Connection unit for patch cables of power-over-ethernet networks with an embedded switch controlled by a central control system
View Patent ↗The connection unit is intended for connecting terminals (T) to networks (LAN) that provide electric energy (E) to the terminals (T) connected thereto. The connection unit (AE) is configured for generating electric energy for the connection unit (AE) from the energy (E) provided, and has a switching element (SE) for separating the supply of energy for the terminals (T), wherein the switching element (SE) is controlled via the network (LAN). It is advantageous that the energy supply of the terminals (T) can be separated or switched on via the network (LAN) by means of the switching elements (SE), for example as a function of the presence or the location of users of terminals (T). Since the separations of the energy supply to the terminals may be carried out over longer periods of time, such as during the night, the energy consumption of the terminals (T) or of the networks (LAN) providing the electric energy to the terminals (T) can be reduced significantly.
1. A connection unit for a connection of at least one of a terminal and an access point with a network, said network providing the at least one of the connected terminal and the connected access point with electrical energy and a connection to elements of the network, the connection unit comprising:
a connection cable, the connection cable having a first connector connecting the connection cable to a power supply of the network that provide the electrical energy, the connection cable also having a second connector connecting the connection cable to the at least one of the terminal and the access point;
the connection cable also having a switch element embedded therein between the first connector and the second connector, the switch element of the connection cable communicatively connected to a path of transmission provided by the connection cable for the electrical energy received from the power supply of the network such that the electrical energy is transmittable to the at least one of the terminal and the access point when the switch element of the connection cable is in a first position and transmission of the electrical energy is interrupted when the switch element is in a second position such that electrical energy is not transmitted to the at least one of the terminal and the access point when the switch element is in the second position;
a central control system to monitor and control the connection unit;
an Ethernet control system connected to the central control system to control an Ethernet protocol,
wherein the switch element is connected to the central control system and is controlled by the central control system to interrupt the electrical energy supply pursuant to at least one control setting;
two connection modules which are connected with the central control system via an Ethernet-Hub for adaptation at the first connector and the second connector,
an energy control system for adaptation of voltages of electrical energy transmitted via the first connector and the switch element to needed voltages of the connection unit; and
an energy storage mechanism, the electrical energy being stored in the energy storage mechanism when the switch element is in the second position.
2. The connection unit of claim 1 , wherein the connection cable is a patch cable, the power supply is a Power-over-Ethernet switch and the network is configured as Power-over-Ethernet.
3. The connection unit of claim 2 , wherein the network is configured according to standard IEEE 802.3af.
4. The connection unit of claim 1 , wherein the second connector is connected to the terminal.
5. The connection unit of claim 1 , wherein the switch element has a network address assigned thereto and wherein the switch element is controlled via at least one control message sent by a management system of the network that is addressed with the assigned network address.
6. The connection unit of claim 5 , wherein the switch element is adjusted to the first position or the second position in response to receipt of one of the at least one control message.
7. The connection unit of claim 1 wherein the switch element is adjusted from the first position to the second position dependent upon one of time of day, time, and presence of a user associated with the terminal.
8. The connection unit of claim 7 , wherein the switch element is adjusted from the first position to the second position dependent on the time such that time dependent control of the switch element is dependent upon a daytime week-control function of a management system.
9. The connection unit of claim 1 further comprising at least one member of the group consisting of an access system, a RFID System, a GPS System, and a wireless positioning system for at least one of presence dependent control and location dependent control of the switch element;
wherein at least one of presence and location of a user is signaled to the central control system communicatively connected to the switch element to control the switch element.
10. The connection unit of claim 1 , wherein upon an interruption of the electrical energy being supplied, the connection unit is controlled in a reduced energy consumption mode.
11. The connection unit of claim 1 wherein the energy storage mechanism is comprised of a capacitor.
12. A management system for at least one assigned network to control at least one connection unit for connection of terminals with a network that supplies electrical energy to the terminals, comprising:
a connection unit, the connection unit comprising a connection cable having a first connector connecting the connection cable to a power supply of the at least one assigned network that provides the electrical energy, the connection cable also having a second connector connecting the connection cable to the terminals,
the connection cable also having a switch element between the first connector and the second connector embedded therein, the switch element of the connection cable communicatively connected to a path of transmission provided by the connection cable for the electrical energy received from the power supply such that the electrical energy is transmittable to the terminals when the switch element is in a first position and transmission of the electrical energy is interrupted when the switch element is in a second position such that electrical energy is not transmitted to the terminals when the switch element is in the second position,
a control system communicatively connected to the connection unit, the control system to create and transmit commands via the at least one assigned network to the connection unit to control the switch element to interrupt the electrical energy supply pursuant to at least one control setting, wherein the commands are created based on at least one member of the group consisting of time, presence of a user, and location of the user adjacent at least one of the terminals;
the control system being in communication with a database having an address of the switch element of the connection unit such that the control system communicates with the database to address the commands sent to the switch element with the address of the switch element;
an Ethernet control system connected to the control system to control an Ethernet protocol,
two connection modules which are connected with the control system via an Ethernet-Hub for adaptation at the first connector and the second connector,
an energy control system for adaptation of voltages of electrical energy transmitted via the first connector and the switch element to needed voltages of the connection unit; and
an energy storage mechanism, the electrical energy being stored in the energy storage mechanism when the switch element is in the second position.
13. The management system of claim 12 , further comprising at least one of a daytime control function and a week control function for time-dependent control of the switch element.
14. The management system of claim 12 comprising a network control system, said network control system communicating with at least one of a
presence device and a locating device with which the presence or the location of user at or near the assigned terminals can be detected and signaled to the management system and
communicating with security devices for security-related checks of the terminals and users assigned to the terminals.
15. The management system of claim 12 wherein the energy storage mechanism is comprised of a capacitor.