Smart Power Cord with Sensors for Automated Network Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hotels face challenges in managing electronic devices, including theft prevention, energy optimization, and complex installation of network-enabled devices, with no known solutions for automated network configuration, wireless power usage analytics, or device control using smart power cords.
Innovation Solution
A facility device management system with smart power cords that integrate sensors, processors, and wireless interfaces for monitoring and controlling devices, enabling automated network topology discovery, remote power management, and integration with other IoT devices, while allowing non-technical personnel to install and configure them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network enabled devices are used for remote management, then device monitoring and control capabilities are improved, but installation and configuration complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The smart power cord performs automated network topology discovery and self-configuration, automatically detecting the facility network and registering itself with the facility management system without requiring manual configuration by installers. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex manual network setup while maintaining reliable remote monitoring functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart power cord acts as an intermediary device between the facility management system and connected electronic devices. It provides a simplified interface that enables remote monitoring and control through existing power outlets, avoiding the need for complex direct network connections to each device while maintaining system reliability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If physical security measures are used to prevent device theft, then theft prevention is improved, but device portability and ease of relocation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The smart power cord continuously monitors the connection status of devices and provides real-time feedback to the facility management system. When a device is unplugged or moved, the system receives immediate notification and can respond by alerting security personnel or automatically controlling power delivery, providing theft prevention without physical constraints on device movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical security measures (physical locking mechanisms) with electronic monitoring and control. The smart power cord uses electrical monitoring to detect device removal and communicates this information wirelessly, substituting physical security constraints with electronic detection and response capabilities that maintain device portability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If room entry card systems are used to control device utilization, then energy control capability is improved, but system complexity and guest convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The smart power cord provides multiple functions including power delivery, network connectivity, sensor monitoring, and wireless communication through a single device. This multi-functionality enables energy control capabilities previously requiring complex dedicated systems to be achieved through an integrated solution that also provides additional benefits like environmental monitoring and automated device discovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines power delivery, network communication, sensor integration, and control functionality into a single smart power cord device. This merging of functions simplifies the overall system architecture compared to separate card reader systems, network infrastructure, and monitoring devices, while maintaining comprehensive energy control capability.
4Ease of operation
If traditional power cords are used, then installation simplicity is maintained, but monitoring and control capabilities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The smart power cord merges the simple plug-and-play installation of traditional power cords with embedded monitoring sensors, wireless communication capabilities, and network connectivity. This combination maintains the installation simplicity of ordinary power cords while adding comprehensive monitoring and control functions that enable remote facility management.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart power cord automatically performs network discovery, self-registration with the facility management system, and begins providing monitoring capabilities immediately upon plugging in. This self-service behavior maintains installation simplicity by eliminating manual configuration steps while simultaneously enabling advanced monitoring and control functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system that uses smart power cords with integrated sensors and wireless interfaces to manage devices in a facility such as a hotel. Each cord may monitor power delivered to an attached device, and may measure variables such as temperature, humidity, and pressure. It may also act as a gateway to other devices in the vicinity. A central control station may manage the devices in the facility via the smart power cords. Data collected from smart power cords may be analyzed to provide alerts and management reports. Illustrative alerts may warn of attempted theft when a device is unplugged, of environmental conditions that suggest mold risks or HVAC problems, or of a staff member requesting assistance via an emergency alert forwarded through a smart power cord. Locations of smart power cords may be automatically configured using either cooperative or non-cooperative localization based on measurement of signal characteristics such as RSSI.