Mains power socket management system

Abstract

Disclosed is a system and a method of managing the delivery and payment of power to electronic devices. The system has wall sockets which have micro controllers, NFC antennas, NFC readers, control ci

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the monetizing of power outlet sockets to control their use. Background As the number of users of smart phone and other devices increases worldwide the need to be able to charge them or connect them while in public spaces is also expanding to meet with the demand, these include areas such as restaurants, coffee shops and airlines. Most of these include plug in points which provide electricity to the user with the cost being covered by the provider of the power to those outlets. As the number of airline passengers carrying multiple electronic devices grows, airports are offering more solutions to keep them charged. When it comes to electronic devices in airports, an estimated 82 percent of travelers use smartphones before boarding a flight, while 38 percent use laptops and 26 percent use tablets, according to a survey done by travel consultants. Travelers now take the availability and use of power outlets for granted and it has led to them often taking the opinion that they want to think and act like custodians to find such outlets and they want the power brought to them, and a sufficient level of electrical outlets reduces travel stress levels. Therefore, by increasing the volume of available power outlets in airports and other related areas the experience of the service is improved and somewhat elevated to the consumer, but this must be done in a way that is cost effective and controlled. For traveling families, this means that parents can keep sight of their children and not have to worry about their location while they play or are on their devices, it also means they do not have to go to an expensive restaurant or similar area to charge up the phone or device. For business travelers that do not have access to airline lounges, they can still be productive while waiting for their flight, by use of available power outlets. Currently power outlets are provided on a plug-in basis and the costs are upheld by the provider and an increase of power outlets would benefit from a system that monetizes the service directly from each power outlet socket to each user. The prior art therefore shows that there is a need for a more effective way of providing power outlets to travellers and consumers at airports and other popular areas. The present invention aims to provide a solution disclosed herein that will create the opportunity for airports and similar areas to provide more power outlets in public spaces in and around seating areas by monetizing the use of the power outlets. Summary of the invention According to the present invention there is provided an improved mains power socket management system that creates the opportunity for airports and similar areas to provide more power outlets in public spaces in and around seating areas by monetizing the use of the power outlets. The following description of the complete main power socket management system is shown in Figure 1 as a flow diagram. The solution is provided by means of NFC cards (Near Field Communication) or smart devices activating a signal by close contact with a power socket that is picked up by an antenna within the socket. The signal is delivered to a multiplexor data selector within a CaRMU / CSU (Control and Reporting Master Unit / Control Slave Unit) via a network controller serving as an intermediary between the business and the network infrastructure, which in turn sends the instruction via the low voltage cable back to the control PCB (Printed Circuit Board) within the socket, to activate the relay and allow the power to turn on for a specified period of time, which is governed by the amount paid by the user for that period of use. Once the allocated time has expired the relay disconnects the power supply and informs the CPU (Central Processing Unit) within the CaRMU (Control and Reporting Master Unit). The data harvested within the CPU enables this mains power socket management system and the commercial partner to accurately track all activity for accountancy purposes and it also allows the system to identify nearby activity from retailers who may gift the NFC cards to customers as a concession and thereby be due to pay an agreed fee to the system solution and the commercial partner. The mains powered socket management system will also provide on-site maintenance engineers to carry out routine and emergency service to the socket network. The multipartite mains power socket management system is therefore comprised of; a master unit which is the central device monitoring all the connected sockets and the master unit will expose own secure multi-level security protocols via a WiFi network, using mobile devices which include, but not exclusively, any modern smartphone, tablet or laptop. Authorised users are able to connect to this Wi-Fi Network, via an open provided URL web address in a web browser and display the current state of each socket. The master unit does not control the sockets, but collects information about the sockets current state and exposes it via a simple App over the Wi-Fi. The master unit is also responsible for secure validation of the NFC tokens and reporting activities to the cloud system. The mains power socket management system also includes the CaRMU (Control and Reporting Master Unit), which contains the CPU (Central Processing Unit) to control all operational activities and store usage data as it progresses, further to this; embedded software is written to manage all operational requirements. Further to this is the multiplexor or similar technology, this is used to connect multiple antennae to a single NFC (Near Field Communication) reader which is advantageously located inside each of the sockets, one reader per receptacle to validate, this differs and is an improvement from placing the readers within plugs that are in turn plugged into the sockets, as these readers can actually be removed, this connects multiple antennas to a single NFC reader port with specific