Custom power outlet socket that has integrated wireless functionality
AssigneeSapient Industries, Inc.
InventorSamuel M. Parks
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A custom outlet module is contained within a housing and has an electric current sensor configured to measure current passing through an electric outlet during a time period, a proximity sensor configured to detect a distance of an object relative to the electric outlet during the time period, a relay switch that can open or close to stop or conduct current through a circuit in the electric outlet in response to a command, and a wireless network interface in communication with the electric current sensor and the proximity sensor, the wireless network interface configured to transmit and receive data from the current sensor and the proximity sensor, to transmit commands to the relay switch, transmit the data to a computing device, and receive commands from the computing device.
Claims20
A device, comprising:
- a housing enclosing:
- at least a portion of an electronic device,
- a wireless network interface in communication with the electronic device, and
- a switch configured to control the electronic device in response to a command received by the wireless network interface;
- an inner wall housing configured to removably couple to a socket;
- and
- a mechanism configured to removably couple the housing to the inner wall housing.
An outlet device, comprising:
- a housing;
- an electronic device;
- a wireless network interface configured to communicate with the electronic device;
- a switch configured to control the electronic device in response to a command received by the wireless network interface;
- and
- a mechanism configured to removably couple the housing to an inner wall housing.
A system comprising:
- a first modular outlet device comprising:
- a first housing that encloses at least a portion of a first electronic device and a first wireless network interface in communication with the first electronic device;
- a second modular outlet device comprising:
- a second housing that encloses at least a portion of a second electronic device and a second wireless network interface in communication with the second electronic device;
- and
- a third housing configured to removably couple to a wall socket, wherein the first modular outlet device and the second modular outlet device are removably coupled to the third housing, wherein at least one of the first housing or the second housing includes a button that when pressed disconnects the first housing and the second housing from the third housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.