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

• US 8,755,914 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2012
• Issued: 06/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kyndryl Incorporated
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Bhogal, Kulvir S., Boss, Gregory J., Hamilton, Rick A. II, Polozoff, Alexandre
• Primary Examiner(s): JARRETT, RYAN A
• Application Number:
  US13/566,622
• Publication Number:
  US 20120297214A1
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• Field of Search: 700/286, 700/297, 700/298, 700/22, 713/300, 713/310
• US Class Current: 700/22
• 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; and

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

wherein;

the broadcast is transmitted after connection of the power center to the electronic device via the power tip; and

the broadcast further includes (i) make and model of the electronic device, (ii) voltage requirements, and (iii) amperage requirements.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising accessing a database, via a communication link, to determine the power requirements.

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

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of creating, maintaining and supporting a computer infrastructure that performs the steps of claim 1.

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 providing a look-up table in a database to determine the power requirements of 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 fine tuning adjustments to powering the portable electronic device.

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

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the broadcast is received via a wireless network connection using an RF source.

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

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the broadcast is received via a serial connection.

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

13. A method for providing a power supply to an electronic device, comprising:

providing a computer infrastructure being operable to;

receive one or more broadcasts transmitted by the electronic device, the one or more broadcasts including a unique identification of a power tip;

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

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

deliver power to the electronic device based on the determined power requirements,

wherein;

the power supply receives the one or more broadcasts transmitted by the electronic device after the power tip is connected to the electronic device;

the power supply includes a plurality of connection locations having respective RF sources;

the plurality of connection locations include the connection location of the electronic device; and

the computer infrastructure is operable to;

receive the one or more broadcasts transmitted by the electronic device using the respective RF source of the connection location of the electronic device; and

verify the connection location of the electronic device by transmitting an RF signal to the electronic device.

14. 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; and

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

wherein;

the power center receives the broadcast transmitted by the electronic device after the power tip is connected to the electronic device;

the power center includes a plurality of connection locations having respective RF sources;

the plurality of connection locations include a connection location of the electronic device;

the receiving the broadcast transmitted by the electronic device comprises receiving the broadcast using the respective RF source associated with the connection location of the electronic device; and

the verifying the connection location of the electronic device comprises transmitting an RF signal to the electronic device.