Remote Controllable Power Outlet Apparatus with Grouping Capability and Remote Control Grouping Method Thereof

• US 20100164299A1
• Filed: 04/03/2009
• Published: 07/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Powertech Industrial Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Powertech Industrial Company Limited
• Inventors: KUO, MING-CHOU, LEE, YU-LUNG
• Granted Patent: US 8,212,394 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/115
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/003 the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00022 using wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/0005 the elements or equipment being or involving power plugs or sockets
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• 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: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/00 Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/242 Home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/126 using wireless data transmission

Abstract

A remote controllable power outlet apparatus with grouping capability and a remote control grouping method thereof, includes a microprocessor, a communication module, a power protection and control module, a grouping unit, at least a controllable socket set, a switch, and an original remote control which belongs and corresponds to the remote controllable power outlet apparatus. Therein the switch is coupled between the microprocessor, the power protection and control module, and the controllable socket set, and the switch is for controlling whether or not the controllable socket set provides power. When the original remote control is plugged into the grouping unit, the remote controllable power outlet apparatus then activates a remote control grouping function, and the remote controllable power outlet apparatus can be controlled by another remote control other then the original remote control.

Claims

1. A remote controllable power outlet apparatus comprising:

a microprocessor, which is signal and data processing center;

a communication module, coupled to the microprocessor, for receiving a remote control signal;

a power protection and control module, coupled to the microprocessor, for receiving an input power source and controlling the conversion of the input power source, so as to provide the required power for the operation of the remote controllable power outlet apparatus and electronic devices;

a grouping unit, coupled to the microprocessor, for determining whether or not to activate a remote control grouping function;

at least one controllable socket set, coupled to the microprocessor and the power protection and control module, the controllable socket set includes a plurality of controllable power sockets so that the electronic devices requiring power may connect with the controllable socket set to receive power; and

a switch, coupled between the microprocessor, the power protection and control module, and the controllable socket set, so as to control whether or not the controllable socket set provides power.

2. The remote controllable power outlet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication module is a wireless communication module.

3. The remote controllable power outlet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power protection and control module includes a power surge protection module for protecting the electronic devices connected to the remote controllable power outlet apparatus.

4. The remote controllable power outlet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power protection and control module includes a magnetic interference protection module for protecting the electronic devices connected to the remote controllable power outlet apparatus.

5. The remote controllable power outlet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power protection and control module includes a power conversion module, for performing an AC/DC conversion of the input power source.

6. The remote controllable power outlet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the grouping unit further comprises:

a receiving socket, the receiving socket is for receiving an original remote control that belongs and corresponds to the remote controllable power outlet apparatus; and

an activation switch.

7. The remote controllable power outlet apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the grouping unit determining whether or not to activate the remote control grouping function of the remote controllable power outlet apparatus is according to whether or not the original remote control has been placed, plugged, or slid into the receiving socket and activates the activation switch.

8. The remote controllable power outlet apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the remote control grouping function means that the controllable socket set of the remote controllable power outlet apparatus may be controlled by another remote control other than the original remote control.

9. The remote controllable power outlet apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one non-controllable socket set, coupled with the power protection and control module, the non-controllable socket set includes a plurality of non-controllable power sockets, for providing a continuous power source that may not be remotely turned-on or off, so that the electronic devices which require continuous power may connect with the non-controllable socket set to receive power continuously.

10. The remote controllable power outlet apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a timer module, coupled to the microprocessor, for setting the length of time the controllable socket set may provide power according to the requirement of the user, wherein the length of time set may be the time until the controllable socket set starts to automatically provide power, or the length of time set may be the time until the controllable socket set stops providing power.

11. A remote control grouping method for a remote controllable power outlet apparatus, the remote controllable power outlet apparatus comprising a grouping unit and an original remote control which belongs and corresponds to the remote controllable power outlet apparatus, the method comprising:

receiving a remote control signal;

determining the remote control signal and the status of the grouping unit; and

performing remote control grouping according to the determination result.

12. The remote control grouping method according to claim 11, wherein the determination of the remote control signal determines whether or not the remote control signal is sent from the original remote control.

13. The remote control grouping method according to claim 12, wherein in the step of performing remote control grouping according to the determination result, if the remote control signal is sent from the original remote control, then the remote controllable power outlet apparatus controls at least one controllable socket set to provide power or stop providing power according to the remote control signal sent from the original remote control.

14. The remote control grouping method according to claim 11, wherein the determination of the status of the grouping unit determines whether or not the original remote control has been plugged into a receiving socket of the grouping unit and activates an activation switch of the grouping unit, thereby activating a remote control grouping function of the remote controllable power outlet apparatus.

15. The remote control grouping method according to claim 14, wherein in the step of performing remote control grouping according to the determination result, if the original remote control has been plugged into the receiving socket of the grouping unit and the activation switch of the grouping unit has been activated, then activate the remote control grouping function, so that the remote controllable power outlet apparatus may be controlled by another remote control other than the original remote control.