Smart Socket Automation via RFID Tag Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manually switching off electrical appliances in large structures is time-consuming and often inaccessible, leading to unnecessary power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A system with wireless automation and control of sockets using transceivers and tags that allow remote identification and control of appliances, enabling selective on/off switching via a control system connected to a main power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual switching of appliances is used, then power consumption can be controlled, but it is time-consuming and inaccessible in large structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual switching system with an automated wireless control system. The microcontroller automatically detects appliance presence via RFID tags and controls power delivery through electronic switches, eliminating the need for manual mechanical switching. This resolves the contradiction by providing automated control that is both easy to operate (via remote or automatic detection) and time-efficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components including RFID tags, microcontrollers, and wireless communication modules that mediate between the user and the appliances. The RFID tags serve as intermediaries for appliance identification, while the microcontroller acts as an intermediary for automated power management decisions. This intermediary system enables remote and automatic control, resolving the time-loss issue while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If appliances remain powered on continuously, then they are ready for immediate use, but unnecessary power consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of appliance presence and user intent before activating power. The microcontroller proactively scans for RFID tags and pre-loads power to appliances that are detected as needed, rather than maintaining continuous power to all appliances. This resolves the contradiction by providing readiness only when and where needed, eliminating unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining operational readiness through anticipatory action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic power management where the power state of appliances changes based on real-time detection of RFID tags and user presence. The system transitions between powered and unpowered states dynamically rather than maintaining a static continuous-power state. This dynamic approach ensures appliances are ready for use when needed while consuming minimal power when not in use, resolving the energy loss contradiction.
3Loss of energy
If remote control system is implemented, then energy savings are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service automation where the microcontroller autonomously manages power distribution based on RFID tag detection without requiring complex user intervention or centralized control infrastructure. Each socket unit independently detects appliances and manages its own power delivery, eliminating the need for complex centralized control systems while achieving energy savings through automated local decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the power control system into independent modular socket units, each with its own microcontroller and RFID reader capability. This segmentation allows each unit to operate autonomously with simple local logic, avoiding the complexity of a centralized control system while collectively achieving comprehensive energy management across multiple appliances. The modular approach reduces overall system complexity through distributed intelligence.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient energy savings by ensuring appliances are only powered when needed, reducing manual effort and increasing accessibility for power management.
Implementation Method 1
One of the socket and the plug includes a transceiver that is powered by the main supply. The other of the socket and the plug includes a tag that is stimulated by a powered transceiver when the transceiver is in close proximity. While the tag is stimulated, the tag allows current to flow to the appliance.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for remotely controlling a supply of power to a plurality of electrical appliances. In response to attaching a plug of a first electrical appliance of a plurality of electrical appliances to a first socket of the one or more sockets connected to a main power supply, a control system activates a transceiver at a first of the first socket and the plug; stimulates, via the transceiver, a tag at a second of the first socket and the plug to determine a unique identifier of the tag. The control system receives the unique identifier of the tag from the transceiver and uses the unique identifier to activate/deactivate the transceiver which connects/disconnects the main power supply from the first electrical appliance.