WO2014013299A1

WO2014013299A1 - Multiple programmable electrical outlet working in master-slave mode

Info

Publication number: WO2014013299A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/055056
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rosario PULLANO
Original assignee: IDEARE R&S DI GP
Current assignee: IDEARE R&S DI GP
Priority date: 2012-07-16
Filing date: 2012-09-23
Publication date: 2014-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 2015-01-16
Also published as: ITPI20120080A1

Abstract

This patent for industrial invention refers to the field of multiple electrical outlets operating in master- slave mode. This type of multi- outlet is lacking in flexibility. The found guarantees, instead, the maximum flexibility of use, allowing to program the functioning of each single socket in relation to the functioning of any other socket, supporting master- slave operating mode, allowing the connection of devices operating in complete autonomy and even programming the functioning of devices in "slave of multi masters" mode The found does not need, ex facto, of programming the functioning, because it's performed simply by inserting the users' electrical plugs into the sockets, therefore, the found has also the advantage of ease of use.

Description

TITLE: «Multiple programmable electrical outlet working in master-slave mode».

1. TECHNICAL FIELD

This industrial invention relates to the field of electrical outlets operating in multiple master-slave mode.

In multiple electrical outlets operating in master-slave mode, a socket said master controls connection to the electrical net of the other outlets said slave of the first. More precisely, the absorption, by the user connected to the socket which acts as a master, of a current intensity above a certain value set as threshold determines the connection to the electrical net of all the plugs operating in slave mode of the first, and the absorption of a current intensity below a certain value set as a threshold, from the user connected to the master socket determines the disconnection from the electrical net of all the slave socket, so that the socket which act as slave are connected to the electrical net if and only if the device connected to the socket which acts as a master absorbs a current intensity above a certain value set as a threshold.

Using multiple electrical outlets operated in master-slave mode is not necessary for the user rekindle all equipment operating in slave mode, since this operation is carried out automatically by the control system when the user turns on the device operating in master mode.

In this way is realized a greater comfort of use, which also translates in an energy saving compared with the use of multiple sockets which do not provide automatic control of the connection of the sockets to the source of electrical energy because, often, the shutdown operation of all the equipment is not performed by the user, while, in the multiple sockets operated in master-slave mode, the shutdown operation of the slave devices is carried out automatically by the control device, when the user turns off the equipment that serves as a master or when this turns off in automatic mode.

2. TECHNICAL PROBLEMS One of the technical problems of multiple outlets operating in master-slave mode stems from the impossibility to connect more than one set of devices operating in master-slave mode.

For example: if is necessary to connect two or more computers with attached peripherals, is not possible to use a single power strip running in master-slave mode, but is necessary to use two or more, and it should be noted that all power strips master- slave must then be connected to a power strip that does not provide automatic control of the jacks of the source of electrical energy. There is therefore a proliferation of multiple outlets to be used, electric cables and the space occupied.

A subdivision of the sockets available in more subgroups of sockets operating in master-slave mode made a priori by the manufacturer, for example: a power strip equipped with six outlets divided into two groups of three completely independent outlets operating in master-slave mode (each group consisting of a master and two slaves), would have a problem of flexibility, because in case it should connect to a computer three peripherals instead of two, or three computers instead of two, the power strip would not be sufficient by itself for the connection of all users.

3. TECHNICAL SOLUTION

The solution found uses a electronic, logic and programmable system for the automatic control of the connection to the source of electrical energy of the sockets available, in order to ensure maximum flexibility of use, allowing to create ad hoc, between the

75 sockets of the found, multiple combinations of sockets, each running in a master-slave mode quite independently from the other socket combinations.

The solution found also allows the programming of the functioning of sockets in modality completely autonomous from the

80 functioning of the other sockets, allowing even the functioning of all the sockets available as "normal" electrical sockets, behaving, then, if necessary, as a "normal" multiple electrical outlet strip, or as a power strip without any automatic connection control of the sockets to the source of electrical energy, increasing, in this way,

85 even more its flexibility of use, compared to the multiple sockets functioning in master- slave mode.

