Intelligent Power Strip

Abstract

A method and implementing computer system are provided in which a smart power strip is controlled by a master device which is also plugged-into the power strip. In an exemplary implementation, a computer or PC operates as a master device and a direct line of communication from the computer allows the OS to make a decision based on settings whether or not to power on or off individual power outlets on the power strip used in common by the computer and various peripheral devices. Thus, only selected peripheral devices are powered-on along with the computer when the computer or other master device is powered-on at a common power strip.

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         10 . A computer program product comprising a computer-readable, tangible storage device(s) and computer-readable program instructions stored on the computer-readable, tangible storage device(s) for enabling and disabling selective power strip connections to peripheral devices plugged into outlets of said power strip, said peripheral devices being selectively usable in conjunction with a master device, the computer-readable program instructions, when executed by a processing system, being operable for implementing a method comprising:
 detecting when a peripheral device is connected to an outlet of a power strip, said power strip containing a plurality of outlets arranged to separately enable individual power connections between a power source and each of one or more peripheral devices;   identifying each of said peripheral devices which is plugged into said power strip;   identifying a master device which is plugged into said power strip;   identifying corresponding outlets at which said peripheral devices and said master device are plugged into said power strip;   creating a correlation listing of said peripheral devices and said master device, said listing including an identification of each of said peripheral devices and an identification of said master device, said correlation listing further including an identification of said corresponding outlets to which each of said peripheral devices and said master device are connected to said power strip;   detecting a mode of operation of said master device, said mode of operation being one of several modes of operation in which said master device may be operating, said master device being operable for using different peripheral devices depending upon said detected mode of operation of said master device; and   enabling a power connection at outlets of said power rip only to said master device and selected peripheral devices which are to be used with said master device as determined by said detected mode of operation of said master device.   
     
     
         11 . The computer program product as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said method further includes saving said correlation listing at said power strip. 
     
     
         12 . The computer program product as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said method further includes:
 determining when said master device has been turned on; and 
 sending said correlation listing from said power strip to said master device in response to said determining. 
 
     
     
         13 . The computer program product as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said method further includes disabling power connections at outlets of said power strip to peripheral devices which are not to be used with said master device in said mode of operation of said master device. 
     
     
         14 . The computer program product as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said master device is a computer device. 
     
     
         15 . The computer program product as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said master device is a television device. 
     
     
         16 . The computer program product as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said master device is an audio processing device. 
     
     
         17 . The computer program product as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said method further includes:
 determining when said master device is turned-off; and 
 disconnecting power to said selected peripheral devices upon said determining that said master device is turned off. 
 
     
     
         18 . The computer program product as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said method further includes;
 determining when said master device has changed said mode of operation from a first mode to a second mode; and 
 responding to said determined change of mode of operation of said master device by disconnecting power at outlets of said power strip connected to said selected peripheral devices used in said first mode and by connecting power at outlets of said power strip to peripheral devices which are to be used with said master device in said second mode of operation of said master device. 
 
     
     
         19 . A power strip device containing a plurality of electrical outlets for selectively applying power to selected peripheral devices which are plugged into outlets of said power strip device, said power strip device comprising:
 a control system for selectively controlling connections between a power source and individual ones of said outlets, said control system being operable for identifying peripheral devices which are plugged into said power strip device, said control system being further operable for identifying corresponding outlets at which said peripheral devices are plugged into said power strip device, said control system being further operable for creating a correlation listing of said peripheral devices and said corresponding outlets to which said peripheral devices are connected and detecting a mode of operation of a master device connected to said power strip device, said mode of operation being one of several modes of operation in which said master device may be operating, said master device being operable for using different peripheral devices depending upon said detected mode of operation of said master device, said control system being further operable for enabling a power connection at outlets of said power strip only to selected peripheral devices which are to be used with a master device depending upon said mode of operation of said master device.   
     
     
         20 . The power strip device as set forth in  claim 19  and further including a disconnection device for disabling power connections at outlets of said power strip to peripheral devices which are not to be used with said master device in said mode of operation of said master device.