DISTRIBUTING RE-CHARGING CURRENTS
A system comprises a power-over-ethernet (POE) network switch; an intelligent power distribution hub and gateway (IPDHG) configured to communicate with the POE network switch; a rechargeable battery configured to be recharged by the POE network switch; and one or more low duty cycle devices configured to communicate with the IPDHG, wherein the one or more low duty cycle devices are charged by the rechargeable battery.
1 . A method comprising:
determining that a second energy storage device and a third energy storage device can draw a re-charging current from a first energy storage device;
determining an amount of time that the second energy storage device and the third energy storage device to draw the re-charging current from the first energy storage device;
determining that the second energy storage device is below a second threshold charge level;
delivering, from the first energy storage device, a re-charging current to the second energy storage device for the amount of time, in response to the second energy storage device being below the second threshold charge level;
determining that the third energy storage device is below a third threshold charge level; and
delivering, from the second energy storage device, the re-charging current to the third energy storage device for the amount of time, in response to the third energy storage device being below the third threshold charge level.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising delivering, from the first energy storage device, the re-charging current to the third energy storage device for the amount of time, in response to the second energy storage device being above the threshold charge level and the third energy storage device being below the threshold charge level.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising delivering, from the first energy storage device, the re-charging current to the second energy storage device, based on at least one of historical information about the second energy storage device or predictions about the threshold charge level of the second energy storage device.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising restricting the delivery of the re-charge current to the second energy storage device and the third energy storage device at the same time.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising allowing the delivery of the re-charge current in parallel to the second energy storage device and the third energy storage device.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising allowing the delivery of the re-charge current sequentially to the second energy storage device, then to the third energy storage device.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining the amount of time for the second energy storage device and the third energy storage device to draw the re-charging current from the first energy storage device includes using a time division multiple access approach.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining the amount of time for the second energy storage device and the third energy storage device to draw the re-charging current from the first energy storage device is based on a level of charge existing in the second energy storage device and the third energy storage device, respectively.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining the amount of time for the second energy storage device and the third energy storage device to draw the re-charging current from the first energy storage device is based on power requirements for the second energy storage device and for the third energy storage device, respectively.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining the amount of time for the second energy storage device and the third energy storage device to draw the re-charging current from the first energy storage device is based on at least one of maximum current draw, current supply, power needs, maximum power class or power curve and for the third device, respectively.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining the amount of time for the second energy storage device and the third energy storage device to draw the re-charging current from the first energy storage device is based on a number of other energy storage devices on the network with the second energy storage device and the third energy storage device.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first energy storage device interfaces with a first device, the second energy storage device interfaces with a second device and the third energy storage device interfaces with a third device, and wherein the first device, the second device and the third device include non-continuous duty cycle loads.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first energy storage device interfaces with a first device, the second energy storage device interfaces with a second device and the third energy storage device interfaces with a third device, and wherein the first device, the second device and the third device are motors for motorized window shades.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first energy storage device is inside a first device, the second energy storage device is inside a second device and the third energy storage device is inside a third device.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first energy storage device, the second energy storage device and the third energy storage device are at least one of re-chargeable energy storage devices or are daisy chained together.
16 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving, by the first energy storage device, power from a power source.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first energy storage device, the second energy storage device and the third energy storage device interface with an intelligent power distribution hub and gateway (IPDHG).
18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the re-charging current includes at least one of a charging current or a trickle charging current.
19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a power over ethernet (POE) network switch runs a first device, a second device and a third device, and wherein the first energy storage device interfaces with the first device, the second energy storage device interfaces with the second device and the third energy storage device interfaces with the third device.
20 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the delivering, from the first energy storage device, the re-charging current to the second energy storage device is based on a synchronization signal.