Smart Power Socket for Standby Energy Waste Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smart sockets cannot determine if energy is being wasted by devices in standby or idle modes, as they lack the ability to identify the operational state and characteristics of the devices, leading to inefficient energy management in buildings.

Innovation Solution

An electrical power socket equipped with a microcontroller, relay, and power monitor that uses machine learning to identify device types and determine wasted energy usage, allowing for intelligent power management by controlling power delivery based on operational states and characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional smart meters are used to monitor energy consumption, then energy usage data can be obtained, but no indication is available about whether energy is being wasted by devices in standby or idle modes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy waste detection capabilityVSAvoidsocket functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power socket automatically monitors its own output and detects when devices are wasting energy through standby power detection circuitry, enabling self-diagnosis and self-reporting of energy waste conditions without requiring external intervention or complex user analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The socket acts as an intermediary between the power supply and the device, inserting intelligence at the outlet level to analyze power consumption patterns and communicate waste conditions to both users and remote systems, thereby bridging the gap between simple metering and sophisticated energy management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If smart sockets are equipped to monitor power delivery, then energy consumption data can be tracked, but the sockets cannot determine if the energy being provided is wasted or not

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy waste classification informationVSAvoidmonitoring system

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual assessment of energy waste with automated electronic detection circuitry that analyzes power consumption patterns, voltage characteristics, and current draw to automatically classify whether energy is being wasted, eliminating the need for user interpretation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The socket incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor device power consumption and provide real-time information about waste conditions through local indicators and remote communication, enabling dynamic adjustment of power delivery based on actual usage patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If power is continuously supplied to devices, then devices remain ready for immediate use, but energy is wasted when devices are not actively being used by users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice readinessVSAvoidstandby power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The power socket dynamically adjusts its power delivery state based on real-time detection of device usage patterns, transitioning between full power, reduced power, and complete disconnection states to optimize the balance between device readiness and energy conservation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The socket performs preliminary detection of device operational state before committing to continuous power delivery, using detection circuitry to assess whether a device is truly ready for use or merely in standby, thereby preventing premature or unnecessary power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Loss of energy

If remote energy monitoring systems are implemented to control power delivery, then energy waste can be reduced, but the system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewasted energy reductionVSAvoidsystem infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The energy management system is segmented into independent modular components distributed across multiple sockets, with each socket containing its own monitoring, detection, and control capabilities, allowing the system to scale incrementally without requiring centralized complex infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20260074559A1Power socket for reducing wastage of electrical energy and related aspects

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 MEASURABLE LTD

AI summary

An electrical power socket including: an electrical power outlet; a power input configured to supply power to the power outlet; one relay configured to control delivery of electrical power via the power outlet; a power monitor configured to monitor the operational state of the-power outlet and characteristics of power drawn from the power outlet; and a microcontroller being configurable to: capture monitored data; send the captured data via a data network interface to a remote energy monitoring system; receive data from the remote energy monitoring system; and control the one relay to manage delivery of power via a power outlet responsive to a determination the power outlet is delivering power associated with a wasted energy usage classification. The determination the power outlet is delivering power associated with a wasted energy usage classification.