Abstract:
The Power Bar with Remote Control allows a user to control from a distance the power of each outlet contained in the attached Power Bar. A master switch also allows the power to all outlets to be turned on or off in unison. Therefore, a user can selectively turn on or off electrical devices attached to the Power Bar. For example, while sitting at a desk a person could use the Remote Control to turn on their personal computer, monitor, speakers, external modem, printer and desk lamp. Also, by integrating the Power Bar with a USB (or Firewire) hub, only a single composite cable, with either integrated AC power/USB plugs or separate AC power and USB plugs at each end is required to supply both power and data to a PC or peripheral device. Also, by integrating an under-the-monitor type power box with a USB (or Firewire) hub, only a single composite cable, with either integrated AC power/USB plugs or separate AC power and USB plugs at each end is required to supply both power and data to a PC or peripheral device.

Description:
This application claim benefit to Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/066,916 Nov. 28, 1997 and Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/077,006 Mar. 6, 1998 and Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/082,539 Apr. 21, 1998. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates in general to power bars and more specifically to a power bar which contains power outlets that can be selectively turned on or off by using a remote control unit. And, relates to a power outlet that can be integrated with a USB (or Firewire) hub. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Power bars are an important part of any type of multiple electrically powered household or business wiring. Power bars provide a user with more outlets than the usual two provided in an electrical wall socket. Presently, there are two related prior art power bars on the market. The first is a typical power bar which normally contains 4 to 6 power outlets. The power bar usually has a built-in master switch that turns power on or off to all outlets. Therefore, to turn on or off all power a user must physically reach the power bar, typically located on the floor, to access the master switch. Alternatively, if the user wants to selectively turn off separate devices, the user must directly access the power switch of each separate device. 
     The second prior art product is a power bar which has a separate built-in switch for each power outlet and a master power switch as disclosed in U.S Pat. No. 5,250,851. This power bar allows a user to selectively switch off power to a desired electrical device. However, these power bars (or power boxes) are quite bulky and quite heavy so as to support the weight of a CRT monitor. Also, all power cables must be attached to the back of the power bar which, typically sits on a desktop. The manufacture and purchase cost of such a device is quite significant. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a solution to the aforementioned problems. A first aspect of the present invention is that any electrical device connected to the present invention can be turned on or off by a remote control. The remote control is small in size and lightweight and thus is very inexpensive to manufacture. Another aspect of the present invention is that the cord connecting the remote control to the power bar may be disconnected at either end to allow different lengths of extension cords to be added in order to increase the distance between the power bar and the remote control. Also, the extension cords and the power bar can be easily hidden from sight and not necessarily require easy access. The power bar need not be within close proximity to the remote control for operation of the remote control and optionally the remote control may be wireless or connected via USB (or Firewire IEEE 1394) protocol. It is generally understood that USB stands for Universal Serial Bus which is a protocol which provides universal compatibility for all connected components, and Firewire (IEEE 1394) stands for High Performance Serial Bus (HPSB) which also provides universal compatibility for all connected components. A third aspect of the present invention is that the remote control may also be removed from the power bar and capping of the socket of the remote control provides a normal power bar. Yet another aspect of the present invention is that the remote control can be built into, installed into, or attached to another electrical device such as a personal computer, a CRT monitor, a keyboard etc. for added convenience. A fifth aspect includes ability to control the remote control and, in turn, power bar via an external telephone. A sixth aspect includes the ability to integrate a power bar with a USB (or Firewire) hub which allows PC and peripheral devices to be connected to each other via a single composite cable with dual plugs at both ends. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of a slave power bar with four outlets; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of a master remote control and a custom extension cord that connects the master remote control to the power bar; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of a single switch remote control and a custom extension cord that connects the single switch remote control to the power bar; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of a slave power bar cap with a built-in switch; 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of a PC master remote control and a custom extension cord that connects the PC master remote control to the power bar; 
     FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the slave power bar of FIG.  1  and its connection to the master remote control of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 6 a  is a circuit diagram of the slave power bar of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the slave power bar with four outlets; 
