Outlet tap, power source cut-off system, and power source cut-off method

• US 20050227742A1
• Filed: 06/17/2003
• Published: 10/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Temco Japan Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Temco Japan Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Takeda, Takeshi, Wakabayashi, Tetsuo
• Granted Patent: US 7,181,191 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/572
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/70 with built-in switch
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/007 with remote control systems remote control in general G08C

Abstract

A power source cut-off system enabling the user to cut off power supply from an outlet even when user is out comprises an outlet tap for supplying power to an electric apparatus by connecting it to a home commercial power source and a telephone set for controlling this outlet tap and connected to an external telephone line. The outlet tap comprises an outlet to which the electric apparatus is connected, a power cut-off means for cutting off the power source at this outlet, a reception means for receiving a radio signal transmitted from the external telephone set, and a control means for cutting off the power source at the outlet by the power source cut-off device according to the radio signal received by this reception means. The telephone set comprises a control signal reception means for receiving a control signal transmitted via an external communication apparatus, and a transmission means for transmitting a radio signal to the outlet tap on the basis of the control receiving means.

Claims

1. An outlet tap, which is provided with an outlet and connected with a domestic commercial power source to supply electric power to an electric appliance having been connected with said outlet, characterized in that said outlet tap comprises:

a power source cut-off device for interrupting said electric power source in said outlet;

a radio receiver means for receiving a control signal through a radio communication line; and

, a control means for controlling said power source cut-off device on the basis of said control signal having been received in said radio receiver means.

2. The outlet tap as set forth in claim 1, wherein said outlet tap further comprises:

a result signal generator means for generating a result signal representing the result of power source cut-off performance of the power source of said electrical appliance, said power source cut-off performance being carried out at said outlet; and

, a radio transmitter means for transmitting said result signal through a radio communication line, said result signal being issued from said result signal generator means.

3. A power source cut-off system constructed of:

an outlet tap which is connected with a domestic commercial power source to supply electric power to an electrical appliance; and

, a telephone set connected with an external telephone line to control said outlet tap, characterized in that said outlet tap comprises;

an outlet with which said electrical appliance is connected;

a power source cut-off device for interrupting said power source at said outlet;

a receiver means for receiving a radio signal issued from said telephone set; and

, a control means for controlling said power source cut-off device on the basis of said radio signal having been received in said receiver means, and characterized in that said telephone set comprises;

a control signal receiver means for receiving a control signal having been transmitted through said external telephone line; and

, a transmitter means for transmitting said radio signal to said outlet tap on the basis of said control signal receiver means.

4. The power source cut-off system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said outlet tap further comprises:

a signal generator means for showing the result of power source cut-off operation carried out with respect to said electrical appliance at said outlet; and

, a transmitter means for transmitting said radio signal representing the result of said power source cut-off operation to said telephone set, wherein said telephone set further comprises a receiver means for receiving said radio signal having been transmitted from said transmitter means of said outlet tap.

5. The power source cut-off system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said telephone set further comprises:

a voice guide choosing means for choosing a voice guide in report of the result in analysis of the result of said power source cut-off operation on the basis of said radio signal having been received in said receiver means, said power source cut-off operation being conducted in said outlet of said outlet tap; and

, a playback means for reproducing said voice guide, wherein said voice guide reports said result to a user having been selected by said voice guide choosing means.

6. A power source cut-off system constructed of:

an outlet tap which is connected with a domestic commercial power source to supply electric power to an electrical appliance; and

, a telephone set connected in between an external telephone line and a telephone set to control said outlet tap, characterized in that said outlet tap comprises;

an outlet with which said electrical appliance is connected;

a power source cut-off device for interrupting said power source at said outlet;

a receiver means for receiving a radio signal issued from said power source cut-off device; and

, a control means for controlling said power source cut-off device on the basis of said radio signal having been received in said receiver means, and characterized in that said power source cut-off device comprises;

a control signal receiver means for receiving a control signal having been transmitted through said external telephone line; and

, a transmitter means for transmitting said radio signal to said outlet tap on the basis of said control signal receiver means.

7. The power source cut-off system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said outlet tap comprises:

a signal generator means for showing the result in power source cut-off operation of said electrical appliance conducted at said outlet; and

, a transmitter means for radio transmitting a radio signal representing said result in power source cut-off operation to said power source cut-off device, said radio signal representing said result in power source cut-off operation being prepared in said signal generator means, wherein said power source cut-off device further comprises a receiver means for receiving said radio signal issued from said transmitter means of said outlet tap.

8. The power source cut-off system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said power source cut-off device further comprises:

a voice guide choosing means for choosing a voice guide in report of the result in analysis of the result of said power source out-off operation on the basis of said radio signal having been received in said receiver means, said power source cut-off operation being conducted in said outlet of said outlet tap; and

, a playback means for reproducing said voice guide, wherein said voice guide reports said result to a user having been selected by said voice guide choosing means.

9. The power source cut-off system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said power source cut-off device comprises:

a phone-call reply means for replying a phone call;

a confirmation means for confirming whether or not said phone call contains a preset power source cut-off number in reply to said phone call; and

, a power source cut-off operation carrying out means for carrying out said power source cut-off operation on the basis of said phone call in the case where said phone call contains said preset power source cut-off number which is confirmed by said confirmation means.

10. A power source cut-off system serving as a remote control system for remotely controlling an outlet tap, wherein said outlet tap is an object to be controlled by means of an external communication instrument through a telephone line, characterized in that:

the power source cut-off system comprises;

a call center which is connected with said telephone line, corresponds a telephone subscriber and manages the data of said subscriber, wherein said subscriber'"'"'s data includes a subscriber'"'"'s telephone number in his or her house; and

, a power source cut-off device for catching a phone call issued from said call center through said telephone line to perform the control of a power source cut-off operation.

11. A power source cut-off method serving as a remote control method for remotely controlling an outlet tap;

wherein said outlet tap is an object to be controlled by means of an external communication instrument through a telephone line, characterized in that;

the power source cut-off method comprises the steps of;

presetting the data of a subscriber in a database server of a call center, wherein said data of said subscriber corresponds to said subscriber and includes a telephone number of said subscriber in his or her house;

storing and recognizing the result of a search for said data of said subscriber in arrival information issued from telephone sets of subscribers; and

, issuing a phone call to said house of said subscriber on behalf of said subscriber through a telephone line on the basis of the contents of said data of said subscriber having been stored; and

, performing the control of a power source cut-off operation on the basis of the telephone number of said telephone set which has received said phone call in the previous step of issuing said phone call.

12. The power source cut-off method as set forth in claim 11, wherein:

in said step of presetting, a plurality of the data of subscribers are provided in said database server; and

, in said step of storing and recognizing, the data of one of said subscribers who has made a phone call is searched to make a return call to said one of said subscribers.

13. The power source cut-off method as set forth in claim 11, wherein:

a telephone number capable of initiating said power source cut-off operation is limited to those having been registered in said call center.