Contraband detection through smart power components
A method and system for contraband detection is provided that allows for the determining whether devices are authorized to receive power from an outlet. A power adapter and/or an outlet authenticate a device when it is connected to the outlet through the power adapter. On the basis of this authentication, a determination is made whether the devices are to receive power from the outlet. If the device is authorized, the outlet is activated, transitioning from inactive state (where no power is relayed through the outlet) to an active state (where power is relayed through the outlet).
1. A method for contraband detection within a controlled environment, comprising:
detecting, by a smart power adapter in an inactive state, a connection with a device and the smart power adapter, wherein the smart power adapter in the inactive state does not provide power;
receiving, at the smart power adapter in the inactive state, identification information associated with the device and user identification information associated with a user of the device;
receiving, from a monitoring center, a profile associated with the smart power adapter;
determining, based on the received identification information, that the device is authorized to receive the power from a smart outlet through the smart power adapter;
activating the smart power adapter from the inactive state to an active state in response to the device being authorized;
relaying, after the smart power adapter is activated to the active state, the power from the smart outlet through the smart power adapter; and
updating connection history information in the profile based on the user identification information, smart power adapter identification information of the smart power adapter, and smart outlet identification information of the smart outlet.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the smart power adapter is prevented from relaying the power to the device while the smart power adapter is in the inactive state.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining whether the device is authorized to receive the power from the smart outlet comprises:
retrieving a list of authorized identifiers associated with devices that are authorized to receive the power from the smart outlet;
comparing the received identification information to the list of authorized identifiers; and
identifying the device as being authorized or not authorized based on the comparing.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising, in response to the device being identified as not authorized:
transmitting an alert message to the monitoring center; and
maintaining the smart power adapter in the inactive state.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the alert message is transmitted over a second connection between the smart outlet and the monitoring center, the second connection being a wireless connection or a powerline connection.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining whether the device is authorized to receive the power from the smart outlet comprises:
transmitting the received identification information to the monitoring center; and
receiving a contraband response from the monitoring center, wherein the contraband response indicates whether the device is authorized to receive the power from the smart outlet.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the smart power adapter performs a contraband analysis.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
querying, through the connection, the device for the identification information associated with the device.
9. A smart outlet for detecting contraband within a controlled environment, comprising:
a memory; and
a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to perform operations comprising:
detecting, by a smart power adapter in an inactive state, a connection with a device and the smart power adapter, wherein the smart power adapter in the inactive state does not provide power;
receiving, at the smart power adapter in the inactive state, identification information associated with the device and user identification information associated with a user of the device;
receiving, from a monitoring center, a profile associated with the smart power adapter;
determining, based on the received identification information, that the device is authorized to receive the power from the smart outlet through the smart power adapter;
activating the smart power adapter from the inactive state to an active state in response to the device being authorized;
relaying, after the smart power adapter is activated to the active state, the power from a smart outlet through the smart power adapter; and
updating connection history information in the profile based on the user identification information, smart power adapter identification information of the smart power adapter, and smart outlet identification information of the smart outlet.
10. The smart outlet of claim 9 , wherein the smart power adapter is prevented from relaying the power to the device while the smart power adapter is in the inactive state.
11. The smart outlet of claim 9 , the operations further comprising:
retrieving a list of authorized identifiers associated with devices that are authorized to receive the power from the smart outlet;
comparing the received identification information to the list of authorized identifiers; and
identifying the device as being authorized or not authorized based on the comparing.
12. The smart outlet of claim 11 , the operations further comprising, in response to the device not being authorized:
transmitting an alert message to the monitoring center; and
maintaining the smart power adapter in the inactive state.
13. The smart outlet of claim 12 , wherein the alert message is transmitted over a second connection between the smart outlet and the monitoring center, the second connection being a wireless connection or a powerline connection.
14. The smart outlet of claim 9 , the operations further comprising:
transmitting the received identification information to the monitoring center; and
receiving a contraband response from the monitoring center, wherein the contraband response indicates that the device is authorized or not authorized to receive the power from the smart outlet.
15. The smart outlet of claim 9 , the operations further comprising:
querying, through the connection, the device for the identification information associated with the device.
16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein, which when executed by a processor in a wireless device cause the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:
detecting, by a smart power adapter in an inactive state, a connection with a device and the smart power adapter, wherein the smart power adapter in the inactive state does not provide power;
receiving, at the smart power adapter in the inactive state, identification information associated with the device and user identification information associated with a user of the device;
receiving, from a monitoring center, a profile associated with the smart power adapter;
determining, based on the received identification information, that the device is authorized to receive the power from a smart outlet through the smart power adapter;
activating the smart power adapter from the inactive state to an active state in response to the device being authorized;
relaying, after the smart power adapter is activated to the active state, the power from the smart outlet through the smart power adapter; and
updating connection history information in the profile based on the user identification information, smart power adapter identification information of the smart power adapter, and smart outlet identification information of the smart outlet.
17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 , wherein relaying the power from the smart outlet comprises activating the smart power adapter from the inactive state, wherein the inactive state prevents the smart power adapter from relaying power.
18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 , wherein determining whether the device is authorized to receive the power from the smart outlet comprises:
retrieving a list of authorized identifiers associated with devices that are authorized to receive power from the smart outlet;
comparing the received identification information to the list of authorized identifiers; and
identifying the device as being authorized or not authorized based on the comparing.
19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18 , the operations further comprising, in response to the device being identified as not authorized, transmitting an alert message to the monitoring center.
20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 , wherein determining whether the device is authorized to receive the power from the smart outlet comprises:
transmitting the received identification information to the smart outlet; and
receiving a contraband response from the smart outlet, wherein the contraband response indicates whether the device is authorized to receive the power from the smart outlet.