Automatic power outlets

• US 20030042796A1
• Filed: 08/16/2001
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Donald Siu
• Original Assignee: Donald Siu
• Inventors: Siu, Donald
• Application Number:
  US09/930,709
• Publication Number:
  US 20030042796A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/39
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/261 PC controlled powerstrip
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 47/001 Functional circuits, e.g. logic, sequencing, interlocking circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7038 making use of a remote controlled switch, e.g. relais, solid state switch activated by the engagement of the coupling parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/003 the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/005 using a power saving mode for copiers G03G15/5004
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems

Abstract

The Automatic Power Outlets described herein delivers power to the auxiliary devices automatically upon detecting the ON state of the master device, and removes power from the auxiliary devices automatically upon detecting the OFF state of the master device. However, said Automatic Power Outlets will not be energized upon detecting a low standby/sleep current that some master devices may exhibit as part of their off-state characteristic. Said Automatic Power Outlets are simple to build, low in cost and conveniences to user. Said conveniences allow the user to assign any electrical device as the master, and eliminate the routine task of switching the supporting devices on and off in the system.

REFERENCES CITED

REFERENCES CITED U.S. Pat. Documents 4054802 October 1977 Mock 4675537 June 1987 Mione 5579201 November 1996 Karageozian 6211581 April 2001 Farrant

Claims

1. A device, called Automatic Power Outlets, for the automatic delivery of power to a plurality of auxiliary devices comprising:

(a) A wiring circuit board containing a current sensor, a power supply, an electronic signal processing circuit, a standby current switch and a relay.

(b) An AC power cord.

(c) A circuit breaker.

(d) A surge protector.

(e) An Automatic Power Outlets indicator lamp.

(f) A single AC socket receiving a master device'"'"'s AC plug.

(g) Multiple duplex AC sockets delivering power to auxiliary devices.

2. A plastic or metal enclosure housing all parts of claim 1.

3. A device, called Automatic Power Outlets, for the automatic delivery of power to auxiliary devices, as recited in claim 1, wherein said wiring circuit board further comprises:

(a) A current transformer, acting as a linear AC current-to-AC voltage converter.

(b) A voltage doubler, for converting AC voltage to DC voltage, also doubling the resultant DC voltage.

(c) A DC power supply, supplying power to the on-board electrical and electronic circuits.

(d) A voltage comparator, for comparing a measured DC voltage against a preset reference DC voltage, thus deciding whether the master device is ON or OFF.

(e) A standby current switch, for selecting either a low or high standby current.

(f) An electronic switch, for receiving an ON or OFF command from the voltage comparator, also acting as driver for the relay.

(g) A relay switch, for delivering AC power to the automatic outlets.

4. Said Automatic Power Outlets of claim 1 comprising the use of a ferrite-cored inductor as a current transformer, also functioning as a current sensor, as recited in claim 1.

5. Said Automatic Power Outlets use the existing master device'"'"'s power on/off switch as a controlling mechanism regardless whether said master device'"'"'s power control is wired or wireless.

6. Said Automatic Power Outlets of claim 5 do not require a separate remote control, any additional wiring or computer hardware and software interface. The only requirements are that Automatic Power Outlets be plugged into the wall outlet where 120VAC is present, and that master device'"'"'s AC cord be plugged into the master outlet.

7. Said Automatic Power Outlets of claim 5 are turned on and off simultaneously when the respective power on and off condition of the master device is detected.

8. Said Automatic Power Outlets appearing similar to a conventional power strip, but without having a power on/off switch, instead said Automatic Power Outlets have the characteristics of switching itself on and off automatically in response respectively to the on and off condition of the master device, and keep itself off when detecting a low standby current from the master device. The number of automatic outlets may be increased if needed by connecting a conventional power strip into one of the available automatic outlets.