POWER NETWORK

EARLIEST PRIORITY DATE:

This Application claims priority from a Complete patent application filed in India having Patent Application No. 202041022366, filed on May 28, 2020 and titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD TO MANAGE CHARGING DEVICES IN A POWER NETWORK”.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to charging technology for portable electronic devices and more particularly to system and method to manage charging devices in a power network.

Electronic charging devices such as smart phones, tablets, notebooks and other electronic devices have become an everyday need in the way we communicate and interact with others. However, owning such devices may also present the ongoing challenge of effectively managing the charge levels of the batteries included in such devices so they may be readily utilized when needed. Therefore, a user is frequently needed to plug in the device to a power source and recharge such device. Such situation may require having to charge electronic equipment at least once a day, or in high-demand electronic devices more than once a day. Such an activity may be tedious and may represent a burden to users. In addition, users have to find available power sources to connect to. However, such an activity may render electronic devices inoperable during charging.

Current solutions to aforementioned problem may include devices having rechargeable batteries. However, such solutions are not applicable for all kind of electronic charging devices as the user has to carry around extra batteries, and also make sure that the extra set of batteries is charged. Also, other kind of charging devices such as solar-powered battery chargers are expensive, and a large array of solar cells may be required to charge a battery of any significant capacity. Furthermore, with advancement in technology, charging devices may be charged wirelessly to solve the aforementioned issues. However, it may be necessary to manage the access of users to the network to prevent the abuse of the system resources. For example, if many devices are connected to a wireless power network, different failures may affect the network, therefore interrupting the power transfer. Failures may include a loss of power, a failure in the hardware or software of a wireless power transmitter manager, overload of the wireless power transmitter manager, and malfunctioning in a wireless power transmitter manager, among others.

Hence, there is a need for an improved system and method to manage charging devices in a power network to address the aforementioned issue(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a system to manage charging devices in a power network is provided. The system includes a processing subsystem hosted on a server. The processing subsystem includes a registration module configured to register a plurality of users by receiving status data associated with the corresponding plurality of charging devices. The processing subsystem also includes a charging profile formation module configured to form one or more groups of the plurality of charging devices associated with the corresponding plurality of users registered by the registration module. The charging profile formation module is also configured to create a charging profile based on one or more parameters associated with the one or more groups. The processing subsystem also includes a priority management module configured to identify a first set of charging devices based on a threshold energy level from the charging profile created by the charging profile formation module. The priority management module is also configured to prioritize charging of the first set of charging devices at a predefined time range by performing at least one operation for a second set of charging devices from the charging profile. The processing subsystem also includes a device management module configured to manage power transmission for the first set of charging devices and the second set of charging devices based on the prioritization of the charging priority set by the priority management module for a predetermined time interval in the power network. In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method to manage charging device is in a power network is provided. The method includes registering, by a registration module, a plurality of users by receiving status data associated with the corresponding plurality of charging devices. The method includes forming, by a charging profile formation module, one or more groups of the plurality of charging device associated with the corresponding plurality of users registered by the registration module. The method also includes creating, by the charging profile formation module, a charging profile based on one or more parameters associated with the one or more groups. The method further includes identifying, by a priority management module, a first set of charging devices based on a threshold energy level from the charging profile created by the charging profile formation module. The method further includes prioritizing, by the priority management module, charging of the first set of charging devices at a predefined time ranges by performing at least one operation for a second set of charging devices from the charging profile. The method further includes managing, by a device management module, power transmission for the first set of charging devices and the second set of charging devices based on prioritization of the charging priority set by the priority management module for a predetermined time interval in the power network.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific 5 embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a system to manage charging devices in a power network in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram representation of one embodiment of system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 3 is a block diagram representation of an exemplary system to manage charging devices in a power network of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a general computer system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram representing steps involved in a method to manage charging devices in a power network in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures 6 and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system and a method to manage charging devices in a power network is provided. The system includes a processing subsystem hosted on a server. The processing subsystem includes a registration module configured to register a plurality of users by receiving status data associated with the corresponding plurality of charging devices. The processing subsystem also includes a charging profile formation module configured to form one or more groups of the plurality of charging devices associated with the corresponding plurality of users registered by the registration module. The charging profile formation module is also configured to create a charging profile based on one or more parameters associated with the one or more groups. The processing subsystem also includes a priority management module configured to identify a first set of charging devices based on a threshold energy level from the charging profile created by the charging profile formation module. The priority management module is also configured to prioritize charging of the first set of charging devices at a predefined time range by performing at least one operation for a second set of charging devices from the charging profile. The processing subsystem also includes a device management module configured to manage power transmission for the first set of charging devices and the second set of charging devices based on the prioritization of the charging priority set by the priority management module for a predetermined time interval in the power network. FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a system (10) to manage charging devices (20) in a power network in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system (10) includes a processing subsystem (30) hosted on a server (35). In one embodiment, the server (35) may include a local server. In another embodiment, the server (35) may include a cloud server. The processing subsystem (30) includes a registration module (40) which registers multiple users by receiving status data associated with the corresponding charging devices (20). As used herein, the term ‘charging device’ is defined as a device which use rechargeable battery for functioning of the device. In one embodiment, the charging devices (20) may include, but not limited to, at least one of a phone, a tablet, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a solar panel, a solar roof, an oven, a heating systems, an alarm system, a video surveillance system, a lighting system, an internal battery system, an external battery system, home automation devices, climate control devices, robots, electric vehicles or a combination thereof or the like. In a specific embodiment, the status data may include at least one of an energy level status, a time status, a type of charging device, an identification number of the corresponding plurality of charging devices, device signal strength data, paired device data, device power schedule data, device operational status, device authorization data, and device system configuration data or a combination thereof. In general, the registration module (40) get access to data made available from all the charging devices (20) registered by both the users providing electricity and the users using the system (10) to charge their charging devices (20).

