A control device for controlling at least one LED module includes: a power supply module arranged to receive power over Ethernet to generate a first supply power; and an illumination controlling module coupled to the power supply module for receiving a communication signal from the Ethernet to generate a serial bus signal to control an illumination of the at least one LED module; wherein the illumination controlling module is powered by the first supply power.

A digital communications port for communications with an external device over multiple conductors, the digital communications port including communication electronics for communicating radio frequency modulation (RF) communications over the multiple conductors. The digital communications port further includes bidirectional power feed electronics that are programmable to be configured to at least receive power from the external device using at least two of the multiple conductors so as to power the bidirectional power feed electronics and to power the communications electronics, or provide power to the external device using at least two of the multiple conductors so as to power the external device.

A digital communications port for communications with an external device over multiple conductors, the digital communications port including communication electronics for communicating radio frequency modulation (RF) communications over the multiple conductors. The digital communications port further includes bidirectional power feed electronics that are programmable to be configured to at least receive power from the external device using at least two of the multiple conductors so as to power the bidirectional power feed electronics and to power the communications electronics, or provide power to the external device using at least two of the multiple conductors so as to power the external device.

One aspect provides a power sourcing equipment controller for providing power to a powered device using power-over-Ethernet (PoE). The power sourcing equipment includes a voltage-output logic block to output a sequence of voltage signals, the voltage signals comprising at least a detection signal and a classification signal; a current-measurement logic block to measure current provided responsive to the voltage signals; a backoff-time-determination logic block to determine a backoff time in response to the current-measurement logic block detecting the provided current exceeding a predetermined threshold, the backoff time being determined based on an amount of time needed for discharging an internal capacitor associated with the powered device; and a timing logic block to cause the voltage-output logic block to delay the output of a next sequence of voltage signals based on the determined backoff time, thereby facilitating powering up of a device compliant with a different PoE standard.

One aspect provides a power sourcing equipment controller for providing power to a powered device using power-over-Ethernet (PoE). The power sourcing equipment includes a voltage-output logic block to output a sequence of voltage signals, the voltage signals comprising at least a detection signal and a classification signal; a current-measurement logic block to measure current provided responsive to the voltage signals; a backoff-time-determination logic block to determine a backoff time in response to the current-measurement logic block detecting the provided current exceeding a predetermined threshold, the backoff time being determined based on an amount of time needed for discharging an internal capacitor associated with the powered device; and a timing logic block to cause the voltage-output logic block to delay the output of a next sequence of voltage signals based on the determined backoff time, thereby facilitating powering up of a device compliant with a different PoE standard.

A power module is configured to accept power from a cable, wherein the power module may be inserted into a standard wall cavity via a small hole. A processor module coupled to the power module comprises a processor and is configured to accept power from the cable for the processor, wherein the processor module may be inserted into the standard wall cavity via the small hole. A sensor module coupled to the processor module, comprises a sensor and is configured to accept input from the sensor for the processor, wherein the sensor module may be inserted into the small hole.

A power module is configured to accept power from a cable, wherein the power module may be inserted into a standard wall cavity via a small hole. A processor module coupled to the power module comprises a processor and is configured to accept power from the cable for the processor, wherein the processor module may be inserted into the standard wall cavity via the small hole. A sensor module coupled to the processor module, comprises a sensor and is configured to accept input from the sensor for the processor, wherein the sensor module may be inserted into the small hole.

Methods and systems are provided for power management in communication devices, particularly based on cable connectivity. A power management component in a system may be configured to obtain measurements associated with a signal path used for communication by the system via a communication port, and manage power use in the system based on the obtained measurement. Managing the power use may include determining, based on the obtained measurements, connectivity related information associated with connectivity of the system via the communication port, and applying based on the information one or more power use reduction measures, with the one or more power use reduction measures including at least transitioning between different power related states.

Methods and systems are provided for power management in communication devices, particularly based on cable connectivity. A power management component in a system may be configured to obtain measurements associated with a signal path used for communication by the system via a communication port, and manage power use in the system based on the obtained measurement. Managing the power use may include determining, based on the obtained measurements, connectivity related information associated with connectivity of the system via the communication port, and applying based on the information one or more power use reduction measures, with the one or more power use reduction measures including at least transitioning between different power related states.

In one embodiment, an electric vehicle system includes a power system for charging a battery installed in an electric vehicle and comprising a bi-directional power and data connector for receiving power and data from or transmitting the power and data to an electric vehicle charging device, a communications system comprising a server and configured for receiving power from the power system and receiving data from or transmitting the data to the power system for download or upload at the electric vehicle charging device, and an authentication module for authenticating the electric vehicle charging device. A method is also disclosed herein.