Systems and methods for modular shock proof electrical outlets
First Claim
1. An electrical outlet for providing high voltage power to a device, comprising:
- power input terminals for connection to a high voltage power source;
at least one power output socket configured to receive a plug configured to receive high voltage power;
a shock-proof circuit connected to the at least one power output socket, the shock-proof circuit comprising a capacitance sensor configured to sense a presence of a person within a proximity distance threshold of the electrical outlet;
at least one optical sensor configured to detect the insertion of plug prongs into a neutral line socket and a hot line socket of the at least one power output socket;
a communication circuit configured to communicate over a communication network; and
a processor coupled to the communication circuit, the capacitance sensor, the at least one optical sensor and the shock-proof circuit, the processor and the shock-proof circuit collectively configured to determine when to provide high voltage power to the at least one power output socket based on information received from the capacitance sensor, the shock-proof circuit, and the optical sensor, and wherein the processor is configured to control the shock-proof circuit to not provide high voltage power to the at least one power output socket when proximity information the processor receives from the capacitance sensor indicates a person is within a proximity distance threshold of the at least one power output socket unless the processor detects a plug is already in the at least one power output socket and power is being supplied to the plug in which case the high voltage power is allowed to be provided to the at least one power output socket,wherein the processor and the communication circuit are further collectively configured to communicate information relating to an operation aspect of the electrical outlet with a remote computing device via the communication network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for providing electrical power from an electrical outlet. In some embodiments, an electrical outlet for providing high voltage power to a device includes power input terminals for connection to a high voltage power source, and at least one power output socket configured to receive a plug configured to receive high voltage power. The outlet may also include a shock-proof circuit connected to the at least one power output socket, a communication circuit configured, and a processor coupled to the communication circuit and the shock-proof circuit, the processor and the shock-proof circuit collectively configured to determine when to provide high voltage power to the at least one power output socket based on a sensed condition, and the processor and the communication circuit collectively configured to communicate information relating to an operation aspect of the electrical outlet with a remote computing device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electrical outlet for providing high voltage power to a device, comprising:
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power input terminals for connection to a high voltage power source; at least one power output socket configured to receive a plug configured to receive high voltage power; a shock-proof circuit connected to the at least one power output socket, the shock-proof circuit comprising a capacitance sensor configured to sense a presence of a person within a proximity distance threshold of the electrical outlet; at least one optical sensor configured to detect the insertion of plug prongs into a neutral line socket and a hot line socket of the at least one power output socket; a communication circuit configured to communicate over a communication network; and a processor coupled to the communication circuit, the capacitance sensor, the at least one optical sensor and the shock-proof circuit, the processor and the shock-proof circuit collectively configured to determine when to provide high voltage power to the at least one power output socket based on information received from the capacitance sensor, the shock-proof circuit, and the optical sensor, and wherein the processor is configured to control the shock-proof circuit to not provide high voltage power to the at least one power output socket when proximity information the processor receives from the capacitance sensor indicates a person is within a proximity distance threshold of the at least one power output socket unless the processor detects a plug is already in the at least one power output socket and power is being supplied to the plug in which case the high voltage power is allowed to be provided to the at least one power output socket, wherein the processor and the communication circuit are further collectively configured to communicate information relating to an operation aspect of the electrical outlet with a remote computing device via the communication network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19)
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16. A method for operating an electrical outlet comprising one or more power output sockets, comprising:
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sensing that a person is within a threshold distance to the electrical outlet using a capacitance sensor; optically sensing that plug prongs are inserted into a power output socket of the electrical outlet; sensing a load condition at the power output socket using a current sensor, the load condition indicative of an electrical device connected to the power output socket and receiving power; and stopping providing high voltage power to the power output socket while the person is within the threshold distance to the electrical outlet unless a plug is detected as inserted in the power output socket and power is being supplied to the plug in which case the high voltage power is allowed to be provided to the power output socket.
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20. An apparatus for providing high voltage power to a device, comprising:
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power input terminals for connection to a high voltage power source; an electrical outlet comprising at least one power output socket configured to receive a plug configured to receive high voltage power; a shock-proof circuit connected to the at least one power output socket, the shock-proof circuit comprising a capacitance sensor including an antenna disposed around a portion of the apparatus and a current sensor configured to detect a low voltage power through the power output terminal; and a processor coupled to the shock-proof circuit, the processor configured to sense that a person is within a threshold distance to the electrical outlet using the capacitance sensor, sense that a device is not plugged into the at least one power output socket using the current sensor, and stop providing high voltage power to the at least one power output socket while the person is within the threshold distance to the electrical outlet unless the processor detects a plug is inserted in the at least one output socket and power is being supplied to the plug in which case the high voltage power is allowed to be provided to the at least one output socket.
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Specification