     FIG. 8 is a top view of a third embodiment of the slave power bar with four outlets; 
     FIG. 9 is a top view of an embodiment of the master remote control and the custom extension cord that connects the master remote control to the power bar; 
     FIG. 10 is a top view of a third embodiment of the master remote control; 
     FIG. 11 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the single switch remote control and the custom extension cord that connects the single switch remote control to the power bar; 
     FIG. 12 is a top view of a third embodiment of the single switch remote control; 
     FIG. 13 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the PC master remote control; 
     FIG. 14 is a top view of a keyboard incorporating the master remote control; 
     FIG. 15 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the keyboard incorporating the master remote control; 
     FIG. 16 is a top view of a fourth embodiment of the slave power bar with four outlets; 
     FIG. 17 is a top view of a fourth embodiment of the master remote control; 
     FIG. 18 is a top view of USB wiring connections between the remote control and the slave power bar; 
     FIG. 19 is a top view of USB wiring connections between the PC master remote control and the slave power bar; 
     FIG. 20 is a top view of a third USB wiring connection; 
     FIG. 21 is another alternative embodiment of the slave power bar with an integrated USB hub; 
     FIG. 22 is another alternative embodiment of the USB wiring connection; 
     FIG. 23 is another alternative embodiment of the master remote control; 
     FIG. 24 is a back view of a power box with an integrated USB hub; 
     FIG. 25 is a front view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 24; 
     FIG. 26 is another alternative embodiment of the slave power bar with an integrated USB hub; 
     FIG. 27 is a top view of another embodiment of USB wiring connections between the PC master remote control and the slave power bar; 
     FIG. 28 is first embodiment of a dual AC power and USB plug; 
     FIG. 29 is a second embodiment of a dual AC power and USB plug; and 
     FIG. 30 is a third embodiment of a dual AC power and USB plug. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning to FIG. 1, a top view is provided of a slave power bar unit  10 . The power bar unit  10  has a three prong plug  12  which is connected to a 4-outlet power bar  14  via an electrical cord  16 . Although four outlets are shown, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that the power bar unit only requires a minimum of one outlet. Each three-prong outlet  18  has a corresponding label  20  that matches with a same label  34  on a remote control unit  22  (shown in FIG.  2 ). The power bar  14  connects to the remote control unit  22  via a female socket  21  which is keyed to ensure proper connection to a custom extension cord  24 . In the preferred embodiment, the female socket  21  is a 7-hole socket for use with the power bar  14 . 
     Turning to FIG. 2, a top view is provided of the remote control unit  22 . A male plug  26 , 7-pin in the preferred embodiment, connects to the female socket  21  of the slave power bar unit  10 . The male plug  26  also connects to a female socket  28  via the custom extension cord  24 . The female socket  28 , which in the preferred embodiment is keyed, attaches to a male plug  30  of the remote control unit  22 . The remote control  22  of this embodiment, and other embodiments described below, include means for generating a signal unique to each of the power outlets  18  for control of and communication with the power outlets  18 . In all of the embodiments described, the means are an individual outlet power switch  32 . It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the means may also be a predetermined numeric sequence on a keypad. Each switch  32  has a label  34  which correspondingly matches with the labels  20  on the slave power bar  14 . The remote control unit  22  also has a master power switch  36  which turns power on or off to all outlets  18  on the power bar  14 . The remote control unit  22  can also incorporate an optional surge protection circuit reset switch  38 . It should be noted that surge protection circuitry and other filters such as EMI and RFI may be built into either the power bar unit  10  or the remote control unit  22 . However, to reduce the cost, size and weight of the remote control unit  22  in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, such circuitry is preferably built into the power bar unit  10 . 
     Turning to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of the remote control unit  22  is shown. As before, the male plug  26  connects to the female socket  21  of the slave power bar unit  10 . It will be understood by one skilled in the art that in this embodiment, the female socket  21  will be 3-holed to accept the male plug  26 . The male plug  26  is connected to the female socket  28  via the custom extension cord  24 . The keyed socket  28 , 3-hole in the alternative embodiment, attaches to the male plug  30  of the remote control unit  22 . The remote control unit  22  has a single master power switch  36  which turns power on or off at the same time to all the outlets  18  on the power bar unit  10 . The remote control unit  22  can also incorporate optional surge protection circuit reset switch  38 . 
     Turning to FIG. 4, a male plug  26 , 7-pin in the preferred embodiment, connects to the female socket  21  of the slave power bar unit  10 . It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the female socket  21  must be 7-holed in order to accept the male plug  26 . The plug  26  can incorporate an optional power switch  36  which turns power on or off to all outlets  18  on the power bar unit  10 . The combination of the plug  26  and optional switch  36  converts the slave power bar unit  10  into an ordinary power bar unit. 
