Reversible Power Port Switching for Camera Peripheral Power Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Powering peripheral equipment for surveillance cameras in harsh environments, such as campuses where long-distance AC power routing is not allowed, is challenging due to increased costs and reduced reliability from additional power transmission lines and adapters.

Innovation Solution

A reversible powering device with a power input determining module and a switch controlling module that allows power input from one port to be output from another, enabling power sharing between electronic equipment with at least two power input ports, eliminating the need for separate transmission lines and adapters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external power units and adapters are used to power peripheral equipment, then the equipment can be powered reliably, but the cost and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepowering reliabilityVSAvoidpowering system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the camera's power input port with the pickup's power input port through a switching circuit, allowing the camera to function as a power source for the pickup. This combines two separate power supply paths into one shared system, reducing the need for external power units and adapters while maintaining reliable power delivery to both devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The camera's power input port is designed to serve dual functions: receiving power when the camera is the powered device, and outputting power when the camera acts as the power source for peripheral equipment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate power transmission lines and adapters, reducing system complexity while ensuring reliable powering.

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

2Ease of operation

If additional power transmission lines and adapters are installed, then peripheral equipment can be powered, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepowering capabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the power transmission function into the existing data communication cable infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate power transmission lines and adapters. The switching circuit enables bidirectional power flow through the same cable used for data communication, significantly reducing installation costs while maintaining full powering capability for peripheral equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The power input ports are designed to universally handle both power reception and power transmission functions. The same physical port and cable infrastructure serve dual purposes depending on the operational mode, eliminating the need for additional hardware components and reducing overall system cost while preserving complete powering capability.

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

3Ease of operation

If separate power transmission lines and adapters are used, then peripheral equipment can be powered, but the system reliability reduces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepowering functionVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the power supply path into a unified system where the camera and pickup share a common power interface through a switching circuit. This eliminates multiple connection points and external adapters that could fail, reducing the number of potential failure points while maintaining the ability to power peripheral equipment reliably through intelligent power direction control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2990893B1Power supply returning apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 ZHEJIANG UNIVIEW TECH CO LTD
  • EP2990893B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2990893B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a reversible powering device for an electronic equipment including a first power input port and a second power input port. Said reversible powering device including: a power input determining module configured to determine whether the first power input port or the second power input port of the electronic equipment has a power input respectively, and send a control signal to a switch controlling module if it is determined that the first power input port has a power input and the second power input port has no power input; and the switch controlling module configured to control a switch device according to said control signal such that the power input into the first power input port is output from the second power input port in a reverse direction to power another electronic equipment.