software written for its operation. In addition to this is a main PCB using secure Wi-Fi for data retrieval purposes, this is not connected to any charging ports and no personal or device details are captured. The mains power socket management system also has a CSU (Control Slave Unit) which is an underlying component of the system which allows the system to be effectively partitioned and to extend the reach of the CAN (Controller Area Network). Within this system each slave is equipped with 2x CAN ports (1x for communication with the master and 1x for communication with underlaying sockets), the slave units also power the electronics within the sockets which is advantageous as there will be no requirement to provide additional power supplies to each of the sockets. This unit is linked to the master unit and is in control of extension zones, including the multiplexor, the 2 x CAN bus ports, the network controller, and a mini-PCB to instruct the relay to activate / deactivate the mains power. Low Voltage (3 -- 5v) control cables are connected to the power sockets to operate the relays. Further to this are the power sockets themselves, which are the executive component of the system, each consisting of a microcontroller, an NFC antenna and reader per receptacle, and a relay that controls power to the sockets and USB charger. This element decides on its own to activate or deactivate the socket, the elements higher up in the architecture will just receive the change state notification. Each socket is equipped with overheating thermal sensors (which will be positioned centrally to the plug pins) and surge protection, which will immediately isolate the mains power via the inbuilt relays, should the sensor detect abnormally high temperature readings from a device plugged directly into the socket. It also isolates the mains power via the inbuilt relays if it detects power surges from the mains supply or through devices connected via a corded plug that would indicate a short circuit or other malfunction through surge protection. To ensure safety, temperature sensors located near the power plug perform tests on potentially overheating mobile phone or similar chargers that are using the plug. RGB LED diodes are installed in each socket displaying current state (Green = Active, Red = Overheated). An overheating event is also recorded with the master control unit and the power to illuminate the LED and Instruct the relay to reset is provided by the slave units, using specific embedded software within the master and slave units to control the systems functionality. This technology is also available on the separate stand-alone thermal and power surge safety socket model, where it has the thermal and power surge sensors and the inbuilt relays to shut off the mains power. The thermal and power surge sensors can be installed in any combination, together or separately, depending on specific requirements. Therefore, in summary, the sockets include NFC antennas, NFC readers, small control PCB's to activate / deactivate relays, USB-A and USB-C and indicator lights. All components of the system are connected to each other via CAN Bus lines and communication in the architecture is from the socket to the master via the slave units. The only ongoing communication will be the reporting of the socket’s status and its runtime. A separate mains power socket is available as a stand-alone switched device with overheating sensors and surge protection. This immediately isolates the mains power via the inbuilt relays should the sensor detect abnormally high temperature readings from a device plugged directly into the socket, it also isolates the mains power via the inbuilt relays if it detects power surges from the mains supply or through devices connected via a corded plug that would indicate a short circuit or other malfunction through surge protection. The intended use is where a property owner is concerned about increased fire risk by customers using poor quality electrical devices particularly if they are left unattended. This system and its features being of interest to hotels in, but not specifically, bedrooms, B&Bs, Student Accommodation or anywhere untested appliances could be used where it is not intended to monetize the mains power sockets. The use of NFC coded cards, QR codes and an App to connect to the sockets is included in the mains power socket management system. With the App, customers (who have downloaded the App) may be invited to enter the ID number of the sockets they may wish to use and authorise the payment to the providers. The providers may extract the information from the master control unit to establish the health of the socket network so that maintenance may be carried out to ensure that minimum service Levels of >80% socket availability are being provided. The system may also collect Data to report when retailers in the vicinity who have provided ‘Free’ socket access as a concession to their customers, to ensure they are billed by the provider at the agreed amount. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawing. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the Patent Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved mains power socket management system which has all the advantages of the prior power socket systems and none of the disadvantages. It is another object of the present invention to provide a new mains power socket management system which may be more easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved mains power socket management system which is of durable and reliable construction. An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved mains power socket management system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labour, and which accordingly is then susceptible of lower prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a product available to the buying public. Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved mains power socket management system which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and detailed descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. Brief description of figures Figure 1 shows a flow diagram of the mains power socket management system.