     Turning to FIG. 5, a front view of the remote control unit  22  integrated into a PC  42  is shown. The male plug  26 , 7-pin in this example, connects to the female socket  21  of the slave power bar unit  10 . The male plug  26  is connected via the custom extension cord  24  to a keyed female socket (not shown). The other end of the extension cord  24  connects to a male plug (not shown) at the back of the PC  42 . The male plug (not shown) can be either built into the chassis of the PC  42  or attached to a back plate of a spare card slot. A custom extension cord (not shown) inside the PC  42  connects the male plug (not shown) at the back of the PC  42  to the remote control unit  22  at the front. Each individual outlet power switch  32  has label  34  that matches with the corresponding power outlet  18  on the slave power bar unit  10 . The remote control unit  22  includes master power switch  36  which turns power on or off to all outlets  18  on the power bar unit  10 . The remote control unit  22  can also incorporate an optional surge protection circuit reset switch (not shown). The remote control unit  22  could be installed into a spare access bay of the PC  42  similar to installation for other devices, such as a CD ROM drive  44 . Alternatively, the remote control unit  22  could be built directly into the chassis of the PC  42 . 
     Turning to FIG. 6, circuitry for a four-socket slave power bar unit  10  and a five-switch master remote control unit  22  is shown. Each outlet  18  contains a neutral connection  46 , a live connection  48  and a ground connection  50 . The neutral connections  46  and the live connections  48  for each outlet  18  are wired to each respective switch  32  to produce a closed electrical loop. When the switch  32  is closed (or activated), current flows through the switch  32  to the corresponding outlet  18  and provides electricity to a connected electrical device. When the switch is open (or deactivated), a break in the electrical loop occurs and no current may flow and no electricity is provided to the respective outlet  18  and, in turn, the connected electrical device. The master switch  36  works in a similar manner to the switches  32  except that if the master switch  36  is open (or deactivated) no electricity may flow to the outlet  18 . The outlets  18  are operational only when the master switch  36  is closed (or activated). The slave power bar unit  10  has a ground connection  52  to the chassis while the three-prong plug is attached to an AC power source  54 . The master remote control unit  22  has a ground connection  56  to the chassis. The master remote control unit  22  has a master power switch  36  and individual power outlet switches  32 . All switches  32  have a corresponding LED  58  and resistor  59  to indicate if a power circuit is open (LED off) or closed (LED on). 
     Turning to FIG. 6 a , circuitry for the four-outlet slave power bar of FIG. 1 is shown. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the remote control unit  22  may be detached from the slave power bar unit  10 . If this occurs, the slave power bar unit  10  is able to function as a normal power bar. Each outlet  18  contains neutral connection  46 , live connection  48  and ground connection  50 . The location of the keyed socket  21 , the master power switch  36  and the male plug  26  is also shown. The connection between the AC power source  54  and the neutral connections  46  are all directly connected which causes current to constantly flow from the power source  54  to the outlets  18 . The outlets  18  are connected in parallel and are constantly on when the remote control is not connected. In FIG. 6, the connection between the power source  54  and neutral connections  46  included the switch  32  which controlled the operation of the outlets  18 . 
     Turning to FIG. 7, a top view of an alternative embodiment is provided of the slave power bar unit  10 . In the alternative embodiment, the power bar unit  10  further includes a master power switch  11 . The master power switch  11  provides independent control of the power bar unit  10  but is over ridden if the male plug  26  is connected. The master power switch  11  allows control of the power bar unit  10  without the need for the remote control  22 . 
     Turning to FIG. 8, a third embodiment of the slave power bar unit  10  is shown. A USB A-type receptacle (or USB B-type, not shown)  15  is incorporated within the power bar unit  10  allowing the power bar unit  10  to be controlled via USB protocol. The receptacle  15  allows the remote control unit  22  to control the power bar unit  10  via a Universal Serial Bus Connection. The master power switch  11  is also included to provide independent control of the power bar unit  10  when the remote control unit  22  is not connected. 
