Authorized Power Receptacles for Reducing Idle Energy Waste
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power is often wasted in commercial areas as devices are left plugged in 24/7 without being used, leading to inefficiencies in energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized power architecture that includes authorization and access circuits, allowing power to be delivered only after user interaction through interfaces like QR codes or near-field communications, with power metering to track consumption and save energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If power outlets provide continuous power supply 24/7, then power availability to consumers is improved, but energy waste increases due to unused devices remaining plugged in
Solution Approach 1:
The power outlet system dynamically transitions between locked and unlocked states based on authorization signals. The outlet can be remotely controlled to provide power only when needed, rather than continuously supplying power to all plugged-in devices. This dynamic control enables the system to adapt power availability to actual usage requirements, reducing energy waste from unused devices while maintaining ease of operation through remote authorization.
2Ease of operation
If power outlets are always accessible, then ease of use is improved, but security and control over power distribution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an authorization intermediary between the power source and the consumer device. Before power is delivered, the outlet receives and verifies an authorization signal (such as a cryptographic proof or token) from the connected device. This intermediary mechanism maintains ease of use by automatically handling authentication, while simultaneously improving reliability by ensuring only authorized devices receive power.
3Device complexity
If power is delivered without authorization checks, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information regarding power consumption and authorization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The power outlet system performs self-service by automatically generating, verifying, and processing authorization signals without requiring manual intervention. The outlet autonomously tracks power consumption data and manages authorization states, reducing the need for complex external control systems. This self-service approach maintains relative system simplicity while preventing loss of information through automated logging and monitoring of power delivery events.
Data Source
AI summary
The device, method, and system embodiments described in this disclosure (i.e., the teachings of this disclosure) enable an authorization circuit having at least one authorization mechanism to cooperate with an access circuit having at least one key mechanism. Upon successfully authorizing at least one datum communicated from the key mechanism of the access circuit, the authorization circuit is arranged to deliver power having determined characteristics to the access circuit. In at least one embodiment, the authorization circuit is arranged as a circuit wired or wirelessly coupled to a power infrastructure in a building. In at least one embodiment, the access circuit is arranged as a smart power plug arranged to temporarily deliver power to a mobile computing device or other electrically powered device. In some cases, power is only delivered after a user consumes certain multimedia information. In some cases, power that is delivered is delivered for only a short time and is measured.