Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7579711?dq=6,250,774
Timestamp: 2016-09-29 06:51:14
Document Index: 409581839

Matched Legal Cases: ['application No. 60', 'application No. 11', 'application No. 11', 'application No. 11', 'application No. 11', 'application No. 11', 'application No. 11', 'Application No. 2006', 'Application No. 2006']

Patent US7579711 - Automatic sensing power systems and methods - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsAn automatic sensing power system automatically determines a power requirement for an electrical device, converts power to the required level, and outputs the power to the electrical device when the electrical device is connected to the automatic sensing power system...http://www.google.com/patents/US7579711?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7579711 - Automatic sensing power systems and methodsAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS7579711 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/334,098Publication dateAug 25, 2009Filing dateJan 18, 2006Priority dateNov 7, 2003Fee statusPaidAlso published asCA2544962A1, DE602004026108D1, EP1698027A1, EP1698027B1, US7242111, US7285874, US7485986, US7508092, US7514814, US7602079, US7646111, US7768152, US7791220, US7808122, US7812475, US7812476, US7812477, US7816807, US7816808, US7816809, US7816810, US7960859, US8115335, US20050102043, US20060119182, US20060119993, US20060119994, US20060129252, US20060129253, US20060183510, US20060202557, US20070205666, US20070225833, US20070252436, US20070252437, US20070252438, US20070252439, US20070257559, US20070257560, US20070273208, US20070273215, US20080031026, US20110018345, WO2005048415A1Publication number11334098, 334098, US 7579711 B2, US 7579711B2, US-B2-7579711, US7579711 B2, US7579711B2InventorsGregory W. Menas, Brent A. Miller, Steve SpanoOriginal AssigneeMpathx, LlcExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (87), Non-Patent Citations (60), Referenced by (36), Classifications (51), Legal Events (5) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetAutomatic sensing power systems and methods
US 7579711 B2Abstract
a communication system configured to receive a communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level;
a user interface configured to generate the communication with the configuration data.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the user interface further is configured to enable entering the configuration data.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the user interface further is configured to communicate with an electrical device to determine the configuration data.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the user interface further is configured to identify an electrical device connected to the power system.
5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a data structure comprising a plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels, wherein the user interface further is configured to enable entering a new device identification and a new power level associated with the new device identification to the data structure.
6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a data structure comprising a plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels, wherein the user interface further is configured to enable entering an update for the data structure for at least one member of another group consisting of a particular device identification and a particular power level.
the system comprises memory comprising a data structure comprising a plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels; and
the user interface further comprises an update process configured to enable loading an update of the data structure to the power system for storage in the memory.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the configuration data comprises the selected DC power level for an electrical device and the user interface is external to the electrical device.
9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a processing device configured to process the user interface.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to process the user interface.
the user interface further is configured to enable selecting the at least one DC receptacle at which the selected DC power level is to be generated and to generate the configuration data comprising identifying the selected DC receptacle; and
the processor is configured to process the communication and, in response thereto, to configure the at least one DC to DC regulator to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein the user interface is configured to enable and disable the at least one DC receptacle.
the power system comprises at least one AC receptacle configured to receive AC power transferred from the at least one connector; and
the user interface is configured to enable and disable the at least one AC receptacle.
the user interface is configured to enable loading an update of the firmware to the power system.
the processor further is configured to generate a second communication comprising status data for the power system, the status data comprising at least one member of another group consisting of an operation of the power system, an event log of the power system, a disable of the at least one DC receptacle, an enable of the at least one DC receptacle, a state of the at least one DC receptacle, a voltage setting for the at least one DC receptacle, a current setting for the at least one DC receptacle, a power setting for the at least one DC receptacle, another communication received at the power system, the communication generated from the user interface, a device identification received for an electrical device, the selected DC power level, a power surge, a critical event for the power system, a blown fuse, a blown circuit, a fault, a process breakdown, and another circuit event for the power system; and
the communication system is configured to generate the second communication for reception by the user interface.
