Smart Power Strip Adaptive Standby Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many home and office peripherals continue to consume energy even when not in use, as they lack a stand-by or sleep mode, leading to increased power consumption, and existing solutions like surge protectors with master and controlled outlets have limitations in detecting varying stand-by power consumption levels across different devices.
Innovation Solution
A smart power strip that senses the power characteristics of a master device, determines its stand-by power consumption level, and controls power distribution to connected devices based on these measurements, allowing for universal compatibility with any system and adaptive power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If surge protectors with master and controlled outlets are used to cut power to peripherals, then energy consumption is reduced, but the solution has limitations in detecting varying stand-by power consumption levels across different devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the power consumption of the master device and uses this feedback to automatically control power distribution to peripheral devices. The controller compares the measured power consumption against threshold values to determine when to activate or deactivate controlled outlets, enabling adaptive energy management without user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The power distribution system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on the operational state of the master device. Instead of using fixed power cutoff thresholds, the system adapts to different stand-by power consumption levels of various master devices, allowing versatile compatibility across different device types while maintaining energy efficiency.
2Device complexity
If fixed current set points are used in surge protectors to control outlets, then power distribution is simplified, but the solution cannot adapt to different stand-by power consumption levels of various devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement and characterization of the master device's power consumption profile during initial operation. By storing these measured values as reference thresholds, the system prepares the control parameters in advance, enabling automatic adaptation to different devices without requiring complex real-time analysis or user configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The power distribution system automatically configures itself by measuring and learning the power consumption characteristics of each master device it serves. The controller autonomously determines appropriate threshold values and control parameters without external intervention, making the system self-adapting to different devices while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the invention are directed to apparatus and methods for controlling power distribution to a plurality of devices including a primary device and at least one secondary device, the primary device having at least a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, with the second mode of operation being a lower power mode of operation than the first mode of operation.