Electrical security socket

Abstract

This invention relates generally to security covers for electrical appliances which are powered by mains electricity. More specifically it relates to security covers to operate the electrical appliances by authorised users locally or remotely via an authorisation device via a network such as the internet. The security cover houses a switch and includes an authorisation device for enabling an authorised person to control a power supply, via the switch, to an electrical device or appliance. The security cover has an input means adapted to receive an authorisation signal; the switch is operative in response to the authorisation signal and a command signal in order to connect and disconnect the power supply to the device or appliance.

Claims

1. A socket housing comprising: an electrical socket for securing a power plug to an electrical appliance therein, a switch connected to the electrical socket, an authorization device for enabling an authorized person to control a power supply, via the switch, to the electrical appliance securely plugged into the socket, the authorization device outputting a local authorization signal when authenticated to configure the switch into either an operative state where the power supply is able to be connected to the power plug to the electrical appliance, or an inoperative state where the power supply is able to be disconnected from the power plug to the electrical appliance, in response to a command signal, the authorization device including a biometric sensor, identification means for identifying the socket housing in a network, communication means operative to relay an identity signal identifying the socket housing to a remote location, and an override device to override the command signal so that a permission signal from the override device configures the switch to one of the operative state and the inoperative state, wherein the power plug is physically securable in the electrical socket such that the power plug can be unplugged from the electrical socket only when authorized, wherein the power plug is physically securable in the electrical socket such that the power plug can be unplugged from the electrical socket only when authorized.

2. The socket according to claim 1 wherein: the communication means which is operative to relay the identity signal to a remote location.

3. The socket according to claim 1, wherein: the communication means is further operative to receive the permission signal from a short range wireless device.

4. The socket according to claim 1, wherein: the communication means which is further operative to receive the permission signal via at least one of an Internet connection and an AC power supply.

5. The socket according to claim 1 wherein: the socket has an on/off indicator that indicates that the authorization device has been authorized.

6. The socket according to claim 1 wherein: the socket has an on/off indicator that indicates when the switch is switched on to connect the power supply and when the switch is switched off to disconnect the power supply.

7. The socket according to claim 1 wherein: the biometric sensor is a fingerprint identifier.

8. The socket according to claim 1 wherein the biometric sensor comprises: a microphone and transducer for providing an authentication signal which is indicative of a voice pattern.

9. The socket according to claim 1, wherein the authorization device comprises: imaging means.

10. The socket according to claim 1 further comprising: a memory to store authorization data including at least one of codes, images, sounds or biometric data of a local user, and/or usage data.

11. The socket according to claim 1 further comprising: an indicator which indicates when the socket is in communication with a network.

12. The socket according to claim 1 further comprising: a timer.

13. The socket according to claim 1, further comprising: a controller which is located remotely and is operative to communicate with the socket.

14. The socket according to claim 1 wherein: the authorization device includes a lock.

15. The socket according to claim 12, further comprising: a local timer which enables the power supply to be connected to the electrical appliance for a pre-set period of time.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1A shows a security cover in the form of a plug;

(2) FIG. 1B shows security cover in the form of a socket;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a security cover for a hardwired device;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a security cover for a plug in the form of an enclosure encasing a plug;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the enclosure and plug shown in FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an enclosure and plug;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a diagrammatical example of a network which includes an appliance; and

(8) FIG. 7 shows in diagrammatical form a functional block diagram of one preferred embodiment of a plug.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) Referring to the Figures, FIGS. 1 to 5 show variations of a security cover 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D in the form an electrical plug (FIG. 1A), socket (FIG. 1B), cover (FIG. 2) and an enclosure (FIGS. 3 to 5).

(10) Each security cover 100 houses a switch 6 (FIG. 5) and includes an authorization device 15 (such as a fingerprint identifier, facial recognition device, key fob or card) for enabling an authorised person to control a power supply, via the switch 6, to an electrical device or appliance.

(11) The security cover 100 has an input means adapted to receive an authorization signal from the authorization device 15.

(12) An identification means identifies the cover 100 in a network (See FIG. 6); and a communication means 23 which is operative to relay an identity signal from the security cover 100 to a remote location (such as to a smartphone).

(13) The switch 6 is operative in response to the authorization signal and a command signal in order to connect and disconnect the power supply to the device or appliance. A local override device is provided for overriding the command signal so that an authorization signal is required in order to connect or disconnect the device or appliance.