Claims

1) A mains power socket management system comprising; a mains power socket management system that creates the opportunity for airports and similar areas to provide more power outlets in public spaces in and around seating areas by monetizing the use of the power outlets, each power outlet socket includes micro controllers, NFC antennas, NFC readers, small control PCB’s to activate / deactivate relays, USB-A and USB-C and RGB LED indicator lights and thermal sensors, a separate mains power socket also being available as a stand-alone switched device, the multipartite system is led by a master unit which is the central device monitoring all the connected sockets, being the only device connected to the network and the master unit will expose own secure multi-level security protocols via a Wi-Fi network, using mobile devices which include, but not exclusively, any modem smartphone, tablet or laptop and used by means of NFC cards (Near Field Communication) or said smart devices activating a signal by close contact with a power socket that is picked up by an antenna within the socket, the signal is delivered to a multiplexor data selector within the CaRMU / CSU (Control and Reporting Master Unit / Control Slave Unit) via a network controller serving as an intermediary between the business and the network infrastructure extending the reach of the CAN (Controller Area Network), which in turn sends the instruction via the low voltage cable back to the control PCB (Printed Circuit Board) within the socket to activate the relay and allow the power to turn on for a specified period of time, once the allocated time for the supply of power to the user has expired the relay disconnects the power supply and informs the CPU (Central Processing Unit) within the CaRMU (Control and Reporting Master Unit).2) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the data harvested within the CPU enables the mains power socket management system and the commercial partner to accurately track all activity for accountancy purposes.3) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said data also allows the system to identify nearby activity from retailers who may gift the NFC cards to customers as a concession and thereby be due to pay an agreed fee to the system solution and the commercial partner.4) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the master control unit does not control the sockets, but collects information about the sockets current state and exposes it via a simple App over Wi-Fi, authorised users are able to connect to the Wi-Fi, via an open provided URL web address in a web browser and display the status of each socket.5) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the master control unit is responsible for secure validation of the NFC cards and report activities to the cloud system.6) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the multiplexor is used to connect multiple antennae to each single NFC (Near Field Communication) reader to validate use.7) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 6 wherein multiple antennas connected to single NFC reader ports use specific software written for its operation having a main PCB using secure Wi-Fi for the data retrieval purposed, this is not connected to any charging ports and no personal details are captured.8) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 7 wherein each single NFC reader is advantageously located securely inside each of the sockets to validate, differing from and being an improvement on placing the readers within plugs, that are in turn plugged into the sockets, as those readers can be removed.9) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the CSU (Control Slave Unit) is an underlaying component of the system and allows the system to be effectively partitioned and to extend the reach of the CAN (Controller Area Network).10) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 9 wherein all components of the system are connected to each other via CAN Bus lines and communication in the architecture is from the socket to the master via the slave units, with the only ongoing communication being the reporting of the socket’s status and its runtime.11) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 10 wherein within this system each slave is equipped with 2x CAN ports (1x for communication with the master and 1x for communication with underlaying sockets), the slave units also power the electronics of the sockets which is advantageous as there is no requirement to provide additional power supplies to each of the sockets.12) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 11 wherein this unit is linked to the master unit and is in control of extension zones, including the multiplexor, the 2 x CAN bus ports, the network controller and aPCP to Instruct the relay to activate / deactivate the mains power, low voltage (3 - 5v) control cables are connected power sockets to operate the relays.13) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the power sockets each have a relay that powers the socket and USB charger, this element decides on its own to activate or deactivate the socket, the elements higher up in the architecture only receive the change state notification.14) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 13 wherein each socket is equipped with overheating thermal sensors, which may be positioned centrally to the plug pins, and surge protection, which immediately isolates the mains power via the inbuilt relays, should the sensor detect abnormally high temperature readings from a device plugged directly into the socket.15) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the surge protection also isolates the mains power via the inbuilt relays if it detects power surges from the mains supply or through devices connected via a corded plug, that would indicate a short circuit or other malfunction through surge protection.16) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 15 wherein to ensure safety, temperature sensors located near the power plug perform tests on potentially overheating mobile phone or similar chargers, displaying overheated warnings on an LED diode.17) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the RGB LED diodes are installed in each socket displaying current state (Green = Active, Orange = Inactive, Red = Overheated) and this event is also recorded with the master control unit.18) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the power to illuminate the LED and to instruct the relay to reset is provided by the slave units using specific embedded software within the master and slave units to control the systems functionality, this function is available on the standalone thermal safety socket where it has the thermal sensor and the inbuilt relays to shut off the mains power.19) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the separate mains power socket available as a stand-alone switched device with overheating sensors and surge protection, immediately isolates the mainspower via the Inbuilt relays should the sensor detect abnormally high temperature readings from a device plugged directly into the socket, it also isolates the mains power via the inbuilt relays if it detects power surges from the mains supply or through devices connected via a corded plug that would indicate a short circuit or other malfunction through surge protection.20) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the system may be used anywhere untested appliances could be used where it is not intended to monetize the mains power sockets, the use of NFC coded cards, QR Codes and an App to connect to the sockets is included in the mains power socket management system.21) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 20 wherein with the App, customers, who have downloaded the App, may be invited to enter the ID Number of the sockets they may wish to use and authorise the payment to the providers.22) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 21 wherein the providers may extract the information from the master control unit to establish the health of the socket network so that maintenance may be carried out to ensure that minimum service Levels of >80% socket availability are being provided.23) A mains power socket management system as claimed in claim 21 wherein he system may also collect Data to report retailers in the vicinity who have provided 'Free' socket access as a concession to their customers, to ensure they are billed by the provider at the agreed amount.

Images