SWITCHED OUTLET MODULE AND METHOD THEREFOR

• US 20070241615A1
• Filed: 04/14/2006
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lc Luxive
• Original Assignee: Lc Luxive
• Inventors: Goodrich, Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 7,576,448 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/31
• 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 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle

Abstract

A switched outlet module which controls power to one or more electrically powered devices which are connected to the module and which are under the control of a wall switch has a plurality of output jacks. A first pair of output jacks are switched outlet jacks and a second pair of output jacks are unswitched outlet jacks. A switching device is coupled to the plurality of outlet jacks to control which of the plurality of output jacks are the switched output jacks. Connectors are coupled to the switched outlet jacks for connecting remote controlled devices that control electronic devices coupled to the switched outlet jacks. Control circuitry is coupled to the switching device to monitor and limit a current through the switched outlet jacks, to monitor and limit a current through the switching device, and to interpret signals from remote controlled devices coupled to the connectors. Contacts are coupled to the control circuitry to couple the module to a switched electrical receptacle. A pair of touch switches are coupled to the connectors. The pair of touch sensors will allow one to control both switch output jacks.

Claims

1. A switched outlet module which controls power to one or more electrically powered devices which are connected to the module and which are under the control of a wall switch comprising:

a plurality of output jacks wherein a first pair of output jacks are switched outlet jacks and a second pair of output jacks are unswitched outlet jacks;

a switching device coupled to the plurality of outlet jacks to control which of the plurality of output jacks are the switched output jacks;

connectors coupled to the switched outlet jacks for connecting remote controlled devices that control electronic devices coupled to the switched outlet jacks;

control circuitry coupled to the switching device to monitor and limit a current through the switched outlet jacks, to monitor and limit a current through the switching device, and to interpret signals from remote controlled devices coupled to the connectors;

contacts coupled to the control circuitry to couple the module to a switched electrical receptacle; and

a pair of touch switches coupled to the connectors wherein the pair of touch sensors will allow one to control both switch output jacks.

2. A switched outlet module in accordance with claim 1 wherein the contacts are two pairs of male blades for coupling the module to a switched duplex electrical receptacle.

3. A switched outlet module in accordance with claim 1 wherein the switching device is a 3-pole, double throw switch.

4. A switched outlet module in accordance with claim 1 wherein the control circuitry comprises:

a processor;

a power supply coupled to the processor to power the processor;

resistive elements coupled to the switching device to provide a reliable signal from the switched outlet to the processor;

voltage divider circuit coupled to the connectors and the processor for limiting a voltage signal from the connectors; and

current limiting circuit coupled to the switching device to limit a current through the switching device.

5. A switched outlet module in accordance with claim 4 wherein the control circuitry further comprises a second switching device coupled to the switched outlet to switch power to the switched outlet.

6. A switched outlet module in accordance with claim 4 wherein the control circuitry further comprises a resistive element coupled to an input pin of the processor for allowing the processor to detect AC zero-voltage crossing.

7. A switched outlet module which controls power to one or more electrically powered devices which are connected to the module and which are under the control of a wall switch comprising:

outlet jacks wherein at least one outlet jack is a switched outlet jack and at least one outlet jack is an unswitched outlet jack;

a switching device coupled to the outlet jacks to control which receptacle of the switched electrical receptacle is the switched outlet receptacle

connectors coupled to the switched outlet jack for connecting remote controlled devices that control devices coupled to the switched outlet jack;

control circuitry coupled to the switching device to monitor and limit a current through the switched outlet jack, to monitor and limit a current through the switching device, and to interpret signals from remote controlled devices coupled to the connectors wherein the control circuitry comprises;

a processor;

a power supply coupled to the processor to power the processor;

resistive elements coupled to the switching device to provide a reliable signal from the switched outlet to the processor;

voltage divider circuit coupled to the connectors and the processor for limiting a voltage signal from the connectors; and

current limiting circuit coupled to the switching device to limit a current through the switching device; and

contacts coupled to the control circuitry to couple the module to a switched electrical receptacle wherein the contacts are two pairs of male blades for coupling the module to a switched duplex electrical receptacle.

8. A switched outlet module in accordance with claim 7 wherein the switching device is a 3-pole, double throw switch.

9. A switched outlet module in accordance with claim 7 wherein the control circuitry further comprises a second switching device coupled to the switched outlet to switch power to the switched outlet.

10. A switched outlet module in accordance with claim 7 wherein the control circuitry further comprises a resistive element coupled an input pin of the processor for allowing the processor to detect AC zero-voltage crossing.

11. A switched outlet module which controls power to one or more electrically powered devices which are connected to the module and which are under the control of a wall switch comprising:

a plurality of output jacks wherein a first pair of output jacks are switched outlet jacks and a second pair of output jacks are unswitched outlet jacks;

switching means coupled to the plurality of outlet jacks to control which of the plurality of output jacks are the switched output jacks;

connectors coupled to the switched outlet jacks for connecting remote controlled devices that control electronic devices coupled to the switched outlet jacks;

means coupled to the switching means to monitor and limit a current through the switched outlet jacks, to monitor and limit a current through the switching device, and to interpret signals from remote controlled devices coupled to the connectors;

contacts coupled to the control circuitry to couple the module to a switched electrical receptacle; and

a pair of touch switches coupled to the connectors wherein the pair of touch sensors will allow one to control both switch output jacks.

12. A switched outlet module in accordance with claim 11 wherein the contacts are two pairs of male blades for coupling the module to a switched duplex electrical receptacle.

13. A switched outlet module in accordance with claim 11 wherein the switching device is a 3-pole, double throw switch.

14. A switched outlet module in accordance with claim 11 wherein the control circuitry comprises:

a processor;

a power supply coupled to the processor to power the processor;

resistive elements coupled to the switching device to provide a reliable signal from the switched outlet to the processor;

voltage divider circuit coupled to the connectors and the processor for limiting a voltage signal from the connectors;

current limiting circuit coupled to the switching device to limit a current through the switching device;

a second switching device coupled to the switched outlet to switch power to the switched outlet; and

a resistive element coupled an input pin of the processor for allowing the processor to detect AC zero-voltage crossing.