Lock Load Enumeration for Secure Activation and Current Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing access control systems lack over-current protection, fail to verify the type and authenticity of connected locks or loads, and do not efficiently manage power delivery, leading to potential brown-outs and uncertainty about the compatibility and safety of equipment.
Innovation Solution
A load control system that uses a power supply and load controller with resistors to generate pre-defined codes, allowing the supply controller to verify the output condition and adjust the current limit, ensuring safe and appropriate power delivery to connected loads, and preventing over-current situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the power supply delivers full power to the load without verification, then the load can operate at full capacity, but the system risks over-current situations and brown-outs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs an enumeration process before full power delivery, where the load controller identifies itself using resistors to output pre-defined codes. This preliminary verification ensures the load is authentic and compatible before allowing full power delivery, preventing over-current situations and brown-outs while enabling full power capacity when verified.
2Reliability
If the system verifies load authenticity through an enumeration process, then equipment compatibility is confirmed, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses resistors as an intermediary component in the enumeration process. The load controller connects resistors to the power supply, and the resistors output pre-defined codes that indicate load identity and characteristics. This intermediary approach enables verification without requiring complex communication protocols or additional verification hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic verification systems with a simpler resistor-based code output system. Instead of using microcontrollers or communication protocols for load identification, the system uses passive resistors that output pre-defined codes when connected to the power supply, significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining verification capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the power supply uses a fixed current limit, then the system is simple to design, but it cannot dynamically allocate power to different loads
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a fixed current limit to a dynamic current allocation mechanism. The supply controller adjusts the current limit based on the enumeration process results, allowing different loads to receive appropriate power levels. This dynamic adaptation enables versatile power allocation while using a relatively simple control mechanism that modifies an existing parameter rather than adding complex control systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively prevents brown-outs, ensures dynamic current allocation, verifies the authenticity and type of loads, and reduces uncertainty about equipment compatibility, enhancing safety and functionality while being retrofittable without increasing wiring complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a load controller configured to receive a first power having a first current level from the power supply, and to communicate information regarding the load by executing an enumeration process using a plurality of resistors, in which each resistor is caused to output a pre-defined code, and by connecting each of the plurality of resistors to the power supply to cause the plurality of resistors to draw pre-defined amounts of current from the power supply
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A load control system includes a power supply, a load controller coupled to a load, and a supply controller. The load controller receives a first power having a first current level from the power supply, and uses the first power to cause a plurality of resistors to output a plurality of pre-defined codes. The supply controller receives the plurality of pre-defined codes, evaluates an output condition based on the plurality of pre-defined codes, and causes the power supply to output a second power having a second current level greater than the first level responsive to the plurality of pre-defined codes satisfying the output condition.