Furthermore, the processing subsystem (30) includes a charging profile formation module (50) which is operatively coupled to the registration module (40). The charging profile formation module (50) forms one or more groups of the charging devices associated with the corresponding users registered by the registration module (40). In one embodiment, the one or more groups may include at least one of one or more active mode devices in the wireless power network, one or more in-active mode devices in the wireless power network or a combination thereof. Further, the charging profile formation module (50) creates a charging profile based on one or more parameters associated with the one or more groups. In a specific embodiment, the one or more parameters may include at least one of a cost of energy, a source of energy, an availability of energy, a time constraint (at given times of the day, days of the week/month/year, weeks of the month/year, month of the year) or a combination thereof. In such an embodiment, the charging profile may be created by an official body of local communities, communes, cities, regions, countries and override or complement private users’ profiles.

Moreover, the processing subsystem (30) further includes a priority management module (60) operatively coupled to the charging profile formation module (50). The priority management module (60) identifies a first set of charging devices based on a threshold energy level from the charging profile created by the charging profile formation module (50). In detail, the energy level of each of the charging device (20) present in the group of devices is identified and compared with a predefined threshold energy level. The charging devices having an energy level below the predefined threshold energy level are selected for and considered as the first set of charging devices.

The priority management module (60) prioritizes charging of the first set of charging devices at a predefined time range by performing at least one operation for a second set of charging devices from the charging profile. In one embodiment, the at least one operation may include a power saving mode or a disconnection from loading. More specifically, the charging devices having an energy level above the predefined threshold energy level are considered as the second set of charging devices. Since, the second set of charging device has enough amount of charging for time being, the priority management module (60) either disconnect the second set of charging devices from the network or keep the second set of charging devices on a power saver mode and set a priority for the first set of charging devices for a predefined time range.

In addition, the processing subsystem (30) further includes a device management module (70) operatively coupled to the priority management module (60). The device management module (70) manages power transmission for the first set of charging devices and the second set of charging devices based on the prioritization of the charging priority set by the priority management module (60) for a predetermined time interval in the power network. As used herein, the power network may be a wireless power network, a wired power network or a combination thereof In one embodiment, the device management module (70) may receive one or more charging factors from the users to optimise charging of the one or more group of the charging devices. In such an embodiment, the one or more charging factors may include at least one of an estimated consumption of charge, charging rate, setting time limit, charging time schedule, or a combination thereof. In a specific embodiment, the users may manually add the estimated consumption of in active or non-connected charging devices to optimise data management and therefore add non-connected devices one by one or as a group, within the inactive charging device group by entering the basic energy information of the charging device or selecting it in a list that the device management module would manage.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram representation of one embodiment of the system ( 10) of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system (10) of FIG. 1 includes the registration module (40), the charging profile formation module (50), the priority management module (60) and the device management module (70). In one embodiment, the processing subsystem (30) of system (10) of FIG. 1 may also include a device transaction module (80) operatively coupled to the registration module (40). The device transaction module (80) transfers rights corresponding to control of the charging devices (20) to one or more users among the plurality of users. In detail, the users may buy items directly from the item list of smart and non-smart devices. As used herein, the smart device is an electronic device, generally connected to other devices or networks via different wireless protocols such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, NFC, Wi-Fi, LiFi, 3G or the like that may operate to some extent interactively and autonomously. The user may choose whether they require installation and further fix a date or a time slot for installation of the same.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram representation of an exemplary system (10) to manage charging devices in a power network of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Consider an example where users A (90), B (95) and C (100) want to register their charging devices in the wireless power network (150) for optimum utilization of the wireless power network (150). The registration module (40) of the processing subsystem (30) registers users A (90), B (95) and C (100) by receiving status data of corresponding charging devices. For example, user A has registered a mobile phone (105) and video surveillance system (106), whereas user B has registered a refrigerator (107) and user C has registered an oven (108) and a tablet (109). Further, the charging profile creation module (50) of the processing subsystem (30) forms a group of connected devices (110) and a group of non-connected devices (115) among the charging devices of the registered user A (90), B (95) and C (100) in the wireless power network (150). For example, a group of connected devices (110) includes the mobile phone (105), the refrigerator (107) and the oven (108), whereas the group of non-connected devices (115) includes the video surveillance system (106) and the tablet (109). Consequently, the charging profile formation module (50) creates a charging profile (120) based on a cost of energy, a source of energy, an availability of energy, a time constraint or the like associated with the group of connected devices (110) and the group of non-connected devices (115).

