Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Switching systems – Condition responsive
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-25
2001-04-03
Fleming, Fritz (Department: 2836)
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Switching systems
Condition responsive
C307S038000, C307S115000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06211581
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to power bars and more specifically to a power bar which contains power outlets that can be selectively turned on or off by using a remote control unit. And, relates to a power outlet that can be integrated with a USB (or Firewire) hub.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Power bars are an important part of any type of multiple electrically powered household or business wiring. Power bars provide a user with more outlets than the usual two provided in an electrical wall socket. Presently, there are two related prior art power bars on the market. The first is a typical power bar which normally contains 4 to 6 power outlets. The power bar usually has a built-in master switch that turns power on or off to all outlets. Therefore, to turn on or off all power a user must physically reach the power bar, typically located on the floor, to access the master switch. Alternatively, if the user wants to selectively turn off separate devices, the user must directly access the power switch of each separate device.
The second prior art product is a power bar which has a separate built-in switch for each power outlet and a master power switch as disclosed in U.S Pat. No. 5,250,851. This power bar allows a user to selectively switch off power to a desired electrical device. However, these power bars (or power boxes) are quite bulky and quite heavy so as to support the weight of a CRT monitor. Also, all power cables must be attached to the back of the power bar which, typically sits on a desktop. The manufacture and purchase cost of such a device is quite significant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a solution to the aforementioned problems. A first aspect of the present invention is that any electrical device connected to the present invention can be turned on or off by a remote control. The remote control is small in size and lightweight and thus is very inexpensive to manufacture. Another aspect of the present invention is that the cord connecting the remote control to the power bar may be disconnected at either end to allow different lengths of extension cords to be added in order to increase the distance between the power bar and the remote control. Also, the extension cords and the power bar can be easily hidden from sight and not necessarily require easy access. The power bar need not be within close proximity to the remote control for operation of the remote control and optionally the remote control may be wireless or connected via USB (or Firewire IEEE 1394) protocol. It is generally understood that USB stands for Universal Serial Bus which is a protocol which provides universal compatibility for all connected components, and Firewire (IEEE 1394) stands for High Performance Serial Bus (HPSB) which also provides universal compatibility for all connected components. A third aspect of the present invention is that the remote control may also be removed from the power bar and capping of the socket of the remote control provides a normal power bar. Yet another aspect of the present invention is that the remote control can be built into, installed into, or attached to another electrical device such as a personal computer, a CRT monitor, a keyboard etc. for added convenience. A fifth aspect includes ability to control the remote control and, in turn, power bar via an external telephone. A sixth aspect includes the ability to integrate a power bar with a USB (or Firewire) hub which allows PC and peripheral devices to be connected to each other via a single composite cable with dual plugs at both ends.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 5164609 (1992-11-01), Poppe et al.
patent: 5250851 (1993-10-01), McKnight et al.
patent: 5359540 (1994-10-01), Ortiz
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patent: 5675813 (1997-10-01), Holmdahl
patent: 5831597 (1998-11-01), West et al.
patent: 5841424 (1998-11-01), Kikinis
Article posted on Internet (www.webshopper.com), “Powerkey Pro 600”, David Pogue, Sep. 1997.*
“PowerKey Pro 600”, product info, Internet (www.sophisticated.com), Sep. 1999.*
“MultiPal”, product info, Internet (www.dataprobe.com), Aug. 1999.
Fleming Fritz
Rios Cuevas Roberto J
Young & Basile P.C.
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