Power outlet device and controlling method thereof

A power outlet device including a first socket assembly coupled to an external power, a first switch, a detecting circuit coupled to the first socket assembly through the first switch, a controller is electrically coupled to the first switch and the detecting circuit, and a sensor is provided. The first switch is electrically coupled to the first socket assembly for turning on or oft power supply of the external power to the first socket assembly. The detecting circuit detects a first power value of the first socket assembly. A second power value of the first socket assembly is detected after detecting the first power value. The controller read the first and second power value. A first signal is received by the sensor for transmitting to the controller. The controller turns on or off the first switch according to the first signal, the first and second power value. A controlling method of the power outlet device is further provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a power outlet device and a controlling method thereof, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a power outlet device and a controlling method thereof with efficiency of energy saving.

Description of Related Art

With the popularity of electrical products and the development of wireless remote control technology, users are accustomed to the use of remote controller to carry out the operation of electrical products, such as turning-on operation or turning-off operation for electrical products. However, even if working power of the electrical products has been turned off, but the plugs of electrical products are still plugged in power outlet. In other words, the electrical products are still in standby mode, which causes energy consuming and does not meet the requirements of energy saving.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is, to provide a power outlet device and a controlling method thereof for taking into account the requirement of energy saving when uses electrical products.

To achieve the foregoing and other objects, a power outlet device including a first socket assembly, a first switch, a detecting circuit, a controller and a sensor is provided. The first socket assembly is electrically coupled to an external power and has, at least one first socket. At least one load is electrically coupled to the first socket assembly. The first switch is electrically coupled to the first socket assembly for turning on or off power supply of the external power to the first socket assembly. The detecting circuit is electrically coupled to the first socket assembly through the first switch, and detects a first power value of the first socket assembly when the first switch is turned on. When the first power value is detected, a second power value of the first socket assembly can be detected by the detecting circuit. The controller is electrically coupled to the first switch and the detecting circuit respectively, and reads the first power value and the second power value. A first signal is received by the sensor for transmitting to the controller. Wherein, the controller turns on or off the first switch according to the first signal, the first power value and the second power value.

In one embodiment of the present invention, when the first switch is turned on, the load is in standby mode, and then the detecting circuit detects the first power, value of the first socket assembly, the first power value is a standby power value.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the controller turns on the first switch when the sensor receives the first signal, the controller turns on the first switch continuously when the second power value is greater than the first power value, the controller turns off the first switch when the second power value is not greater than the first power value.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the power outlet device further includes a resetting unit and a reminding unit, the resetting unit sends a resetting signal to the controller, the controller turns on the first switch when receives the resetting signal, and makes the detecting circuit detect the first power value of the first socket assembly, and the reminding unit receives a reminding signal sent by the controller for generating a reminding message and turning off the first switch when the second power value is not greater than the first power value.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the sensor, the resetting unit and the reminding unit are electrically coupled to the controller in wired or wireless way.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the sensor is suitable for receiving a second signal, the controller turns off the first switch when the first power value of the first socket assembly is detected by the detecting circuit, and turns on the first switch again for detecting the second power value of the first socket assembly by the detecting circuit when the sensor receives the second signal.

In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the first signal and the second signal is sent by the load or a corresponding remote controller of an external load without coupling to the first socket assembly.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the power outlet device further includes a second socket assembly, the second socket assembly has at least one second socket, wherein the detecting circuit is electrically coupled between the second socket assembly and the first switch.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the power outlet device further includes a second switch coupled to the external power, and the second socket assembly and the detecting circuit are electrically coupled to the second switch.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the controller and the detecting circuit are electrically coupled to the second switch, a third signal is suitable for transmitting to the controller when the second switch is turned on, and the controller turns on the first switch according to the third signal.

A controlling method of the power outlet device is provided, which including the following steps:

providing a power outlet device, the power outlet device includes a first socket assembly, a first switch, a detecting circuit, a controller and a sensor. Wherein, the first socket assembly is electrically coupled to an external power, and has at least one first socket. At least one load is electrically coupled to the first socket assembly. The first switch is electrically coupled to the first socket assembly for turning on or off power supply of the external power to the first socket assembly. The detecting circuit is electrically coupled to the first socket assembly through the first switch. The controller is electrically coupled to the first switch and the detecting circuit respectively;

a first signal is received by the sensor for transmitting to the controller;

the controller turns on the power supply of the external power to the first socket assembly according to the first signal;

the detecting circuit detects a first power value of the first socket assembly, and then detects a second power value of the first socket assembly after detecting the first power value; and

the controller reads the first power value and the second power value, and turns on or off the first switch according to the first power value and the second power value.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The characteristics, contents, advantages and achieved effects of the present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present disclosure.

As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of and may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods that are known to those having ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art.