Furthermore, the priority management module (60) of the processing subsystem (30) identifies first set of devices (130) devices having energy level below a predefined threshold energy level from the group of connected devices (110). Consider a situation where the mobile phone (105) of the user A having 10% energy level, the refrigerator (107) of the user B having 50% of energy level and the oven (108) of the user C having 25% of energy level, whereas the user A has to go to office at 10 am and C has to go to office at 11 am. Further, the priority management module (60) prioritizes charging of the first set of devices (130) having energy level below 40% and keep the second set of devices (140) having energy level above 40% on power saving mode. Hence, the priority of the mobile phone (105) is first, and the priority of the oven (108) is second as the mobile phone has 10% energy level and the user A has to go to office before C which has 25% energy level.

Subsequently, the device management module (70) of the processing subsystem (30) manages power transmission for the mobile phone (105), the oven (108) and the refrigerator (107) based on the priority set by the priority management module (60) for a predetermined time interval in the wireless power network (150). The power will be transmitted to the mobile phone (105) first for 30 minutes and then the power will be transmitted to the oven (108) for 30 minutes. In an exemplary embodiment, if the user wants to buy any device of the registered user, the device transaction module (80) of the processing subsystem (30) may transfer rights corresponding to control of the charging device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a general computer system (200) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The computer system (200) includes processor(s) (210), and memory (220) coupled to the processor(s) (210) via a bus (230). The processor(s) (210), as used herein, means any type of computational circuit, such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a complex instruction set computing microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing microprocessor, a very long instruction word microprocessor, an explicitly parallel instruction computing microprocessor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processing circuit, or a combination thereof.

The memory (220) includes a plurality of modules stored in the form of executable program which instructs the processor (210) to perform the configuration of the system illustrated in FIG. 1. The memory (220) has following modules: the registration module (40), the charging profile formation module (50), the priority management module (60), device management module (70) and the device transaction module (80).

The memory (220) includes the registration module (40) configured to register a plurality of users by receiving status data associated with the corresponding plurality of charging devices. The memory (220) also includes a charging profile formation module (50) configured to form one or more groups of the plurality of charging devices associated with the corresponding plurality of users registered by the registration module. The charging profile formation module (50) is also configured to create a charging profile based on one or more parameters associated with the one or more groups. The memory (220) also includes a priority management module (60) configured to identify a first set of charging devices based on a threshold energy level from the charging profile created by the charging profile formation module.

The priority management module (60) is also configured to prioritize charging of the first set of charging devices at a predefined time range by forming at least one operation for a second set of charging devices from the charging profile. The memory (220) also includes a device management module (70) configured to manage power transmission for the first set of charging devices and the second set of charging devices based on the prioritization of the charging priority set by the priority management module for a predetermined time interval in the power network. The memory (220) further includes device transaction module (80) operatively coupled to the registration module. The device transaction module (80) transfers rights corresponding to control of the charging device to one or more users among the plurality of users. Computer memory elements may include any suitable memory device(s) for storing data and executable program, such as read only memory, random access memory, erasable programmable read only memory, electrically erasable programmable read only memory, hard drive, removable media drive for handling memory cards and the like. Embodiments of the present subject matter may be implemented in conjunction with program modules, including functions, procedures, data structures, and application programs, for performing tasks, or defining abstract data types or low-level hardware contexts. Executable program stored on any of the above-mentioned storage media may be executable by the processor(s) (210).

