System and method for detecting a device requiring power

• US 20060034376A1
• Filed: 08/16/2005
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Nariman Yousefi, Vafa Rakshani
• Inventors: Yousefi, Nariman, Rakshani, Vafa
• Granted Patent: US 7,254,495 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/257
• 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: H02J 13/00009 using pulsed signals
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/0001 using modification of a parameter of the network power signal
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/0005 the elements or equipment being or involving power plugs or sockets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/242 by comparing a transmitted test signal with a locally generated replica
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/02 Details ; arrangements for supplying electrical power along data transmission lines systems for transmitting signals via power distribution lines H04B3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements
• 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: Y04S 20/00 Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/00 Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them

Abstract

A system and technique for detecting a device that requires power is implemented with a power detection station. The power detection system includes a detector having an output and a return which are coupled together by the device when the device requires power. The detector includes a word generator for generating test pulses for transmission to the device via the detector output, and a comparator for comparing the detector output with the detector return. The power detection station has a wide variety of applications, including by way of example, a switch or hub.

Claims

1-12. -12. (canceled)

13. A detecting station having an output and a return, comprising:

a word generator coupled to the detecting station output; and

a comparator to compare the detecting station output with the detecting station return.

14. The detecting station of claim 13 wherein the word generator comprises a free running timer.

15. The detecting station of claim 13 further comprising a controller having an address, and wherein the word generator comprises an output having the controller address.

16. The detecting station of claim 13 further comprising a pulse shaping device coupled between the word generator and the detecting station output.

17. The detecting station of claim 16 wherein the pulse shaping device is programmable, the detecting station further comprising a controller to program the pulse shaping device.

18-47. -47. (canceled)

48. A detector having an output and a return, comprising:

a word generator coupled to the detector output; and

a comparator to compare the detector output with the detector return.

49. The detector of claim 48 wherein the word generator comprises a free running timer.

50. The detector of claim 48 further comprising a pulse shaping device coupled between the word generator and the detector output.

51. The detector of claim 50 wherein the pulse shaping device is programmable.

52. The detector of claim 51 wherein the pulse shaping device is programmed to output a first pulse having a first pulse width and a second pulse having a second pulse width different from the first pulse width.

53. The detector of claim 48 further comprising a register coupled between the word generator and the detector output, the register latching a word generator output in response to a trigger, and a timer enabled by such trigger for a predetermined time thereafter, the comparator being enabled only while the timer is enabled.