Smart Powering and Pairing System and Related Method

Abstract

According to one disclosed embodiment, a smart powering and pairing system includes a power conversion unit (PCU) having a communication module, a power management module and a pairing module. The PCU can convert mains power into a form that can be used to power a plurality of electronic devices. In one embodiment, the PCU can transparently pair a connected electronic device to a group of subsequently connected electronic devices by accepting pairing information from the connected electronic device and using it to pair the subsequently connected devices. In another embodiment, the PCU can transparently pair a group of connected electronic devices by applying generated security data to all the connected devices. In another embodiment, a power conversion unit can use security data to un-pair connected electronic devices.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An electronic device, comprising:
 circuitry configured to
 establish a communication link with a power conversion unit (PCU); 
 transmit, via the communication link, first information to the PCU, the first information identifying the electronic device; 
 receive, via the communication link, second information from the PCU, the second information identifying a second electronic device; and 
 execute a pairing process by utilizing the second information to pair the electronic device with the second electronic device. 
   
     
     
         22 . The electronic device according to  claim 21 , wherein
 the circuitry is further configured to:
 transmit, via the communication link, a power management parameter to the PCU; and 
 receive power from the PCU, and 
   the PCU provides the power to the electronic device according to the power management parameter.   
     
     
         23 . The electronic device according to  claim 22 , wherein the circuitry receives the power from the PCU via a wired power conduit between the circuitry and the PCU. 
     
     
         24 . The electronic device according to  claim 22 , wherein the circuitry receives the power from the PCU via a wireless power conduit between the circuitry and the PCU. 
     
     
         25 . The electronic device according to  claim 22 , wherein the communication link is established over the wired power conduit. 
     
     
         26 . The electronic device according to  claim 21 , wherein the communication link is a wireless communication link. 
     
     
         27 . The electronic device according to  claim 21 , wherein the circuitry executes the pairing process to pair with the second electronic device by communicating with the second electronic device via the communication link with the PCU. 
     
     
         28 . A pairing method, comprising:
 establishing, by circuitry of a first electronic device, a communication link with a power conversion unit (PCU);   transmitting, by the circuitry via the communication link, first information to the PCU, the first information identifying the first electronic device;   receiving, by the circuitry via the communication link, second information from the PCU, the second information identifying a second electronic device; and   executing, by the circuitry utilizing the second information, a pairing process to pair the first electronic device with the second electronic device.   
     
     
         29 . The pairing method according to  claim 28 , further comprising:
 transmitting, by the circuitry via the communication link, a power management parameter to the PCU; and   receiving power, by the circuitry, from the PCU, wherein   the PCU provides the power to the first electronic device according to the power management parameter.   
     
     
         30 . The pairing method according to  claim 29 , wherein the circuitry receives the power from the PCU via a wired power conduit between the circuitry and the PCU. 
     
     
         31 . The pairing method according to  claim 29 , wherein the circuitry receives the power from the PCU via a wireless power conduit between the circuitry and the PCU. 
     
     
         32 . The pairing method according to  claim 29 , wherein the communication link is established over the wired power conduit. 
     
     
         33 . The pairing method according to  claim 28 , wherein the communication link is a wireless communication link. 
     
     
         34 . The pairing method according to  claim 28 , wherein the circuitry executes the pairing process to pair with the second electronic device by communicating with the second electronic device via the communication link with the PCU. 
     
     
         35 . A pairing system, comprising:
 a power conversion unit (PCU); and   a first electronic device, the first electronic device including circuitry configured to
 establish a communication link with the PCU; 
 transmit, via the communication link, first information to the PCU, the first information identifying the first electronic device; 
 receive, via the communication link, second information from the PCU, the second information identifying a second electronic device; and 
 execute a pairing process by utilizing the second information to pair the first electronic device with the second electronic device, wherein 
   the PCU is configured to
 receive the second information from the second electronic device; and 
 transmit the second information to the first electronic device via the communication link. 
   
     
     
         36 . The pairing system according to  claim 35 , wherein
 the circuitry of the first electronic device is further configured to transmit, via the communication link, a power management parameter to the PCU, and   the PCU is further configured to provide power to the first electronic device according to the power management parameter.   
     
     
         37 . The pairing system according to  claim 36 , wherein the circuitry of the first electronic device receives the power from the PCU via a wired power conduit between the circuitry and the PCU. 
     
     
         38 . The pairing system according to  claim 36 , wherein the circuitry of the first electronic device receives the power from the PCU via a wireless power conduit between the circuitry and the PCU. 
     
     
         39 . The pairing system according to  claim 36 , wherein the communication link is established over the wired power conduit. 
     
     
         40 . The pairing system according to  claim 35 , wherein the communication link is a wireless communication link.