     Turning to FIG. 9, a top view of an alternative embodiment is provided for the master remote control unit  22 . In this alternative embodiment, the remote control unit  22  further includes a telephone jack  25  which allows the user to control the master switch  36  via a telephone. For instance, two rings could turn on the master switch  36  while four rings could turn off the master switch  36 . An electrical socket  23  may also be included on the remote control unit  22  for supplying power to other electrical devices such as an answering machine, a cordless phone, or a notebook computer 
     Turning to FIG. 10, a third embodiment of the remote control unit  22  is shown. In this embodiment, a USB A-type receptacle (or USB B-type, not shown)  27  is located in the remote control unit  22 . The receptacle  27  allows a Universal Serial Bus to connect the remote control  22  to a power bar unit  10 . The connected remote control unit  22  or similar unit located in another device such as a PC, keyboard or monitor controls the power bar unit  10  provided the remote control unit  22 , or similar unit in the PC, keyboard or monitor supports the USB protocol. The control unit  22  further includes telephone jack  25  to allow for the user to control the remote control unit  22  from a distant location, as described with respect of FIG.  10 . 
     Turning to FIG. 11, an alternative embodiment is provided of the single switch remote control unit  22 . In the alternative embodiment, the remote control unit  22  further includes a telephone jack  25  which allows the user to control the master switch  36  via a telephone. For instance, two rings could turn on the master switch  36  while four rings could turn off the master switch  36 . An electrical socket  23  is included on the remote control unit  22  for supplying power to other electrical devices such as an answering machine, a cordless phone or a notebook computer. 
     Turning to FIG. 12, a third embodiment of the single switch remote control unit  22  is shown. In the alternative embodiment, the USB A-type receptacle (or USB B-type, not shown)  27  allows USB connection with a USB compatible slave power bar unit  10  as shown in FIG.  8 . The Universal Serial Bus connected remote control unit  22  or similar unit located in another device such as a PC, keyboard or monitor to controls the power bar unit  10 , provided the remote control unit, or similar unit in the PC, keyboard or monitor supports the USB protocol. The master control unit  22  further includes telephone jack  25  to allow for the user to control the remote control unit  10  from a distant location. 
     Turning to FIG. 13, an alternative embodiment is provided of the remote control unit  22  connected to the PC  42 . In the alternative embodiment, a USB cable  29  is connected at the back of the PC chassis to a USB receptacle (not shown). The cable  29  further connects to a USB plug  33  which in the present invention is A-type (or USB B-type, not shown). The USB plug  33  further connects to the USB receptacle  15  located on the power bar unit  10 . The remote control unit  22  can also incorporate optional surge protection circuit reset switch  38 . 
     Turning to FIG. 14, a top view is provided of a keyboard  45  incorporating the remote control unit  22 . The keyboard  45  includes male plug  26 , which is connected to the keyboard  45  via the custom extension cord  24 . The male plug  26  connects with the female socket  21  located on the power bar unit  10 . The keyboard  45  also includes switches  32  and the master power switch  36  for remotely controlling the power bar unit  10 . The surge protection circuit reset switch  38  provides a safety mechanism for the user. Telephone jack  25  allows the user to control the master power switch  36  via a telephone. For instance, two rings could turn on the master switch  36  while four rings could turn off the master switch  36 . The remote control unit  22  further includes electrical socket  23  for providing power to other electrical devices. 
     Turning to FIG. 15, an alternative embodiment of the keyboard  45  is shown. The USB A-type receptacle (or USB B-type, not shown)  27  allows the remote control unit  22  to control the power bar unit  10  via a Universal Serial Bus connection. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the keyboard does not require the switches  32  and  36 . Simple control key strokes may be used i.e. Ctrl-Esc-Enter. The remote control unit  22  further includes telephone jack  25  which allows the user to control the remote control unit  22  from a distant location. 
     Turning to FIG. 16, a fourth embodiment of the slave power bar unit  10  is shown. In order to implement wireless control of the slave bar unit  10 , receiver and switching circuitry  15  is necessary along with an antenna  17 . The circuitry  15  and the antenna  17  receive signals from the remote control unit  22  shown in FIG.  17 . 
     Turning to FIG. 17, a fourth embodiment of the remote control  22  is shown. In order to implement wireless control of the slave bar unit  10 , transmitter and switching circuitry  28  and an antenna  35  are installed within the remote control  22 . A battery compartment  31  is also necessary to provide power to the remote control  22 . The circuitry  28  and the antenna  35  transmit signals to the slave bar unit  10  in order to control the outlets  18 . 
