Data hub powered by a device connected thereto
A data hub of a home automation system is powered by a power supply of at least one powered device of the home automation system that is connected to the data hub. By providing power to the data hub from the one of the devices that are connected to it, the need for a separate power source is eliminated. A method for powering a data hub of a home-automation system without bus power includes connecting at least two independently powered devices to device ports of the data hub. When the powered devices are connected to the ports, a voltage is detected by an internal power regulation, protection and distribution unit of the hub and disconnects bus power. A system for powering the data hub includes configuring the hub to receive power by devices connected thereto. When the hub receives power from the powered device, bus power is disconnected.
1 . A data hub for a home-automation system, the hub comprising:
an internal power regulation, protection and distribution unit (IPRPDU), comprising a microcontroller configured to regulate power,
a plurality of device ports
a bus inlet port and a bus outlet port connected to the IPRPDU,
at least two powered devices, each connected to an individual power supply, and connected to the device ports such that the connection of the at least two powered devices to the device ports provides power from the individual power supply, and
a switch between the bus inlet port and the IPRPDU, wherein the switch is configured to be opened if the microcontroller detects that sufficient power is being provided by the individual power supply by detecting a voltage applied to the device ports.
2 . The data hub of claim 1 , further comprising a keypad controller, configured to actuate the at least two powered devices, connected to one of the device ports.
3 . The data hub of claim 2 , further comprising a switch between each device port and the IPRPDU, the switch having an open configuration when a device is not connected to an individual port.
4 . The data hub of claim 1 , wherein the at least two powered devices are motors that actuate at least one of: rolling blinds, sun shades, drapes, screens, or doors.
5 . The data hub of claim 1 , wherein the device ports comprise self-resetting fuses.
6 . The data hub of claim 1 , wherein the device ports are configured as RJ45, 8-wire connector jacks.
7 . The data hub of claim 1 , further comprising a load device detection circuit, comprising a device detection circuit and a motor voltage detector circuit.
8 . The data hub of claim 1 , further comprising a visual indicator, configured to actuate if fewer than two powered devices are connected.
9 . The data hub according to claim 7 , wherein the load detection circuit comprises: a power in switch circuit; a power out switch circuit; a motor voltage detector circuit and keypad/device detector circuit, and wherein connecting a keypad to the hub causes a pin of a releasable connector connectable to the device port to be pulled to ground thereby also pulling a control line to the microcontroller low, signaling that an end device that needs power has been connected.
10 . The data hub according to claim 9 , wherein the connection of the keypad to the hub results in the microcontroller turning on the power out switch circuit, allowing current to flow from an internal power rail of the power out switch to the end device.
11 . The data hub according to claim 7 , wherein the load detection circuit comprises: a power in switch circuit; a power out switch circuit; a motor voltage detector circuit and keypad/device detector circuit, and wherein connecting a powered device to the hub causes sending a high signal to the microcontroller on a control line and the motor voltage detector circuit pulling an output to the microcontroller low.
12 . The data hub according to claim 11 , wherein the connection of the powered device to the hub results in the microcontroller turning on the power in switch circuit, allowing current to flow from the powered device to an internal power rail of the data hub.