Smart outlet with valid plug detection and activation

• US 7,695,310 B1
• Filed: 03/23/2009
• Issued: 04/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Boyer, John W., Mach, Roger A., George, John O. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Khiem
• Application Number:
  US12/409,036
• Time in Patent Office: 386 Days
• Field of Search: 439/188, 439/488, 439/489, 439/490, 200/51.09
• US Class Current: 439/489
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7035 comprising a separated limit switch

Abstract

A method and apparatus for modifying a conventional electrical outlet to provide safety and security for emission of electric current from the outlet. The modified outlet include one or more localized elements for authenticating receipt of two or more valid connectors, and for limiting delivery of power to the connectors in response to the authentication.

Claims

1. A method for controlling delivery of electrical power to a multi-mode electrical outlet, comprising:

providing an electrical outlet in communication with a power source, with a first contact associated with a first outlet socket and a second contact associated with a second outlet socket;

inserting at least two connectors of an electrical appliance into the outlet, with a first connector inserted into the first socket of the outlet and a second connector inserted into the second socket of the outlet;

employing a time detection element for authenticating insertion of each of the two connectors into each the separate sockets by the respective outlet contact within a defined timing threshold; and

activating the electrical outlet in response to completion of the circuit within the defined timing threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising employing a radio frequency tag with the connectors, and reading the tags for verifying authorization of insertion of the connectors into the outlet.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying a state of delivery of power to the electrical outlet in response to removal of the electrical appliance from communication with the outlet.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising changing the state of operation of the outlet by setting a state of delivery of power to the outlet.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising modifying the state of operation of the electrical outlet, wherein the state of operation includes a state selected from the group consisting of:

off and locked, off and unlocked, on and locked, on and unlocked, and off and locked after timeout.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising employing a timer for transiting between states of operation, wherein expiration of the timer will lock the outlet.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning a visual indicator in communication with the electrical outlet for conveying identification of a state of the outlet.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

an electrical outlet in communication with a power source;

the outlet having a first contact associated with a first outlet socket and a second contact associated with a second outlet socket;

at least two connectors of an electrical appliance configured to be received by the outlet, with a first connector adapted to be inserted into the first socket of the outlet and a second connector adapted to be inserted into the second socket of the outlet;

a time detection element to authenticate insertion of each of the two connectors into each the separate sockets by the respective outlet contact within a defined timing threshold; and

an activation of the electrical outlet in response to completion of the circuit within the defined timing threshold.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a radio frequency tag in communication with the connectors, and a RFID reader to read the tags and verify authorization of insertion of the connectors into the outlet.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a state of delivery of power to the electrical outlet modifiable in response to removal of the electrical appliance from communication with the outlet.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a communication mechanism in communication with the outlet to change the state of operation of the outlet by setting a state of delivery of power to the outlet.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising modifying the state of operation of the electrical outlet, wherein the state of operation includes a state selected from the group consisting of:

off and locked, off and unlocked, on and locked, on and unlocked, and off and locked after timeout.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a timer employed to transition between states of operation, wherein expiration of the timer will lock the outlet.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a visual indicator positioned in communication with the electrical outlet to convey identification of a state of the outlet.

15. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a computer readable carrier in communication with the outlet, including computer program instructions, configured to modify a state of operation of an electrical outlet.

16. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a visual indicator to communicate a state of operation of the outlet.

17. An electrical outlet, comprising:

a first contact associated with a first outlet socket and a second contact associated with a second outlet socket;

at least two connectors of an electrical appliance configured to be received by the outlet, with a first connector adapted to be inserted into the first socket of the outlet and a second connector adapted to be inserted into the second socket of the outlet;

a timer in communication with each of the sockets to authenticate insertion of each of the two connectors into each the separate sockets by the respective outlet contacts within a defined timing threshold;

activation of the electrical outlet in response to completion of the circuit within the defined timing threshold; and

a control mechanism in communication with the outlet to modify a state of operation of the outlet.

18. The electrical outlet of claim 17, further comprising a transient state of operation that employs a timer to modify a state of operation irrespective of receipt of a connector in the socket.

19. The electrical outlet of claim 17, further comprising a position of operation, including an off position to prevent delivery of power to the outlet and an on position to support delivery of power to the outlet.

20. The electrical outlet of claim 19, further comprising a locked state of operation that holds the outlet in the position of operation.