     Turning to FIG. 18, USB wiring connections between the remote control unit  22  and the slave bar unit  10  are shown. The USB cable  29  is connected to the USB A-type (or USB B-type, not shown) receptacle  27  located on the remote control  22  and to the USB A-type receptacle (USB B-type, not shown)  15  located on the slave bar unit  10 . The USB cable  29  functions in a similar manner to the cord  24 . 
     Turning to FIG. 19, USB wiring connections between the remote control  22  (located on the PC  42 ) and the slave bar unit  10  are shown. The cable  29  connects to a USB receptacle (not shown) located at the back of the PC  42  and the USB A-type receptacle (or USB B-type, not shown)  15  located on the slave bar unit  10 . The USB cable  29  functions in a similar manner to the cord  24 . 
     Turning to FIG. 20, a third USB wiring connection is shown. In this embodiment, a USB hub  30  is used to allow remote control  22 , in this case installed in keyboard  45 , to control the slave bar unit  10 . Both the remote control  22  and the keyboard  45  are connected via USB cables  29  to the hub  30  which is connected by USB cable  29  to the slave power bar unit  10 . 
     Turning to FIG. 21, another alternative embodiment of the slave power bar unit  10  is shown. In this embodiment, the slave power bar unit  10  includes a USB hub  30  which is either built-in or detachable. By combining the hub  30  and the power bar unit  10 , only a single composite cord  65  (combining a power cord  63  with a USB cable  67 ) is needed to connect between a peripheral device (e.g. printer  71 ) and the power bar  10  and hub  30  combination. The hub  30  includes receptacles  60  which may be either A-type or B-type. Standard power cords and USB cables  29  may still be used instead of the composite cord  65 . By including the hub  30  with the slave bar power unit  10  costs for the hub  30  is lowered since it may be powered directly by the power bar  10  via a built-in transformer (not shown) instead of using an external transformer unit. The slave power bar unit  10  can still be controlled by the remote control unit  22 . As described above, the remote control unit  22  may be incorporated in the keyboard  45  (as shown) or in the PC  42  (not shown). 
     Turning to FIG. 22, the slave power bar  10  and the hub  30  combination are shown connected to a remote control unit  22  via a USB cord  29 . The slave bar unit  10  and hub  30  combination function in the same manner as disclosed in FIG. 21 above. 
     Turning to FIG. 23, an alternative embodiment of the remote control unit  22  is shown. In this embodiment, the remote control unit  22  includes a USB hub  30  which is either built-in or detachable. The hub  30  includes receptacles  60  which may be either A-type or B-type. By combining the remote control unit  22  and the USB hub  30 , desktop clutter is reduced. The remote control unit  22  is still connected via a USB cord  29  to the slave bar power unit  10 . A standard power cord  69  connects the PC  42  to the power bar unit  10  while a USB cable  29  connects the PC  42  to the hub  30  in order to permit data communications between the PC and other USB devices (not shown). 
     Turning to FIG. 24, another embodiment of the PC master remote control unit and power bar unit is shown. A panel of a standalone power box unit  75  comprising the power box&#39;s power bar  77  and the built-in or detachable hub  30  is shown. Incorporating the power box&#39;s power bar  77  and the hub  30  allows a single composite cord  65  (combining a power cord  63  with a USB cable  67 ) to connect between a peripheral device (e.g. printer  71 ) and the power box&#39;s power bar  77  and hub  30  combination to provide power and permit data communications. For instance, a computer monitor  91  connects to the power box  75  via a female socket  93  and USB receptacle  95  (either A-type or B-type). Computer monitor  91  also includes a VGA socket  92 . 
     Turning to FIG. 25, a front view of the embodiment described in FIG. 24 is provided. The power box&#39;s power bar unit  77  can be operated by the PC remote control unit  79  located at the front of the power box  75 . The PC remote control unit  79  is incorporated with the power box  75 . LEDs  83  are included in the front of the power box  75  to enable users to easily monitor each hub receptacle  60 . 
