Abstract: An LED backlighting system including: a control circuit; a power source; at least one LED string associated with the power source, the at least one LED string being arranged to be switchably connected to alternatively draw an illumination current from the power source and not draw an illumination current from the power source; and a controlled bleeder arranged to draw a bleed current from the power source responsive to the control circuit; the control circuit being operative to draw the bleed current from the power source via the controlled bleeder for a predetermined time period associated with the alternatively drawing and not drawing the illumination current of the at least one LED string.

Abstract: A powering source unit comprising: a first powering source; a second powering source; the first powering source being operable to: apply a plurality of voltages towards a powered device via a first path so as to detect a signature impedance, and in the event the signature impedance is detected, to at least partially classify the power requirements of the powered device by supplying a classification voltage towards the powered device via the first path and measuring the resultant current flow, the classification voltage level being higher than each of the plurality of detection voltage levels; the second powering source being operable to apply at least one voltage towards the powered device via a second path so as to attempt to detect a signature impedance at least partially contemporaneously with the supplied classification voltage of the first powering source.

Abstract: Power sourcing equipment comprising: a power input; an output port; a control circuit comprising a means for sensing that a voltage component of power received at the power input is above a pre-determined threshold; a non-uniform signal source; an impedance associated with the non-uniform signal source; and an electronically controlled switch responsive to the control circuit, the electronically controlled switch being arranged to switchably operatively connect the impedance to at least momentarily be seen across the output port; the control circuit being operative responsive to an output of the means for sensing to operatively connect the impedance via the operation of the electronically controlled switch; the electronically controlled switch being operative to disconnect the impedance from being seen across the output port in the absence of the indicative output.

Abstract: A power over Ethernet controller comprising: a control circuitry; at least one powering port, each of the at least one powering port comprising a unique means for controlling a switch associated therewith; and at least one current limiter, each of the at least one current limiter being associated with a unique one of the at least one powering port, each of the at least one current limiter being operable to limit the current through the controlled switch to a particular one of a plurality of values, each of the values being in excess of 100 mA, the particular value being selected responsive to the control circuitry.

Abstract: A method of controlling the output of a luminaire by receiving a first target signal associated with a first frame; generating a first light output control signal for an on time portion of the first frame, the light output control signal responsive to the received first target signal; sampling a light output during the on time portion of the first frame, the light output being responsive to the first light output control signal; receiving a second target signal associated with a second frame, the second frame following the first frame; comparing the received second target signal with the sampled light output of the on time portion of the first frame; and generating an error signal responsive to the comparing.

Abstract: A power over Ethernet controller comprising: management functionality; data send and receive functionality associated with the management functionality; priority determination functionality associated with the management functionality, the priority determination functionality being operative to determine a highest priority port requesting power; and power enabling functionality associated with the management functionality, the management functionality having a first mode of operation in which: responsive to receipt of a command via the data send and receive functionality to enable a port, the management functionality enables the determined highest priority port requesting power via the power enabling functionality; and a second mode of operation in which: responsive to receipt of a command via the data send and receive functionality to enable a specific port, the management functionality enables the specific port via the power enabling functionality.

Abstract: A redundant powering system for a powered device receiving power over communication cabling, the redundant powering system comprising: a redundant power supply comprising a first power sourcing equipment and a second power sourcing equipment; a powered device; communication cabling connecting the redundant power supply to the powered device, the communication cabling comprising a first path connecting the first power sourcing equipment to the powered device and a second path connecting the second power sourcing equipment to the powered device, the first and second paths at least partially being constituted of a single structured cable, the at least one powered device comprising at least one signature impedance, the redundant power supply being operable so that power is operably supplied to the powered device from only one of the first and second power sourcing equipment.

Abstract: A system for remote identification comprising: a power sourcing device; a power ready patch panel comprising a first resistive element and at least one of a second resistive element, a multi-bit storage device and an open connection; a first electrical path between the power sourcing device and the first resistive element; and a second electrical path between the power sourcing device and the at least one of a second resistive element, a multi-bit storage device and an open connection; the power sourcing device being operable to obtain a value associated with the first resistive element via the first electrical path, and in the event the obtained value is indicative that a multi-bit storage device is connected to the second electrical path, obtain configuration information from the multi-bit storage device via the second electrical path.

Abstract: A combiner for use with a powered device having high power needs, the combiner comprising: a first power input adapted to receive a first power signal over a first set of wire pairs utilized to carry communication data; a second power input adapted to receive a second power signal over a second set of wire pairs, wherein the first power signal is combined with the second power signal to produce a combined high power signal; and a control circuit operable to sense the combined high power signal and to supply the combined high power signal to a powered device in response to the sensed combined high power signal. Also disclosed is a local area network adapted to supply power to powered devices over a plurality of paths utilizing the combiner, the local area network thus supplying high power to a powered device.

Abstract: A system for placing and maintaining a computer in a standby mode during power failure, utilizing one of: a powered device controller exhibiting a maintain power signature functionality and arranged to receive power over communication cabling; and a MEMS flywheel energy system to provide a standby power. The standby power is less than the power required for full operation. In one embodiment the system additionally exhibits: a mains power failure sensor; a volatile memory arranged to be powered from the source of standby power in the event of a failure of mains power; and a processor operative responsive to the mains power failure sensor to store status information on the volatile memory and reduce power demand of the processor and associated devices to no more than that available from the source of standby power.

