An Electrical Security Socket

• US 20200134950A1
• Filed: 06/26/2018
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Securiplug Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Securiplug Ltd.
• Inventors: COLLING, Simon
• Granted Patent: US 10,950,075 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/10 Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1365 Matching; Classification
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/172 Classification, e.g. identification
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6397 with means for preventing unauthorised use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6675 with built-in power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6683 with built-in sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6691 with built-in signalling means H01R13/717 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/70 with built-in switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/701 the switch being actuated by an accessory, e.g. cover, locking member
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/70 with additional earth or shield contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/78 with additional earth or shield contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/12 The local stationary network supplying a household or a building
• 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

Abstract

This invention relates generally to security covers for electrical appliances which are powered by mains electricity. More specifically it relates to security covers to operate the electrical appliances by authorised users locally or remotely via an authorisation device via a network such as the internet. The security cover houses a switch and includes an authorisation device for enabling an authorised person to control a power supply, via the switch, to an electrical device or appliance. The security cover has an input means adapted to receive an authorisation signal; the switch is operative in response to the authorisation signal and a command signal in order to connect and disconnect the power supply to the device or appliance.

Claims

1-31. -31. (canceled)

32. A socket houses a switch and comprises:

an authorization device for enabling an authorized person to control a power supply, via the switch, to an electrical device or appliance,

input means to an authorization device which outputs a local authorization signal which when authenticated configures the switch in an operative state, so that the power supply is able to be connected to, and disconnected from, the device or appliance in response to a command signal, wherein

the authorization device includes a biometric sensor.

33. The socket according to claim 32, further comprising:

an override device provided for overriding the command signal so that a permission signal is required from a supervisor in order to configure the switch in its operative state.

34. The socket according to claim 32 further comprising:

identification means which identifies the cover in a network and a communication means which is operative to relay an identity signal to a remote location.

35. The socket according to claim 34, further comprising:

an override device provided for overriding the command signal so that a permission signal is required from a supervisor in order to configure the switch in its operative state, wherein

the communication means is operative to receive the permission signal from a remote location.

36. The socket according to claim 32 further comprises:

identification means which identifies the socket cover in a network; and

communication means which is operative to relay an authorization signal from a remote location, which when authenticated, configures the switch in an operative state.

37. The socket according to claim 32 wherein:

the socket has an on/off indicator that indicates that an authorization unit has been authorized.

38. The socket according to claim 32 wherein:

the socket has an on/off indicator that indicates when the switch is switched on to connect the power supply and when the switch is switched off to disconnect the power supply.

39. The socket according to claim 32 wherein:

the biometric sensor is a fingerprint identifier.

40. The socket according to claim 32 wherein the biometric sensor comprises:

a microphone and transducer for providing an authentication signal which is indicative of a voice pattern.

41. The socket according to claim 32, wherein the authorization device comprises:

a keypad which outputs an authentication signal when a correct code is input on the keypad.

42. The socket according to claim 32, wherein the authorization device comprises:

imaging means.

43. The socket according to claim 32, wherein:

the authorization device is a fob or smartcard.

44. The socket according to claim 32 further comprising:

at least one battery for powering internal components of the authorization device.

45. The socket according to claim 32 further comprising:

a power conversion circuit for supplying current to components of the authorization device from the power supply.

46. The socket according to claim 32 further comprising:

a memory to store authorization data including at least one of codes, images, sounds or biometric data of the local user and/or usage data.

47. The socket according to claim 32 further comprising:

an indicator which indicates when the socket is in communication with a network.

48. The socket according to claim 32 further comprising:

a timer.

49. A system including a plurality of sockets according to claim 32 and a controller which is located remotely and is operative to communicate with at least one socket.

50. The socket according to claim 32 wherein:

the authorization device includes a lock.

51. A method of operating an electrical appliance comprising:

inserting a plug that is connected to the electrical device or appliance into a socket according to claim 32;

switching on a switch if present at the socket;

authorizing the socket; and

switching on the electrical device or appliance.