Abstract:
A system and method for remotely controlling power to for transmitting data to and from a television in a simple and efficient manner is disclosed herein. The system comprises an article, an electrically-powered device and a controller. The article comprises a cord, an alternating current outlet socket, an alternating current input plug, a latching relay, a processor, a transceiver and a content cable. The system preferably uses a WiFi communication signal to transmit data to and from the remote controller to the article.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The Present Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/391663, filed on Oct. 10, 2010, and the Present Application is a continuation-in-part Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/162564, filed on Jun. 16, 2011, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/878040, filed on Sep. 9, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,964,989, issued on Jun. 21, 2011, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/361402, filed on Jul. 3, 2010, now abandoned, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention generally relates to transmitting data to a television. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for transmitting information to and from a television. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    Consumers are using their televisions for more than just watching television shows. Televisions are becoming the main portal for households to receive and transmit data. However, almost all televisions are not able to receive data other than through a cable provided by a cable company, a satellite dish provided by a satellite television company, or an antenna digital feed of local television stations. Televisions need to easily be able to receive data from other communication bands of the electromagnetic spectrum. 
         [0007]    End Users are also becoming increasingly empowered to manage and save electrical power in their everyday lives. They understand that small changes in their behavior coupled with the use of smart power saving devices can minimize their power usage and save on their perpetually increasing energy bills. Additionally, End Users are continually searching for ways to have more control and customization over their environment for enhanced aesthetics and personal preferences and convenience. 
         [0008]    The prior art discusses various method and systems for controlling power to an electrically power device. 
         [0009]    One example is Dresti et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,642,852 for a Remote Control Device With Appliance Power Awareness which discloses placing a device in a desired powered state through use of a infrared remote with radiofrequency capabilities. 
         [0010]    Another is Lou et al, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0115695 for a Power Supply With Low Standby Loss. 
         [0011]    Yet another is Ewing et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,171,461 for a Network Remote Power Management Outlet Strip. 
         [0012]    Yet another is Lee et al., U.S. Publication No. 2010/0079001 for a Outlet Switch Socket Device. 
         [0013]    The prior art fails to disclose a system and method for transmitting data to and from a television in a simple and efficient manner. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention provides a system and method for transmitting data to and from a television in a novel and efficient manner. The present invention provides an effective component for transmitting data to and from a television. 
         [0015]    One aspect of the present invention is an article for controlling electrical power to a television and for streaming wireless data to the television. The article comprises a cord, an alternating current socket, an alternating current input plug, a latching relay, a processor, a transceiver and a content cable. The alternating current outlet socket receives a plug from an electrically-powered device. The alternating current outlet socket is located at a first end of the cord. The alternating current input plug connects to an outlet to receive power. The alternating current outlet socket is located at a second end of the cord. The latching relay controls power to the alternating current outlet socket. The latching relay is electrically positioned within the cord between the alternating current input plug and the alternating current outlet socket. The processor is configured to instruct the latching relay to enable electrical power to the alternating current outlet socket and to disable electrical power to the alternating current outlet socket. The transceiver wirelessly receives data and a plurality of commands to the article utilizing a WIFI communication protocol, and wirelessly transmits data from the article utilizing a WIFI communication protocol. The transceiver is in electrical communication with the processor. The transceiver comprises an antenna extending along a portion of a length of the cord. The content cable is connected to the transceiver for receiving the data and delivering the data to a television which is connected to an end of the content cable. 
         [0016]    The content cable is preferably a coaxial cable. The antenna of the transceiver preferably extends along the entire length of the cord. The length of the cord preferably ranges from four feet to ten feet, and the processor, latching relay and transceiver are preferably located in a center region of the cord. The content cable is alternatively an HDMI cable. The content cable is alternatively a composite cable comprising three connectors for audio and video transmissions. The content cable is alternatively an S-video cable. The content cable is alternatively a DVI cable. The content cable is alternatively a component video cable comprising three connectors for audio and video transmissions. 
