the second battery type from the memory;

evaluate the first device data, the second device data, the first battery data, and the second battery data;

assign the first device to a first energy deficiency level based on the evaluation, wherein the first energy deficiency level indicates a first energy deficiency;

assign the second device to a second energy deficiency level based on the evaluation, wherein the second energy deficiency level indicates a second energy deficiency that is less than the first energy deficiency level;

generate a first control signal based on the assignment of the first device to the first energy deficiency level, wherein the first control signal is effective to control the first switch;

generate a second control signal based on the assignment of the second device to the second energy deficiency level, wherein the second control signal is effective to control the second switch;

control the first switch with use of the first control signal; and

control the second switch with use of the second control signal.