Electrical power cord with intelligent switching
First Claim
1. An electrical power extension cord with intelligent switching capability, comprising:
- an electrical power input cord adapted to receive electrical power from a power source;
an electrical power output cord adapted to convey electrical power to an electrical consumer;
a switching circuit disposed between said power input cord and said power output cord, said switching circuit comprising;
a controller in communication with at least one chosen from (i) an occupancy sensor that is operable to detect a physical presence of a user in the vicinity of said electrical power cord, and (ii) an electrical power consumption sensor that is operable to detect and measure electrical power consumption at said electrical power output cord; and
an electrical switch that is operable in response to said controller and adapted to electrically connect said electrical power input cord to said electrical power output cord when said switch is closed in response to said controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical power cord includes intelligent switching capability. An electrical power input receives electrical power from a power source, and selectively conveys that power to an electrical power output only when certain occupancy or power usage criteria are met. The electrical power output conveys electrical power to an electrical consumer when a switch disposed along the power cord is closed. The switch is actuated in response to a signal received from a sensor, such as an occupancy sensor or a power consumption sensor, and breaks continuity along the power cord when signals received from the sensor indicate that the occupancy or power usage criteria are not being met, which criteria may be customized for a particular application. The electrical power cord is operable to automatically reduce or substantially eliminate power consumption at its power output end.
399 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electrical power extension cord with intelligent switching capability, comprising:
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an electrical power input cord adapted to receive electrical power from a power source; an electrical power output cord adapted to convey electrical power to an electrical consumer; a switching circuit disposed between said power input cord and said power output cord, said switching circuit comprising; a controller in communication with at least one chosen from (i) an occupancy sensor that is operable to detect a physical presence of a user in the vicinity of said electrical power cord, and (ii) an electrical power consumption sensor that is operable to detect and measure electrical power consumption at said electrical power output cord; and an electrical switch that is operable in response to said controller and adapted to electrically connect said electrical power input cord to said electrical power output cord when said switch is closed in response to said controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of selectively energizing and de-energizing a power output end of an electrical power extension cord for use in a work area, said method comprising:
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connecting an electrical power input end of the electrical power cord to an energized electrical power source; establishing electronic communications between a sensor and a switching circuit that is disposed along the electrical power cord; selectively establishing electrical continuity, at the switching circuit, between the electrical power input end and the power output end in response to the sensor detecting at least one chosen from (i) a physical occupancy of the work area in the vicinity of the sensor, and (ii) a measured power consumption value along the electrical power cord exceeding a threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification