Various implementations described herein are directed to systems, apparatuses and methods for managing one or more loads connected to one or more power sources using one or more smart outlets. Apparatuses described herein may include smart outlets configured to communicate with one or more controllers and responsively connect and disconnect electrical loads connected thereto. Methods described herein may include signaling and/or controlling one or more loads from a group of loads to connect to or disconnect from one or more power sources.

Various implementations described herein are directed to systems, apparatuses and methods for managing one or more loads connected to one or more power sources using one or more smart outlets. Apparatuses described herein may include smart outlets configured to communicate with one or more controllers and responsively connect and disconnect electrical loads connected thereto. Methods described herein may include signaling and/or controlling one or more loads from a group of loads to connect to or disconnect from one or more power sources.

A functional enhancement module is for vehicles and for enhancing a functional module which is supplied with electric power via a power supply bus. The functional enhancement module is configured to be supplied with the electric power via the power supply bus. The functional enhancement module includes: a controller having a power specification for a maximum power flow of the functional module and being configured to detect a current power flow at a reference point; and a power controller configured to control a power take-up of the functional enhancement module. The controller is configured to control the power controller in accordance with the detected power flow, such that a combined power take-up of the functional module and the functional enhancement module does not exceed the power specification.

A functional enhancement module is for vehicles and for enhancing a functional module which is supplied with electric power via a power supply bus. The functional enhancement module is configured to be supplied with the electric power via the power supply bus. The functional enhancement module includes: a controller having a power specification for a maximum power flow of the functional module and being configured to detect a current power flow at a reference point; and a power controller configured to control a power take-up of the functional enhancement module. The controller is configured to control the power controller in accordance with the detected power flow, such that a combined power take-up of the functional module and the functional enhancement module does not exceed the power specification.

An electronic device according to an embodiment may include: a plurality of loads, a processor, and a power management circuit configured to provide the plurality of loads with a power, wherein the power management circuit may include a plurality of regulators configured to adjust a voltage of a power received from a power source and output a voltage-adjusted power, a switching circuit configured to connect at least one of the plurality of regulators to at least one of the plurality of loads, a plurality of power sensors each power sensor being configured to measure a magnitude of a power input to each of the plurality of loads, and a controller. The controller may be configured to obtain information related to an operation of each of the plurality of loads from the processor, obtain the magnitude of the power input to each of the plurality of loads from each of the plurality of power sensors, and identify a load which operates abnormally among the plurality of loads based on the magnitude of the power input to each of the plurality of loads and the information related to the operation of each of the plurality of loads.

An electronic device according to an embodiment may include: a plurality of loads, a processor, and a power management circuit configured to provide the plurality of loads with a power, wherein the power management circuit may include a plurality of regulators configured to adjust a voltage of a power received from a power source and output a voltage-adjusted power, a switching circuit configured to connect at least one of the plurality of regulators to at least one of the plurality of loads, a plurality of power sensors each power sensor being configured to measure a magnitude of a power input to each of the plurality of loads, and a controller. The controller may be configured to obtain information related to an operation of each of the plurality of loads from the processor, obtain the magnitude of the power input to each of the plurality of loads from each of the plurality of power sensors, and identify a load which operates abnormally among the plurality of loads based on the magnitude of the power input to each of the plurality of loads and the information related to the operation of each of the plurality of loads.

A power converter includes an input circuit, an output circuit, and a configuration circuit. The input circuit is configured to receive an input voltage or current. The output circuit is electrically isolated from the input circuit and is configured to generate a combined output voltage or a combined output current in response to the input circuit. The output circuit includes a plurality of output stages that are each configured to generate a respective partial output voltage or current. The configuration circuit is coupled to the plurality of output stages to dynamically reconfigure a connection among the plurality of output stages to combine the respective partial output voltages or currents to adjust the combined output voltage, the combined output current, or a combined output impedance of the power converter.

A power converter includes an input circuit, an output circuit, and a configuration circuit. The input circuit is configured to receive an input voltage or current. The output circuit is electrically isolated from the input circuit and is configured to generate a combined output voltage or a combined output current in response to the input circuit. The output circuit includes a plurality of output stages that are each configured to generate a respective partial output voltage or current. The configuration circuit is coupled to the plurality of output stages to dynamically reconfigure a connection among the plurality of output stages to combine the respective partial output voltages or currents to adjust the combined output voltage, the combined output current, or a combined output impedance of the power converter.

A circuit includes a reference node having a reference voltage level, a first node that carries an input signal having a first voltage level or the reference voltage level, a second node that carries a power supply voltage, a voltage regulator including a source follower that outputs a gate signal having a fractional value of the input signal, a first control circuit that selects the higher of the power supply voltage or the gate signal as a first control signal, a second control circuit that selects the higher of the input signal or the first control signal as a second control signal, and first and second transistors coupled in series between the first node and the reference node and configured to receive the first and second control signals.

A circuit includes a reference node having a reference voltage level, a first node that carries an input signal having a first voltage level or the reference voltage level, a second node that carries a power supply voltage, a voltage regulator including a source follower that outputs a gate signal having a fractional value of the input signal, a first control circuit that selects the higher of the power supply voltage or the gate signal as a first control signal, a second control circuit that selects the higher of the input signal or the first control signal as a second control signal, and first and second transistors coupled in series between the first node and the reference node and configured to receive the first and second control signals.