The solution found has another useful feature which allows a greater flexibility of use, and which consists in the possibility of programming the logic system of control so that one or more

90 sockets function in slave of more than one master mode, meaning for said operating mode, that, the slave socket is disconnected from the electrical net, only if all the master sockets, to which the slave socket is associated, absorb a current intensity below a certain value set as a threshold and that, the slave socket is connected to the

95 power supply when one or more sockets master, to which the slave socket is associated, absorb a current intensity above a certain value set as a threshold sufficing that even a single master socket absorbs a current intensity whose value is above the threshold so that the slave socket is connected to the source of electrical energy.

100 This operating mode is very useful if there are peripherals shared among more computers such as for example a printer, because the printer have to switch off only if all the computers are turned off and have to stay switched on even if only one computer is on.

105 The programming of operation of the multiple electrical socket found is very simple because is effectuate simply by inserting the plugs of the users in the electrical sockets of the found.

For programming the operation of the sockets in master-slave mode is necessary to insert, first, the plug of the user that you want

110 to operate as a master, in any of the free sockets and, within a certain time interval (said insertion interval and consistent typically in a minute), all the plugs of the users that you wish to operate as slave to the chosen master user, in any inserting sequence, order of entry, utilizing any combination of sockets among those still free.

115 Wanting to add other user groups that operate in master-slave mode, and in a totally independent of the other groups previously entered, is enough simply repeat the insert operation of the plugs, connecting them to the sockets remained free, and taking care to first insert the plug of the user that you want to operate as a master

120 of the new device group, and then, the spines of users that will act as a slave to the chosen master. All the insert operations of the plugs of a group of users functioning in master-slave mode must be completed before the end of the insertion interval from the connection of the first plug, that

125 one of the user chosen as master, instead, between the insertion of two plugs of users operating in master mode (belonging to two different groups of users working in master-slave mode) must at least spend completely the insertion interval.

For example: you insert the plug of a computer, then, within a

130 minute, that one of a monitor, of a amplifier, of a scanner and of a printer; spent at least a minute from the insertion of the plug of the computer, you can insert the plug of a second computer, then within a minute, the plugs of the peripheral of the second computer, and so on, leaving spend at least a minute from the insertion of the plug of

135 a computer e the other, and inserting all the peripheral within a minute from the insertion of the plug of the last computer. In this way, turning on and off the first computer you turn on and off only the first computers peripherals, while, turning on and off the second computer will turn on and off only the peripherals of the second

140 computer.

The programming of the operation of sockets in which to insert plugs of devices intended to function autonomously, not acting neither as master nor as slave is the simplest in absolute, sufficing insert the plugs of said devices intended to function autonomously

145 (such as a lamp), in any free socket, taking care not to connect other plugs before it is spent entirely least the insertion interval (typically one minute). In the programming of the functioning, sockets functioning independently from the others will simply be regarded as a master with no slave.

150 The programming of a user chosen as a slave of more than one master, is made by programming the functioning as a slave for all user groups functioning in master-slave mode that have a master that you want to associate the user chosen as a slave of more than one master.

155 Will need, therefore, to insert the plug of the chosen user that will act as slave for more than one master, after inserting the plug of the first user that will act as master and before the end of the insertion interval , programming, in this way, the functioning as slave of only one master; subsequently, will need simply repeat the

160 programming operation, disconnecting and reinserting in the same socket, the plug of the user that will act as slave of more than one master, after inserting the plug of the user that will act as master and before the expiry of insertion interval for all groups of users who have a master that you want to associate with the chosen slave of

165 more than one master.

For example: you connect the plug of a computer, then that one of the monitor, and after that one of the printer, and let to spend at least one minute, you insert subsequently the plug of another computer and then the one of the monitor and before the lapse of a

170 minute by the insertion of the plug of the second computer, is inserted and re-inserted into the same socket the plug of the printer. In this way, the printer will be slave of both computers and will be turned off only if both computers will be turned off or in standby mode.

