PoE Vision Sensor Power Prioritization Under Switch Capacity Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Power over Ethernet (PoE) switches in Automated Valet Parking Systems face limitations in power management, particularly when sensors experience degradation due to environmental conditions, leading to the need for dynamic prioritization of power distribution among connected devices.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented process using a convolutional neural network to evaluate the contributions of each PoE vision sensor to operational efficiency, estimate power needs, and regulate power distribution in real-time based on sensor degradation conditions, ensuring optimal power allocation within the available power limits of the PoE switch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Power over Ethernet (PoE) switches provide power to all connected sensors, then all sensors can operate continuously, but the total power consumption may exceed the PoE switch's power capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power allocation where the PoE switch continuously monitors power consumption of connected sensors and dynamically adjusts power distribution. When total power consumption approaches the switch's capacity, the system dynamically prioritizes critical sensors and reduces or shuts down non-critical sensors, transforming the static power allocation into a dynamic adaptive system that resolves the contradiction between maintaining sensor operation and staying within power limits
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power parameter dynamically based on system needs and available capacity. By monitoring the PoE switch's remaining power capacity and adjusting individual sensor power allocations in real-time, the system adapts the power parameter to resolve the contradiction between ensuring sensor reliability and managing total power consumption within available limits
2Reliability
If remediation devices (heaters, wipers, lighting) are added to sensors to address environmental degradation, then sensor functionality is maintained, but additional power requirements exceed available PoE power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where sensors monitor their own environmental conditions and degradation states, then communicate this information to the PoE switch. The switch uses this feedback to intelligently allocate additional power for remediation devices only when and where needed, rather than providing continuous power to all remediation devices. This feedback-driven approach maintains sensor functionality under environmental stress while managing total power consumption within PoE switch capacity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing uniform power allocation or enabling all remediation devices system-wide, the patent applies power locally and selectively to specific sensors that actually need remediation based on their individual environmental conditions. This local quality approach ensures that power-consuming remediation features are activated only at the specific location where environmental degradation is detected, resolving the contradiction between maintaining functionality and managing power consumption
3Ease of operation
If static power prioritization is used among sensors, then power management is simple, but it cannot adapt to changing environmental conditions and sensor needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static power prioritization into a dynamic system that automatically adapts to changing conditions. The PoE switch continuously monitors sensor performance, environmental conditions, and power consumption, then dynamically reconfigures power allocation in real-time. This dynamic approach maintains the simplicity of automated power management while adding the adaptability needed to respond to changing environmental conditions and sensor requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A server for regulating power from a Power-over-Ethernet switch to a plurality of vision sensors includes the following operations. An evaluation of individual contributions that each of the plurality of vision sensors makes to operational efficiency of the vision system is performed. Information indicative of a degradation condition to the plurality of vision sensors is received from the plurality of vision sensors. An amount of power needed to be supplied from the switch to alleviate the degradation condition of the plurality of vision sensors is estimated based upon the information indicative of the degradation condition. A determination is made that a total amount of power supplied from the switch exceeds an available amount of power capable of being supplied from the switch. Power from the switch to the plurality of vision sensors is individually regulated in real-time using a prioritization determined according to the evaluation.