         [0017]    Another aspect of the present invention is a system for controlling electrical power to a television and for streaming wireless data to the television. The system comprises an article, a television and a controller. The article comprises a cord, an alternating current socket, an alternating current input plug, a latching relay, a processor, a transceiver and a content cable. The alternating current outlet socket receives a plug from an electrically-powered device. The alternating current outlet socket is located at a first end of the cord. The alternating current input plug connects to an outlet to receive power. The alternating current outlet socket is located at a second end of the cord. The latching relay controls power to the alternating current outlet socket. The latching relay is electrically positioned within the cord between the alternating current input plug and the alternating current outlet socket. The processor is configured to instruct the latching relay to enable electrical power to the alternating current outlet socket and to disable electrical power to the alternating current outlet socket. The transceiver wirelessly receives data and a plurality of commands to the article utilizing a WIFI communication protocol, and wirelessly transmits data from the article utilizing a WIFI communication protocol. The transceiver is in electrical communication with the processor. The transceiver comprises an antenna extending along a portion of a length of the cord. The content cable is connected to the transceiver for receiving the data and delivering the data to a television which is connected to an end of the content cable. The television is connected to the at least one power outlet connection of the article. The controller wirelessly transmits a plurality of commands to the article utilizing a WIFI communication protocol. A command of the plurality of commands from the controller can control electrical power to the television through the processor of the article which is configured to control electrical power to the television from the at least one power outlet connection and for delivering data to the television. 
         [0018]    The system further comprises at least one wireless router that receives each of the plurality of commands from the controller and wirelessly transmits each of the plurality of commands to the transceiver of the article. The antenna of the transceiver preferably extends along the entire length of the cord. The length of the cord preferably ranges from four feet to ten feet, and the processor, latching relay and transceiver are preferably located in a center region of the cord. The content cable is alternatively an HDMI cable. The content cable is alternatively a composite cable comprising three connectors for audio and video transmissions. The content cable is alternatively an S-video cable. The content cable is alternatively a DVI cable. The content cable is alternatively a component video cable comprising three connectors for audio and video transmissions. The content cable is preferably a coaxial cable. 
         [0019]    Another aspect of the present invention is an article for controlling electrical power to a television and for transmitting data to and from the television. The article comprises a cord, an alternating current socket, an alternating current input plug, a latching relay, a processor, a transceiver and a content cable. The alternating current outlet socket receives a plug from an electrically-powered device. The alternating current outlet socket is located at a first end of the cord. The alternating current input plug connects to an outlet to receive power. The alternating current outlet socket is located at a second end of the cord. The latching relay controls power to the alternating current outlet socket. The latching relay is electrically positioned within the cord between the alternating current input plug and the alternating current outlet socket. The processor is configured to instruct the latching relay to enable electrical power to the alternating current outlet socket and to disable electrical power to the alternating current outlet socket. The transceiver wirelessly receives data and a plurality of commands to the article utilizing a WIFI communication protocol, and wirelessly transmits data from the article utilizing a WIFI communication protocol. The transceiver is in electrical communication with the processor. The transceiver comprises an antenna extending along a portion of a length of the cord. The content cable is connected to the transceiver for receiving and transmitting the data to and from a television which is connected to an end of the content cable. 
         [0020]    Yet another aspect of the present invention is a system for controlling electrical power to a television and for streaming wireless data to the television. The system comprises an article, a television and a controller. The article comprises a cord, an alternating current socket, an alternating current input plug, a latching relay, a processor, a transceiver and a content cable. The alternating current outlet socket receives a plug from an electrically-powered device. The alternating current outlet socket is located at a first end of the cord. The alternating current input plug connects to an outlet to receive power. The alternating current outlet socket is located at a second end of the cord. The latching relay controls power to the alternating current outlet socket. The latching relay is electrically positioned within the cord between the alternating current input plug and the alternating current outlet socket. The processor is configured to instruct the latching relay to enable electrical power to the alternating current outlet socket and to disable electrical power to the alternating current outlet socket. The transceiver wirelessly receives data and a plurality of commands to the article utilizing a WIFI communication protocol, and wirelessly transmits data from the article utilizing a WIFI communication protocol. The transceiver is in electrical communication with the processor. The transceiver comprises an antenna extending along a portion of a length of the cord. The content cable is connected to the transceiver for receiving and transmitting the data to and from a television which is connected to an end of the content cable. The television is connected to the at least one power outlet connection of the article. The controller wirelessly transmits a plurality of commands to the article utilizing a WIFI communication protocol. A command of the plurality of commands from the controller can control electrical power to the television through the processor of the article which is configured to control electrical power to the television from the at least one power outlet connection and for delivering data to the television. The controller also receives data from the television. 
         [0021]    Having briefly described the present invention, the above and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a preferred embodiment of an article for controlling power to and for transmitting data to and from an electrically powered device. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is an elevational view of an alternative embodiment of an article for controlling power to and for transmitting data to and from an electrically powered device. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is an elevational view of an alternative embodiment of an article for controlling power to and for transmitting data to and from an electrically powered device. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view of an alternative embodiment of an article for controlling power to and for transmitting data to and from an electrically powered device. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is an elevational view of an alternative embodiment of an article for controlling power to and for transmitting data to and from an electrically powered device. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is an elevational view of an alternative embodiment of an article for controlling power to and for transmitting data to and from an electrically powered device. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is an elevational view of an alternative embodiment of an article for controlling power to and for transmitting data to and from an electrically powered device. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram of a system for controlling power and for transmitting data to and from an electrically powered device. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8A  is a block diagram of a system for controlling power and for transmitting data to and from an electrically powered device. 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is a front view of a controller in the form of a smartphone with a status report on a screen of the controller. 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the article. 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram of the circuitry of the article. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    A preferred embodiment of an article  10  utilized for controlling power and for transmitting data to and from an electrically powered device is shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , in the form of an extension cord. The article  10  comprises of at least one controlled socket  11 , a casing  12 , a plug  13 , a switch  14 , a cord  15  and a content cable  77 . The content cable  77  is preferably an HDMI cable as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The content cable is alternatively a DVI cable  77   a  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The content cable is alternatively an S-video cable  77   b  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The content cable is alternatively a component video cable  77   c  comprising three connectors for audio and video transmissions as shown in  FIG. 5 . The content cable is alternatively a composite cable  77   d  comprising three connectors for audio and video transmissions as shown in  FIG. 6 . The content cable is alternatively a coaxial cable as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 10 , the interior components of the article  10  are shown and in  FIG. 11  a circuit block diagram for the article  10  is shown. The article  10  further comprises at least a radio transceiver  50 , a microprocessor  41 , a switch  61 , and a power converter. Additionally, light-emitting diodes (LED)  45  provide status indication. 
         [0036]    The plug  13  is used to receive alternating current (AC) power, and the switch  61  is connected in between the socket  11  and the plug  13 . 
         [0037]    The microprocessor  41  receives direct current (DC) power, decodes a control signal from a remote control, such as a handheld device, via the radio transceiver  50 , and then controls the switch  61  based on the decoded control signal. 
         [0038]    The switch  61  is preferably a latching relay controlled by the microprocessor  41 , according to the control signal received from the remote control device. The latching relay minimizes the power usage of the electrical device connected to the apparatus  10 , independent of the state of the switch  61 . 
         [0039]    Further embodiments of the present invention include additional onboard energy storage, with sensing or measuring capabilities, in various form factors embedded or interfaced with various electrical components such as, but not limited to; cords, outlets, converters, circuit breakers and surge protectors. Additional embodiments of the present invention include combining a single or multiple energy harvesting sources to provide power to control the relay. 
         [0040]    In the preferred embodiment, the radio transceiver preferably includes an antenna  50  positioned within the cord  15  in order to increase the reception power of transceiver. In addition to the antenna, the cord  15  also comprises of three wires  42 - 44  (hot, neutral and ground). The antenna runs parallel in the power cord for increased performance. 
         [0041]      FIG. 10  shows the internal components of the cord  15 . There are conductors for the three wires  42 - 44  for the socket and a fourth encased conductor  55  for the antenna  50 , all preferably molded within insulating material  51 . The antenna  50  preferably comprises of a protective sleeve  52 , a shielding copper braid  53 , foam  54 , and a copper conductor  55 ; or other such materials typically used to protect the antenna  50  from interference of the other wires  42 - 44 . Further, the antenna  50  is preferably positioned as far as possible from the three other wires  42 - 44  to minimize the interference from the wires  42 - 44 . 
         [0042]    The article  10  of this embodiment preferably has two controlled sockets  11  located on the front of the module. The casing  12  is preferably injection molded insulating material. Both sockets  11  are controlled with the same ON/OFF command. The article  10  is comparable in function and usability to standard extension cords and plugs. The mechanical interactions for the user using the article  10  does not compromise safety or functionality compared to standard extension cords and plugs. The article  10  plugs securely into a single outlet of a standard duplex wall receptacle and the plug  13  is configured in such a way that the other outlet is not impeded. Each socket  11  of the article 10 preferably has a current rating of 15 amperes (A) at 120 volts in alternating current (V AC). The content cable  77  preferably connects to a television for transmitting data to and from the television including content such as television shows. Alternatively, the content cable connects to an appliance and can be used bi-directional communications for diagnostic reporting, software upgrades, troubleshooting and the like. 
         [0043]    A pushbutton switch  14  on the apparatus  10 , when activated, preferably resets the article  10  to the factory default conditions for the configuration settings. 
         [0044]    The article  10  preferably has a LED indicator  16  that is ON when the apparatus  10  obtains and maintains a wireless connection to the LAN (local area network) and OFF when the article  10  does not have a wireless connection to the LAN. 
         [0045]    The LED indicator  16  also preferably represents the state of the outlet power for the article  10  as well, which is preferably accomplished by blinking in a set pattern. Alternatively, the LED indicator  16  flashes accordingly to indicate the status of the wireless connection. 
         [0046]    In the event of a power failure, the article  10  automatically returns managed sockets  11  to the previous state, prior to power interruption. In the event of a dropped wireless connection, the article  10  maintains port settings last set by the user, prior to the loss of wireless connectivity, until the wireless connectivity is restored or until the user disconnects the article  10 . 
         [0047]    The article  10  permits the user to configure the article  10  out of the box using a web user interface (WebUI), a personal computer (“PC”) program or a WiFi enabled hand held device (smartphone) via ad-hoc wireless, allowing the user to program in home network information, such as the wireless router SSID (Service Set Identifier) and security keys, as necessary for web connectivity. 
         [0048]    A networked system  140  of the preferred embodiment is shown in  FIG. 8 . Such a system and other articles are also described in Puschnigg et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/878040, filed on Sep. 9, 2010, for a Method And System For Controlling Power To An Electrically Powered Device, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0049]    The WebUI is preferably hosted on the article  10  and is accessible via interconnected network devices. The WebUI, PC program or WiFi enabled hand held is addressable via the assigned IP address of the article  10 . The article  10  can be controlled from various devices such as, but not limited to, computers  143  or mobile handhelds  210 . In a typical network, the router  144  and the access point  145  provide the wireless connectivity between the article  10  and the remote, such as a smart phone  210 . An alternative embodiment of the system  140  is illustrated in  FIG. 8A . In this embodiment, the mobile handheld device  210  wireless communicates directly with the antenna  50  of the article  10  preferably using a WiFI communication protocol. 
         [0050]      FIG. 9  shows a smart phone  210  displaying touch screen commands  215  of an application for controlling power to electrically powered devices plugged into the article  10 . 
         [0051]    In  FIG. 8 , a system  141  shows a television  146  plugged into the first installed apparatus  10 , which is plugged into a wall outlet  31 . The system can network and the first installed article  10  is the master article  10  and monitors the network for any additional articles. When a new article is detected on the network, the first article  10  remotely manages other articles using a single WebUI, PC program or WiFi enabled hand held. The user will either: a) logon to the original article  10  and have selectable tabs and additional options to manage all of the articles on the network; or b) manage each article discretely using individual IP addresses. Local user settings to the individual apparatus  10   b  supersede commands and/or timers from the master article  10 . The article  10  is compatible with various web browsers such as, but not limited to, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Explorer and Google Chrome. 
         [0052]    A simple WebUI home page allows individual management and supervision of each socket  11  such as, but not limited to, setting multiple timers and toggling ON/OFF selections of individual sockets  11 . The status page displays the status of the devices and users can turn devices OFF or ON from this page. 
         [0053]    From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize the meritorious advancement of this invention and will readily understand that while the present invention has been described in association with a preferred embodiment thereof, and other embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, numerous changes modification and substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in the following appended claim. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in the following appended claims.