175

4. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

Thanks to this industrial invention is possible to connect to a single power strip more than a group of user devices operating in

180 master-slave mode, each group having not numerousness predetermined by the manufacturer but dependent on the user's needs, it is also possible to connect devices that functioning in complete autonomy and even devices that disconnecting from the electrical net only when all the users associated are turned off or in

185 standby mode (in the mode said slave of more than one master).

The advantage of the found, therefore, consists above all in the flexibility of use. There is also a saving of multiple sockets and electric cables, therefore, an economic saving. Finally, there is the advantage of a reduction of the occupied space and an improvement

190 of the order.

5. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The figure 1 shows how the solution found is presented from 195 the outside, that is, as a normal electrical multiple socket (1) with more sockets (2) and the cord (3) of connection to the network.

The figures from 2 to 16 will be described hereinafter, describing the implementation mode.

The figures from 17 to 27 describe the programming mode of 200 the programmable automatic control system (5) in endowment with the found.

The figure 17 shows the electrical multiple socket found (1) in an implementation with six electrical outlets (7, 81, 82, 91, 92, 93), where, have been formed, quite arbitrarily, three groups

205 of sockets (7 , 8, 9): a group (7) constituted by a single socket (7), a group (8) composed of two sockets (81, 82) and a group (9) having three sockets (91, 92, 93), as is observed from the figure is not even necessary that the sockets constituents the groups are contiguous.

210 The figures 17, 18, 19 and 20, show, in sequence, the procedure for programming a group of sockets (7) for the modality of independent operation, with which each socket operates independently of all other sockets of the group. In this case, since the group (7) is constituted by a single socket (7), the latter will

215 operate in independent mode from all the sockets of the electrical multiple socket (1), because all the groups (7, 8, 9) operate in independent mode between them. The operating procedure for programming the independent mode of functioning is the operation of insertion (7, 71), disconnection (71, 72) and reinsertion (72, 73)

220 of the plugs of the users (in this case only one) that will function in independent mode from all other users.

The figures 20, 21 and 22, show in sequence, the procedure for programming a group (8) of sockets (81, 82) in master-slave modality of functioning. The operating procedure for programming

225 master-slave modality of functioning is the operation of insertion of the plugs of the users, taking care to first insert the plug of the user that will act as a master (81, 83) and subsequently the plugs of the users that will act as a slave that, in this case, is only one (82, 84).

The figures from 22 to 27, show in sequence the procedure for

230 programming a group (9) of sockets (91, 92, 93) in modality of functioning slave of more than one master. The operating procedure for programming the modality of functioning slave of more than one master is the operation of insertion (91, 94) of one of the plugs of the users that will act as master and subsequently, with the insertion

235 operation of the plugs of the users that will act as slave (92, 95), while for the users who will act as additional masters you need use the insertion operation (93, 96), disconnection (96, 97) and reinsertion (97, 98). There is no a preestablished sequence to insert the users that will act as master and those that will act as a slave, but

240 it must first be inserted the plug of a user that will act as master, after which you will be able to insert an user that will act as master or one that will act as slave. To connect the users that will act as additional masters is not enough the simple the operation of inserting but it is necessary the operation of insertion disconnection 245 and reinsertion.

6. MODE FOR INVENTION

The figure 2 represent the electrical diagram of one of the

250 possible implementations of the multiple socket found, an implementation has twelve electrical outlets (21-212) and a means (3) of connection to the network. Twelve buttons normally closed (61-612), each associated with one of the twelve available sockets, open when a plug is inserted into the corresponding socket,

255 remaining open for the whole time in which the plug remains inserted in the socket. The binary digital signal corresponding to the state: plug inserted into the socket (logic one), or the corresponding to the state: free socket (logic zero), is sent to the automatic control system programmable (5). Then there are twelve devices actuators-

260 sensors (41-412), each connected to only one of the twelve sockets.