Abstract: A system for generating, delivering and distributing electrical power to network elements over a data communication network infrastructure within a building, campus or enterprise. Consolidating power distribution and data communications over a single network simplifies and reduces the cost of network element installation and provides a means of supplying uninterrupted or backup power to critical network devices in the event of a power failure. The invention includes power/data combiners that combine a data communication signal with a low frequency power signal. The combined signal is transported over the LAN infrastructure where a power/data splitter extracts the data signal and the power signal and generates two separate outputs. The power over LAN system of the present invention operates with high bandwidth data communication networks, i.e., 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 1000 Mbps.

Abstract: An active connector assembly for use in a local area network (LAN) including at least one LAN node. The active connector assembly includes an active connector housing, at least one first plurality of first electrical contacts mounted in the housing and arranged for detachable connection with corresponding electrical contacts of at least one plugs, at least one second plurality of second electrical contacts arranged for connection with corresponding electrical contacts of local area network equipment and active power control circuitry coupled to at least some of the first and second electrical contacts, the active power control circuitry being operative for controlling the supply of electrical power over the local area network cabling to at least one node of the local area network.

Abstract: A method for determining the classification of a powered device, the method comprising: obtaining a first classification over a first power path; obtaining a second classification over a second power path; comparing the obtained first classification with the obtained second classification; and in the event the obtained first classification is different from the obtained second classification determining a combined classification as a decoded value of the obtained first classification and the obtained second classification.

Abstract: A power over Ethernet controller supporting a plurality of powering modes, the power over Ethernet controller comprising: a pair of power sourcing equipments; and a control circuit; the control circuit being operative to control each of the pair of power sourcing equipment units in one of a first mode and a second mode, the first mode comprising operating the pair of power sourcing equipments as a single power sourcing equipment operable to power a single powered device over communication cabling, and the second mode comprising operating each of the power sourcing equipments of the pair independently so as to each be operable to power an associated powered device over communication cabling.

Abstract: High voltage switches are configured with a junction transistor driven with a transformer coupled AC drive signal in the common base configuration or driven by a capacitor coupled charge pump. The high voltage switches may be configured as half wave or full wave switches wherein the junction transistor is driven during one or both half cycles of the AC drive signal. Bipolar switches that can stand off high DC voltage of either polarity, or that can stand off high AC voltage, are configured from two junction transistors with their bases connected and their emitters connected. These switches may also be driven in full wave or half wave mode, by a transformer or by single or dual capacitive charge pumps. Either NPN or PNP transistors may be used. Example drive circuits, which can be constructed as low voltage integrated circuits, are given for all of the switch types.

Abstract: A method for rapidly powering a plurality of power over Ethernet ports constituted of: inputting an indication of available power; allocating a power budget to each of a first plurality of power over Ethernet devices; transmitting an enabling command for ports of a first priority to the first plurality of power over Ethernet devices, each of the first plurality of power over Ethernet devices powering ports of the first priority within the power budget; monitoring an indication of power consumption until the power consumption has stabilized; allocating an updated power budget to each of the first plurality of power over Ethernet devices, the power budget being a function of the available power and at least one of an indication of power consumption and power allocation; and transmitting an enabling command for ports of a second lower priority to the first plurality of power over Ethernet devices.

Abstract: A method for supplying power to a local area network node over communication cabling, the method comprising: injecting current-limited current into communication cabling connected to the local area network node; measuring a voltage developed in accordance with said injected current limited current across said communication cabling at three pre-determined intervals; and determining, as a consequence of said measured voltage at said three pre-determined intervals whether characteristics of the local area network node allow it to receive power over the communication cabling.

Abstract: A power supply subsystem configured for connection between a LAN switch and at least one node, the power supply subsystem providing electrical power to the at least node over communication cabling, the power supply subsystem comprising: a management and control unit; at least one port for connection to a LAN switch; a combiner combining power into the communication cabling substantially without interfering with data communication between the LAN switch and the at least one node; and current limiting circuitry controlling current of the power delivered into the communication cabling via the combiner, wherein the management and control unit is operative to interrogate the at least one node to which it is intended to transmit power over the communication cabling in order to determine whether the node's characteristics allow it to receive power over the communication cabling.

Abstract: A method of determining an effective resistance between a power sourcing equipment and a powered device, the powered device exhibiting an interface and an operational circuitry, the method comprising: prior to connecting power to the operational circuitry of the powered device, impressing two disparate current flow levels (I1, I2) between the power sourcing equipment and the powered device; measuring the voltage at the powered device interface (VPD1, VPD2) responsive to each of the impressed disparate current levels; measuring the voltage at the power sourcing equipment (VPSE1, VPSE2) responsive to each of the impressed disparate current levels; and determining the effective resistance between the power sourcing equipment and the powered device responsive to the VPD1, VPD2, VPSE1, VPSE2, I1 and 12.

Abstract: A power over Ethernet controller comprising: control circuitry; at least one temperature sensor operatively connected to the control circuitry; and a plurality of electronically controlled switches responsive to the control circuit, each of the electronically controlled switches enabling power to a respective port and having associated therewith inrush current limiting functionality, the control circuit being operative to input at least one temperature indication from the at least one temperature sensor; operate at least one of the plurality of electronically controlled switches thereby enabling power to a first port; and delay a time period dependent on the at least one temperature indication, whereby operation of a second of the plurality of electronically controlled switches to enable power to a second port is permitted only after the delayed time period.