Power socket management system

Abstract

Method and system are provided for power socket management. The method carried out at a server may include receiving power data from a plurality of user devices and obtaining event information for an event location, including details of the user devices required for the event. The method may process the power data for the required user devices for an event by optimizing the use of power sockets at the event location. The method may notify the required user devices of the optimized socket usage for a user device.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to a power socket management system, and more specifically, a system for optimizing user device charging at a location.

[0002] It is often difficult to achieve the best use of power supply sockets in any given location. An example is given of a meeting room with an unused projector and conference phones connected to some central sockets. A meeting is scheduled and several people may arrive early and plug their laptops into the first sockets they see. The meeting room may fill up and there may be lots of people sitting around the tables about to start the meeting. An alert on a user's device may then indicate that there is only limited battery life left on their device. The user does not wish to interrupt the speaker or disrupt the meeting but needs to find an available power socket.

[0003] The user may scan the room and see all the sockets are occupied but does not know which are actually being used. The conference phones or projector may no...

Examples

example 1

[0077]A user enters an office that he is visiting and logs onto the socket management system. The event, in this case, is the time spent in the office. The battery life of the device and location of the user are detected. Recommendations for the best location of a socket are received. This is based on priorities of use of sockets in the location. For example, a shared printer for an office should never be unplugged so this is the highest priority. Work phones are again a higher priority but can be lowered if a user is working “offline” at the time and not taking calls or solely using their mobile. Each user device connected to the system is recommended sockets that are available without crisscrossing or impeding another user's working area.

example 2

[0078]Based on a calendar invite, expected participants to a meeting whose devices are connected may have their battery life assessed. In addition, any requirement to use other apparatus in the room such as a need to use a monitor or conference phone is assessed. The system uses this information to allocate people needing sockets closer to outlets than those with a sufficiently full battery to last or the meeting's duration. A buffer threshold may be used for a minimum end battery life so that the user is not left urgently needing to recharge after the meeting.

example 3

[0079]User 2 walks into a hot desk office that is almost completely full. User 2 is running out of battery at around 35% and needs a socket. The system tells User 2 to go and sit next to User 1. At this point both of their battery lives and device locations are being monitored. User 1 has 95% battery and the system sends both users a prompt recommending that User 2 should access the socket. If the users ignore this prompt, they may be prompted again at 12% battery life of User 2 as a “critical” warning.

[0080]User 3 is sitting three desks down from User 1 but did not receive prompts regarding User 2 needing a socket. User 3 is “on call” so requires two sockets all day for support purposes, which is why User 2 was not recommended to sit next to Use 3.

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to a power socket management system, and more specifically, a system for optimizing user device charging at a location.

[0002] It is often difficult to achieve the best use of power supply sockets in any given location. An example is given of a meeting room with an unused projector and conference phones connected to some central sockets. A meeting is scheduled and several people may arrive early and plug their laptops into the first sockets they see. The meeting room may fill up and there may be lots of people sitting around the tables about to start the meeting. An alert on a user's device may then indicate that there is only limited battery life left on their device. The user does not wish to interrupt the speaker or disrupt the meeting but needs to find an available power socket.

[0003] The user may scan the room and see all the sockets are occupied but does not know which are actually being used. The conference phones or projector may no...

Examples

example 1

[0077]A user enters an office that he is visiting and logs onto the socket management system. The event, in this case, is the time spent in the office. The battery life of the device and location of the user are detected. Recommendations for the best location of a socket are received. This is based on priorities of use of sockets in the location. For example, a shared printer for an office should never be unplugged so this is the highest priority. Work phones are again a higher priority but can be lowered if a user is working “offline” at the time and not taking calls or solely using their mobile. Each user device connected to the system is recommended sockets that are available without crisscrossing or impeding another user's working area.

example 2

[0078]Based on a calendar invite, expected participants to a meeting whose devices are connected may have their battery life assessed. In addition, any requirement to use other apparatus in the room such as a need to use a monitor or conference phone is assessed. The system uses this information to allocate people needing sockets closer to outlets than those with a sufficiently full battery to last or the meeting's duration. A buffer threshold may be used for a minimum end battery life so that the user is not left urgently needing to recharge after the meeting.

example 3

[0079]User 2 walks into a hot desk office that is almost completely full. User 2 is running out of battery at around 35% and needs a socket. The system tells User 2 to go and sit next to User 1. At this point both of their battery lives and device locations are being monitored. User 1 has 95% battery and the system sends both users a prompt recommending that User 2 should access the socket. If the users ignore this prompt, they may be prompted again at 12% battery life of User 2 as a “critical” warning.

[0080]User 3 is sitting three desks down from User 1 but did not receive prompts regarding User 2 needing a socket. User 3 is “on call” so requires two sockets all day for support purposes, which is why User 2 was not recommended to sit next to Use 3.

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