POWER OUTLET AND METHOD OF USE
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A networkable power outlet for controlling power to an external device and transmitting data to the external device, the power outlet comprising:
- a housing containing at least one alternating-current power input connection;
a first power output connection coupled to the housing, configured to deliver electrical power to a connected external device;
a first data connector coupled to the housing;
a first sensor module coupled to the housing;
a wireless communication module, including an antenna, the wireless communication module coupled to the housing;
a processing unit contained within the housing and electrically connected to the wireless communication module, the first sensor module, the first power output connection, and the alternating-current input connection, the processing unit operable between;
a first mode, wherein the processing unit regulates the electrical power delivered by the first power output connection and transmits data to the connected external device via the first data connector based on a signal received from the wireless communication module;
a second mode, wherein the processing unit regulates the electrical power delivered by the first power output connection and transmits data to the connected external device via the first data connector based on a signal received from the first sensor module;
a third mode, wherein the processing unit transmits data to the wireless communication module based on a signal received from the connected external device;
a fourth mode, wherein the processing unit transmits data to the wireless communication module based on a signal received from the first sensor module; and
a fifth mode, wherein the processing unit is operable in a combination of the first, second, third, and fourth modes.
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Abstract
A power outlet for controlling power to an external device and transmitting data to the external device, the power outlet including: a housing containing at least one alternating-current power input connection; a power output connection; a data connector; a sensor module; a wireless communication module, including an antenna; a processing unit configured to receive data and control an electrically connected device through the power output connection and/or data connector based on the received data.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A networkable power outlet for controlling power to an external device and transmitting data to the external device, the power outlet comprising:
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a housing containing at least one alternating-current power input connection; a first power output connection coupled to the housing, configured to deliver electrical power to a connected external device; a first data connector coupled to the housing; a first sensor module coupled to the housing; a wireless communication module, including an antenna, the wireless communication module coupled to the housing; a processing unit contained within the housing and electrically connected to the wireless communication module, the first sensor module, the first power output connection, and the alternating-current input connection, the processing unit operable between; a first mode, wherein the processing unit regulates the electrical power delivered by the first power output connection and transmits data to the connected external device via the first data connector based on a signal received from the wireless communication module; a second mode, wherein the processing unit regulates the electrical power delivered by the first power output connection and transmits data to the connected external device via the first data connector based on a signal received from the first sensor module; a third mode, wherein the processing unit transmits data to the wireless communication module based on a signal received from the connected external device; a fourth mode, wherein the processing unit transmits data to the wireless communication module based on a signal received from the first sensor module; and a fifth mode, wherein the processing unit is operable in a combination of the first, second, third, and fourth modes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for performing power management and data transfer among multiple devices connected to wirelessly networked power outlets, the method comprising:
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receiving a first set of data from a first device connected to a first power outlet; determining an endpoint address based on the first set of data; transmitting the first set of data to a second power outlet corresponding to the endpoint address; receiving the first set of data at the second power outlet over a wireless connection; computing a set of instructions based on the first set of data received by the second power outlet; managing the power consumption of a second device connected to the second power outlet based on the computed set of instructions; receiving a second set of data from the second device connected to the second power outlet; and transmitting the second set of data to the first power outlet over the wireless connection. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for performing power management and data transfer to devices connected to a wirelessly-connected power outlet, the method comprising:
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receiving a first set of data from a first device connected wirelessly to the power outlet; computing a set of instructions based on the first set of data received by the power outlet; managing the power consumption of a second device connected to the power outlet, based on the computed set of instructions; receiving a second set of data from the second device; and transmitting the second set of data to a third device which is wirelessly connected to the power outlet. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification