Abstract:
A multiple outlet power product, includes a main body having a first power connector, a power cord having first and second ends, the first end attached to the main body and electrically connected to the first power connector, a power plug attached to the second end of the power cord and configured to receive power from a power source, and a circuit breaker disposed in the main body. In one embodiment, the first power connector is shaped so as to directly interface to an AC power adaptor without the need for a cord between the first power connector and the AC power adaptor. The power cord can further include a connection adaptor, the connection adaptor having a first end configured to mate to the first power connector and a second end configured to mate to a power adaptor.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/642,859, filed on Jan. 10, 2005, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to power products, and more particularly to a multiple outlet power cord.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     Our contemporary society enjoys numerous electronic devices that help to make our lives more productive, more comfortable and more efficient. Such devices include, for example, notebook computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, computer printers, DVD players, DC players, MP3 players, digital cameras, camcorders, and other electronic devices. With advancements in technology allowing a decrease in size and improved efficiencies in battery life, portability of such items has improved dramatically. In fact, more users than ever can be seen traveling with one or more of the electronic devices listed above.  
         [0006]     To enhance the portability, rechargeable batteries, although not required, are often provided. Examples of such rechargeable batteries include, among others, lithium, lithium ion, nickel cadmium (NiCad), and nickel metal hydride (NiMH). Such rechargeable batteries allow a user to operate the electronic device away from an AC power source for some period of time. However, even with a battery source to enhance the portability, an occasional or periodic hookup to an AC power source is typically made to either operate the device directly or to recharge the batteries (or both).  
         [0007]     When traveling to certain locations, however, the accessibility to and availability of AC power outlets can be limited. As such, users traveling with multiple electronic devices may find difficulty powering or charging their electronic devices simultaneously.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In one embodiment, the present invention is directed toward a multiple outlet power cord, including: a main body having a first power connector; a power cord having first and second ends, the first end attached to the main body and electrically connected to the first power connector; a power plug attached to the second end of the power cord and configured to receive power from a power source; and a circuit breaker disposed in the main body. In one embodiment, the first power connector is shaped so as to directly interface to an AC power adaptor without the need for a cord between the first power connector and the AC power adaptor. The power cord can further include a connection adaptor, the connection adaptor having a first end configured to mate to the first power connector and a second end configured to mate to a power adaptor.  
         [0009]     In one embodiment, a power product can include a fixed output power supply having a DC power output electrically connected to an output socket on the main body, which can be implemented for example using a USB socket. A network interface can also be provided to allow the power product to be connected to a network and to provide a network connection to the output socket.  
         [0010]     Another embodiment of the invention is an apparatus to provide power to a power adaptor, including means for providing electrical power to a main body; means for mating a main body directly with a male AC power connector on a device; means for connecting the main body to a power source; and a circuit breaker means disposed in the main body; wherein the means for mating is shaped so as to directly interface to an AC power connector on a device without the need for a cord between the first power connector and the AC power connector on the device.  
         [0011]     Yet another embodiment of the invention provides a multiple outlet power product that includes: a main body having a plurality of output power connectors; an input power connector electrically connected to the output power connectors; and a circuit breaker disposed in the main body; wherein at least one of the output power connectors is shaped so as to directly interface to an AC power adaptor without the need for a cord between the first power connector and the AC power adaptor. Removable connection adaptors having a first end configured to mate to the output power connector and a second end configured to mate to the AC power adaptor can also be included.  
         [0012]     In still a further embodiment, a power product includes a main body having an output power connector configured to mate with an AC power adaptor, an input power connector electrically connected to the output power connectors, and a circuit breaker disposed in the main body. At least one of the output power connectors is shaped so as to directly interface to the AC power adaptor without the need for a cord between the first power connector and the AC power adaptor. The AC power adaptor is integrated into a device to be powered.  
         [0013]     In yet a further embodiment, a power product, includes: a body; a power converter disposed within the body and configured to convert an input power signal into an output power signal adapted to power an electronic device; an input power connector electrically connected to the power converter configured to accept the input power signal; an output power connector electrically connected to the power converter and configured to mate with an input power connector of an electronic device; and a network interface in the housing configured to connect with a computer network and to provide a network connection to the electronic device. In one embodiment, the output power connector is shaped so as to directly interface to the AC power adaptor without the need for a cord between the output power connector and the AC power adaptor. In another embodiment, there is a power cord between the power converter and the output power connector. A power cord can also be provided between the power converter and the input power connector. The output power connector can be implemented using a USB socket configured to accept a USB plug from an electronic device, and the network connection can be provided via the USB socket. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The present invention, in accordance with one or more various embodiments, is described in detail with reference to the following figures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments of the invention. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader&#39;s understanding of the invention and shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the invention. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily made to scale.  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a power cord in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a power cord in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a power cord in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating another view of the example power cord illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating a power cord in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating an electrical schematic of an example circuit implementation of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  illustrates a top view of a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  illustrates an electrical schematic showing an exemplary electrical circuit implementation of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  shows an example electrical schematic of a circuit implementation of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]     The present invention is directed to combining the functionality of a multiplicity of AC power cords for powering (i.e., powering directly or recharging or both) portable electronic devices and for allowing connection to a multiplicity of AC adapters for powering portable electronic devices including, among others, notebook and laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, computer printers, DVD players, DC players, MP3 players, digital cameras, camcorders, and battery chargers with a compact, easily transportable unit. Additional embodiments of the present invention can include further features, among others, such as (i) power and ground status indication, (ii) fuses and circuit breakers, (iii) power and power source switching, (iv) AC power line surge suppression, (v) AC power line RF interference filtering, and (vi) DC to AC and AC to DC power conversion. This allows for a single and preferably compact unit with one AC or DC power supply line cord to simultaneously power one or more similar or different electronic devices.  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the illustrated embodiment includes: (i) a main body  24 ; (ii) an AC power cord  30  terminating in a male AC plug  32 ; (iii) an optionally included strain relief member  25 ; (iv) two exemplary status indicators  56  and  58 ; and (v) two exemplary female AC connectors  14  and  14 ′ affixed to main body  24  that are capable of mating with male connectors  16  and  16 ′ on portable electronic devices shown as  18  and  18 ′, respectively. The main body  24  of this embodiment of the invention can be made of a low conductivity or nonconductive organic polymer such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyacrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), or other suitable housing material that can be formed by molding or machining using techniques well known in the art. It is preferable that the material of main body  24  have suitable insulating properties as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0027]     Optionally included stress relief member  25  transitions from the main body  24  to a power cord  30 . Illustrated in  FIG. 1  is a conventional AC power cord  30  that ends in a male plug  32  for a wall outlet. Although a non-grounded version of the AC plug is shown in  FIG. 1 , a grounded version could also be used.  
         [0028]     Portable electronic devices  18  and  18 ′ contain male AC power input connectors  16  and  16 ′, respectively, which mate with female AC power supply connectors  14  and  14 ′, respectively and which in the illustrated embodiment extend from the main body  24 . Although illustrated as integrally formed with main body  24 , AC power input connectors  16  and  16 ′ could be implemented as modular type connectors as further described herein in one or more of the alternative embodiments.  
         [0029]     Optionally one or more status indicators (two,  56  and  58  are shown here for purposes of illustration) may be included with main body  24 , for example, to signal the presence of AC voltage, or for an additional example, in the event that  32  is a grounded plug, to signal the presence of a good ground connection. Other status indicators could also be provided.  
         [0030]     Note that in the illustrated embodiment, up to two devices can be simultaneously connected to main body  24 , for simultaneous powering from a single AC power cord  30 . Main body  24  can alternately be provided with more than two outlets to mate with the same or different types of connectors on portable electronic devices or AC adapters for portable electronic devices.  
         [0031]     In this and other embodiments, one or more USB or other like standardized sockets can be provided on main body  24  to allow connection of devices such as, for example, cell phones, PDAs and other devices. Additionally, a fixed output power supply can be included to provide the voltage and current as specified for the standardized connector. For example, a USB socket may have a 5 volt, 500 milliamp feed such that a user&#39;s blackberry, cell phone or other device can be plugged in for charging.  
         [0032]     Additionally, wireless or wired network capabilities can be included with the housing  24  such that the USB (or other) socket can provide the ability to provide power to as well as a network connection to a peripheral device with the power adaptor acting as a network hub, gateway or other portal. Thus, for example, a printer, scanner, digital camera, PDA or other device can be powered by the adaptor as well as connected to a local or wide area network via the power adaptor. Networking technologies are known to those of skill in the art and can include technologies such as wired Ethernet, IEEE 802.11, HPNA (Home Phoneline Networking Alliance), Bluetooth, and Power-Line Networking, just to name a few.  
         [0033]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention in which an intermediate AC outlet  15  on the main body  24  is designed to mate with a connection adapter  17  that provides a proper power connection to AC adapter  18 . Connection adapters such as  17  may be customized to accommodate a variety of AC power interfaces, and easily swapped with one another into intermediate AC outlets such as  15  to accommodate different types of devices  18  to be powered. This is advantageous in that the connection adapters can be made small, and easy to carry compared with a single, required main body  24 . This permits a user the flexibility to optionally accommodate an array of portable devices having the same or different male AC power connectors with a single main body, while minimizing weight, bulk, and expense. This also allows for economies of scale in manufacturing and inventory handling by allowing, for example, one type of ‘generic’ main body and power cord unit to be manufactured, distributed, and stocked, along with a multiplicity of modular connection adapters  17 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention and its use. In this embodiment main body  24  can include at least one female AC outlet  28  that can mate with a corresponding male AC power connector  16  on a device  18 . Additionally, main body  24  can include at least one standard AC wall outlet configuration  26 . This is useful, for example, for use with a “wall wart” type AC adapter  22  that is configured to use directly with a wall outlet. As discussed above, an optional strain relief member  25 , an AC cord  30  and an AC male grounded plug  32  for a wall outlet are also shown.  
         [0035]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the embodiment shown in perspective view in  FIG. 3 .  36  is and end-on view of AC outlet  28 . Reference numbers for the other drawing elements in  FIG. 4  are the same as those used in  FIG. 3 , with the exception that the prongs of the standard female AC grounded outlet  26  are individually numbered. Slot  31  is referred to as the “neutral” connection, slot  33  is referred to as the “hot” connection, and slot  34  is referred to as the “ground” connection. Normally, power is supplied by an AC voltage difference between the hot and neutral connections and there is no voltage difference between the neutral connection and ground. In this configuration, the ground connection is provided for safety purposes in the event that the neutral connection is interrupted.  
         [0036]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing for example: (i) main body  24 ; (ii) AC power cord  30 ; optionally included strain relief member  25 ; (iii) AC grounded female outlet  26  consisting of receptacles for neutral  31 , hot  32 , and ground  34  prongs or pins; (iv) AC outlet  42  of the two-wire, non-polarized type; (v) AC outlet  28  of the two-wire, polarized type; and (vi) AC outlet  38  of the three-wire, grounded type. In this embodiment, the main body  24  is provisioned with three different types of female AC power supply connectors that are compatible with three different types of AC male power connectors: two-wire, non polarized  42  (shown end-on in  44 ), three-wire grounded  38  (shown end-on in  40 ), and two-wire, polarized  28  (shown end-on in  36 ). Additionally a conventional female grounded wall outlet configuration  26  is included. Optional status indicators may also be included on a face of the main body, although this is not illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 5 , main body  24  can be used to simultaneously power up two four different devices with corresponding, compatible male connectors. Alternately, main body  24  can flexibly provide connection to up to four different types of devices requiring four different types of compatible AC connectors.  
         [0037]      FIG. 6  shows an electrical schematic of an example circuit implementation of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 . Drawing elements having the same reference numbers in  FIGS. 5 and 6  identify corresponding elements in both Figures. In this exemplary embodiment, a parallel power connection is provided with no additional power conditioning or status indication features. Status indicators could be included, for example, by connecting a power indicator between lines  31  and  32 , and a ground indicator betweens lines  32  and  34 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 7  shows a top view of a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As in the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the main body  76  is provisioned with three different types of preferably female connector configurations each of which differs from the others and is compatible with one of three different types of male AC power source connectors: two-wire, non polarized  42  (shown end-on in  44 ), three-wire grounded  38  (shown end-on in  40 ), and two-wire, polarized  28  (shown end-On in  36 ). A conventional female grounded wall outlet configuration  26  is also included. Additionally, status indicators  56  and  58  can be included, for example, as power and ground indicators.  
         [0039]      FIG. 8  is an electrical schematic showing an exemplary electrical circuit implementation of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 . Drawing elements having the same reference numbers in  FIGS. 7 and 8  identify corresponding elements in both Figures. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , surge protection is provided using varistor components  52  and  54  in series with the hot and neutral lines, respectively, although other surge protection techniques can be implemented. Varistors are well known in the art. They are two-terminal devices that respond to an increasing current through them with an increasing resistance to that current. Thus they are useful in suppressing power surges from a power main by selectively attenuating surges of current. If the current surge is too great, the varistor reliably fails in an open-circuit mode, protecting the attached equipment. Failed varistors are not typically intended to be user-replaceable, and in one embodiment the main body can be implemented as a replaceable item in the event of varistor failure. As such, in this implementation it may be desirable to manufacture main body  24  with low replacement cost in mind.  
         [0040]     Status indicators such as  56  and  58 , for example, may optionally be included. Optional status indicator  58  is actuated when AC power is present at mains  30  and the varistors  52  and  54  have not open-circuited. Optional status indicator  56  is actuated when AC power is present at mains  30 , varistors  52  and  54  have not open circuited, and the ground is present resulting in a current flow between “hot” line  32  and ground line  34 . Indicator lamps may be used as status indicators, such as any of a variety of lamps compatible with AC line voltages (in the U.S. typically 110V RMS), including, but not limited to: (i) gas discharge lamps such as neon lamps; (ii) incandescent lamps with or without a series dropping resistor; and (iii) light emitting diode lamps with a series dropping resistor. Alternately, status indication may be provided through different means such as LCDs or electromechanical visual or audio annunciators as is well known in the art.  
         [0041]     Although varistors  52  and  54  provide attenuation to low speed voltage transients on the AC mains line  30 , series inductors  60  and  62 , in combination with capacitors  66 ,  67 , and  68  function as low pass filters that can be included to additionally provide attenuation to high speed voltage or current transients and radio frequency interference that may be present on the AC mains  31 . Such high speed voltage transients and RF interference could potentially adversely impact the operation of the attached equipment. Alternate low pass filter circuit topologies and devices may also be implemented.  
         [0042]      FIG. 9  illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention, including in this example: (i) main body  70 ; (ii) AC power outlets  72   a  and  72   b ; (iii) intermediate female AC outlets  74   a  and  74   b  (intermediate female AC outlets  74   c  and  74   d  are symmetrically disposed to  74   a  and  74   b  on the hidden left side of main body  70  and therefore not shown); (iv) status indicators for power  58  and ground  54 ; (v) on/off/circuit breaker reset switch  76 ; (vi) AC/DC power source selector switch  78 ; (vi) a male AC power connector  82 , capable of mating with female AC power supply cord  84 ; (vii) a 12V (nominal) male, polarized DC power input connector  80 , capable of mating with DC power supply cord connector  86 ; (viii) DC airline power plug  88 ; and (ix) airline power plug to automotive cigarette lighter adapter  90 . This embodiment potentially provides additional versatility over the previous embodiments.  
         [0043]     Main body  70  can allow for the simultaneous provision of AC power to multiple devices with different types of connectors (in this illustration female outlets  72   a  and  72   b  for standard AC wall plugs, and female intermediate connectors  74   a ,  74   b ,  74   c , and  74   d  in conjunction with pin adapters such as  92 , as discussed above, for specific portable equipment), using either a mains AC power supply (male connector  82  mating with female AC line cord connector  84 ), an airline DC power source (dc female connector  86  mating with female connector  80 , and connected through a cable to airline DC connector  88 ), or an automotive electrical system power source (automotive pin adapter  90  connected to airline DC connector  88 ) as a power source. Switch  76  provides main power on and off control, as well as circuit breaker resetting. Switch  78  switches the input power source from AC to DC.  
         [0044]     In this and other embodiments, one or more USB or other like standardized sockets can be provided on main body  70  to allow connection of other devices including cell phones, PDAs and other devices as examples. Additionally, a fixed output power supply can be provided (as a tap off from the main power converter or as a dedicated power supply) to provide the voltage and current as specified for the standardized connector. For example, a USB socket may have a 5 volt, 500 milliamp feed such that a user&#39;s blackberry, cell phone or other device can be plugged in for charging.  
         [0045]     Additionally, wireless or wired network capabilities can be included with the power adaptor such that the USB (or other) socket can provide the ability to provide power to as well as a network connection to a peripheral device with the power adaptor acting as a network hub, gateway or other portal. Thus, for example, a printer, scanner, digital camera, PDA or other device can be powered by the adaptor as well as connected to a local or wide area network via the power adaptor. Networking technologies are known to those of skill in the art and can include technologies such as wired Ethernet, IEEE 802.11, HPNA (Home Phoneline Networking Alliance), Bluetooth, and Power-Line Networking, just to name a few.  
         [0046]      FIG. 10  shows an electrical schematic of a circuit implementation of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 . Drawing elements having the same reference numbers in  FIGS. 9 and 10  identify corresponding elements in both Figures. In addition to the optional inclusion of varistors, capacitors, and inductors for slow and fast transient and RF interference noise suppression, and the status indicators  54  and  58 , all as discussed above in relation to  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 10  includes further optional circuit protection in the form of fuses FAC and FDC, and an electronic circuit breaker circuit. Additionally,  FIG. 10  optionally provides an DC to AC power inverter, many types of which are well known in the art and commercially available. Solenoid, or manually actuated, ganged switches SW 1 A and SW 1 B in  FIG. 10  make up “on/reset/off” switch  76  in  FIG. 9 . Ganged switches SW 2 A and SW 2 B in  FIG. 10  make up the “AC/DC” switch in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0047]     In  FIG. 10 , the electronic circuit breaker can operate by sensing an integrated, rectified, AC coupled voltage (using C 2 , D 1 , R 4 , C 1 , and R 3 ) derived, switchably (using SW 2 A and SW 2 B) using the current times resistance voltage drops across resistors R 1  or R 2  on the “hot” lines. In general, R 1  and R 2  may have different values to set the circuit breaker threshold at different “hot” line trip current levels for the AC and DC supply modes. This is useful in situations where the DC to AC power inverter  92  may have a lower current limit than the AC mains supply  82 . When the voltage drop across either R 1  or R 2  exceeds a specified level, the operational amplifier CSA, in conjunction with feedback resistor R 5 , operates solenoid SWS to actuate ganged switches SW 1 A and SW 1 B to transition to the “Off” position, where they stay until manually reset.  
         [0048]     Several embodiments of the present invention have been described above. In some cases the specific features were arbitrarily selected for purposes of illustration in a given embodiment. However, it is understood that these various embodiments and examples are exemplary only and should not serve to limit the scope of the invention. It is also readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art how to design and implement the disclosed embodiments using alternative architectures, processes, functionality, structures, and implementations. Additionally, the inclusion of features from any one or more of the above embodiments in any one or more of the other above embodiments, or the elimination of some features from an embodiment, will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this description. In sum, after reading this description, various modifications of and alternatives to the preferred embodiments described above can be implemented by those of ordinary skill in the art, without undue experimentation. These various modifications and alternatives are contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the circuit schematics of  FIGS. 6, 8 , and  10  are meant to be exemplary; one of ordinary skill in the art could readily identify many viable alternatives for surge suppression, RF noise filtering, status indication, circuit breaker function, and status sensing and indication after reading the description contained herein.  
         [0049]     Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as mean “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and adjectives like “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available now or at any time in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise.