Power strips with embedded controllers

• US 20050036258A1
• Filed: 08/11/2003
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Jiajian Lin, Xlu Juan Ma
• Original Assignee: Robert Jiajian Lin, Xlu Juan Ma
• Inventors: Lin, Robert Jiajian, Ma, Xlu Juan
• Application Number:
  US10/637,858
• Publication Number:
  US 20050036258A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/103
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1909 whose output amplitude can only take two discrete values

Abstract

A power strip with an embedded temperature/timing controller includes a set of primary receptacles and a set of secondary receptacles. The primary receptacles are connected to a power source just like conventional power strips. The secondary receptacles are controlled by the temperature/timing controller to switch power on and off. In a heating control mode, the secondary receptacles are switched on if the room temperature is below the desired temperature. In a cooling control mode, the secondary receptacles are switched on if the room temperature is above the desired temperature. In a timing control mode, the secondary receptacles are switched on for certain periods of time.

Claims

1. A temperature-controlled power strip comprising:

a power cord to be connected to a power supply;

a set of primary receptacles for power output;

a set of secondary receptacles for controlled power output; and

a temperature controller that controls the power output of said secondary receptacles.

2. The power strip, as defined in claim 1, further comprising a housing, and wherein said primary receptacle, said secondary receptacles, and said temperature controller are disposed in said housing.

3. The power strip, as defined in claim 2, wherein said temperature controller comprises

a AC to DC converter that converts a high voltage AC power to a low voltage DC power;

a temperature sensor that measures the room temperature;

a temperature setting device that allows a user to set a desired temperature;

a display that displays said room temperature or said desired temperature;

a relay that switches said power supply to said secondary receptacles on or off; and

a control device that controls said relay according to said room temperature and said desired temperature.

4. The power strip, as defined in claim 3, wherein said control device operates in a heating control mode which controls said relay to switch on said power supply to said secondary receptacles if said room temperature is below said desired temperature.

5. The power strip, as defined in claim 3, wherein said control device operates in a cooling control mode which controls said relay to switch on said power supply to said secondary receptacles if said room temperature is above said desired temperature.

6. The power strip, as defined in claim 3, wherein said control device is implemented in a microcontroller.

7. The power strip, as defined in claim 3, wherein said control device is implemented by an analog circuit.

8. The power strip, as defined in claim 3, wherein said display is a LED display.

9. The power strip, as defined in claim 3, wherein said display is a LCD display.

10. The power strip, as defined in claim 3, wherein said relay is a mechanical relay.

11. The power strip, as defined in claim 3, wherein said relay is an electrical relay.

12. The power strip, as defined in claim 1 further comprising

a power switch to turn on or off said power supply;

a surge protector to switch off said power supply to said primary receptacle and said secondary receptacles during a power surge;

a power on/off indicator that indicates whether said power switch is on or off;

an output on/off indicator that indicates whether said power supply to said secondary receptacle is on or off.

13. A timing-controlled power strip comprising:

a power cord to be connected to a power supply;

a set of primary receptacles for power output;

a set of secondary receptacles for controlled power output; and

a timing controller that controls the power output of said secondary receptacles.

14. The power strip, as defined in claim 13 further comprising a housing, and wherein said primary receptacle, said secondary receptacles, and said timing controller are disposed in said housing.

15. The power strip, as defined in claim 14, wherein said timing controller comprises

a AC to DC converter that converts a high voltage AC power to a low voltage DC power;

a time period setting device that allows a user to set a desired time period;

a display that displays said desired time period;

a relay that switches said power supply to said secondary receptacles on or off; and

a control device that controls said relay according to said desired time period.

16. The power strip, as defined in claim 15, wherein said control device is implemented in a microcontroller.

17. The power strip, as defined in claim 15, wherein said control device is implemented by an analog circuit.

18. The power strip, as defined in claim 15, wherein said display is a LED display.

19. The power strip, as defined in claim 15, wherein said display is a LCD display.

20. The power strip, as defined in claim 15, wherein said relay is a mechanical relay.

21. The power strip, as defined in claim 15, wherein said relay is an electrical relay.

22. The power strip, as defined in claim 13 further comprising

a power switch to turn on or off said power supply;

a surge protector to switch off said power supply to said primary receptacle and said secondary receptacles during a power surge;

a power on/off indicator that indicates whether said power switch is on or off;

an output on/off indicator that indicates whether said power supply to said secondary receptacle is on or off.