The figure 3 shows the electrical diagram of the devices actuators-sensors (41-412) shown in the figure 2. From an examination of the figures 2 and 3, it is possible to understand that the devices actuators-sensors (41-412) send the logic signal Cur to

265 the programmable automatic control system (5) and receive from the logic signal Rel, in addition, each of said elements has connected a socket between the clamps Pluga and Plugb (see the figure 3). As shown, has been chosen a relay RL with normally closed contacts as actuator element and a coil L wound around the

270 wire of connection of the electrical socket, as a sensor element of the current absorbed by the device connected to the socket. Substantially the circuit shown in the figure 3 is divided into two parts, one of implementation and the other sensory. As regards the sensory part, a voltage corresponding to a high logic level on clamp

275 Cur, indicates that the current in the corresponding socket is higher than the threshold level established and that therefore the electrical device connected must be considered on, while, a low logic level indicates that the current flowing into the outlet is below the established threshold and the electronic device connected must be

280 considered turned off or in standby. Through the adjustment of the trimmer Rl is possible to adjust the aforementioned threshold, in fact, acting on the trimmer Rl varies the amplification ratio of the operational amplifier OA. The diode D2 serves to straighten the signal coming from the coil L, while the filter constituted by the

285 resistor R3 and the capacitor CI serves to stabilize it. The resistance R4 is a discharge resistor that serves to return the signal Cur to zero when the device connected to the socket is turned off. As regards the part of implementation of the circuit, a high voltage on clamp Rel sends in saturation the transistor T and consequently energizes

290 the coil of the relay RL which opens the normally closed contact by disconnecting the plug from the electrical net. The diode Dl serves to limit the overvoltage produced by the coil of the relay RL. As can be inferred by the figure 2, the contacts Pluga and Plugb shown in the figure 3 are connected in series corresponding to the electrical

295 sockets, so that a high logic signal on clamp Rel turn off the device connected to the socket.

The figure 4 shows the block diagram of the programmable automatic control system (5) shown in the figure 2. In the block diagram, for reasons of space, are shown only the first and the

300 twelfth of the twelve sections, one for each of the twelve sockets of which is equipped with the implementation of the invention illustrated. The CODEC blocks dealing with the transformation of digital signals, while the CONTROL blocks serve to control the REG blocks that are P.I.P.O. registers . The Busln connects the

305 inputs of the twelve REG registers, while the BusOut it connects the outputs. The ControlBus is a control bus, formed by four bits, which serves to transmit information to the control logic (CONTROL blocks) of all twelve sections of the programmable automatic control system of the found.

310 The figure 5 shows the internal electrical diagram of the CODEC blocks shown in Figure 4. The electrical diagram is basically divided into three circuits: one that deals with the transformation of the digital signal Pig (1 plug inserted into the socket, 0 socket empty ); one that deals with the transformation of

315 the digital signal Cur (1 device switched on 0 device switched off) and one that deals with generating the signal Rel that controls the relay RL . This is essentially of two double monostable circuits and a S-R latch with enable. If a plug is inserted into the socket the signal Pig (plug) is

320 changed from zero to one, thanks to the pull-up resistor RIO and, consequently, the output Plgln (plug in) is generated by a pulse of duration determined by in Tin = C4 * R9 = 60 s, while, if a plug is removed from the socket, the signal Pig (plug) passes from one to zero and consequently the exit PlgOut (plug out) is generated by a

325 pulse of duration determined by τ_οι11 = C5 * Rl 1 = 60 s.

If the device connected to one of the sockets of the found is switched on, it starts to draw current, and consequently the signal Cur (current) assumes the logic level one, and consequently to the outputs CVar (current variation) and COn ( current on) a pulse is

330 generated of the duration determined by τ_οη = C3 * C8 = 1 s. If the device connected to the sockets is turned off, this ceases to absorb current, and consequently the signal Cur assumes the logic level zero and, consequently, to the outputs CVar and COff (current off) is generated by a pulse of duration determined by T_off = C2 * R7 = 1

335 s. Summarizing, each time that varies the state of functioning of the device connected to the socket, is generated a pulse of duration of approximately Is on the output terminal CVar, while only when the device connected to the socket is turned on, is generated a pulse of duration of about Is on the output terminal COn, analogously, only

340 when the device connected to the socket is turned off, generated a pulse of duration of approximately Is on the output terminal COff.