FIG. 5 is a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method (300) to manage charging devices in a power network in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method (300) includes registering a plurality of users by receiving status data associated with the corresponding plurality of charging devices in step 310. In one embodiment, registering a plurality of users by receiving status data may include registering a plurality of users by receiving status data by a registration module. In a specific embodiment, registering a plurality of users by receiving status data may include registering a plurality of users by receiving at least one of an energy level status, a time status, a type of charging device, an identification number of the corresponding plurality of charging devices, device signal strength data, paired device data, device power schedule data, device operational status, device authorization data, and device system configuration data or a combination thereof.

The method (300) includes forming one or more groups of the plurality of charging device associated with the corresponding plurality of users registered by the registration module in step 320. In one embodiment, forming one or more groups of the plurality of charging devices may include forming one or more groups of the plurality of charging devices by a charging profile formation module. In a specific embodiment, forming one or more groups of the plurality of charging device may include forming at least one of one or more active mode devices in the wireless power network, one or more in-active mode devices in the wireless power network or a combination thereof.

The method (300) further includes creating a charging profile based on one or more parameters associated with the one or more groups in step 330. In one embodiment, creating a charging profile may include creating a charging profile by the charging profile formation module. In a specific embodiment, creating a charging profile based on the one or more parameters may include creating a charging profile based on at least one of a cost of energy, a source of energy, an availability of energy, a time constraint or a combination thereof.

Furthermore, the method (300) includes identifying a first set of charging devices based on a threshold energy level from the charging profile created by the charging profile formation module in step 340. In one embodiment, identifying a first set of charging devices may include identifying a first set of charging devices by a priority management module. The energy level of each of the charging device present in the group of devices is identified and compared with a predefined threshold energy level. The charging devices having an energy level below the predefined threshold energy level are selected for and considered as the first set of charging devices.

The method (300) further includes prioritizing charging of the first set of charging devices at a predefined time ranges by forming at least one operation for a second set of charging devices from the charging profile in step 350. In one embodiment, prioritizing charging of the first set of charging devices may include prioritizing charging of the first set of charging devices by the priority management module. In a specific embodiment, prioritizing charging of the first set of charging devices at a predefined time ranges by forming at least one operation may include prioritizing charging of the first set of charging devices at a predefined time ranges by performing either a power saving mode operation or a disconnection from loading operation. More specifically, the charging devices having an energy level above the predefined threshold energy level are considered as the second set of charging devices. Since, the second set of charging device has enough amount of charging for time being, the priority management module either disconnect the second set of charging devices from the network or keep the second set of charging devices on a power saver mode and set a priority for the first set of charging devices for a predefined time range.

The method (300) further includes managing power transmission for the first set of charging devices and the second set of charging devices based on prioritization of the charging priority set by the priority management module for a predetermined time interval in the power network in step 360. In one embodiment, managing power transmission for the first set of charging devices and the second set of charging devices by a device management module. In one embodiment, the method (300) may include receiving one or more charging factors from the users to optimise charging of the one or more group of the charging devices. In a specific embodiment, receiving one or more charging factors from the users may include receiving one or more charging factors from the users by the device management module. In such an embodiment, receiving one or more charging factors from the users may include receiving at least one of an estimated consumption of charge, charging rate, setting time limit, charging time schedule, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the method (300) may include transferring rights corresponding to control of the charging device to one or more users among the plurality of users. In detail, the users may buy items directly from the item list of smart and non-smart devices. The user may choose whether they require installation and further fix a date or a time slot for installation of the same.

Various embodiments of the system and method to manage the charging device in a wireless power network described above enables powering and charging a plurality of electrical charging devices without wires. The system enhances the usability of wireless charging and also promote user's satisfaction by improving a wireless (also known as contactless) charging method. The system set a schedule to charge different devices and set a power priority to specific device.

In addition, the system provides a centralized control to level or balance power usage across a utilization space. The intelligent power delivery may be based on, for example, activities and/or events provided in the users' electronic calendar. The system also increases user productivity by eliminating uncharged devices and concern for finding a power source, as well as increase ease of use for device users by eliminating external power adapters. Additionally, the system may save considerable energy costs by supplying power to devices when power is required, and provide the ability to determine current and future power requirements via a communication channel for devices in a shared charging environment influenced by user needs and priority factors. While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.