(14) FIG. 1A discloses a security cover for a plug 100A with an authorization device 15 in the form of a fingerprint scanner provided on an outer face of the plug. The outer face of the plug 100 also has a light 14 to indicate a wireless connection with the network. In this way a user can view a visual alert, in the form of a light, that indicates that an identification signal is being transmitted through the network.

(15) The light is a light emitting diode in the shape of a Wi-Fi image.

(16) FIG. 1B discloses a security cover 100B with an array of sockets 17. An authorization device 15 in the form of a scanner is provided on an outer face of the security cover.

(17) The outer face of the security cover 100 also has a light 14 to indicate a wireless connection with the network. In this way a user can view a visual alert, in the form of a light, that indicates that an identification signal is being transmitted through the network.

(18) FIG. 2 discloses a security cover in the form of a plate 100C covering a power supply. The plate 100C may be arranged over a hardwired connection or may be a cover plate over a box containing plugs connected to sockets. In either embodiment the power supply is controlled by the plate 100C.

(19) The security cover plate 100C has two authorization devices 15 and a light 14.

(20) The security cover 100D of FIGS. 3 to 5 is an enclosure 5 for an electrical plug 200. The enclosure 100D has an electrical socket 21 in the enclosure 5 to receive the plug 200. An aperture 22 is formed in a wall of the enclosure 5 into the socket through which an electrical cable 202 passes. The cable 202 extends from the plug 200 to an appliance. The appliance is not shown.

(21) When received in the socket 21, a switch 6 electrically connected intermediate the socket and electrical tines 13, 131, 132 on the exterior of the electrical plug security cover, a wireless network communication means 23, a memory 24 comprising an identification code to identify the security cover on the network and an authorization code, and a switch operator to open and close the switch 6 on receiving the authorization code and an open and a close command through the network communication means 23, a fingerprint reader 15 comprising a touch surface 18 on an exterior portion 20 of the plug security cover accessible while the tines 13, 131, 132 of the plug security cover are plugged in to a wall electricity recess, wherein the fingerprint reader 15 is arranged to override the communication means to open and close the switch.

(22) The electrical plug security cover 100D in FIGS. 3 and 4 is enclosing an electrical plug 200 and the electrical wire 202 of the plug tails from the aperture. The electrical plug security cover 100D when enclosed around the plug 200 is like that of the plug with the electrical cable of the plug trailing out of the aperture.

(23) The lockable enclosure 5 is a moulded polymeric unit. The electrical socket 21 is formed in a side of the polymeric unit.

(24) The tines 13, 131, 132 extend away from the moulded polymeric unit.

(25) A key lock 4 extends through the lockable enclosure 5. The key lock extends to a surface 19 of the plug security cover which faces the wall of the wall electricity recess when the tines are plugged into the wall electricity recess. A slot for a key 42 into the key lock is a slot in the surface 19.

(26) A key 1 cannot be inserted into the slot while the electrical plug security cover 100D is plugged into an electrical recess in a wall since the slot faces the wall and is covered by the casings 2, 16.

(27) A printed circuit board 10 comprises the network communication means 23, the memory 24, and an electronic scanner 15. The electronic scanner communicates with the switch operator to open and close the switch successively as the scanner recognises a finger on the touch surface 18.

(28) The printed circuit board 10 is attached to a closure plate 9 by screws 11 which pass through holes in the circuit board located at the corners of the printed circuit board.

(29) The closure plate 9 has two sides. The printed circuit board is attached to one of the sides of the closure plate. The opposite side of the closure plate 9 is joined to the lockable closure 5 with the closure plate 9 covering the socket 21 to enclose the plug 200 inside the electrical plug security cover.

(30) The aperture 22 is formed by a channel in the lockable closure 5 which extends from the exterior of the closure to the socket 21. The electrical cable 202 of the plug is easily put into the channel and covered by the closure plate when the closure plate is joined to the lockable closure 5.

(31) The lockable closure 5 and cover plate 9 are held joined together by a front case 16 and a rear case 2. The front and rear case clip together to encase the lockable closure 5 and closure plate 9.

(32) A locking pin 7 connected to closure plate 9 engages with the key lock 4 to hold the closure plate over the socket 21 and thereby lock the plug 200 into the socket 21.

(33) In FIG. 5 which is an exploded view, the internal parts of the electrical plug security cover including the lock 4, printed circuit board 10, switch 6, lockable enclosure 5, and closure plate 9 can be seen. The electrical plug 200 can also be seen.

(34) In FIGS. 3 and 4 which show the electrical plug security cover as ready for use, only the exterior of external parts including the front case 16, the rear case 2, and the tines 13, 131 and 132 can be seen.

(35) The front case 16 comprises a surface which faces away from the wall of the electricity recess. On the surface which faces away there is a window 25 in bezel 12. The window 25 is arranged front of a light emitter on the printed circuit board 10 when the printed circuit board is attached to the closure plate 9 and encased by the front 16 case and rear case 2. Light from the light emitter is observable when the tines 13, 131, 132 of the electrical plug security cover are plugged into the wall electricity recess. The light emitter illuminates due to a signal from the wireless network communication means to indicate that the communication means is in communication with a remote device.

(36) In use an electrical appliance attached to the opposite end of the electrical cable 202 as the plug 200 is operated with the electrical plug security cover. The electrical appliance is not shown in the Figures.

(37) The electrical plug security cover 100D is operated by inserting the plug 201 of the electrical appliance into the socket 21 of the electrical plug security cover, communicating electrical plug security cover via the network communication means 23 and identifying the electrical plug security cover by the identification code. The electrical plug security cover continues to be operated by opening the switch 6 via a signal transmitted through the network to turn the electrical appliance off and closing the switch via a signal transmitted through the network to turn the appliance on.

(38) The electrical plug security cover is further operated by plugging the tines of the security cover into the wall electricity recess to supply electricity to the communication means, switch operator, and fingerprint reader via the circuit connector 8.

(39) FIG. 6 shows diagram representing the various methods of use of a security cover 100D. An appliance 300 (kettle) has a plug arranged in an enclosure 5. The plug and enclosure 5 connect to a wall socket.

(40) The enclosure has an authorization device 15 so that the plug in the enclosures can be locally activated upon detection of a valid signal.

(41) Alternatively a smartphone 400 could transmit an authorization signal to the security cover. For example fingerprint recognition on the smartphone 400 could be used to identify a user and transfer an authorised signal to the cover to activate the power supply.

(42) The authorization signal is received by the input means and analysed to check it corresponds to an approved user. Typically the authorization signal generated by the authorization device is compared by a comparator with a list of identities stored in a library. The list may be stored locally in a memory in the device or remotely, for example on a database or on a portable handheld electronic device such as a smartphone or tablet.

(43) Receipt of an authorization signal may also generate an identification signal to identify which cover has been activated in a network. The identification signal may be transmitted by a transmitter to a remote location with the authorization signal in order to indicate the identity of the device which is being configured (switched on or off) and by whom and this data, with the time and date may be recorded in a secure memory or on a database.

(44) FIG. 6 also shows diagram representing the method of use of a security cover 100B. An appliance 300 (kettle) has a standard (non-enclosed) plug. The plug connects to the security cover 100B wall socket.

(45) Alternatively one or more security covers 100B may receive authorization data from one device on the network.

(46) FIG. 7 shows in diagrammatical form a functional block diagram of one preferred embodiment of a plug. A touch sensitive pad or key 500 includes transducer 520 which monitors changes in reflection of waves when a finger 550 touches the surface of the transducer 500. The transducer may be a capacitive touch device or a resistive touch device. Either capacitive touch device or a resistive touch device causes an authorization signal to be generated in response to pressure from finger 550. Alternatively a camera may be used which monitors changes in light levels and shades of grey.

(47) The authorization signal is indicative of a biometric input, such as fingerprint from finger 550. The authorization signal is sent to a comparator 600 which compares the authorization signal indicative of finger 550 with a library of characteristics stored in a memory 700 in order to indicate a match. When the comparator 600 indicates a match an authentication signal is used to generate a command signal to switch 800 which enables input current (I.sub.IN) to flow through switch 800 and flow as output current I.sub.OUT) from the switch 800.

(48) An override device 960 outputs a permission signal which overrides the command signal in the event that a supervisor (not shown) requires the switch 800 to be configured in an operative state or in an inoperative, for example in an emergency or at a prescribed time period or when a user or authorised person is no longer authorised. The permission signal may be received via a receiver 900, from a remote location, or the permission may be refused locally. The receiver 900 is optionally a short range wireless device, Bluetooth device, which is operative to receive a permission signal granting permission or a permission signal refusing permission from a remote location. In an alternative embodiment the receiver may be configured to receive a permission signal via a hardwire connection such as an Internet connection or via AC electric power.

(49) The invention has been described by way of examples only. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the claims.