As can be seen from Figure 4, the signals COFF and COn are transmitted by blocks CODEC through the ControlBus to all twelve sections of the control system, while the signal CVar is sent only to

345 the CONTROL block of the same section. The figure 4 also shows that the signal Enb (enable) is an input signal for the CODEC, coming from the CONTROL in the same section and is not transmitted to the other sections.

From Figure 5 we can see that the enable signal ENB, is the

350 enable signal (through the gates AND5 and AND6) of a latch of type S-R. If the signal ENB is high, the LATCH is enabled and, consequently, if the signal COn is high the LATCH is set, the Rel signal is low and the contacts of the relay RL are closed and the device is switched on, while, if it is the COff signal to be high, the

355 LATCH is reset and the Rel signal is high and the relay contacts are open RL and the device is turned off.

The figure 6 shows the internal electrical diagram of the CONTROL blocks of the twelve sections of the circuit shown in Figure 4. It is basically of the logic of control of the registers REG.

360 We can see that the control circuit of the register is basically divided into two parts: a part inherent the programming of the functioning, dealing essentially of the writing of the register REG and that comprises the LATCHCTRL, (which is a latch of type S-R) and the gates AND7 , AND 8 and AND9, and another part, which deals

365 with, essentially, of the reading of the register REG, which is constituted by the logic gates AND 10 and AND11.

We will try now to analyze the functioning of the CONTROL block reported in Figure 6. Initially the LATCHCTRL is reset. Inserting a plug into a socket of the invention, the CODEC circuit of

370 the corresponding section transmits a signal Plgln (plug in) that found the door AND7 open (because the door AND9 is closed the signal Slv (slave) is low). Setting, in this way, the LATCHCTRL that closes the door AND8 and opens the door AND9, enabling to write the register REG (see Figure 4) through the signal W (write).

375 The setting of LATCHCTRL indicates that the corresponding section is connected to a device that will function as master and for this reason to the bit Slv (slave) of ControlBus a signal is sent high (for the opening of the door END9), while the signal Busln becomes low because the door END 8 has been closed (and this does so that it

380 is not written a one in the bit corresponding to the same section of the register REG, which would disconnect the master device).

Disengaging, instead, the electric plug from a socket, the CODEC circuit generates the signal PlgOut (plug out) which resets the LATCHCTRL and clears the register REG through the signal

385 CL (clear), so that the entire programming of functioning that saw the device connected as master is deleted.

The figure 7 shows the internal electrical diagram of the block REG. It is essentially a register Parallel Input Parallel Output consisting of 12 SR latch with three-state output and with

390 cancellation pin (CL).

The fig. 8 shows in the detail the connecting of the control blocks (CONTROL) and the registers (REG) to the Busln. We can better understand, observing this scheme, the overall functioning of the device. Inserting a plug (see the figure 2) into the socket (21-

395 212), the corresponding button (31-312) normally closed opens, raising the signal Pig from 0 to 1 (see figure 5) through the pull-up resistor RIO. The monostable circuit constituted by the gate AND3 generates a pulse signal Plgln (plug in) of the duration x_in = C4 * R9 = 60 s. The signal Plgln (see Figure 6) finds the door AND7 open

400 and causes the setting to one of the LATCHCTRL, that closes the door AND 8 bringing to zero the signal Buslnl and opens the door AND9, sending to the register REG the enable signal to writing W, moreover, is led to one the signal Slv (slave) transmitted through the ControlBus to all twelve sections of the implementation of the

405 found, indicating that there is already a master and that consequently any other inserted plugs should become slave.

