Recharging power storage devices with power over a network

• US 7,152,168 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2003
• Issued: 12/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Coley, Kenneth Craig, Boynton, Scott Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEINMAN, SEAN M
• Application Number:
  US10/636,135
• Publication Number:
  US 20050033997A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,231 Days
• Field of Search: 713/300, 379/413, 361/90, 307/66, 200/51
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements

Abstract

A network device is disclosed. The network device includes an incoming power port, an outgoing power port, an internal circuit, and a power storage system connected to the incoming power port, the outgoing power port and the internal circuit. In alternative embodiments, the device may include a power regenerator, a power detector and divider, or a power splitter.

Claims

1. A network device, comprising:

an incoming power port adapted to receive power and data;

an outgoing power port adapted to provide power to at least one other device;

an internal circuit adapted to receive power and data from the incoming power port; and

a power storage system connected to the incoming power port, the outgoing power port and the internal circuit adapted to monitor power levels at the outgoing power port and to control power levels from the incoming power port and to the internal circuit responsive to the power levels at the outgoing power port.

2. The network device of claim 1, the network device comprising a power regenerator between the power storage system and the outgoing power port.

3. The network device of claim 1, the network device comprising a power detection and divider circuit between the incoming power port and the power storage system.

4. The network device of claim 1, the power storage system to:

receive power from the incoming power port;

power the internal circuit; and

provide power at a predetermined level to the outgoing power port.

5. The network device of claim 2, the power regenerator to provide power at a predetermined level to the outgoing power port and the internal circuit from the power storage system.

6. The network device of claim 3, the power detection and divider circuit to:

monitor power needed at the outgoing power port;

provide the power needed at the outgoing power port;

charge the power storage system, as possible; and

power the internal circuit from the incoming power port in combination with the power storage system, as needed.

7. The network device of claim 1, the power storage system further comprising

a power splitter to divide power from the incoming power port, provide power to the outgoing power port and to power the internal circuit.

8. The network device of claim 7, the power splitter to provide power to the outgoing power port at a first level substantially equal to the power from the incoming power port and to power the internal circuit at a second level substantially equal to the first level.

9. The network device of claim 7, the power splitter to provide power to the outgoing power port at a level substantially equal to 7.5 Watts, and to provide power to the internal circuit at a level substantially equal to 7.5 Watts.

10. A method of providing power to a network device, the method comprising:

receiving power and data through an incoming power port;

providing power at a predetermined level to an outgoing power port adapted to provide power to at least one other device;

providing power to a power storage system; and

providing power to an internal circuit, wherein the power provided to the internal circuit is comprised of at least a portion of excess power received at the power storage system and power stored in the power storage system.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein:

providing power at the predetermined level to the outgoing power port further comprises determining a first power level to be provided to the outgoing power port and providing power at the first power level;

providing power to the internal circuit further comprises providing any power excess to the first power level to the internal circuit at a second power level; and

storing any power excess to the second power level.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein providing any power excess to the first power level further comprises providing no power excess to the first power level, and providing power at the second power level from the power storage system.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein storing any power excess to the second power level further comprises storing excess power at a third power level.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving power further comprises receiving power at a first level at a power splitter;

providing power at the predetermined level to the outgoing power port further comprises providing power to the outgoing power port at a second power level equal to half of the predetermined level; and

providing power to the internal circuit further comprises providing power to the internal circuit at a third power level equal o the second power level.

15. A network device, comprising:

a means for receiving power and data;

a means for providing power to at least one other device;

an internal means for receiving power and data from the means for receiving; and

a means for;

monitoring power levels at the means for providing power; and

controlling power levels from the means for receiving and to the internal means responsive to the power levels at the means for providing.