Load condition controlled wall plate outlet system

Abstract

In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and circuit for reducing power consumption of a wall plate system during idle conditions is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a wall plate system is configured for reducing power during idle mode by disengaging at least one outlet from a power input. A wall plate system may include one or more outlets and one or more wall plate circuits, with power input connected to the outlets through the wall plate circuit(s). The wall plate circuit may include a current measuring system, a control circuit, and a switch. The current measuring system provides, through the switch, an output power signal that is proportional to the load at the outlet. If behavior of the current measuring system indicates that an outlet is drawing substantially no power from the power input, the switch disengages the power input from the outlet.

1 . A wall plate system configured to reduce power during idle operation of an electronic device, said wall plate system configured to be within or plugged into a wall plate, said wall plate system comprising:
 at least one outlet of said wall plate system configured to receive power from an alternating current (AC) line input and transmit power to the electronic device;   a control circuit configured to receive an output power signal and control the connection between said at least one outlet and the AC line input; and   a reconnection device configured to override said control circuit and re-engage said at least one outlet and the AC line input, and wherein said reconnection device is further configured to disengage said at least one outlet and the AC line input.   
     
     
         2 . The wall plate system of  claim 1 , wherein said wall plate circuit comprises:
 a current measuring system configured to monitor current from the AC line input, wherein said current measuring system provides the output power signal; and   a wall plate circuit configured to receive power from said AC line input and transmit power to said at least one outlet, and said wall plate circuit configured to disengage transmitting power to said at least one outlet in response to said at least one outlet drawing substantially no power.   
     
     
         3 . The wall plate system of  claim 1 , wherein said reconnection device is configured to override a single control circuit. 
     
     
         4 . The wall plate system of  claim 2 , wherein the substantially no power is approximately 0-1% of a typical maximum output load of said electronic device at said at least one outlet. 
     
     
         5 . The wall plate system of  claim 1 , wherein said wall plate circuit is engaged behind the face of said at least one outlet. 
     
     
         6 . The wall plate system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional outlet and wherein said wall plate circuit is engaged to the face of said at least outlet. 
     
     
         7 . A wall plate system configured to efficiently provide power to an electronic device, said wall plate system comprising:
 at least one outlet configured to provide power to said electronic device;   a control circuit configured to control the coupling of said at least one outlet to an alternating current (AC) line input;   wherein said control circuit decouples said at least one outlet in response to the current drawn by said at least one outlet being below a threshold level, such that said at least one outlet is effectively disengaged from the AC line input.   
     
     
         8 . The wall plate system of  claim 7 , wherein said control circuit controls said at least one outlet individually. 
     
     
         9 . The wall plate system of  claim 7 , wherein said threshold level is a learned level determined by long term monitoring of a load condition at said at least one outlet. 
     
     
         10 . The wall plate system of  claim 7 , wherein said threshold level is a percentage of a determined approximate low power level of said electronic device, and wherein said percentage of said determined approximate low power level is at least one range of approximately 100-105%, approximately 100-110%, and approximately 110-120%. 
     
     
         11 . The wall plate system of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one outlet comprises a first outlet with a first threshold level and a second outlet with a second threshold level, wherein said first threshold level is different from said second threshold level.