The setting to one of the LATCHCTRL, as in this case, indicates that the section acts as a master, while a reset to zero indicates that the section acts as a slave. In the Figure 8 is

410 photographed by the situation which occurs after the insertion of a plug into the socket of section 1. In the register REG of the first section of the found, it was not brought to one the first bit, since the door AND8 is closed by lowering the signal Buslnl.

The Figure 9 shows what happens if, within a time interval in

415 τ_ίη = C4 * R9 = 60 s, by the insertion of a plug in the section one a plug is inserted in the section 3 of the found. The CODEC in section 3 sends the signal Plgln3 (plug in), but (see Figure 6) do not set the LATCHCTRL because finds the door AND7 closed being the signal Slv (Slave) raised after inserting the first plug. Staying reset (to 420 zero) the LATCHCTRL, the socket of the section will act as slave, leaving the writing signal W3 down. Staying reset (to zero) the LATCHCTRL, the socket of the section will act as slave, leaving the writing signal W3 down. The signal Busln3 is, instead, led to a high level and in this way will be written an one in bit number 3 425 (corresponding to section 3), but in the register REG1, that of the section that will act as master (the one because there has been inserted the first plug). If other plugs are inserted into the sockets of the found before the lapse of a minute after the insertion of the first, the functioning of their devices will be programmed as a slave of 430 the first.

The figure 10 shows, indeed, what happens if a plug is inserted into the socket of section 12 before that has elapsed the time x_in = C4 * R9 = 60 s, by the insertion of the plug of the device that will act as master in the socket of the section 1. As we see, the result is 435 that in bit number 12 of register REG1 is written an one, to indicate that the twelfth socket, together with the second acts as a slave of the first socket.

The figure 11 shows what happens elapsed the interval of time The signals move to zero but remains stored in memory an one 440 either in bit number 3 that in bit 12 of the REG1.

The figure 12 shows what happens if at this point you insert a plug into the section 2. The LATCHCTRL of section 2 (see the figure 6) is set to 1 memorizing in such way that it comes to a master device, raises the bit Slv (slave) of ControlBus and enables 445 to the writing to the register REG2 of section 2 by raising to one the signal W2.

The figure 13 shows the photograph of the situation in the case in which no plug is inserted subsequently, after that inserted into the socket 2, in any free socket, for a time interval equal to τ in = 60 s.

450 In this situation the device inserted into the socket of the section 2 will operate in complete autonomy.

Finished the programming phase with the situation shown in Figure 13, now seek to analyze the functioning of the found, remembering that the only latches set are LATCHCTRLl and

455 LATCHCTRL2, thereby indicating that the only sections one and two act as master (the section two, however, has not slaves not having any one written in its own register REG and therefore will work in complete autonomy).

The Figure 14 shows in detail the links to ControlBus and

460 BusOut. Suppose that the device connected to the socket 1 is turned on, the signal Cur (see Figures 3, 4 and 5) will become high and the CODEC 1 will send a signal to CVar to Control 1 and a signal with COn to the ControlBus so that all of the twelve CODEC sections will receive the signal COn. Because the section 1 has been

465 programmed as the master LATCHCTRL (see the figure 6) is set and the door AND 11 is open , then, the read signal Rl, sent to the register REGl, becomes high, so that on BusOut present the contents of the register REGl, moreover, is raised the bit Read of the ControlBus, received by all twelve sections. In this way, each of

470 the twelve sections reads from the register REG1 of the section 1 programmed as master, but only the sections that have been programmed as a slave of the Section 1, reads in the bit that corresponds to the respective section, a 1. Being the signal Read high for all the sections, the sections slave, that read, a high bit in

475 REG1, have a high signal BusOn (see the figure 6), which finds the door open and AND 10 that generates a signal Enb high. The sections that have not been programmed as slave of the section 1 read in REG1 a zero and do not transmit the enable signal Enb to their CODEC. The high Enb signal is transmitted to the CODEC

480 (see the figure 5) and enables the LATCH, which is set to one because the output COn is high and so, the output Rel becomes low, doing to close the contacts of the relay RL (see the figure 3) of the sections 3 and 12, and turning on so the devices connected therein. All this is shown diagrammatically in Figure 14.

