PoE Injector Backup Power and Wireless Failover for Outages

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Solution Overview

Problem

Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices face disruptions due to loss of primary power and internet connectivity, leading to data loss, downtime, and increased costs, as existing solutions lack immediate and reliable backup systems for both power and internet connectivity.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that provide uninterruptible PoE using a rechargeable power supply with self-controlled power management, network routing, and wireless internet backup, including a power over Ethernet injector device with a rechargeable power source, primary power monitoring, and internet connectivity monitoring, automatically redirecting power and establishing wireless internet connectivity upon primary power or internet failure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a PoE device relies on primary power source and wired internet connection, then the system operates normally with stable power and connectivity, but the system experiences downtime and data loss when primary power or internet connection fails

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoiddowntime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The rechargeable power supply is pre-charged and ready to immediately take over when primary power fails. The system performs preliminary power preparation by maintaining a charged backup source, eliminating the delay associated with activating standby systems during power outages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The rechargeable power supply acts as an intermediary between the primary power source and the PoE device. It buffers power transitions, providing continuous power delivery during switches from primary to backup power, thereby preventing downtime and maintaining operational continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a PoE device relies on primary power source and wired internet connection, then the system operates with stable connectivity, but the system loses internet connectivity and requires manual reconfiguration when primary connection fails

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternet connectivity reliabilityVSAvoidconnectivity maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects failures in the primary internet connection and self-configures to use wireless backup connectivity without human intervention. The PoE device and power supply work together to maintain connectivity, eliminating the need for manual reconfiguration during failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the status of the primary internet connection and automatically switches to wireless backup connectivity when failures are detected. This feedback mechanism ensures seamless connectivity maintenance by responding to connection status changes in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If a standby or emergency system is used as backup power source, then the system provides alternative power when primary fails, but the system experiences delay during activation and switchover

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackup power availabilityVSAvoidswitchover speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The rechargeable power supply is maintained in a pre-charged, ready-to-operate state continuously, eliminating the activation delay associated with standby systems. When primary power fails, the pre-prepared backup power immediately takes over, providing instantaneous continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static standby configuration to a dynamic rechargeable backup configuration that can actively maintain power delivery. The rechargeable supply dynamically adjusts between charging and discharging modes, enabling immediate response to power failures without switchover delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If PoE devices are used without backup power, then the system has simpler configuration, but the system suffers from data loss, repair costs, and revenue loss during power disruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply configurationVSAvoiddata loss and downtime costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The rechargeable power supply serves multiple functions: it acts as a backup power source, a power management controller, and a connectivity maintenance device. This multi-functionality addresses various loss scenarios (data loss, downtime, repair costs) through a single integrated solution rather than multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3685491B1Uninterruptible power over ethernet technology for real world environments
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 BTU RESEARCH LLC
  • EP3685491B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3685491B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3685491B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system (100) and method for uninterruptible Power over Ethernet (PoE) and internet connectivity support essential services in real world environments. The system (100) may provide PoE via an injection device (104) with a rechargeable power supply (106), such as batteries 108. The system 100 may include a satellite interface (110), Bluetooth interface (112), Optical Network Terminal interface (114), cellular interfaces (116), WiFi interfaces (118), a wired network interface (120), and data switch functionality (122). Connected devices (124) are provided with uninterruptible power and uninterruptible internet connectivity, during power disruptions and connectivity disruptions. Connected devices (124) can reliably function and provide essential services, even when placed in isolated and remote real world environments.