FIG. 1is a schematic view illustrating a power outlet device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 1, a power outlet device100of the present embodiment includes a first socket assembly110, a first switch120, a detecting circuit130, a controller140and a sensor150mainly. In the present embodiment, the first socket assembly110is electrically coupled to an external power200, and at least one load is electrically coupled to the first socket assembly110. The external power200is, for example, a utility power. The first socket assembly110of the present embodiment has at least one first socket112. The load is, for example, coupled to the first socket112. Wherein, the first socket assembly110of the present embodiment is exemplified by applying three first sockets112inFIG. 1, and the present invention will not be limited to this. Correspondingly, there are also three loading devices illustrated inFIG. 1. The three loading devices are a first load301, a second load302and a third load303respectively. In the present embodiment, the first load301, the second load302and the third load303are, for example, constituted as an audio and video module. For example, the first load301can be a television, the second load302can be an audio and video player, and the third load303can be a speaker, and the present invention will not be limited to this.

From above, the first switch120of the present embodiment is electrically coupled to the first socket assembly110. Wherein, the first switch120can be turned on or turned off the power supply of the external power200to the first socket assembly110. In addition, the detecting circuit130is electrically coupled to the first socket assembly110through the first switch120. Wherein, the detecting circuit130can detect a first power value of the first socket assembly110when the first switch120is turned on.

Worth mention, when the first switch120is turned on, the first load301, the second load302and the third load303is in standby mode, and then the first power value is the power value of the first socket assembly110that is detected by the detecting circuit130. In other words, when the first power value is detected by the detecting circuit130, working power of the first load301, the second load302and the third load303are still not turned on, and are in a standby mode. This is, the first power value is, for example, a standby power value.

Especially, when the first power value is detected by the detecting circuit130of the present embodiment, a second power value of the first socket assembly110also can be detected. Further, when the first power value like as the standby power value is detected by the detecting circuit130of the present embodiment, the detecting circuit130still can detect the instant power value of the first socket assembly110continuously. Wherein, the second power value is the instant power value of the first socket assembly110.

In the present embodiment, the controller140of the present embodiment is electrically coupled to the first switch120and the detecting circuit130respectively. Thus, the controller140also can receive or read the first power value and the second power value in addition to control the on/off state of the first switch120. Besides, a first signal is suitable for being received by the sensor150, and then be transmitted to the controller140. Thus, the controller140of the present embodiment turns on the first switch120or off according to the first signal, the first power value and the second power value. Wherein, the first signal is, for example, an infrared signal or other appropriate wireless signal sent by the corresponding remote controller of the first load301, the second load302or the third load303. Certainly, the first signal also can be sent by the corresponding remote controller of an external load (not shown), wherein the external load is not coupled to the first socket assembly110, and the present invention will not be limited to this.

Further, in, the present embodiment, when the sensor150receives the first signal, the controller140turns on the first switch120. Therefore, the detecting circuit130can detect the first power value and the second power value of the first socket assembly110through the first switch120. Further, the controller140can receive or read the first power value (standby power value) and the second power value (the instant power value) for comparing. When the second power value is greater than the first power value, the controller140turns on the first switch120continuously. In other words, the first socket assembly110can be power supplied by the external power200continuously. Relatively, when the second power value is not greater than the first power value, the controller140turns off the first switch120. In other words, the first socket assembly110is disconnected from the external power200. Certainly, in the present embodiment, an acceptable tolerance is allowed in the comparison of the first power value and the second power value, and the present invention will not be limited to this.

For example, when the sensor150receives the first signal like as the infrared signal, the controller140turns on the first switch120. Further, the detecting circuit130can detect the first power value of the first socket assembly110. Further, when the first power value is detected by the detecting circuit130, the second power value of the first socket assembly110can be detected later. Thus, the controller140can receive or read the first power value and the second power value for comparing, and then the working state of the first socket assembly110can be determined.

In detail, when the second power value (the instant power value) is greater than the first power value (standby power value), the controller140can determine that at least one of the first load301, the second load302and the third load303is in normal operation. Thus, the controller140will not turn off the first switch120for continuously supplying the external power200to the first socket assembly110when the load, is in normal operation. Relatively, when the second power value is not greater than the first power value, the controller140can determine that the first load301, the second load302and the third load303are in standby mode. Thus, the controller140turns off the first switch120. In other words, the first socket assembly110is disconnected from the external power200for preventing energy loss. Therefore, the efficiency of energy saving can be achieved in the present invention.

On the other hand, when the first signal is sent by the corresponding remote controller of an external load (not shown) without coupling to the first socket assembly110, the controller140turns on the first switch120, so that the first socket assembly110is electrically coupled to the external power200. If the first load301, the second load302and the third load303are all in standby mode, the controller140still turns off the first switch120by comparing the first power value and the second power value for achieving the efficiency of energy saving.