16. The system of claim 1 wherein the user interface is configured to generate for display at least one operation information of the power system selected from another group consisting of an operation of the power system, an event log of the power system, a disable of the at least one DC receptacle, an enable of the at least one DC receptacle, a disable of another receptacle, an enable of another receptacle, a state of the at least one DC receptacle, a voltage setting for the at least one DC receptacle, a current setting for the at least one DC receptacle, a power setting for the at least one DC receptacle, another communication received by the power system, the communication generated by the user interface, a device identification received for an electrical device, the selected DC power level, a power surge, a critical event for the power system, a blown fuse, a blown circuit, a fault, a process breakdown, and another circuit event for the power system.
17. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication system is configured to receive the communication through at least one member of another group consisting of a communication interface and the at least one DC receptacle.
18. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication system comprises at least one modulator configured to receive the communication from the at least one DC receptacle and to transmit the communication to the processor.
19. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one AC receptacle configured to convey AC power at an AC power level.
22. The system of claim 1 wherein the power system comprises at least one member of another group consisting of a power strip, a rack mount system, a cabinet mount system, and a detachable device.
23. The system of claim 1 further comprising an electrical device configured to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle.
24. The system of claim 23 wherein the electrical device comprises at least one member of another group consisting of a computer, a printer, a fax machine, a pocket PC, a personal digital assistant, a phone, a camera, a recording device, an audio device, a video device, and a drill.
25. The system of claim 1 wherein the selected DC power level comprises at least one member of another group consisting of a selected voltage level and a selected current level.
26. The system of claim 1 further comprising an electrical supply configured to transfer the AC power received by the at least one connector, wherein the communication system is configured to transmit or receive at least one other communication through the electrical supply.
at least one other DC to DC regulator configured to receive the other DC power from the other AC to DC regulator, to dynamically convert the other DC power to a second selected DC power level, and to generate the other DC power at the second selected DC power level for the at least one other DC receptacle; and
29. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication system is configured to communicate via at least one format selected from another group consisting of a universal serial bus format, a Bluetooth format, an Ethernet format, a Firewire format, a cable format, a phone line format, a digital subscriber line service format, and an internet protocol format.
30. A system for configuring power comprising:
a power converter configured to dynamically convert the AC power to DC power for the selected DC power level and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle, the selected DC power level not initially preset; and
31. The system of claim 30 wherein the user interface further is configured to enable entering the configuration data.
32. The system of claim 30 wherein the user interface further is configured to communicate with an electrical device to determine the configuration data.
33. The system of claim 30 wherein the user interface further is configured to identify an electrical device connected to the power system.
34. The system of claim 30 further comprising a data structure comprising a plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels, wherein the user interface further is configured to enable entering a new device identification and a new power level associated with the new device identification to the data structure.
35. The system of claim 30 further comprising a data structure comprising a plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels, wherein the user interface further is configured to enable entering an update for the data structure for at least one member of another group consisting of a particular device identification and a particular power level.
36. The system of claim 30 wherein:
the power system comprises memory comprising a data structure comprising a plurality of device identifications and corresponding DC power levels; and
37. The system of claim 30 wherein the configuration data comprises the selected DC power level for an electrical device and the user interface is external to the electrical device.
38. The system of claim 30 further comprising a processing device configured to process the user interface.
39. The system of claim 30 wherein the processor is configured to process the user interface.
41. The system of claim 30 wherein the user interface is configured to enable and disable the at least one DC receptacle.
42. The system of claim 30 wherein:
43. The system of claim 30 wherein:
the power system further comprises memory configured to store firmware processed by the processor to perform at least one function; and
the user interface is configured to enable loading an update to the power system.