485 The Figure 15 shows the status of the programmable control system, elapsed the time τ_οη = C2 * R7 = Is, since the device connected to the first section was turned on. COn and CVarl become low and (see the figure 6) the door AND 11 closes lowering the signals Rl and Read. The output of the register REG1 becomes

490 at high impedance unplugging it from BusOut and all the bits of the BusOut are brought to a low level by the pull-down resistors R13 (see the figure 6). The lowering of the read signal Read determines the lowering of all the enable signals Enb. In the figure 16 is shown what happens if the device connected 495 to of the section 1 goes out. The signal Curl goes low and consequently the signals COff and CVarl become high for a period of time approximately equal to T_off = C3 * R8 = Is (see the figure 5). Having been the section 1 programmed as a master , the LATCHCTRL has been set to 1 (see the figure 6) and, therefore, the 500 door AND 11 is open and this leads to high level the reading signal Rl of the register REG1 and the signal of reading Read of the ControlBus. Consequently, the contents of the register REG1 is presented on BusOut and each section reads the bit which concerns itself.

505 The sections 3 and 12 read in the REG1 a high value and having the door AND 10 open (see the figure 6), send an enable signal high Enb to the respective CODEC. The enable signals enable the respective LATCH that are reset because the signal COff is high, and consequently the signals Rel2 and Rell2 become high, sending

510 into saturation the respective transistor T, that excites the relay RL inherent in the third and the twelfth section of the found, switching off the devices whose functioning has been programmed as a slave of the device connected to the first section.

7. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The way in which the found may be used in an industrial environment is obvious from the nature of the invention and from the description.

8. PROPOSALS RATINGS

The proposed European classification (ECLA - European Classification) is as follows:

525 G06F1/32P2.

The proposed International Classification (IPC - International Patent Classification - Green Inventory) is as follows:

H02 J9/00;

Other classifications IPC proposals:

530 H01 R25/00;

G06 F1/26;

H02H3/12.

9. PATENT DOCUMENTS CITED

Deserve to be mentioned for their relevance, the following 535 patent documents:

US 2009/295226 Al [HODGES JOSEPH W [US] ET AL) 3 December 2009 [2009-12-03);

US 2009/125743 Al [ROBERTSON PETER S [GB] ET AL) 14 May 2009 [2009-05-14); 540 WO 2005/111766 Al [GIUSEPPE GELONESE [AU] ) 18 May

2005.

The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that variations and/or modifications may be made 545 by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope of protection, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS of the patent application for industrial invention having TITLE: «PROGRAMMABLE MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL SOCKET FUNCTIONING IN MASTER-SLAVE MODALITY». APPLICANT Ideare R&S di G.P. INVENTOR Rosario Pullano In the following claims numbers in brackets indicate the references to the figures. TEXT OF THE CLAIMS

1 . Multiple electrical socket (1 ) equipped with a programmable automatic control system (5) and characterized in that the electrical connection of each socket (2, 21 -212) to the electrical power source (3) is programmable by the human user in relation with the functioning of the electrical users plugged into all other sockets (2, 21 -212).

2. Multiple electrical socket (1 ) as in claim 1 and characterized by a programming system that provides grouping sockets in one or more groups (7, 8, 9) and the assignation, to each group of sockets (7, 8, 9), of a modality of functioning.

3. Multiple electrical socket (1 ) as in claim 2 and characterized in that to the groups of sockets (7), is assignable the modality of functioning denominated: « independent", intending that, each socket (7) of the group (7) is connected to the electrical power source (3), independently of the functioning of all other sockets (2, 21 - 212).