Relatively, when the first signal is sent by the corresponding remote controller of at least one of the first load301, the second load302and the third load303, the controller140can turn on the first switch120so that the first socket assembly110is electrically coupled to the external power200. Further, when it is at least one of the first load301, the second load302and the third load303is in normal operation, the controller140makes the first switch120keep in ON state after comparing the first power value with the second power value, so as to continuously supply the external power200to the first socket assembly110.

In one preferred embodiment, when the first power value (standby power value) of the first socket assembly110is detected by the detecting circuit130, the controller140turns off the first switch120firstly for stopping the power supply of the external power200to the first socket assembly110. In the embodiment, the sensor150also can receive a second signal. Wherein, when the sensor150receives the second signal, the first switch120can be turned on again so that the detecting circuit130can detect the second power value (the instant power value) of the first socket assembly110. Similarly, the controller140of the present embodiment also turns on the first switch120or turn off according to the comparison of first power value and the second power value for achieving the efficiency of energy saving.

The foregoing second signal also can be an infrared signal or other appropriate wireless signal sent by the corresponding remote controller of the load coupled to the first socket assembly similarly. Certainly, the second signal also can be sent by the corresponding remote controller of an external load without coupling to the first socket assembly, and the present invention will not, be limited to this. Similar to the foregoing embodiment, regardless of whether the first signal and the second signal are sent by the corresponding remote controller of the load coupled to the first socket assembly, the controller140of the present embodiment can determine the working state of the first socket assembly110similarly by comparing the first power value and the second power value to, turn on or turn off the first switch120for achieving the efficiency of energy saving.

FIG. 2is a flow chart illustrating a controlling method of power outlet device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Please refer toFIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the controlling method of the power outlet device includes the following steps. Firstly, in step S210, providing a power outlet device, wherein the power outlet device includes a first socket assembly, a first switch, a detecting circuit, a controller and a sensor. The first socket assembly of the present embodiment is electrically coupled to an external power, and has at least one first socket. Similar to the foregoing embodiment, in the present embodiment, at least one load is electrically coupled to the first socket assembly. In addition, the first switch is electrically coupled to the first socket assembly for turning on or turning off the power supply of the external power to the first socket assembly. Besides, the detecting circuit is electrically coupled to the first socket assembly through the first switch. The controller is electrically coupled to the first switch and the detecting circuit respectively.

After step S210, step S220is executed, a first signal is received by the sensor for transmitting to the controller. The first signal is, for example, an infrared signal or other appropriate wireless signal sent by the corresponding remote controller of the load coupled to the first socket assembly. Certainly, the first signal also can be sent by the corresponding remote controller of an external load without coupling to the first socket assembly, and the present invention will not be limited to this. Next, in step S230, the controller turns on the first switch for supplying the external power to the first socket assembly according to the first signal. Next, in step S240, the detecting circuit detects a first power value of the first socket assembly, and detects a second power value of the first socket assembly after detecting the first power value. Wherein, the first power value is, for example, a standby power value of the first socket assembly. The second power value is, for example, an instant power value of the first socket assembly.

Next, in step S250, the controller reads the first power value, and the second power value, and turns on or turns off the first switch according to the first power value and the second power value. Certainly, the controller also can receive the first power value and the second power value directly, and turns on or turns off the first switch according to the first power value and the second power value. Simply, the first power value (standby power value) and the second power value (the instant power value) are compared by the controller for determining the working state of the first socket assembly. As described above, when the second power value is greater than the first power value, the controller determines that at least one of the loads coupled to the first socket assembly is in normal operation. Therefore, the controller makes the first switch keep in ON state for continuously supplying the external power to the first socket assembly. Relatively, when the second power value is not greater than the first power value, the controller can determine that all loads coupled to the first socket assembly are in standby mode. Therefore, the controller turns off the first switch. In other words, the first socket assembly is disconnected from the external power for preventing energy loss. Therefore, the efficiency of energy saving can be achieved in the present invention.

FIG. 3is a flow chart illustrating a controlling method of power outlet device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Please refer toFIG. 3, the controlling method of the present embodiment is similar to the controlling method of the foregoing embodiment. The main difference between the two embodiments is that: in the controlling method of the present embodiment, the controller turns off the first switch firstly when the first power value (standby power value) of the first socket assembly is detected by the detecting circuit. When the sensor receives a second signal, the controller turn on the first switch for supplying the external power to the first socket assembly again according to the second signal, and the second power value of the first socket assembly can be detected by the detecting circuit.

Further, steps S310˜S330of the present embodiment are similar to steps S210˜S230of the foregoing embodiment. Especially, in the controlling method of the present embodiment, when the first socket assembly is power supplied by the external power according to the first signal (step S330), the detecting circuit can detect a first power value of the first socket assembly, and turns off the first switch when the first power value is detected (step S340). Next, in step S350, a second signal is received by the sensor for transmitting to the controller. Similarly, the second signal also can be an infrared signal or other appropriate wireless signal sent by the corresponding remote controller of the load coupled to the first socket assembly. Certainly, the second signal also can be sent by the corresponding remote controller of an external load without coupling to the first socket assembly, and the present invention will not be limited to this.

