Control apparatus for master/slave outlets

• US 6,917,506 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2002
• Issued: 07/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tricklestar Inc. (TrickleStar Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Jonie Chou
• Inventors: Chou, Jonie
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HARRIS, ANTON B
• Application Number:
  US10/133,354
• Publication Number:
  US 20030179524A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,170 Days
• Field of Search: 361/191, 361/151, 361/155, 361/166, 361/187, 307/131, 307/31, 307/10.1, 307/41, 307/38
• US Class Current: 361/191
• 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: H02J 9/005 using a power saving mode for copiers G03G15/5004
• 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: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems

Abstract

A control apparatus for master/slave outlets having a current sensor, a driver, a large current switch component and a direct-bucking type power supply such that the working power source required by the master/slave equipment can be supplied stably. Further, the control apparatus for master/slave outlets provides a most simplified circuit to perform a function that the slave outlet supplies a power at the time the master outlet is supplied the power.

Claims

1. A control apparatus for a master outlet and at least one slave outlet being used in a power strip comprising:

a) a current sensor electrically connected to an alternate power supply and the master outlet, and generating an induced power signal from the alternate power supply;

b) a driver electrically connected to the current sensor and amplifying the induced power signal;

c) a large current switch component electrically connected to the alternate power supply, the driver, and the at least one slave outlet, the large current switch component being movable between on and off positions to control power to the at least one slave outlet; and

d) a direct-bucking power supply electrically connected between the alternate power supply and the large current switch component, and generating a direct voltage, wherein the direct voltage and the induced power signal control the large current switch component after being current limited and voltage reduced wherein the direct-bucking power supply includes;

i) a current limiting resistor;

ii) a voltage reducing and current amplifying diode electrically connected to the current limiting resistor; and

iii) a capacitor electrically connected to the diode and the large current switch component to control the large current switch component.

2. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driver is selected from the group consisting of a transistor and a field effect transistor.

3. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the large current switch component is a relay.