Identifiable plug and plug assembly having the same

• US 8,668,516 B2
• Filed: 11/11/2010
• Issued: 03/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Powertech Industrial Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Powertech Industrial Company Limited
• Inventors: Lee, Yu-Lung
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, TRAVIS SLOAN
• Application Number:
  US12/944,093
• Publication Number:
  US 20120045926A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,216 Days
• Field of Search: 439/488, 439/535, 439/652, 439/651, 439/518, 439/489, 439/955, 174/48
• US Class Current: 439/489
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6691 with built-in signalling means H01R13/717 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/22 with additional earth or shield contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/78 with additional earth or shield contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94

Abstract

An identifiable plug and a plug assembly having the same are disclosed. The identifiable plug includes a power input port, a power output port, a storage unit, a signal transmission unit and a processing unit. The power output port is configured to insert into a plug of electronic equipment. The power input port is connected with the power output port. The processing unit is configured to transmit an identification information stored in the storage unit via the signal transmission unit. When the identifiable plug is assembled with an electric socket, the electric socket is capable to read the identification information.

Claims

1. An identifiable plug, comprising:

a first power output port for receiving the insertion of a plug of an electronic equipment;

a first power input port connected to the first power output port;

a signal transmission unit;

a first memory unit;

a first processing unit connected electrically to the signal transmission unit and the first memory unit, wherein the first memory unit is configured to store an identification information of the electronic equipment, and the first processing unit transmits the identification information via the signal transmission unit; and

a first power converting unit connected in between the first processing unit and the first power output port for providing a direct current.

2. The identifiable plug of claim 1, wherein the signal transmission unit is an IR transmission module, and the identification information includes a brand, a mode, a product series, a product specification, or a required voltage and current for the electronic equipment.

3. The identifiable plug of claim 1, wherein the identifiable plug has an extension where the signal transmission unit is disposed on the extension.

4. The identifiable plug of claim 1, wherein the first memory unit is a flash memory or an Electrically Erasable Programmable read-Only Memory (EEPROM).

5. An identifiable plug assembly, comprising:

an identifiable plug having a first power input port, a first power output port, a first processing unit, a signal transmission unit, a first memory unit, and a first power converting unit, wherein the first power input port is connected to the first power output port, the signal transmission unit and the first memory unit are electrically connected to the first processing unit, and the first power converting unit connected in between the first processing unit and the first power output port for providing a direct current; and

an electric socket having a second power output port, a signal receiving unit, a second processing unit, and a second memory unit, wherein the signal receiving unit and the second memory unit are connected electrically to the second processing unit;

wherein the first power output port is configured to receive the insertion of a plug of an electronic equipment, the first power input port is detachable with the second power output port, the first processing unit transmits an identification information stored in the first memory unit to the electric socket via the signal transmission unit, and the second processing unit receives the identification information via the signal receiving unit and stores the identification information in the second memory unit.

6. The identifiable plug assembly of claim 5, wherein the signal transmission unit is an IR transmission module, the signal receiving unit is an IR receiving unit, and the identification information includes a brand, a mode, a product series, a product specification, or a required voltage and current for the electronic equipment.

7. The identifiable plug assembly of claim 5, wherein the second power output port is a receptacle module and the signal receiving unit is located in an area of the receptacle module.

8. The identifiable plug assembly of claim 5, wherein the identifiable plug has an extension, the signal transmission unit is disposed on the extension, and the signal receiving unit is disposed in a field where signals of the signal transmission unit can be received.

9. The identifiable plug assembly of claim 5, wherein the electric socket is a power strip having a plurality of second power output ports, a plurality of current sensors, and a plurality of signal receiving units, the current sensors are respectively connected to the corresponding power output ports, and the electric socket is connected to the wired or wireless network.

10. An identifiable plug assembly, comprising:

an identifiable plug comprising a first power input port, a first power output port, and a wireless radio frequency identifying tag, wherein the first power input port is connected to the first power output port; and

an electric socket connected to a power supply, wherein the electric socket is a power strip having a plurality of second power output ports, a processing unit, a plurality of current sensors, and a plurality of radio frequency modules, the current sensors are respectively connected to the corresponding second power output ports;

wherein the first power output port is configured to receive the insertion of a plug of an electronic equipment, the first power input port is detachable with the second power output port, and the processing unit is configured to read an identification information stored in the wireless radio frequency identifying tag via the radio frequency module.

11. The identifiable plug assembly of claim 10, wherein the electric socket is connected to the wired or wireless network.