44. The system of claim 30 wherein:
45. The system of claim 30 wherein the user interface is configured to generate for display at least one operation information of the power system selected from another group consisting of an operation of the power system, an event log of the power system, a disable of the at least one DC receptacle, an enable of the at least one DC receptacle, a disable of another receptacle, an enable of another receptacle, a state of the at least one DC receptacle, a voltage setting for the at least one DC receptacle, a current setting for the at least one DC receptacle, a power setting for the at least one DC receptacle, another communication received, the communication generated by the user interface, a device identification received for an electrical device, the selected DC power level, a power surge, a critical event for the power system, a blown fuse, a blown circuit, a fault, a process breakdown, and another circuit event for the power system.
46. The system of claim 30 wherein the communication system is configured to receive the communication through at least one member of another group consisting of a communication interface and the at least one DC receptacle.
47. The system of claim 30 wherein the communication system comprises at least one modulator configured to receive the communication from the at least one DC receptacle and to transmit the communication to the processor.
48. The system of claim 30 further comprising at least one AC receptacle configured to convey AC power at an AC power level.
49. The system of claim 30 wherein:
50. The system of claim 30 wherein:
51. The system of claim 30 wherein the power system comprises at least one member of another group consisting of a power strip, a rack mount system, a cabinet mount system, and a detachable device.
52. The system of claim 30 further comprising an electrical device configured to receive the DC power at the selected DC power level from the at least one DC receptacle.
53. The system of claim 52 wherein the electrical device comprises at least one member of another group consisting of a computer, a printer, a fax machine, a pocket PC, a personal digital assistant, a phone, a camera, a recording device, an audio device, a video device, and a drill.
54. The system of claim 30 wherein the selected DC power level comprises at least one member of another group consisting of a selected voltage level and a selected current level.
55. The system of claim 30 further comprising an electrical supply configured to transfer the AC power received by the at least one connector, wherein the communication system is configured to transmit or receive at least one other communication through the electrical supply.
56. The system of claim 30 wherein:
another power converter configured to dynamically convert the AC power to other DC power at a second selected DC power level and to generate the other DC power at the second selected DC power level for the at least one other DC receptacle; and
another processor configured to determine the second selected DC power level, to dynamically configure the other power converter to convert the AC power to the other DC power at the second selected DC power level, and to enable generating the other DC power at the second selected DC power level to the at least one other DC receptacle.
57. The system of claim 30 wherein:
the processor is configured to dynamically configure the at least one DC to DC regulator to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power level to the at least one DC receptacle.
58. The system of claim 30 wherein:
the communication system is further configured to receive another communication comprising other configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one second selected DC power level;
the power converter is further configured to dynamically convert the AC power to DC power for the second selected DC power level and to generate the DC power at the second selected DC power level for the at least one other DC receptacle, the second selected DC power level not initially preset; and
the processor is further configured to process the other communication and, in response thereto, to determine the second selected DC power level, to dynamically configure the power converter to dynamically convert the AC power to the DC power at the second selected DC power level, and to enable generating the DC power at the second selected DC power level to the at least one other DC receptacle.
59. The system of claim 30 wherein the communication system is configured to communicate via at least one format selected from another group consisting of a universal serial bus format, a Bluetooth format, an Ethernet format, a Firewire format, a cable format, a phone line format, a digital subscriber line service format, and an internet protocol format.
60. A system for configuring power comprising:
a communication system configured to receive a communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected direct current (DC) power level, the configuration data comprising at least one other member of another group consisting of the selected DC power level and a particular device identification;
61. A system for configuring power comprising:
a user interface configured to enable entering the configuration data and to generate the communication with the configuration data.
64. A power system for configuring power comprising:
at least one DC to DC regulator configured to receive the DC power from the AC to DC regulator, to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level, and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle, the selected DC power level not initially preset;
65. A system for configuring power comprising:
a processor configured to determine each selected DC power level, to dynamically configure each DC to DC regulator to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level for the corresponding DC receptacle, and to enable generating the DC power at the selected DC power levels to the corresponding DC receptacles; and
66. A system for configuring power comprising:
67. A system for configuring power comprising:
a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles each configured to receive a communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level;
68. A system for configuring power comprising:
a plurality of direct current (DC) receptacles, wherein at least one DC receptacle is configured to receive a communication comprising configuration data that, when processed, identifies at least one selected DC power level;
at least one DC to DC regulator configured to receive the DC power from the AC to DC regulator, to dynamically convert the DC power to a selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle, and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle, the selected DC power level not initially preset; and
a processor configured to process the communication and, in response thereto, to determine the selected DC power level, to dynamically configure the at least one DC to DC regulator to dynamically convert the DC power to the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle, and to generate the DC power at the selected DC power level for the at least one DC receptacle; and
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/983,507, entitled Automatic Sensing Power Systems and Methods, filed Nov. 5, 2004, which takes priority to U.S. patent application No. 60/518,374, filed Nov. 7, 2003, and entitled Automatic Sensing Power Systems and Methods, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, and is related to co-pending, co-owned U.S. patent application No. 11/334,143, entitled Automatic Sensing Power Systems and Methods, U.S. patent application No. 11/334,084, entitled Automatic Sensing Power Systems and Methods, U.S. patent application No. 11/334,078, entitled Automatic Sensing Power Systems and Methods, U.S. patent application No. 11/334,132, entitled Automatic Sensing Power Systems and Methods, U.S. patent application No. 11/334,082, entitled Automatic Sensing Power Systems and Methods, and U.S. patent application No. 11/334,094, entitled Automatic Sensing Power Systems and Methods, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an automatic sensing power system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention:
In one example, the EDAS processing system 718 generates a request for power to the ASPS 102D via the AS communication interface 706. -In another embodiment, the EDAS processing system 718 receives a communication requesting whether or not the electrical device 506B is to receive power. In another embodiment, the EDAS processing system 718 processes instructions for transmitting power requirements to the ASPS 102D or for receiving information regarding power requirements of the electrical device 506B and the provision of power to the electrical device from the ASPS 102D.
In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the fuse 1004 enables power to flow from power system 416 to the ASPS 102G. The fuse 1004 terminates the flow of power into the ASPS 102G when the amperage level or another power level reaches an upper limit. In one example, the fuse 1004 opens the circuit between the power system 416 and the resetable switch 1006, or other components of the ASPS 102G, if the resetable switch is not present or when the current from the power system 416 is approximately at or exceeds 30 amps, thereby terminating the flow of electricity to the ASPS 102G. In some embodiments, the fuse 1004 is replaced after the fuse opens the circuit between the power system 416 and the resetable switch 1006 or other components. The fuse 1004 is optional in some embodiments.
In one embodiment, an optional switch (not shown) is included between the DC to DC regulator 1018 and the DC receptacles 1030. The optional switch enables a user to turn a selected one or more of the DC receptacles 1030 on or off In one example, each optional switch includes one of the indicators 1024.
The UI enables a user to select the voltage to be transmitted from the ASPS to an electrical device and to select the DC receptacle to which it will be generated. The UI also enables a user to turn one or more AC receptacles and/or DC receptacles on or off. For exemplary purposes, the UI of FIGS. 23-43 is directed to only one AC receptacle identified as an AC port on the UI) and only one DC receptacle (identified as a DC port on the UI). However, other UIs may enable selection of multiple AC receptacles and multiple DC receptacles.
When the computer is not connected to the power hub, the UI indicates that no power hub is connected to the computer and no asDC device is connected to the power hub, as depicted in FIG. 23. When the power hub is connected to the computer, that UI indicates that the power hub is connected to the computer via the USB port, as depicted in FIG. 24.
As depicted in FIG. 25, when an asDC device is connected to the power hub a window is displayed with the status change. The user selects the “OK” button the status change window, and the status change window disappears. In other embodiments, the status window briefly appears and automatically disappears after a selected period of time. The asDC device status indicates that an asDC device was identified, as depicted in FIG. 26. The asDC device identification is specified by values in two fields, including a name or identity field and an operating voltage field. In the example of FIG. 26, the name or identity field may contain a string of up to forty characters. In this example, the device is identified as an “asDC Motorola 730” having an operating voltage of 5.29 volts DC. Other examples exist.