     Turning to FIG. 26, another alternative embodiment of the slave power bar is shown. By integrating a slave power bar  10  and a USB hub  30 , each power outlet  18  has an associated USB receptacle  60  on the slave power bar unit  10  (to form a power outlet and USB receptacle combination  100 ). An integrated dual AC power and USB plug  68  may be used to connect one end of the single composite cord  65  while the other end may be connected to the back of the PC  42 . In order to integrate the USB hub  30 , a transformer  61  is needed to power the hub. Similarly, the integrated dual AC power and USB plug  68  may connect the single composite cord  65  to a periperhal device (e.g. a printer). It is necessary for the single composite cord  65  to have an integrated dual AC power and USB plug  69  manufactured for connection with a peripheral device (which is printer  71  in the present embodiment). Also, the single composite cord  65  can have a separate power plug and USB plug (as shown in FIG. 30) for connection with the standard USB peripheral devices. In the present invention, the keyboard  45  acts as the remote control. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that if USB or Firewire protocol is used, the keyboard does not require the switches  32  but can be a generic USB keyboard. Control of the slave power bar  10  can be achieved by using special combined keystrokes (e.g. CTRL-SHIFT-F 1  to control the master power switch). The keyboard  45  still requires USB cord  29  to connect the USB receptacle  27  to the slave power bar  10 . An extra standalone USB socket  62  may be included to to connect and control a low-power USB device (e.g. USB audio speakers) which does not require AC power. 
     Turning to FIG. 27, alternative USB wiring connections for an under-the-monitor power box with built in switches (see FIG. 25 for front view) are shown. The cord  65  connects to a USB receptacle (not shown) located at the back of the PC  42  to the power outlet and USB receptacle combination  100 . This allows the use of the integrated dual AC power and USB plug  68  to be used. Computer monitor  91  connects to the power box  75  via female socket  93  and USB receptacle  95  (either A-type or B-type). A VGA socket  92  is also provided at the back of the computer monitor  91 . The power box  75  may also include a transformer  61  for providing DC power to the built-in USB hub. Transformer  61  provides power to the integrated hub. 
     Turning to FIGS. 28 and 29, embodiments of the integrated dual AC power and USB plug  68  is provided. Both embodiments of the plugs  68  include the dual AC power/USB cable  65 , a ground flange  101 , a live power flange  103 , a neutral power flange  105  and a USB connector  107 . The difference in the embodiments is in the placement of the USB connector  107 . The connector  107  may be either perpendicular to the two power flanges  103  and  105  as in FIG. 28 or parallel to the power flanges  103  and  105  as in FIG.  29 . 
     Turning to FIG. 30, yet another embodiment of a plug  110  used for connection to the slave power bar and hub combination is shown. The difference between the plug  110  and the plug  68  is that the USB connector  107  is separate from a standard AC power plug  109 . However, one skilled in the art will understand that separate or combined, the plugs  68  and  110  perform the same function. The dual AC power/USB cable  65  is split so that a coiled USB cable  111  leads to the US connector  107  and a standard AC power cord  112  leads to the AC power plug  109 . 
     The USB hub configurations can also be applied to future hub configurations that implement Firewire (IEEE 1394) or High Performance Serial Bus (HPSB) technology. 
     It will be appreciated that, although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, various changes and modifications may be made. One such modification is that the power bar unit  10  (or  75 ) may be manufactured as a 120 volt/60 cycle or a 240 volt/50 cycle AC version. Also, although a four outlet power bar  14  has been disclosed in the preferred embodiment, however, the power bar  14  could contain fewer or more outlets than four. Another modification is in the connection of the remote control unit  22 . In the preferred embodiment, the male plug  26  and the extension cord  24  provide the connection between the remote control unit  22  and the power bar unit  10 . The connection may be alternatively provided through a wireless connection and thus the remote control unit  22  does not have to be directly connected to the power bar unit  10  for use. Wireless communication between the remote control unit  22  and the power bar unit  14  may be analog or digital. One example of how wireless communication can be implemented is by using radio frequencies to turn power on and off to the sockets  18  on the power bar  14 . Also, four separate embodiments have been disclosed. It is possible to combine two or more of the embodiments without affecting the present invention. Finally, the remote control unit  22  may be modified to include an outlet for use with a notebook computer. This modification allows the power bar unit  10  to be hidden and provides easier access for the user to plug in the notebook computer. Also, although the remote control unit  22 , the slave power bar unit  10  and the USB hub  30  have been discussed in a computer environment, one skilled in the art will understand that any the present invention may be used in any environments which require multiple outlets or the use of a power bar. 
     Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein in detail, it will be understood that those skilled in the art can make modifications thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.