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

• US 10,359,821 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2017
• Issued: 07/23/2019
• 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, II, Rick A., Polozoff, Alexandre
• Primary Examiner(s): Jarrett, Ryan A
• Application Number:
  US15/407,482
• Publication Number:
  US 20170123469A1
• Time in Patent Office: 917 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 for a power center comprising:

identifying, by the power center, a location at which an electronic device is connected to the power center based on a unique identification of a power tip;

verifying, by the power center, the location at which the electronic device is connected to the power center based on the unique identification;

establishing, by the power center, a communication link with the electronic device;

receiving, by the power center via the communication link, the unique identification of the power tip, a make and model of the electronic device, and power requirements of the electronic device;

verifying, by the power center using a database of power requirements, the power requirements based on the unique identification of the power tip and the make and model of the electronic device; and

delivering, by the power center, power to the electronic device after verifying the power requirements.

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

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the power tip is configured for a particular make and model of the electronic device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the power center has a plurality of connection locations; and

the verifying the location at which the electronic device is connected to the power center comprises indentifying one of the plurality of connection locations at which the electronic device is connected to the power center.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the plurality of connection locations are associated with respective RF sources; and

the indentifying comprises indentifying the one of the plurality of connection locations using the RF source.

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

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

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the tuning adjustments to delivering power to the electronic device comprises the power center querying a web service and supplying a modified version of voltage and amperage to the electronic device according to the manufacturer.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising customizing power delivery by a user through an interface when the power center does not have explicit support for the electronic device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the interface is accessible via a web interface.