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Ltd.Networked device with power usage estimationUS8781769May 28, 2013Jul 15, 2014Greenwave Reality Pte LtdNetworked device with power usage estimationUS9152198Sep 9, 2012Oct 6, 2015Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.Power adapter and electrical connector thereforUS9368982May 15, 2014Jun 14, 2016Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Wiring device having a housing with multiple portions and low voltage portsUS20050102043 *Nov 5, 2004May 12, 2005Menas Gregory W.Automatic sensing power systems and methodsUS20060119182 *Jan 18, 2006Jun 8, 2006Mpathx, LlcAutomatic sensing power systems and methodsUS20060129252 *Jan 18, 2006Jun 15, 2006Mpathx, LlcAutomatic sensing power systems and methodsUS20060202557 *Jan 18, 2006Sep 14, 2006Mpathx, LlcAutomatic sensing power systems and methodsUS20070252436 *Jul 12, 2007Nov 1, 2007Mpathx, LlcAutomatic Sensing Power Systems and MethodsUS20070252439 *Jul 12, 2007Nov 1, 2007Mpathx, LlcAutomatic Sensing Power Systems and MethodsUS20070257560 *Jul 12, 2007Nov 8, 2007Mpathx, LlcAutomatic Sensing Power Systems and MethodsUS20070273215 *Jul 12, 2007Nov 29, 2007Mpathx, LlcAutomatic Sensing Power Systems and MethodsUS20080031026 *Jul 12, 2007Feb 7, 2008Mpathx, LlcAutomatic Sensing Power Systems and MethodsUS20090282174 *Nov 12, 2009Asustek Computer Inc.Status signal displaying systemUS20110095608 *May 10, 2010Apr 28, 2011Jonsson Karl SPower node for energy managementUS20110095709 *Jun 7, 2010Apr 28, 2011Greenwave Reality, Inc.Networked Light Bulb with Color Wheel for ConfigurationUS20110098831 *Jun 7, 2010Apr 28, 2011Greenwave Reality, Inc.Home Automation Group Selection by ColorUS20110098953 *Apr 28, 2011Greenwave Reality, Inc.Networked Device with Power Usage EstimationUS20120153746 *Dec 19, 2011Jun 21, 2012Nai-Chien ChangNetwork connector module with switching functionWO2013120088A1 *Feb 11, 2013Aug 15, 2013Server Technology, Inc.Systems and methods for configuring a power distribution unit* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification307/11, 307/38International ClassificationH01R29/00, H01R13/717, H01R13/70, H01R25/00, H01R13/66, H02J3/00, H02J3/14Cooperative ClassificationY10T307/766, Y10T307/406, Y10T307/469, Y10T307/461, Y10T307/696, Y10T307/25, Y02B60/1296, H01R29/00, H01R2201/06, H02J1/10, H02J1/00, H02J7/0004, H01R25/003, H02J7/0055, G06F1/266, H01R24/22, H01R27/02, H01R13/6675, H02M2001/008, H01R2103/00, G06F2200/261, H01R2201/04, G06F1/26European ClassificationH01R13/68, G06F1/26P, H01R13/70, H01R13/66D6, H01R25/00B, H01R13/703D4, H01R13/66D4, H01R29/00, H02J1/00, H01R24/22, H01R13/652, H02J7/00B1, G06F1/26, H01R23/02B, H01R13/717L, H02J7/00G2, H01R27/02, H02J1/10, H01R25/00Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionJan 18, 2006ASAssignmentOwner name: MPATHX, LLC, KANSASFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MENAS, GREGORY W.;MILLER, BRENT A.;SPANO, STEVE;REEL/FRAME:017489/0177Effective date: 20051221Oct 19, 2010ASAssignmentOwner name: POLSINELLI SHUGHART PC, MISSOURIFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF 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