Techniques For Integrating Wireless Functionality In A Power Outlet

Abstract

A power control device 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.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A device comprising:
 a first sensor configured to measure current passing through an electric outlet;   a second sensor configured to detect an object relative to the electric outlet; and   a wireless network interface configured to process data from the first sensor and the second sensor and to process commands from an access hub serving as an access point for the device.   
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the wireless network interface is configured to transmit the data received from the first sensor and the second sensor to the access hub via a router. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the access hub connects to a router to create the access point. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 21 , comprising:
 a first switch that can open or close to stop or conduct current through a first circuit in the electric outlet based on a command received by the wireless network interface.   
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , comprising:
 a second switch that can open or close to stop or conduct current through a second circuit in the electric outlet based on a command received by the wireless network interface.   
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the wireless network interface is configured to transmit the commands to the first switch and to the second switch. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the object is at least one of a person or an electronic device. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the electronic device is a mobile device. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the device is contained within a housing that is sized to replace a standard electric outlet. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the housing has connectors that connect the housing into openings in the standard electric outlet. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the first sensor is configured to measure current with a sample rate between 0.1 Hz and 30 kHz. 
     
     
         32 . A method comprising:
 receiving, from an access hub configured to create a private access point for a power outlet, power use data representing power use of the power outlet;   receiving, from the access hub, proximity data representing an object relative to the power outlet; and   determining a power usage profile using the power use data and the proximity data.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , comprising:
 transmitting, to the access hub, a command to the power outlet based on the power usage profile to turn on or off based on a condition.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the condition is a proximity of the object to the power outlet. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the condition is a time of day. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , comprising:
 transmitting the power use data and the proximity data to a cloud network.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32 , comprising:
 transmitting a notification request to a device requesting confirmation of a characteristic of the power usage profile.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the characteristic is a type of device connected to the power outlet. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the characteristic is a power-off schedule. 
     
     
         40 . A system comprising:
 a memory configured to store instructions; and   a processor configured to execute the instructions to perform operations comprising:
 receiving first data representing power use of one or more power outlets; 
 receiving second data representing proximity data relative to the one or more power outlets; 
 developing a usage profile based on the first data and the second data; and 
 transmitting one or more commands to control the one or more power outlets based on the usage profile.