4. Multiple electrical socket (1 ) as in claim 2 or as in claim 3 and characterized in that to the groups of sockets (7), is assignable the modality of functioning denominated: « master-slave^ intending that, in the group of sockets (8) there is only one socket denominated master (81 ) and one or more sockets denominated slave (82) and that, all the slave sockets (82) are unconnected from the electrical power source (3), only when from the master socket (81 ) is absorbed an intensity of current below to a value set as a threshold and that, all the slave sockets (82) are connected to the electrical power source (3), only when from the master socket (81 ) is absorbed an intensity of current above a value set as threshold and that, the master socket (81 ) is connected to the electrical power source (3), independently of the functioning of all other sockets (2, 21 -212).

5. Multiple electrical socket (1 ) as in claim 2 or as in claim 3 or as in claim 4 and characterized in that, to the groups of sockets (7, 8, 9), is assignable the modality of functioning denominated: «slave of more than one master», intending that, in the group of sockets (9), there is more than one socket denominated master (91 , 93) and one or more sockets denominated slave (92) and that all the slave sockets (92) are unconnected from the electrical power source (3), only when, contemporaneously, from each one of the master sockets (91 , 93) is absorbed an intensity of current below to a value set as a threshold and that, all the slave sockets (92) are connected to the electrical power source (3), only when from at least one of the master sockets (91 , 93) is absorbed an intensity of current above a value set as threshold and that, each one of the master sockets (91 , 93) is connected to the electrical power source (3), independently of the functioning of all other sockets (2, 21 -212).

6. Multiple electrical socket (1 ) as in claim 2 or as in claim 3 or as in claim 4 or as in claim 5 and characterized in that the programming is done by means of the following three operations: insertion operation» (7, 71 ), with which the plug of an electrical user is inserted into a free socket; «unplug operation» (71 , 72), with which the plug of an electrical user is plugged out from the socket; insertion, unplug and reinsertion operations with which the plug of an electrical user is inserted (7, 71 ) into a free socket, then unplugged (71 , 72) and finally reinserted (72, 73) into the same socket from which it was previously inserted and unplugged.

7. Multiple electrical socket (1 ) as in claim 6 and characterized in that the programming system allows the cancellation of the modalities of functioning previously assigned to the groups of sockets (7, 8, 9), by means of the «unplug operation» (96, 97), as described in claim 6, for each sockets (91 , 92, 93) of the group (9).

8. Multiple electrical socket (1 ) as in claim 6 or as in claim 7 and characterized in that the assignation to the groups of sockets (7, 8, 9) of the modality of functioning denominated: «independent», as described in claim 3, is done by means of the insertion, disconnection and reinsertion operations as described in claim 6, for each of the sockets of the group (7), so that at the end of the programming operations, all the sockets of the group functioning in «independent» modality (7) are connected with plugs of electrical users (73).

9. Multiple electrical socket (1 ) as in claim 6 or as in claim 7 or as in claim 8 and characterized in that the assignation to the groups of sockets (7, 8, 9) of the modality of functioning denominated: «master-slave», as described in claim 4, is done by means of the insertion operation» (81 , 83), as described in claim 6, of the plug of the electrical user that will act as master (83) and successively by means of the insertion operation» (82, 84), of all the plugs of the electrical users that will act as slave (84), so that at the end of the programming operations, all the sockets (81 , 82) of the group (8) functioning in «master-slave» modality are connected with plugs of electrical users (83, 84).

10. Multiple electrical socket (1 ) as in claim 6 or as in claim 7 or as in claim 8 or as in claim 9 and characterized in that the assignation to groups of sockets (7, 8, 9) of the modality of functioning denominated: «slave of more than one master», as described in claim 5, is done by means of the insertion operation» (91 , 94), as described in claim 6, of the plug (94) of one of the electrical user that will act as master, and successively by means of the insertion operation» (92,

95), of all the plugs (95) of the electrical users that will act as slave and by means of the insertion, unplug and reinsertion operation» (93, 97, 98), as described in claim 6, of all the plugs of the user that will act as additional masters, so that, at the end of the programming operation, all the sockets (91 , 92, 93) of the group (9) functioning in «slave of more than one master» modality are connected with plugs of electrical users (94, 95, 96).