Plug-in power adapters and methods of implementing a plug-in power adapter
AssigneeSmart Power Partners LLC
InventorJohn J. King
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A plug-in power adapter is described. The plug-in power adapter may comprises a plug having a plurality of prongs, wherein a first prong of the plurality of prongs is adapted to receive power; a transformer coupled to receive the power from the first prong of the plurality of prongs, wherein the transformer generates a power signal; a plurality of contact elements accessible by a user of the plug-in power adapter; and a wireless communication circuit adapted to receive signals using a wireless communication protocol; wherein a contact element of the plurality of contact elements is adapted to receive a control signal.
Claims20
A plug-in power adapter comprising:
- a plug having a plurality of prongs, wherein a first prong of the plurality of prongs is adapted to receive power;
- a transformer coupled to receive the power from the first prong of the plurality of prongs, wherein the transformer generates a power signal;
- a control circuit coupled to the transformer to receive the power signal;
- a surface adapted to receive a module;
- a plurality of contact elements on the surface adapted to receive a module and accessible by a user of the plug-in power adapter;
- and
- a wireless communication circuit adapted to receive signals using a wireless communication protocol;
- wherein a contact element of the plurality of contact elements is adapted to receive a control signal;
- and
- wherein the control circuit is adapted to receive the control signal from a module by way of the contact element of the plurality of contact elements.
A plug-in power adapter comprising:
- a plug having a plurality of prongs, wherein a first prong of the plurality of prongs is adapted to receive power;
- a transformer coupled to receive the power from the first prong of the plurality of prongs, wherein the transformer generates a power signal;
- a control circuit coupled to the transformer to receive the power signal;
- a wireless communication circuit coupled to the control circuit;
- a surface adapted to receive a module;
- and
- a plurality of contact elements coupled to the control circuit and on the surface of the plug-in power adapter adapted to receive a module;
- wherein a first contact element of the plurality of contact elements is adapted to provide a power signal;
- wherein a second contact element of the plurality of contact elements is adapted to receive a control signal;
- and
- wherein the control circuit is adapted to receive the control signal from a module by way of the second contact element.
A method of implementing a plug-in power adapter, the method comprising:
- configuring a first prong of a plurality of prongs of a plug to receive power;
- providing a transformer adapted to receive the power and to generate a power signal;
- coupling a control circuit to the transformer;
- coupling a wireless communication circuit of the plug-in power adapter to the control circuit of the plug-in power adapter, wherein the wireless communication circuit is adapted to receive wireless communication signals according to a wireless communication protocol;
- providing a surface adapted to receive a module and having a plurality of contact elements;
- and
- coupling a contact element of the plurality of contact elements, accessible on the plug-in power adapter, to the control circuit;
- wherein the contact element of the plurality of contact elements is adapted to receive a control signal;
- and
- wherein the control circuit is adapted to receive the control signal from a module by way of the contact element of the plurality of contact elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.