Contraband detection through smart power components
AssigneeGlobal Tel*Link Corporation
InventorStephen L. HODGE
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and system for contraband detection is provided that allows for the determining whether devices are authorized to receive power from an outlet. A power adapter and/or an outlet authenticate a device when it is connected to the outlet through the power adapter. On the basis of this authentication, a determination is made whether the devices are to receive power from the outlet. If the device is authorized, the outlet is activated, transitioning from inactive state (where no power is relayed through the outlet) to an active state (where power is relayed through the outlet).
Claims21
(canceled)
A method for contraband detection in a controlled environment, comprising:
- detecting, by a smart outlet, a connection between a universal serial bus (USB) connector of the smart outlet and a smart power adapter, wherein the smart power adapter is configured to be connected to a device;
- receiving, from the smart power adapter via the USB connector of the smart outlet, identification information associated with the device;
- retrieving, based on the identification information associated with the device, device authorization information, wherein the device authorization information is configured to indicate one or more authorized locations in the controlled environment in which the device is authorized to receive power;
- determining, by the smart outlet, whether the device is authorized to receive power from the USB connector through the smart power adapter based on the one or more authorized locations in the controlled environment matching a location of the smart outlet;
- activating the smart outlet from an inactive state to an active state in response to the device being authorized;
- and
- relaying, after the smart outlet is activated to the active state, the power from the smart outlet through the smart power adapter.
A smart outlet for detecting contraband within a controlled environment, comprising:
- a universal serial bus (USB) connector;
- a memory;
- and
- a processor coupled to the memory and the USB connector, the processor configured to perform operations comprising:
- detecting, by a smart outlet, a connection between the USB connector and a smart power adapter, wherein the smart power adapter is configured to be connected to a device;
- receiving, from the smart power adapter via the USB connector, identification information associated with the device;
- retrieving, based on the identification information associated with the device, device authorization information, wherein the device authorization information is configured to indicate one or more authorized locations in the controlled environment in which the device is authorized to receive power;
- determining, by the smart outlet, whether the device is authorized to receive power from the USB connector through the smart power adapter based on the one or more authorized locations in the controlled environment matching a location of the smart outlet;
- activating the smart outlet from an inactive state to an active state in response to the device being authorized;
- and
- relaying, after the smart outlet is activated to the active state, the power from the smart outlet through the smart power adapter.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein, which when executed by a processor in a smart outlet configured to provide power within a controlled environment, cause the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:
- detecting, by a smart outlet, a connection between a universal serial bus (USB) connector of the smart outlet and a smart power adapter, wherein the smart power adapter is configured to be connected to a device;
- receiving, from the smart power adapter via the USB connector of the smart outlet, identification information associated with the device;
- retrieving, based on the identification information associated with the device, device authorization information, wherein the device authorization information is configured to indicate one or more authorized locations in the controlled environment in which the device is authorized to receive power;
- determining, by the smart outlet, whether the device is authorized to receive power from the USB connector through the smart power adapter based on the one or more authorized locations in the controlled environment matching a location of the smart outlet;
- activating the smart outlet from an inactive state to an active state in response to the device being authorized;
- and
- relaying, after the smart outlet is activated to the active state, the power from the smart outlet through the smart power adapter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.