US 7,167,078 B2Granted

Electric, telephone or network access control system and method

OwnerShawn C. Pourchotinventor

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Abstract

An apparatus and method for controlling user access to electrical receptacles and telephone and network communications receptacles. The device features a short range radio receiver and one or a plurality of RF energized radio identification tags with transmittable identification transponder codes. The receptacle contains circuitry that detects the immediate presence of energized transponders with proper identification codes and only enables the electric, telephone or network access from the receptacle to become active if the correct matching transponder identification code is present. The tag is a small flexible device having one side that may be attached to the plug or the receptacle or interfaced therebetween. Access to the power or network is allowed for a defined duration of time or only so long as the transponder remains energized and transmits the identification code.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A receptacle access control system comprising:

a receptacle adapted for cooperative engagement with a plug having plug connectors;
said receptacle having receptacle connectors adapted to engage with said plug connectors when said plug is engaged with said receptacle;
said receptacle connectors communicating through a means for switching, with a means for transmission of electrical energy;
said means for switching having a connected state wherein electrical energy is communicated to said receptacle connectors, said switching means having a disconnected state interrupting communication of said electrical energy to at least one of said receptacle connectors;
a controller communicating with said means for switching, said controller changing said means for switching to either of said connected state or said disconnected state;
means for broadcasting radio frequency energy;
a transponder, said transponder having a static state and having an energized state when placed sufficiently adjacent to said means for broadcasting radio frequency energy;
said transponder broadcasting an authorization radio signal only when in said energized state;
and
said controller having a means to receive said authorization radio signal, said controller changing said means for switching to said connected state for the duration of time said authorization radio signal is received, whereby communication of electrical energy is allowed from said receptacle through said plug only so long as said authorization radio signal is broadcast by said transponder located sufficiently adjacent to said controller for receipt by said controller.

7 more elements

A method of controlling access to AC power or a communications network employing a receptacle having connectors adapted for cooperative engagement with a plug having corresponding plug connectors, a means for switching having a connected state wherein electrical energy is communicated to said receptacle connectors and having a disconnected state interrupting communication of said electrical energy to at least one of said receptacle connectors, a controller communicating with said means for switching, said controller changing said means for switching to either of said connected state or said disconnected state, means for broadcasting radio frequency energy, a transponder having a static state, and having an energized state only when placed sufficiently adjacent to said means for broadcasting radio frequency energy wherein transponder broadcasts an authorization radio signal comprising the steps of:

issuing said transponder to a user;
and
having said user locate said transponder sufficiently close to said means for broadcasting radio frequency energy to change said transponder from said static state to said energized state, whereby said transponder broadcasts said authorization radio signal to said controller causing said controller to change said means for switching to said connected state, thereby allowing said AC power to communicate from said receptacle to said plug and any electrical device communicating with said plug.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/783,046Filed 19 Feb 2004
Published: US 2005/0184856 A125 Aug 2005
Granted: 23 Jan 2007
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

H04M 1/67
Preventing unauthorised calls from a telephone set: by electronic means
H01R 13/7038
The switch being in series with coupling part, e.g. dead coupling, explosion proof coupling: making use of a remote controlled switch, e.g.…
H04M 1/0293
Constructional features of telephone sets: terminal boxes for telephone sets
H01R 13/44
Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00: means for preventing access to live contacts