Outlet power strip with remote control

• US 8,106,541 B1
• Filed: 08/20/2009
• Issued: 01/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Frank Sarullo
• Original Assignee: Frank Sarullo
• Inventors: Sarullo, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared
• Assistant Examiner(s): AMAYA, CARLOS DAVID
• Application Number:
  US12/583,420
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 307/11, 307 38- 39, 307115-116, 307/139
• US Class Current: 307/139
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/03 Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6683 with built-in sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• 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 20/14 Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers

Abstract

An electrical power strip with multiple outlets capable of being controlled by a wireless remote controller is herein disclosed. The handheld wireless controller is used to control the operation of the power strip via a radio frequency (RF). As such, the power strip is particularly advantageous for use under desks, behind shelves and in otherwise inaccessible locations, as the user can turn the entire power strip on and off without reaching it. Additionally, individual bypass switches are provided for each receptacle to turn it on permanently.

Claims

1. A remotely operable outlet power strip for powering multiple external electrical devices, said remotely operable outlet power strip comprising:

a housing unit including;

a plurality of receptacles;

a plurality of switches electrically connected to said receptacles, each selectively toggled between an ON and REMOTE position;

a control module electrically coupled to said receptacles and said switches; and

,

a plurality of relays selectively toggled between ON and REMOTE conditions, each with one of said plurality of switches switched to said ON and REMOTE positions, respectively;

a remote control in wireless communication with said control module; and

,

a power cord electrically coupled to said control module and thereby supplying power to said receptacles;

wherein said REMOTE condition activates said wireless communication between said remote control and said control module.

2. The remotely operable outlet power strip of claim 1, wherein said remotely operable outlet power strip has a first operating mode that supplies constant power to said receptacles, said relays being in said ON condition when said remotely operable outlet power strip is at said first operating mode;

wherein said remotely operable outlet power strip has a second operating mode that remotely turns power on and off to thereby allow a user to supply and interrupt power to said receptacles from a remote location, said relays being in said REMOTE condition when said remotely operable outlet power strip is at said second operating mode.

3. The remotely operable outlet power strip of claim 1, wherein said control module further comprises:

a speaker situated on a top horizontal outside surface of said housing unit, said speaker providing a first distinct audible tone when said remotely operable outlet power strip is powered on by said remote control and further provides a second distinct audible tone when said remotely operable outlet power strip is powered off by said remote control.

4. The remotely operable outlet power strip of claim 3, wherein said control module further comprises:

an ON light including a first light emitting diode providing a visual indication when said remotely operable outlet power strip is activated via said remote control; and

,

an OFF light including a second light emitting diode providing a visual indication when said remotely operable outlet power strip is deactivated via said remote control;

wherein said first and second light emitting diodes are located on said top horizontal surface of said housing unit.

5. The remotely operable outlet power strip of claim 1, wherein said remote control comprises:

an ON button and an OFF button for activating and deactivating said receptacles when said relays are at said REMOTE condition.

6. The remotely operable outlet power strip of claim 4, wherein said remote control generates and transmits a one-way RF signal.

7. The remotely operable outlet power strip of claim 6, wherein said control module further comprises:

a sound modulator for controlling said first and second distinct tones from said speaker when said control module receives said RF signal from said remote control.

8. A remotely operable outlet power strip for powering multiple external electrical devices, said remotely operable outlet power strip comprising:

a housing unit including;

a plurality of receptacles;

a plurality of switches electrically connected to said receptacles, each selectively toggled between an ON and REMOTE position;

a control module electrically coupled to said receptacles and said switches, said control module being situated inside said housing unit; and

,

a plurality of relays selectively toggled between ON and REMOTE conditions, each with one of said plurality of switches switched to said ON and REMOTE positions, respectively;

a remote control in wireless communication with said control module; and

,

a power cord electrically coupled to said control module and thereby supplying power to said receptacles;

wherein said REMOTE condition activates said wireless communication between said remote control and said control module.

9. The remotely operable outlet power strip of claim 8, wherein said remotely operable outlet power strip has a first operating mode that supplies constant power to said receptacles, said relays being in said ON condition when said remotely operable outlet power strip is at said first operating mode;

wherein said remotely operable outlet power strip has a second operating mode that remotely turns power on and off to thereby allow a user to supply and interrupt power to said receptacles from a remote location, said relays being in said REMOTE condition when said remotely operable outlet power strip is at said second operating mode.

10. The remotely operable outlet power strip of claim 8, wherein said control module further comprises:

a speaker situated on a top horizontal outside surface of said housing unit, said speaker providing a first distinct audible tone when said remotely operable outlet power strip is powered on by said remote control and further provides a second distinct audible tone when said remotely operable outlet power strip is powered off by said remote control.

11. The remotely operable outlet power strip of claim 10, wherein said control module further comprises:

an ON light including a first light emitting diode providing a visual indication when said remotely operable outlet power strip is activated via said remote control; and

an OFF light including a second light emitting diode providing a visual indication when said remotely operable outlet power strip is deactivated via said remote control;

wherein said first and second light emitting diodes are located on said top horizontal surface of said housing unit.

12. The remotely operable outlet power strip of claim 9, wherein said remote control comprises:

an ON button and an OFF button for activating and deactivating said receptacles when said relays are at said REMOTE condition.

13. The remotely operable outlet power strip of claim 10, wherein said remote control generates and transmits a one-way RF signal.

14. The remotely operable outlet power strip of claim 13, wherein said control module further comprises:

a sound modulator for controlling said first and second distinct tones from said speaker when said control module receives said RF signal from said remote control.

15. A method of utilizing a remotely operable outlet power strip for powering multiple external electrical devices, said remotely operable outlet power strip including a housing unit including a plurality of receptacles, a plurality of switches electrically connected to said receptacles, each selectively toggled between an ON and REMOTE position, a control module electrically coupled to said receptacles and said switches, said control module being situated inside said housing unit, and a plurality of relays selectively toggled between ON and REMOTE conditions, each with one of said plurality of switches switched to said ON and REMOTE positions, respectively;

a remote control in wireless communication with said control module; and

a power cord electrically coupled to said control module and thereby supplying power to said receptacles,

wherein said REMOTE condition activates said wireless communication between said remote control and said control module;

said method comprising the steps of;

plugging said power cable into a wall power outlet;

plugging power cords of said external electrical devices into said receptacles respectively;

switching said switches of corresponding ones of said receptacles which require constant power to the ON position; and

,

switching said switches of corresponding ones of said receptacles which need to be powered OFF to said REMOTE position.