Power bar with remote control

• US 6,211,581 B1
• Filed: 11/25/1998
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harvard M. Farrant
• Original Assignee: Harvard M. Farrant
• Inventors: Farrant, Harvard M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Fritz
• Assistant Examiner(s): RIOS CUEVAS, ROBERTO JOSE
• Application Number:
  US09/199,906
• Time in Patent Office: 860 Days
• Field of Search: 307/40, 307/41, 307/115, 307/116, 307/117, 307/38, 345/156, 345/168
• US Class Current: 307/117
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/261 PC controlled powerstrip
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/002 in which a reserve is maintained in an energy source by disconnecting non-critical loads, e.g. maintaining a reserve of charge in a vehicle battery for starting an engine

Abstract

The Power Bar with Remote Control allows a user to control from a distance the power of each outlet contained in the attached Power Bar. A master switch also allows the power to all outlets to be turned on or off in unison. Therefore, a user can selectively turn on or off electrical devices attached to the Power Bar. For example, while sitting at a desk a person could use the Remote Control to turn on their personal computer, monitor, speakers, external modem, printer and desk lamp. Also, by integrating the Power Bar with a USB (or Firewire) hub, only a single composite cable, with either integrated AC power/USB plugs or separate AC power and USB plugs at each end is required to supply both power and data to a PC or peripheral device. Also, by integrating an under-the-monitor type power box with a USB (or Firewire) hub, only a single composite cable, with either integrated AC power/USB plugs or separate AC power and USB plugs at each end is required to supply both power and data to a PC or peripheral device.

Claims

1. A remote controlled power bar system comprising:

a power bar unit with at least one power outlet and an electrical cord for connecting said power bar unit to an electrical socket; and

a remote control, connected to said power bar unit using Universal Standard Bus (USB) or Firewire protocol, having means for generating a signal unique to each of said at least one power outlet for control of and communication with said at least one power outlet.

2. The remote controlled power bar system of claim 1 wherein said remote control further comprises means for controlling all of said at least one power outlet on said power bar unit.

3. The remote controlled power bar system of claim 2 wherein said remote control further comprises a telephone jack for voice activated control of said means for controlling all of said at least one power outlet on said power bar unit.

4. The remote controlled power bar system of claim 1 wherein said remote control further comprises a power outlet.

5. The remote controlled power bar system of claim 1 wherein said power bar unit or said remote control further comprise surge protection circuitry.

6. The remote controlled power bar system of claim 1 wherein said remote control is housed in computer peripheral device.

7. The remote controlled power bar of claim 1 wherein said means for generating said signal is an associated switch wherein when said switch is closed, a power on signal is generated and when said switch is open, a power off signal is generated.

8. The remote controller power bar system of claim 1 wherein said power bar unit further comprises an integrated USB hub and a transformer for providing power to said integrated USB hub.

9. A remote controlled power bar system comprising:

a power bar unit with at least one power outlet and an electrical cord for connecting said power bar unit to an electrical socket; and

a remote control, connected to said power bar unit using Universal Standard Bus (USB) or Firewire protocol, having means for generating a signal unique to each of said at least one power outlet for control of and communication with said at least one power outlet;

wherein said remote control further comprises a telephone jack for voice activated control of said means for generating a signal.

10. The remote controlled power bar system of claim 9 wherein said remote control further comprises a power outlet.

11. The remote control power bar system of claim 9 wherein said power bar unit further comprises an integrated USB hub and a transformer for providing power to said integrated USB hub.

12. A remote controlled power bar system comprising:

a power bar unit with at least one power outlet and an extension cord for connecting said power bar unit to an electrical socket;

at least one remote control having means for generating a signal unique to each of said at least one power outlet for control of and communication with said at least one power outlet;

a hub connecting said power bar unit and said at least one remote control; and

wherein said hub is a USB or Firewire hub.

13. The remote controlled power bar system of claim 12, wherein said means for generating said signal is an associated switch wherein when said switch is closed, a power on signal is generated and when said switch is open, a power off signal is generated.