After step S350, step S360is executed, the controller turns on the first switch for supplying the external power to the first socket assembly according to the second signal, and the detecting circuit detects, a second power value of the first socket assembly. Therefore, the controller can read the first power value and the second power value, and turn on or turn off the first switch according to the first power value and the second power value (step S370). Certainly, the controller also can receive the first power value and the second power value directly, and turn on or turn off the first switch according, to the first power value and the second power value. In the present embodiment, the first power value (standby power value) and the second power value (the instant power value) are also compared by the controller similarly for determining the working state of the first socket assembly. Therefore, the efficiency of energy saving can be achieved in the present invention.

From above, the power outlet device100of the present embodiment also can include a second socket assembly180and a second switch190. The second socket assembly180has at least one second socket182. Wherein, the second socket assembly180of the present embodiment is exemplified by applying one second socket182inFIG. 1, and the present invention will not be limited to this. In the present embodiment, the detecting circuit130is electrically coupled between the second socket assembly180and the first switch120. The second socket assembly180and the detecting circuit130are electrically coupled to the second switch190. In other words, the detecting circuit130is electrically coupled between the first switch120and the second switch190. In addition, the controller140and the detecting circuit130are also coupled to the second switch190. Wherein, the second switch190of the present embodiment is, for example, coupled to the external power200directly. Thus, when the second switch190is turned on, the elements electrically coupled between the second switch190and the first switch120can be power supplied by the external power200firstly. In other words, when an external load is electrically coupled to the second socket182and the second switch190is turned on, the external load can be power supplied by the external power200. Similarly, when the second switch190is turned on, the detecting circuit130, the controller140and the sensor150also can perform the corresponding work.

Especially, in one preferred embodiment the conduction of the second switch190also can triggers the conduction of the first switch120so that the detecting circuit130can detect the power value of the first socket assembly110. In detail, when the second switch190is turned on, a third signal is transmitted to the controller140, and the controller140turns on the first switch120according to the third signal. In other words, the conduction of the second switch190can triggers the conduction of the first switch120synchronously. Further, the detecting circuit130can detect the power value of the first socket assembly110quickly.

On the other hand, the power outlet device100of the present embodiment further includes a resetting unit160and a reminding unit170. Wherein, the sensor150, the resetting unit160and the reminding, unit170are, for example, integrated in a body, and connected with the controller140in wired or wireless way. In addition, the sensor150, the resetting unit160and the reminding unit170also can integrated in the same body with the controller140, and the present invention will not be limited to this.

In the present embodiment, the resetting unit160is, for, example, a button which can send a resetting signal to the controller140. When the controller140receives the resetting signal, the controller turns on the first switch120, and make the detecting circuit130detect the first power value of the first socket assembly110. In other words, the power outlet device100of the present embodiment can reacquire the first power value (standby power value) of the first socket assembly110through the application of the resetting unit160. Especially, when all loads coupled to the first socket assembly110are in standby mode, the first power value of the first socket assembly110can be acquired more effectively.

In addition, the reminding unit170of the present embodiment is, for example, a light emitting element or other appropriate elements. In the present embodiment, when the second power value is not greater than the first power value, the reminding unit170can receive a reminding signal sent by the controller140for generating a reminding message, and turns off the first switch120. In detail, when the second power value of the first socket assembly110(the instant power value) is not greater than the first power value (standby power value), the power outlet device100of the present embodiment can send the reminding message through the reminding unit170. The reminding message is represented that the first switch120will turn off soon and the power supply of the external power will be stopped to the first socket assembly110. Besides, when the reminding message is generated by the reminding unit170, any external signal can be received by the controller140, the sensor150or other appropriate elements within a predetermined time for cancelling the disconnecting action of the first switch120.

In one preferred embodiment, the power outlet device100further includes a timer (not shown). Thus, the first switch120can be turned off after the predetermined time by the assistance of the timer. Especially, when the sensor150does not sense any wireless signal within the predetermined time, it means that users may have no need to use these loads. Then, the present embodiment can send the reminding message through the reminding unit170by the assistance of the timer.

To sum up, the present invention can read the first power value (standby power value) of the first socket assembly and the second power value (the instant power value) and then compares the first power value and the second power value. Further, the working state of the first socket assembly can be determined. Further, when the loads coupled to the first socket assembly are in standby mode, the power supply of the external power can be stopped to the first socket assembly by for achieving the efficiency of energy saving. Certainly, when any load coupled to the first socket assembly is at working mode, the first socket assembly still can be powered by external power continuously for keeping the work of the load.